Sometimes sticking on a bit of music can be the best motivator and self-care that you can do. Whether you're dancing around the house to party tunes or using it as an exercise motivator, wired headphones can quickly become really important.
The worst thing, in this case, is to get a hold of wired headphones with really bad quality or just don't do it for you - we've all been there. In the case of headphones, and especially if you're listening with music in mind, it's true that a higher price usually higher quality.
You can get a variety of wired headphones - on-ear, over-ear - and sometimes it can be hard to decide whether you even choose some earphones instead.
So, what really are the best wired headphones to buy right now?
Are wired headphones better than wireless?
The truth is that usually wired headphones are slightly better than wireless. One of the biggest factors in this statement is that music and sound quality are usually higher than that of wireless headphones, which have to go through Bluetooth to connect and this loses some of the strength and quality. As wired headphone connections are stronger, this makes it easier for the quality of sound to come through.
As well as this, you don't have to worry about running out of battery with wired headphones because that comes with plugging them in. There's nothing worse than jamming out to your favourite playlist and then having to charge up your headphones - with wired you don't have to worry about this.
What features should I look for in headphones?
There are loads of options on the market - even waterproof headphones. But which ones are the best for you?
Wired vs. wireless: As we’ve already mentioned, you can get both wired and wireless options for over-ear headphones. We recommend investing in wired headphones as mentioned above, but if you are looking for wireless options to listen in wire-free, then you can also invest in that.
Lightweight: Sometimes headphones can be really uncomfortable if they’re too heavy, bulky or annoying on the ear. Look for a set of headphones that are lightweight and won’t put too much pressure on your head or ears.
Style: A lot of the high-quality, expensive headphones come in a classic black, but you don’t have to tie yourself down to that if you want a pair of more exciting, stylish headphones. We’ve picked out a range for you below to choose from
The best wired headphones UK 2021
Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
Best value wired headphones
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
If you're looking for some light, affordable headphones just to chuck on for work or everyday use, these Sony headphones are a great choice. For just £15, you'll not find another pair of headphones for this price. They have a built-in remote and mic and will fold flat for extra efficiency.
Super lightweight with noise reduction makes for good quality at a great price.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: No, but has noise reduction
Bluetooth: No
Weight: 120g
Best high-end wired headphones
Selfridgeswww.selfridges.com
On the other end of the scale, these Sony wired headphones are over £200, making them a higher-priced option but also high-quality. This headphone is tuned for precise sounds and high-resolution audio. It has a built-in remote control to adjust your sounds as well as a lightweight frame for easy wear.
These are classic-looking headphones of high quality. If you're looking for a good product that's worth your money then these are definitely worth the investment.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Weight: 187g
Best
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Coming in under £50, these Sennheiser work as an affordable but quality option for wired headphones. Full of bass, this doesn't compromise on sound quality and the strap is also adjustable for extra comfort. Reviewers love this for its comfortability as well as quality.
Looking for good quality at a value price? These Sennheiser headphones may be a great choice for you.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Weight: 182g
Best Beats wired headphones
Amazonif you're a headphone fan, you're most likely to have come across Beats at some point. Known for their super high quality which is tuned to acoustics and premium sound, this is great for a music lover. The Beats EP wired headphones are their classic headphones and are a really great price for this brand. They're a little bit heavier but very good quality.
Most modern Beats headphones you'll find are now wireless, so if you're looking for wired specifically, these are for you. Coming in white, but you can also find these in different colours online.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: No
Bluetooth: No
Weight: 0.66kg
Best on-ear wired headphones
Selfridgeswww.selfridges.com
British company Marshall has these stylish headphones out right now and if you're looking for some on-ear headphones to bag then these are for you. On-ear is made with on-the-go in mind and natural listening. With a classic Marshall style and collapsible design, these are top-quality headphones.
These are slightly different to our other options because they're on-ear, but they're still great quality and good if you're looking for some chic headphones.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: No
Bluetooth: No
Weight: 178g
Best Apple wired headphones
John Lewis
Apple brought out the Apple AirPods Max pretty recently, just last year in fact. These wired headphones are really stylish and one of the highest quality that you can get on the market right now. If you're an Apple fan, this is definitely a good buy to add to your collection. A bit more expensive but totally worth it for the noise-cancellation and spatial audio quality. Although they're technically used wirelessly, it also includes a lightning-to-USB cable inside.
We've picked out the Sky Blue headphones but they also come in a pink, green, silver and space grey. Take your pick.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Weight: 384.8g