Headphones have become essential gadgets after smartphones and tablets in the modern era. These amazing hearing devices give us absolute control and privacy of our audio, ranging from music to conversations. Buying the best branded headphones will elevate this listening experience as they come with better-quality materials, advanced technologies and minimal interruptions. These devices also pack better style and comfort, gaining an edge over unbranded ones.
This article highlights the 10 famous and Best Headphone Brands listed in India and their top headphone models for 2024. Also, learn some important buyer tips which will help you choose the best headphone for your needs.
How To Choose The Best Headphones In India? (Buyer Guide)
Headphones have emerged as smart wearables with complicated technical jargon printed on their labels. Non-techies may find it difficult to understand these terms and filter out the right specifications for their needs. Thankfully, this headset buyer guide will explain some of the important aspects to consider before buying the best product for your budget and requirements:
1. Different Types of Headphones:
There are different types of headphones which varied shapes, designs and connectivity types. Some of these popular types include over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, in-ear and true wireless earbuds. Here is a breakdown of these varieties of headphones:
Over-Ear Headphones:
- As the name suggests, these headphones go over the ear and have large earpads which sit snugly over your ears. These devices look quite stylish and have great audio quality, especially deep basses. The best feature of over-ear headphones is noise cancellation, which cuts external noise to give you crystal-clear audio.
- The disadvantage of this variety of headsets is that they are heavy and bulky. They are not travel-friendly as they don’t fit easily in your bags and occupy a lot of space. The high price tag is another major con!
On-Ear Headphones:
- These headphones have small earbuds covering only your ear cavity rather than your entire ear. They are also very good in terms of audio clarity, portability and pricing. People who don’t like to wear bulky stuff over their heads find on-ear headphones the best choice for prolonged listening.
- The major con with on-ear headphones is that they cannot entirely cut down external noises. However, on the positive side, many people prefer this feature over 100% noise cancellation to not lose connection with their surroundings.
In-Ear Headphones:
- In-ear headphones are the most commonly found types of headphones that come with the original box of a new phone. The sound quality can range from erratic to decent, depending on the brand and price. They are inexpensive, travel-friendly, and have a discrete look, making them an ideal pick for students and teens who wish to listen to their favourite music or podcasts secretly.
- On the flip side, these headsets don’t produce great quality music and lack the ability to produce a good depth of sound. The earbuds are quite small and fall out easily. The wired headphones can get into a tangled mess, making it difficult to straighten them out.
Wireless Earbuds:
- Wireless earbuds are one of the hottest trends in the headphones segment. As the name suggests, these tiny headphones have a wireless nature and sit well in your ear. In addition, they look quite discrete and offer impeccable comfort to those who are always on the move.
- The disadvantages of wireless earbuds include high cost, small size that can get misplaced easily and problems with frequent charging. The battery life of wireless earbuds is quite low, forcing you to replace them every now and then.
2. Type of Connectivity:
- Once you figure out the type of headphone design, you can now focus on the connectivity type. Headphones come in two major connectivity types – Wired and Wireless.
- Wired headphones are relatively inexpensive, hard to lose and stay intact with your phone. However, the audio quality can go erratic and hanging wire tangles can be a messy affair.
- Wireless headphones or earphones are quite portable and look stylish. They use Bluetooth connectivity to pair with a device and reduce the need for you to carry your phone for up to a 40-50 metres radius. The disadvantage is their high price and frequent charging.
3. Technical Aspects:
There are many technical aspects we need to consider before buying a headphone. Here is a breakdown of the common tech specs you need to pay attention to”
- Noise Cancellation or Open Acoustics?: Noise-cancellation headphones eliminate external noise from entering your ears. On the other hand, open acoustic headphones allow external noises, which means you can hear the sounds of your surroundings and the music.
- Drivers: Drivers are speakers or headphones that ‘drive’ sounds to your ear canal. The size of the drivers influences sound clarity. So, large drivers can generate louder sounds but need not necessarily produce better sound quality.
- Frequency Response: Frequency response refers to the range of sounds the headphones can produce. Generally, the frequency range can fall within the human audio limit – 20 Hz- 20 kHz. A bigger frequency translates to a better listening experience.
- IPX: Headphones with high IPX ratings are resistant to dust, water and sweat. If you constantly travel or sweat out too much, we recommend opting for headphones with high IPX ratings.
- Battery Life and Charging: If you are going for a wireless headphone model, make sure that it has a good battery life with fast charging option.
- Compatibility: The chosen headset must be compatible with your current phone model. For example, if you are using the latest iPhone model, pick a compatible wireless Bluetooth headset, as the phone doesn’t have a headphones jack. Also, not all headphones pair easily with all Android or ios versions.
4. Budget:
Headphones come in a wide range of budgets. Models with advanced features like microphones, voice commands, multipoint pairing, active noise cancellation, gaming headphones etc. have expensive price tags. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can go for wired headphones or wireless models with slightly lowered specs.
10 Famous and Best Headphone Brands List In India 2024:
Let us now take a look into these 10 top and best brands of headphones in the Indian market and also explore their best-selling headphone models for this year.
1. Sony:
Sony is undoubtedly one of the premium headphone brands in India, renowned for its top-notch audio-producing devices. The Japan-based multinational company takes a fair share of the Indian headphones market thanks to its loyal customer base. In fact, it also takes the credit for revolutionizing the audio market with the invention of the iconic Walkman, a model which paved the way for the headsets segment. Over the years, Sony has produced a wide range of models featuring many innovative technologies like, noise cancellation processors, audio coding technology, 360 reality audio etc. Price range of Sony Wireless headphones can start from Rs. 2000 to upto Rs.30,000 depending on the model and year of manufacturing.
Here is one of the best-selling headphone models from Sony:
Sony WH-XB910N Extra BASS Noise Cancellation Headphones Wireless Bluetooth Over The Ear Headset:
The Sony WH-XB910N is one of the best-rated over-ear headphones which the brand launched early this year. The latest Bluetooth headset features advanced noise-cancellation technology (ANC) and a Smart listening feature to enjoy an excellent noise-free, ambient sound quality. It also packs many amazing features like Voice assistant, Quick attention mode, multipoint connection, touch controls, swift pair etc. Another highlight is the long battery life of 30 hours for a full charge and the Quick charging option for 4.5 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging.
2. JBL:
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturing company, renowned for its high-performance headphones and earbuds. The brand heavily invests in innovation to offer its customers the best audio experience. JBL headphones are widely sold for their powerful sound quality, high-performance drivers and stylish designs. It engages its customers from all walks of life by offering different types of headphones like sports, gaming, on-ear, over-ear etc. Even the wired headsets from JBL have great reviews for their excellent sound clarity and minimal interruptions. The affordable pricing and advanced specs make JBL one of India’s best-selling headphone brands. JBL headphones fall in the price range of Rs.2000 to Rs. 25000.
Check out this latest headphone model from JBL:
JBL T460BT by Harman, Wireless On-Ear Headphones with Mic:
The JBL-T460BT is one of the best-selling headphones under 2000, which ticks all boxes in the design and features aspect. The on-ear wireless headset is flat-foldable, lightweight, portable and compact for everyday use. It has 32mm drivers that reproduce the powerful JBL Pure Bass sound in large events and cinemas. The ear cups have audio, mic and call controls, giving a comfortable user experience. Moreover, it truly supports the “music on the go” concept by offering 11 hours of uninterrupted audio playback with a single charge.
3. Philips:
Philips is a Dutch multinational conglomerate known for being one of the largest consumer electronics and household equipment manufacturers. It is also one of the premium headphone brands which make devices that excel in every department. Customers love Philips headphones for their comfortable fit and excellent sound clarity with noise-cancellation features. Moreover, they are ideal for music lovers due to their amazing sound ranges and adaptive sound control for an immersive experience. The price range starts from as low as Rs.300 (for wired) to over Rs.20,000, depending on the features and technology.
Here is one of the best-quality headphones from the Philips brand:
Philips Audio TAA4216 On-Ear Sports Bluetooth Headphones with IP55 Dust/Water Protection:
Philips Audio TAA4216 is one of the best sports headphones in India, specially made for people with active lifestyles. The on-ear headset is lightweight and sturdy and even comes with IP55 protection to let you confidently use it in dusty trails and rains. The perfectly tuned 40mm neodymium drivers deliver high-energy bass to pump up your music experience. The device also has a multi-function button that lets you take calls, pause music, control the volume and activate the phone’s voice assistant. The best part is the washable and detachable cup design for easy cleaning.
See More: Perfume Brands In India
4. boAt:
boAt is a proudly ‘Made in India’ wearables and electronics brand renowned for its stylish and affordable devices. The brand offers different types of headphones- wired and wireless to suit everyone’s needs. Its wireless headphone segment brings a wide range of models that deliver great audio experiences and matchless wearing comfort. boAt’s Rockerzz series comes with Fast Charge technology, the latest Bluetooth version, extended battery usage and a wide range of colour choices to keep up with the latest trends.
Here is a best-selling headphone set from boAT.
boAt Rockerz 550 Bluetooth Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Upto 20 Hours Playback:
Bring out the rockstar in you with the trendy headphone model from the boAT Rockerz series. The device combines impeccable style with functionality at affordable pricing. The ergonomically styled Over-Ear headphones feature great comfort and fresh designs that set you apart from the crowd. In addition, the 50mm drivers offer a thumping sound experience with superior sound clarity and bass. You can also enjoy up to 20 hours of playback time with the 500mAh battery capacity. Plush ear cushions give ultimate wearing comfort and even offer physical noise isolation.
5. Beyerdynamic:
Beyerdynamic is a premium headphone brand based out of Germany. The company started its journey by making speakers for movie theatres and used that experience to get into the headphones and microphones segment. Today, Beyerdynamic headsets have become synonymous with outstanding sound clarity and are the No. 1 choice for studio professionals. The company produces different types of wired and wireless headphones for different purposes like home recording, home office, gaming, entertainment and studio. The price range starts from Rs.10,000 to over Rs. 20,000.
Here is one of the best-selling headphones from Beyerdynamic:
Beyerdynamic Dt 770 Pro 250 Ohm Studio Wired Over Ear Headphones with Mic (Black):
Beyerdynamic 770 Pro headset has a ‘legendary’ status for its matchless sound quality with advanced audio technology. It is also known as the Studio legend for being a popular choice of many studio professionals and music lovers around the world. The closed over-ear with 80 Ohms produces great sound isolation, making it ideal for loud recording environments and professional monitoring or mixing. It has a closed-back sound with zero noise bleed and Bass reflex technology for superb low-frequency reproduction. Wearing comfort is quite superior and suits long hours of listening.
6. BOSE:
Bose is a premium headphone brand in India that offers several headphone styles to suit personal and professional audio listening purposes. All the headphone models from this brand feature the proprietary Bose noise cancelling technology that enhances sound clarity and completely cuts off the noise. In addition, the devices are travel-friendly, thanks to their lightweight and portable design. The high-end price range (Rs.10,000 to over Rs.30,000) may ward you off initially, but once you start using Bose headphones, there is no looking back!
Here is a best-rated headset from Bose:
Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Bluetooth Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Mic for Clear Calls & Alexa Enabled and Touch Control, (Silver Luxe):
The Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones is one of the best headset models you can get in the Indian market. The device offers outstanding sound clarity with adjustable sound blocking to give you an unparalleled listening experience. It has an adaptive 4-mic system that picks your voice and isolates noise around you, so you can take calls even in loud environments. The headset is optimized for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which respond to your voice commands. The lightweight and luxe design of the headset elevates your personal style.
See More: Best Handbag Brands
7. Skullcandy:
Skullcandy is an American company that produces different varieties of headphones, earphones, heads-free devices and audio players. Skullcandy headsets are quite popular among the younger generation for their fashionable designs. Even the sound performance is quite good and wearing comfort is great too! Another reason for the brand’s popularity is the accessible budget that starts from Rs.2000 to Rs.20,000. The devices are travel-friendly as they are lightweight, portable and have excellent battery life.
Here is a best-selling headphone from Skullcandy:
Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless Over-Ear Headphone, Rapid Charge (10 min = 3 hrs), Noise-Isolating Fit and Built-in Tile Finding Technology (Blue):
Skullcandy Hesh Evo is your perfect audio companion, as it packs style with functionality. The best-rated wireless headphone offers up to 36 hours of battery life and a 10-minute rapid charge for 3 hours of performance. The flat folding and collapsible design easily fits in your bags and goes where you go. Its ultra-lightweight body and soft pads snugly cover up your ears and offer impeccable wearing comfort. Apart from outstanding sound quality, the headset also offers intuitive buttons to control the device without using your phone.
8. Zebronics:
Zebronics is one of India’s leading electronics brands famous for its high-quality, low-cost IT peripherals and audio devices. Zebronics headphones may not be the best in the market, but they certainly offer great value for money. The designs look quite stylish and trendy, making them quite popular among the younger generation. The sound clarity is quite decent, and the bass output is above average. Wearable comfort is decent enough, considering the entry-level price range. However, if you are looking for advanced features like noise cancellation, adaptive sound technology etc., Zebronics may not be the right choice.
Here is a good-quality headset from Zebronics:
ZEBRONICS Zeb-Envy Bluetooth Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Mic:
Zebronics Zeb-envy has great reviews for its affordable pricing and powerful sound clarity. The best budget-friendly headphone set comes with 40mm drivers that produce powerful sound effects. Thanks to its powerful battery, the device offers 33 hours of playback time without recharge. You can use it in wired and wireless mode with its Bluetooth compatibility and 3.5mm AUX cable. The foldable ear cups make it easy for you to carry the device anywhere you want. The speakers feature 3 LED modes – static, breathing LED and RGB to produce eye-catchy light effects.
9. Logitech:
Logitech is a Swiss-American, multinational brand which produces personal peripherals and electronic devices. The brand also offers a wide range of wired and wireless headphones for personal and professional use. Logitech headphones are hailed for their ultra-lightweight bodies and the G435 model surprises you with its 165gm weight. The build quality of these headsets is decent but not on par with high-end brands like Sony. Logitech headphones score decently on the audio front and are suitable for general listening purposes. Pricing falls in the affordable range of Rs.800 to Rs.15000 and above.
Here is one of the best-selling headsets from Logitech:
Logitech G435 Light Speed and Lightweight Gaming Bluetooth Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Mic:
Logitech G435 is one of the best-selling gaming headsets in India. The best feature of this model is its ultra-lightweight body which makes it comfortable to wear all day long. The device is also the first headset with LIGHTSPEED wireless and low-latency Bluetooth that allows you to connect with any device of your choice. It has 40mm, drivers, with Dolby Atmos, Tempest 3D audio tech and Windows Sonic compatibility for a true surround sound experience. The built-in microphones eliminate the need for a separate mic arm and efficiently reduce the background noise.
See More: Latest Tablet Brands
10. Jabra:
Jabra is a Danish brand specialising in a wide range of audio devices for personal and commercial uses. The company has a 150-year history of developing many game-changing technologies to improvise audio experiences for its customers. It takes the credit for making the world’s first Bluetooth headset that offers complete freedom from messy wires. Jabra headphones are well-suited for call centres, sports, gaming and office purposes. Pricing starts from Rs.5000 to over Rs.30,000.
Here is one of the highly-rated headphones from Jabra:
Jabra Elite 45h, On-Ear Wireless Headphones with Mic:
Jabra Elite 45h is a best-selling pair of headphones which offers long-lasting wearing comfort and superior audio clarity. The headset comes with 40mm speakers and 50 hours of listening time. It has compatibility with Alexa, Siri and Google Voice Assistant to gain control with just one touch of a button. The 2-microphone technology delivers quality conversations while you are on the go. The headset also features MySound, the latest Jabra technology that adjusts your music experience based on your hearing preferences. You can personalize it more with the Jabra Sound+ app.
Those are the top 10 top and best headphone brands listed in India which offer better devices in terms of quality and comfort. Branded headphones always have the edge over non-branded ones as the companies heavily invest in improvising their devices to stay afloat in the competitive market. So which one among these is your favourite headphone brand in India?
DISCLAIMER: Stylesatlife takes no responsibility for determining the actual quality of the product or its performance. The page may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites, through which we may earn a small commission with every purchase you make.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1. Are expensive headphones always better than normal headphones?
An expensive price tag always doesn’t translate to exceptional quality. However, high-priced models usually deliver better quality and superior comfort with premium materials. They also come with advanced features to offer excellent user experiences.
2. Can I use headphones continuously for 4-5 hours?
Although most headphones come with a non-stop listening feature, it’s not advisable to continuously keep them on for longer hours. Doctors recommend a 60%-60 minute rule to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. So, limit the hearing volume to 60% and don’t listen beyond 60 minutes.
3. How are gaming headphones different from regular ones?
Gaming headphones have better sound clarity with a powerful noise-cancellation feature. They also have equalizers to boost the sounds of footsteps and minute details which are otherwise missing in standard headphones. Gaming headsets also have large drivers with powerful amplifiers to produce aggressive sounds.
