Best On Ear Headphones

The Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones is our best on ear headphones and is compatible with any device that supports the standard 3.5 mm audio jack or 6.53 mm headphone jack. At only 7 ounces, it is super light weight and easy to manage and carry around. You can also choose between 3 RF channels so you can avoid interference from other devices and it can also reach beyond walls, doors, ceilings and the like due to its strong radio frequency response and signal catching.

Our step-up pick is the Sennheiser HD 598 Special-Edition Over-Ear Headphones and the headband has a leatherette and padded material for superb comfort and adjustability. The headphones work well for long listening hours due to the ear pads having Velour covering for its material for added luxury and comfort and it uses EAR or ergonomic acoustic refinement technology so you can feel a more realistic sound from your headphones. The voice coils are made from high quality aluminum material for superior performance, durability and light weight feel and also to avoid distortion.

The budget pick is the Bluedio Turbine T2s Wireless Bluetooth Headphones and the frequency response is from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz and the total harmonic distortion is less than 0.1 percent so it is super clear in its audio quality. It uses 57 mm drivers compared to 40 mm drivers of competitor brands and the on ear headphone has Bluetooth functionality that lets you listen to music wirelessly. You can rotate the ear cup conveniently in a full 195 degrees for flexibility on the go and for travel purposes and it can also be used as a wired headset when the battery is out.

A Little Background

On ear headphones are known for their portability and are sometimes called a supraaural headphone. These headphones are usually used for computer shops due to their portability and light weight feel. Such headphones are also more preferred by users who are not very meticulous with use. The fact that these headphones offer good breathability makes them a favorite among consumers in the world market today.
They are a bit similar to over ear headphones at first sight but the thing that sets them apart is that they just sit on the ear and not around it so your ears feel cool and calm. Usually, such headphones are also very light in their design.

How We Picked

When it comes to choosing the best on ear headphones, the following are our guidelines in picking:
Durability – any on ear headphone must be durable despite the light weight so that it will be worth for your money. The stereotype that has been imposed on most headphones with an on ear design is that they can be a bit flimsy in terms of material used and construction. However, you should definitely pick an on ear headphone with great durability and light weight at the same time.
Audio quality – the quality of the audio should by all means be high definition and if high resolution as an on ear headphone. A plus point is that if the headphone has noise cancelling capabilities.

Our Pick

Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones
Our best on ear headphone is the Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones and this awesome and unique on ear headphone has RF technology that makes it different from Bluetooth technology as a wireless headphone. Its RF or radio frequency technology allows you to use it for high fidelity audio streaming and with smart TVs out there and it uses 2 AAA NiMH batteries that are rechargeable, which are included in the package.
The charging dock keeps the headphone organized and safe and it is also double tasking as the wireless transmitter of the wireless headphone and the on the ear design makes it breathable and light weight for hours of use. It can reach for up to 300 feet of working distance, which makes it highly more effective than standard Bluetooth wireless headphones out there.
It can also reach beyond walls, doors, ceilings and the like due to its strong radio frequency response and signal catching. At only 7 ounces, it is super light weight and easy to manage and carry around and it has a battery life of up to 20 hours on regular usage. You can also choose between 3 RF channels so you can avoid interference from other devices and it can be recharged easily using the cradle. There are also controls for the headphone’s volume and power. Highly compatible with any device that supports the standard 3.5 mm audio jack or 6.53 mm headphone jack, it is backed by a warranty of 2 years.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

Some things that are not very good but nonetheless minor about the Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones and are not deal breakers include the fact that some TVs don’t really work well for these headphones so you must buy a converter for it.

Step-up Pick

Sennheiser HD 598 Special-Edition Over-Ear Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 598 Special-Edition Over-Ear Headphones is our step-up pick and this greatly designed over the ear headphones have audiophile quality. It is also equipped with an open back design for comfort and relaxation for hours of listening to music and the adapter plug at 3.5 mm has two cables at 1.2 meters and 3 meters for your convenience. The headphones work well for long listening hours due to the ear pads having Velour covering for its material for added luxury and comfort.
The headband has leatherette and padded material for superb comfort and adjustability and you can use it for smart phones, tablets, desktops, laptops, stereo components and many more. It uses EAR or ergonomic acoustic refinement technology so you can feel a more realistic sound from your headphones. Also, the voice coils are made from high quality aluminum material for superior performance, durability and light weight feel and also to avoid distortion.

Budget Pick

Bluedio Turbine T2s Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Our budget pick is the Bluedio Turbine T2s Wireless Bluetooth Headphones and the on ear headphone has Bluetooth functionality that lets you listen to music wirelessly. It uses 57 mm drivers compared to 40 mm drivers of competitor brands and it is also capable of rotary folding due to its flexibility mechanism.
It has a large speaker set which is cable of bring you a rich bass sound and clear and crisp high sounds and you can rotate the ear cup conveniently in a full 195 degrees for flexibility on the go and for travel purposes. It can also be used as a wired headset when the battery is out and the headband can be adjusted as well so it fits generally all head sizes in its build and design. The foam and leather are very soft to feel and gives comfort to the wearer and the battery can help you run and play music for about 40 hours and it has a standby time of up to 1,625 hours or equivalent to 67 days.
It also allows you a talk time of up to 45 hours with its Bluetooth functionality. Because it only charges for 2 hours, it is very superb in its battery quality. The package includes a user’s manual and cables for charging and the 3.5 mm audio cable and the headphone has a sensitivity of 110 dB and it works with Bluetooth version 4.1 and it has an impedance of 16 ohms since it is only a budget option. The total harmonic distortion is less than 0.1 percent so it is super clear in its audio quality and the frequency response is from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz. Its supported profiles include HSP, AVRCP, HFP and A2DP for its Bluetooth function. With free space, it can operate to about 32 feet of distance. The thickness of the ear pads are 1/3 inches and are made from high quality memory foam.

Ideal On Ear Headphones for Children and Kids

LilGadgets Untangled Pro Children’s Bluetooth Headphones
A high quality headphone with an on ear design that is perfect for children as well as kids, the LilGadgets Untangled Pro Children’s Bluetooth Headphones is also wireless so there are fewer tangling problems for you to consider. Because it has been greatly powered by Bluetooth connectivity, it is a great set of headphones to consider for portability. The headphone also has a SharePort feature which helps you share music on the go and you can also choose from different personalization options for this on ear headphone. In fact, its SharePort feature allows you to connect another person’s headphone of a similar caliber to let you listen to the same music at the same time so you do not have to buy a splitter just to listen to the same music together.
A micro USB charging cable is used by this on ear headphone and the cable is also tangle free due to the design. Moreover, the cable is also made from high quality nylon material for superior audio quality. The cable measures a length of up to 48 inches and is also detachable for your comfort and convenience and the carrying pouch is also made from high quality microfiber so that it will not blur out the smooth finish exterior quality of your headphone to give it the luster it always had and still protect its hardware components.
The LilGadgets Bluetooth Headphones has a total standby time of up to 180 hours on the average use for more life with its battery. The battery can also withstand for up to 12 hours of functional Bluetooth activity and you can also feel convenient with its battery saving feature due to the very fact that the maximum volume you can set is up to 93 dB so it does not sacrifice battery life for volume and still maintains a good quality audio.
The rich bass sounds and the clear highs and trebles are powered up by the neodymium driver speakers which are both at 40 mm in diameter. In fact, children and people with smaller head frames can enjoy this headphone due to the very fact that the padding of the ear cups are very comfortable to wear for long hours of music or videos or similar entertainment. It can be used by kids aged 4 years old and above and any Bluetooth device can be used with this ingenious headphone and its design.
The fact that it has a volume limiter makes it very safe for use with kids and children and people with sensitive hearing problems and such to save their ears from bad hearing damage. The microphone is also able to pick up signals for up to 360 degrees for your convenience and the headphone has a folding feature that is a closed back in its form. Its microphone allows your children and kids to make calls wirelessly and hands-free to avoid cell phone radiation and its over the ear feature and mechanism makes it super comfortable for children and kids to wear. Moreover, the passive noise reduction feature of this on ear headphone is at 13 dB. Also, it uses a standard audio cable at 3.5 mm and the nylon cable is also braided to avoid tangling and the cable also spans at a length of 4 feet.
For comfort, a fabric that is soft to touch makes up the ear pads and other soft parts of the headphone. In fact, stainless steel material that is of high quality makes up the frame alongside the polycarbonates which also add to the durability of the headphone plus the microphone. It has an impedance of 30 ohms and the frequency response of the headphone is from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz so you get pure sound from the headphone. The listening time is up to 12 hours and the standby time is up to 180 hours. The unit also comes with a convenient travel pouch and an instructional manual and the cushioning of the headphone’s headband is snag-free and is also highly adjustable.

Ideal On Ear Headphones for Use with Smartphones

Sound Intone CX-05 Noise Isolating Headphones
For smart phones, you can highly depend upon the Sound Intone CX-05 Noise Isolating Headphones and this headphone is capable of isolating the user from background noise due to its noise cancelling features and capability. The microphone that has been built-in within the unit makes it easier for you to take calls and make calls to the other party without having to pick up your phone from your pocket in public and it is a super ideal headphone for smart phones with an on ear design. You can choose from two various designs with this headphone.
The headband is super durable because of the zinc alloy material that has been casted to make the headphone withstand the test of time due to its coating that is electro plated for added strength. In fact, corrosion is not an option and deforming will never happen because of the ergonomics and total flexibility of the headband’s build overall and the pull arm of the headphone is also super strong due to being telescopic and made from high quality stainless steel and is also highly retractable for your convenience. It uses a 3.5 mm standard mini plug audio jack for various purposes which is also gold plated for avoiding loss of signal in the long run and it also includes a PET cable for audio that is made from high quality nylon material for durability purposes.
It helps avoid distortion and spreads audio greatly due to the clear sounds produced by the headphone components. Also, the microphone is also omni directional which allows it to pick up 360 degrees of full sound and voices from its surroundings.
The design of the headphone is highly adjustable as well for convenience and the hinge is also highly foldable so you can use it with you while traveling. The head beam has fabric layers which have been coasted and sewn in for a stylish and authentic look as a headphone with an on ear design and it can withstand up to 10,000 times of rigorous folding based on a destructive test. The ear pad goes hand in hand with the headband material in order to keep the listener comfortable during long hours of use.
The ear cups are made from high quality leather with soft protein material plus memory foam that is ultra plush to give the wearer the comfort they deserve and you can easily slip it in your bag or laptop case due to its ability to be folded. You can easily make calls or end calls and conveniently control your music player using the built-in remote that is in-line in its design for added portability.
The microphone is also equipped with tough noise reduction for a clearer vocalization and cancelling out background noise while the braided cable cord for the headphone is spanning at a length of 3.9 feet overall. At less than 1 pound, it is a must-have for a smart phone on ear headphone. It is backed by a warranty of 6 months for parts and labor.

Unique On Ear Headphones with Titanium Diaphragm

Koss KTXPRO1 Titanium Portable Headphones
A unique headphone with a titanium diaphragm, the Koss KTXPRO1 Titanium Portable Headphones with an on ear design look so portable and stylish because of its design and build that is very convenient to the user. With a wide frequency range of 15 Hz up to 25,000 Hz, it immediately beats the industrial standards because of its wide range so you can enjoy hearing even the finest details from your sounds such as video games, music, calls and many more. It uses two cords such as the standard 3.5 mm plug plus an adapter for any 6.35 mm cord. Unlike other on ear headphones out there, this one has a unique volume control that can only be found on expensive over the ear headphones.
Because the diaphragm is made from high quality titanium material that has also been coated in titanium and has been mixed with high polymer materials, it is super unique and super crisp and clear in its audio quality and sound precision. What’s more, the hear-through sound quality is also achieved due to the breathable design of the foam ear cushions.
The levels of adjustment can be easily operated with the on-cord control for the volume of the music or sound, which adds to the overall portability of the headphone and the cord that is included spans at a total length of 4 feet and has a straight design which prevents tangling in the long run. A only 4 ounces of weight, it is a truly portable and a good example of a headphone with an on the ear design for light weight breathability for the user. In fact, you can use it indoors, at home, at work, on the streets, in public transport and virtually anywhere you like due to its great portability. Overall, it can be highly compatible with laptops, smart phones, desktops and the like.

Ideal On Ear Headphones with Bluetooth Connectivity

SoundPal Trilogy Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones
The SoundPal Trilogy Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones is great for Bluetooth and this on ear headphone is super convenient due to the wireless capability using Bluetooth technology without the use of wires to effectively listen to music from any Bluetooth enabled streaming source for convenience. The drivers have a size and diameter of 40 mm for quality sound and the phone calls you can make and the music you can listen to offer great crystal clear quality while streaming and does not compromise the rich and deep bass sounds.
The microphone that is built-in within the unit is also in high definition for recording ultra quality voices and sounds and the head band is also super flexible and foldable so you can take it with you no matter where you want to go. Whether your head is too big or too small is not a problem because of the adjustability of the headband part of the headphone. Wearing the on ear headphone for hours is not a problem because of the material that cushions the ear for comfort and the soft feel of the ear cup material for a longer music experience.
Each full charge of this headphone allows you with up to 20 hours of Bluetooth wireless enjoyment and can also be used limitlessly in its corded mode. In fact, you can get up to 33 feet of working wireless Bluetooth range with this on ear headphone. It can be connected to TVs, smart phones, tablets and other devices with Bluetooth capability and is backed by a warranty of 1 year.

Great On Ear Headphones with Heavy Bass Sounds

Nakamichi On-The-Ear Enhanced Bass Wired Headphones
The Nakamichi On-The-Ear Enhanced Bass Wired Headphones uses a speaker driver that measures 40 mm and the comfortable sewn and plush material for the headband as well as the ear speaker pads is very soft and yet durable. The bass response is great and deep due to the enhanced bass feature. Because it has an in line microphone and controller, you can easily make calls without picking up your phone. In fact, it may be wired but you do not lose signal at all.
The frequency range is diverse and provides good audio quality and it is available in various designs. You can also skip tracks so you absolutely have total control over your music and there are two cables included so you can use it with a myriad of devices. To prevent tangling, the cable is detachable for your convenience. The ear cups can also be rotated so it has very great flexibility in the long run. At only 8 ounces, it is a great travel buddy.

Ideal On Ear Headphones for DJ and Mixing Use

Beats Mixr Wired On-Ear Black Headphone
If you like to DJ or want a good DJ headphone that is an on ear headphone then you should definitely go for this on ear headphone, the Beats Mixr Wired On-Ear Black Headphone, for its design and features. You have many designs to choose from with this on ear headphone. It is also highly applicable for mixing in the studio or creating music other than just listening to the music. The deep bass is very rich even at the highest volume and does not distort your music.
It has a good strength that is of industrial grade to make it durable for endless parties and DJ sessions and the dual input allows the on ear headphone to be super versatile in its build. The housing is also ultra flexible for all of your needs and also adds to the light weight build of the on ear headphone and it uses a 3.5 mm audio cable plus an adapter for 1/4 inch or 6.35 mm. A cleansing cloth is specifically provided so you can keep the luster and shine of your Beats headphone.
There is also an airline adapter in case you want to use it for an airplane or a trip to somewhere and the microphone that is included allows you to speak clearly and there is also an inline control for your accessibility. The included cable spans at a length of 1.6 meters and a hard shell case is also included with this on ear headphone. The skeleton is made from high quality and durable aluminum alloy which also makes it light weight and it uses passive noise cancelling so it is ultra portable without the use of batteries. It also includes Remote Talk as a feature like other Beats headphones out there.

Applicable On Ear Headphones for Apple Devices

Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Apple Devices On-Ear
The Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Apple Devices On-Ear with an on ear design is meant to work for Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod and many more. It has a built-in microphone plus a smart remote with 3 buttons for control with your iOS device cable. The on ear design is equipped with a closed back feature so it effectively blocks out noise without sacrificing the overall comfort value of the on ear headphone and the transducers have 18 ohms of impedance and a wide frequency response so it suits portable devices well for delivering good sound quality and clarity.
The headband can also be folded and is made from high quality and high density stainless steel that will not bend to the test of time and the cable is also detachable for your convenience and to avoid tangling. It can be used for taking calls and controlling your currently playing music due to the inline remote control and there is also a similar version to this for Android phones. It comes with a soft case plus a hard case for protection and is backed by a warranty of 2 years.

The Competition

Other on ear headphones did not make it to our list because they are very flimsy when it comes down to the materials used and the overall build. Noise cancellation is also pretty bad on the other on ear headphones we saw and this is why we left them out.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What differs on ear headphones from over the ear headphones?
A: According to Cnet , they are typically smaller and more for the people who are on the go and thus they are smaller than over the ear headphones. If you want highly portable headphones then you should go for on ear headphones.

Q: Do high priced headphones sound better?
A: According to Cnet , not necessarily all the time since some cheap headphones can still sound good and decent. Even some China-made headphones are high in quality and it all depends upon their specs and build, but every headphone still has a downside.

Wrapping It Up

To summarize, the Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones is our best on ear headphones for comfort and sound quality with a portable pair of headphones for use on the go.