13 Best Headphones for Audiobooks

After a long time to pick among Bose headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is still the #1 choice for now.

When you're listening to audio books in a noisy environment, you can enjoy a better listening experience with its world-class active noise cancellation.

You can connect to Bluetooth through the Bose Connect App and adjust 3 noise-canceling levels. Namely: High, Low or Off.

Another important point is that even if you turn up the volume, the audio will not be distorted. This is a significant upgrade over the previous Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series I).

And it supports Alexa voice control, so you can easily open those audio books on your Audible app.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Bose QuietComfort 45

Compared with the Bose QuietComfort 45, there are several differences:

For example, you can use the BOSE QC45 to have a conversation with the surrounding crowd without taking off the headphones (AWARE MODE).

With a higher Bluetooth version, the connection is more stable and the energy consumption is lower.

Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II remains the choice of most audio book lovers, and it's one of the best Bluetooth headphones for audiobooks. 

Whether you are at home or walking outdoors, using such noise-cancelling headphones is a life enjoyment.

If you want to listen to audio books in sports scenes such as running or gym fitness, then you need a sweat-proof earbuds that can be worn stably and have excellent sound quality.

Without a doubt, the Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds is the obvious choice.

Its overall design is stunning.

The visual effect is simple and neat, and the lines are smooth. 

The earphone material is more wear-resistant and comfortable to wear. When you are exercising, the ear will not feel uncomfortable from being rubbed by the ear hook.

A very big advantage of Powerbeats Pro is the Apple H1 Chip.

Compared with the W1 Chip, it has twice the device switching speed and 30% lower latency. This is extremely handy when you listen to audiobooks while exercising.

Among the best headphones for audiobooks, the Powerbeats Pro's chip is top-notch.

Plus, you can use the earbuds alone without affecting each other.

Unfortunately, Powerbeats Pro does not support active noise cancellation.

Powerbeats Pro Alternative

If you want to buy a pair of earbuds that are similar to the Powerbeats Pro but support active noise cancellation, then choose the Beats Fit Pro. Its battery life is 6 hours, though, 3 hours less than the Powerbeats Pro.

Another similar sweat-resistant wireless on-ear headphone for workouts and running is the AfterShokz Aeropex, which is IP67 waterproof.

Among these audiobook headphones, this Sony headphone is very cheap at less than $10.

If you want to buy a cheap headphone that is not very concerned with noise reduction to listen to audiobooks, then choose Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones.

It's very lightweight, and the earcups also swivel. It is suitable for those who like to listen to audio books on the computer.

Of course, its shortcomings are also obvious, it does not support active noise cancellation. So you can use it in a quieter place, like at home.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X has a response frequency of 15-28,000 Hz and has 45mm professional drivers. Whether listening to an audiobook or narrating the audiobook, the sound is clear.

Although there is no active noise cancellation , it will achieve better passive noise ancellation due to its over-ear design contours that surround the ears.

Professional ear pad material can make your ears more comfortable.

Another important feature is that you can rotate the earcups 90° to listen to one ear.

In addition, three detachable cables allow you to use it flexibly in different scenarios.

Compared with the previous version Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, the response frequency has been increased from 24,000 Hz to 28,000 Hz.

Overall, it's more suitable for professionals, not very suitable for everyday casual, and is one of the best headphones for audiobook narration.

The Shure SE215 PRO's balanced armature drivers keep the sound clear. And it has a boosting effect on the bass, which will bring a shocking sound when listening to some audiobooks.

Its noise-cancelling technology can eliminate up to 37 decibels of outside sound.

The foam material allows you to listen to audio books for extended periods of time without squeezing your ears. And its ear-hook design reduces the trouble of tangling cables.

In addition, it is very lightweight and suitable for wearing when traveling, flying, and trains.

Compared with the Shure SE425-CL, it is more than half the price.

But the Shure SE425-CL has has two high-definition drivers, and the effect of treble is also very good, while the SE215 PRO's support for treble is relatively ordinary.

Overall, if you're looking for some of the best wired headphones for audiobooks and are on a budget under $100, try the Shure SE215 PRO.

Lying in bed and listening to audiobooks before going to bed is the choice of many people. In this situation, you need a headset specially prepared for sleep: Perytong Bluetooth Sleep Headphones.

Its headband is made of a very soft and durable braided wire material that is not only breathable but also comfortable when you lie on your side.

Although its noise cancellation is not as professional as other audiobook headphones, since the bedroom is a relatively quiet place, I don't think it is necessary to take this too seriously.

Plus, it has 2 ultra-thin speakers that allow you to hear very stable sound.

Compared to MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones, they are similar in price and features. However, MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones use breathable spandex nylon fabric, and the waterproof level is IPX6.

Overall, the Perytong Bluetooth Sleep Headphones are one of the best headphones for listening to audiobooks, whether it's sleeping or jogging.

The Beats Solo3 are relatively inexpensive but good quality wireless over-ear headphones.

It has a very big feature that the battery time can reach 40 hours, which is very important for people who need to listen to audio books for a long time.

And its Fast Fuel technology can charge for 5 minutes and listen to books for 3 hours.

Although it does not support active noise cancellation, the cushioned earmuffs wrap the ears very tightly, which is not only comfortable to wear but can also isolate a lot of bass noise.

Because it has no ANC function, it is cheap. Compared to the Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones, which have ANC, the battery life is 22 hours with ANC turned on.

In terms of price and quality combined, the Beats Solo3 is one of the best headphones for audio books.

The AirPods Pro are absolutely class-leading among audiobook earbuds in their class.

It has a Transparency Mode for Active Noise Cancellation.

This way, if someone around you wants to talk to you while you're listening to an audiobook, just press the button to switch to this mode and hear the other person's voice.

And the adaptive EQ also automatically adjusts the audiobook narrator's voice to your ears, maintaining better audio quality.

What's special is that the AirPods Pro come in three different sizes of eartips, so you can choose the one you feel most comfortable to wear.

Plus, it supports wireless charging. It also does a good job of preventing sweat and water.

AirPods Pro VS AirPods (2nd Generation)

Compared with Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds, the most important thing about AirPods Pro is its active noise cancellation.

Overall, if you prefer to use your iPhone to listen to audiobooks, Apple AirPods Pro are the best earbuds for audiobooks you can't miss.

The JBL Endurance RUN is a relatively cheap, wired earbuds for listening to audiobooks with good bass.

Its earbuds are uniquely designed to fit in-ear or behind-the-ear.

Because its material is plastic, it is light in weight. But listening to audiobooks with earphones of this material for a long time can cause pain in the ears.

One of its more unique features is its magnetic earbud function, which can help you solve the problem of cable entanglement.

The Soundcore Life Q30 headphones include almost all the features of high-end headphones, but at less than 1/3 the price of those headphones. It's one of the best headphones for audiobooks.

Through its 40mm drivers and custom EQ, you can achieve unexpected effects in both treble and bass when listening to audiobooks.

And its active noise cancellation has three modes, namely: Transport, Outdoor, Indoor. So it doesn't matter if you're on a plane, train or traveling, at the office, at home, you can listen.

Plus, its ear cups are made of protein leather, which is comfortable on the ears even when listening to audio books for long periods of time.

It has to be said that its battery life is longer than other ANC headphones, as even with ANC turned on, it can reach 40 hours of playback time.

Compared with the previous Anker Soundcore Life Q20, it can not only customize the EQ, but also the noise cancellation mode has changed from 1 to 3. In addition, the microphone has changed from 1 to 2.

One inconvenience, however, is that when you need to adjust the EQ, you can only do it through the Soundcore app.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a classic design and comes with noise cancellation, the best headphones for audible.

Its HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 allows you to listen to audiobooks clearly in any environment. Especially in the mid to high frequencies.

Compared with the previous SONY WH-1000XM3, its appearance details have been comprehensively improved, and the wearing comfort has also improved a lot.

The Bluetooth version has also been upgraded to connect multiple devices.

However, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is not waterproof, so it is not suitable for fitness, running and other scenarios.

The AKG Pro Audio K240 STUDIO has a price advantage and is one of the best headphones for audiobooks recording.

It has a frequency range of 15 Hz to 25,000 Hz and features a patented Varimotion diaphragm that maintains high sensitivity when recording audio books.

However, it is a bit heavy and not suitable for prolonged wear.

The TOZO T6 is the best in-ear headphones for audiobooks because it is IPX8 waterproof, so it is more suitable for wearing in the gym.

It has an audio range of 18Hz to 20kHz. And it's so small that it doesn't put pressure on the ears.

TOZO T6 uses a relatively high Bluetooth version: 5.3, so that the delay will be very small when connecting.

Compared to the TOZO NC9 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, it doesn't have ANC, but it's cheap.