This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Like a laptop, notebook, and pen, a decent pair of headphones is a must-have item for any student — they double up as a tool for both leisure and study. Indeed, a good pair of headphones can help you to focus on studying or writing that overdue essay because they block out background noise and distractions. But they also help you unwind from a hard day's studying with an audiobook, movie, or playlist.
We all know that top quality headphones are expensive, but you don’t have to use up your entire loan. There are excellent options available at a great price. And let’s be honest: being broke is synonymous with being a student. Every penny counts.
Unfortunately, it's not as simple as just buying the cheapest pair you see on Amazon. In fact, that’s a fast track to buying a pair that will need replacing just a few months down the line. But students have enough studying to do without researching headphones. That's why we've done the hard work for you and pulled together a list of the best options. First off, here's a quick education on headphones.
How much do headphones cost?
This is the key question for anyone — students included — looking to save money where they can. Headphones can easily cost hundreds of pounds. That’s for top end headphones from the likes of Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser.
But — see below — it’s possible to get good headphones for around £100 or less. We have listed headphones at a range of prices. Even if your student loan doesn't stretch that far, the bank of mum and dad might.
What headphone features are important for students?
Headphone specifications can get really hi-tech, especially if you’re spending a lot of cash. But there are some features that will suit the workload and lifestyles of everyday students, such as noise cancellation and multipoint pairing. A long battery life is also important as well as quick and easy pairing to devices.
What is noise cancellation?
This is an increasingly popular feature that helps block out external noise, giving you an immersive listening experience. It works by using mini microphones within the earcups. These microphones detect external sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel out incoming noise. This feature is especially good for students who are studying hard and need to remove all distractions.
What is multipoint pairing?
This is a cool Bluetooth feature that will suit the device-heavy student lifestyle. It allows you to connect your headphones to two or more devices, meaning you can switch to listening from your smartphone to your laptop to tablet without the hassle of having to manually change your Bluetooth settings.
How long do headphone batteries last?
With over-ear headphones, look out for models that last for 30 hours plus. That's pretty standard these days. Expect the battery to run down faster if you use features such as active noise cancellation. Earbuds have a shorter battery life — six hours is respectable — but usually extend the battery life with a portable charging case.
What’s best, over-ear or in-ear headphones?
If good sound is important, you'll want to be sure you buy the right style. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like in-ear buds that drill tunes directly into their head.
Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound and often have beefed-up features and tech capabilities, but if you’re carrying them around on campus, the bulkier design might be less convenient.
Earbuds are more compact and portable and will better suit anyone who’s moving from place to place with a bag full of books and devices. If you spend time between classes working out, earbuds tend be better for fitness, too.
What are the best headphones for students?
That has to be your decision — it’s all down to personal choice and what works for your lifestyle and study needs. But we’ve helped narrow down your choices with this selection of headphones. With these recommendations, you can save your money and spend it on more important things for school — like textbooks, laptops, and, of course, Deliveroo McDonalds for late night study sessions.
These are the best headphones for students in 2025.
