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The Best Drummer Headphones of 2025: Live Gigs, Practice, and Recording

We explore over-ear, in-ear, and Bluetooth options from Zildjian, Roland, Drumeo, and more, focusing on features crucial for drummers.

By Magesh MageshContributing Author

Over the years, I have gone through countless pairs of headphones while drumming. I often have a different set for practising, rehearsing with a band, and performing live. There are many factors that will make it easier to play music while playing the drums, and having a great pair of headphones is a key ingredient.

I want to explore different brands and models across multiple price ranges to provide you with the best options. Some things may not be obvious when choosing headphones, but can become an issue during live gigs. The most important thing is the cord length. The last thing you want while on stage is for your arm to knock out the headphone cord because it wasn't long enough.

Take a look at these headphones and see which one suits you best.

Zildjian ALCHEM-E Sandstorm B-Stock see price

When it comes to drums, Zildjian is synonymous with high quality, and these headphones are no exception.

The 2-stage noise cancellation function means your ears will be thoroughly protected when playing the drums. The Bluetooth function allows you to play along with your favourite songs on your phone. The battery life is a staggering 45 hours, which is perfect if you are a touring drummer and don't always have access to a charger.

Although expensive, they are well worth the price tag.

Drumeo EarDrums - Black Edition see price

These in-ear monitors were created by the guys from Drumeo. I like the concept of being able to buy these from a website without having to get anything custom-made. Back in the day, they had to make custom moulds of your ears.

The set of headphones comes with 9 silicone ear tips to fit both adults and children. These headphones are perfect for drummers who may not like bulky headphones going over their head while playing the drums.

A cool pair of headphones at a reasonable price.

Roland VMH-D1 see price

Roland is known for making great high-end products. These headphones cost less than $160 but are still considered top of the range. Although it says they are made for Electronic drums, they can still be used for drummers who play an acoustic kit.

My favourite feature is that the chord is replaceable. I've had many great sets of headphones that I loved that I had to replace due to the cable being broken from wear and tear.

The other cool thing is you can get a cable either 1.5 or 3 metres in length. If in doubt, always choose the longer cable. It will help you if you ever play bigger stages.

Beyerdynamic DT-770 M see price

These are great headphones if you are recording in the studio. The 'noise isolation' lets you really focus on what you are playing. You will have great clarity when the engineer sends other instruments into these headphones.

Beyer Dynamic always makes high-end products. I was always impressed with their attention to detail. Having a volume control on the cable is also extremely important to a studio drummer, as it gives you more control over your sound.

Vic Firth SIH2 see price

Vic Firth is known for making the world's leading drumsticks, and apparently, they know a thing or two about headphones, too.

The padded headband makes them super comfortable, which is essential during long rehearsals. They are noise-cancelling and can reduce up to 20db which is great if you play rock or metal. They also have a great bottom end, which is important if you are playing to backing tracks.

AKG K-92 see price

AKG is usually known for making microphones. They have done a great job with these headphones, which cost less than $50. I would recommend these more for the studio than rehearsals because they are lighter and may not be great at taking a beating, the road is known for.

They also come with a 3.5ml jack and a 6.3ml, which is great because it means you can plug them into an electric drum kit and the small adaptor on your phone.

Behringer DH100 see price

I was pleasantly surprised to find out these Beringer Headphones were $35. I have used many Beringer products in my career, mainly microphones, and can attest to their strength.

These are simple but effective headphones with a 97dB range and a frequency response of 10–22,000 Hz, which is particularly useful in the studio when you may be required to hear subtle dynamics played by other musicians.

They also come with a storage bag and a 3.3-meter cable. They are well worth the price and perfect if you don't have a large budget.

Superlux HD-665 see price

Although not a household brand name, Superlux makes a really good set of headphones.

The reinforced outer shell will stand up to knocks and bumps while on the road, and the detachable chord is probably the best feature. It means the chord isn't constantly being rolled up in between gigs. This will definitely extend the life of these headphones.

It's also cool that they cost less than 60 bucks.

Conclusion

Remember that the type of headphones you should buy depends on whether you will be using them for practice, rehearsal, or live gigs. I always recommend a long chord. Having different-sized jacks will also make your life easier!

About Magesh Magesh

Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour. He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk

Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com

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