Finding the best headphones for students means looking for a specific set of features. Luckily, the TechRadar audio team has spent years testing the best headphones for all budgets, so we know what matters. That expertise lets us cut through the noise and highlight the models that truly deserve a spot on your study desk or in your backpack.
Each and every pair of the best headphones for students in this guide has been thoroughly tested by us and offers not only strong performance but also great value – a must for student budgets. We know that the best headphones for students need to be comfortable enough for all-day wear, have a long battery life to last through marathon study sessions, and be durable and compact enough to survive a backpack. Noise-cancelling is another essential for blocking out distractions, whether that’s chatty roommates or background noise in the library.
Our top picks include standout models from our best true wireless earbuds guide, as well as the best budget headphones and best earbuds that deliver great performance without breaking the bank. Whether you're looking for premium headphones or an affordable everyday pair, you'll find the best options for students right here.
The Quick List
Want to cut to the good part – ie. which the best student over-ear headphones and earbuds are? You're in the right place with our quick guide below. Easily jump to a bigger write-up of each pick by clicking on the links.
Best overall
Excellent ANC for focus, great sound and a lightweight, comfortable design for all-day wear. They're old and can be beaten in some areas, but if you find them for a bargain, they're excellent value.
Best super cheap buds
If you have a small budget, these buds are for you. They have a light, comfortable design and deliver solid ANC for a very low price. You won't find cheaper buds this good.
Best premium over-ears
If you want to spend a lot of money on a pair of headphones for solid ANC, great sound, a comfortable fit and excellent battery life, these Cambridge Audio cans have you covered.
Best ANC buds
Excellent ANC, a really fun sound and a small, pocketable case all for under $99 / £99. There are better buds, but these look cool and sound excellent for the price.
Best wired headphones
If you want a wired option, these buds from 1MORE are an excellent choice. They also boast lush sound quality and an excellent build, and they're affordable, too.
Best Apple earbuds
If you want fantastic ANC and strong audio with lots of great features that work exceptionally well with all Apple products, then the AirPods Pro 2 aren't cheap but they're a great choice.
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Best affordable ANC headphones
These are some of the best-sounding headphones we've tested for their price. They have fantastic battery life, sleek on-ear build and they’re comfortable to wear for long work sessions.
Best affordable ANC earbuds
If you want true wireless earbuds that don't cost a bomb, expect excellent ANC and a fun, energetic listen here. They look a bit cheap, but they're comfortable enough for long periods.
Best cheap USB-C earbuds
If you want earbuds that work with USB-C, these earbuds have a sleek design with different color options and decent sound quality – especially for the budget price.
Best open-fit buds
If you want buds that allow you to hear what's going on around you – whether you're working out or need to stay alert – these fit well, sound great and are affordable too.
I've reviewed more than 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget headphones to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
September 3, 2025
Refreshed the introduction. Added author details, as well as a new FAQ section and details about how we test our audio products. Mentioned the newer XM6s in the Sony XM4 review – they're newer but more expensive, so they're not entering the guide. Also switched the JLab Go Air Pop out for the JLab Go Pods ANC based on our recent testing. Added details of the new SE set to the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 recommendation. Added a mention of the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 to the Pro 2 review. Added more new products, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 as our best affordable ANC headphones, the Sony WF-C710N as our best affordable ANC buds and the Huawei FreeArc as our best open-fit buds, all based on our recent reviews.
The best headphones and earbuds for students
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The best headphones for students overall
If you're looking for the best headphones for students, the Sony WH-1000XM4 still deliver excellent noise-cancellation and impressive sound quality all in a lightweight, comfortable design – even though they're four years old.
The catch is that we only recommend them as the best pick for most people when you can find them reduced for under $200/£200, a price they regularly drop to. If you can't (Sony has been known to bump it back up), then choose a premium pair, like the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 further down in this guide.
While they don't look much different from their predecessors, the Sony WH-1000XM3 (which have now gone to the great gig in the sky), the XM4s added a number of extra features. Multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness and auto-play/pause with a built-in sensor all helped the WH-1000XM4 claim the title of best headphones back in 2021 – and thanks to those frequent discounts, they’re an even more attractive buy today.
The newest version of these Sony flagship over ears, the Sony WH-1000XM6s, are excellent and a major upgrade in almost every way compared to these XM4s. But they’re also more expensive, which is why they don’t take the top spot here – only choose them if your budget can stretch.
For most people, the XM4s remain our top pick because they’re brilliant all-rounders. With great sound, support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio, impressive upscaling, and excellent noise cancellation, they’re especially ideal for studying in noisy communal areas. If you want both value and performance, you’ll find it here.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones review
The best super cheap earbuds for students
It’s absolutely possible to find budget-friendly earbuds that don't compromise on sound quality, and the JLab Go Pods ANC prove it. These affordable earbuds deliver impressive sound and ANC at a price that’s perfect for students or anyone on a tight budget. Building on the success of their predecessors, these newer buds improve on battery life and design, making them an even more appealing choice.
While the JLab Go Pods ANC won’t rival high-end earbuds in audio quality, they dominate the budget category, offering sound that greatly exceeds expectations for their price. In our review, we found that "music sounds bright with defined treble and mids, and a laudable breadth of soundstage," which adds a motivational boost during those last-minute study sessions or late-night cramming marathons.
The inclusion of ANC at this price point is, frankly, remarkable. No, it won’t deliver absolute silence, but as we noted in our review, "it hushes your surroundings pretty substantially," and much better than we'd expect at this price. For most users, that’s more than enough.
With 7.5 hours of battery life, they’re not class-leading, but it's enough for a full day of studying or classes. They also impressed us with their snug fit, comfort, and IP55 waterproof rating, making them a reliable choice for everything from rainy commutes to gym sessions.
Better sound and noise cancellation exists, but usually at three times the price. The JLab Go Pods ANC earbuds are a true bargain and our top pick for budget buds that deliver everything you need and then some.
Read our full JLab Go Pods ANC review
The best premium over-ears for students
These wireless over-ear headphones earned a rare 5 out of 5 stars in our testing – something we don’t hand out often. They’re expensive, but they’re our top premium pick for a reason. Cambridge Audio has since released the newer SE model, which only adds a bit of software, a cushier headband, and a blue finish – which is why the originals still hold their place here.
You’ll get an incredible 100 hours of battery life here, perfect for long study sessions. That drops to 60 if you want ANC on, which might be ideal for focus or maybe you’ll often choose to ditch the ANC in favor of being vaguely aware of what’s going on around you when you’re studying in a library or other space at your school, college or uni.
Other features worth shouting about include multipoint connectivity, which is handy if you’re working between different devices, and Bluetooth 5.3 and aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codec compatibility. In short, lossless 16bit/44.1kHz resolution is available here if you’ve got the best device and streaming service to take advantage of it. An app allows you to adjust settings; most notably, you’ll find a seven-band equaliser with several presets.
In our review, we called the sound these headphones make “endlessly listenable.” You can make the most of these headphones by listening to Qobuz or Tidal, but they don’t judge your streaming service. They still sound great. Six mics for the best ANC and call quality. ANC here is great and more than enough to keep distractions at bay.
We know that comfort is paramount when you’re looking for headphones to accompany you on late-night library cram sessions. These Cambridge Audio headphones will see you through with memory foam, vegan leather for the (detachable) earpads, and a headband with a sturdy and nicely padded fabric on the inside. There are physical controls here rather than touch-based ones, which is bound to appeal to some and be off-putting to others.
They certainly aren't cheap at $279 / £229 / AU$479. They’re a serious splurge by student standards, which is why they’re our top premium pick. But they sound incredible, and they’re so well specified. Did we mention the truly epic battery life on offer here? We know they’re not budget-friendly, but if your budget can stretch, you won’t be disappointed.
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 review
The best ANC earbuds for students
There's a lot to love about the Nothing Ear (a), the latest true wireless earbuds from Carl Pei's startup. But before we get into it, let's just say that this is a very cool pair of earbuds that look awesome. In fact, in our review of the Nothing Ear (a) we wrote: "Rarely have I had so many people strike up a conversation with me while I'm wearing earbuds, to tell me that they like my earbuds."
But looks-aside, this is a solid pair of true wireless earbuds that pack a hell of a lot into a small and, most importantly, incredibly good value package. During our testing, we were most impressed by the excellent ANC on offer here, which we think is robust and among the best we've experienced recently. We also described the sound as "energetic, detailed and zealous".
As well as excellent sound, the design here has had some improvements over previous Nothing buds, with a smaller and more pocketable case and a decent 5.5 hours of battery from the buds themselves and very impressive 24.5 hours with the case (that's assuming you're using ANC the whole time and, honestly, why wouldn't you?).
If you're looking for an excellent pair of ANC buds that sound excellent, keep you focused with impressive ANC and a long battery and are achingly cool, the Nothing Ear (a) are incredibly good value for less than $100 / £100.
Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review
The best wired headphones for students
The 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones provide an amazing level of audio quality for their price, and with a choice of silver or gold accents, they look really slick, too.
An inbuilt remote means you can subtly adjust your music playback without taking your phone out of your pocket (handy if you're sneakily listening to music during class or don't want to lose focus), while triple-layered dynamic drivers mean your tunes should sound incredible.
These are a wired pair of headphones, so make sure your phone or MP3 player has a 3.5mm audio port – otherwise you may need to buy an adapter too. Hate wires? Check out the best wireless earbuds for cable-free options.
Read our full 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone review
The best Apple earbuds for students
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are excellent earbuds, offering improved audio performance and fantastic ANC in Apple’s comfortable and familiar AirPods-esque design. But they're a much better choice if you have an iPhone – if you're an Android smartphone user, the notable cost might outweigh the audio quality and suite of available features.
The Pro 2 buds are a significant step up from the original AirPods Pro, which were good to begin with. Design changes are subtle, but audio performance is upgraded with new drivers and amplifiers – and the stems can now alter volume quickly (if you've just arrived in a lecture, say). During our testing, we rated the sound on offer from the Pro 2 as excellent – there’s rich audio across genres and a wide and expansive soundstage.
ANC is also vastly improved and performs remarkably well, blocking out almost all external noises. Transparency mode is now more useful because it’s adaptive, allowing you to have natural conversations (with classmates, say) even when you don’t want to remove your buds.
Battery life has had a boost. You get 6 hours from the buds with ANC on, and 30 hours from the charging case, which is now IPX4 water resistant—withstanding light showers and sweating – and has a speaker, handy if you lose them as you can activate a 'Find My' request.
Before you grab these, it’s worth noting that the AirPods Pro 3 could be arriving very soon. You might want to hold out for them. Or, if they launch, it could make the Pro 2 an even stronger recommendation thanks to the deals that will follow once they become the older model.
Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
The best affordable ANC headphones for students
The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are truly excellent value and ideal for studying, with an incredibly long battery life, highly effective ANC and sound that is far from perfect but is very impressive for the price. It's no wonder they're a favorite among the TechRadar audio team.
These headphones felt great to wear during our testing, too. This is because they're fairly light for a pair of over-ears at 246g and have plenty of padding on the headband and plump earcups. They can also be folded to make them easier to pop in your bag and carry around. Their comfortable fit makes them ideal for all-day wear, especially considering they have a truly amazing battery life of 100 hours, which drops to 65 hours with ANC on.
They look sleek too with a tidy matte finish – so there's comfort, style and substance here. The only real downside is that the button controls are a little plasticky – but that’s expected for cans in this price range.
How about the sound? Well, it's not audiophile-grade. But for the price it's going to give you impressive bass, clarity and a punchy sound that should suit most people. You're also be able to turn the volume up high without getting any of that tinniness that's common with cheaper headphones. There's also a 3.5mm headphone slot for wired listening and higher-resolution Bluetooth audio via LDAC for more detailed listening.
If you're trying to save money before heading back to school but want a pair of over-ears that tick the boxes and will survive long and gruelling study sessions, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are a fantastic choice.
Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review
The best affordable ANC earbuds for students
These are the best noise-cancelling earbuds you’ll find if your budget maxes out at $119 / £100 / AU$189.
The ANC is the standout reason to buy. In our review, we wrote: “On a packed commuter train, I drifted off into my own happy bubble of music. I genuinely didn’t expect the blissfully quiet backdrop they served up.” Perfect for long study sessions in busy libraries or coffee shops. If you’re on a budget, need to focus, and prefer in-ear buds, these are the best out there.
Audio is strong for the price. We found them “a solid listen with good volume and energy levels, albeit sacrificing a modicum of dynamic nuance, detail and sonic placement to get there.” Sound should satisfy most people, though it’s not audiophile-grade. You also get Sony’s entry-level DSEE upscaler to boost Spotify streams, plus support for 360 Reality Audio.
They’re a little bigger than older models, and the shiny new blue colorway smudges easily and can feel slightly cheap. But what matters is comfort: in testing, we said they’re among the most comfortable earbuds we’ve ever worn. They may look basic, but they feel fantastic.
We also noted that the Nothing Ear (a) that are our top ANC pick do deliver much of what these buds offer, plus LDAC and stronger audio quality. Which one you pick is largely down to personal preferences. The Nothing Ear (a)s are arguably better buds and a good all-rounder choice, but the WF-C710N’s outstanding ANC here that just slightly tips the balance – it really is that good.
Read our full Sony WF-C710N review
The best cheap USB-C earbuds for students
If you want a super cheap pair of buds that have a wired design and USB-C connection, the Skullcandy Set is for you. We know some people prefer a reliable wired option or just like having a spare pair of buds if they forget to charge their true wireless Bluetooth pair.
As you'd expect from a pair of wired buds that only cost $31.99 / £29.99, the Set aren't going to deliver top-drawer sound. In our review, we described the audio as lacking depth and a little feeble compared to more expensive buds. But considering how budget these buds are – and how terrible and tinny rivals are – sound quality is still decent.
We rated the design of the buds during our testing. You get really comfortable listening here for long revision sessions. Included ear gels promise a noise-isolating fit, which doesn't completely eliminate noise around you like a more expensive pair of ANC buds would, but in our review we wrote that they: "do a solid job of keeping you tuned in to your music."
Overall, the Skullcandy Set USB-C aren't high-performing. But they are a stylish, reliable and well-priced wired option.
Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review
The best open-ear buds for students
Open earbuds are a solid option for students who want to stay aware of their surroundings while walking to class, commuting or studying in shared spaces. There are lots of open-ear buds available, but it’s a challenging design to get right. Which is why the Huawei FreeArc stand out. They’re the best-sounding open buds we’ve tested so far, which is no small achievement considering how tricky it is to deliver rich audio without the full seal of in-ear buds.
The soundstage here is impressively wide, with crisp detail and plenty of energy. In quieter settings, like the library or a study session at home, the tuning will really shine, making music and podcasts immersive enough to keep you focused without blocking out the world around you completely. During testing, we often forgot we were listening to open earbuds at all, which is high praise.
Comfort is another big win here. The FreeArc buds sit just outside the ear canal, so you don’t get that “plugged up” feeling, and they stayed put for us during testing, even when we were working out. Add in IP57 water and dust resistance, and you’ve got earbuds that can handle gym sessions, rainy walks across campus or long days on the go. Battery life is solid too with 7 hours on a single charge that’ll get you through classes, though the 23 hours total with the case is a little less than some rivals.
There are a couple of caveats here. Android users may find the companion app annoying to install, and because there’s no ANC, noisy environments like busy canteens or dorms will make it harder to hear your audio. But for students who want awareness, comfort, and standout sound at a reasonable price, the Huawei FreeArc are our top open-ear pick.
Read our full Huawei FreeArc review
How to choose the best student headphones
Long study sessions: There are some typical things to look our for that we expect anyone wanting a pair the best student headphones to need. This includes a comfortable fit for wearing in study sessions and for focused work, a good battery life for those long periods in the library or at uni and solid sound quality, ideally with ANC, to help you focus wherever you are.
Budget: Obviously, money is a big factor too. If you know how important super immersive listening is and have the budget to spare, you might want to pick a higher-end pair of headphones you know will deliver an excellent experience. But we know many students are strapped for cash, so it's worth weighing up what's important to you. And remembering there are plenty of budget and mid-range options that may not be best-in-class but deliver excellent sound and performance for the price.
Personal preference: Having said all of that, it all depends on you and your preferences. Especially when it comes to personal things, like the fit of your headphones. Because some people hate having buds in their ear canals so would always want to opt for over-ears, whereas others find over-ears too bulky or annoying, so want the smallest buds available.
Consider priorities: Our advice is always to take your time. Ignore the marketing messages. Put looks aside for now. And consider what your priorities are, which designs are comfortable and whether you're willing to pay more for some features or want to stick to a smaller budget.
Other options: Plan on using your new headphones in busy communal study areas? Our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones is another place to cross-reference the products listed here. And if you often hit the gym before hitting the books, our best running headphones roundup will give you the security and robustness you need.
Do headphones help with studying?
Yes. For lots of people, listening to music or background audio can make studying easier. The right sounds can help you focus, block distractions and even put you in the right mood for working. Some people like instrumental playlists, others like background noise (we’ve written about how blue noise can be surprisingly effective). The key is to experiment and find what helps you concentrate best.
Does noise cancellation help with studying?
Definitely. ANC can create a cocoon of quiet that’s perfect for reading, writing or revising. It’s like wrapping yourself in a blanket of silence. Cutting out chatter, traffic or library noises means you don’t have to fight to stay focused and many students find it helps with stress levels too. We’ve even seen research where ANC is used in hospitals to improve recovery, because patients can relax when they’re not surrounded by constant background noise. If you want to know how ANC works, we’ve got a full noise-cancellation explainer on that too.
Can I get a student discount on Apple headphones?
Sort of. Apple doesn’t usually discount AirPods on their own, but students can sometimes get AirPods bundle deals for students provided if you're also buying an iPad or MacBook as part of Apple’s promotions. It’s also worth checking out our AirPods deals pages too, as retailers often run their own discounts.
Can I get a student discount on Sony headphones?
Occasionally. Sony runs seasonal or back-to-school promotions that sometimes include their headphones, but they aren’t permanent. Keep an eye on our headphones deals coverage, because third-party retailers often have offers that beat Sony’s official pricing.
Can I get a Spotify student discount?
Yes. Take a look at our how to get a Spotify Premium student discount explainer. Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited all run student plans too, so you can shop around depending on what you listen to most.
How we test the best student headphones
☑️ More than 2,400 audio reviews
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
Every pair of headphones in this guide has been thoroughly tested by the TechRadar audio team to make sure they’re genuinely suited for studying. Here’s how we do it:
Features: We look for smart app controls, active noise cancellation and strong battery life. Noise cancelling is tested in real-world environments – from libraries and lecture halls to gyms and coffee shops – to see how well distractions are blocked. Battery life is checked by running headphones down and then timing playback. We also try the smart features to make sure they’re genuinely useful.
Audio: Sound quality matters the most. We listen across genres and sources, including compressed tracks from Spotify and YouTube, high-res files from Apple Music and Tidal, and even reference tracks we know inside and out. This helps us judge clarity, bass, balance and how they handle both old favorites and new releases.
Comfort & design: Students need headphones that stay comfortable for long study sessions. We wear them for hours at a time to check fit, weight and ear fatigue. For earbuds, we test different tip sizes and look for compact charging cases that fit in a pocket or backpack. For headphones, we prefer foldable designs that pack down easily.
Value: Finally, we weigh performance against price. Student budgets are tight, so value for money is critical. To keep us grounded, we also involve younger members of the team in testing to make sure we’re not just guessing what students actually want.
Comparison testing: We’re also introducing a new testing system to make side-by-side comparisons fairer. This includes a standard playlist and device setup for judging sound quality, plus microphone tests where we record voice samples you can listen to yourself. We’ll also publish real-world battery results in easy-to-compare tables. You can find out more about this process in our how we test and how we test earbuds guides.
All of this helps us make sure our recommendations aren’t just great headphones, they’re the best headphones for students.
Latest updates to the best student headphones
September 3, 2025
Refreshed the introduction. Added author details, as well as a new FAQ section and details about how we test our audio products. Mentioned the newer XM6s in the Sony XM4 review – they're newer but more expensive, so they're not entering the guide. Also switched the JLab Go Air Pop out for the JLab Go Pods ANC based on our recent testing. Added details of the new SE set to the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 recommendation. Added a mention of the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 to the Pro 2 review. Added more new products, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 as our best affordable ANC headphones, the Sony WF-C710N as our best affordable ANC buds and the Huawei FreeArc as our best open-fit buds, all based on our recent reviews.
February 21, 2025
Rewrote the introduction to focus on our testing experience. Added extra images to each device so our readers can get a better look at our recommendations at different angles.
Student headphones deals
