Headphones are one of the most important parts of your everyday carry. Having a good pair of headphones can make all the difference on that long metro or cab ride and keep you sane.
However, even the best headphones aren’t exactly bulletproof and will break or stop working if not handled with care. This is a problem because if you’re clumsy and drop your tech a lot, there’s a good chance it’ll break far before it reaches the end of its life.
In this article, we’re going over the top seven durable headphones that provide a combination of strength and sound quality to help you get by without having to worry about dropping them.
Also read: 10 things to know when buying Headphones
Bose Headphones 700
Brand: Bose | Price: $299.00
The Bose Headphones 700 are the gold standard when it comes to lightness and connectivity. The noise cancellation isn’t exactly the best, especially for a $300 pair of headphones, but it’s still respectable enough with its 11 levels. The 20 hours of battery life will also come in quite handy when you’re on a long flight or commute.
What really sets these headphones apart is the durability despite the minimalistic build. Unless you’re planning on running them over with a car or something else like that, these will last you a very long time, no matter how many times you drop them.
You can get the Bose Headphones 700 here.
Sennheiser Momentum 3
Brand: Sennheiser | Price: $249.95
Much like any other Sennheiser product, the Momentum 3 headphones are top-notch when it comes to audio and build quality. The headphones also feature noise cancellation and have a ton of controls on the earcups.
The headphones however are built like a tank. There’s a stainless steel leather headband covered in leather that’ll barely give any flex no matter how much bending or torture you put them through. The earcups themselves have memory foam on them and the padding will last a long time before you even have to consider replacements.
You can get the Sennheiser Momentum 3 here.
Crossfade M-100 Master
Brand: V-Moda | Price: $249.99
V-Moda’s Crossfade M-100 Master headphones are widely regarded as one of the most durable headphones money can buy. Not only they’re built like a tank with their metal headband and 3D printed earcups (replaceable), but they also feature dual-diaphragm 50mm drivers with a CCAW Japanese coil for the best sound quality possible.
The earcups and headband feature 100% vegan leather that’s just as comfortable as real leather and will last you much longer. The headphones are wired though, so chances are you’ll end up carrying a dongle or something of the sort to connect them to your phone.
You can get the Crossfade M-100 Master here.
Jabra Elite 75t
Brand: Jabra | Price: $139.99
These aren’t exactly headphones but if you’re looking for a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that can take a beating, your search stops here. These earbuds sit pretty much flush in your ear canals (your experience may vary) and carry an IP55 water resistance rating, so wearing them in the rain is not going to be a problem. Other than that, wearing earbuds means you won’t be dealing with a lot of the issues you usually do with headphones.
You can get the Jabra Elite 75t here.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Brand: Sony | Price: $200.00
The WH and WF series from Sony is the absolute best in terms of noise cancellation that you can get. The WH-1000XM4s have dropped down in price since the launch of the WH-1000XM5s and they really aren’t that different from their next-generation counterpart.
The headphones, although made of plastic can take an absolute beating while still maintaining their excellent sound quality and are available for a steal these days. The construction is firm and there’s very little flex in the body as well.
You can get the Sony WH-1000XM4 here.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
Brand: Bang & Olufsen | Price: $849.99
Provided you’re okay with the absolutely jaw-dropping price tag, these headphones can offer quite the listening experience while taking a beating. They’re made from materials like titanium, lambskin leather and memory foam to give the most premium experience possible while maintaining the build quality of a tank.
You can get the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 here.
Apple AirPods Max
Brand: Apple | Price: $422.93
Last but not least, if you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem and want a well-built, good-sounding pair of headphones, the AirPods Max is just about perfect. The entire construction is metal, meaning while you may end up scratching them from a drop, they’ll function just fine regardless.
Of course, with the AirPod name you get all the features we’re used to seeing in Apple headphones except this time, it’s in a headphone form allowing for better audio quality and a richer experience.
You can get the Apple AirPods Max here.
Also read: Open-back vs Closed-back headphones
Choosing the best headphones was not easy. I read the whole article and found that it can be done on the basis of sound quality, price and some other features. Candid is awesome love it