The transition from headphone jacks to USB-C ports has caused a significant shift in the headphone market. The universal compatibility, faster data transfer, and power efficiency of USB-C ports have made them a preferred choice for most smartphone manufacturers. As a result, headphone manufacturers are also embracing this change, introducing a plethora of USB-C headphones into the market.
Our guide for the best USB-C headphones of 2024 is tailored to help you through the top picks that have set new benchmarks in audio fidelity and innovation. We delve into the specifics of what makes each model stand out, including their ability to deliver crystal-clear audio through hi-res compatibility, the effectiveness of their noise cancellation features, and the comfort of their build.
Best USB-C Headphones of 2024
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Read our full review of the Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless headphones are the epitome of innovation and quality in the realm of audio devices. As the next generation of the esteemed MOMENTUM series, these headphones not only uphold the Sennheiser signature sound but elevate it with customized sound features and cutting-edge technology.
Exceptional Audio Performance
The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless delivers an audio experience that is both immersive and pristine. The headphones are designed with Sennheiser’s audiophile-inspired acoustic system, which ensures that every track is reproduced with incredible fidelity. The bass is robust, providing ample quantity and visceral impact, while the treble remains forward yet smooth, avoiding any harshness.
Advanced Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Equipped with adaptive noise cancellation, the MOMENTUM 4 allows users to enjoy their music without external interruptions. This feature smartly adjusts to your surrounding noise levels to provide optimal isolation. For those moments when you need to be aware of your environment, the transparency mode can be activated with just a touch, seamlessly blending your music with the sounds of the world around you.
Premium Comfort and Build
The design of the MOMENTUM 4 focuses on comfort and style. It features a minimalistic look, available in black and white color variants, and is constructed with high-quality materials that ensure durability without compromising on comfort. The headphones are lightweight, and the plush ear cushions allow for extended listening sessions without any discomfort.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless headphones represent the pinnacle of luxury and performance in the audio technology sphere. As our flagship model, the Px8 combines advanced engineering with exquisite craftsmanship, available in elegant finishes such as Tan, Black, and the striking new Royal Burgundy. These headphones are not just about listening; they are an experience, offering both superior sound quality and a statement of style.
Exceptional Audio Performance
The Px8 stands out with its high-resolution 24-bit DSP and innovative 40mm Carbon Cones. This technology is designed to minimize distortion and enhance clarity, capturing the subtle nuances of music that other headphones might miss. The precisely angled Carbon Cone drive units not only improve stereo imaging for an immersive listening experience but also ensure reduced distortion and heightened clarity. This results in unparalleled accuracy and realism in audio reproduction.
Advanced Technology and Design
Equipped with aptX™ Adaptive wireless technology, the Px8 ensures that you enjoy outstanding 24-bit high-resolution sound quality from compatible streaming services. You can also connect these headphones to your laptop via USB for high-resolution audio. The proprietary noise-canceling technology in Px8 uses six microphones to deliver exceptional noise-cancellation performance without compromising the musicality, ensuring crystal-clear voice calls and music playback.
Luxurious Comfort and Build
The Px8 does not compromise on comfort and durability. The use of luxurious materials like sumptuous Nappa leather and memory foam earpads provides all-day comfort and superior durability. The aluminum arms of the headphones are both light and stiff, enhancing the build quality, while the diamond-cut bright metal detailing adds to the premium aesthetic.
These features make the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless not just headphones, but a comprehensive auditory and tactile experience, setting new benchmarks for what luxury headphones can offer. Whether you’re an audiophile or a casual listener, the Px8 promises to deliver an unmatched audio experience.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless headphones are a testament to the evolution of high-fidelity audio, offering a blend of sophisticated design and cutting-edge technology. These headphones are designed with custom-engineered 40mm drive units, angled precisely within each earcup, to produce a sound that’s not just heard but felt. This immersive listening experience brings you closer to what the artist intended, with every note and nuance in crystal-clear detail.
Exceptional Sound Quality
The Px7 S2 delivers audio performance that ranges from outstanding to glorious, thanks to its 24-bit capable wireless platform. Whether you’re streaming your favorite tracks or diving into a new podcast, these headphones maintain a neutral and detailed sound profile that captures the essence of each audio element.
Comfort and Build
Designed for extended listening sessions, the Px7 S2 features luxurious memory foam earpads that envelop your ears in comfort. The elegant fabric finish not only adds a touch of style but also enhances the overall durability of the headphones. The shift to a less bulky, chamfered build from the previous model ensures a more comfortable fit that complements the premium sound quality.
Connectivity and Controls
These headphones support high-quality audio streaming with aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codec, ensuring minimal latency and superior sound quality. The right earcup houses a slider switch for power and Bluetooth pairing, playback controls, and a USB-C port for charging and wired playback. Notably, the Px7 S2 has moved away from the 3.5mm jack, embracing a fully modern connectivity suite with included USB-C cables.
Beats Solo 4 Wireless
The Beats Solo 4 Wireless headphones continue the legacy of their predecessors with some notable enhancements in sound quality, voice-calling performance, and battery life. Priced at $200, they maintain a design nearly identical to the Solo 3, but with refined features that cater to both aesthetic appeal and functional upgrades.
Exceptional Sound Quality and Features
The Solo 4 offers an improved audio experience with its 40mm drivers and a revamped acoustic architecture designed to reduce distortion. This results in cleaner audio with better clarity and bass definition. Although they lack active noise cancellation, the headphones provide effective passive noise isolation, thanks to the cushioned ear pads. Additionally, the integration of a digital-analog converter and support for USB-C audio allows for high-quality, lossless audio playback.
Enhanced Connectivity and User Interface
Geared towards both Apple and Android users, the Solo 4 supports Bluetooth 5.3, including features like Google Fast Pair for Android and seamless integration with iCloud for Apple devices. The physical buttons on the left ear cup, including a universal ‘b’ button and volume controls, offer convenient management of playback and calls. Notably, the headphones also support wired connections using either a 3.5mm or USB-C cable, providing flexibility in how you listen.
Portability and Battery Life
The Solo 4 shines with its portability; the headphones can be folded up and stowed in a small carrying case, making them an excellent choice for commuters. They boast an impressive battery life of up to 50 hours, with a fast-charging feature that provides up to 5 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge. This combination of long battery life and quick recharge capabilities ensures that your music continues uninterrupted.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys Wireless headphones merge cutting-edge noise-canceling technology with audiophile-grade sound quality, making them an ideal choice for discerning listeners on the move. These headphones are not just a tool for listening; they are an experience, crafted to deliver pure, high-fidelity sound through their exclusive drivers and integrated USB-DAC mode. With a robust battery life of over 30 hours and rapid charging capabilities, they ensure a seamless audio journey.
Exceptional Audio Performance
Focal Bathys stands out with its proprietary 40 mm full-range electrodynamic aluminum/magnesium loudspeakers. This patented innovation allows for minimal distortion and enhanced clarity, delivering deep bass, smooth treble, and clear vocals. Whether you’re listening wired or wirelessly, the integrated amplifier and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) process the audio signal directly from the source, ensuring high-quality sound reproduction.
Advanced Noise Cancellation
The active noise reduction (ANC) technology in Focal Bathys offers multiple modes, including Silent, Soft, and Transparent, allowing users to customize their listening environment. A sophisticated microphone system analyzes ambient noise to produce an inverse frequency, effectively reducing unwanted background sounds. This feature is perfect for travelers looking to immerse themselves in their music without interruptions.
Luxurious Design and Comfort
Available in two elegant finishes—Black Silver and Dune—the Focal Bathys combines timeless elegance with modern technology. The headphones are built with premium materials, including black resin, magnesium yokes, and an aluminum band, ensuring both durability and comfort. Wide, deep ear pads made from soft leather offer a comfortable fit, even during extended listening sessions.
Connectivity and User-Friendly Features
Supporting Bluetooth 5.1, the Focal Bathys utilizes codecs such as SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive to deliver optimal sound quality with minimal latency. For those who prefer a wired connection, the USB-DAC mode supports high-resolution audio up to 24 bits/192 kHz. The dedicated Focal and Naim app enhances user interaction, allowing for easy access to voice assistants, customizable EQ settings, and the innovative Mimi Hearing test to tailor sound according to individual hearing profiles.
Audeze Maxwell Wireless
The Audeze Maxwell Wireless headphones are revolutionizing the gaming audio space with their advanced features and exceptional sound quality. Designed for both Xbox and PlayStation, these headphones are equipped with a detachable boom mic and an integrated mic, supporting LDAC codec for streaming high-resolution audio. This versatility allows users to pair them with multiple devices, enhancing their gaming experience across platforms.
Exceptional Audio Performance
Audeze Maxwell stands out with its 90mm planar magnetic drivers, setting a new standard for immersive soundscapes in gaming headphones. These drivers deliver crystal clear audio with minimal distortion, ensuring that every detail, from subtle footsteps to explosive action, is rendered with precision. The headphones’ default ‘Audeze’ EQ setting offers a neutral sound profile, providing a balanced mix of bass, mids, and highs, while the ‘Immersive’ EQ setting provides an even flatter response for those seeking purity in sound.
Advanced Features and Connectivity
These headphones are not only about sound but also about seamless integration and usability. With Bluetooth 5.3 LE, Dolby Atmos support on Xbox and PC, and AI noise Filtration, the Audeze Maxwell is a powerhouse. The inclusion of a wireless dongle ensures low-latency audio synchronization, crucial for maintaining the integrity of gaming visuals and sounds. Additionally, their robust 90-hour battery life with fast charging capability means gamers can indulge in long sessions without frequent interruptions.
Design and Build Quality
The Audeze Maxwell is built to last, featuring a sturdy construction of aluminum and steel, which justifies its weight. Despite being slightly bulky, the design remains stylish with a Dark Gray colorway and a special ‘Ultraviolet Edition’ for Xbox enthusiasts, featuring a glossy electroplated finish that transitions from blue to pink.
Samsung AKG Type-C
The Samsung AKG Type-C headphones blend a sleek design with robust audio performance. With their non-detachable, braided USB-C cable, these headphones are particularly suited for modern devices lacking a traditional headphone jack, offering both convenience and reduced latency, making them ideal for multimedia consumption, especially watching videos and movies.
Exceptional Build and Comfort
The headphones boast a premium look, thanks to their braided wire which not only enhances durability but also adds a touch of elegance. They are designed to be sturdy yet require careful handling to avoid damage to the wire. The comfort level is remarkable, allowing for extended use without discomfort—ideal for long commutes or extended listening sessions.
Audio Quality and Performance
Samsung AKG Type-C headphones feature a sound profile that is slightly bass-heavy, yet largely neutral, making them suitable for a variety of audio content. The bass range is somewhat emphasized, adding a punch that will be appreciated by fans of genres like hip-hop and EDM, while the mid and treble ranges maintain a balanced and clear output for vocals and instruments.
Consistency and Reliability
The Samsung AKG Type-C headphones are noted for their outstanding frequency response consistency. Users can expect the same high-quality audio delivery every time, regardless of how they fit or are positioned on the head. This reliability extends to their impressive stereo imaging capabilities, although some variation in amplitude and frequency response might affect the precision of audio placement.
Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2)
The Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are a testament to Shure’s commitment to superior sound quality and innovative audio technology. Drawing from decades of stage and studio expertise, these headphones offer premium, high-fidelity sound coupled with advanced noise-cancellation features, making them ideal for both music enthusiasts and professional users.
Exceptional Audio Performance
The AONIC 50 Gen 2 headphones are equipped with custom-engineered 50mm dynamic drivers that deliver a studio-quality sound experience. The frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz ensures that every detail in the music is captured with clarity and precision. Whether you’re listening to classical compositions or heavy bass tracks, these headphones maintain a balanced and transparent audio output.
Advanced Noise Cancellation
Featuring new Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling technology, the AONIC 50 Gen 2 effectively eliminates external distractions, allowing for an immersive listening experience. With four selectable modes—Light, Moderate, Max, and MaxAware—you can customize how much of the outside world you want to block out or let in, making these headphones versatile for different listening environments.
Spatialized Audio Technology
The inclusion of Spatialized Audio technology enhances your listening experience by widening the sound stage, replicating the experience of listening through high-end speakers. This feature is available in three modes—Music, Cinema, and Podcast—each tailored to optimize the audio for different types of content, adding depth and dimension to your listening experience.
Notable Mentions
SteelSeries Nova 3
The SteelSeries Nova 3 is an affordable but great-sounding USB-C headphone. With its sleek design and advanced features, the Nova 3 promises to deliver an unparalleled audio experience. Equipped with state-of-the-art drivers and enhanced noise-cancellation technology, these headphones ensure crystal-clear sound reproduction and immersive listening sessions. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a gamer, or a professional seeking top-notch audio quality, the SteelSeries Nova 3 is the perfect companion for your audio needs.
Sennheiser Accentum Plus
The Sennheiser Accentum Plus has a sleek and sophisticated design and are a perfect blend of style and substance. The Accentum Plus boasts exceptional sound quality, thanks to its state-of-the-art drivers and advanced audio technology. It connects via USB-C and has a stellar DAC inside. Whether you’re a music lover, a movie enthusiast, or a professional seeking the ultimate audio experience, the Sennheiser Accentum Plus is sure to impress with its unrivaled performance and premium features.
Be sure to check out our other buying guides to help you get the best audio experience possible!