Here’s your one-stop guide for picking headphones that won’t pinch larger ears.
| Name | Ear Cup Shape | Ear Pad Dimensions | Fit & Adjustability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Best Overall | Oval | Height: ~60mm Width: ~40mm Depth: ~18-28mm | Extendable headband that distributes pressure evenly | BUY |
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Strong Runner-up | Circumaural | Height (Inner): ~58mm Width (Inner): ~58mm Depth: ~22mm | Extendable headband Tilting ear cups | BUY |
| AKG K92 Budget Pick # 1 | Circumaural | Diameter: ~7cm (~70mm) Depth: ~2cm (~20mm) | Self-adjusting leather headband Low clamping force | BUY |
| Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Budget Pick #2 | Oval | N/A | Headband has rotating joints | BUY |
| Sennheiser HD800S Best Premium | Circumaural | N/A | Extendable headband Rotating and tilting ear cups Very low clamping force | BUY |
| Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X Most Comfortable | D-shaped | Depth: ~1 inch | Self-adjusting leather headband Tilting ear cups | BUY |
| Corsair Void RGB Elite Best for Gaming | Polygon-shaped | N/A | Extendable headband Rotating ear cups Very low clamping force | BUY |
| Shokz OpenRun Pro Best for Active Lifestyles | N/A | N/A | N/A | BUY |
| HiFiMAN Edition XS Best Sound Quality | Oval | Diameter: ~65mm Depth: 10-12mm | Extendable headband Rotating and tilting ear cups Low clamping force | BUY |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 Best for Travel | Oval | 50mm by 70mm | Lightweight and snug | BUY |
There’s a plethora of headphones available right now with amazing features that choosing a pair shouldn’t be hard. However, if you have big ears, your choices are quite limited. The good news is we have made it easier for individuals with big ears to find the best headphones by listing down our top picks.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cup shape: Oval
- Ear pad size: ~60 mm height; ~40 mm width; ~18-28 mm depth
- Weight: 240 grams
- Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm to 2.5 mm); Bluetooth 5.1
- Sound quality features: 45 mm drivers; Hi-Fi audio; adjustable EQ; ANC
- Warranty: 1 year
Thanks to their blend of comfort and cutting-edge features, it was easy to pick the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones as the best headphones for people with big ears.
Their earcups are large, at 60 mm in height and 40 mm in width, allowing those with bigger ears to wear them comfortably. Additionally, the oval shape ensures they perfectly wrap around the ears, resulting in a more natural fit if you have ‘taller’ ears.
All these, plus the light weight at 253g and the soft leather pads, make their name quite fitting.
But aside from comfort, the inclusion of Snapdragon Sound and Bluetooth 5.3 technology also enhances their appeal. These ensure superb connectivity and sound quality, especially for Android device users.
Being one of Bose’s flagship consumer headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra offer one of the best ANC performances on the market. This, along with their ability to deliver immersive sound and a battery life extending beyond 27 hours, sets them apart from the competition, making them a great choice for lengthy commutes or flights.
Unfortunately, the QC Ultra can be quite expensive, as they come at almost $500.
If what you’re looking for is just solely a pair of headphones that your bigger ears can fit in, you may want to go for their predecessor, the QuietComfort 45, instead. These have basically the same ergonomic design as the QC Ultra, minus some advanced sound features and around $100 off the price.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cup shape: Circumaural
- Ear pad size: ~58 mm diameter; ~22 mm depth
- Weight: 270 grams
- Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm and 6.35 mm)
- Sound quality features: 45 mm drivers; studio-grade quality
- Warranty: 2 years
The DT 770 Pro headphones, have been around since 1985 and have been a timeless favorite for people with big ears ever since. These headphones are specifically designed with large ears in mind, offering spacious ear cups that completely cover the ears without any pressure.
The expansive, circumaural ear cups provide plenty of room and ensure they fit comfortably without causing any discomfort, which is something not all headphones can offer.
The combination of the adjustable headband, tilting ear cups, and plush memory foam ear pads also distributes the clamping force evenly. I barely felt any discomfort wearing these, which is impressive considering I have pretty big ears.
When it comes to sound, the DT 770 Pro also shine with their balanced audio and crisp highs, making them perfect for those who love to dive deep into their music or work in professional settings.
But, don’t expect them to have thumpy bass, as these headphones are somewhat lacking in that department. So, if you’re used to household brands like Beats or Sony, the DT 770 Pros may not be for you.
Unfortunately, since these are studio headphones, they don’t have features like ANC, transparency mode, companion apps, wireless connectivity, nor a mic for calls, unlike our top pick.
AKG K92
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cup shape: Circumaural
- Ear pad size: ~70 mm diameter; ~20 mm depth
- Weight: 200 grams
- Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm and 6.35 mm)
- Sound quality features: 40 mm drivers; professional-grade sound quality
- Warranty: 2 years
If you don’t want to spend too much for comfort, you can’t go wrong with the AKG K92. They offer studio-level sound and feel extremely comfortable, all at a price that’s hard to beat, earning them the title of best budget pick.
With a circular design, the ear pads are large (about 70 mm wide) and thick (around 20 mm), ensuring they fit comfortably over larger ears. They’re light, too, weighing only 200 grams. The soft leatherette material of the ear pads, along with the plush padding, also provides lasting comfort, even during long listening sessions.
Even after watching the entire extended cut of The Lord of the Rings with these, I barely felt any fatigue or soreness.
With the right setup, the K92 can also deliver excellent audio quality that trumps others in the same price range. They have a balanced sound signature, clear and crisp highs, well-defined mids, and punchy bass. Despite being closed back, the K92 headphones still have a decent soundstage, making them a great choice for entry-level audiophiles or audio engineers.
However, there’s one thing to keep in mind: the AKG K92’s durability isn’t the best compared to other headphones on the list. Their non-removable cable and plastic chassis make them susceptible to daily wear and tear and may not help them last as long as you’d hope.
Soundcore Anker Life Q20
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cup shape: Oval
- Weight: 255 grams
- Connectivity: (3.5mm)
- Sound quality features: 40 mm drivers for High-Res audio
- Warranty: 1 year
The Soundcore Life Q20 grabs the second spot as a Budget Pick in our guide to the best headphones for big ears, mainly because they’re designed with comfort in mind.
For those with larger ears, the standout feature of the Q20 is their larger-than-average ear cups, and extremely soft padding that are almost similar to higher-priced models. While my bigger ears still made contact with the sides, the cushions made sure that there wouldn’t be any pressure built up.
This means if you’ve had trouble finding headphones that fit comfortably for long periods at a friendly price, the Q20 could be a game-changer for you.
Besides being incredibly comfortable, the Q20 impress with their long battery life—up to 60 hours without noise cancellation (ANC) and 30 hours with it. This is quite impressive for headphones at this price, letting you enjoy music for days without needing to recharge.
They also have big, easy-to-use buttons for turning them on, pairing them with your device, activating noise cancellation, and controlling your music, which makes them super user-friendly.
However, there are some areas where the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 fall short. While they do have noise cancellation, they’re not the best out there, especially compared to our other picks.
Their sound quality also falls short, especially when compared to the AKG K92, our top Budget Pick.
Sennheiser HD800S
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cup shape: Circumaural
- Weight: 330 grams
- Connectivity: Wired (4.4 mm and 6.35 mm)
- Sound quality features: 56 mm drivers; reference-class quality
- Warranty: 2 years
If you want headphones that best fit your ears and don’t mind spending a lot, the Sennheiser HD 800S are the way to go. Not only do they have huge ear cups, but they also deliver exceptional reference-grade sound.
The HD800s are designed to feel comfortable for prolonged listening or mixing sessions at your desk. Most of the headphones’ build consists of plastic, contributing to their relatively lightweight build. So, despite being massive, they are comfortable to wear for hours on end.
These headphones are heavily regarded as having one of the best soundstages, even in the high-end headphones market. They also have a balanced signature with a slight emphasis on the mids and highs.
The life-like soundstage and crystal-clear details make listening to HD800S feel like listening to a live concert. You can also get a super immersive gaming experience out of these cans. How clear directional audio cues sound almost feels like cheating in competitive shooter games.
But since they’re open-backed, the HD800s don’t seal your ears very well. Sound isolation and audio leakage aren’t good, so they’re best used in a quiet room, like a recording studio. They also have 400-ohm impedance, meaning you need a proper DAC/AMP setup to get the best sound quality.
Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cup shape: D-shaped
- Ear cup size: ~1 inch depth
- Weight: 326 grams
- Connectivity: Wired (DUMMER 4-pin; 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm)
- Sound quality features: Planar magnetic drivers
- Warranty: 2 years
If absolute comfort is what you’re after, you won’t regret buying the Drop + Dan Clarke Aeon Closed X. These headphones have D-shaped tilting ear cups that mimic the shape of the ears. This design helps evenly distribute the pressure and weight, making them our most comfortable pick for people with big ears.
The Aeon Closed X use a magnesium chassis that’s lightweight but also durable, which is why they only weigh 326 grams despite having large ear cups. Additionally, the NiTinol memory metal headband and memory foam ear pads provide great flexibility, improving their overall comfort.
But comfort isn’t all there is to these headphones, and the makers of Aeon Closed X have made sure of that. These headphones have a pair of planar magnetic drivers with incredibly crisp, clear, and detailed sound across all frequencies.
They sound well-balanced across the board, but what stood out to me was the pleasantly rich and punchy bass. More impressive is that the bass doesn’t bleed into the middle or higher frequency, which is often the case with closed-back headphones.
Another plus point is that the soundstage is relatively wide, despite being a closed-back model. The passive sound isolation is excellent at blocking out outside noises, making them a great choice for offices, coffee shops, and other mildly noisy environments.
Corsair Void RGB Elite
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cups shape: Polygon-shaped
- Ear cups size: 60 mm wide; 18 mm deep
- Weight: 390 grams
- Connectivity: Wireless (2.4 GHz)
- Sound quality features: 50 mm drivers, custom EQ; 7.1 surround
- Warranty: 2 years
The Corsair Void RGB Elite are the perfect product for gamers who also find smaller headphones uncomfortable due to their big ears. The comfortable polygon ear cups, customizable EQ, and 7.1 surround sound combine nicely into headphones you can wear for long gaming sessions.
Despite being bulky at 390 grams, the Void RGB Elite are very comfortable to wear thanks to the low clamping force and extendable headband. Of course, the microfiber mesh ear pads also help distribute the pressure evenly across the sides of my head while improving breathability.
The ear cups also swivel, so I can rest them flat around my neck when I’m not listening to anything. It’s also nice that getting up and moving around is no problem since they have a 2.4 Ghz wireless connection with 12 meters (40 feet) of effective range.
Even though the body is primarily plastic, the Void RGB Elite feel robust to the touch. However, the headband and hinges are all metal, so there’s no need to worry about them snapping off.
Designed for gamers, the Void RGB Elite features 7.1 surround sound for an immersive experience. But if you’re not a fan of sound virtualization, you can configure it in the ICUE app. The app also supports a customizable EQ to adjust the default V-shaped sound signature.
Shokz OpenRun Pro
Key features
- Form factor: Bone conduction
- Weight: 29 grams
- Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth 5.1)
- Sound quality features: 9th-generation bone conduction technology; bass enhancers
- Warranty: 2 years
The Shokz OpenRun Pro are the perfect headphones for those with active lifestyles, but even more so if you have big ears.
These headphones have a secure fit on the head, wireless connectivity, and excellent durability. But most importantly, you don’t need to worry about the ear cups being too small since they don’t have ear cups at all!
The OpenRun Pro are bone conduction headphones, so they sit just in front of your ears – on your jaw and cheekbones, to be precise. This means the Shokz OpenRun Pro will fit your head and ears just fine, no matter how big your ears are.
With an IP55 rating, the OpenRun Pro can endure most water and dust exposure cases except complete submersion. I’ve worn them during many workouts and morning runs, and they’re still holding strong. Additionally, the flexible titanium frame ensures they won’t break if they fall off your head – although the chances of that happening aren’t very high.
These headphones use Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge. If you run out of battery, a quick 10-minute charge will give you 1.5 hours of playback.
These are an excellent alternative if you’re uncomfortable wearing over-ear headphones due to large ears.
But despite using the latest bone conduction technology, the OpenRun Pros are far from typical over-ear headphones since they suffer from a lot of sound leakage. Their sound quality also isn’t comparable with most options on the list because of the limitations of the bone conduction technology.
HiFiMAN Edition XS
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cups shape: Oval
- Ear cups size: ~65 mm diameter; 10-12 mm depth
- Weight: 405 grams
- Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm)
- Sound quality features: Planar magnetic drivers; NEO “supernano” diaphragms
- Warranty: 1 year
The HIFIMAN Edition XS are an excellent choice if you want some of the best-sounding headphones to fit your big ears. They have huge ear cups with ample padding and crystal-clear details, resulting in a sweet combination of comfort and sound quality.
These headphones have a balanced sound and clear separation between lows, mids, and highs. They also provide a good emphasis on lows and highs, making them ideal for monitoring. Listening to instrumentally complex songs like Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” shows just how capable the planar magnetic drivers are.
Their open-backed design also gives the Edition XS a more expansive soundstage than others in the same price bracket. Not only that, these headphones also make it easy for me to pinpoint where each instrument is supposed to be in the stereo imaging.
These are an upgrade from the HIFIMAN Edition X, which came out in 2017. The Edition XS are miles ahead in terms of sound detail, thanks to the ‘supernano’ diaphragms. These diaphragms are 75% thinner, which means they have a faster response and a better separation between frequencies in your audio.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Key features
- Form factor: Over-ear
- Ear cups shape: Oval
- Ear cups size: ~ 50mm by 70mm
- Weight: 250 grams
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC, SBC, and LDAC as well s wired connectivity
- Sound quality features: 30mm drivers
- Warranty: 1 year
As one of Sony’s best releases, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are a great choice for travel for people with big ears, thanks to their redesign that improved comfort and noise-canceling capabilities.
Their wide and deep ear padding ensures that those with larger ears can enjoy prolonged periods of wear without discomfort, which is a game-changer for long flights or travel. The lightweight design and soft fit leatherette not only provide a gentle embrace for your ears but also make wearing them for extended durations a breeze.
For those on the go, the WH-1000XM5’s features are also highly beneficial.
Their superior noise cancellation makes these headphones ideal for travelers, as they effectively block out plane, train, and street noises, creating a peaceful listening environment. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 31 hours with active noise cancellation, with little downtime due to their fast charging feature.
Additionally, features like device tracking, touch controls, and customizable sound settings through the Sony Headphones Connect app enhance their usability and versatility for travel.
However, the WH-1000XM5 do have some drawbacks compared to other products on the list. Despite their sleek design, the build quality doesn’t feel as high-end as their predecessor, the WH-1000XM4, or as durable as competitors within the same price range.
While their noise cancellation is excellent, they also don’t completely surpass the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
How to Choose Headphones for Big Ears?
As someone with big ears, you know how frustrating it can be to get excited about getting new headphones only to find that we’ve bought a pair that’s too small and uncomfortable.
To help you avoid this, we’ve prepared this quick guide on how to choose headphones for you.
Which form factor should you choose?
While there are many types of headphones, your choices are likely limited to only two form factors if you have big ears. Let’s discuss each:
- Over-ear: Over-ear headphones have large ear cups that completely enclose the ears without squishing them. They also form a seal around your ears, blocking external noise and preventing audio leakage.
- Bone conduction: These headphones have conduction pads that sit just outside the ear canal, leaving your ears open. There’s no need to worry about the size of the ear cups. That said, bone conduction headphones generally have lower audio quality than other headphones.
How big are the headphones’ ear pads?
The average size range for adult ears is 55-65 mm for ear height and 15-21 mm for ear projection. So, if your ear measurements fall outside of this range, you have scientifically ‘big’ ears.
Here are a couple more factors to consider when gauging how comfortable headphones are:
- Ear pad shapes: Different shapes of ear pads suit big ears. If your ears are prominent on all sides, round ear pads would fit them just fine. But if you have slightly ‘taller’ ears, oval ear pads will feel more comfortable. D-shaped and polygon-shaped ear pads provide a more ergonomic fit.
- Ear pad sizes: Ear pads come in different measurements, depending on the brand. The sizes of ear pads vary greatly from one pair of headphones to another. If you have larger ears, it’s best to look for ear pads with the following dimensions:
- Height: 58-70 mm
- Width: 40-70 mm
- Depth/thickness: 18-25 mm
How comfortable are the headphones?
Even if the ear cups are big enough for your ears, you should also consider how they feel on your head. Since that can be difficult when shopping online, you can gauge the headphones’ comfort level based on two factors:
- Padding materials: The padding materials determine how long you can keep wearing your headphones without feeling fatigued. Velour ear pads are incredibly plushy and comfortable. They conform to your head’s anatomy better, meaning less pressure on your head. Additionally, the soft feeling from the velour means you won’t get skin irritation.
- Weight: The weight of headphones can significantly affect comfort, particularly after extended use. The heavier your headphones are, the shorter you can wear them. As such, you’ll want to go for headphones that aren’t too heavy.
How well do the headphones fit?
The fit of headphones is crucial in determining their overall comfort while wearing them.
A good fit ensures the headphones sit securely on your head without exerting too much clamping force. On the other hand, an improper fit can lead to many problems, including soreness and the headphones sliding around as you move.
You can determine the fit quality of headphones by looking at these two factors:
- Adjustability: Extendable headbands and swiveling ear cups let you adjust and customize the headphones’ fit to accommodate the unique proportions of your head and ears. Overall, they give the headphones more flexibility, making them more accessible to people of all sizes.
- Clamping force: Clamping force is the pressure exerted by the headphones on your head. Excessive clamping force can cause a headache or pain around your ears, which you definitely don’t want. As such, go for headphones that are tight enough to fit securely without causing too much pressure.
Do the headphones have a good build and durability?
Investing in headphones with a robust build and excellent durability often means reaching deeper into your pocket. However, that can be the difference between headphones that last six months or ten years.
To gauge headphones’ durability, you can look at several factors:
- IP rating: If you want your headphones that last longer, you should pick models with water and dust resistance – which is determined by IP rating. If you plan on using them outdoors, go for headphones with at least IP55, which protects them from dust and low-pressure water jets from any direction.
- Warranty: Free repairs and unit replacements are great. However, it would help if you also go for headphones with extended warranties, which reflect the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. For example, more established brands like beyerdynamic offer a 2-year warranty for most products.
- Replaceable parts: This is especially important when your headphones break outside their warranty period. Having replaceable parts means you can avoid replacing the entire headphones, leading to reduced waste while saving a few hundred dollars.
- Quality of materials: Build quality is often overlooked since they often translate to a more premium price. Details like a stainless steel headband, Gold-plated connectors, braided cords, and metal hinges are critically important for the headphones’ longevity.
Do the headphones sound good?
Even though you’re choosing headphones primarily for big ears, that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice sound quality. Headphones are a tool for entertainment and communication, and bad audio quality will negatively affect both purposes.
To ensure you enjoy your experience while wearing your headphones, you can check for these factors:
- Active noise cancellation: Headphones with ANC suppress ambient noise, which means you can hear clearer audio due to the lack of distracting sounds. While it doesn’t translate to obvious benefits for people with big ears, ANC is worth considering if audio quality is important to you.
- Audio-enhancing features: Depending on your use case, you can benefit from audio-enhancing features. Gamers, for example, can get a more immersive experience with headphones that support Dolby Atmos or Windows Sonic. If you’re a bass-head, headphones with bass-boosting features will tickle your fancy.
- Customizable audio features: The ability to tailor your headphones’ sound to your preference is also worth considering. If you prefer certain types of signatures, look for headphones with customizable EQs.