For those with smaller heads, some headphones can feel too big and clunky. It is very uncomfortable to wear pairs that are heavy or feel like they’re going to fall out of your head anytime.
This is normal, as everyone’s body is different and headphone manufacturers don’t have the means of making a one-size-fits-all model. However, there are some pairs that may be best for people with small heads, particularly those with a strong clamping force and smaller ear cups.
In this article, we are reviewing 9 of the best headphones for small heads and presenting you with some convenient options. We will, as well, pick our favorites in two different categories: best pair for studio use and best pair for casual listening.
It is important to say that we are going to consider not only the comfort factor but also points like sound quality, noise cancellation technology, value for the price, etc. Come with us to learn more.
We Tested 9 Products and Found the Sony MDR7506 to be The Best Studio Headphones for Small Heads.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 was our Casual Music Listening Choice
Best Headphones for Small Heads in our Tests
Table of Contents
- Sony WH1000XM3
- Tascam TH-02
- Sennheiser HD280PRO
- Sony MDR7506
- Logitech G432
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Bose Quiet Comfort 45
- Sony WH-CH510
- Beats Solo3
Our Pick for the Best Over Ear Headphones for Small Heads
The headphones we tested all have their advantages and disadvantages in the domains of noise canceling, mix, price, and quality.
Pairs such as the Sennheiser HD280PRO, Sony WH1000XM3, and Sony MDR7506 offer great noise canceling, but some setbacks to these models include relatively overpowered high-end, price, and a lack of maneuverability respectively.
If you’re on a budget, the Tascam TH-02 offers a great option! If it’s battery life you’re after, the Beats Solo3 emerges victorious from this lineup.
With all this being said, our pick for the best over-ear headphones is the (drumroll please) …
We understand that not everybody who uses a pair of headphones is doing so in a music studio context; most people want a pair that offers amazing performance in a variety of different settings.
Heck, even professional producers and audio technicians like to listen to music off the clock sometimes!
For this reason, the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 came out on top for us as the best overall over ear headphone option for small heads that money can buy at the time of writing this article.
They’re comfortable, have a long battery life, active noise cancellation features, and a quality microphone setup – what’s not to like?
Our Pick for the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Small Heads
When it comes to noise cancellation, a couple of brands do it very right; Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony all immediately spring to mind as market leaders in noise-cancelling technology innovation.
But which of the models provides the ultimate noise-cancelling experience for listeners with smaller heads? It was…
We believe these headphones really are the best noise-canceling option for smaller heads available right now.
In order for noise cancellation to be effective, the correct fit is crucial. The tight fit of the WH1000XM3 (combined with Sony’s market-leading noise cancellation technology) ensures any background noise won’t even begin to hinder your listening experience – regardless of your head size.
Other pros of this model include good battery life and handy hardware features such as quick attention mode.
Our Pick for the Best Wireless Headphones for Small Heads
Following on from our logic in the overall category, it wouldn’t make any sense to award any model with this title other than the Bose Quiet Comfort 45.
While there are better options for the discerning studio professional, namely the wired Sony MDR7506, you just can’t look past the Quiet Comfort 45s for an everyday pair of headphones in terms of all-round excellence.
Although they come in at a slightly higher price point than some of the other pairs on this list, we believe the quality they possess justifies their price.
What to Look for When Buying Headphones to Fit Smaller Heads
Fit is essential when considering a new pair of over-ear headphones, no matter what you plan to use them for.
For those of us who fall slightly below average on the cranial dimensions spectrum, some features are a must-have when it comes to our over-ear headphones needs. These include:
Headband adjustability
Beyond general comfort, an adjustable headband is the most important factor when on the hunt for a pair of headphones to properly fit a smaller head.
Trust us: a fixed headband isn’t worth the strife in the long run, no matter how good you may think the headphones are!
Clamping force
Simply put, the force at which a pair of headphones clamp around a head determines the tightness of said headphones. For those with smaller (or at least thinner) noggins, a firmer clamping force is necessary.
Weight
A lesser considered factor when it comes to headphone shopping, the weight of a pair combined with their clamp force could theoretically determine the rate at which potential slips occur.
Taking this into account, a lighter pair of headphones could provide greater soundness of mind (in both senses) in the long run for those of a more petite head persuasion.
1. Sony WH1000XM3
Sony needs no introduction as they are one of the most well-known manufacturers in the world. The Sony WH1000XM3 is an excellent pair of noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones designed for those on the go, with impressive battery life. It has a very strong fit so it is a great choice for people with small heads.
Product Specifications
- Over Ear Headphones
- Bluetooth
- Closed Back
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The noise cancellation technology in this pair is extremely effective.
- There are touch controls on the ear cup so you can easily play/stop songs, control the volume, activate your voice assistant, and take calls.
- There’s a high quality built-in microphone for clear audio and video calls.
- Surprisingly long battery life, up to 30 hours of playtime according to the manufacturer.
- Quick attention mode. When you cover the right cup of the Sony WH1000XM3, the volume is instantly turned down.
- Very comfortable to wear for people with small heads since this pair has a strong clamping force.
Cons
- High price.
Conclusion
The Sony WH1000XM3 is amazing for day-to-day usage and casual music listening. The manufacturer states that with a 10 minutes charge, you can playback up to 5 hours of music. This, paired with the 30 hours of total battery life is an amazing number. The noise cancellation is pretty strong in this model too.
Best For
- Casual Listening
- Day-To-Day Usage
- Audio and Video Calls
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Sony has since released the WH1000XM4 and WH1000XM5, which boast even better noise cancelling compared to the WH1000XM3, but it remains to be seen if they are as suitable for smaller heads
2. Tascam TH-02
The Tascam TH-02 is extremely affordable. It was priced around $20 by the time this article was written, so it’s a pretty good choice for those on a budget; Especially if you’re a beginner music producer who can’t invest too much on a pair.
Product Specifications
- Over Ear Headphones
- Wired
- Closed Back
- Includes Adapter
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Like said before, the Tascam TH-02 is an extremely affordable pair of headphones and great if you’re just starting out with music production.
- These headphones have a foldable design, meaning it is easier to transport them.
- The design looks very sturdy and durable, especially the headband and the ear cups.
- Very versatile, as it can be used both in the studio and for casual music listening.
- Even though the headband may be a bit tall, the ear cups are slightly smaller than other models and the clamping force is strong, making it suitable for people with small heads.
Cons
- The bass is very boomy.
Conclusion
The Tascam TH-02 is impressive for a pair of headphones that costs so low. If you want a versatile unit without spending too much, this is the way to go. We liked the build quality and the design of this product very much. There are several product reviews on Amazon that confirm their durability if you want to double-check.
If you plan on using it for music production, they will do the job pretty well, but they are not the most neutral-sounding pair though. This means that, for the mixing process, you may want to double-check your mix on other listening devices.
Best For
- Music production
- Referencing
- Monitoring
- Casual Music Listening
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3. Sennheiser HD280PRO
The Sennheiser HD280PRO is one of the most popular affordable pairs of studio headphones. They offer a great deal of sound quality and fairly balanced frequency response for a relatively low price. No wonder why this pair is always recommended for beginner music producers.
Product Specifications
- Over Ear Headphones
- Wired
- Closed Ear
- Nominal Impedance: 64 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Optimal use even in a noisy environment due to its powerful noise canceling technology, with up to 32dB attenuation of outside sound, according to the manufacturer.
- Sleek and streamlined design, these look professional and durable.
- The headband is extra cushioned for optimum comfort.
- Lightweight headphone pair.
- Swiveling ear cups.
- The ear pads material feels extra soft so it is very comfortable to use even if you wear headphones for prolonged periods of time.
- Can be easily transported as this pair is not too large.
- The clamping force is strong and will ensure that it won’t fall from your head.
Cons
- A little bit exaggerated high-end in the frequency response.
Conclusion
The Sennheiser HD280PRO will match the needs of music producers with small heads perfectly. Priced at around $100 by the time this article was written, we can say that they are considerably affordable, especially considering more expensive models and that this is an investment for life.
Apart from sound quality, one of the features that we liked the most about this pair is the noise cancelling technology. Background noise won’t stand a chance with these headphones, so they are pretty versatile to be used in any situation.
Best For
- Music Production
- Referencing
- Monitoring
- Casual Music Listening
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4. Sony MDR7506
Another pair from Sony, the MDR7506 is more suited for the studio. It is a popular pair in the music production world due to its value for the price. The wired connection coiled cable is almost 3 meters long, so there’s room to spare for situations like monitoring yourself while recording vocals, for example.
Product Specifications
- Over Ear Headphones
- Wired
- Closed Ear
- Audio Adapter Included
- Impedance: 63 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The construction is solid and feels very durable.
- Although it still has bumps on some frequencies, the frequency response is considerably neutral when compared to other headphone models; Therefore offering better sound quality.
- Similarly, the frequency range is impressive, especially on the low-end: 10Hz to 20kHz. This will ensure a solid bass response.
- Can be folded for storage.
- Comes with a soft case for extra protection.
- Adjustable headband for optimum comfort.
- Great noise cancelling technology.
- Although meant for the studio, can also be used on the go without a problem if you have a device capable of driving it.
Cons
- The cable is not detachable.
Conclusion
This pair of headphones is solid and offer a great performance for studio usage, such as music production and monitoring while recording. Audio quality-wise, they’re great: their frequency response, while not completely flat, is surprisingly neutral for the price. We wouldn’t recommend it for mixing, though.
The Sony MDR7506 is also versatile, you can use it on the go without much problem. But, they have an impedance of 63 ohms, which means that probably the average mobile phone won’t be able to give it enough power. Laptops should be good, though.
Best For
- Music Production
- Referencing
- Monitoring
- Casual Music Listening
Tip: Check out more studio pairs in our Best Studio Headphones article.
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5. Logitech G432
The Logitech G432 is a gaming headset with a comfortable design built for long playing sessions. Logitech is a well-renowned brand in the gaming community so you can expect nothing but a great performance from this pair. It also has a high quality built-in microphone for audio and video calls.
Product Specifications
- Over Ear Headphones
- Wired
- Closed Back
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Even though the Logitech G432 is bigger than other options on the list, these noise cancelling headphones are pretty comfortable. The ear pads are made out of a soft material for prolonged use.
- The large 50-millimeter audio drivers provide excellent sound quality.
- There’s a built-in volume control and mute button.
- High quality built-in microphone.
- The headband is well-cushioned.
- The ear cups are swiveling and have a lay-flat design.
- Compatible with surround sound and 3D soundscape for the most immersive music listening experience and gaming sessions.
Cons
- The material is not very breathable.
Conclusion
We like the Logitech G432 for what it proposes. At this price, it is one of the best gaming headsets in the market and the ratings are extremely positive. While the model is bigger than other pairs on the list, it is still very adaptive so it will easily fit people with small heads. We don’t recommend it for music-production-related tasks, though.
Best For
- Gaming
- Casual Music Listening
- Audio and Video Calls
– – –
6. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x noise cancelling headphone pairs are meant for studio usage but can fit a wide variety of applications, such as DJing and casual music listening. This product has an adjustable headband and well-cushioned ear pads, two features that caught our eye.
Product Specifications
- Over Ear Headphones
- Wired
- Includes Two Cables and an Adapter
- Closed Back
- Impedance: 35 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The adjustable headband and the ear pads are well cushioned and offer a great deal of comfort.
- The construction is very robust and looks durable.
- The company is very transparent about the components used to build this product. It is made with 40-millimeter drivers for optimal audio quality.
- There are two sets of cables and they are detachable. An adapter is also included.
- Includes a soft protective case.
- The range of the frequency response is pretty impressive, especially on the low-end: 15Hz to 24kHz.
Cons
- None that we found.
Conclusion
We like the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, more particularly due to its extended frequency range. These headphones have a quite deep bass response, which makes them optimal for DJs with a small head. You can use it for music production but we wouldn’t consider this the best pair for that task, as the extended low-end can lead to a not-so-neutral sound.
These are great if you like bass-heavy music genres too, like hip hop and EDM, or for those looking for affordable high quality material headphones for casual music listening.
Best For
- Casual Music Listening
- DJing
- Monitoring
– – –
Audio Technica have since released the ATH-M50x, which offer slightly better build quality and more consistent audio quality at high volume. It is possible however that updates to hardware affect the suitability of the M50x’s for smaller heads – this may require further investigation in the future.
7. Bose Quiet Comfort 45
Bose headphone manufacturer is one of the best consumer-grade brands in the industry today. These are one of the best wireless headphone pairs in the market and they are super convenient. There is even an active noise cancellation technology that will use tiny mics to measure, compare and react to outside noise.
Product Specifications
- Over Ear Headphones
- Bluetooth
- Closed Back
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- This wireless headset is designed for comfort and they are extremely lightweight.
- Long battery life.
- These Bluetooth headphones have active noise cancelation, meaning the unit is working all the time to diminish the noise that reaches your ear, through a series of tiny mics in the body of the pair.
- There are two noise cancelation modes: Quiet Mode, for full noise isolation and immersive sound, and Aware Mode, to be able to hear the environment around you. This is extremely useful for day-to-day use.
- The Bose Music app will let you adjust your Bluetooth headphones’ parameters and modes directly from your smartphone.
- Built-in play/stop and volume controls.
- High quality built-in microphone in the ear cups.
- 5.1 Bluetooth technology.
Cons
- None particularly concerning.
Conclusion
These Bluetooth headphones’ sound quality and convenience are amazing. The multi-mode noise cancellation is by far the best feature on this pair. There are two modes: Quiet and Aware. We recommend them for day-to-day usage in noisy environments such as when riding the subway. The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 was our top for casual music listening.
Best For
- Casual Music Listening
- Day-To-Day Usage
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In October 2023, Bose released their new QuietComfort Ultra line, consisting of over ear headphones and ear buds. The QC Ultra headphones are considered to have slightly improved clamping force, meaning they should also provide a high quality option for buyers with smaller heads. However, expect a premium price point.
8. Sony WH-CH510
The Sony WH-CH510 is our budget option for wireless headphones on the list. The pair costs significantly lower than its more expensive counterparts and has a great and dynamic sound quality. Plus, unlike most other models on this list, they have an on ear design, meaning that they sit over your ears without covering them completely.
Product Specifications
- On Ear Headphones
- Bluetooth
- Closed Back
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The on ear design can be more comfortable if you have a small head.
- The padded ear cups feel pretty durable and of exceptional quality.
- The noise canceling feature is good for the price.
- Works for voice assistant commands such as Alexa voice control.
- Extra-long battery life with up to 35 hours of playback.
- This headphone has a great midrange. It is optimal if you enjoy listening to rock music or musical genres with a lot of emphasis on instruments such as guitars.
- The Bluetooth connection is extremely fast.
- These are the most compact pairs on the list. They can be easily stored without taking too much space.
Cons
- No carrying case is included.
Conclusion
These are for those who prioritize compactness. The Sony WH-CH510 can be easily stored and won’t feel heavy on your head, even if used for prolonged periods of time. At a price so low, they are probably one of the best wireless headphones that you can get on a budget. It would be great, though, if Sony shipped those with at least a soft protective case.
Best For
- Casual Music Listening
- Day-To-Day Usage
– – –
9. Beats Solo3
Beats headphones are known for their extremely boosted bass. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on the musical genres you like listening to. For hip hop fans, for example, it is awesome. Apart from great sound quality, the design of these wireless headphones is solid and they don’t feel heavy at all.
Product Specifications
- On Ear Headphones
- Bluetooth
- Closed Back
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Like we said before, these are one of the best pairs for listening to bass-heavy music genres.
- The design feels pretty solid and durable, especially the ear cups’ material.
- The headband is adjustable. You can fit it on your head by pulling it up or down.
- Withstanding up to 40 hours of playback, these have the best battery life among the wireless headphones on this list.
- 5 minutes of charge can give you 3 hours of playback. This is insane.
- Optimized Bluetooth connection for Apple devices due to the manufacturer’s W1 chip.
Cons
- The Solo model doesn’t have active noise cancelation.
Conclusion
The Beats Solo3 are slick designed wireless headphones with great sound quality. We feel though that they are not for everyone: they will be the best match for you if you listen to bass-heavy music genres, such as hip hop and even some styles of pop. This is pretty much what they’re made for, after all.
Best For
- Casual Music Listening
- Day-To-Day Usage
– – –
FAQs
Are Bluetooth Headphones Suitable for Studio Use?
Not only is their overall response more neutral, but they are compatible with devices such as audio interfaces and have the best sound quality for critical listening.
Do I Need a Headphone Preamp for Studio Usage?
Which Kind of Headphone is Best for the Studio: Open Back or Closed Back?
Can Open Back Headphones Be Used as a Day-To-Day Pair?
What Are Some Important Factors to Consider when Buying Headphones for Small Heads?
Conclusion
In our article, we tested pairs from different price ranges suited for different situations to find out what are the best headphones for small heads. It is important to remember that the best product will differ depending on your use case, that’s why we included a “Best For” section in the reviews.
Regarding comfort, the majority of the headphones on the list are very adaptive, meaning they will work for most people with small heads. Keep in mind, though, that everyone’s body is different. We highly recommend you try these on a physical store if you have the chance.
Without further ado, let’s see our three top choices. We picked the best model for the studio, one for casual music listening and two budget ones as a bonus.
Sony MDR7506 – Best Headphones for Small Heads – Studio Usage
The Sony MDR7506 was our top pick of studio headphones for small heads. This is due to the pair’s comfort factor and adjustable headband. This unit won’t feel heavy even for long periods of use.
Bose Quiet Comfort 45 – Best for Casual Music Listening
Bose is a well-renowned brand of consumer-grade audio electronics. These are, in our opinion, the best wireless headphones for small heads. While the price is a bit high, they’re definitely worth the investment.
We Also Recommend the Sony WH-CH510 and Tascam TH-02 for Those on a Budget
How to Buy
The link for each product’s Amazon page is in their titles on the list. We hope our best headphones for small heads article was helpful. Like said before, we do recommend you go to a physical store and try this pair for yourself to see which one is the best fit for your use case. We hope you have a great listening experience, above all!
Ian Sniesko is an experienced music producer and musician who loves to share his knowledge about the best audio equipment for making and enjoying great music. For the past 6 years, Ian has written extensively about the audio equipment industry and has contributed to many of the top music magazines.