Are you ready to elevate your drumming experience with the best drum headphones? Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned veteran, having the perfect pair of drummer headphones can improve your performance and overall enjoyment. In this guide, we'll look at the finest headphones for electronic drums, noise-cancelling headphones for drummers, and wireless and in-ear alternatives to help you choose the ideal pair of drumming headphones.
We'll go over the important things to consider when selecting your ideal pair, including isolation, sound quality, comfort, durability, and connectivity options. By the end of this article, you'll have the knowledge to make an informed decision and find the best headphones for your drumming journey.
Headphones for electronic drum kits have to deliver something slightly different to standard drumming headphones. Electronic drums generate sound digitally, and that means detail. Crisp transients, layered samples, velocity sensitivity—every nuance is built into the kit. But if your headphones can’t handle the frequency range or can’t isolate you from outside noise, you miss all that subtlety. And without that precision, it's harder to hear what your hands and feet are really doing.
So for those looking for the best headphones for electronic drum use:
The Vic Firth SIH2 headphones are designed to cater to the specific needs of drummers, offering a perfect blend of sound isolation and stereo audio quality. These headphones are ideal for various drumming scenarios, including live performances, recording sessions, and practicing along with recorded music, all while maintaining safe sound levels.
Key features of the Vic Firth SIH2 headphones:
With their combination of sound isolation, stereo audio quality, and versatile applications, these headphones are a top choice for drummers seeking a reliable and high-performing solution for their drumming needs.
Key features of the Roland RH-300V headphones:
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X, released on September 24, 2021, is a premium offering from the renowned German audio company Beyerdynamic, founded in 1924. With a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $299.00 and a current price of $279 USD, these headphones are designed to deliver exceptional performance for professional users.
Key features of the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X (model number 737704) include:
With its combination of advanced technology, premium build quality, and user-friendly features, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X is a top choice for professional drummers and audio enthusiasts seeking a high-performance, reliable set of headphones from a trusted brand with nearly a century of experience in the industry.
For those looking for the best drumming earphones, the Shure SE215 Pro earphones have been a popular choice among musicians and audio enthusiasts since their release in 2011, thanks to their attractive price point and impressive specifications. Originally priced at $125, these earphones (model number SE215-CL) offer great value for money, with a current price of just $99.
Key features of the Shure SE215 Pro include:
With its combination of affordability, impressive technical specifications, and Shure's reputation for quality, these earphones make a compelling choice for drummers and other musicians seeking a reliable and high-performing in-ear monitoring solution.
The Roland VMH-D1 V-Drums Headphones, a collaboration between Roland and V-Moda, offer a unique blend of style, comfort, and functionality. Priced at £159, €159, or $179, these headphones come equipped with a range of features designed to enhance your drumming experience.
Key features of the Roland VMH-D1 V-Drums Headphones include:
With their combination of style, comfort, and practicality, the Roland VMH-D1 V-Drums Headphones are an excellent choice for drummers seeking a high-quality, feature-rich headphone solution from two respected names in the music industry: Roland and V-Moda.
One of the most important areas when considering which headphones are best for you. Drumming headphones must have good isolation and sound. The Vic Firth SIH2 headphones, one of our top recommendations, filter out extraneous noise at 25 dB for optimal ear protection. Despite not being noise-cancelling headphones, the ear cup shape lowers outside sounds. The SIH2's bigger than average driver produces stronger lows, clearer mids, and clear highs. However, due to the mid-range concentration, some users may find the low end inadequate.
Closed-back studio headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X are ideal for recording and monitoring. The STELLAR.45 drivers let the headphones reach high levels without distortion. Bright and analytical, the sound profile is clean and detailed like high-end open-back headphones. The bass is tight, however some may miss sub-bass.
Key info from the other top picks:
Since you'll wear drumming headphones for long periods during practice and performances, comfort and durability are crucial. Vic Firth SIH2 headphones are industry standards for their durable, excellent build quality and low pricing. They are comfortable for long-term use but may lose isolation if stretched. The cable is not swappable, which could cause failure.
V-Moda Roland VMH-D1 headphones have a sleek design with black components and white accents, including removable hexagonal faceplates with Roland's 'V-Drums' emblem. Deep memory foam and moisture-resistant synthetic leather headband and ear-cups provide comfort over long periods. These lightweight headphones weigh 285g +/-5g and are pleasant for long periods.
Other notable options include:
When it comes to connectivity options, the headphones featured in this guide offer a range of choices to suit your needs:
For drummers looking to protect their hearing while playing, but didn't find the answer in our choices, no worries! Here are several more good headphone options for you to look into:
Melodics helps drummers learn by playing, with a strong focus on an interactive experience that takes drummers beat by beat through lessons and provides specific feedback on their performances.
For drummers looking to protect their hearing while playing, there are several good headphone options:
Drummers often use headphones to listen to pre-recorded tracks that guide them through the piece they are accompanying. Alternatively, they may listen to a click track, which sets the tempo for the song they are performing.
You can use regular headphones, but drummer-specific headphones offer critical advantages. They provide superior noise isolation (typically 25dB reduction), protect your hearing during extended practice, and deliver accurate sound reproduction for drums. For electronic drums, headphones need to handle the full dynamic range and detailed transients of digital drum sounds.
The optimal ear protection for drummers is typically custom-moulded earplugs, which are connected by a leash for convenience. These earplugs are breathable, easy to use, and allow drummers to hear their own drumming clearly. An example of high-quality moulded earplugs is the Doc's Pro Plugs Vented.
Closed-back headphones create a sealed environment that blocks external noise and prevents sound leakage. This isolation helps you hear your playing clearly above loud drums while protecting your hearing. They're essential for practice, recording sessions, and live performances where focus matters most.
Yes, wireless headphones work for casual practice. However, they may introduce latency issues that affect your timing. For precise work with click tracks or electronic drums, wired headphones provide instant response. If choosing wireless, look for low-latency models with optional cable connectivity.
Headphones sit over or on your ears with larger drivers and more isolation. In-ear monitors fit inside your ear canal, offering better mobility and customization options. IEMs provide superior isolation and are preferred for live performance, while headphones excel for practice and studio work.
Look for headphones offering at least 20-25 dB of noise reduction for safe practice sessions. Electronic drummers need less isolation than acoustic players. The key is balancing protection from loud cymbals and snares while maintaining clear audio for backing tracks or lessons.
Melodics is an interactive drum learning app that helps you build timing, coordination and technique through real-time feedback and structured lessons. Melodics works on all electronic drums and any model of headphones, to deliver interactive lessons that make practice engaging and effective. Melodics also works on acoustic drums!
NEW LESSON DROP!
NEW LESSON DROP!
Come Together
As made famous by The Beatles
Learn to play this and over 500 songs in Melodics
Play this song now