The 10 Most Durable Headphones You Can Currently Buy

Although the way we listen to music has changed in a lot of ways — from tapes and CDs to streaming services like Spotify and local music players on devices such as smartphones — in other ways, it has remained largely the same. Although technology has notably advanced in recent years, we still primarily listen to music from a speaker or through headphones. Of course, headphones are very different from how they once were and there are now waterproof models worth buying, wireless headphones, and earbuds designed for use when running.

Choosing the right headphones can be tricky simply because there are so many considerations to account for. Most people will want a pair that sounds good and doesn't look terrible, while others will focus on the convenience of not having any wires. What customers often don't think about is durability. That's strange considering how expensive headphones can be, as no one wants to keep shelling out for new models unnecessarily.

Fortunately, some rugged and long-lasting headphones on the market can withstand plenty of punishment and still provide excellent sound quality. All of these sturdy headphones are perfect for those who want a pair that can survive a drop or continuous use. We've compiled the very best durable headphones based on reviews from experts across the web.

The Philips SHP9500 HiFi stereo headphones are an old favorite that has returned in recent years with something of a refresh. Although it is no longer stocked on the official Philips site, many retailers still carry the headphones, and there's no shortage of them online. That's good news, considering that these are some of the best durable headphones available. Like most headphones of this type, it is an open-back acoustic system, which features a 50-millimeter neodymium driver for sound delivery across a wide spectrum without the need for any amplifier.

There's no risk of the headphones becoming unusable due to a broken cable, as the 5-foot cord can be removed and swapped out for any compatible 3.5-millimeter cable. This also means it can work with other accessories that support the 3.5-millimeter standard, such as microphones. Meanwhile, a steel headband adds extra strength and longevity to the overall design. Combined with the extra solid plastic, there's little chance of doing serious damage to the Philips SHP9500 through normal use.

The entire body of the headphones is also wrapped in a strong fabric that is far more resilient than the faux leather you often see on headphones, helping to ensure that you won't scratch or rip the material.

Although they aren't a popular choice for enthusiasts or normal users, the Sony MDR-7506s are the headphones of choice for professionals working in sound production. Whether it is members of a film crew on set or a mixer working in a studio, there's a good chance you'll encounter a pair of Sony MDR-7506s. Relatively cheap compared to similar products, they have a good sound quality and are good for hearing sounds or music as it is without adding any effects or warping the audio.

The Sony MDR-7506s didn't become an industry standard by accident. They are well-built and have a metal frame to add extra durability to the overall build. These are the kind of headphones that can be used for hours every day and thrown into bags without users worrying about whether they will survive — even with the mostly plastic build. They are sturdy and comfortable, setting a decent standard for professional-level headphones primed for wear and tear.

The best thing about the Sony MDR-7506 is that they are designed to be easily fixed. Most of the parts on the product can be replaced with fairly cheap parts, even with little user expertise.

The AKG K702 headphones are some of the pricier models on the market, at over $400 for a single pair. For that money, customers can be sure they are getting a high-quality product that should last for a long time. The company promises that each product is individually tested before they are shipped out to stores to guarantee they meet the stringent standards of AKG.

Meanwhile, the 3D-foam ear pads and self-adjusting headband are designed to make the headphones comfortable to wear, even after extended use. In terms of audio, they excel in mid-range frequencies and have a spacious, accurate sound. The only major issue is that this particular model may work best when used with an amp, as smartphones and other devices may not be able to provide enough power to get the best sound quality on their own.

The AKG K702 headphones are durable thanks to the various materials that have been used to make them. There's metal, dense plastic, and genuine leather at different parts of the headphones, adding strength without increasing the weight excessively. The ear pads themselves are strong and constructed from firm velour so they are not easily damaged. It's also possible to remove them to clean or replace them quickly and easily, without the need for any tools. The cable can also be detached and replaced through the mini XLR connector to remove any worry about the cable becoming damaged and stopping the headphones from working.

Jabra has become one of the most popular brands for headphones and earbuds in recent years, creating various models suited for home use, office work, and even exercise. This includes the Evolve2 85 Wireless and the Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless models. The second pair of earbuds have been designed specifically for sports and fitness, providing those who want to listen to music or podcasts while exercising the right tools for the job.

The compact design of the Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless earbuds means they are less likely to be damaged, as they can easily be safely stored in pockets. The case also protects from potential dangers while charging them for extended use. Reviews have noted the device is built from dense plastic that is strong enough to withstand daily bumps and scrapes without any issues. With an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP57, they are dust and water-resistant, to the extent that they should die even if dropped or submerged briefly in water.

There are some drawbacks when it comes to sound quality and noise cancellation, but that's to be expected from earbuds like this that are made to be compact and strong. Those wanting to focus on those areas would be better suited with over-ear headphones that don't have to compromise on

Bose is a headphone brand that is synonymous with style and expense. The Bose 700 wireless headphones don't do much to change that, and they will cost you over $350. For that money, you'll get some of the best-sounding headphones on the market, which may not be able to compete with the likes of the Sony WH-100XM4 headphones but are still an exceptional product that audiophiles find plenty to like.

Chief among the positives of the Bose 700 headphones, as the company aims to take the audio crown, is its durability. The headband is constructed with stainless steel, providing a resilient product that will not break easily. Throw in an IPX4 rating that protects against minor water damage and a no-hinge design for fewer moving parts that can get damaged, and these are headphones that should have longevity.

There are a lot of extra features in the Bose 700 headphones that users might also find interesting. This includes active noise cancellation, which can be scaled up and down so you get the right balance for your needs, to create one of the best noise-cancelling headphones available right now. You also can sync with the Bose Music app to finetune some of the settings. The headphones also support Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, enabling smart features such as making calls when connected to a smartphone. With a decent battery life of 20 hours, they should have plenty of time in most cases and only need charging once a day.

Sennheiser has always been an audio brand that is synonymous with quality. It doesn't matter what pair you grab, there's a good chance they'll have excellent sound capabilities and a solid build. This is the case with the Sennheiser Momentum 3.0 Wireless headphones, a $350 product that is a proper competitor to some of the high-end wireless headphones that are currently available.

The overall frame of the headphones is made from solid metal, with dense plastic used for some of the other parts. Genuine leather is used for the headband and earpads, and memory foam is used for added comfort. The Bose 700s also fold to a fairly compact size thanks to the hinges on the frame. This can really help to prevent damage during travel as the earpads aren't exposed. A selection of rubber buttons replace the plastic buttons found on most headphones and they feel far sturdier as a result.

Although there is a newer model on the market, in the form of the Sennheiser Momentum 4, users might want to stick with the earlier incarnation. There have been some complaints about the build quality, ranging from units being defective on delivery and the headphones feeling less sturdy than their predecessor. Reviews of the Momentum 3 headphones taken over an extended timeframe also suggest they can last a good amount of time as long as they aren't abused.

V-MODA already had a decent lineup of durable headphones long before the V-MODA Crossfade 3 headphones hit store shelves. In fact, the director predecessor to this product had a good reputation for being tough and long-lasting with great build quality. When the company came to upgrade to a newer model, it didn't forget about ensuring they were hard-wearing and made to last.

Even though they are very light and comfortable to wear, the Crossfade 3 headphones are very strong. Metal covers some of the exposed elements for extra strength, while the headband has a lot of padding and a metal frame. The headphones come with a hardshell carry case. Designed to be as compact as possible, it is sturdy and should easily prevent the headphones from any bumps and damage while you are not using them. The Immortal Life Program offered alongside the one-year warranty also means you can get replacement parts and upgrades at a discounted price.

For those who want to make their headphones their own, V-MODA offers extensive customization options for most of its products, including the Crossfade 3. It's possible to switch up several elements of the design, such as the exterior of the earpads, and it is even possible to upload original designs. The headphones also have a 30-hour battery life, and have a sound range that excels in the mid and high ranges, as well as good bass.

Beyerdynamic is an audio company best known for its microphones and headphones. The brand has also established a reputation for creating strong products that can stand the test of time. In fact, it isn't all that surprising to find people using Beyerdynamic headphones that are more than a decade old without any issues. There are many options when it comes to headphones from the German manufacturer, but the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros stand out as some of the toughest.

At the heart of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones is the steel headband. It is flexible and thin enough to provide excellent comfort while not sacrificing anything when it comes to sturdiness. The ear cups are also dense enough that they can survive being dropped onto the floor multiple times The non-detachable cable may be a concern for some users, yet the cable is robust thanks to its rubber and plastic construction, so it won't become tangled. The upshot is that there shouldn't be any issue with it quickly breaking.

These particular headphones don't disappoint in sound quality either. While they may not have the overall capabilities of more expensive alternatives, they provide a neutral and accurate sound profile that is a good choice for personal use or in a studio setting.

Unlike the vast majority of entries in this article, the Jaybird Vista 2 are not headphones, but rather earbuds. That means they are much smaller and sit in your ear rather than over them. None of that prevents them from being very durable, though, and their small size can be a positive as it means there is less chance of them being hit or caught and fewer parts that can break.

Like many earbuds designed for active life, the Jaybird Vista 2s have an IP68 rating. This means that they can survive being submerged in water for up to 30 meters at a depth of 1.5 meters and should be resistant to sweat, rain, and dust. The charging case is not quite as durable as the earbuds, with an IP54 rating, but this shouldn't be a huge problem as the case will usually be less exposed to potential hazards. Jaybird's products also meet US military MIL-STD-810 standards. This tests products in extreme conditions and ensures they can withstand tough treatments such as heavy drops and intense vibrations.

WindDefense fabric built into the earbuds and active noise cancellation help to combat environmental noise when using the headphones. They are also Bluetooth 5.0 enabled, allowing you to listen to music without interruption or make crystal-clear calls. The connectivity features of the Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds also mean that users can customize the sound profile and enable other settings with a companion app directly on their smartphones.

German Maestro may not be a brand many are all that familiar with. Based in the town of Obrigheim in Germany, the company focuses on audio accessories and products. While they were known for mainly producing speakers, it has since expanded into headphones and one of its signature products is the GMP 8.35 Mobile. Priced at €199 (or around $215), the headphone promises to deliver excellent sound quality in mid and high-range frequencies with good support for bass responses.

It isn't the GMP 8.35's audio capabilities that make these headphones stand out, though, but rather the product's sheer durability. The Verge noted that these were some of the sturdiest headphones on the market, backed up by users online who described them as indestructible. They are built to last and come with a three-year warranty, suggesting that the manufacturer is more than willing to put its money where its mouth is. The GMP 8.35 are exactly the type of headphones suited for those using them for work or will travel with them a lot, as they can take a lot of damage.

The Mobile version of the headphones even comes with a detachable cable at the request of customers with autism, meaning that the cord can be replaced if it breaks or swapped out for a more convenient cable. It also allows the headphones to act as ear defenders against outside noise if the wire is completely removed.

Wherever possible, we have tried to use the opinions of our own contributors at SlashGear when determining the quality and durability of the headphones included in this article. When that hasn't been possible, we've looked at reviews from other respected outlets to get an expert insight into where they excel, as well as what they get right and wrong compared to other brands and models.