8 Best Headphones for ASMR

There is nothing better in this modern and technology dependant world than having a perfect pair of headphones.  Most people need headphones for different reasons. Some need them to shut out the world and relax in total peace, while others may need a headphone solely for the production of high-fidelity sound.

Have you been drained from sleepless nights? Has the stresses of work caught up to you? Headphones for ASMR are a godsend for tired ears – capitalizing on perceptual sensory phenomenon to induce positive effects in mood and relaxation.

What Is ASMR?

ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian response) is a series of audio-visual elements that create a euphoric and tingling sensation that begins from the scalp and neck giving the user a blissful sense of relaxation. It’s a fast-growing form of art with many budding ASMRtists creating videos of them whispering and making other sounds associated with ASMR. Given the prevalence of sleep disorders, anxious states and depression – ASMR remains an important modality for potential therapeutic application.

The Best Headphones For ASMR

Although headphones’ primary purpose is to convey signal waves from the source into the ears, not all headphones can achieve this kind of ability – ASMR. Only specific types of headphones can maximise the delivery of that sensation.

Below are some of the best headphones you can use for ASMR.

Model Type Wired or Wireless Key Features
Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-canceling headphones   In-ear Wired Noise-cancellation In-built microphone Aware mode
Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone   Over-ear Wired Noise-isolation Battery-powered
AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless Bluetooth Headphones for Sleep Over-ear Wireless Stereo
COWIN E7 Active Noise Canceling Headphones   Over-ear Wireless Bluetooth, Microphone, AUX, Active Noise-cancelling
Shure SE215-CL Professional Sound Isolation Earphones   In-ear Wireless Gold-plated MMCX Connectors
TOZO 5.0 T10 Bluetooth Wireless Ear buds   In-ear Wireless IPX8 waterproof, wireless charging case
OneOdio A71 Wired Over-Ear Headphones   Over-ear Wired Stereo plug type Frequency response – 20Hz to 20KHz
Riwbox XBT-80 Folding Stereo Wireless Bluetooth Headphones   Over-ear Wireless In-built 420mAh battery 3 mm jack Folding for easy storage

Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-cancelling headphones

Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-cancelling headphones are made by the Bose Company.  With this headphone, you only got two choices – you either shut out the world and lose yourself in your music or let the world in. It’s your choice.  No matter what, Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-canceling headphones are specifically designed to shut out any unwanted noise and let you enjoy your music on the go, anytime and anyplace. These state-of-the-art earbuds headphones for ASMR are just that good.

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Special features Noise-cancellation, microphone
Connectivity Wired
Fit Type In-Ear
Color Black
Dimensions 5 x 2.38 x 7.8 inches
Weight 0.66 lbs

Design

Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-canceling headphones feature proprietary StayHear+ tips providing a soft and secure fit in your ears for hours. Its cone shape design forms a gentle seal allowing full-spectrum noise reduction and spread contact evenly for maximum comfort. Thanks to the Bose Active EQ and Triport technology, now you can enjoy the deep clear digital-quality sound you won’t expect from ear-in headphones.  It also comes with an in-built rechargeable lithium-ion battery which can provide up to 16 hours of active use.

Functionality

For convenient control, all the functions are accessible at your fingertips. For example, using the incline microphone or remote, you can switch easily between talking on your phone hands-free and provide control of various music on your iPhone. Just turn on the noise cancelling and get rid of the surrounding noise, and concentrate on your music or by a press of a button; you can activate ‘aware mode’ allowing yourself to hear what’s going on in your surroundings without removing the headphones.  

Compatibility

These headphones are engineered to work with iPad, iPhones, and iPod models.

Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone

The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones for ASMR are specifically crafted to impress and are a perfect choice for those music listeners with a sense of discovery. This open back, around-the-ear headphone delivers a perfect natural tonal balance with outstanding spatial performance and sound of unmatched quality.

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Fit Type Over-Ear
Special feature Noise-isolation
Connectivity Technology Wired
Power source type 1 AAA Batteries
Color Ivory
Dimensions 8.1 x 3.95 x 10.25 inches
Weight 8.8 ounces

Design

The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones are made of premium component powered by Sennheiser proprietary transducer technology uses aluminum coils to produce excellent dynamics, high efficiency, and super-low distortion while in use. The open-back and around-ear design deliver an extremely open spatial feature to boost the listening experience. The headphone is finished with a premium design clue; a brown stitched headband, a timeless ivory color and a matte metallic case convey quality and durability. The headphone is lightweight, featuring large ear cups sized fitted with luxurious velour ear cushions and a padded headband to delivers extreme wearing comfort during those long listening sessions with no pressure on your ears.  

Functionality

The HD 599 offers multiple connectivity options with its two detachable cables; a 1.2m cable with 3.5mm suitable for use with laptops, tablets, phones, etc., and a 3m cable with a 6.3 mm jack for use home entertainment unit.

Compatibility

The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones are perfect for home entertainment systems, laptops, phones, etc.

AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Are you tired of a restless night, insomnia, or your snoring partner? Then get ready and say goodbye with the world’s first-ever and most comfortable sleeping headphones that have helped over a million people relax and sleep naturally. The AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless headphones for ASMR deliver crystal clear audio from its in-built lead-free speakers with no weird echoes of tiny sounds. They also eliminate the need to use heavy and bulky headphones or painful ear pads and allow you to fall asleep while listening to your favorite podcasts, music, audiobooks comfortably, and whatever else that helps you to unwind comfortably.

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Fit Type Over-Ear
Special Feature Stereo
Connectivity Technology Bluetooth
Power source type 1 Lithium Polymers batteries
Size Small, Medium, Large
Color Mid-night-black – Fleece Fabric
Dimensions 10 x 1 x 3 inches
Weight 2.0 Ounces

Design

Designed by family doctors, SleepPhones headphones feature an ultra-thin, high-quality speaker tucked in a super soft machine washable stretchy headband, making them the most comfortable bed-friendly headphones. More so, the speakers can be adjusted to fit on your ears perfectly or removed the speakers when you want to wash your headband.  The battery can provide up to 10 hours of power when using the headphones.

Functionality

SleepPhones Wireless headphones can pair with your Bluetooth devices with just a touch of a button. The most exciting part is that; you can play, pause, skip your audio and control the volume on your wireless SleepPhones with no need of looking at your device. It supports a 30 feet range from your Bluetooth-enabled devices; this allows you to move freely while using the headphones. I addition to that, you can use the headphone as an eye mask, allowing you to sleep anywhere, anytime.

Compatibility

AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless headphones for ASMR support any Bluetooth-enabled devices.

COWIN E7 Active Noise Canceling Headphones

COWIN E7 headphones are one of a kind. They are designed to let you experience a world-class performance by making a quiet sound quieter, music sound better, and provide you with superior comfort. Once you put them on, no matter how noisy your surrounding is, these headphones will give you peace and quietness and make sure it’s just you and your music – and nothing else.  If you’re an ASMR enthusiast and you love listening to music while in bed, then these headphones are a perfect match for you.

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Fit Type Over-Ear
Color Black
Function Spec Bluetooth, Microphone, AUX, Active Noise-canceling
Frequency 20Hz – 20 KHz
Power supply Lithium Battery or Micro USB cable
Dimensions 6.54 x 1.97 x 7.13 inches
Weight 9.9 ounces

Design

COWIN E7 Bluetooth Headphones are lightweight by design, with a soft headband and ear cushions to ensure comfort when you put them on, while a fine-tuned fit is achieved by rotating the ear cups. Its advanced active noise canceling technology eliminates the surrounding noise, so you can focus more on what’s important – your music, videos, or movies. They feature an in-built 750mAh battery that can power the headphones up to 30 hours of active use. This ensures you have peaceful long listening hours without worrying about the headphone going off due to power shortage.  

Functionality

The high-quality built-in microphone allows you to make HD calls or your business-class communication even in a noisy or windy environment.  The featured COWIN proprietary high-quality 40mm larger aperture drivers deliver precise guitar sounds, clean bass, crisp percussion, and clear vocals. With the tuning control easily accessible, these headphones give you the freedom to answer your call, turn ANC on or off and control volume at your fingertips.

Compatibility

When it comes to compatibility, the COWNI E7 supports various Bluetooth audio codecs such as A2DPV1.3/AVRCP V1.6/HFP V1.7/HID V1.1/AVCTP V1.4/AVDTP V1.3/SPPV1.2.

Shure SE215-CL Professional Sound Isolation Earphones

The Shure SE215 Pro earphones can be a good option for you if you prefer earbuds over traditional headphones.  Evolved from music-tested and personal monitoring technology, the SE215 Pro offers high-quality sound with enhanced bass for professional monitoring or private listening, allowing you to enjoy an immersive listening environment.  

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Fit Type In-Ear
Color name Clear
Connectivity Technology Bluetooth
Connector Type Gold plated MMCX connectors
Speaker Amplification Type Active
Dimensions 3 x 7 x 2 inches
Weight 0.48 ounces

Design

The Shure SE215 Pro earphones are designed in a lightweight, low-profile shape featuring an optimized nozzle angle to ensure it rests comfortably in your ears.  The Shure SE215 Pro is also designed with comfortable sound isolation sleeves, capable of blocking up to 37dB of ambient sound.  It comes in a compact soft zipped carrying case to offer a tangible free solution to store and convenience when traveling with your earphones. The earphones have a durable reinforced cable to provide an easy solution when replacing or customizing them.

Functionality

The earphones are perfectly designed to withstand professional wear and tear levels and feature a single, high-definition driver to produce a clear sound with deep bass. Whether you’re on the stage or on the go, the Shure SE215 Pro’s sound isolation technology prevents the surrounding noise from interfering with your listening experience. On the other hand, the Gold plated MMCX connectors contain a lock snap mechanism to ensure a 360-degree rotation for a comfortable fit. Also, the formable wire provides an over-the-ear configuration that keeps the wire out of the way and secure placement of the earphones.

Compatibility

Lastly, the Shure SE215 Pro earphones support all kinds of smartphones.

TOZO 5.0 T10 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

The Tozo T10 Bluetooth wireless earbuds combine comfort, style, and functionality. Thanks to the athletic design, exceptional sound quality, the earbuds are a perfect fit for anywhere from a professional setting to the local gym.  Utilizing their in-built Bluetooth and wireless feature, these high-quality earbuds eliminate the hassle of tiresome cables and dysfunctional buttons.

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Fit Type In-Ear
Special features IPX8 Waterproof, wireless charging case
Connectivity Technology Wireless, Bluetooth 5.0
Power supply 1 Lithium-ion battery
Color Black
Dimensions 10.4 x 0.99 x 0.66 inches
Weight 0.10 ounces

Design

Each wireless earbuds comes with a measurement of 0.9 inches tall and 0.7 inches wide. This size makes them look slightly smaller, but they fit perfectly in average-sized ears. Their smaller size also makes them less bulky compared to other earbuds of a similar design. The T10 wireless earbuds are made of silicone earcaps that allow them to fit in your ears comfortably. The charging case measures 1.3 inches by 3.6 inches. Both the charging case and the earbuds enjoy IPX8 waterproof protection. The IPX8 waterproof nano-coat perfectly protects the charging case and the earbuds from sweat and raindrops. You can wash the charging case and the earbuds too with water and soap.

Functionality

In terms of quality sound, the T10 wireless earbuds feature a large 8mm audio driver. The driver diaphragm is 1.77mm larger than other earbuds of a similar design. This allows the earbuds to produce a natural and authentic, powerful bass, clear treble, and mellow midrange sound. The Bluetooth 5.0 technology will enable you to track your earbuds battery level through your iOS, Windows, or android display. The earbuds allow you a playtime of up to 6 hours and 30 hours with a charging case from a single charge.  The earbuds feature one-step pairing – Remove the two headsets from the charging case, and they will automatically connect. Then select the Bluetooth setting, choose TOZO-T10, and the earbuds will pair instantly.

Compatibility

The featured advanced Bluetooth 5.0, the earbuds support HFP, A2DP, HSP, and AVRCP, providing instant pairing and stable connection with no interruption. The charging case is also compatible with most wireless chargers.

OneOdio A71 Wired Over-Ear Headphones

If you’re looking for headphones with super bass, comfort, and durability, then OneOdio A71 headphones are your perfect match. These headphones will deliver astonishing clarity, high-quality sound separation, and enough sound isolation.

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Fit Type Over-Ear
Connecting Technology Wired
Color Red
Plug Type 3.5mm/6.35mm stereo
Frequency Response 20Hz – 20KHz
Dimensions 6.61 x 5.51 x 4.09 inches
Weight 14.2 ounces

Design

They feature a Japanese voice coil and a 40mm speaker unit driver diaphragm combined with neodymium magnets. The OneOdio A71 headphones produce clear vocals, powerful bass, and crisp high tones stereo hi-fi sound letting you hear every detail in your music.  The OneOdio A71 headphones are professionally wired with custom soft ear pads and isolated earcups, providing you with a brilliant level of comfort and noise isolation. The foldable 90-degree rotatable ear cups allow you to fold the headphones for easy storage and carrying.  This gives you a convenient experience when you move around with them. Also, the jack lock system on the stereo AUX cable ensures you don’t need to worry about any connection problems.

Functionality

Each end of the audio features gold plated 3.5mm and 6.35mm jack for easy plug-in and saving you the trouble of finding a new adapter. They also come with an in-line microphone for making calls providing you with crystal clear during calls or on-line chatting. You can adjust or stretch the headphones to your preferred angle to fit you properly. With these headphones, you don’t need adapters as they come with a long 9.8-foot cord that can easily reach your stereo or TV set from the comfort of your chair.  The headphones are self-adjustable and flexible, allowing you to enjoy a fatigue-free listening experience for long hours.

Compatibility

These headphones work perfectly with any device with 3.5mm or 6.35 audio jacks. These headphones are suitable for electric guitars, keyboards, mixers, piano, drums, and more.

Riwbox XBT-80 Folding Stereo Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Riwbox XBT-80 is an energetic foldable Bluetooth headphone made for the modern lifestyle. These headphones fit everybody, anywhere. Whether you are a student, a teenager, an office worker, or a club DJ, these headphones will correctly work for you.

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Fit Type Over-Ear
Color White Gold
Connectivity Technology Wireless
Form factor Bi-fold
Connector type 3.5mm jack
Dimensions 5.5 x 7.3 x 3.4 inches
Weight 12.3 ounces

Design

Riwbox XBT-80 is a Bluetooth wireless headphone featuring 50mm diameter aperture drivers and an in-built microphone to deliver a comfortable listening experience for phone calls and playing music. It has a wide frequency range to reproduce high clarity sound and deep bass. These headphones were built for comfort, and long hours of wearing them should not be a problem; the memory-protein ear cushion stimulates your skin texture and provides ventilation as well as blocking any outside noise. It’s designed with a softly padded headband and stainless steel sliders to allow you to find a perfect fit with many constraints and provide lasting durability. 

Functionality

The headphones can function both in wireless and wired mode. For instance, in a wired mode, the in-built 420mAh battery can provide up to 15-hour talk time and 13-hour continuous wireless playback in a single charge, and the standby mode of up to 180 hours. Built-in, a compact, and space-saving foldable design saves space and makes it convenient to carry around.

Compatibility

Riwbox XBT-80 wireless headphones are compatible with a wide range of 3.5mm jack devices such as Android phones, iPhones, Tablets, Ipads, portable music players, PC, MacBooks, and more.

How to buy headphones for ASMR

A lot goes into buying headphones; should you buy them from a physical store or order them online? Should I purchase wired or wireless headphones? Does the headphone come with mobile apps? Is the microphone quality good enough?

If you’ve decided to invest in ASMR headphones, there is a good chance you already know the type of headphones you want and how you intend to use them. For the majority of people, bedtime is the expected time they use ASMR headphones.

With the emerging ASMR phenomenon gaining more popularity, finding the perfect headphones for ASMR can be very tricky because the market right is flooded with all sorts of headphones claiming to have ASMR ability.

Ultimately, finding the right, ASMR headphones come down to personal experience and where or how you may want to use them.

Let’s run through some of the factors you should consider when buying headphones for ASMR.

Convenience

Convenience is the most important thing to consider first when choosing headphones for sleeping. The material used to make the headphones should be natural, high quality, and pleasant to touch. Headphones made of synthetic material may turn to be overly hot and make you uncomfortable.

Bluetooth codec

It would be wise to consider the Bluetooth codecs when you are on a hunt for a good pair of wireless earbuds or headphones for ASMR. The Bluetooth codes will determine the quality of audio and may also reduce the latency of your headphones. Some of these Bluetooth codes work better with some smartphones than others. For instance, if you have an Android phone, you may consider looking for headphones that support aptX, while iOS Phones users should buy headphones that support AAC codec. Although even Android devices may support AAC streaming, the performance of AAC is inconsistent across the Android system.

The battery life

If you’ve made up your mind to go for a pair of wireless headphones or earbuds, you will need to charge the battery from time to time. Over-ear headphones tend to have a much longer standalone battery life than earbuds or wireless headphones. Another thing to put into consideration is the fast charging feature. Most wireless headphones and earbuds support the fast charging feature, but its efficiency varies depending on the headphone model.  On a single charge, you can get up to 16 hours of playback from most wireless headphones, and earbuds can provide you with at least 8 hours of playback time.

In-built microphone

Some headphones have an in-built mic. These kinds of headphones allow you to perform two functions. The first function is listening to your music, and the second one is answering your calls. With the in-built mic, you don’t need to use two different devices to listen to your music and answer your calls. This feature gives you the flexibility to shift from listening to music to answering calls without removing the headphones.

Noise cancellation

You should consider this feature seriously if you are looking to purchase a headphone for ASMR. Headphones designed with noise-cancellation quality usually prevent your surrounding’s unwanted, ambient noises from interfering with your listening experience and, in return, allowing you to relax or sleep while concentrating on your music only.  The noise-cancelling headphones electronically identify unwanted surrounding noises and then create an opposite sound to minimize that noise. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is ASMR better with headphones?

Yes. To get a better experience of the various sensations, ASMR is best listened with headphones. However, since this kind of sound is very subjective, using headphones is more or a personal choice. Some people may choose to use them, while others may choose regular speakers.

Does the headset battery need to be used up before charging, or does it affect the battery life if I always charge it halfway?

No. It does not need to be used up or drained to be charged.We recommendyou charge the headphones when it says low battery.

What’s the difference between open-back and closed-back headphones?

Open-back headphones are headphones with no enclosure of drivers within the earcups. The drivers of these headphones are open, thus allowing your ears to be exposed to the outside noise. This makes open-back unsuitable for ASMR or outdoor use. Closed-back headphones are precisely the opposite of Open-back headphones. Here, the earcups have enclosed drivers, so sound only travels through your ear, protecting your ears from outside interference, making them ideal for outdoor use and ASMR. Most of the over-ear headphones fall in the category of closed-back headphones.

Is noise isolation the same as active noise reduction?

In a simple term, noise isolation means that your headphone has a feature acting as a wall between your ears and the surrounding noise. In short, it prevents noise from entering your ears. On the other hand, the active noise reduction feature is a tiny in-built microphone that collects surrounding noise, and then the device produces opposite and equal sound waves to cancel that noise. However, both noise isolation and active noise reduction achieve the same results but use different means.

What is impedance?

This is defined as electrical resistance measured in ohms. In general, headphones with higher impedance require more power to drive and can mostly be used with high amplification devices. Meanwhile, low impedance require less power input, and therefore are more suitable for use with low amplification devices such as media players and smartphones.

What is flat sound?

Flat sound means the headphone reproduces the digital sound wave from the sound without making any changes to it. Manufacturers mostly use the flat sound when producing headphones geared towards neutrality and accurate sound reproduction. These type of headphones are excellent for mastering and mixing tracks.

Conclusion

And there you have it. ASMR is a powerful phenomenon which has potential applications in improving mood, mindfulness and relaxation. Headphones which maximise these sensations are few and far between. Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has covered some of the best headphones for ASMR the planet has to offer. They are also applicable in other use cases such as answering calls and listening to regular music. Whether you are tired from work, sleepless from stress or naturally anxious – we hope these headphones can help to soothe.

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