We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.
If you like bass-heavy music, picking the right headphones can be critical to your listening experience. Experiencing good bass with a deep and powerful low-end can really get you going. However, deep bass can be overdone and can overpower the detail of instruments and vocals. We’ve tested 339 headphones and below you’ll find our top 5 picks for the best bass headphones to buy in 2019.
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2: Versatile over-ears with deep low bass
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
Noise Cancelling: Yes
The best bass headphones we’ve tested so far are the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. These noise cancelling over-ears have deep, exciting bass and sound very good overall. They have a unique yet easy-to-use control scheme and an excellent 30-hour battery life with great power saving features.
If you listen to a lot of EDM and hip-hop, then the BackBeat Pro 2s are a great choice. They deliver a strong and powerful bass that doesn’t overshadow instruments and vocals in the mid-range and sound detailed enough to cater to all kinds of music, although they are more geared towards fans of bass. They’re also noise cancelling, which helps you focus on your music. You can also use them wired if the battery dies, which is very convenient when traveling.
On the other hand, these headphones are not the sleekest-looking. They have a bulky design with hinges that make the ear cups stick out. Their noise cancelling is also not as good as that of the Sony WH-1000XM3, but on the upside, they’re comfortable, sturdy headphones that deliver excellent value for their price.
Sony WH-1000XM3: Premium bass-heavy noise cancelling headphones
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
Noise Cancelling: Yes
If you’re looking for bass-heavy headphones for your daily commute and need great noise isolation, get the Sony WH-1000XM3. They are one of the best noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested so far thanks to their noise cancelling optimization features. They’re comfortable and look and feel like premium headphones.
The WH-1000XM3 have deep and thumpy bass that sounds good with bass-heavy genres. You can also add or reduce the bass to your liking thanks to their great companion app which has lots of features like a nice 5-band EQ and room effects. The headphones provide about 27 hours of playback on a 2-hour charge, which is great. They even have an auto-off timer you can access via the app.
Unfortunately, the Sony WH-1000XM3 can sound a bit boomy before you take the time to EQ them through their app. They’re also the most expensive pair of headphones on this list, and only provide partial multi-device pairing, unlike the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 which can fully connect two 2 different Bluetooth sources at a time. That said, they have outstanding noise isolation and are well-built, versatile headphones overall.
Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless: Affordable over-ear headphones with exciting bass
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
Noise Cancelling: No
If you’re looking for more affordable bass-heavy over-ear headphones, then consider the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless. They have a lightweight and stable design which, combined with their deep bass, provides decent value for your money.
Their bass range is deep and thumpy and their overall response sounds exciting thanks to the detailed higher frequencies and slightly recessed mid-range. However, this also makes them a bit boomy since some of the instruments and vocals may get overshadowed by the powerful bass. On the upside, you can expect their 19-hour battery life to only take about an hour to charge, which also means you can get more than 4 hours of playtime from a quick 5- to 10-minute charge.
Unfortunately, their bass varies a bit from user to user, especially if you wear glasses. Some may also find their ‘V-shaped’ sound profile a bit overdone. However, if you love bass, then their sound may be just what you’re looking for. If you prefer even more intense bass, you can check out the Skullcandy Crusher, which are better-built and provide an adjustable sensory bass experience that some may enjoy but are a bit more expensive.
Shop Now
Jaybird Tarah Pro: Customizable in-ears with great bass for intense workouts
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: No
If you’re looking for wireless in-ears that can deliver powerful bass to help push your through your most intense workouts, get the Jaybird Tarah Pro. They’re well-built in-ear headphones with an easy-to-use in-line remote and durable braided cable. They have an earbud-like fit that also makes them a bit more comfortable than most in-ears.
The Jaybird Tarah Pro have outstanding bass straight out-of-the-box, but if you want an even more intense experience, you can pair them with the Jaybird MySound companion app and use their great parametric EQ to boost their bass as you please. The Jaybird Tarah Pro have a good battery that lasts for about 13 hours, and they have magnetic earbuds that trigger an auto-off timer to help save power when snapped together.
On the downside, the Jaybird Tarah Pro come with a proprietary charging cradle that has a very short cable. This can make charging them a bit inconvenient, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem most of the time. Overall, if you don’t mind not being able to charge them via micro-USB, they’re great earbuds for fitness enthusiasts who love deep bass while they work out.
SoundPeats TrueFree: Budget truly wireless in-ears with powerful bass
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Truly Wireless
Noise Cancelling: No
If you prefer the portability of truly wireless headphones, but don’t want to spend a fortune trying out different pairs in search of the deepest bass, get the SoundPeats TrueFree. They’re well-designed truly wireless in-ears that provide great value for their price and deliver a deep, bass-heavy sound that’s sure to please bass lovers.
The SoundPeats TrueFree have deep, rumbling bass that is overemphasized in the entire range to bring a bit of extra thump and punch to your favorite tracks. They have good isolation performance, which makes them a decent choice for commuters. They provide about 3 hours of continuous playback on a charge, which is slightly less than average for truly wireless headphones. Their charging case stores an additional 4 to 5 charges, which means they can last for a total of 15 hours throughout the day.
Unfortunately, some may find the TrueFree sound a bit boomy and cluttered since their mid-range is slightly recessed and they have mediocre treble. They’re not the best choice for more vocal-centric music, but they should be fine if you mostly listen to instrumental bass-heavy genres like dubstep. Overall, they provide great value for their price, especially for fans of bass.
This guide may have been updated. To see all our measurements and our current recommendations for the best bass headphones, please go here.
