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The Best Headphones for College Students
An essential tool that can help you stay focused and achieve maximum productivity is a pair of headphones. Whether you’re studying in your dorm or getting work done at the library on campus, the right headphones can help you block out distractions and concentrate on what matters.
The benefits of having headphones in college go beyond just helping you focus. They also make it easier to connect with your friends and unwind after a long day of classes. With headphones, you can listen to your favorite music or podcasts as well as take calls without disturbing those around you.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the best one for your needs? In college, it’s important to have a pair with good durability, comfort, and superior sound quality.
From the top-tier noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds to more budget-friendly options that still offer tons of functionality, discover the best headphones for college students so you can stay focused at all times.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 Headphones are Sony’s latest generation of class-leading active noise cancellation headphones. No matter what environment you’re in, the WH-1000XM5 will remove almost all outside noise (the XM5 does a better job at blocking high-frequency noise than previous models) for a premium audio experience without distractions.
This is thanks to the eight total microphones that are controlled by Sony’s V1 and QN1 dual processors. They also have a battery life that lasts up to 30 hours with ANC on and ample padding around the ear cups, making them perfect for long listening sessions.
Some other great features of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones include their touch controls as well as Speak-To-Chat and Quick Attention mode so you can interact with people or listen to what’s going on around you without needing to take them off.
The WH-1000XM5’s sleek and comfortable design combined with the noise cancelling technology and other key features make them some of the best headphones for college students.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
With advanced audio performance and improved active noise cancellation, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are quite an upgrade from the first generation AirPods Pro. These versatile earbuds are great to use in any college setting, from the classroom to the gym.
They’re IPX4 water resistant, which means they can withstand sweat and splashes of water. You can get up to six hours of battery life out of them before charging and around 30 hours with the charging case. Its Transparency mode is now adaptive, which makes it easier to have conversations while using the earbuds.
They come with four different silicone tip sizes to help secure them in place and provide a better acoustic seal. If you’re an apple user in need of a pair headphones or earbuds for college, it’s hard to pass up on the AirPods Pro 2.
Sennheiser HD 350BT
The Sennheiser HD 350BT are some of the best headphones for college students who want a high-quality audio experience without breaking the bank. They offer exceptional sound clarity with powerful bass and a 30-battery life, making them perfect to use while studying and doing your other college activities.
You can control and customize the headphones to your liking through the Sennheiser Smart Control App. Their sleek, minimalist design means you’ll look good while wearing them, too.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro and the AirPods Pro 2 have many similarities, but there’s a few key features on the Samsung earbuds that outperform the newest generation of AirPods Pro. While both have excellent active noise cancellation, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro do a better job of filtering out low frequency noise.
They also have a IPX7 rating, so the earbuds can be fully submerged in water (a maximum of three feet for 30 minutes) without being damaged. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro use 2-way speakers and a 10mm woofer to deliver studio quality sound with deep bass. If you’re using a Samsung device, you’ll be able to adjust the sound to your liking with different EQ presets.
Battery life lasts around five hours with ANC on and another 18 to 29 hours with the case — Samsung’s quick charging technology can provide 2.5 hours of use in just 10 minutes. Additionally, the Buds2 Pro use a feature called Ambient Sound to increase your awareness of surroundings.
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2
These budget-friendly headphones from Skullcandy might not have the same build quality as other headphones on this list, but they still have fantastic sound quality and a surprisingly long 34-hour battery life. The headphones can be linked to the Tile app, which helps locate any items you’ve misplaced around campus.
You can also adjust your audio settings in the Skullcandy app for your preferred listening experience. The Riff Wireless 2 are available in several different colors and have a Multipoint Sharing feature that allows you to connect the headphones to two devices at once.
JBL Tune 510BT
Thanks to the affordable price point and powerful Pure Bass sound, the JBL Tune 510BT are certainly in the conversation for the best headphones for college students. Their lightweight design, padded ear cups, and adjustable headband allow for comfortable listening sessions.
And with a battery life of 40 hours, you’ll be able to use them around campus for days before needing a charge. You can also conveniently change songs, take calls, and activate voice assistants while wearing the headphones with the buttons on the ear up.
Beats Fit Pro
This list of the best headphones for college students wouldn’t be complete without a pair of Beats. The Beats Fit Pro have a unique wingtip design, so they’ll stay secure and comfortable in your ears no matter what activity you’re doing.
They’re even IPX4 water resistant and have on-device controls, which makes them great to use while working out. Along with those features, the Beats Fit Pro use Spacial Audio and active noise cancellation to create a more immersive sound experience.
The earbuds come in a variety of different colors, including coral pink, stone purple, and volt yellow. For battery life, they’ll get up to 24 hours of listening time with the charging case.
Bose QuietComfort 45
Bose has been setting the standard for noise cancelling headphones for decades with their QuietComfort line, and they’ve certainly raised the bar with the QuietComfort 45.
With some of best active noise cancellation technology on the market today, you won’t have to worry about annoying distractions causing you to lose focus or procrastinate while wearing the QC 45. And as you can probably tell from the name, they’re extremely comfortable.
Battery life for the QC 45 is roughly 24 hours. The headphones have the ability to switch between Quiet and Aware mode as well as simultaneously connect to different devices through the Bose Music app. The app also allows you to adjust a variety of different settings, from the bass and treble to ANC and mic monitoring levels.
Sony LinkBuds S
The Sony LinkBuds S are a durable, lightweight pair of earbuds that can easily withstand the daily wear and tear of your college lifestyle. They come packed full of awesome features, including touch-sensitive controls, a solid active noise cancellation system, and Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 that delivers immersive sound quality.
Additionally, the earbuds will automatically switch between noise cancelling and Ambient sound mode — no matter what situation you’re in, the earbuds will adjust the sound to best suit what you’re doing.
It’s important to download the Sony Headphones Connect app so you have access to all the extra bells and whistles that come with the LinkBuds S, which will drastically improve your listening experience. The app comes with several different EQ presets and gives you the option to set a custom EQ so you can equalize the sound to your liking.
