The 8 Best Headphones For Drummers Under $300
Looking for the best isolation headphones for drummers? Look no further, as we’ve got the best list on the web. Headphones are rather crucial to our daily life. Whether you’re using your Apple iPhone earbuds or your favorite Bluetooth headphones, there is a big chance you use them often. Many of these consumer-grade choices make terrible options for playing drums.
For starters, drums are quite loud, and these types of earbuds and headphones often won’t reduce the amount of volume that your kit puts out. Many manufacturers make specific isolation headphones made to reduce the level of volume in your ears and from external sources: your drum kit, for example.
Keeping with our goal of being the most accurate and up-to-date source in the drumming community, we removed a few drum isolation headphones from the list and added the Direct Sound EX-29 Plus to the list, along with reformatting and creating a better user experience.
Best Isolation Headphones for Drummers – A Quick Glance
The list below provides a quick summary of our favorite isolation headphones for drummers. Feel free to check them out here or keep on reading to get a more in-depth review of each pair.
- Best for electronic drums: beyerdynamic DT 770
- Best on a budget: KAT Percussion
- Best isolation: GK UltraPhones
- Best all-around: Vic-Firth SIH2
Headphones are crucial to protect our hearing while drumming
The main idea with these headphones is their ability to cancel out some of the loud noise from your drum kit to protect our hearing.
One of the great benefits of choosing a pair of headphones for drumming is that you can use these not only for drums but also in your everyday life.
I’ve used everything from poor-quality Sony headphones from the 1990s to noise
I use both isolation headphones and in-ear monitors. Both have applications whether it’s in the studio or playing live. That being said, let’s get into the list of the best isolation headphones for drummers.
1) GK UltraPhones (Best For Acoustic Drums)
The GK UltraPhones are the best headphones for drummers who work in the studio often. They look a little goofy while wearing, so it’s no surprise I don’t see a lot of drummers on Instagram using them (but in the studio, they’ll want to).
Let me start off by saying that I have never used a better pair of isolation headphones in my life. Whether it be the Vic Firth or the Extreme Isolation cans, nothing comes close to GK Music’s UltraPhones.
GK Music is headed by highly acclaimed drummer Gordy Knudtson. Gordy is the drummer for the Steve Miller Band, best known for 70s hits “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Rockin’ Me,” and plenty of others.
Gordy founded GK Music in 1995 and subsequently released the first line of isolation headphones — the DrumPhones (his current model is now named UltraPhones).
He suffers from tinnitus and hearing loss and made it a mission to design a product to aid drummers in protecting their hearing.
UltraPhones are SONY 7506 Studio Monitor components mounted in a hearing protection earmuff. Upon first putting them on and connecting them to my drum mix, I was blown away. Compared to all the other drum headphones I have, there’s no comparison.
Because each pair is custom made and the components used, they’re a little bit on the pricey side. However, the quality is there and UltraPhones are built to last. After using UltraPhones just once, I now can’t imagine a recording or practice session without them.
My head is rather large and these clamp down pretty hard. After a while, these do begin to hurt a little bit. Aside from that, these are still a favorite for monitoring my acoustic drums (outside of my in-ear monitors).
2) Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones V2 (Best Overall)
The Vic Firth SIV2s are the best headphones for drummers who want a mix of quality and affordability. They’re not terribly expensive and provide a high level of isolation and good sound.
Vic Firth has been making this headphone pair for as long as I can remember. The newest version, the V2, reduces is outside noise by 20 decibels. Has a frequency response of 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz.
I asked my good drummer friend from the area how he likes them. He said they fit pretty nicely and do a good job blocking out external noise from the kit, which is awesome for practice. But his main issue is that they’re a bit lacking in low-end. “Usually, my kick drum has way more thumpy presence when I was my in-ear monitors, but with these, it’s just not there.”
This is my experience as well, and while, they miss the mark in the low-end, they make up for it in isolation for studio settings. For general practice, I’d go with in-ear monitors, like the Drumeo earDRUMS.
When I owned my first pair Vic Firth isolation headphones when I was first learning drums, I never thought the sound quality was that great. The newer version has improved the quality of sound a bit, but it’s still not incredible sounding.
The Vic Firth headphones do a fantastic job isolating drums while providing a clear sound to hear both a mix of music and drums when recording. Despite only being rated at 20 decibels of reduction, the Vic Firth headphones managed to isolate far better than most of the other headphones on the list.
I think it has something to do with how the headphones make contact with your ears and your head. For some reason, there’s just a tighter seal allowing less sound to intrude your ears.
As I stated earlier I do like using in-ear monitors far more, and comfort is one of the many reasons why. With any set of headphones, there usually will be some fatigue on the part of your ears and head.
These headphones put a kind of pressure on my ears and head. It can really be a major annoyance when trying to practice the drums. But that’s me—and my big head.
These isolation headphones are a winner in my book and I believe that they are the best and value quality of anything on the list. They aren’t too expensive for what you get. If you’re just going to be using headphones for practice purposes this is the way to go.
And sometimes, they isolate too much. When I practice, sometimes I’ll slide one ear cup slightly off one ear to let a little sound in. I can hear a lot more high-end from the cymbals and it’s a nifty trick for a more satisfying practice experience.
Vic Firth also sells a similar model that has Bluetooth compatibility.
3) Direct Sound EX-29 Plus (Best Under $200)
The Direct Sound EX-29s are the best isolation headphones for drummers under $200, ideal for professionals and intermediate players
I originally had the EX-29s in our roundup, but the EX-29 Plus isolation headphones perform far better, in comfort, sound, and isolation.
Specs
- Isolation: 36.7dB passive attenuation
- Drivers: TruSound V.2 drivers offer a flatter, more reliable frequency response
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Sensitivity: 114dB @ 1kHz 1mW
- Input power: 1000mW
- Weight: 11.5 ounces
- Cables: 8′ premium detachable cable with 3.5mm plug and 1/4″ screw-on adapter
I’ve had my Direct Sound EX-29s isolation headphones since 2010 and they still work fantastic. Their newer model, the EX-29 Plus boasts a massive 36.7dB of noise reduction. They come in two colors: Midnight Black and Cool White.
They haven’t fixed my biggest issue with the EX-29s however: the earcup shape. These don’t isolate properly on my head, but tons of drummers love using these, so I can’t deny there’s a lot of love for these cans.
One of the great benefits of the EX-29 Plus is, in fact, the sound quality. They are not going to be top-of-the-line headphones when it comes to sound, but they are far superior to most of the isolation headphones that are marketed towards drummers. Similarly to other headphones on the list, the high-end is not as bright as you would expect.
While these isolation headphones are a little bit pricier, it is most certainly worth it. They’re not the greatest sounding headphones in the world, but they are far superior to CAD and Vic Firth and a step down from the GK UltraPhones.
4) KAT Percussion Isolation Headphones (Budget Pick for Acoustic Drums)
The KAT Percussion isolation headphones are ideal for drummers on a budget who need a ton of passive isolation for practicing their acoustic drums.
The KAT Percussion Ultra isolation headphones are similar to the Vic Firth pair, but featuring a whopping 26dB of passive isolation—more isolation here for the money.
The sound quality is not the greatest. To my ears it’s a bit tinny-sounding. That kind of lo-fi type sound that really doesn’t have a full mix feeling to it. It almost sounds like you’re listening to an old radio. But they’re mid-range heavy, and that’s really want you want for tracking.
Now if your goal is to reduce outside noise coming into your ears while still maintaining a clear presence of your sound, say if you have drum mics in a mixing board setup like I have, these will work perfectly.
Of the headphones for acoustic drummers we’ve listed, the KAT pair has the best affordability to isolation ratio of them all.
I felt they were a bit uncomfortable. After wearing them for about an hour, it felt like the sides of my head were being clamped by a vise. This is another glaring issue that many of these types of headphones face (at least for me).
If you’re just playing for a short half-hour, these might be perfect for you. However, for those of us who want a great solution for sound, comfortability, sound, price, and other factors, these may not win.
KAT Percussion’s isolation headphones are perfect for beginners who want to protect their ears while jamming to music or recording in the studio. While they’re not the top of the line drumming headphones, I do think that they are a good value for the price point.
5) Behringer DH100 (Cheapest Isolation Headphones for Acoustic Drums)
The Behringer DH100s are the cheapest isolation headphones for drummers, providing 19dB of passive sound reduction with decent sound
The Behringer DH100s are the cheapest isolation headphones for drummers I could find. They aren’t as quiet as the KAT Percussion cans, but are nearly half the price. They’ve received predominantly positive reviews from users at Sweetwater.
One great thing about these headphones is that they have a closed back, which blocks out 19dB of noise naturally. You’ll be able to hear your drums slightly when wearing these, so these might be a good option if you like to have a little bit of your drums naturally in your headphones.
These headphones have 40-millimeter neodymium drivers that are tuned to make a strong and clear sound. The low-end is questionable. They sound very mid-range heavy and the high-end is pretty smooth.
They’re designed for extended use, so you can wear them for hours on end without discomfort. The DH100 headphones also fold up neatly and can be stored in the included carrying pouch.
6) Beyerdynamic DT 770 (Best Overall for Electronic Drums)
The beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros are the best and most comfortable headphones for electronic drummers. They’re a bit cumbersome, but have excellent sound quality. Not recommended for acoustic drums, as they will not isolate enough (though you can get away with them in a pinch when tracking in the studio).
There are two options from Beyerdynamic that you can choose from—the 770s and 770Ms. The 770Ms work great for acoustic drummers because the headphones are noise canceling. The other model that they sell is not much different in all honesty, but doesn’t isolate as well (use these for electronic drums).
The DT 770 almost resembles earmuffs like I had mentioned using earlier. They are an over-the-ear monitor headphone that is all black in design. The pair is marketed towards both drummers and even sound engineers.
From an overall design standpoint the set of headphones looks really nice very sleek and well-built. A major downside is the cost, of course. On the inner portion of the headphones you’ll notice a gray cloth that’s very soft to the touch: a nice feature.
Being at this set of headphones is a closed-back set, you’re going to really notice the increased quality in the sound of the music you’re listening to.
What I really like most about the design is how comfortable they are after long periods of time.
One of the major issues with many isolation headphones is the fact that they become uncomfortable even only after, say an hour. As I already said the sound is amazing. The bass sounds great, albeit a little over hyped.
Other headphones in this price range, like the Audio Technica M50x, are flatter in terms of the frequency response. If you’re not mixing music and are just playing drums, I think you’ll like these a lot more. This set of headphones is also far more comfortable than the M50x.
7) Roland VMH-D1 (Best for Electronic Drums Under $200)
The Roland VMH-D1s are the best headphones for drummers with Roland’s V-Drums electronic kits. They’re lightweight, sound great, and are non-fatiguing, so you can play for hours.
The new Roland VMH-D1s are perfect for electronic drummers. They’re the best sounding cans I’ve used with my TD-50K-S drum set. They have tight, punchy bass response, a warm mid-range, and a smooth top end, ideal for making cymbals sound silky.
These headphones also have a bit of isolation, dampening the sound of our sticks hitting the pads. It’s not recommended to use these with an acoustic drum set, as they don’t isolate as much as the GK Ultra Phones. Read our full review of the VMH-D1s here.
8) Alesis DRP100 Isolation Headphones (Budget Pick for Electronic Drums)
The Alesis DRP100s are the most affordable headphones for electronic drum sets—perfect for beginners.
Despite looking like a set of isolation headphones that would work great with acoustic drums, the DRP100s are not rated, tested, or certified to a minimum noise reduction level—at least, not anywhere that I could find.
Being that these are very cheap headphones, the sound is pretty dull. Don’t expect to be blown away when you first put these on. The sound isn’t the only issue with these isolation headphones either.
A majority of users on the internet have reported that one of the two speakers will stop working after just a few months.
Shoddy wiring and poor build quality are probably two of the reasons why this pair of headphones is so cheap. Of course, if you’re handy, you can easily re-solder the wire that connects a faulty speaker.
The unit we tested back in 2019 had zero issues, and still works great to this day, but it seems you’re going to be taking a gamble when ordering. That said, the majority of reviews I’ve read are positive.
The headphones are relatively comfortable. I really do like the way that they look and they feel pretty good when you’re wearing them. You can easily play your kit for hours with minimal fatigue.
While I might not be the intended demographic to purchase these, they are a decent pair of headphones for a beginner player. The only thing that really worries me, though, is the fact that so many people have had issues with the speakers cutting out after only a little use.
Other isolation headphones worth considering
- 3M WorkTunes
- Koss QZ-99
- Walker’s Razor Slim Earmuffs
Conclusion
That is our Roundup list of headphones for drummers! I think there’s a lot in this list that we looked at, but there’s still more we can hope for in the future.
A company will eventually have to come along that offers an incredible set of headphones that isolates far better than any we’ve listed here.
Now, I haven’t seen any other isolation headphones worth talking about other than the ones we’ve mentioned here, but maybe I’ve just missed them. Please let me know if you have a set of headphones that you think should be on this list that I missed. Thanks for reading! Cheers.
Hi! I´m looking for headphones for my 6-year-old drummer, he´s been practicing for a year now, and I am stressed about he hurting his hearing. So, I came across your useful article, and about to purchase one of your recommended headphones, but wondering if there´s a kid option instead. Thank you so much!! Maybe these ones: Vic Firth Kidphones??
Doesn’t anyone make really good passive isolation headphones with bluetooth? I have used wired for many years (KAT but the ear pads are getting hard / stiff) for my acoustic kit and recently bought the Vic Firth wired and a handful of others which I thought I’d try BUT… I definitely want bluetooth. Anything out there?
Kidphones are great! The only downside being—you can’t listen to music with them. But, if that’s not a big deal, then go for those! I suggest getting them immediately, though, as you’re right, protecting hearing is a huge deal!
BUT, a workaround would be to use Apple Airpods (or any other type of earbuds) first, before putting the Kidphones on. So, basically he would wear them underneath the Kidsphones. Aside from that, I don’t have much experience with headphones for younger kids.
Hi, thanks for the reviews. A key factor for me is how my drumkit sounds whilst wearing the headphones ie what tonal balance and quality reaches my ears from the acoustic drumkit. After all, it’s no fun playing along to recorded music if you’re hearing your own acoustic kit sounding like a muffled mess, or too bassy/trebly/middly etc. For example, I invested in a pair of the Direct Sound headphones and they are unusable because they let in such a weird balance of frequencies from the drumkit, and actually make my rack toms appear louder than with the headphones removed! It would be great if your reviews commented on the quality and tonal balance of the drumkit sound leaking into the ear through the headphones. Hope that makes sense! Any comments?..
Rob,
I actually mentioned this point when I talked about my pair of Direct Sound headphones. They don’t isolate as much as I’d like and I end up hearing more of the kit than I’d like. In fact, a lot of the headphones on this list will have some level of bleed and you’ll still hear frequencies from your kit. Out of all the headphones on the list, the one pair the isolates the most and sounds the best, is the GK Ultraphones. After a while of wearing them, they are a bit fatiguing (they clamp down a little tight), but there’s really no better choice available.
But if you want even more isolation, I recommend trying a pair of in ear monitors, like the Shure SE425s.
I just found your site, this article and joined your facebook page. I like what I see, thanks for doing it. I’ve been using a pair of Bluetooth earbuds that I’ve been happy with. Lately I always have them cranked up all the way which concerns me. So I have been looking for some headphones to do the job of reducing the volume of the tubs so I can turn the music down. The GK Music Ultraphones sound like what I want but I”m looking for Bluetooth. I couldn’t run out and buy them today anyway because of my budget. However I think I found a temporary work around with your response to Samantha and her 6 year old. I can grab a pair of shooters or racers earmuffs and put them over my existing ear buds. Tone may not be the best but they will protect my ears while I find a better option. And they are cheap.
This review says-
-GK are the best, beyond compare, sound incredible
-EX29 has superior sound quality to everything else on the list (except it’s super dark/warm so you won’t hear cymbals details coming through the mics). And I thought GK was the superior one?
-VF are the best overall despite sounding subpar like KAT and uncomfortable.
This is one of the most confusing reviews I’ve ever read. There can only be one “best” (or superior) and one “best” per aspect. Lastly why is GK not the editors choice or even on the list if it’s ‘beyond compare’ and there are no cons except price?
While SE425s have better isolation (as many earbuds will), none of the Shure stuff has any low end at all. I’ve tried multiple pairs of 425s, 535s, etc. I’m also a live sound engineer and a drummer and the “i can’t hear the bass guitar” “can I get more kick? and what is that really slappy sound when I hit the kick” …”it’s turned all the way up man” phenomenon is always the case with those. The Shure cables also break a LOT. I’ve run sound for many churches that use them and there’s always a handful of them that only work on one side, constantly needing repair.
Thanks for the feedback, Sid. I should dive back in and make this a little less confusing. I completely agree with you. But, the GK headphones are my favorite I’ve used. I did add them in later on, so I may have missed that point in regard to the EX29.
I do like the Shure IEMs, but I agree they don’t have much low end. In a perfect world, drummers would use custom IEMs like UEs. I’ve replaced the cables on my Shure’s two or three times in six years, but I know UE cables can go bad fast, as well. It depends on the performer, their movement, and how they take care of their gear.
Started playing with JamKazam in response to the pandemic. Playing a NC acoustic kit. What headphones would work best with this type set up, with mix coming over computer from other players in other cities.
Thanks for the run down it got me thinking about what I actually need verses what I wanted. I have found that where several of these phones are good for recording and track overlays what I actually need at the moment is a set of blue tooth headphones with the noise-isolation. This would allow me to play tracks through my phone or tablet at home without the need of cables. Do you have any Blue Tooth recommendations for practice applications not necessarily studio applications?
Hi Damon,
That’s a great question. I haven’t seen too many bluetooth isolation headphones that are good for drumming, but I did find one pair. The Metrophones Studio Kans might be a good option. They’re special order from Sweetwater, but have no reviews. I haven’t had any experience with them, but they do say they offer 29dB of reduction, which is better than Vic Firth’s wired headphones.
Oh, and it does look like Guitar Center and Amazon carry these cheaper, but appears they are the non-bluetooth version. It may be a brand-new product.
Nick, Thank you so much for the response. If it helps your review I will follow up with what I end up getting and how well they perform. Thanks again.
Hello Nick,
Great reviews, I am looking for a set of headphones that I can use for practicing along with a music track, I would like to be able to hear the drums in the room rather than through the headphones themselves, not block them out completely. Of course I want to protect my hearing and I don’t plan to use them for recording purposes, just practice. I plan on adding sound treatment (bass traps etc) in my new drum room I am building. What would you recommend for headphones?
Jeff
Hey Jeff! Using the Vic Firth headphones, or any can-style isolation headphones, I like to wear them slightly off of my left or right ear, so I can let some of the room sound into the headphones. I just offset one of the cans off my ear a little bit on my head. That’s probably the easiest solution. It’s tough to pick a set of headphones that would work good, since drums are so loud, that they overpower most regular headphones that don’t isolate.
Scratch the CAD cans off the list.. I had 3 of them crap out on me, and the foam is hard, falling apart and hurts after about 30min. I’ve decided to try 3M Worktunes. They’re built rugged, have bluetooth and a 3.5mm aux input, and only cost $40. We’re spending too much on our headphones.. You can also get gel ear seals, which are sooo comfy. 3M sells the gel seals for an additional $20, or you can buy aviation-style gels for about $12 and 3d-print an adapter with a free file from thingiverse.
Dear Nick,
It is a very useful article. Thanks a lot about it.
I have a 9 years old son. He just began playing drum. We have a Yamaha DTX electronic drum.
One of my question is, does these recommended headphones differs by drum models? Which earphone is best combination with Yamaha DTX?
I am living in Turkey and unfortunately, most of the models above are not sold in Turkey. For example we Vic Firth Kidsphone is not available in Turkey. Is there any other Kidsphone model, that u can recommend?
Best Regards,
Emrah
Took me a while. Got the GKs after seeing Clem Burke using some phones with red inserts at a Blondie concert and scouring the internet for pictures. Expensive to start with. Then costly shipping. Then import tax to UK on top. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
Worth every penny. Brilliant.
Hi, any update on this review?
I have the vicfirth set and I really don’t find them good enough at shutting out the acoustic kit allowing me to just hear the kit through the mixing desk.
Any others that are better? maybe the Beyerdynamic 770M ?
You wouldn’t believe the amount of sets I have tried myself but to no avail!
thanks
Hi Rich,
The Beyerdynamic will let in a lot more noise than the Vic Firth. I don’t recommend those unless you’re playing electronic drums or if you want to hear external room sound. The GK Ultraphones are quite good. You may want to consider in-ear monitors, instead. Drumeo’s earPhones are a good pick.
Thanks for writing this article. My drums have been packed up for at least 10 years and I just set them back up. I previously had a pair of the Vic Firth wired isolation headphones which I cannot find. So, I am either going to buy another pair of the same or the newer Vic Firth Bluetooth type. However, the biggest complaint I read on those are how tight they fit.. like very tight and not even possible for those with a larger head. Aside from that, perhaps a delay in the Bluetooth. Do you have any experience with the Vic Firth Bluetooth model?
I failed to answer your question though! I haven’t had experience with the newer Vic Firth bluetooth headphones. They looks good, though. The ability to plug-in still is nice. I think they’d be small on my head.
I have tinnitus which makes my ears very sensitive to drums, even when they’re not that loud.
So here’s the main question:
Am I better off with headphones or IEMs to get the best isolation?
Thanks.
Hands down, in ear monitors. I’d really suggest custom molds as well. That will give you the best isolation possible. A bit on the pricey side to get molds done and customs made, but it’s a great investment.
Ok, thanks for the advice Nick. I’ve been using a paid of low profile earbuds under my 3M muffs which works pretty well but I think for what I’m going to use them for, the standard Vic Firth wired unit should work well for me without the pressure on my ears from earbuds.
My head is rather large, so I do feel that when using A LOT of isolation headphones. I tend to use in-ear monitors more often. Bluetooth delay shouldn’t be a problem, unless you were trying to stream mics from your kit to your wireless headphones. If you’re just listening to music through them and playing along, that should be no problem.
I just noticed something…
The GK headphones are rated at 29db isolation, but the UE custom IEM is rated 26db.
So why do you say the IEMs isolate better? I must be missing something.
It’s possible I’m wrong too. Maybe just a preference or in my head. If I had to pick headphones, I really love those for tracking in the studio.
In my experience, in ears still provide better isolation due to there being more airtight seal in the ear vs a pair of cans over the ears. The GK headphones work well, but still don’t isolate as well as my IEMs to me. They’re also a little fatiguing to wear after a while.
OK, custom in ear monitors for the best isolation. Which ones are worth considering?
Thanks.
Nick, maybe the higher isolation rating of the GK headphones only holds if they fit perfectly. Whereas the custom IEMs have a much better chance of fitting perfectly.
Maybe that explains your experience.
We need custom fitted headphones where the cushion conforms better to the shape of the head area around the ear. Then perhaps they wouldn’t have to uncomfortably squeeze the head.
Yes that could be! I also have a larger head so there’s that LOL. They are good headphones, though. Sound awesome as well.
I’d suggest any of the Ultimate Ears customs. The higher up you go, the better the sound. The UE5 Pros start at $549. Make sure you DON’T pick the ambient feature. I’ve also heard good things about 64 Audio, but have no experience with them. Their entry-level custom solution starts at $499.
OK, I found a dealer near MKE. I’ll check them out. Thanks again.
Will check them out. Thanks again.