Top-10 Best Lightweight Headphones in 2022

In addition to bringing you premium sound, these comfy headphones are also ideal for louder surroundings with Treblab's T-Quiet Active Noise Cancelling Technology. This means you get the freedom to play your preferred playlist irrespective of the surrounding volume when you're on the go, exercising, working in the office, or just chilling out at home. With a built-in microphone that uses advanced cVc 6.0 technology, you can receive calls in hands-free mode and not miss a beat. Set the volume or switch tunes with the user-friendly buttons rather than taking off the headphones. And you can also experience hands-free voice operation with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.

The Treblab Z2 Over-Ear Workout Headphones come loaded with a long-life battery that offers as much as 35 hours of playing time with one full charge, turning them into top-of-the-line over-ear headphones for daylong listening. Therefore, if you are looking for great over-ear headphones that will be both comfortable and durable ( and not too heavy) - do not hesitate to choose the Treblab Z2.

Sennheiser HD 201 – Proving that the best headphones can be cheap

Sennheiser doesn’t normally offer earphones at super-low prices, yet their HD 201 are here to turn the world of great deals around.

These are not heavily loaded with hi-tech features. Even so, the HD 201 remain the best pick on the market in 2021 among decent deals for lightweight plug-in headphones.

Back to the review. These wired over-ears boast a closed-back design with a plastic headband and ear cups. There’s a bit of leather in the build, but it doesn’t affect the headphones’ overall weight. Though wired, they are only 5.8 oz, which is undoubtedly a selling point.

Marketed as lightweight headphones with noise-canceling features, the HD 201 are not highly impressive when silencing unwanted sounds. On the other hand, they show their best stuff in terms of audio quality. With a focus on an all-round sound experience, these headphones nail it across all frequencies, but lows are way more explicit.

Thanks to the robust build, the HD 201 are suitable for outdoors if you have nothing against a 10 ft cord (some may not be fine with one). But they are deprived of a microphone, so keep your smartphone within easy reach.

Bose SoundLink On-Ears II – A firm grasp of comfort and performance

At 7 oz, the SoundLink II have enough room to be filled with the best hardware in the truly wireless bold design. Here’s why you want to plump for these if you’re scouring reviews for lightweight headphones under $200.

Bose SoundLink On-Ears II make you revel comfort at its best. Designed with the microsuede headband cushion and ultra-soft earpads, they banish a chafing fit. And they’ve got stainless steel in there, which is unusual for lightweight wireless headphones. That means you can take the SoundLink II for a run or something as they’re durable enough to accompany you outside.

Whether you’re commuting or at work, these wireless headphones can strike it well with 15 hours of battery life at any volume level. Crank it up or set it low – the SoundLink II will deliver clarity enhanced by exceptional crispness. Plus, Bose lets you fine-tune the on-ear headphones to your liking. Why else would you go to the app?

For calls, the SoundLink II model is one of the best lightweight headphones with a microphone and controls on the earcup. Answering is easy as you tap it, while the mic system is well-optimized for clarity in noisy environments. If it’s the price you can afford, go ahead.

Edifier H850 – The musician’s choice

Are you in a band? Then follow the review and let sound-enhancing Edifier H850 make their way on your guitarist’s or bassist’s ears.

These headphones prioritize utility over the best dazzling looks. Despite having nothing to rave about in appearance, they put dynamics with rhythm together, thereby taking audio a few steps further. The combo of 40mm neodymium drivers does the job with less power while helping musicians unscramble the music they produce through an additional 1/4-inch jack cable.

As a 6 oz closed-back model, the H850 pack much more to offer. Edifier’s dedication to caring about your comfort is shown in every inch of these lightweight folding headphones. Cords are also detachable, which means less tinkering when packing.

At last, you can decide how you want to listen to your music. Staying at home? Plug the headphones in with a standard cable (included in the box). Going for a walk or commuting? Leave the cord alone and put on these lightweight, portable headphones without one. 15 hour of battery life have got you covered all day long.

The lack of a microphone is certainly Edifier’s botch-up (many scathing customer reviews prove that). Even though you can buy one as an aftermarket cable accessory or save with deals, it would be better to have everything without further investments.

Cowin SE7 – Leaving distracting noise to rival headphones

For first-timers, the SE7 are true wireless 9.5 oz lightweight on-ear headphones notable for the best noise-canceling features. Though a little heavier than other on-ear models covered in this review, they are worth being admired for multiple reasons.

Cowin SE7 take active noise cancellation technology and enhance it specifically for lower-end sounds. They are not good lightweight headphones to block chattering or higher frequencies, but anything more of banging or humming won’t be heard either.

Besides blocking aircraft noise, these on-ear Bluetooth headphones are prized for their foldability. No wires mean no tangles, so even their massive ear cups will never be a problem when traveling.

Right on the wireless on-ear headphones, you’ll find intuitive controls for everything you might need. It only takes a press to enable ANC, answer an incoming call (the mic is also there), crank it up, or skip tracks. Their battery life is a plentiful power source that doesn’t require any recharge within 30 hours. Thus, opting for these lightweight stereo headphones with volume controls equals two or even three days on the go until you’ll need a refill.

Koss KTXPro1 – A banger from the iconic brand

There’s little to no newness about wired KTXPro1 on-ears. Across multiple customer reviews, they are called old-fashioned and too plasticky, but their strong points abound to overshine downsides like those. It starts with the best audio, of course.

After letting these ultra-lightweight headphones (4 oz) show their worth, you will find yourself headbanging a moment later. The on-ear KTXPro1 win audiophiles’ hearts by bringing detail-rich sound to life, be it the bass or treble. Whatever the frequency, there’s admirable audio clarity for the listening experience you’d never expect from budget deals.

Considering their price and players’ reviews, Koss KTXPro1 are the best lightweight headphones for gaming. The cord is standard, paired with a 6.3 mm adapter, to fit in with most TVs, consoles, and PCs. All a gamer has to do is adjust the headband for comfortable use and feel the sound. You want to keep it at high volumes as the on-ear headphones do not block jarring outside noise.

Note: there isn’t any mic in these lightweight TV headphones. If taking calls are of paramount importance to you, they may not be the best option to get.

Mpow H5 – Beating the competition for the “bassiest” experience

The H5 blow everyone away with their lows. By harnessing the bass power, the wireless headphones exploit the duo of 40mm drivers that focus on the deepest sound range. And their active noise canceling proves to be the very thing for this, too. No humming or buzzing of everyday life will ever interfere with your low-frequency audio experience.

Mpow frowns upon ponderous headphones, and it’s clear when you meet its H5 with 90-degree swiveling ear cups. With about 8 ounces in weight, these wireless Bluetooth over-ears will never drag you down so that you can walk or run at your own pace. They have also been thoroughly tested for durability and thus are worth being given a try as the best lightweight headphones under $100.

Cushioned and soft, these wireless headphones are not something you want to take off every 10 minutes. There’s nothing to blame their fit for, so go with them as long as 30 hours of battery life can handle.

Expect the H5 to come with wide Bluetooth compatibility and a built-in microphone. But if you’re buying them as lightweight wireless headphones for TV use, you’ll likely need to fork up for an additional adapter.

Levin Neckband Headphones – Mind being active?

Resembling bone conduction headphones, these wireless behind-the-neck ones are the best model for active people. It is their sweat resistance that makes them a dependable companion for your runs or outdoor getaways. With the Levin lightweight sports headphones, you can show your athletic side as they won’t cause you to stop to get around fallouts or wet damage. And yes, they are padded for more comfort in your life.

The headphones’ 5.6 oz wireless build isn’t starved for additional features. While their drivers are solely focused on incredible stereo sound, their Bluetooth chipset ensures solid connectivity with all devices. A built-in microphone and a high-capacity battery are also there. The latter has a 12-hour lifespan, meaning these lightweight running headphones can handle long-distance jogging races without recharging.

Traveling a lot? These are fully foldable, so it’s wise to get them wherever you go. Even if you have a soft spot for the best lightweight hiking headphones, Levin’s wireless behind-the-neck model will never be a disappointment. Many reviews speak highly of these being used outdoors.

Vogek On-Ear Headphones – Swiveling the ear cups in a personalized way

Rotating ear cups are certainly the first feature that catches your eye with these on-ear lightweight stereo headphones. Believe it or not, they do 90° in any direction. This allows you to enjoy your beats while being on the alert or take one off if you feel earache. Well done, Vogek!

Swiveling is then followed by a cushioned fit. The headphones include padding all over the headband and ear cups to feel soft on ears of all sizes. Thanks to the best sealing you could ever get, the emphasis is very much on audio with minimum distractions from the outside world.

The Vogek on-ears include a mic and are foldable. But they won’t cut it as lightweight headphones for PS4 or PC. The microphone doesn’t support that functionality, so no gaming here.

Most wired on-ear headphones tend to be a headache when storing or carrying, except these. Their cord comes with bend protection, whereas their light design keeps the overall weight at 7 ounces only.

Sonxtronic XDR-8000 – Putting a sporty design first

There isn’t much to review about these headphones, except their weight. If there were any rival to Treblab xFit, it would be XDR-8000.

A cord aside, they come as a 0.4 oz headset. The earpieces go in snugly, yet no noise blocking is to be expected. Instead, these headphones put a premium on breathability for a safer experience. That’s why they make a nice option for kids.

That said, adults can avail themselves of the XDR-8000, too. Crafted with the best sweat-resistant materials, these are good lightweight headphones for running. They are not as durable as models with stainless steel but fit the bill better than other deals for non-challenging races.

Unfortunately, these lightweight, small headphones may get on your bad side if you’re an audiophile. You’ll never experience great sound depth as the XDR-8000 offer lackluster audio quality. And they have no mic, which is why they rank relatively low in most reviews.

What’s your best choice?

If you’re shopping for the best lightweight, comfortable headphones, the logic behind your search is that you want something portable. But all 10 models in this review are compact as hell. To settle on an ideal one, answer a couple of questions:

• Are wires a deal-breaker for you?
• Do you hate unreasonably expensive deals?
• Do you want the best water-resistant earphones that are a pleasure to run with?
• Do you need lightweight headphones with volume controls and a microphone?
• Are sound quality and portability equally important to you?

A resounding “Yes!” will finally bring truly wireless Treblab xFit into the spotlight as they are deemed to be best overall, including value for the price. Going for on-ears or over-ears? There are many fabulous headphones in our review, too.

Notable Mentions

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100. If you enjoy deep bass and over-ear headphones for exercising, the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 is well worth consideration.

TREBLAB Z7-PRO . Retreat to a sound-free paradise with noise canceling headphones that fully block background noise. Crafted with 6 auto-adjusting microphones that activate when noise is detected and a transparent mode to hear surroundings. Look at TREBLAB Z7-PRO on our website or on Amazon.

Plantronics Backbeat GO 810. The fairly affordable Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 headphones deliver robust noise-cancellation and punchy, bass-driven sound.

Sennheiser PXC 550. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II headphones deliver superior noise cancellation and strong audio performance in an easy-to-use design.

Jlab Audio Flex Sport Gym Workout Headphones. JLab's Flex Sport wireless Bluetooth headphones are over-ears developed especially for working out and are priced at $99.

FAQ

What are the best lightweight headphones?

With wireless portability, sound quality, price tags, customer reviews, and additional features in mind, Treblab xFit make it to your A-list as a top pick of the bunch. Find a more in-depth review of these Bluetooth earbuds above.

Why lightweight headphones?

Lightweight headphones are best for frequent travelers and active users, like runners or hikers. They are easy to carry in bags and reduce ear pressure, which is often associated with heavy earphones.

What are the lightest over-ear headphones?

While Treblab xFit top the list as the lightest Bluetooth wireless earbuds, Sennheiser HD 201 are the best over-ears. For the most lightweight headphones with the in-ear form factor, you may want to check Sonxtronic XDR-8000 and other deals.

What is a good weight for a headphone?

There isn't really a "good weight" for headphones. It really depends on the person's preference. Heavier headphones may feel more stable and less likely to move around when you're moving, but they can also be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. Lighter headphones are typically more comfortable, but they may not be as stable. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

So a good weight for a headphone is one that is not too heavy so that it becomes uncomfortable to wear after a short amount of time, and yet is not so light that it feels like it might fall off your head.

What is too heavy for headphones?

It really depends on your head and what you are looking for in a headphone. Some people prefer headphones that are heavier so that they have more of a sense of the music being immersive. Other people prefer headphones that are lightweight so that they don't feel as if they are wearing something on their head. Ultimately, it is up to the individual's preference.

Can a headset be too heavy?

Yes, a headset can be too heavy. Excess weight on the head and neck can cause fatigue and even lead to long-term health problems. That's why it's important to choose a headset that is light and comfortable to wear.

How heavy is too heavy for a headset?

There really isn't a definitive answer to this question since it depends on a variety of factors, such as the weight of the person wearing the headset and the type of headset. That being said, most headsets are designed to be lightweight and comfortable so that they can be worn for extended periods of time.

At a certain weight, a headset can start to feel heavy and cause discomfort. So it's important to find one that is appropriately weighted for you and that fits well so that it doesn't put too much strain on your neck.  In our opinion those that weigh above 0.85lbs. are considered heavy.

Why are my headphones so heavy?

There are a few reasons why headphones might feel heavy. One possibility is that the headphones are well-made and have a lot of metal in them, which can make them quite dense. Another possibility is that the headphones may have large drivers, which can also add weight. Finally, it's possible that the earcups may be too tight on your ears, which can cause discomfort and make the headphones feel heavier than they actually are.

How much do headphones weigh?

It depends on the headphones. Some headphones weigh less than an ounce, while others can weigh up to a pound. 

The weight of a headphone will primarily depend on the size and construction of the headphone. Heavier headphones usually have larger drivers and are made with sturdier materials like metal or plastic. Lighter headphones typically have smaller drivers and are made with softer materials like cloth or silicone.

For example, Treblab Z2 weight is 0.53 lb (240 g); MPOW H5 weight is 0.5 lb (227 g); Sony WH-1000XM3 weight is 0.56 lb (255 g).