Generally speaking, purchasing a pair of headphones isn’t usually seen as a difficult task to carry out.
You walk into the nearest store, head to the gaming and tech aisle, and pick up the pair of headphones that catch your eye.
But, what about when it comes to listening to hip-hop and rap music? This is where things get a little trickier.
How do you know which are the best headphones for hip-hop and rap music?
If you don’t pay attention to certain features that will help to elevate the sounds of these two genres, not only will you have wasted money, but you’ll also have a less than par listening experience.
Luckily for you, though, we’re here to lend you a helping hand. To help you cut through the vast sea of options out there and narrow down your list, we’ve been busy selecting the top 5 headphones suited to hip-hop and rap.
Read on to discover your new go-to pair!
Best Headphones for Hip-Hop and Rap Music
BEST HIGH-END
BASS OPTIMIZING
BEST OVERALL
If you’re on the search for the very best headphones and don’t mind spending a little extra, then you might want to check out our top pick - the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Headphones.
Boasting an open-back style, these headphones from Beyerdynamic are perfect for hip-hop and rap because they will be able to offer a more isolated and ‘all around’ sound. This is all thanks to the open-back style, which is slightly different from regular headphones.
This is because open-back headphones allow air to pass through the ear cups, meaning that no pressure will be able to accumulate and negatively affect the overall quality of the playback.
Therefore, while listening to your favorite rap or hip-hop performer, you won’t have to worry about the headphones giving off an ‘echo’ sound, but instead be able to enjoy a clear and authentic sound.
In addition to this, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250 Headphones boast a very durable design. From your backpack, the busy commute, and even a few knocks and bumps, these tough headphones will be able to handle whatever your day throws at it.
Plus, for comfort, these headphones have been fitted with a padded headband and velour earpads, so you can listen to your favorite music in total comfort. Beyerdynamic has covered all bases with these headphones - they’re a great shout for those who don’t mind making an investment.
Pros
- Open back design - the open back design ensures that you’ll have an isolated and crisp listening experience, all while enhancing bass and treble for an authentic sound.
- Comfortable fit - the rugged yet comfy fit of these headphones will ensure you’ll be able to play your favorite albums back to back without any discomfort.
Cons
- High price point - may not be suitable for all.
BEST HIGH-END
Offering premium sound quality and created by a brand owned by a music mogul, our list just wouldn’t have been complete with the Beats by Dre Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones.
If you’re looking to upgrade your current headphones, you’d be making a good choice to consider these by Beats, especially if you like to listen to genres that blend vocals with a beat, such as hip-hop and rap.
Made specifically to enhance acoustics in order to maximize balance, clarity, and breadth, these headphones will ensure crystal clarity and pristine playback quality, all while fine-tuning the sound to pick up on all the complexities of your favorite music.
Featuring both Apple W1 and Class 1 wireless Bluetooth connectivity, these headphones offer plenty of versatility and are compatible with multiple different types of devices.
They’re great for those who often travel a busy commute, or work long hours, as these Beats Solo3 also boasts a battery life of up to 40 hours.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, Beats has also made sure to consider how busy life can get, as these premium headphones come with Fast Fuel.
This will allow you to achieve 3 hours of playback from just 5 minutes of charging when the battery is low, which is a feature that we think really sets these headphones apart from others.
Pros
- Lightweight - the lightweight design of these headphones ensures maximum comfort that won’t weigh you down.
- Multi-functional - these headphones can be used to listen to music, as well as take calls.
Cons
- High price point - may not be within everyone’s budget.
BEST BASS OPTIMIZING
If you’re on the lookout for a pair of headphones that will be able to enhance the bass in your favorite rap or hip-hop music, then we recommend giving the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones a consideration.
Offering 100% stronger bass quality, these headphones feature BassUp technology that will be able to analyze each song you listen to in real-time, allowing these headphones to pick up on low frequencies so that the bass output can be strengthened and given more resonance.
That’s not all, either. Built to ensure premium quality sound all around, these headphones from Anker Soundcore feature custom oversized 40mm dynamic drivers which will be able to deliver a clear and crisp sound, time and time again, all the while reducing ambient noises by up to 90%. Impressive or what?
As for the design, these headphones come with convenient memory foam ear cups that will be able to gently mold themselves to the unique size and shape of your ears, while the rotating joints of the headband will help to fit itself snugly around your head.
Plus, delivering up to 40 hours of playtime while fully-charged, these noise-canceling headphones are great for travelers, those who like to listen to music while working, or even for exercise.
Pros
- Wireless headphone design - thanks to their wireless design, these headphones are great for those who are frequently on the move and want less restriction.
- Deep bass guarantee - ideal for those who listen to hip-hop and rap, these headphones have been specially designed to enhance the bass in these types of music genres.
Cons
- Non-padded headband - these headphones may become uncomfortable to wear after a long period of time.
BEST WIRELESS
If you’re interested in purchasing a pair of wireless headphones, then we recommend checking out the Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones II.
Why? Well, Bose is one of the most respected (and popular!) audio brands in the industry and is well-known for their industry knowledge, expertise, and high-quality audio solutions.
The SoundLink Wireless Headphones are a shining example of this craftsmanship and are a great choice for those wanting convenience thanks to their wireless design.
Plus, offering fantastic bass quality, these headphones have been optimized to be able to fine-tune low frequencies for a more immersive and detailed listening experience.
This makes these headphones ideal for hip-hop and rap, as these headphones will be able to pick-up on the intricacies of these two music types.
What’s more, on a full charge, you can expect these headphones to give you around 15 hours of playtime, which is more than enough to see you through a day’s work or exercise session with ease.
In addition, to preserve the battery of these headphones, all you’ll need to do is press a button above the right ear to switch it off.
In addition, this button will also allow you to switch your Bluetooth connection to different devices.
Thanks to that, the SoundLink Headphones will also allow you to answer phone calls in-between listening to your favorite rapper or hip-hop artist, all while being able to hear the calls clearly in noisy or windy areas thanks to the integrated Advanced Microphone System.
Pros
- Bass-heavy - these headphones have been specifically designed to both enhance bass and pick-up on low frequencies, for a more rich and enjoyable listening experience.
- Wireless headphone design - these headphones are very compact and ideal for travel, as they do not take up much space and allow for more non-restrictive wear, making them ideal for those that are often up on their feet.
Cons
- Short playtime - some users have remarked that they have to re-charge these more frequently than they would like.
BEST BUDGET
Last but certainly not least, we have selected the Zihnic Deep Bass Headphones, which are ideal for those who want a pair of headphones suited to rap and hip-hop, that won’t break the bank.
Blending premium sound quality with an affordable price point, the Zihnic Deep Bass Headphones are well-suited to hip-hop and rap. For starters, they offer a sound quality that rivals some of the more ‘high-end’ options that we have included in this list.
Why? Well, they have been made with Noise Reduction technology that will not only be able to reduce ambient noise significantly but also help to produce a more rich and natural sound. Thanks to this, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite music with a crisp and clear sound, regardless of the volume.
For comfortability, these headphones feature earmuffs that will be able to imitate human skin texture, in order to ensure that you are able to wear your headphones for longer.
These earmuffs are also stretchy, meaning that they will mold to the unique shape of your ears every time you wear them, in order to enhance the sound quality and comfortability.
Not only that, but alongside the earmuffs, these headphones have also been made with memory-foam leather that is not only durable and stylish in appearance, but will help to provide a supportive fit that won’t feel restrictive.
Plus, for added convenience, these Zihnic headphones will also make Bluetooth connectivity a breeze. All you’ll need to do is simply slide the on/off button, and the headphones will instantly be in pairing mode.
What’s more, these wireless headphones are compatible with all types of Bluetooth-enabled devices and will allow you to enjoy hands-free communication in-between your listening sessions. They’re a great choice for those on a budget.
Pros
- Affordable price point - these headphones are an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy their favorite rap and hip-hop music without breaking the bank.
- Lightweight design - ensuring comfortable wear, these wireless headphones are lightweight, so you can wear them for long periods of time without feeling any strain.
Cons
- Basic construction - these entry-level headphones may not be suitable for those who want a more premium headphone experience, such as for producing music.
Best Headphones for Hip-Hop And Rap Music Buying Guide
So, now that you’ve read through our product recommendations, we’re hoping that you’ve found the perfect pair for you!
However, before you go through with that purchase, why not take a look at our buying guide?
Below, you’ll find some important considerations to keep in mind before buying, so that you can be confident that you’re making the right decision.
Comfort
By far, one of the most important factors you should consider before making a headphone purchase is how comfortable they’re going to be while you wear them.
Regardless of whether you listen to rap, hip-hop, or any other kind of music genre, if your headphones aren’t comfortable, you’re not going to be able to get the most out of them.
What’s more, you’ll also find yourself having to pause or take breaks, which will mean that you aren’t able to enjoy your favorite music properly.
The best headphones should feature comfort features such as padded ear pads, padded headbands, and adjustable joints.
Wired or Wireless Headphone Design
Which do you prefer? This is an important question that you should ask yourself when selecting a new pair of headphones.
The only difference between the two is that one requires a wire in order to connect, while the other will connect via something such as Bluetooth.
If you find yourself up on your feet at work, or you like to walk around, you might benefit from going for wireless headphones.
However, if you aren’t overly bothered or are looking to save money, then you might benefit from purchasing a pair of wired headphones, as these are generally cheaper than wireless headphones.
Open-back Vs Closed-back
Besides choosing between wired or wireless, another important decision you’ll need to make is whether you’ll go for closed-back headphones or open-back headphones.
Generally speaking, both work great for rap and hip-hop, although some do prefer open-back as it allows for a more ‘out of head’ experience, as well as being great for bedrooms.
In contrast, there are many closed-back headphones that are ideal for rap and hip-hop music, with many manufacturers specifically designing them with bass-enhancing capabilities.
Ultimately, when it comes to choosing what style of headphones you’ll go for, it will come down to your own personal preference.
Budget
Last but certainly not least, another important factor you should consider before making a purchase is your budget!
If you take the time to work out your budget before you make your choice, then it means that you will be able to both make a wiser money-decision and shortlist your options more easily.
In addition to this, by clearly defining your budget at the beginning of your buying journey, you’ll find yourself being able to cut through the vast amount of options out there on the market, too!
FAQ's
What are the best headphones for hip-hop?
Whether you are a music producer or you simply love hip hop, the best headphones for this particular genre should be able to offer you plenty of comfortability, all while showcasing the complexities of this type of music with clarity and crisp sound.
All of the headphones we listed above are ideal choices, but if you need a recommendation, we think you’ll get on best with the Anker Soundcore Headphones we reviewed above, as they have been specifically created with hip-hip in mind.
Are bass-heavy headphones the best for hip-hop and rap?
Yes, it is widely-considered that headphones that have been specifically designed to enhance the bass are the best for these two kinds of genres.
However, it’s also important to keep in mind that a variety of other factors should also contribute to your decision.
On top of going for a pair of headphones that are bass-heavy, you should also opt for models that have something known as a neutral frequency.
This is because it means that these kinds of headphones will be able to deliver a much more rich and clear sound, all while sounding natural.
