I started looking for headphones for an iPod when I was working on a project for a photographer who loves the 2000s style. I got inspired by the old iPod Classic. It reminded me of how music makes me feel creative and excited.
I wanted to listen to some songs on the iPod, but the headphones I've got didn’t work with it. The ones I had that were compatible didn’t give me the vibe I wanted either. That made me wonder: what are the best headphones for an iPod that sound great and keep that cool, old-school vibe?
So, I started trying out different headphones - some new, some that fit the atmosphere. I wanted to find ones that were comfy, sounded awesome, and matched the retro style. This whole experience gave me the idea to test 30+ headphones for iPods to help other people who use iPods enjoy music on this classic device just like I did.
When I was trying to find the best earphones for my iPod, I checked out both wired and wireless ones. I looked at in-ear and over-ear designs too. I discovered that wireless Bluetooth headphones were the easiest to use because they connect quickly, and the sound matches perfectly with audio and videos.
The sound quality was amazing. The iPod headphones I picked had strong bass and clear high notes with no annoying noise. They also had two microphones that blocked out wind and other background sounds, so I could enjoy my music. I made a list of great headphones for all kinds of iPods, from the oldest models to the newest ones.
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Silensys: 3K+ bought in past month
I use an iPod Touch (7th Generation), and, in my opinion, the Silensys E7 noise canceling headphone under $200 are perfect for it.
The sound was amazing. The bass was strong, and the highs were clear, making my music sound even nicer. I loved the noise-canceling feature - it blocked out background noise so I could listen to my music without distractions.
The ear cushions were comfortable, and even after wearing them for a long time, they stayed soft and didn’t hurt my ears. Plus, the battery lasted a long time, so I could use them for many hours before needing to charge again.
Amazon: 500+ bought in past month
B&H: 150+ sold in past year
At work, I asked if anyone had an iPod Touch (6th Generation) because I wanted to check if the Jabra Elite 45h headphones worked well with it. The description said the iPod headphones would pair perfectly with this model. Robin, my colleague, was kind enough to let me borrow hers for testing.
I took the iPod and headphones to a café to try them out. Connecting them was easy, and the sound was really good. The music sounded clear, especially the middle and high notes, and the bass was deep but not too much. It made listening to music fun. Also, the battery lasted a long time. I didn’t have to charge it for hours, so it’s great if you’re out for a while.
But, there was one problem. Although the ear cups were fine at first, after wearing them for a few hours, they started to feel uncomfortable.
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JVC: 1K+ bought in past month
I trust my wife when it comes to choosing audio accessories. She doesn’t like big over-ear headphones, so I started looking for smaller ones that would work with my iPod. I decided to buy the JVC Gumy HAFX7B earbuds. When they arrived, I let her try them first.
Right away, she said they were super light and comfy. She liked that they didn’t feel bulky in her ears like some other earbuds for the iPod she had tried before. When she tested them, she was pleased with how good the sound was. She said the audio was clear, and there was more bass than she expected for earbuds that didn’t cost much.
She also liked how the sound felt balanced. The high notes and middle sounds were just right, which made them great headphones for podcasting and listening to music every day. Another thing she loved was how the iPod headphones fit. She said they stayed in her ears, even when she was on the move, so they’re great for working out or taking on the go.
But there was one problem she noticed. Even though the sound was awesome for normal listening, the noise cancellation wasn't really good. In loud places, like when there were many people around, she could still hear the sounds from outside, which made listening harder.
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B&H: 3K+ sold in past year
Adorama: 1K+ sold in past year
Finding earphones for the iPod Classic for my sister was hard. The main problem was that most new earphones were made for newer devices. They usually have Bluetooth or special plugs that don’t work with the 3.5mm jack on the iPod Classic. After a lot of searching, I found the Sony MDR-ZX110, and they were pretty much the only option that worked.
My sister and I tested the earphones in different situations - on the daily commute, during long walks, and at home while listening to different kinds of music. The sound was surprisingly clear and balanced, especially for how affordable these Bluetooth headphones for iPod are.
My sister said these headphones for teens were comfortable to wear for a long time. She mentioned that the ear pads were soft and didn’t hurt her ears. But she did say the cord feels a bit weak, so it might not hold up if someone is rough with it.
Amazon: 2K+ bought in past month
B&H: 400+ sold in past year
Adorama: 150+ sold in past year
While doing my research, I found out that the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones work well with the iPod Video (5th Generation), so I decided to try them out. First, I plugged them into the iPod to see if they would work properly. They connected without any problems and played clear sound with no issues at all.
Then, I tested them by listening to different types of music and watching videos. The bass, mids, and treble were balanced perfectly, and the audio was super clear - exactly what I wanted from the headphones for classical music. I also wore the iPod headphones for a while to see if they were comfortable, and they were great for that, too.
The only downside is that they’re not very small or easy to carry around. If you want something lightweight and compact, these might not be the best choice because they take up more space than earbuds.
Amazon: 2K+ bought in past month
B&H: 500+ sold in past year
Adorama: 200+ sold in past year
I searched online for “best headphones for iPod” and saw that almost every site suggested the Koss KPH7 headphones. So, I decided to try them out too. The first thing I noticed was how lightweight this model is. This made them comfortable to wear for a long time. They didn’t feel tight on my head, and the foam on the ear pads was soft and nice.
I tested them with my iPod Shuffle and played all kinds of music. The sound was good, with clear treble, but the bass wasn’t very strong. That’s pretty normal for headphones under $10. When I listened to songs with deep bass, it didn’t sound as full as it does with more expensive ones. But they were still great for everyday listening.
As for how sturdy the headphones are, I’d say they’re okay. The plastic frame feels a bit weak, which isn’t surprising for the price. The wires are pretty thin, too, so you’d have to be careful not to pull or tangle them too much.
Amazon: 2K+ bought in past month
B&H: 500+ sold in past year
Adorama: 150+ sold in past year
Not many people still use the iPod Mini (2nd Generation), so headphones like the Panasonic RP-HT161 aren’t as popular anymore. However, I think these headphones under $20 are actually a good pick for this old iPod.
They’re super light, and the padded ear cups make them comfy to wear, even if you’re listening for a long time. For an older device like the iPod Mini, the sound quality is surprisingly good. The sound is clear, and you can hear the mids and highs well, which makes these headphones for iPod Mini great for casual listening.
The only downside is that the bass isn’t very strong. The sound can also feel a little flat, so if you’re used to newer headphones with deep bass and richer sound, these might not be as good.
When my team at FixThePhoto and I started looking for the best headphones for iPods, we knew they had to meet what iPod users need most. We focused on things like sound quality and comfort, testing headphones with iPod models like the iPod Video (5th Generation) and iPod Classic. After a week of testing in different situations, here’s what we found matters most:
Sound quality. The most important thing was having a clear and balanced sound. Even more affordable headphones had to deliver good bass and treble without sounding bad. The best ones made music sound detailed, no matter what type of song we played.
Comfort and fit. Comfort is super important, especially if you listen for a long time. Over-ear headphones for iPods with adjustable headbands were the best because they had soft padding and didn’t press too hard on the head.
Connecting to an iPod. Getting headphones to work well with an iPod was very important. Wired headphones were easy to connect and worked right away. For some wireless iPod headphones, we used Bluetooth adapters since older iPods don’t have Bluetooth.
Battery life and connectivity. Most iPods use wired headphones, but we also tried wireless ones with Bluetooth adapters. These worked well, and the battery life (30-40 hours) was great for people who don’t want to recharge often.
Durability. The best headphones for iPods should have strong cables and tough headbands made from good materials. They shouldn’t wear out easily, even with daily use.
