10 Best Volume Control Headphones

1. Edifier W855BT (Best Budget)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

Edifier is not one of the well-known audio brands in the industry, but the W855BTis packed with some of the best features out there. At under $100 you’ll be hard pressed to find better volume control headphones that meet the needs of the demanding modern buyer. Read up on the features in detail to figure out if these Edifier headphones match your requirements.

You’ll enjoy 20 hours of playback time with these headphones so they will last you the entire day. Bluetooth 4.1 is implemented which means you can enjoy stable connections and a range of 33 feet. Additionally, NFC pairing is available to aid the process of creating fast connections to your audio emitting device.

Visually the headphones are well-designed due to the stylish black and brown design. It gives the headphones a premium feel that you’d mostly expect of headphones above $100. Furthermore, comfort is excellent due to large earcups and well-padded headband. The designers have done a good job of creating comfort without adding too much bulk. The adjustable headband allows all head sizes to get a fit that won’t come loose.

The on-ear controls allow you to alter the volume, skip tracks, and pause/play music. It’s convenient when the audio emitting device is not within reach. You can also make use of the AUX cable for a wired connection if you want to save battery life.

There are a few drawbacks to the Edifier W855BT that should be taken into account before proceeding with the purchase. Firstly, the headphones have a snug fit that the larger head sizes might find uncomfortable. Also, the use of materials could be improved so that you can enjoy long-lasting durability.

To conclude, the Edifier W855BT is one of the top choices for the budget buyer that wants solid audio quality, reliable wireless connectivity, and good earcup controls. You’ll also love these headphones if you want a black and brown design that stands out.

2. BÖHM B66

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

The BÖHM B66 headphones are budget friendly and have plenty of positive points that add value to the purchase. Bohm might not be one of the well-known brands, but you’ll be getting plenty of performance that competes with anyone at the bottom end of the price scale.

Bluetooth 4.0 is implemented here that allows you to have a range of 33 feet. Therefore, the audio emitting device doesn’t have to be alongside the headphones all the time to enjoy smooth audio. The battery offers 16 hours playing time that will keep you with audio for an entire day.

Impressive 40mm audio drivers are implemented that provides thumping bass and clear audio. The clarity across the frequency range of 20-20Khz is excellent since you get accurate mids and highs. At this price the audio quality is great and you’ll enjoy all your favorite music.

The minimal headphone design ensures they are not bulky or heavy, which is ideal when wearing them outdoors. The earcups have plenty of soft padding, but the on-ear design might not provide the noise cancellation that will make the difference in noisy areas. The headband has limited soft padding, which is a disadvantage compared to other options.

There are a few drawbacks with the Bohm 66 headphones that should be considered before adding them to the virtual shopping basket. Firstly, there is an uncomfortable clamping pressure that might be uncomfortable for some. Also, poor noise isolation is somewhat misleading since it’s marketed as one of the main selling points.

Overall, the Bohm 66 headphones is a good purchase for the budget buyer that’s looking for a mixture of advanced features, portability, and decent battery life. Furthermore, with the convenient earcup controls, you’ll be able to control the audio experience on the go.

3. Alpatronix HX101

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

Alpatronix is probably a brand you’ve never heard of before, but there is enough quality here to be worthy of your attention. At this low price, you’re getting good performance that represents good value for money. However, take a closer look to see if there is an offer to meet your requirements.

Bluetooth 4.1 is available that provides a range of 33 feet and consistent audio quality. The 30 hour battery life is among the best in this price bracket and the charging time is 2-3 hours. Furthermore, with a standby time of 900 hours, you can leave the headphones idle for a long time without running out of battery life.

There is noise cancellation that helps retain audio clarity in noisy environments, but its effectiveness is not comparable to headphones of a higher price bracket. The ANC feature means the earpads have to be bulkier, but the overall design is not too cumbersome to wear.

A convenient carrying case is included that allows you to store all peripherals and the headphones once they are folded up. It’s handy when you are traveling and want to fit the headphones in your bag.

Intuitive earcup controls are added that allow you to skip tracks, alter the volume, and pause/play tracks. You can also save battery life by using the AUX cable to connect to the audio emitting device. It’s ideal when sitting down, but opting for Bluetooth wireless connectivity is better when on the move.

To summarize, the Alpatronix HX101 is a good choice for buyers with a limited budget that wants to access to up to date features such as ANC and Bluetooth 4.1. You should buy these headphones if you need 30 hours of battery life, intuitive earcup controls, and don’t mind a cheap looking design.

4. Mpow 059

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

The Mpow 059 is one of the cheapest volume control headphones on the market that comes packed with a bunch of advanced features for the modern user. You’ll love these headphones if you need large audio drivers, portability, a sleek design, and comfortable earcup controls.

The ergonomic fit is one of the big selling points here that allows you to wear them for long durations without getting frustrated with the fit. The earpads have extra soft padding, but the padding under the headband could be improved. The scratch-free finish of the material means you don’t have to worry about being heavy handed with the headphones.

The 40 neodymium audio drivers pack a powerful punch that delivers good music quality for all genres. The bass is strong, but the vocals and highs are not competitive compared to the big brand name headphones in this buyer’s guide.

The Mpow 59 provides 20 hours of running time per charge and Bluetooth 4.1 is implemented. Therefore, you’ll enjoy 33 feet of range and consistent audio quality throughout the listening session.

Before adding the Mpow 059 headphones to the virtual shopping basket consider some of the drawbacks. Firstly, comfort could be improved for smaller head sizes and those with large ears. Also, the cheap plastic might not be what you are used to from a pair of headphones.

To summarize, Mpow is one of the industry leaders at the budget end of the scale and the 059 is one of their better offerings. These are great for buyers that don’t mind cheap plastics, need serviceable audio quality, and a low price.

5. Sony WH1000XM2 (Best Value)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5.0

Sony is a brand you can count on to deliver the quality that’s displayed on the packaging. This model is one of their best offerings that comes packed with a bunch of impressive features such as ergonomic comfort, noise cancellation, and excellent on-ear controls. Take the time to read up on the features to fully appreciate what’s on offer.

The digital noise cancellation does an excellent job of eliminating background noise so that you’re able to enjoy good clarity. It’s a useful feature when traveling on public transport or walking down a noisy street. However, the noise cancellation technology here is not as good as the Bose QuietComfort 35.

The battery life is an amazing 30 hours and the quick charge feature takes 10 minutes to provide up to 70 minutes of running time. NFC pairing is also implemented that allows you to quickly forge a connection with audio emitting devices that also have this technology.

These headphones allow you to make use of a voice assistant to control your audio experience hands-free. The well-implemented microphone means you won’t find yourself repeating instructions when speaking clearly. Voice assistants are becoming better by the day, which means this feature will be even more useful in the future.

The earcup controls have a unique feature that allows you to quickly turn down the volume once you cover the right earcup. Other earcup controls allow you to alter the volume, pause/play tracks, switch tracks, and accept calls.

The Hi-Res audio means you’ll love enjoying all your favorite music tracks. If you’re upgrading from budget headphones you’ll appreciate the audio clarity and strong bass that doesn’t detract from the vocals. The balance across the frequency range is amazing, but not surprising given the quality that Sony is known for.

To summarize, the Sony WH1000XM2 headphones are ideal for buyers that have a big budget, want extra-long battery life, and want to buy from a trusted brand. These headphones are ideal for users that want industry-leading performance.

6. Sony WH-CH700N

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

The Sony WH-CH700N headphones represent good value for money at around the $100 price bracket. They are packed full of useful features such as long battery life, a portable design, and up to date technology. The versatility of these headphones means they are well-suited for most buyers.

The long battery of 35 hours means you won’t have to recharge often, but when using ANC the battery life drops significantly. There is a handy quick charge feature that gives you 1 hour of running time for only 10 minutes of charging. You can also use NFC pairing to forge fast connections with other NFC compatible devices.

40mm audio drivers are implemented that deliver deep bass and smooth vocals. Sony is known for delivering a wide frequency range and they don’t disappoint here with the extended bass. The audio drivers make these Sony headphones one of the better sounding portable options at this price.

The visual design is basic since only black is used, but the minimalist nature is attractive. It means you don’t have a bulky look that makes some headphones cumbersome to wear while traveling. Sony has done an excellent job here of providing excellent comfort while not increasing the bulk too much. For example, the earcups have plenty of padding, but they don’t stand out at a distance.

The Sony WH-CH700N has plenty of positive points, but don’t overlook the negative ones too. They are slow charging so you’ll need to plan the charging ahead of time. Furthermore, the wired audio output is weak, which means you’ll notice a drop-off in music quality.

To summarize, the Sony WH-CH700N headphones are among the best in this price bracket due to the blend of advanced features. You’ll love these headphones if you need a minimalist design, well-implemented audio drivers, and reliable battery performance. Sony is a well-trusted brand that delivers exactly what’s promised and you can expect the same here.

7. COWIN E8

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

Cowin is one of those budget oriented brands that undercuts the established ones, but without cutting down on the quality. The E8 is one of their flagships offerings that has every feature the modern buyer demands from a pair of headphones. Read up on the features carefully so that you’re able to determine if these headphones are the right choice for your needs.

Well-executed ANC is implemented that significantly reduces ambient noise to help you enjoy music undisturbed. This feature has been improved from previous versions to provide you with an upgraded experience.

Furthermore, the ear foam cushions have been upgraded for a softer feel, but they are somewhat bulky. There is a 90 degrees rotation axis to help achieve a snug fit. However, the headband has limited padding on the underside compared to most other headphones.

The battery time is a reasonable 20 hours and the charging time is 2-3 hours. However, there is no quick charge feature, which means you’ll need to make sure there is plenty of battery life before enjoying your personal experience.

Large 45mm audio drivers are implemented that provide strong bass and a frequency range of 20-20KHz. You’ll love the bass implementation here if you enjoy music genres like rap, hip-hop, and rock. The vocals are also great so you can enjoy podcasts, radio, and talking to your friends via the serviceable microphone.

There are a few drawbacks to the Cowin E8 that you should take into account before making the purchase. Firstly, there is a lot of noise leakage, which means others around you can get annoyed when you’re playing loud music. Also, the audio reproduction is not competitive compared to other options in this price bracket.

To conclude, the Cowin E8 is a good choice for buyers that want practicality and a comfortable pair of headphones. The extensive earcups controls means you’ll love using these headphones on the go. However, you’ll need to deal with the bulky fit, which isn’t ideal for women and kids.

8. Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

The Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 has a stylish brown theme that allows them to stand out from the majority of the marketplace. They are comfortable to wear around your neck due to the earcups that can be rotated sideways. Furthermore, the wireless implementation here is competitive with the other headphones in this buyer’s guide. Read up on the features carefully to figure out if these headphones are the right choice for you.

ANC is available that does a solid job of blocking out background noise in low to medium noise environments. However, the Bose QuietComfort 35 is the leader when it comes to ANC technology. Use ANC sparingly to ensure you don’t drain your battery life needlessly.

On a single charge, you can enjoy a running time of 24 hours and Bluetooth 4 is implemented. Therefore, you get a range of 33 feet and consistent audio quality throughout the listening session. However, with Bluetooth Class 1 devices you can enjoy a range of 330 feet, which gives you excellent flexibility.

The rich and immersive audio here allows all music genres to be enjoyed since the bass is strong and the vocals are clear. The balance across the frequency range is well-implemented so they are competitive compared to others in this price category.

The Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 has plenty of positives, but also a few negatives that should be taken into account. The visual design might not be for everyone and the brand is not among the most respected in the audio industry. Furthermore, the bass is strong and might be too much for some users.

To summarize, the Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 is a good choice for buyer’s that are after a distinctive look, long battery life, and a lightweight design. Plantronics is a trusted audio brand that delivers a competitive blend of features in the BackBeat PRO 2.

9. Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) (Top Pick)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5.0

Bose is an industry-leading audio brand that consistently delivers some of the best sound quality and features. The QuietComfort 35 headphones are one of their industry leaders which are rated highly in the marketplace. You’ll love these if you need long battery life, portability, advanced noise cancellation, and an ergonomic design. Delve deeper into the features to figure out if the premium asking price represents a good investment.

There are 3 levels of noise cancellation that are implemented better than the majority of competing headphones. Noise cancellation is a useful feature when you’re traveling and want to drown out background noise.

A serviceable microphone is included that allows you to activate Amazon Alexa functions. You can control your audio experience without requiring physical interaction, which is handy when your smartphone is in a pocket. Amazon Alexa is becoming increasingly sophisticated so functionality is growing by the day.

The ergonomic and lightweight design of these Bose headphones ensures you’ll have a comfortable fit throughout the day. The headband has decent soft padding on the underside without being too bulky.

A Bose app is available that can be used to personalize the audio experience. Using the app you can adjust noise cancellation, manage Bluetooth connections, enable share music, and access future software updates.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 earcup controls allow you to alter the volume, turn on Alexa, and skip tracks. It’s a convenient way to change your audio experience while on the go. Furthermore, the 20 hour battery life ensures you’re able to enjoy music all day long.

These headphones come with a few disadvantages that should be taken into account before buying. Firstly, the audio fidelity is better in competing models at this price. Also, the buyers with very large ears might struggle to get a snug fit within the ear cups.

To conclude, the Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones are among the best in the marketplace for a number of categories. You’ll love these headphones if you need long battery life, excellent earcup controls, and great audio quality.

10. Sennheiser PXC 550

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

These Bluetooth 4.2 headphones are designed for buyers that require portability, excellent audio quality, and an intuitive earcup touch control system. Sennheiser continuously amazes as the audio drivers deliver strong bass and crystal clear mids/highs that pack a powerful punch. Read up on all the features here to figure out if the Sennheiser PXC 550 is the right choice for your needs.

The exceptional battery delivers 30 hours of running time, which means you don’t have to recharge every day. You can also use NFC pairing to quickly forge connections to audio emitting devices such as smartphones.

The intuitive touch control system allows you to control the volume, take incoming calls, and skip tracks. It’s one of the better control systems implemented that allows you to quickly and conveniently alter the audio experience.

The microphone has a business class rating that delivers exceptional vocals. The person will clearly hear your voice at the other end of the line. It’s a triple microphone set up that ensures your voice is picked up – even in noisy environments.

The frequency response of 17-23KHz means you’ll enjoy good clarity for every music genre. Sennheiser is known for their high audio fidelity and they don’t let you down with the PXC 550. Furthermore, the lightweight design means you’ll enjoy wearing these headphones for long durations before needing to take a break.

To summarize, the Sennheiser PXC 550 headphones are a good match for buyer’s that desire an industry-leading brand, need long battery life, and a lightweight design. However, they are pricey so you need to decide if the quality offered here is something you’ll appreciate.