Best Headphones for Audiobooks Reviewed and Compared for 2025
Listening to audiobooks is a great way to enjoy stories or learn new things without needing to look at a screen or turn pages. Headphones can make audiobook listening comfortable and help block out outside noise so you can focus on the narrator’s voice. Whether you listen at home, on your commute, or during a walk, the right headphones can make a big difference in your experience.
Headphones come in many styles, such as in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear. For audiobooks, comfort is especially important, as people may listen for hours at a time. Sound quality also matters, but with audiobooks, a clear voice is more important than deep bass or musical detail. Battery life, wireless features, and portability are other things to think about, depending on where you listen most.
It’s important to look at comfort, voice clarity, and battery life before buying a pair. Some people will also want models that are lightweight or easy to store. We spent hours comparing and testing headphones to find those that make listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable.
JBL Tune 720BT Headphones
The JBL Tune 720BT stands out because it’s easy to use, comfortable, and reliable for audiobook listening.
Pros
- Exceptionally comfortable even after hours of listening
- Impressive battery life keeps us going for days
- Folds flat and takes up little space in a bag
Cons
- Mostly plastic build can feel a bit fragile
- Sound isolation isn’t perfect in noisy areas
- Controls have a small learning curve
We found the JBL Tune 720BT headphones to be a practical choice for audiobook fans who want comfort and long battery life. They fit well right out of the box, with soft ear cups and a lightweight feel. Even after several chapters of a book, there was no ear fatigue.
Switching devices was quick and easy for us, especially when a call came in during our listening session. The controls on the earcup are handy but took a bit of time to get used to. The sound itself is warm and clear, which made voices easy to understand.
These headphones last much longer than most, so we didn’t have to worry about charging. The plastic build might not feel fancy, but it keeps the whole set light and portable. For audiobook listeners, the JBL Tune 720BT offers dependable performance without breaking the bank.
Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones
Anyone looking for comfortable, lightweight headphones for long audiobook sessions should consider these for their excellent noise canceling and solid battery life.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable even after hours of listening
- Impressive noise canceling blocks out everyday distractions
- Long-lasting battery means fewer interruptions
Cons
- Padding may flatten over time with heavy use
- No water resistance, so not ideal for workouts or rain
- Sound quality focuses more on clarity than heavy bass
After using the Sony WH-CH720N headphones, we immediately noticed how lightweight and comfortable they feel. We can listen to audiobooks for hours without any soreness or heat build-up around our ears. The lightweight design really shines here compared to many bulkier options.
The noise canceling works great for focusing. Whether we’re on a noisy bus or trying to zone out at home, these headphones let us fully concentrate on our books. Voices from the street or TV in another room fade away, leaving just the story.
Battery life is a major plus — one charge easily gets us through days of listening. However, if you like to listen while sweating at the gym or walking in the rain, the lack of water resistance can be a drawback. Over time, the padding on the earcups does flatten a bit, which may affect comfort if you use them constantly.
For audiobook fans who want crisp, clear voices and a distraction-free experience, the Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones are a strong choice. The focus on clear sound and long comfort makes them hard to beat for audiobook listening at home or traveling.
Soundcore Life Q20 Headphones
Anyone who spends hours with audiobooks will find the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones a reliable choice thanks to their comfort and strong noise canceling.
Pros
- Long battery life keeps us listening for days
- Soft ear cups are gentle during long use
- Noise canceling makes it easy to focus on stories
Cons
- Slightly bulky design isn’t the most travel-friendly
- Bass boost is a little much for spoken word
- Controls feel basic and plasticky
We noticed right away how comfortable these are, even during longer listening sessions. The memory foam in the ear cups feels light and doesn’t get too hot, which is important when we’re deep into a long book. Nothing feels tight or pinchy, and the weight is well balanced.
One big feature that stands out for audiobooks is the active noise canceling. It blocks out a lot of background noise, so we find it easy to pay attention without distractions. Busy streets or noisy offices become much less of a problem. We can follow the story even when things are loud around us.
Battery life is another strong point. If we charge these up before the week begins, we don’t have to worry about plugging them in again until the next weekend, even if we use them a lot. The overall design could be more compact, but for everyday home or office use, it’s not a big deal.
Beats Solo 4 – Wireless On-Ear Headphones
The Beats Solo 4 is a strong pick for audiobook fans who want lightweight headphones with serious battery life and good sound isolation.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable for extended listening sessions
- Impressive 50-hour battery means fewer recharges
- Quick, reliable pairing with iOS and Android devices
Cons
- No active noise cancellation feature
- Not water resistant—use with care outdoors
- Can feel a bit snug for those with larger heads
These headphones feel great even during long listens, thanks to their soft ear cushions and light build. We found the headband and ear cups adjusted easily until they felt just right, which is a big win for anyone listening to audiobooks for hours on end.
Connecting to our devices was simple and fast, whether on Android or Apple products. We like that these headphones offer both wireless and wired options, so there’s flexibility for how we listen. The sound is clear, and voices come through crisp without being too sharp, which really helps narration stand out.
We do wish there was full active noise cancellation for blocking out more background noise in busy places. Still, the fit keeps outside sound down better than expected. With battery life lasting several days between charges, plus a handy fast-charge feature, we don’t worry about running out of power in the middle of a good book. If comfort and long battery life matter most for your audiobook listening, the Beats Solo 4 is worth considering.
Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones
The Sony WH-CH520 is a smart pick if we want headphones that last days on a single charge and stay comfortable through long listening sessions.
Pros
- Superb battery life keeps us going for days
- Lightweight fit feels pleasant for hours
- Sound stays clear and easy to adjust
Cons
- No active noise cancelling
- On-ear style may let in some outside sounds
- Plastic build feels a bit basic
We found the Sony WH-CH520 stands out for audiobook lovers who need all-day listening. The headset is light and the adjustable band does not squeeze our head, even after hours of steady use. Soft ear pads help us forget we even have them on during a long chapter or two.
Battery life makes these headphones really shine. We can go nearly a full week before charging, listening several hours a day. A quick 3-minute top-up gave us over an hour of use, which is perfect if we realize too late that the battery is low.
Sound quality is solid for spoken word content. Dialogue feels crisp and we can tweak the audio a bit with the EQ app, but we do notice more outside sounds with the on-ear design, especially in busy spots. If we need to switch between devices—like a phone and a tablet—switching worked smoothly and quickly for us.
Some may want more premium materials or fancy features, but for reliable listening, the Sony WH-CH520 gives us everything we need for audiobooks.
