Athletes at every level know nothing compares to being “in the zone” when they play and practice. Many pro basketball players now wear wireless headphones. The right headphones allow you to keep yourself motivated by listening to music or help you concentrate by canceling noise.
Get the most from your game by putting the same effort into your search for the best headphones for basketball.
How To Choose Headphones for Basketball
Headphones can help energize and support your efforts to improve performance. Each of the following qualities contributes to the overall performance of any headphones. They were deciding factors in our choice of the best headphones for basketball.
Sound Quality
A driving bass can get your heart pumping and keep your movements in rhythm as you dribble the ball down the court. It can also steady your nerves as you prepare for a free-throw or three-point shot.
Exceptional sound quality and dynamic range can be invaluable. Especially when you are trying to hear what you’re listening to over background noise. Let advice and encouragement come through clearly via a fast, precision Wi-Fi connection.
Choose headphones that provide crisp sound under any sports conditions. Don’t let subpar sound keep you from enjoying your game.
Long Battery Life
Any headphone set from an established brand can provide good battery life. However, the top contenders in our list of best headphones have impressive battery life that approaches or exceeds a full day of use. If headphones have a fast charge option, you could be ready for a game or a workout session in as little as ten minutes.
Impact Resistance
Let’s face it, basketball and other sports can be hard on your equipment. We do not doubt that you have the resilience and stamina to succeed on the court. But, you need a pair of headphones that can tough it out as well as you do.
The ideal pair of headphones should be able to survive bumps and not lose their sound quality. They should also be water-resistant for those who tend to sweat a lot on the court.
Price
There is no perfect price for headphones. Quality headphones can range from under $50 for wireless earbuds to several hundred dollars for premium over-the-ear headphones. Clearly shop within your means, but just know that you may need to sacrifice some features.
Wireless Connectivity
No ifs or buts on this one, just get wireless headphones. The best headphones for basketball should be able to pair wirelessly with your Android smartphone or iPhone.
Don’t waste your time untangling your headphones on or off the court.
Other Considerations
Headphones should be convenient to use, store, and charge. When you consider a pair of headphones, check which accessories come with the headphones. Consider whether you need additional items to use your equipment.
A charging case, cord extender, rugged travel case, and adaptors for corded use can make it easier to use your headphones in many situations. For example, if you want to use your headphones on airplanes, get an adapter for a corded connection to your phone in airplane mode.
Choosing the ideal headphones depends on your priorities. If you want to impress your friends, go for a model that sponsors your home team’s favorite athlete or the NBA.
For connectivity with coaches, radio, or your phone, use Bluetooth headphones or other wireless models. Check consumer product reviews for any compatibility issues between the headphones you want and the devices you need to pair with.
For a discreet, economical experience of music and more, use wireless earbuds instead of over-the-ear headphones.
Save money by bundling your headphones with a charging case and other accessories. If your top choice for a set of headphones does not have the accessories you need, consider one of our other best headphones for basketball.
The 5 Best Headphones For Basketball Athletes
We chose the following five sets as the best headphones for basketball.
BEATS STUDIO 3 WIRELESS
Beats by Dr. Dre are among the best-known and most influential brands of headphones in the NBA. It also stands out for top-quality sound, long battery life, and smooth wireless connectivity.
The Beats Studio 3 headphones feature a 22-hour battery life. It also has a short charging time which means that players don’t have to worry about their headphones losing their charge on the court. Even a brief recharge before the start of a game can keep you going for hours.
The headphones have a built-in microphone. They pair easily with iPhone and Android products so you can talk on the phone or access your music library through your headphones.
Beats offer something for everyone. Choose from many colors and styles to achieve the right look in the gym or the game. They also come with an attractive and protective carrying case.
Beats Studio 3 headphones are not the least expensive model in the Beats line. They can cost over $100 more than the Beats Solo model. However, the adaptive control and noise-cancellation abilities are well worth the cost for listeners who insist on a professional-grade experience at an affordable price.
Amateur athletes, college athletes, and younger basketball players might opt for a lower-cost alternative, but it is tough to do better for the price.
Some might find the weight of the headphones cumbersome and opt for a model with a slimmer design, even if it does not necessarily provide the same sound quality.
SKULLCANDY CRUSHER WIRELESS
Skullcandy is a standout brand for athletic play, providing reliable wireless connectivity.
Their rapid charging and impressive 40-hour battery life are ideal for athletes who prefer marathon practice sessions. You won’t need to worry too much about charging these! However, this is achieved by offering fewer software features than some of the other contenders.
The headphones weigh only 0.61 pounds, less than the Beats Studio 3. They deliver strong bass, which you can adjust via user-friendly controls. Turning down the bass might take away one of the headphones’ core advantages, but it helps to improve the already stellar battery life.
Skullcandy Crusher Wireless headphones are a strong choice for athletes who want agile, high-performance, and long-lasting headphones.
JBL REFLECT MINI 2 WIRELESS IN-EAR SPORT HEADPHONES
If you want to practice or play without the feeling of headphones over your ear, JBL Reflect Mini 2 Wireless In-Ear Sport Headphones are your best bet. They come with comfortable, ergonomic tips and an easy-to-use remote.
The in-ear headphones are economical, costing a fraction of the over-the-ear headphone models. While the design might not cancel noise as effectively, they avoid the discomfort of headphones pressing on your outer ear. This will help reduce the risk of injury if another player strikes the headphones or catches them with a hand or forearm.
Battery life is shorter for these headphones, no more than ten hours. This is understandable since space is at a premium for in-ear headphones.
Compared to the competition on this list, the JBL Reflect Mini 2 Wireless In-Ear Sport Headphones have the clearest edge in comfort and security. Since they weigh only half an ounce, you will barely notice you’re wearing them. If one of the earbuds does slip from your ear, the reflective cord will keep it from getting lost.
MASTER & DYNAMIC MW65
The Master & Dynamic MW65 headphones are for audiophiles. If you play sports but have a keen appreciation of sound and music, you will appreciate their exquisite construction and performance. The headphone speakers have 40mm beryllium drives for flawless sound. The dual microphone allows the headphones to play and cancel sound simultaneously.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 headphones succeed in many practical ways as well.
The 24-hour battery life and adapters for in-flight use are particularly helpful. You can charge them over halfway in about 15 minutes. The leather covering for the headphones provides a style and quality look that many other headphone models do not match.
Fidelity is a clear strong point with these headphones. They make a compelling choice if you want to experience every detail of your music without distortion.
The headphones weigh only 8.8 ounces, making them one of the lightest over-the-ear contenders in this review. They are pricier than many other alternatives. However, the extra cost is well worth it for athletes and other customers who pay close attention to sound.
BOSE NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES 700
Like the Master & Dynamic MW65, the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 provide exceptional sound quality. They are a top choice for athletes who need professional-grade active noise canceling. This will help to focus when they play or want the ability to control the acoustics and aesthetic of their music experience.
The advanced technology in the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 gives them virtually unrivaled performance. Bose uses microphones within the earcups and external microphones to achieve precision noise cancelation.
The adjustable EQ built into the headphones allows the user to tailor the sound to meet their expectations. You can fine-tune the noise cancellation levels for times when you want quiet but don’t need total silence.
As with other premier headphones, the battery life and charging speed will not disappoint. The only downside to these headphones is the price. If you’re playing basketball for fun and don’t sweat the finer points of the acoustics, some of the other brands might work for you at a lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best headphones for basketball often feature prominently in the NBA.
What Headphones Do NBA Players Use?
Different NBA players use headphones for many reasons during a game. This can range from preventing crowd noise from breaking their concentration or enabling the athletes to receive guidance and instruction. Many NBA athletes enjoy several genres of music and benefit from music during practice.
Beats by Dre is a sponsor of the NBA, but other brands, including JBL and Skullcandy, also have sponsorship agreements with NBA players.
Is Kyrie Sponsored by Skullcandy?
Skullcandy executives see Kyrie as an ideal athlete for Skullcandy’s brand because of his vitality and interest in music. He signed a deal with them in 2012 and still has their sponsorship over a decade later.
Kyrie’s relationship with Skullcandy is just one of the sponsorships that provide him with over $17 million in revenue.
Conclusion
Our list of the best headphones for basketball includes something for everybody.
By using the headphones the pros use, you can create the ideal conditions that allow you to master the fundamentals of the game or achieve perfect enjoyment at the energy level that is right for you.
