Headphones For Big Ears 2023 [8 HUGE Lug Huggers Rated]

As a music lover who has been, shall we say, well endowed in the ear department, I find it can’t always be easy to find comfortable and well fitting headphones.

Headphones for big ears isn’t something that’s normally labelled on the box or listed in the spec. So it can be tricky to find comfortable headphones for large ears.

My aim is to remedy this with this article where we will take a look at seven extra large headphones.

This review will not just simply look at comfort in relation to ear size, but also take into account important factors such as sound and build quality.

Obviously what is considered ‘big ears’ is open to interpretation. However for reference my ear size is approx. 80mm high by 60mm wide, which may help you decide which headphones may suit you.

At A Glance…

What To Look For When Choosing Headphones For Big Ears?

Sometimes it can be that you can just find headphones with the biggest earpads, and these will be fine for big ears.

However more often than not there are other factors to consider.

We looked at these factors in detail in this article. However you may wish to consider the following main areas when choosing such headphones.

Earpads

Consider the padding and also the material used. You want the headphones to be comfortable but breathable at the same time. For example Velour may be a better choice than leather.

Headband

Consider how wide it is and also how much give it had (flexibility). Ear numbness is a sign of the headband being too tight.

Weight

The lighter that the headphones are, generally the more comfortable they will be. Lighter headphones however can often come at the cost of reduced build quality. So make sure you find that balance.

Headphone Type

When speaking in terms of headphone comfort for big ears, generally it is a choice between over-ear and on-ear.

This will be looked at in more detail in the following section…

Over-Ear vs On-Ear?

There is no right or wrong answer in terms of the over-ear or on-ear headphone varieties.

Many will argue that the on-ear headphones generally weigh less so will be more comfortable when worn.

On the other hand others will argue that the larger ear cups of the over-ear style leads to more comfort.

It all comes down to personal preference at the end of the day.

My feeling is, and the general consensus appears to be, that when it comes to headphones for big ears that the over-ear style is reported to be the most comfortable.

I feel this is because the ear pad is spread over a greater area over the ear, whereas with on-ear the pads are generally smaller and focussed on a smaller area of the ear, which can lead to discomfort.

For the purpose of this article we will focus on the over-ear variety.

There are other factors to consider however, such as the flexibility of the head band.

If this is too rigid then the headphones will clamp down in an uncomfortable way, regardless of whether they are over-ear or on-ear.

1/ Sennheiser HD 599 Special Edition (Editor’s Choice)

Pros
Great Sound Quality
Comfortable

Cons
Not For Big Heads

I’ve been a big fan of Sennheiser since I purchased my first pair around 5 years ago.

Those were the Sennhesier HD 205’s and I remember being blown away by the build and sound quality which you got for the price.

When these only recently started to fail on me it was a no-brainer to look to Sennheiser again for my everyday headphones.

After a lot of research I settled on a pair of Sennheiser HD 599’s and…wow…these were something else!

While I had been perfectly happy with my 205’s, the 599’s were on another level.

I’d read originally that padded on ear headphones were the way forward for comfort, but due to my bigger than average head and ears I always felt like the 205’s were clamping my head slightly.

This was mainly due to the headband size and ear pads covering a smaller area on my ears.

The over ear style of the 599’s remedied this immediately.

“After a lot of research I settled on a pair of Sennheiser HD 599’s and…wow…these were something else!”

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

The inner size of the pads is 70 mm high x 40 mm wide, which encompasses the majority of my ears, with only the top parts of my helix (the top part of the outer ear) resting under the pads.

The generous outer measurements of 115 mm x 85 mm encompass the rest of my ears fully.

Pros

Firstly the depth you get to the sound with the 599’s is amazing.

The bass is noticeably punchy but also compressed nicely thanks to Sennhesier’s E.A.R. (‘Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement’) Technology.

Secondly is the comfort. I would say these are one of the most comfortable sets of headphones I’ve ever worn.

This is down to the large oval shaped ear pads which should cover even the most ample ears.

Also the headband generously flexes depending on the size of your head.

Finally the velour covered ear cushions give that cushioned feel but feel more breathable than say leather pads.

It’s nice to feel a set of headphones which I feel are adapting to the shape of my head, rather than clamping my head to adjust my skull to the shape of the headphones!

The ear pads are also swappable.

I have worn these for over an hour before any signs of feeling too warm, so these are good for those long listening or gaming sessions.

Cons

There’s nothing major I can complain about with these.

In terms of sound these become slightly bass heavy at higher volume levels, and the bass can dominate the sound stage somewhat.

I would not recommend these headphones for large heads, as people with larger heads will find these headphones clamp somewhat.

Finally I will say that some will likely find that the ear pads are not padded enough.

This comes down to personal preference as I personally don’t like the feel of overly big padded ear pads.

If you do however then perhaps check out the AKG K702’s which are reviewed below.

2/ Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (Best Budget Studio Headphones)

Pros
Most Comfortable Studio Headphones
Good For Large Ears and Glasses Wearers

Cons
Rigid Headband

Beyerdynamic is one of the oldest and most revered audio companies in the world today.

And with that experience comes the reputation of being one of those companies that can do no wrong with it’s products.

Picking up two awards at last years What Hi-Fi Awards you can be sure you’re always picking up a quality audio device when you pick Beyerdynamic.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO – The most comfortable studio headphones?

The first thing that drew me to these is the lovely plush velour ear pads.

These soft, adjustable ear cups ensure great comfort for extended periods.

The inner dimensions for the ear pads are approx. 60 mm x 60 mm, so the fit is snug, but not too snug, and a good fit for even the largest of ears.

If you are looking for maximum headphone comfort in the studio then look no further.

These headphones come in different versions with different ohm ratings.

As a guide the lower the number, the more general use the headphones become.

80ohms is good for general use with devices and basic studio use, but go for the 250 ohm versions for studio mixing.

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

With an outer ear pad size of 130mm x 130mm the DT 770 PRO’s boast some of the largest ear pads on the market.

With an inner measurement of 60mm X 60mm most ears should fit comfortably within the dimensions of these headphones.

Pros

Punchy bass and a crisp sound through the entire sound range.

These deliver smooth, clear sounding top end frequencies, with a somewhat subdued midrange.

These headphones do tend to favour the lower frequencies, but give a great frequency balance overall.

The insulated ear pads ensure reduced sound leakage and are also swappable.

Many owners also report these as being good headphones for glasses.

Cons

The headband on these is somewhat rigid, so these headphones may not have as much give as other similar headphones on the market.

This may be a consideration for users with slightly wider heads.

3/ Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series I) (Best Wireless Headphones Under $400)

Pros
Outstanding Noise Cancellation
Bluetooth & NFC Pairing

Cons
Good Sound But Could Be Improved

Like many of the brands in this article Bose needs no introduction.

With the Bose QuietComfort 35 line Bose are going for the crown of best wireless noise cancelling headphones.

Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series I) – The Best Wireless Headphones Under $400?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series I) have been around for a while now, and have even been superseded by the Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II).

Unfortunately due to many reports of issues with Bluetooth connectivity with the Series II, the Series I still remains the best wireless noise cancelling headphones from Bose.

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

The oval shaped pads here offer an inner height of 70 mm with an inner width of 50 mm.

This makes for a generous outer height and width of 120 mm x 100 mm.

Pros

You will buy these for the noise cancelling, and rightfully so.

These headphones cancel out over 20db of background noise.

The headband is extremely comfortable and flexible, and it comes with soft leather ear cushions.

The buttons on the headset are easy to identify and operate just from touch.

A nice touch is that when you turn these on it tells you the battery percentage which is left.

The Series I has great battery life (20 hrs wireless and 40 hrs wired) and comes with a sturdy carry case to boot.

Cons

Sound quality is great but nothing spectacular, and is on par with many other headphones in it’s class.

The bass is solid, and all the other ranges are nice and warm but you may find yourself expecting more for the price.

These have however come down in price recently from their original retail price, so check the latest price here.

4/ Sennheiser HD 660 S – Hires Audiophile Open Back Headphones

(Most Comfortable  Open Back Headphones)

Pros
Superior Comfort
Excellent Audio Reproduction

Cons
Some Sound Leakage

If you are music enthusiast looking for the best at-home headphones there’s no doubt that you are going to love these Sennheiser HD 660 S.

Sennheiser has been in the business of offering high-end audio components for over 70 years. And their prowess in this art has only gotten better.

Here we will look at a great pair of large headphones from the Sennheiser 600 series, the HD 660S – a successor to the highly acclaimed HD 650. Let’s dive straight in!

Sennheiser HD 660 S – TheMost Comfortable Open Back Headphones?

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

With inner pad measurements of 60mm x 50mm, and outer measurements of 108mm x 81mm, these headphones will be big enough for most ears.

The thick, oval shaped pads are great at matching the natural shape of many larger ears.

Pros

With the latest entry to the HD 600 series, your comfort is guaranteed. Every feature of the HD 660 S is designed with your comfort at heart.

Firstly the headphones are incredibly light with the weight being spread evenly across your head.

The earpads are thick, large, and well-cushioned. And the headphones fit perfectly in heads of all sizes.

Even if you are in the minority who find these headphones a little snug, any tightness will reduce after a week or so.

You can comfortably wear these headphones for hours. Sit back, relax, and enjoy an amazing listening experience with unmatched comfort.

In terms of sound quality, you can forget the usually mediocre sound from other headphones at this price point.

These headphones are designed as the perfect choice for your home studio or gaming needs.

With a wide frequency response rate of 10 to 41kHz, every sound tune is detailed and crisp.

The bass is decent and the mid-range tunes are excellent. The low impedance of 150 -ohms allows you to efficiently use your headset with your mobile devices or high-end home devices.

What’s more, the sound is distortion-free, thanks to the latest transducers.

The overall sound is more refined, natural, and more detailed than in previous headphones in the 600 series.

The bass is perfect, mid-range is rich, and the treble is perfectly expressed. Clearly, the HD 660 S is a real ear charmer.

The modern elegant design sets the 660 S apart from its predecessors in the 600 series.

The HD 660 S has a unique matt black finishing that gives it a premium look.

And to make them appear even more elegant, the ear cups are padded with quality microfiber-like material.

It isn’t just about the looks with the HD 660 S however, this is also a well-built open back pair of headphones.

The headband frame for example is made from a high-quality plastic.

The connection cables are removable and easily replaceable if needed.

Cons

As with many open back headphones sound leakage is an issue.

Also there is no noise cancellation with the 660 S.

Also, you may find initially that the headband is somewhat rigid on initial use. However this will likely give over time.

5/ Audio-Technica WS1100is (Best Headphones For Bass and Sound Quality)

Pros
Outstanding Bass
Great Build Quality

Cons
Noncollapsible

Next from Audio-Technica we have one for the bassheads.

The incredible level of bass that is achieved on the WS1100is is down to the design of the ear pads. Firstly the ear pads are 53mm deep, which combined with the large surface area of the pads helps air movement within the pads to help produce a rich and textured bass sound.

Enhanced audio clarity is achieved through Audio-Technica’s new Extra Bass Venting System. Vents are positioned to promote air movement inside the housings, which enhances the bass sound further.

Audio-Technica WS1100is  – The Best Headphones For Bass and Sound Quality?

This would lead you to believe that these headphones would suffer from sound leakage. But thanks to the dual-layer earpads, excellent sound isolation is achieved with amazing comfort to boot.

Clear mid-to-high frequencies are achieved through an aluminium stabilizer ring in each ear pad. These also help with unwanted vibrations.

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

The WS1100is offers impressive 80 mm x 55 mm inner dimensions and 130 mm x 100 mm outer.

Ample coverage for most audiophiles.

Pros

I really liked how innovative the technology was behind these, and I was fascinated by how the bass is achieved through the venting system.

These come with large comfy ear pads and the padded headband further adds to the comfort.

Perfect for bass heavy music but superb audio quality across all frequencies. The bass isn’t too overpowering either and strikes the right balance with the other frequencies whilst still favouring the lower frequencies.

The high frequencies have a nice warm sound, the mid range takes a back seat somewhat though in order to accommodate the bass. These headphones sound great over a number of music genres, from hip hop, trap to rock and roll.

A great design and I especially love the metallic logo on the earphones. The in-line mic and control lets you answer calls and handle media playback on your smartphone or other portable device.

The build quality feels solid as there are lots of metal parts to this rather than being predominately plastic like a lot of headphones.

Cons

Nothing to really complain about with these. The only real point I can personally complain about is the box refers to these as portable headphones but these are noncollapsible.

6/ AKG K702 (Extra Large Over Ear Headphones)

Pros
Comfiest Headphones for Large Ears
Lightweight

Cons
Some Noise Leakage

The K7 series from AKG are renowned for being quality premium headphones with a great track record.

With interior earpad sizes of 68mm high and 73mm wide the AKG K702 boasts some of the largest earpads available on a pair of over ear headphones.

AKG K702 – The Best Extra Large Over Ear Headphones?

There are other headphone pads which will be slightly taller or wider, but this usually comes at the expense of the other dimension (i.e. if you go taller you will almost certainly get a narrower width). The K702s have a nice large circular style cup, which is why we have voted them as the best extra large over ear headphones.

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

With inner dimensions of 70 mm x 70 mm and outer of 130 mm x 130 mm these headphones offer the largest ear pads in our review.

There is also an impressive amount of thickness to the 3D foam pads which provide maximum comfort.

Pros

The specially shaped 3D foam ear pads and leather headband ensure the perfect fit. The headband automatically slides to the shape of your head, so no more noisy notches or fiddling with each side when adjusting the fit as on normal headphones.

As for the sound, these have a nice wide soundstage. And the revolutionary flat-wire technology does provide a nice punchy bass and nice highs.

These can be worn for a long time if you are using them as reference headphones. The K702’s are also surprisingly lightweight given the size of the ear pads.

Cons

These are open back headphones, so inevitably there is some noise leakage. However this isn’t particularly an issue, unless you plan on taking them into the workplace.

These are also at the end of the day reference headphones, so if you’re listening to music there are better headphones out there for this. This isn’t a flaw however by any means and the overall sound is still great with these.

7/ Philips Audio SHP9500 (Best Budget Over Ear Headphones)

Pros
Well Balanced Sound
Great Value
Durable

Cons
Ear Pads Could Have Been Replaceable

Are you searching for an affordable, yet durable headphones for every-day use?

Then comprehensive Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo over-ear headphones may be for you!

Philips Audio SHP9500 – The Best Budget Over Ear Headphones?

Enjoy an incredible listening experience with these headphones from Philips.

The overall sound is excellent, plus they are extremely comfortable. You can use the SHP9500 to easily listen to music or play games for hours without hurting your ears.

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

The oval shaped pads have a top to bottom measurement of 110mm on the outside, and 80mm on the inside.

In terms of the width, the outer measurement is 90mm, with inner being 50mm.

Pros

The Philips SHP9500 offer a crisp and well-balanced sound.

These headphones have wowed many hi-fi enthusiasts with their performance, and the audio is reproduced with great accuracy to give an incredible listening experience.

The trebles are detailed, middles are excellent, and the bass sits just right, making for a great balance overall across the ranges.

Whether you are using these headphones for gaming or casual listening, vocal clarity is assured.

In terms of performance, the SHP9500 has large 50mm drivers, and a wide frequency response range of 12 – 35kHz.

They have a relatively low impedance of 32 ohms and a maximum power rating of 200mW.

Combined with a sensitivity rating of 101dB, these Philips headphones produce a crisp and detailed sound.

How comfortable are the Philips SHP9500? Well they have been specially designed to give the utmost comfort to all.

They have a soft headband cushion, which is reinforced with a double layer for maximum comfort. And that’s not all…

The earcups are large and completely breathable. So you’ll enjoy a great, comfy, and uninterrupted listening experience for hours.

What’s more, the steel band is easy to adjust and can fit any head shape and size perfectly.

Also, the drivers in these headphones have been engineered and angled to fit the ear’s natural geometry.

You don’t have to worry about durability when it comes to these headphones.

Philips’ SHP9500 are some of the most well-made open back headphones available at this price point.

Overall, they feel and look good.

With a steel self-adjusting headband and well-padded earcups, these headphones will likely last you for years.

You will find they are strong enough to withstand a few falls, and a little mishandling.

Cons

Although extremely comfortable, if you do not like the included earpads it is quite difficult to change them for different ones.

In fact the earpads on the SHP9500 were not meant to be changed, however there are users who have posted guides online explaining how to do this.

Also, if you are searching for headphones with booming bass, you may need to consider using an external amp with these.

8/ Beyerdynamic CUSTOM Game Gaming Headset (Gaming Headset For Big Ears)

Pros
Excellent Mic & Audio
Comfortable

Cons
Mic Built Into Cable

Our second Beyerdynamic headset featured in this article, the Custom Game headset from Beyerdynamic is a next-generation interactive gaming headset.

How Big Are The Ear Pads?

Pros