1. The list in brief
2. Our top choice
3. Best battery life
4. Best budget buds
5. Best ANC in-ears
6. Best for the gym
7. Best entry level
8. Buying advice
9. How we test
If you're a fan of classic rock, metal, prog or alternative, you'll know all about Marshall's reputation for their amps and speaker stacks - and the manufacturer has been making headphones for a few year too. They're just as highly rated and offer the same kind of robust sound and build quality that we've come to expect - and as a result, we've picked out the best Marshall headphones for our guide.
In this article, we've got all the top picks, from true wireless earbuds to studio-quality over-ears. As well as filling you in on what each set of headphones offers, including features, battery life and noise cancelling ability, we'll explain what to look for when buying a pair of Marshall headphones, and even navigate you towards the best deals available today.
Paul has spent the past eight years testing and writing about gadgets and technology for the likes of Louder, T3 and TechRadar. He might not have the wealth or the looks of Tony Stark, but when it comes to knowing about the latest cool kit, Paul would surely give Iron-Man a run for his money. As for his musical leanings, Paul likes everything from Weyes Blood to Nirvana. If it's got a good melody, he's on board with it.
Quick list
Louder's top choice
Our top pick in our list of the best Marshall headphones goes to the Marshall Monitor II A.N.C. They feature 40mm drivers to push rock'n'roll into your lugs and the delivery is solid. Noise cancelling is decent and these over-ear headphones are comfortable to wear. They also look the business, while battery life clocks in around the 30-hour mark.
Best battery life
Coming in fast behind our top choice are the Marshall Major IV. Audio is everything you'd expect with from a Marshall product and is perfectly suited for rock. Battery life is fantastic at 80-hours - and that's partially down to the fact they don't have noise cancelling or other bells and whistles. But what you do get in a neat set of headphones that come highly recommended.
Best budget buds
If you're on the hunt for a set of Marshall in-ear headphones on a budget, the Marshall Minor III earbuds are worth a look. Sure, there's no noise cancelling but the touch sensitive controls work well and they sound great. Battery life is around five hours from a full charge, but the charging case bumps that to 20 hours. They're also IPX4 rated so good for outdoor use.
Best ANC in-ears
While I like the Minor III above, if you're after Active Noise Cancellation tech in your earbuds, then the Marshall Motif A.N.C. are the ones to go for. They can be adjusted with their touch sensitive controls, while you can tweak active noise settings via the Marshall app. Audio delivery is decent thanks to their 6mm drivers and they carry an IPX5 rating.
Best for the gym
Unlike the headphones and earbuds above, the Marshall Minor II have a neckband and adjustable loop which makes them a top choice for rocking out while down at the gym. But even if that's not quite your thing, the Minor II deliver excellent audio thanks to their 14.2mm drivers. Battery life is decent too, with 12-hours of audio, making these in-ears worth a closer look.
Best entry level
The Marshall Mode are a great entry level set of in-ear headphones and are available for a brilliant low price. Sure, there are no frills to these wired earbuds, but they're certainly a step up from many similarly priced headphones thanks to their well-balanced sound. They're comfortable too and come recommended if you're looking for a reliable set of cheap cans.
Our top choice
The flagship in Marshall’s Monitor line, these over-ear headphones boast low latency Bluetooth 5.0 and have Google Assistant smart functionality, in addition to fancy noise cancelling tech.
They look and wear great, Marshall’s signature multidirectional control knob managing volume and track control. The headphones fold down into a compact bundle, making it easy to transport them around, while large 40mm drivers inside deliver mighty riffs and a tight yet vicious bass.
In truth, these aren’t the most efficient noise cancellers but the technology is still worth having when you’re on the daily commute.
Battery life is excellent, too, lasting around 30 hours with noise cancelling engaged.
Best battery life
Marshall’s Major IV are a force to be reckoned with. Offering an astounding 80 hours of battery life, with a super-quick charging option for when you do run low, they’ll always be good to go.
Bluetooth is of the v5.0 variety, which largely explains their stamina. Just as well that they’re comfy, with a good on-ear fit. They also fold down stupidly small, making them easy to pop into a pocket or bag. Just be aware than no travel case is supplied.
Sound quality from Marshall’s custom tuned 40mm dynamic drivers is perfect for guitar-orientated rock and driving beats. The real surprise is just how sledge-hammer heavy their bass response is.
They’re dynamic too, which can make them a little sharp at times, but ultimately this is what makes them an exciting listen. Usefully, they also come with the option of a 3.5mm chord, which allows you to share your tracks with any mates who can plug in.
Read our Marshall Major IV review
Best budget buds
If you’re looking for great value True Wireless Marshall earbuds that don’t disappoint, then the Marshall Minor III should be your first port of call. Like the Motif model, they adopt a stick design with touch sensitive controls, but the open-fit design seems a little more comfortable, probably because it’s not trying to accommodate all that noise cancelling gubbins.
Usability is good – one touch controls Play/Pause, two touches will skip you forward. The buds will Auto Pause when you take them from your ears.
The Minor III have a playtime of five hours, with a 20 hour reserve held in the classically styled charging case. The latter works with wireless charging pads, as well as standard USB C. 15 mins of Quick Charging will give you 15 hours on the go.
The Minor III have that distinctly stippled Marshall finish and are IPX4 rated, so you can play out in the rain. More importantly, they use relatively chunky 12mm dynamic drivers, for enhanced bass and the brand’s guitar-friendly mid-range. Bluetooth aptX gives them a sonic edge too.
Best ANC in-ears
The Motif A.N.C. are Marshall’s first True Wireless earbuds to offer Active Noise Cancellation. They also embrace the popular stick design, with touch sensitive controls, one tap to Play/Pause, a long touch to engage noise cancelling and so on. Unfortunately, this can be a little hit and miss.
Battery playtime is a reasonably good 4.5 hours, and there’s 20 hours more in the provided charging case.
The Marshall Motif A.N.C.allow you to select your own level of active noise, via sliders in the accompanying Marshall Bluetooth app. They’re splash proof IPX5-rated too. However the little 6mm dynamic drivers struggle to deliver appreciable bass, which really undermines their hard rockin’ appeal.
Best for the gym
Available in black, white and brown finishes, the Marshall Minor II are cute neckband style wireless buds ideal for those with a predilection for fitness. An ear-fit system with an adjustable loop ensures they’ll stay in place.
This isn’t to say they don’t put an emphasis on performance. The use of Bluetooth aptX signals a better than average listening performance, and the drivers are chunky, at 14.2mm.
Battery Life is limited to around 12 hours, when fully charged. One touch controls Play/Pause, two touches will skip you forward. The buds will Auto Pause when you take them out.
Best entry level
Headphones don’t get any more straightforward than the Marshall Mode. Featuring a rubber-coated tangle resistant chord, these 3.5mm wired earbuds plug straight into your smartphone or dedicated music player - note that L-shaped jack angle - and are good to go.
Of course, there are plenty of cheap wired in-ears to be had, but only the Mode boast the Marshall logo on the cable microphone clip, and distinctive Marshall ‘M’ on the buds. Inside are high output, low distortion drivers, tuned for a smooth mid-range and toppy treble.
Four different size sleeves are included in the pack, so you can ensure a snug, comfortable fit.
Buying advice
Are Marshall headphones good?
A fair question, seeing as Marshall’s focus for decades was guitar amps. The answer is, at least for some models (the ones featured in this guide, basically), very. The brand channels a formidable live music legacy, and that plays a part in how they’re tuned and their distinctive style look. The same goes for Marshall speakers, too.
Marshall’s most obvious competitor in the headphone market is JBL, a brand which also comes with considerable live music credibility. JBL offers a comparable mix of headphone styles, but somehow the Marshall design just feels a little more granular – they get you closer to the stage.
Who owns Marshall Amplification?
Marshall Amplification was was formed in 1962 and remained under family ownership for more than 60 years until March 2023, when they were sold to Swedish speaker manufacturer Zound Industries. Marshall still own a 24% stake in the company, making them the largest shareholders in the newly-titled Marshall Group. The takeover deal covers Marshall Amplification and its subsidiaries Marshall Records, Marshall Live Agency and Natal Drums
Marshall and Zound first collaborated in 2010 in a deal that resulted in Marshall’s range of headphones and Bluetooth speakers.
Speaking about the deal, Terry Marshall said: “Since my father and I created the original Marshall amp back in 1962, we have always looked for ways to deliver the pioneering Marshall sound to music lovers of all backgrounds and music tastes across the world - and I’m confident that the Marshall Group will elevate this mission and spur the love for the Marshall brand.”
Victoria Marshall added: “With Marshall Group, the potential to further impact an ever-modernising music industry is a highly genuine one. Together, we will preserve the Marshall legacy and shape the future of ‘Live Loud’. Having worked alongside my father during his later years, I know he would be excited at this direction and the potential to reach a larger worldwide audience with innovation and passion which he always had in spades.”
How we test
When it comes to testing the best Marshall headphones, we first and foremost took a dive into their audio delivery. As you'd expect with a product carrying the Marshall name, we have high expectations due to their legendary status in the music world and it was the obvious place to start.
We pushed our selection of Marshall headphones through a range of music genres - from bass-heavy bruisers, riff-filled wonders and gentle acoustic pieces to get a proper feel for what they can deliver.
Comfort and battery life (where applicable) have also been taken into consideration. We like listening to expended periods of music and these two factors remain important to take on board. While some of the Marshall headphones in our list have an average battery life from a full charge, their out-of-doors battery usage can be enhanced with chargers.
Ultimately, we want to give you all the info you need to make an informed decision if you're in the market for a pair of Marshall headphones.
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