Wired headphones are back! Here's my pick of 9 rock-solid companions for your MP3 player, portable CD player or cassette player

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By ( Louder ) last updated

It's easy to forget about wired headphones due to the rise in Bluetooth devices, but I've picked out a selection worth a closer look that are both reliable and comfortable

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(Image credit: Future)

With the sheer amount of Bluetooth headphones available and the seeming demise of the humble 3.5mm audio jack on some devices, it's easy to assume that the days of wired headphones is numbered. However, with the resurrection of portable CD players, MP3 players and even cassette players, it's possible that you just might be in the market for a new pair of wired headphones.

I remain a fan, and I still regularly use my precious (and sadly now discontinued) Oppo PM-3 over-ear headphones, which I hook up to my slightly battered 160GB iPod Classic through a portable Oppo HA-2 amp. Wires? Yes, a few - but the sound is wonderful and crystal clear.

Below, you’ll find nine pairs of wired headphones which I think are worth a closer look. Some are wired only, while others have the option to whip out the cable and go fully wireless. The choice is yours. Some of the headphones I’ve chosen might not be the latest models - such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 - but I think they still stand up remarkably well, and as an added bonus, they’re also cheaper to buy.

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Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.

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