Who likes the whispering and tingling sensations induced by ASMR?!
Well, I do.
After the daily routine monotonous tasks, everyone needs some way to reduce the stress from their lives. Some find the relaxation in meditation, yoga and/or listening to some soothing music.
ASMR, on the other hand, has already turned heads. People who were having difficulty sleeping after a tiring day at work found their comfort and relaxation by listening to ASMR.
As more and more people became aware of ASMR, a wave of ASMR channels on YouTube flourished. We can now see channels on ASMR including slime, tingling videos, gentle drumming ASMR videos, whispering, and many more!
But to do justice with ASMR, you got to have the best pair of ASMR headphones/earbuds.
And we are writing this article specifically to those who want to experience the most out of this relatively new phenomenon.
Firstly, we are going to enlist some best headband ASMR headphones that you can use at night before sleeping. After that, we have listed some of the best noise-cancelling ASMR headphones and lastly, we have included Best Earbuds for ASMR!
If you want to check out the headphones before reading our buyers’ guide to Best ASMR Earbuds, we have provided a comparison table below for your convenience.
Name | Features | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
BOSE QuietComfort 20
|
•Outstanding Noise-Cancellation •StayHear+ tips provide exceptional comfort •2-hour charge time •16 hours of playtime •Wired | View Price | |
Shure SE215-CL-BT1
|
•Sound-isolation •up to 10 hours of playtime •Wireless | View Price | |
Panasonic RPHS46EW
|
•Earhook design provides greater comfort •Cheaper price •Good for sleeping on one side | View Price | |
Maxrock Soft Silicone
|
•Sound-isolation •Cheaper price | View Price | |
ATECH Ultra-Flexible Earbuds
|
•Flexible •built-in microphone •Snug-fit design •Cheaper price | View Price | |
LetsFit Wireless In-Ear Earbuds
|
•3D Bass •Bluetooth 5.0 •IPX5 Water resistance •Light-weight •Wireless | View Price | |
1MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds
| •up to 7 hours of playtime •Fast charging (3hours on 15 mins charge) | View Price |
If you are new to ASMR I would advise you to have a look at our buyers’ guide at the end, so that you have all the knowledge you need to know which will help you to make an informed decision before buying the best headphones for ASMR.
Table of Contents
Why do you need the Best Earbuds for ASMR?
Popular ASMR Artists use some of the best ASMR Microphones and Cameras to record their videos. To do justice with that audio quality, you got to have the best pair of earbuds at your disposal!
How to find your ASMR Trigger?
The easiest way to find which trigger works best for you is to EXPERIENCE all of them. Because without experiencing it, there is no way of telling if you would get the chills or tingling experience or not. You have to experience it.
For most people, it is easier to find their ASMR trigger which generates a tingling experience in their head and spine. While some find it pretty hard to find the right trigger for them. The first thing that should be clear that ASMR Triggers have nothing to do with your sexuality. Experiencing ASMR is different from any sexual act. However, many erotic voices may generate a tingling experience for them but the vice-versa is not usually true.
Best Earbuds for ASMR 2021 Recommendations
1- BOSE QuietComfort 20 Acoustic – Comfortable In-Ear Earbuds for ASMR
Key Features
BOSE has become a synonym of quality in the audio industry especially in making speakers as well as earphones.
Their state-of-the-art inventions have made a huge impact in the audio business. Similar is the case with their QuietComfort 20.
Although, the earphones may look pretty small, believe me their quality is UNMATCHED.
BOSE QC20 provides all the things necessary for a good pair of ASMR earbuds.
The noise-cancelling technology reduces the outdoor unwanted noise, their StayHear+ tips enhance comfort and provide stability. The battery lasts up to 16 hours with 2 hours of charge time. There are undoubtedly one of the best noise-cancelling earbuds available in the market!
QC20 provides phenomenal sound quality and a sense of deep bass which adds to one’s ASMR experience greatly.
Once you switch on the NC mode, everything else goes in silent mode and you can enjoy your music without any interrupts.
As the name suggests, BOSE QuietComfort 20 is really “quiet” and “comfortable” than most of the other earbuds out there. Once you add a touch of noise-cancellation; things go just as you would like them to be. These are probably the best in-ear noise-cancelling earbuds for both sleeping and ASMR.
2- Shure SE215-CL-BT1 Wireless Noise-Isolating Earbuds for ASMR
Key Features
Shure SE215 comes in both wireless and wired. We are going to review the wireless version here to give you a set of diversified options. You can check out the wired option here.
Shure SE215 are sound-isolating earbuds that function in a slightly different manner than the noise-cancellation technology. However, the aim of both technologies is to reduce unwanted outside noise.
SE215 are light-weight, comfortable with nozzles specifically designed to rest comfortably on the ears. It features BlueTooth 4.1 compatibility and connects seamlessly with other gadgets.
The battery lasts up to 8-10 hours, long enough to last the night.
In short, Shure SE215 is ‘surely’ (get it?) the best pair of noise-isolating earbuds out there for ASMR and they will surely enhance your tingling experience.
3- Panasonic RPHS46EW Earhook Earbuds
Key Features
If you don’t like the design of in-ear earbuds, then worry not. Panasonic with its RPHS46EW Earhook Earbuds has got you covered.
The ear hook design makes this pair extremely comfortable. In fact, these are worth buying for those people who tend to sleep on one side. The Earhooks provides great cushioning for your ears to rest the whole night without getting pain.
This is the main reason which makes them quite useful for listening to ASMR overnight.
RPHS46EW are quite cheap earphones in terms of price and they may not last long for you. The build quality is not so great.
But if you are looking for a comfortable pair of earbuds to use for 3-4 months, then you are good to go for these. The price is just under $15. You can’t get anything better and more comfortable than this in such a short price range.
4- Maxrock Soft Silicone In-Ear ASMR Earphones
Key Features
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Maxrock Soft Silicone is the best earbuds out there for side-sleepers and those who are tired of their snoring partner.
These earbuds are tailor-made for listening to white-noise or other ASMR audio as they provide phenomenal comfort. The interior is made of squishy silicone and you can sleep on one side at night without worrying about your ear getting sore.
Another great feature is that they are noise-isolating earbuds, perfectly made to block out unwanted background noises like snoring or TV sound.
As far as their sound quality is concerned, it features a 5mm flat speaker that lacks bass but works pretty well for most tingling and whispering videos.
All in all, considering such a short price point, the earbuds deliver outstanding comfort and high-quality sound making them a go-to choice for those looking for cheap earbuds for ASMR.
5- ATECH Ultra-Flexible ASMR Earbuds
Key Features
ATECH Sleeping and ASMR Earbuds are ultra-flexible and are also made up of silicone.
It offers a great deal of noise-cancellation considering their price point. Another good thing about ATECH Earbuds is that it also features a built-in microphone, which can come pretty handy sometimes.
They are light-weight and comfy, offering a snug-fit design so you can use these for straight long 8 hours without getting your ear sore. They are designed to fit even for small ears, and for side sleepers.
Offer great sound quality and clarity, which is quite needed for whispering ASMR to take effect on you. You can also use these for listening to White-noise or some podcasts at night.
In short, this pair of earbuds by ATECH excels in comfort and sound clarity department.
I mean, for a price range of just under $10, What more do you expect?!
6- LetsFit Wireless In-Ear ASMR Earbuds with 3D Bass
Key Features
LetsFit with its Wireless Earbuds offers some pretty handy features.
First of all, it features a 3D Bass through which you can appreciate even the tiniest details of an ASMR video. Moreover, its 5.8mm dynamic speakers deliver high-quality sound thus enhancing the audio details.
It features BlueTooth 5.0 having the capability to automatically connect to your last paired device.
If you are the one who sweats a lot while sleeping at night, LetsFit offers IPX5 water resistance which protects from water jets in any direction.
You can also use these earbuds for the gym.
One thing I really liked about LetsFit is their light-weight and ergonomic fit. They rest quite comfortably on your ears and you can wear them for hours and hours without having the slightest of pain.
This combined with their battery time and 3D Bass feature makes them quite useful earbuds for listening to ASMR.
7- 1MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds
Key Features
1MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds feature soft silicone ear tips and hooks.
However, 1MORE has not exclusively marked it as noise-isolating earbuds, yet it still boasts that they are capable of blocking out mild outside noise.
The earbuds come with 3 different sizes of ear tips, so you can choose which fits the best in your ears.
The battery life is also fairly good if not the best, providing 6-7 hours of non-stop playtime. I think it is pretty much enough if you are just going to use it to listen to ASMR at night.
However, its battery life is pretty short as compared to BOSE QC20 or other earbuds but it ekes out by including the battery case which is capable of charging the earbuds three times. Another great feature is a fast charge, capable of charging the earbuds to last 3 hours on 15 minutes charge.
The sound quality from the titanium-made diaphragm and 7mm speakers is phenomenal. The ear tips are comfortable as well. In short, it is surely one of the Best Earbuds for ASMR.
Next up we are going to discuss the actual high-quality headphones available in the market for ASMR.
Best Headphones for ASMR 2021 Recommendations
Name | Features | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
AcousticSheep Bluetooth SleepPhones Wireless
|
•Wireless •Headband •Battery lasts up to 10 hours | View Price | |
Voerou Bluetooth Sleeping Eye Mask Wireless Headphone
|
•Wireless •Headband •Battery lasts up to 8 to10 hours | View Price | |
AcousticSheep SleepPhones Classic
|
•Wired •Headband | View Price | |
CozyPhones Sleep Headphones
|
•Wired •Headband | View Price | |
|
|||
Bose QuietComfort 35
|
•Bose AR (Augmented Reality) Support •Battery lasts up to 20 hours •3-level noise cancellation •Wireless | View Price | |
Sony WH1000XM3
|
•Quick Attention Mode •Touch Control •Battery lasts up to 30 hours •Fast Charge | View Price | |
COWIN E7
|
•Both Wireless and Wired Mode •90 degrees rotatable earcups •Battery lasts up to 30 hours •Cheaper Price | View Price | |
Sennheiser HD 558
|
•Not Noise-cancelling/isolating instead sound reflecting •Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement for clarity | View Price | |
AKG K240
|
•Best for listening to music instruments ASMR | View Price |
We have separated this list into two sections.
The first section (#1 to #4) contains the headband ASMR headphones that you can wear like a headband at night before sleeping and listen to ASMR comfortably.
The second section (#5 to #9) contains the other traditional-styled high-quality noise-cancelling headphones for listening to ASMR in the best way possible.
As I have stated above if you are looking for a pair of headphones to use at night for 8-10 hours while sleeping, then you should opt for headband ASMR headphones. The headphones mentioned below are hand-picked by us. We have considered the comfort, price, sound quality, and portability they provide before reviewing them here.
Without further delay, let’s review each product in detail.
1- AcousticSheep SleepPhones Classic Review (Wired)
SleepPhones by AcousticSheep come in two different fabrics; fleece and breeze. If you live in a hot climate then you should opt for the breeze one otherwise fleece is good to go.
Both of the variants boast two phenomenal 4mm flat speakers along with superior quality fabric. They provide great sound quality. The fabric itself is breathable, super comfortable and soft, and also stretchy. The headphones are wired and the length of the wire is around 48” inches.
SleepPhones are the best headphones for those who sleep on one side.
SleepPhones come in many different colours like black, blue, gray, etc.
In short, this is the best ASMR headphones that you can get for sleeping that too in such a short price ($$).
2- CozyPhones Sleep Headphones Review
If you are short on the budget and still disturbed by your snoring partner, or still want to reduce stress by listening to some soothing ASMR video at night or on a flight, then CozyPhones Sleep Headphones would prove to be the right choice for you.
COZ, they deliver what they promise, get it?
CozyPhones feature flat headphones, perfectly made to reduce the ear pain that you can have by using other in-ear headphones. It features a 52-inch cable, long enough to provide comfort and removes the worries of having short wire problems.
The fabric is made up of fleece and it has a proper mesh lining, which keeps it cool and breathable. Moreover, it helps the headband to stay in place while you turn in bed.
In short, this is the best bang for buck ASMR headphones which gives the performance at par with the more premium AcousticSheep Classic Headband.
3- AcousticSheep Bluetooth SleepPhones Wireless Review– Best Bluetooth Headphones for Sleep and ASMR
Just like its predecessor Classic SleepPhones, the Wireless SleepPhones come in two fabrics; fleece and moisture-wicking breeze.
You can connect a pair of Wireless SleepPhones using the Bluetooth technology to your phone, laptop or to any other BT gadget. This makes this pair ultra-portable and comfortable at the same time.
AcousticSheep Wireless SleepPhones has a Bluetooth range of about 15-30 feet and the package already contains a USB charger having the capability to fully charge your dying headband in around 3 hours. The battery lasts up to 8-10 hours when fully charged. Thus, you will have to start charging your headband 3 hours before your sleep if you consider using it before sleeping.
The headband is safer to use and blocks out the ambient noise hence adding to the comfort, pleasure, and most of all “sound-quality”.
Undoubtedly, AcousticSheep Bluetooth Wireless SleepPhones have proved to be the best headphones for ASMR, sleeping, for people sleeping on one side or those who have to sleep with their snorer partner.
4- Voerou Bluetooth Sleeping Eye Mask Wireless Headphone
I am not going to leave you alone with the premium-priced AcousticSheep, but I am going to introduce you to another pair of Bluetooth Wireless Headphones by Voerou.
This headphones cum eye-mask is the best option available out there for people suffering from insomnia, sleeplessness, or for the side sleepers looking for a comfortable pair of headphones.
The headphones are cheap only in terms of price. These Voerou headphones use Bluetooth technology to connect to your phone or laptop or to any other BT device.
Voerou claims that the thickness of the sides is 1/3rd of the thickness of regular speakers which makes them a pretty go-to choice for side sleepers. On one side it also contains control buttons for adjusting volume and turning the set on or off. The battery is charged in under 3 hours and provides up to 8 hours of playtime, just like the premium headband by AcousticSheep.
The eyeshade is made up of velvet and cotton, provide comfort for the eyes to help sleep better at night. Furthermore, the headphones block out unwanted noise and readily washable.
If you are genuinely looking for a 2-in-1 package, it can’t get any better than Voerou Bluetooth Eye Mask Headphones. With being Wireless and having good if not great sound quality, Voerou surely deserves a place in our list.
Here we conclude our first section. Now, let’s move on to the next section of Best Noise-Cancelling ASMR Headphones 2021
In this section, we are going to discuss some of the best noise-cancelling headphones for ASMR in 2021. These are some retro-styled headphones but equipped with the latest Noise-cancellation technology. The reason for having a noise-cancelling headset is that ASMR requires complete quietness.
Sometimes while traveling on an airplane the jet noise annoys the most while sleeping or just casually listening to music. Other headphones just don’t readily block out the noises. Only the headphones equipped with this technology can prove to be more beneficial in such noisy environments.
Moreover, these sturdy looking headphones have far more great quality speakers than other headphones. Some premium quality circuitry used surely gives them an edge over the other headband headphones.
Let’s have a look at each product in detail…
5- Bose QuietComfort 35
I don’t want to waste your precious time by reviewing other cheaper headphones before the best one so far – “BOSE QuietComfort 35”.
Durability, superior sound quality, premium circuitry, long battery life… I can go on listing the features this little beast has got.
For the price range of under $400, this premium set of headphones surely makes your money worth every bit of it.
Bose QC35 provides 3 levels of noise cancellation. The battery lasts up to 20 hours when fully charged. It also contains built-in access to Alexa which you can use to access information or change music or anything that comes to your mind.
You can also upgrade to Bose AR (Augmented Reality) using Bose Connect app, which provides an auditory augmented reality experience.
Bose QC35 provides a one-stop-shop for all your musical dreams. You can listen to podcasts, music, ASMR, and what not. You can hear the tiniest of details and the tingling sensations you will get from this pair are UNMATCHED!
Although it is a bit pricier, it is worth every penny!
6- COWIN E7 Active Noise Cancellation Bluetooth Headphones
Cowin E7 is probably one of the best affordable Bluetooth Noise-cancelling headphones out there in the market. It features an active noise-cancelling technology having the capability to work in both wired and wireless modes. E7 seamlessly blocks out unwanted noise; be it airplane jet noise, busy cafe noise, or office noise, and makes you focused on what you want to listen to.
The reason for mentioning Cowin E7 as an ASMR headphone is because of its price and quality.
It provides crisp and high-quality sound and also has a built-in microphone. The Protein Earcaps along with 90 degrees rotatory earcups provide enough durability and comfort. The battery time is phenomenal; up to 30 hours meaning you can enjoy them for 5-6 hours every day for 5-6 days straight without charging them once.
Cowin advises the users to take off the headphones every 2-3 hours to get your ears relaxed and keeping the head comfortable. This makes them useful only for listening to ASMR or some other music in the middle of the day while trying to take a nap.
If you ask me, you can not get any better noise-cancelling headphones under this price range offering the same quality as E7. They are comfortable, durable, provide high-quality sound, and most of all “cheaper”; what more do you want?
7- Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sony WH1000XM3 is said to be a direct competitor of Bose QuietComfort 35.
Both have almost the same price tag and offers up-to-the-mark premium sound quality. Instead of discussing the in-depth details of Sony WH1000XM3, I am going to point out the subtle differences between the two.
Apart from providing ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) WH1000XM3 also provides a number of other useful features such as “Quick Attention Mode”, using which you can cover the right ear cup of the headphones for a quick volume down option making it easier to listen to the other person speaking to you without taking off the headphones. This is a quite useful feature to have.
WH1000XM3 provides touch control features, absent in Bose QC35. It allows for easier sound control and to use of voice-assistant like Alexa, Bixby, or Siri just like QC35. The headphones work for up to 30 hours. The most exceptional feature is the fast charge. You can get up to 5 hours of playtime with just 10 minutes of charging. This is really a cool feature to have.
Both headphones have pros and cons over one another. Sony’s WH1000XM3 excels in providing crisp highs and deeper bass, while QC35 is light-weight and more comfortable. WH1000XM3 provides easy-to-use navigation, while QC35 is better for attending phone-calls.
In the end, it all comes down to you. Do you consider extra features important or you are only looking for comfort? Well, if you decide the latter, then QC35 is your best bet!
Time to have a look at some of the traditional styled ASMR headphones.
Note: The below-mentioned headphones are NOT noise-canceling or noise-isolating. However, some other features have made us review them here.
8- Sennheiser HD-558 Headphones
Since its arrival in the market 60 years ago, Sennheiser has always been making quality headphones. HD-558 is no different.
Sennheiser HD 558 features an E.A.R. (Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement) technology to achieve phenomenal sound accuracy and clarity. It features an internal sound reflector which does wonders listening to ASMR. This internal sound reflector creates an extended spatial sound field which enhances the listener’s ASMR experience by making the tingling or brushing sounds appear to come from a distance. This is the main advantage of using HD558 to listen to ASMR.
I would not advise buying HD 558 if you spend most of your time in a noisy environment as it provides no noise-isolation or cancellation. Otherwise, the headphones are comfortable to wear for hours, provide exceptional sound quality, and even better ASMR experience.
9- AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open Over-Ear Professional Studio Headphones
AKG K240 provides extremely detailed mids and crisp highs. This is the main reason for recommending them for ASMR.
AKG K240 are basically used as Studio Headphones. Studio Headphones carry flatter frequency response and provide clear sound quality, better than other headphones.
This quality makes AKG K240 far more superior than any other headphones to listen to ASMR guitar, ASMR drums or cymbals, percussive tapping, or any other instrumental ASMR. K240 lacks in providing thumping bass but that is okay as you don’t require much bass listening to soothing voices or white-noise.
There is no sound-isolation present but their flatter frequency response and capability of providing the tiniest and pristine details of ASMR sound make them a great choice for ASMR.
Factors to Consider Before Buying ASMR Headphones/Earbuds
The following are some of the things which should be kept in mind before buying a pair of ASMR headphones. These terms vary with the type of headphones; in-ear, on-ear, over-ear.
The three designs that we have mentioned above are Headband headphones, Over-ear headphones and earbuds.
ASMR and Sleeping go hand in hand.
Most of the buyers buy earphones or earbuds for listening to ASMR at night to help them sleep.
Most of them have insomnia, sleeplessness, while some of them are just tired of their snoring partner.
We have considered it all before reviewing our products and making this guide. This guide will surely ease you out in making your purchase.
Now without further adieu, let’s get right into the details…
Portability
The first thing to consider in the headphones is “Portability”. If you are planning to go on a trip or just casually walking on the street, can you easily take the headphones with yourself?
In-ear headphones work best while listening to music or ASMR on the go, but to if you want a more immersive experience then I think you should go for the headband headphones or the more traditional set of headphones.
Headband headphones come in wired and wireless. Wireless ones are the best to sleep at night on one side, without having the fear of the wire getting tangled in your neck.
While the more heavy-duty noise-cancelling headphones are the best to listen to ASMR while lying on the couch in the mid of the day and having a nap. They are less suitable for the night’s sleep.
For earbuds,
the weight of almost all earbuds is minimal but still, you can have certain reservations on that. Usually, earbuds weigh only up to 6-8 ounces. You have to keep that in mind.
Comfort
Portability and Comfort are the two must-haves things you should look for in the headphones. You can’t just ignore either one of them.
If the headphones are portable but they fail to provide comfort, then they are good to nothing.
While listening to ASMR for sleeping, comfort comes first. Hence, you should read as many reviews, about the product you like on the internet, as possible.
The general things you should consider related to comfort is that they should be adjustable, fit best to your head, the headband headphones should be made of breathable material.
Wired or Wireless
The next thing to consider is if you want a wired or a wireless pair of ASMR headphones.
Both have advantages and disadvantages over one another.
The wired ones are generally cheaper than the wireless ones. But the wireless ones are far more portable than the wired ones. Similarly, you need to charge the wireless ones after some usage. Hence, you might want to consider the battery time of the Bluetooth ASMR headphones as well.
However, if you are looking for headphones to listen to ASMR at night, then I think you should go for the wireless headband headphones. But if you are not disturbed by the wire while sleeping, then surely the wired and cheaper one could be a better option.
Noise Cancellation or Isolation
Most of the good quality headsets come with built-in noise cancellation and or noise-isolation.
If you want a quality experience, then your best bet lies in buying a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
The reason why ASMR works best with noise-cancellation headphones is that ASMR requires calmness and a quieter environment.
And none other headphones provide this except the top-notch noise-cancelling headphones tailor-made for situations like these.
For earbuds, though the case is a bit different.
The sound quality of earbuds is more than just average. But due to their snug-fit design, some people don’t usually like it.
The sound quality of different earbuds vary.
The math is simple.
The higher the price of the earbuds; the greater the life, durability, comfort, and quality will be.Price
As you are well aware of the saying that
“Money is everything”,
well, the same is the case here.
Although your budget puts a great constraint on other things as well, we have still placed it after all the other things.
For beginners, I would advise them to go for the cheaper wired versions of headband headsets like AcousticSheep.
But if you have more budget in hand then the wireless headband AcousticSheep is the best one yet in the market.
You can also opt for the pricier noise-cancelling headphones to get the most out of ASMR videos and have the best experience possible.
Battery Timing OR Cord Length
If you have decided to go for wireless earbuds, you might want to check out its battery timing as well.
Most of the high-quality earbuds/headphones have their battery time lasting up to 20 hours.
For those who wants to buy a wired pair, wire length is important.
Well, most headphones do have sufficiently long wire and this is not a problem.
But if you want to use it for listening to ASMR at night, you better check out cord length as well.
Conclusion
In the end, I think it all depends on you for what purpose do you want to buy the headphones. If you are having difficulty sleeping at night, then you can go with the headband headset. They are tailor-made for these purposes. So whichever product is under your budget, go for it.
But if you want to buy for the sole purpose of listening ASMR or other music in a noisy place, or while lying on a couch in the middle of the day, the best option is to go for noise-cancelling headphones.
In short,
- Best Earbuds for ASMR : BOSE QC20
- Best Comfortable ASMR Headphones: AcousticSheep Bluetooth SleepPhones Wireless
- Best Noise-Cancelling ASMR Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 35
This is it from my side if you have any queries or comments drop them down in the comment section below.
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