Headphones are the most quintessential audio devices in the world and today everyone has a pair or multiple of them. The first headphone was made by Nathaniel Baldwin in 1910 and the most expensive headphone in the world is the Sennheiser HE 1 which costs INR 45 Lakh.

The world’s first headphones were launched at the IFA technology show in Berlin. It was named “Truly Wireless” by Onkyo a Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer. With great popularity comes a huge market with loads of brands and manufacturers. According to a survey, it is said that 59% of consumers still use wired headphones and a majority of them said they prefer wireless ones.

The headphones are also said to reach more than 26.1 billion in the year 2019 which is more than thrice in 6 years. This article covers the best headphones brands available in India. I have included the top companies that have high-end to affordable brands in the market.

After testing loads of brands, I have reduced the list to the top ones and the brands that have more customer reviews. I have reviewed the brands based on their price, sound clarity, progressiveness, and durability.

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List Of 7 Best Headphone Brands In India

1. Audio Technica Headphone Brand

Founded in Japan in 1962, Audio Technica aims at audio equipment that is cost-effective and offers a wide range of over-ear and other models of headphones. The brand was founded by Matsushita who created the first phono cartridge known as the AT-1.  

The founder made sure it was affordable and suitable for passionate listeners. The brand’s liaison office is located in Bangalore and holds a market share of 2% in the sub-Rs 500 category. One of the most popular models of the brand is the ATH-M50X which is priced at INR 11, 499.  

Over the past few years, they have maintained a place in the technology world and have also included the latest features in their headphones. If you are looking for comfortable and durable over-the-ear headphones then this is the right option to consider. The brand has not just endorsed and co-branded with the studio but also with famous artists and engineers. 

Why should you choose Audio Technica headphones?

• If you are looking for a critical audiophile listening experience
• Highly durable and suitable for musicians and producers
• Comes with a flat response and a neutral audio experience
• Excellent stereo imagining and separation

2. Bose & Sony Headphone Brands

Both the Bose and Sony have similar hardware but have unique caveats to consider. They have a strong impression and have better battery life as well. Bose and Sony have great audio quality with a powerful bass audio experience and a wide range of technologies. I felt that both the brands are priced high-end and continuously used the headphones for up to 10 hours without annoying your ear.

Bose, a brand introduced by an Indo-American, Amar Bose was and is a successful brand that offers an excellent sound system. It is now considered a pioneer brand in the audio industry and has a net worth of billions of dollars. It is said that the brand received more than 3 billion dollars in revenue in the year 2017 and employed around 8000 people.

The founder tried the latest entertainment piece on his way home from Zurich flight and felt that the air engine noise was louder than the headphones. It is said that he quickly started to jot down the ideas on a notepad for noise-canceling headphones. These types of headphones were aimed at aviation and Bose noise-canceling headphones were used and they gained popularity

In the year 2000, Bose brand brought noise-canceling headphones to the mainstream market and it still stands as gold standard headphones. If you are looking for premium model headphones that are not as expensive as Audio Technica, then this brand is worth every buck you spend on it. Bose also holds a market share of 8% in India.

Sony, a Japanese brand holds a market share of 10% and it is versatile and multifunctional. The brand implements integrated advanced technologies and comes in a wide range of models. 

Why should you choose Bose & Sony headphones?

• Both are producing excellent noise-canceling headphones
• Comes with a well-balanced sound profile
• The brand’s strongest suit is its comfort
• Crystal clear calls
• Built-in voice control
• Wireless for multiple devices 

3. Beats Headphone Brand

Founded in 2006 by Dr. Dre (Beats) a music producer and a rapper, the brand is known for premium headphones, speakers, and earphones. The headquarters is located in Culver City, California, and is an American consumer audio brand. The brand has invented a new generation of premium sound entertainment.

Beats Electronics also had revenue of more than 1.5 million dollars in 2015 and holds a market share of 37% in India. In 2014, the brand was acquired by Apple Inc. and the brand captured a young fan base around the world. It is also said that the brand got a 46.1% score on a study that surveyed teen preference for audio brands.  

If you are willing to buy Beats headphones then expect high-quality sound and a premium quality body. Most of the brand’s products have at least 22 hours of wireless tunes with 40 hours of playback features and noise-canceling features. The only drawback of the product is that their premium pieces can go up to INR 18,000. 

Why should you choose Beats headphones?

• Comes with a natural sound filter
• Has intuitive controls that power on when unfolding the device
• Solid battery life for up to 22 hours
• Easy ear-on controls
• Superior sound clarity 

4. Skullcandy Headphone Brand

Skullcandy Inc. is an American company founded by Rick Alden in the year 2003. The headquarters is located in Park City, Utah, and has seen revenue of more than 260 million dollars. Within a few months of its launch, the brand is said to have had more than 170% increases in E-commerce revenue and had more than 130k Instagram followers.

In the year 2020, the brand launched the “MOOD BOOST” mission with a non-profit partner to improve mental health among Gen-Z and millennials. It was also named as the US best-managed brand in 2020. The brand makes a funky and colorful design that allures youngsters.

With a mad color combo and crazy patterns, the brand has aimed to keep its buyers in awe of what they do. The brand also makes durable and high-end look-alike headphones. Their products are boosted with high bass and come with clean sound which most listeners want.

Why should you choose Skullcandy headphones?

• Available in various designs and colors
• Replace is so much cheaper
• Comes with adjustable sensory bass
• 40 hours of battery life
• Noise isolating fit

5. Sennheiser Headphone Brand

The brand is German-based and founded in 1945 by Prof. DR. Fritz. It is easily one of the most famous headphones brands in India and they have a huge history with a dozen of products that came with years of research. The brand is known for making audiophile-quality products and also maintains an affordable cost. So, if you are looking for the best budget buy, then you can enjoy them. 

In 2015, the brand had a turnover of more than 600 million Euros and showed how huge it plays in the audio market. The brand holds 0.25% of the market share in India for headphones and the EMEA region saw the highest turnover in the year 2020 with more than 270 million Euros.

All of the brands’ headphones that I have ever used worked well and have a large frequency response as well. It is very comfortable to use as well and comes with thick ear pads that don’t bug your ears after hours of wearing them. 

Why should you choose Sennheiser headphones?

• Comes with the latest features
• High-quality headphones for an affordable price
• Better battery life
• Comes with a bass-rich sound
• Suitable for everyday use

6. JBL & Infinity Headphone Brands

JBL and Infinity by JBL are manufacturers of speakers and offer superior performance and sound clarity. Both brands have Bluetooth headphones and transmit sound wirelessly. I have tried both brands and felt that have quite the same features and the only difference is the battery life. 

JBL was founded by James Bullough Lasing, the brand concentrated on loudspeakers but soon became a vital player in the headphones market as well. Today, the brand is used as an audio system by various auto giants like Ferrari and Toyota. It also holds a market share of 8% in India and captured the third position in 2019. The brand has been here for more than 70 years and was the one that launched PA systems. 

If you are looking for a bright and colorfully hearable, then this is the right choice for you. I love how they keep up with the technology and implement features on their products. They have also launched Bluetooth headphones which are super durable and lightweight as well.

The Infinity by JBL revolves around the car stereo sphere. The brands’ headphones come with deep bass output and dual equalizer modes. 

 The Infinity speakers and JBL are from the same parent company and in the year 2017, Infinity was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung and they are well known for connected car systems.

Why should you buy JBL and Infinity headphones?

• Comes with JBL pure bass sound
• Active noise canceling
• Up to 15H battery life
• Wireless Bluetooth and multi-point connection
• Hands-free voice and call control
• Both have more or less the same features 

7. boAt & Zebronics Headphone Brands

Both the boAt and Zebronics hold the same place and have more or less the same features. The brand Zebronics was founded in 1997 in Chennai and the brand offers Audio, gaming peripherals, power solutions, and much more. They aim to offer quality products that are easy on the pocket as well. 

The boAt was founded in 2016 by Aman Gupta and Sameer Mehta and as per research, the brand is expected to have a market share of 35.8%. The brand is famous for its fashionable consumer electronics and they are specializes in making headphones, travel chargers, earphones, and premium cables.

boAt products are made considering the listeners of Indian music, pop, and dance music. The brand also has a community of over 2 million buyers and they are currently selling more than 10,000 units every day. 

Why Should You Choose Boat & Zebronics?

• Both brands are affordable 
• They offer excellent customer support 
• Their products come with a hefty warranty period