Top 8 Best Headphones with Volume Control of 2023

When looking to replace the stock earbuds that came with your phone with higher quality headphones, there is one feature you’ll want to make sure your new cans possess. The ability to change the volume without having to reach for your phone or other device.

Therefore, we decided to put this review together to help you through the selection process. Obviously, volume control alone is not the only deciding factor. So take a minute to read through our buyer’s guide and familiarize yourself with what else you need to look out for.

Best Headphones with Volume Control Buying Guide

All of the headphones on this list have an independent volume control, so you’ll also want to take into account these factors…

Comfort

It’s all well and good having volume control and great audio. However, unless your headphones are comfortable to wear for extended periods, it’s going to detract from the whole experience.

• Make sure your headphones have a good adjustable headband to fit your head perfectly. Additionally, the headband should be well padded for comfort over long hours of wear.
• Ideally, the ear cups should have plenty of cushioning and be covered by a soft and breathable material.
• The lighter the headphone, the less discomfort it will cause after long periods of use. So go light if possible.

Audio Quality

Sound quality is probably the number one consideration of most buyer’s lists when looking for the best headphones. Therefore, we’ve gone out of our way to ensure all the models in our review have exceptionally good fidelity. A couple of factors worth considering are:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Background noise can ruin your listening experience. Headphones with ANC can almost eliminate the outside world, and if listening in noisy environments, should definitely be a feature to consider.
• Driver size: The bigger the drivers, the louder you’ll be able to listen without any unwanted distortion.

Durability

There’s no point in spending a lot on new headphones if they break on you after a year. Therefore, make sure your chosen set has as long a warranty as possible. A longer warranty means the manufacturer has more confidence in its product lasting the test of time.

Also, read the product descriptions in detail. Companies that have bolstered longevity are usually happy to shout it from the rooftops.

Battery Life

Obviously, this isn’t an issue for wired models. But, for the wireless seekers out there, battery life is an important factor. We’ve listed full charge battery life for the relevant headphones in this review. Likewise, take note of how long they take to recharge.

Features

There are many other convenient features, apart from volume control, to consider. Is a wireless connection important, or are you happy with a good old wired connection? Is portability an issue for you? Do the headphones fold away, and is a carry case provided? Can you customize the sound through equalizer settings? All good questions to ask.

Top 8 Best Headphones with Volume Control of 2023

Product	Comfort	Audio quality	Features	Price	Rating
Also Great Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless ANC Headphones View Price	(5 / 5)	(4 / 5)	Audio quality Best ANC, 20 hours battery life.	(5 / 5)	(4.7 / 5)
Best Choice Sony WH1000XM2 Wireless ANC Headphones View Price	(4 / 5)	(5 / 5)	Audio quality ANC, 30 hours battery life.	(5 / 5)	(4.4 / 5)
Also Great Bose QuietComfort 25 Wired ANC Headphones View Price	(5 / 5)	(4 / 5)	Audio quality Best ANC, extremely lightweight.	(4 / 5)	(4.5 / 5)
Best Choice KOSS BT539i Wireless Headphones View Price	(3 / 5)	(3 / 5)	Audio quality 12 hours battery life, accessible controls.	(2 / 5)	(3.5 / 5)
Cheap Price Alpatronix HX101 Wireless Headphones View Price	(3 / 5)	(2 / 5)	Audio quality 30 hour battery life. AptX support.	(2 / 5)	(4.2 / 5)
Also Great Sol Republic Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones View Price	(2 / 5)	(3 / 5)	Audio quality Replaceable headband, stylish design.	(3 / 5)	(4.4 / 5)
Also Great Denon AH-D600 Music Maniac Over-Ear Wired Headphones View Price	(4 / 5)	(5 / 5)	Audio quality Audiophile sound quality, home use only.	(5 / 5)	(4.1 / 5)
Also Great Bose SoundTrue II Wired Headphones View Price	(5 / 5)	(4 / 5)	Audio quality Best ANC, 20 hours battery life.	(3 / 5)	(4.3 / 5)

1 Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless ANC Headphones – Most Comfortable Headphones with Volume Control

Bose has built a reputation as a top-level audio brand that usually delivers products with fine audio quality and a range of high tech features. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II wireless ANC headphones certainly live up to this esteemed reputation.

Keep your cool…

These high-priced cans are probably the most comfortable on our list. Therefore, lengthy flights or marathon gaming sessions are handled with almost no discomfort. Furthermore, they stay relatively cool and do not transfer unwanted heat to your ears.

Additionally, the battery life is a decent 20 hours when used in Bluetooth mode and double that when using the accompanying wire. This should cover most user needs comfortably.

Lose yourself in music…

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II ANC technology is certainly the most effective of all the headphones on this list. There are three levels of noise reduction. Furthermore, with full level activated, very little will penetrate your listening. The ear cup controls enable you to change the volume, enable your personal assistant, select tracks, and activate the ANC.

In addition, Bose has equipped the QuietComfort 35 II with its signature sound profile. It’s a well-balanced, elegant, and distortion-free affair, with the only complaint being a slight lack of punch in the bass department.

Very good, but not the best…

Alternatively, while sounding great, there are headphones with superior audio fidelity at this price level. For example, the Sony WH1000XM2 on this list is one.

That being said, throw in good app support and decent call handling abilities, and you have a very competitive set of headphones.

To find out more, check out our Bose QuietComfort 35 II review.

2 Sony WH1000XM2 Wireless ANC Headphones – Best Sounding Headphones with Volume Control

Looking for a reliable headphone manufacturer that you know will not fail to deliver the quality you expect? Look no further than Sony.

Expensive, but worth it…

The WH1000XM2’s are one of their most popular headphones and come with a load of impressive features. Yes, they are expensive. However, they feature high comfort levels, Active Noise Cancellation, and outstanding on-ear controls, including volume. Therefore, there is a lot on offer.

The ANC technology is very effective at getting rid of unwanted background noise, allowing you to concentrate on your listening. It comes into its own when on public transport or a busy street. That being said, it doesn’t quite reach the lofty standards set by ANC on the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.

Easy to use, long-lasting…

Battery life clocks in at an outstanding 30 hours. A quick 10-minute charge will give you an extra 70 minutes of listening time. The Sony WH1000XM2 also comes with NFC pairing, significantly speeding up the connection process with devices that share the same technology.

Voice assistance can be activated via the controls on the ear cup for a hands-free experience. A well placed and sensitive microphone picks up any instructions with no need to repeat yourself. The mic performs just as well when handling calls too.

The controls are housed on the left ear cup. Here you can raise or lower volume, pause or play your listening, control track selection, and take calls. One feature we really liked allows you to substantially reduce the volume if you cover the right ear cup with your hand, a nice touch unique to Sony.

So how do they sound?

In a word, great. Bass is powerful and punchy, and the mids and trebles are clear and excellently separated. The Sony WH1000XM2 has arguably the superior sound profile when compared to the similarly priced Bose QuietComfort models.

If you can afford them, the Sony WH1000XM2 ANC headphones offer volume control and a host of other industry-leading features from a brand you can always trust.

Need more info? Our in depth Sony WH 1000XM2 review should give you everything you need to know.

3 Bose QuietComfort 25 Wired ANC Headphones – Best Noise Cancelling Headphones with Volume Control

Another offering from Bose, the QuietComfort 25, are wired headphones offering the same industry-leading ANC technology as the more expensive 35 II model. You can either buy an Android or iOS-friendly version with the relevant cable sporting an in-line control that includes the volume adjustment.

Lightweight and durable…

The Bose QuietComfort 25 offers a similar level of comfort that this range of headphones is famous for. They seamlessly combine lightweight construction with a durable build. The ear cups and headband are foam padded and covered in faux leather and exert just the right level of clamping force. As a result, they do not cause any discomfort yet stay firmly in place.

The ANC option will only work if using AAA batteries, which will provide up to 35 hours of continuous playback. It’s a decent length of time but a little annoying that a rechargeable battery wasn’t used instead.

The sound of silence…

That being said, the ANC is incredibly effective, as we’ve come to expect from Bose headphones. It’s so good, in fact, that it was inherited unchanged in the newer QuietComfort 35. Almost unnerving silence awaits you.

The QuietComfort 25 has a pleasant and airy sound profile that also lacks the kind of punchier bass you get with the Sony WH1000XM2. They have a very clean and crisp sound with good separation between the frequency ranges. Whilst not having the most exciting sound profile on this list, they will satisfy most listeners.

On the go…

Easily foldable and packed into the accompanying carry case, the Bose QuietComfort 25 makes a great set of travel headphones.

Our in-depth Bose QuietComfort 25 review has more info if you need it?

4 KOSS BT539i Wireless Headphones – Best Budget Headphones with Volume Control

At the lower end of the price, spectrum are the Koss BT539i Wireless headphones. The large and easy to locate volume controls found on the right ear cup earned these value for money performers an instant place on our list of best volume-controlled headphones.

Solid and reliable…

The ear cups are comfortably padded by a faux leather covered foam that’s wide enough to encompass all ear sizes. The headband is lightly padded in comparison, but the overall light weight and low clamping pressure negate this issue. The build material is all plastic but looks solid enough for everyday use.

As mentioned, the right ear cup houses the volume and track selection controls on a large pad. The center button has multiple functions controlling power, call answering, and play/pause function. The left ear cup is home to LED battery indicators, a 3.5mm port, and a micro-USB port for charging.

Cutting costs?

Battery life is a little disappointing at 12 hours of continuous playback. That being said, you have to option to listen via the audio cable if they run out of power. You can do this whilst charging too.

Although the cups do fold away for storage whilst on the move, Koss neglected to include a carry case as part of the package. Not even a cheap fabric bag!

Not about the bass…

Unlike most headphones in this price bracket, the Koss BT539i doesn’t opt for the normal overly bass-heavy sound profile. What you get is a natural and well-balanced frequency reproduction.

They still have a nice punchy bass that doesn’t interfere with the midrange. The trebles have a lively sparkle to them that, along with a detailed midrange, lends them well to classical and jazz music in particular.

A superb affordable option…

For those of you on a budget, the Koss BT539i offers a cheaper yet satisfying alternative to the more advanced models in this review of the best headphones with volume control.

5 Alpatronix HX101 Wireless Headphones – Best Value for Your Money Headphones with Volume Control

Alpatronix is a brand that not many people have heard of. But their HX101 wireless headphones are well worth a moment of your time. At such a low price, they represent outstanding value for money, considering the decent performers that they are.

The first thing to take note of is the 30-hour battery life. That’s right up there with the most expensive headphones on this list. They also only take two to three hours to fully recharge and have a standby time of 900 hours. Impressive numbers.

AptX support…

4.1 Bluetooth technology provides the wireless connection, which holds up well within the 30ft range. The Alpatronix HX101 can also be wired via a 3.5mm audio cable if the battery dies. AptX support is also a nice bonus at this price, adding to the overall wireless audio quality.

The right ear cup houses large volume/track selection buttons and a center multi-functional button. A surprisingly good mic equipped with noise-canceling technology is also part of the package. The ear cups are a classic oval shape that sits over the ears comfortably.

Cushy pads covered in leatherette are attached to a moderately wide and padded headband. The headband can be broken down, which reduces the headphones to half their original footprint. A compact carry case provides adequate protection when on the move.

Does the sound match up to the rest of the package?

Not quite, unfortunately. It’s a bass-heavy sound profile on offer here that does occasionally bleed into the midrange. However, it’s not unpleasant by any stretch. Vocals are nice and clear, and the treble is sparkly enough if perhaps lacking bite.

Guess you can’t have it all. But, the Alpatronix HX101 headphones are a bargain all the same.

6 Sol Republic Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones – Most Durable Headphones with Volume Control

Now for something a little different. The Sol Republic Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones offer a look that’s more likely to appeal to tech-savvy twenty-somethings. They have a modern design similar to the Beats Solo Earphones, and the headbands come in a wide range of colors if you don’t fancy the standard silver.

Innovative design…

The earpieces are mounted on a very flexible headband, which can be bent right out of shape and still return to its original form. The black ear pads rest on the ear rather than round it. Personally, this doesn’t make for the most comfortable listening after a few hours.

The detachable audio wire connects to both ear cups. Here you will find the three-button in-line control unit where you can change the volume, select tracks, and play/pause your music. The multi-functional central button will work with all devices, but the controls for the volume are only compatible with iOS devices.

Refined and natural sound…

Due to the similarity in look between the Sol Republic Tracks HD and the Beats Solo headphones, one might presume they have a similarly bass-driven sound profile.

Fortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. These are far more refined than their more famous counterparts. The bass is powerful enough to put a smile on your face without throwing the whole profile out of balance. A clean and pronounced midrange and lively treble finish things off very nicely.

The only on-ear headphones to make our review, the Sol Republic Tracks HD certainly brings quite a lot to the party at a reasonable price.

7 Denon AH-D600 Music Maniac Over-Ear Wired Headphones – Best Premium Headphones with Volume Control

Denon headphones are squarely aimed at the high-end audiophile market. Their AH-D600 Music Maniac headphones are designed for listening in controlled environments rather than as headphones for your commute.

Visually, they don’t look great, but they really make up for this in the sound and comfort departments. The faux leather covered, pentagon-shaped ear cups fully encompass your ear and exert very little pressure on your head. Long listening sessions will fly by, uninterrupted by any ear or head fatigue.

Wired options…

The Denon AH-D600 headphones come with two cables. One is a ten foot beast for serious listening, and the other a shorter three foot cable for more portable applications. The three foot cable has a three button in-line control mounted halfway down the cable. Unfortunately, the volume controls are only compatible with iOS devices.

The sound profile is where these headphones really shine. A majestically expansive soundstage comprises of a powerful yet refined low end and outstanding midrange performance, where the two never overlap.

The only criticism would be a slightly curtailed high-end. Additionally, trebles could possibly do with a little more detail, and then the AH-D600 really would be something special.

All in all…

If you’ve got the cash and you’ll primarily be listening at home, the Denon AH –D600 headphones are certainly one of the best headphones you can buy for your listening pleasure. If looking for something more mobile, you should look elsewhere.

8 Bose SoundTrue II Wired Headphones – Best Lightweight Headphones with Volume Control

The Bose QuietComfort range tends to hog the spotlight when it comes to their headphone range. It’s not hard to forget they also have a wired range, and the Bose SoundTrue II is the latest in that line.

The first thing to note is just how light they are compared to their more illustrious cousins. Similarly, the lack of wireless and ANC circuitry means the SoundTrue II only weighs 181 grams. One thing they do share with the Quiet Comfort range is the same high level of comfort. Your ears will have no complaints sporting these cans for hours on end.

Versatile…

The detachable audio cable has the typical 3-button in-line remote that controls the usual functions. Unlike some of the other wired headphones on this list, you can choose a bundle that has an iOS or Android compatible cable. It’s nice to see both operating systems catered for.

Flat folding ear cups allow the SoundTrue II headphones to pack neatly away in the compact carry case, which provides excellent protection.

Nicely balanced…

Although there is no ANC technology built into these headphones, the decent seal provided by the ear cups goes a long way to keep the world out. Musically, the Bose Sound True II performed well across multiple genres. Typical of Bose, these are not bass boomers. What you get is a tightly controlled and well-defined bass that never overwhelms the rest of the range.

For instance, the midrange is where these headphones really shine. The clarity and detail on offer is something to behold. If vocal-driven music is your thing, then these accentuate the subtle changes that other headphones might miss. Furthermore, trebles are also given ample room to maneuver.

Ultimate compatibility…

Being Bose, SoundTrue II isn’t cheap. But, they are certainly right up there in our review of the best headphones with volume control due to their compatibility with iOs and Android devices.

Looking for Something Else?

Finding the right earbuds and headphones has never been more simple. So, check out our in-depth reviews of the Most Comfortable Earbuds, the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds, the Best Airpods Alternative, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, and the Best Earbuds Under $100 you can buy in 2023.

Also, take a look at our reviews of the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Neckband Headphones, the Best Travel Headphones, the Best Waterproof Headphones, and the Best Running Headphones currently on the market.

So, what are the Best Headphones with Volume Control

If budget isn’t a problem, then splash out on the…

Sony WH1000XM2 Wireless Headphones

A beautifully balanced sound profile is complemented by a high level of comfort, very effective ANC technology, and outstanding battery life. It really is the complete package.

However, if the Sony is out of your price range, then take a look at the…

Koss BT359i Wireless Headphones

You still get good comfort levels and surprisingly clean and well-balanced audio at a fraction of the price of the Sony. Whatever you choose, we hope this review helped.

Until next time, happy listening.

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