What Headphones Do I Need for a Guitar Amp?

Quick answer: use wired closed-back headphones with the right adapter for your guitar amp. For a beginner-friendly first buy, compare Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. If you want a step-up studio headphone, compare AKG K361. If your amp has no headphone output, headphones alone will not help; buy a guitar headphone amp instead.

What headphones work with a guitar amp?

Use wired headphones, not Bluetooth, for the simplest guitar amp setup. Bluetooth can add latency, and latency makes playing feel delayed. Closed-back headphones are usually the safer first choice because they leak less sound into the room.

Check the amp before buying headphones

The first thing to check is whether your amp has a headphone output. If it does, you probably need wired headphones and maybe an adapter. If it does not, you need another device between the guitar and headphones.

Do not buy only an adapter if the amp has no headphone jack. An adapter changes plug size; it does not create a headphone output or amplify the guitar.

Closed-back vs open-back for guitar practice

Closed-back headphones are usually better for quiet practice because they reduce sound leakage. Open-back headphones can feel more natural, but they leak more sound and are less practical for apartment or late-night practice.

My recommendation

If you are buying your first headphones for a guitar amp, start with wired closed-back headphones and the correct adapter. If your amp has no headphone output, skip the headphones-only purchase and buy a compact guitar headphone amp first.

Related: Can you plug headphones directly into an electric guitar?, Can I use regular headphones for electric guitar?, and Best guitar headphone amp for practice in Canada.