Design

Best Scandinavian Headphones for Every Day

Headphones are an item you need to use multiple times a day: on your commute, at work, at the gym, while you’re doing the dishes, while traveling. They should be high-quality, long-lasting and, for the aesthetically-sensitive, beautiful. Though there are many in-ear and over-ear headphones on the market that, it can be difficult to find a pair that looks as good as the sound they provide. Luckily Denmark and Sweden have a strong headphone game that includes a minimalist aesthetic and some of the best brands in the industry, much like the rest of Scandinavian design.

Here are the best Scandinavian and minimalist headphones:

List Marker: Number 1Beoplay from Bang & Olufsen

For luxury and looks, nothing beats Beoplay, an off-shoot of Danish design royalty Bang & Olufsen. Their headphones, much like their speakers, are expensive, but they’re also gorgeous and made to last. All Bang & Olufsen headphones have lots of extra features like wireless play (including their in-ear buds), bluetooth, and leather details for additional comfort.

We recommend

In-ear E8 Earbuds

✔   Noise cancelling
✔   Transparency mode
✔   Memory foam tips
 
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Over-ear H9 Third Gen ANC Headphones

✔   Noise cancelling
✔   25 hours of battery
✔   Voice assistance
 
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List Marker: Number 2AIAIAI

AIAIAI is a Danish brand making headphones that are the height of fashionable minimalism. In addition to their great look, the headphones can be customised for whatever your particular needs are; heightened bass, wider soundscape, whatever. For the quality and durability, the price points are very fair.

We recommend

In-ear Pipe Earphones

✔   One button microphone
✔   Super lightweight
✔   Comfortable in-ear tip
 
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Over-ear TMA-2 All Around Preset

✔   Suitable for DJ and live performers
✔   Secure stereo plug
✔   40 mm drivers
 
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List Marker: Number 3Sudio Sweden

Named after the Phil Collins song “Sussudio,” Sudio is producing headphones that fit an active, city-based life. The Tre in-ear headphones have an extra wing tip to hold the bud in place, so they’re great for working out or people on-the-go. The gold detailing on the Regent over-ear headphones give them a little extra oomph; they’re both minimalist and a bit glamorous.

We recommend

In-ear The Vasa Bluetooth headphones

✔   Wireless connection
✔   Tangle-resistant cord
✔   Volume control panel
 
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Over-ear The Regent II headphones

✔   Built-in microphone
✔   24 hours of play time
✔   Water resistant
 
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List Marker: Number 4Happy Plugs

Happy Plugs, founded by Andreas Vural in 2011, is all about quality audio that also takes playful color and fashionable pattern into account. They’re well-priced for the quality and offer a little fun along with great sound.

We recommend

In-ear Air 1 ANC True Wireless Headphones

✔   Noise cancelling
✔   Transparency Mode
✔   38 hours of battery life
 
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List Marker: Number 5Libratone

Libratone has set itself apart in the audio world with unique design and a focus on portability for both their headphones and speakers. Both in and over-ear headphones are extremely comfortable as well as beautiful.

We recommend

In-ear Q Adapt In-Ear Headphones

✔   Four button remote
✔   Adjustable noise cancellation
✔   Lightning cord input
 
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Over-ear Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones

✔   Adjustable noise cancellation
✔   Touch countrols
✔   20 hour battery life
 
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List Marker: Number 6Marshall

Known worldwide as a top-tier speaker company, Marshall makes great headphones as well. Their Mode in-ear headphone has a rubber coating that makes them tangle-resistant, which is reason enough to buy them! While it’s true that Marshall wasn’t founded in Scandinavia, they are licensed by Swedish audio industry giant Zounds Industries, so they make the Scandi cut.

We recommend

In-ear Mode headphones

✔   Integrated microphone
✔   Tangle-resistant cord
✔   Four earbud sizes for comfort
 
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Over-ear Major II ANC headphones

✔   Noise cancelling
✔   45 hours wireless play
✔   Integrated voice assistance
 
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List Marker: Number 7Urban Ears

Good quality, clean look and great price points: Urban Ears is the Swedish audio company combining slick aesthetics with accessibility, both in terms of functionality and price.

We recommend

In-ear Sumpan headphones

✔   Cable loop for easy storage
✔   Built in microphone
✔   Earbuds hook together when not in use
 
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Over-ear Plattan 2 headphones

✔   Foldable design
✔   30 hours of wireless play
✔   Empty socket to share with a friend
 
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List Marker: Number 8JAYS

Based out of an old brewery in Stockholm, Sweden, JAYS makes an array of hardworking, high-quality headphones that will look great and last for years.

We recommend

In-ear a-Jays Six

✔   12 hours playtime
✔   Metal Housing
✔   Single connected cord
 
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Over-ear x-Five Wireless

✔   Foldable design
✔   Built-in microphone
✔   20 hour battery life
 
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List Marker: Number 9Urbanista

Swedish brand Urbanista offers sleek, often colorful, and high-quality over-ear and in-ear headphones that are ideal for every day.

Note: Header image contains the Urbanista Miami

We recommend

In-ear London True Wireless headphones

✔   Noise cancelling
✔   Comfort in-ear tip
✔   Wireless charging
 
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Over-ear Miami Active Noise Cancelling headphones

✔   Noise cancelling
✔   Ambient sound mode
✔   50 hour battery life
 
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List Marker: Number 10Kreafunk

Danish audio brand Kreafunk makes fun and funky headphones that look unique and chic. They’re well-priced, sound great, and come in a range of colors.

We recommend

In-ear bGem Headphones

✔   Around ear design for comfort
✔   Comes in many colors
✔   Built-in microphone
 
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Over-ear aHead Wireless Headphones

✔   Noise cancelling
✔   Ambient sound mode
✔   50 hour battery life
 
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Header image is Urbanista Miami over-ear headphones.

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Last edited

Rebecca Thandi Norman

Rebecca Thandi Norman is a co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at Scandinavia Standard.