Sennheiser HD 400U Wired Over-the-ear Review
The Sennheiser HD 400U offers plug-and-play USB-C audio and a superb microphone, making it a great desk headset. Just don't expect to walk away from your computer.
The 30-Second Version
A simple USB-C wired headphone with a best-in-class microphone but average sound. Great as a dedicated desk headset for calls, but the wired tether is a major drawback for general use. Worth it at ~$60, but look elsewhere if you see higher prices.
Overview
The Sennheiser HD 400U is a straightforward, wired over-ear headphone that ditches batteries and Bluetooth for a simple USB-C plug-and-play connection. It's built for folks who want to leave a pair at their desk and never think about charging again. You get Sennheiser's signature balanced sound, a built-in mic and remote on the cable, and a foldable design for easy portability.
Performance
The sound quality is solid but not spectacular, landing in the middle of the pack for this price range. The mic, however, is a real standout and one of the best we've tested for clear calls. There's no active noise cancellation, but the closed-back design provides decent passive isolation. The wired-only connectivity is a clear limitation if you want to move around, but it means zero latency and no battery anxiety.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The microphone quality is excellent for calls. 93th
- Plug-and-play USB-C simplicity with no charging needed. 88th
- Comfortable for long listening sessions. 73th
- Foldable design makes them easy to toss in a bag. 68th
Cons
- Wired-only connection severely limits mobility. 26th
- Sound quality is just average for the brand.
- No active noise cancellation at this price is a miss.
- Build quality feels a bit plasticky and underwhelming.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
Audio
| Codecs | Sennheiser HD 400U - Wired Over-Ear Headphone with Smart Remote, Black |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
Battery
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Value & Pricing
The price is all over the map, from a reasonable $58 to a laughable $14,000 from some third-party sellers. At the low end, around $60, they're a decent value for a dedicated USB-C desk headphone with a great mic. At anything over $100, you're better off looking at wireless options with more features. Stick to major retailers like Amazon or Best Buy for the sane pricing.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the wireless Sony ULT Wear or Bose QuietComfort, you're giving up ANC, wireless freedom, and generally better sound for a lower price and that fantastic wired mic. Against a wired workhorse like the Audio-Technica ATH-M series, the HD 400U's USB-C digital connection is more convenient for modern devices, but the build and pure audio performance aren't as strong. It's a niche product in a wireless world.
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 400U Wired Over-the-ear | Sony ULT Wear Sony ULT WEAR Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Canceling | Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Bluetooth Headphones,Colorful | Bose QuietComfort Bose QuietComfort Wireless Over-Ear Active | Soundcore Life Soundcore - Life Q30 by Anker, Hybrid Active Noise | Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT Bluetooth Over-Ear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | - | 40 | 40 | - | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | - | 314 | 32 | - | 15.829999923706055 | 44.5 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | - | Closed | - | Closed | - | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 55 | 24 | 50 | 90 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser HD 400U Wired Over-the-ear | 87.7 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 42.1 | 62.7 | 72.9 | 26.2 | 67.7 |
| Sony ULT Wear Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Canceling Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 99.1 | 94.7 | 69.1 | 99.8 | 99.6 |
| Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 98.3 | 93.8 | 97.7 | 99.7 | 94.9 | 94.3 |
| Bose QuietComfort Wireless Over-Ear Active Noise-Canceling Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 88.2 | 94.4 | 91.6 | 98.1 | 89.3 |
| Soundcore Life Q30 by Anker Compare | 94.4 | 92.6 | 98.3 | 97 | 96.9 | 82.3 | 96.8 | 99 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT ATH-S300BTBG Compare | 98.3 | 76.8 | 48.1 | 93.8 | 99.6 | 72.9 | 98.8 | 89.3 |
Common Questions
Q: Do these have noise cancellation?
No, there's no active noise cancellation (ANC). They use a closed-back design for passive noise isolation, which blocks some ambient sound but isn't as effective as ANC.
Q: Is there a microphone for calls?
Yes, and it's excellent. The inline remote on the USB-C cable has a built-in mic that scores in the 93rd percentile in our tests, making it one of the best for call clarity.
Q: Can I use these with devices that don't have USB-C?
Only if you buy an optional analog cable separately. Out of the box, they only work with devices that have a USB-C port, like most modern phones, tablets, and laptops.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you need wireless freedom or active noise cancellation for commuting or travel. The wire is a deal-breaker. Also, avoid them if you're an audiophile looking for Sennheiser's best sound; the audio performance here is merely average. For studio work or critical listening, there are much better wired options.
Verdict
Buy these if you need a dedicated, no-fuss headset for your computer desk, especially for video calls where mic clarity is key, and you hate dealing with batteries. They're a 'set it and forget it' solution. For anyone else who wants to move around, listen wirelessly, or get the best possible sound for music, there are better choices.