I've always loved music — I mean, who doesn't, right? I used to be the lead guitarist and vocalist in my high school band, and I grew up listening to artists like Pink Floyd, Linkin Park and Green Day. As the years have gone by, my music taste has evolved and now includes an array of genres and bands, including Twenty One Pilots, Lana Del Rey and Of Monsters and Men, to name a few.
I'm also very lucky that, as a reviews writer, a big chunk of my job involves listening to my favorite artists to test headphones and other audio gear (very cool, I know). Even though I've tested many sets of cans and pairs of in-ear buds, there is one pair of headphones that has been my daily driver for almost a year now — and Green Day's frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong himself, endorses them.
And before you ask: no, they are not from JBL, Sony or Bose. All of these brands are great in their own right, but the Marshall Monitor III are my go-to headphones and I couldn't imagine going about my day without them. These might be the coolest-looking cans I've ever owned, and they've got outstanding sound quality to match. If you're on the hunt for new headphones, I really can't recommend the Monitor IIIs enough.
Sleek, classy and oh-so-cool
As someone who usually wears all-black clothing and combat boots, I really appreciate that the Marshall Monitor IIIs match my aesthetic. They come in black-only, with subtle branding in gold, and they sport a clicky multi-directional control button that won't look out of place on an amp. They don't look bulky at all, and weighing just 8.8 ounces, I can comfortably wear them around my neck or fold them up and throw them into my backpack.
What's even better is that they're extremely comfortable. I sometimes wear them for seven straight hours when I'm working, and I've never once felt like they're putting pressure on the top of my head or like my ears are heating up. That's thanks to the leatherette headband and plush leather earpads that feel breathable. Trust me, I wore them through a British heatwave, and was sweat pooling in the earcups a problem? Nope.
I could wax lyrical about the Monitor IIIs' design and comfort all day. These are the most comfortable cans I've owned. Do check out what our esteemed Audio Editor, Tammy, thought of their comfort in her in-depth Marshall Monitor III review.
Tuned so well that Billie Joe would approve
Will I ever shut up about the fact that Billie Joe Armstrong is all over the marketing material for the Marshall Monitor IIIs? Probably not, but I'll give it a rest and talk about how well-tuned I find them for a second. I'm a big fan of bass, and it's something I listen out for the most when I'm testing audio gear — or even listening to music outside of work. And the Monitor IIIs make basslines sound fantastic.
Granted that you won't hear the same amount of detail as you would through, say, in-ear monitors or wired headphones, but the Monitor IIIs still excel when it comes to sound quality. The funky basslines in Center Mass and Tally by Twenty One Pilots sound well-rounded and powerful without sounding booming.
Money by Pink Floyd is my bass testing song, and the Monitor IIIs pass with flying colors, with every note plucked discernible and crystal clear. Speaking of, vocals through the Monitor IIIs sound detailed too, as I've found listening to tracks like Love Love Love by Of Monsters and Men. If that song hadn't already destroyed me emotionally, I know for certain it would have when listened to on the Monitor IIIs.
All-day listening made easy
I have a confession to make: I'm not the best at keeping my devices charged (except for my phone). Considering how detail-oriented I am in every other aspect of my life (I'm a bit type-A), it's surprising. That's why I am so relieved that I don't have to constantly worry about charging my Marshall Monitor IIIs.
I can only describe their battery life as epic, rated at 100 hours with ANC turned off and 70 hours with ANC turned on. I usually keep ANC enabled because I like to block out the world, and even then, 70 hours is ridiculous. I remember the longest I went without charging the Monitor IIIs was somewhere around 80 hours, using a combination of ANC off and on.
It's the best battery life out of every other pair of headphones I've tested or used — including a few from Bose, Sony, JBL and other heavy-hitters.
There are, of course, plenty of other headphones to choose from, and the Monitor IIIs may not be the "be-all and end-all" for everyone — and that's exactly why we've ranked the best headphones you can buy today.
But for me, the Monitor IIIs check a lot of boxes. They look great, they're ridiculously comfortable, they last a long time between charges and they make music sound almost ethereal. I've had them for nearly a year, and I can't wait to keep using them for years to come.
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More from Tom's Guide
- Marshall Monitor III review: When heritage meets sonic prowess
- My doctor banned me from earbuds so I got these Marshall headphones instead — and I’m surprised I didn’t do it sooner
- Best headphones of 2025: Top picks tested by experts
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