How to play electric guitar - with headphones
If you want to practise alone without disturbing family or neighbours, amplifiers, complete systems and pedals with a headphone output are a sensible solution. Electric-guitar software plugins on PCs and mobile devices can also be used with headphones (via an interface).
Advantages and disadvantages of playing electric guitar with headphones
- play quietly by yourself
- practise anywhere on the go (depending on equipment)
- less authentic feel (sound in the room)
- headphones can start to press on your head after a while
- not really suitable for live or band use
Decide now:
Here you'll find three ways to play your electric guitar quietly through headphones:
Amps with headphone output
Advantages:
- first choice for purists with an additional headphone output (the best of both worlds)
- If you don't want to miss the feel and control of an amp
- Solid hardware build.
- A PC or smart device is not strictly required to operate.
- Resale possible (boutique gear can even hold its value).
- Amps are large, heavy and cumbersome to transport
- Compared with the other two options, relatively expensive to buy and only partly suitable for beginners.
Pedals with headphone output
Advantages:
- Pedals and complete systems with a headphone output are all-in-one solutions for modern electric guitarists.
- Very portable.
- Solid hardware construction.
- Somewhat more affordable than the amplifier option.
- For players who like to tweak controls and continue to use (or collect) external effects.
- A PC or smart device is not strictly required to operate.
- Resale possible (boutique gear can even hold its value).
- Pedals and complete systems always require either a PA or headphones to be used
- Depending on the features and number of effects used, this option can become costly.
Playing through plugins with headphones
Advantages:
- You can play electric guitar with just a PC or tablet plus an interface and the appropriate software.
- Practical for beginners as it keeps costs low. Most people already have a computer or mobile device and only need to invest in the software.
- You're very flexible within the software.
- Excellent for solo songwriting or sketching song ideas.
- It becomes difficult to play with others at the same time.
- Latency can cause problems.
- Not for tone purists
- A PC or smart device is required.
- Software registration makes resale difficult.
Expert opinion:
Or even easier: plug the ToneX Plug from IK Multimedia directly into your electric guitar's jack and connect your headphones — you'll be playing authentic amp and pedal sounds without any additional equipment. Thanks to advanced tone modelling technology, the ToneX Plug delivers realistic sounds of famous amps and rigs in an extremely compact format. Ideal for silent practice, on the go or spontaneous sessions, and small enough for any pocket.
IK Multimedia ToneX Plug
Legendary amp sounds to take with you. The ultra-compact headphone amp with tone modelling technology for your electric guitar.
Know-how
With us you don't just get what you need – we'll also show you how it works! To the guides.
Helpful accessories
Find suitable accessories for your electric guitar here for quick access:
Headphones
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In‑Ear Headphones
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Headphone cables
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Studio headphones
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Headphone ear pads & adaptors
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Headphone accessories
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Guides
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