How to select the best headphones

It can be difficult to choose the right headphones among the many available. It’s much easier to narrow down your choices by selecting your favorite style and deciding which features are most important to you.

What style of headphones do I need?

There are three major categories of headphones: over-ear, on-ear and in-ear. A fourth category, bone conduction, is growing in popularity. Each style has its own pros and cons. Make your decision based on what you feel most comfortable with and which best suits your listening requirements.

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears, sealing them. The earcups are bulky and can reduce external noise’s impact on your listening experience. Many earcups can be folded to make it easy to transport.

On-ear headphones are worn on the ears, not over them. On-ear headphones are typically smaller and lighter than over-ear models due to the fact that their earcups can be smaller. They don’t isolate sound as well, and some people find the force applied on their ears to be uncomfortable.

In-ear headphones can be inserted into your ears. They are either designed to fit comfortably in your ears without falling out, or they come with eartips that help keep them in place. You have many options and they are your best option if you want a lightweight, portable audio solution.

Neckband earphones work wirelessly, but the earpieces are still connected via a wire running behind your neck. True wireless headphones — which are the fastest growing segment of the headphones market — eliminate wires and rely on Bluetooth for connectivity.

Bone conduction headphones are worn on the cheekbones. They create tiny vibrations that travel through your skull and into your inner ear. Bone conduction headphones can be a great choice for those who have damaged their eardrums, or people who want to be more sensitive to environmental sounds. However, they are not recommended for those who desire total immersion in the audio.

Which headphones are the best?

All have their advantages and disadvantages so there is no simple answer. The wired headphones can be connected directly to your audio source using a physical connection. This could be a 3.5mm Jack, USB-A, or USB-C input. The headphones are wired so they don’t need to be charged. This is an advantage as the audio quality is usually better than that of wireless connections.

You will need to select wired headphones that are compatible with the device you plan to use your headphones with. Apple’s latest iPhones have a Lightning port, so headphones with a 3.5mm connection will not work with them.

We’ve seen more headphones with Bluetooth connectivity as the technology has improved. You can connect your smartphone or laptop over Bluetooth to enjoy high quality audio without having to wire them. The headphones must be charged frequently, but earbuds come with a portable charging case that can help increase battery life. Check out our top picks for wireless headphones.

Active noise cancellation (ANC), also known as ANC technology, is a method of reducing external noise. This feature is essential if you need to be able to disconnect from the outside world during a noisy commute. For more information, check out our top ANC headphones.

Integrated microphone and voice assistant: It’s hard to find headphones without some type of microphone, but it is worth looking before you purchase. Many headphones support voice assistants, so make sure you check that the headphones you purchase have this support.

Touch controls: You can control your audio using touch controls without having to go to the device that is playing it. You don’t want too many touch controls, but it can be distracting. Make sure you have the key commands, such as volume up/down, play/pause and play/pause.

Bluetooth codecs: These codes control how data is sent from your audio output to your headset. Not all codecs are the same. SBC works fine and is universal, but you will want to have the best wireless experience possible. You should also look for codecs that can transmit high-resolution audio like aptX HD from Qualcomm. You should check compatibility with your device before you buy. Not all devices support every codec. You should also make sure that your headphones and audio source support the codec in order to be able use it.

Waterproofing: It is always a good idea to have some sweat/waterproofing. IP certification is a must. Anything higher than IPX4 will ensure your headphones can withstand a sudden downpour. This certification allows you to use the headphones while running or at the gym. Although it is rare to find IP certification for over-ear or on-ear headphones, most headphones that fit comfortably in your ears will be certified.