With so many headphones options, the process of buying a pair can feel overwhelming. If you have no idea where to start, we recommend that you consider the following questions and make a list of the features that matter most to you. From there, you can compare your needs to the specifications of the headphones and decide how best to spend your money.

Earbuds or over-ear headphones? It’s vital to choose a pair that you can wear comfortably. Aspects to keep in mind: your hairstyle, earrings/piercings, whether you’ll be performing high-impact movements, and the climate in which you’ll be wearing the headphones. Though earbuds are lighter and more portable, they often have a shorter battery life and sound less immersive than similarly priced over-ear designs, and it can be trickier to find the perfect fit. Over-ear headphones fit more ear shapes easily, but some people may feel hot with their ears always covered, and many headbands aren’t compatible with fluffy hair.

How will you use your headphones? Are you looking for an all-purpose pair that you can take everywhere? Or do you have a specific use in mind, such as travel, workouts, TV watching, office use, or gaming? Some headphones do nearly everything well, while others excel at a certain task. Are you mostly listening to music, or do you need good microphone quality for phone calls and video chats? For office use and gaming, a headset with a boom mic or background-noise reduction might be the way to go. Do you need your earbuds to be waterproof or sweatproof for workouts? By narrowing down and prioritizing specific features, you can focus on spending your money where it counts and skip the unnecessary extras.

What devices will you be connecting to? Depending on what devices you use every day, you may want to choose a pair that works well with any operating system or one that is specifically designed to unlock specialized features on your phone or tablet. How important is voice control, and are you tied to a certain platform, such as Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant? If you want to connect to a tower PC that has no wireless connectivity, you may want a pair that connects with a wire or USB, depending on what type of outputs your computer has.

Do you need active noise cancellation? Active noise cancellation is great for reducing lower-frequency sounds like the hum of an airplane engine or an HVAC system, but it isn’t as effective with higher-frequency sounds like voices. How effective and adjustable do you need the ANC to be? Some headphones simply offer on/off, whereas others offer adjustable ANC, which makes it easier for you to find a performance and comfort level that works. If you don’t like how ANC affects your ears, or you’re a musician using your headphones for recording, an over-ear pair with excellent passive noise isolation may be a better choice.

Wired or wireless? Wired headphones have had a resurgence in popularity. Among the reasons for the comeback is that, generally, wired has better audio performance for less money, since the cost goes mainly into tuning, drivers, and design, instead of features like Bluetooth. And with wired headphones, you don’t have to worry about charging a battery. Still, many people love the freedom and convenience that wireless headphones bring, especially now that headphone jacks have disappeared from smartphones. If both connection methods sound appealing, consider a pair that can work both wired and wirelessly, but be sure to check whether some features are disabled in wired mode. If you choose wireless, notice the battery life. How long do you plan on listening each day? Are you good about keeping your wireless devices charged, or do you need wireless headphones that can go for long stretches of time without being plugged in? Be honest with yourself on this one, or you’ll just be frustrated later.

What (and how intuitive) are the control options? When it comes to controlling power, volume, track skip, and the like, do you prefer physical buttons or touch-sensitive pads? We recommend that you try both kinds of controls before you buy, if possible. If dexterity concerns are a factor for you, consider over-ear designs, which often have larger surface areas for the controls compared with true wireless earbuds.

Who this is for: The JBL Tour One M2 has an intuitive design with a comfortable fit and great battery life, making it an excellent choice when you want a convenient and long-lasting wireless listening experience.

Why we like it: The sound is good right out of the box, and it can be further improved with the use of the EQ settings in JBL’s app. The battery life, rated at 30 to 50 hours, is excellent, and the battery recharges quickly. Voice control is available via the always-listening Alexa and Google Assistant functions, and Apple users can access Siri via a simple button push. The M2 supports dual-device connectivity, and the built-in microphones reduce wind and background noise remarkably well, ensuring clear phone calls—even on the go. Plus, this pair is water-resistant (with an IPX5 rating).

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The controls are more sensitive than we’d like, and we wish the physical volume buttons were larger. JBL has included an automatic ANC setting, which adjusts the noise-cancellation levels based on your surroundings or how much sound is leaking in. But we found the real-time changes to be disconcerting, similar to your ears popping when a plane lands, so we chose to turn off that feature.

Battery life: 30–50 hours
Warranty: one year
Protected against: water (IPX5)

For more info, see our full review of the best Bluetooth wireless headphones.

Who this is for: These true wireless earbuds have zero wires to get in your way, so they’re right for you if you demand maximum portability without any sacrifices in sound or call quality.

Why we like it: The Soundcore Space A40 packs great sound, 10 hours of battery life, good microphone quality, dual-device connectivity, and excellent noise cancellation into earbuds the size of slightly squashed marbles—with a price around $100. The sound quality is enjoyable right out of the box, and you can fine-tune the sound using the Soundcore app. The pocket-sized charging case holds an additional 40 hours worth of power and supports wireless charging. You can use either earbud on its own, and there are six microphones that deliver clear phone calls and a natural-sounding hear-through mode. Dual-device connectivity allows you to effortlessly switch between listening to music on your laptop and taking a call on your phone. The IPX4 water-resistance rating means your earbuds are protected from a little rain or sweat.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The touch-based controls work reliably and are customizable in the app, but they don’t offer everything: You’ll have to choose one function, such as track-reverse, to omit. If you want to use your phone’s voice-activated digital assistant, you’ll have to tap the controls to initiate it; this pair isn’t always listening for a wake word.

Battery life: 10 hours
Warranty: 18 months
Protected against: water (IPX4)

For more info, see our full review of the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds.

Who this is for: This set is great for anyone who needs noise-cancelling headphones and wants the convenience of wireless without giving up anything in terms of sound quality.

Why we like it: The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is the best pair of headphones that Bose has ever released. These headphones are expensive, but we think they’re worth the cost if you put a high premium on performance and comfort. They offer the superior noise cancellation that Bose is known for, plus more adjustability than on any noise-cancelling headphones we’ve tested. You can adjust the active noise cancellation (ANC) level on a scale from 0 to 10, so if you find that you are experiencing the uncomfortable “eardrum suck” issue—or if you just want a little more sense of your surroundings—you have more flexibility to find a level that works for you. These headphones also have a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear for hours, and they feature an easy-to-use combination of touch controls and physical buttons that you can access without looking.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The sound quality is good but not as crisp as on the best over-ear headphones we’ve tested, and the app can be vexing. The battery life isn’t industry-leading, but at 20 hours it’s more than sufficient.

Battery life: 20 hours
Warranty: one year

For more info, see our full review of the best noise-cancelling headphones.

Who this is for: This pair of earbuds is perfect for commuters who want excellent noise cancellation in a small, convenient package.

Why we like it: The Sony WF-1000XM5 has the best noise cancellation of any earbud pair we’ve measured, and it utilizes specially designed ear tips to help block sounds that ANC can sometimes miss. But if you need to hear your surroundings at times, you can either hold a finger to the left earbud to enable the hear-through mode or turn on the speak-to-chat feature. The earbuds’ touch controls are large enough that misfiring is rare, and the sound quality is great at producing high frequencies and punchy bass.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The earbuds may not be the best fit if you have smaller or more sensitive ears. Since they don’t feature stabilizing wings, those with an active lifestyle may want to opt for something more secure. While the design is perfect for noise isolation, if you don’t like a feeling of fullness in your ears, the Sony WF-1000XM5 might not be the best choice. They also don’t have the ability to adjust the amount of ANC, but the passive isolation mitigates the sensation of eardrum suck.

Battery life: eight hours
Warranty: one year

For more info, see our full review of the best noise-cancelling headphones.

Who this is for: These wireless headphone systems are for someone who wants to watch TV or play video games without disturbing others in their household, or someone who needs to listen at a higher volume to hear dialogue properly.

Why we like it: The Insignia NS-HAWHP2 system is easy to use, sounds good, and delivers a comfortable fit. The package includes a single pair of headphones and a wireless transmitter that doubles as a docking station for storing and charging the headphones. Insignia promises 10 hours of battery life, but we got more than 11 hours, so you could easily binge an entire eight-episode season of Stranger Things in one sitting. The NS-HAWHP2 uses radio frequency (RF) wireless transmission, and in our tests we didn’t notice significant lag between the audio and video, which can be a problem for Bluetooth-based systems. These headphones delivered the most consistent, balanced sound in our tests, and they were also lighter and more comfortable than many competitors.

If you need more than one set of TV headphones, we recommend the Avantree Quartet. The kit we tested includes the transmitter and four pairs of headphones. The transmitter supports up to 100 pairs, and you can purchase extra headphones separately. This RF-based system is easy to set up, and the transmitter includes all of the cables needed for most TV systems, as well as a USB-C charging port. You can switch between two audio modes on the headphones using the EQ button, but overall we thought the Insignia pair offered a more clear and balanced sound. Avantree promises 20 hours of battery life, but we were able to get a bit more when kept at a moderate volume. You also have the option of purchasing the transmitter and headphones individually, but the bundle is a much better deal.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The main downside of the Insignia system is that it comes with only one pair of headphones, and you can’t add more. If you need multiple pairs of headphones, consider the Avantree Quartet. While lightweight, the Avantree headphone fits a bit awkwardly. The earcups don’t swivel enough to fit every head size and shape. You can bend the wires on which the cups slide to fix this problem, but then that pair is basically customized to that specific user.

Insignia NS-HAWHP2
Battery life: 11 hours
Wireless connection type: RF

Avantree Quartet
Battery life: 20 hours
Wireless connection type: RF

For more info, see our full review of the best wireless TV headphones.

Who this is for: If you use your headphones regularly at the gym, you need workout headphones specifically designed to stay in place through a variety of high-impact moves.

Why we like it: The JBL Reflect Aero TWS true wireless earbuds have a high level of protection against water and sweat (with an IP68 rating), and they should stay securely in place when you exercise, thanks to the stabilizing wings. The sealed design and active noise cancellation will reduce the sounds of traffic or workout equipment, while the natural-sounding hear-through mode lets you have quick conversations when needed. The eight hours of battery life is good for true wireless earbuds, and the pocket-sized case offers up an additional 16 hours of juice. The large, touch-based controls are easy to learn and use, and Google and Alexa users will appreciate the hands-free, voice-activated-assistant compatibility. Out of the box, the Reflect Aero TWS earbuds sound good, but you can also fine-tune the sound using the app.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The stabilizing wings may bother people with sensitive ears or small ear canals. While the touch-based controls are easy to use, you can only assign two sets of controls: playback controls, ANC/hear-through controls, or volume controls (not all three at the same time). We also wish the case supported wireless charging.

Battery life: eight hours
Warranty: one year
Protected against: dust, sweat, and water (IP68)

For more info, see our full review of the best workout headphones.

Who this is for: The person who loves to run—whether it’s inside on a treadmill or out on a trail—and relies on music, podcasts, or audiobooks for motivation or distraction.

Why we like it: Our conversations with runners have revealed that they tend to fall into two different camps: those who prefer to hear the outside world for safety and/or comfort, and those who want to block out sounds. We have recommendations for both camps. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 and Baseus Eli Sport 1 are great for people who want to keep their ear canals open, while the JBL Reflect Aero TWS and JLab Go Air Sport are great for blocking out sounds.

Check out our complete guide to the best running headphones to learn more about all of our running recommendations.

Who this is for: Yes, kids headphones are sized for smaller heads (roughly, ages 2 to 12), but they also include a volume-limiting feature made for the hearing safety of kiddos who listen via headphones frequently.

Why we like it: We offer a variety of recommendations for different uses. We like the Puro BT2200-Plus pair for everyday music and video listening, the PuroQuiet-Plus set for travel (thanks to its good active noise cancellation), the JLab JBuddies Play headphones for online schooling and gaming (with a built-in, extendable boom mic), and for value the Onanoff BuddyPhones Explore+ (for toddlers) and the Altec Lansing MZX4500 (for kindergartners to tweens).

For more info, see our full review of the best kids headphones.

Who this is for: Budding audio fans, musicians who need headphones for recording, and podcasters alike will find these headphones, and their price, the most attractive. They're affordable and dependable, and they sound great.

Why we like it: The Sony MDR-7506 has been a studio and live-audio staple since its release in 1991. Not only does it provide accurate-sounding bass, mids, and treble, but it also gives you a better sense of the depth and dynamics of your music than many models twice the price. Durable, comfortable, and reliable, this pair usually costs under $100.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the long, coiled cable is practical, being able to swap it out for a shorter cord with a remote and a mic for mobile-device usage or to replace a damaged cord would be nice. Also, the looks are professional but in no way stylish.

Driver: 40 mm dynamic neodymium
Frequency response (claimed): 10–20,000 Hz
Cable style: 9.8 feet coiled with 3.5 mm and removable ¼-inch adapter

For more info, see our full review of the best audiophile headphones for everyday use.

Who this is for: Wired earbuds are for anyone who values sound quality over wireless capability or noise cancelling but wants something they can easily pack in a pocket or small bag.

Why we like it: The Linsoul Tin HiFi T4 wired earbuds offer a balanced sound, solid build quality, and comfortable design. This pair’s 10 mm dynamic drivers deliver a sound in which the highs and lows are evenly balanced. We enjoyed the clarity and definition found in the low end, and vocals and midrange instruments sounded clear but supported. The HiFi T4 earbuds are built out of aluminum and feature a sturdy, stainless steel housing, MMCX connectors, and a strong detachable cable. The barrel-shaped chassis is small, which makes the HiFi T4 set a good choice for listeners who have smaller ears.

The FiiO FD3 Pro pair is ideal for people who enjoy extra high-frequency detail, a sound profile that’s currently popular with audiophiles because it can make the presentation seem more crisp and revealing. This pair is comfortable, well built, and capable of drawing power from any smartphone, laptop, or digital audio player. The earbuds have a semi-open design that allows for a more spacious sound than you often get at this price. The cable is detachable, which improves its longevity and lets you swap in a cable with a remote and microphone if you need them. The generous selection of ear tips and accessories ensures compatibility with a wide range of ear shapes and audio devices.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Linsoul Tin HiFi T4’s cable lacks a remote and microphone. However, the cable is detachable, and you can swap it out if you need those features. Note that you can’t swap out the 3.5 mm headphone plug, as you can with the FiiO FD3 Pro.

The FiiO FD3 Pro’s semi-open design allows a bit of sound to leak in and out, and the sound profile may not appeal to everyone. The more expensive FiiO FH5s set offers better passive noise isolation. Also, the cable transfers a little noise.

Linsoul Tin HiFi T4
Warranty: one year
Replaceable cable: yes

FiiO FD3 Pro
Warranty: one year
Replaceable cable: yes

For more info, see our full review of the best wired earbuds.

Who these are for: If you’re looking for traditional over-ear wireless Bluetooth headphones and want good sound for the least amount of money.

Why we like it: The sound is adjustable to your preference through the Soundcore app, and this set is lightweight, with memory foam earcups that are soft and comfortable. The ANC is competitive with that of much pricier headphones. The battery life of 40 hours with ANC on (even longer with it off) is excellent for a pair at this price. The three microphones ensure that your voice sounds clear over calls, and the Easy Chat mode—a hear-through mode that adjusts based on the human vocal range—works well on quick calls.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Soundcore Space One headphones use small physical buttons instead of touch controls—so there is a learning curve to find them without looking. Although the sound is enjoyable, it can come off a little coarse with higher frequencies, and the male vocal range is somewhat muddied.

Battery life: 40+ hours
Warranty: 18 months

For more info, see our full review of the best Bluetooth wireless headphones.

Who this is for: If your heart is set on true wireless earbuds but you aren’t willing to pay more than about $50, these are your best option.

Why we like it: The EarFun Free 2S is a completely wireless pair of earbuds that remains affordable while still providing an experience on a par with (and sometimes better than) that of true wireless earbuds in the $90 to $100 range. The pair has many features you usually find only on higher-priced models, such as a noise-reducing microphone for calls, a case that charges wirelessly, and full tap-based controls. It comes with an 18-month warranty and has high water resistance with an IPX7 rating.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: This pair lacks advanced features like active noise cancellation and a hear-through mode. These earbuds don’t sound as balanced as other options like the 1More Piston Fit BT pair. The EarFun Free 2S has a pronounced high-frequency spike that may be fatiguing for sensitive listeners, while other listeners might register it only as a whistle-like quality in “s” sounds or overemphasized cymbal rings. But this isn’t an uncommon sound profile, and we’ve found the same flaw in more expensive earbuds, so it’s not as much of a dealbreaker at this price.

Battery life: seven hours (plus 23 more hours in the case)
Protected against: water (IPX7)
Warranty: 18 months

For more info, see our full guide to the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds.

Who this is for: Anyone looking for wired earbuds that are super affordable.

Why we like it: For around $15, this pair feels substantially built, has a three-button remote and mic on the cable, and delivers sound quality on a par with earbuds that cost twice as much. The Quarks pair has clear, crisp highs and a broader soundstage than anything we’ve heard under 20 bucks. The microphone is a basic analog mic, but it delivered clear-sounding voices. (An even cheaper version is available without the remote/mic.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The sound quality can’t match that of our favorite (and much pricier) wired earbud picks, and the Quarks pair doesn’t include any sweat or waterproof protection, so we don’t recommend them for working out.

Remote: three-button remote/mic

For more info, see our full review of the best wired earbuds.

Who these are for: These types of headphones are for music connoisseurs who want better performance than standard cans, but they’re not so expensive or delicate that you’re afraid to take them with you to work or school.

Why we like them: The Monolith by Monoprice M565C headphones have an exciting, detailed sound, beating out pairs that cost hundreds more. Suitable for any genre of music, the planar-magnetic drivers are housed in isolating closed-back earcups, so that you can block out distractions and focus on enjoying your playlist. They have a sturdy, comfortable build and replaceable cable, and Monoprice’s five-year warranty is about the longest of any headphones we’ve seen.

If you prefer open-back headphones, we recommend the FiiO FT3 for their balanced and spacious sound. This pair provides rich detail in the higher frequencies and has solid low-frequency output, a rarity for most open-back headphones. The sound can be slightly modified depending on which pair of included earpads you choose to outfit them with.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: For people who prefer to keep a lower profile when listening, the M565C may not be ideal. Because they don’t fold up, and their hard-sided storage case is one of the largest we tested, they aren’t easily portable. The M565C model doesn’t deliver quite as much presence in the mids as we’d like, and some of our panelists would have preferred a little extra sparkle on the highs. Plus, the cable is a bit noisy if you move around a lot. Lastly, the M565C set doesn’t come with a cable that has a remote and mic option for mobile use.

Not everyone prefers the sound created by open-back headphones like the FiiO FT3. Because the ear cups are unsealed, sound is able to filter in and out, meaning you can hear your surroundings and people around can hear what you’re listening to. The FT3’s chassis and cable are also bulkier than we prefer. This pair’s sound quality was better than that of other open-back headphones we tested, but open-back models lack substantial bass compared to closed-back headphones, and we noticed a slightly spiky emphasis in the 5 and 8 kilohertz ranges.

Monolith by Monoprice M565C
Weight: 13.7 ounces
Warranty: five years

FiiO FT3
Weight: 13.8 ounces
Warranty: one year

For more info, see our full review of the best audiophile headphones for everyday use.