The 10 Best Headphones  Dec 2023

• Earbud headphones: Rest outside the ear or are inserted into the ear canal
  • Very compact and lightweight
  • Can provide moderate to excellent noise cancellation
  • Some models have microphone and track navigation controls built into the wire
  • Variety of ear tip sizes and materials that can be bought separately to ensure the most comfortable fit
• On-ear headphones: Rest on top of your outer ears, such as the JVC HANC20 Noise Cancelling Headphones
  • Comfortable 
  • Smallest of the bigger headphones so they are easier to store and transport
  • Great for people who do not like in-ear headphones but do not want to feel completely isolated from outside noises.
• Circumaural headphones: Also known as “Over-Ear,” “Around-the-Ear,” or “Full-Size.” These fully enclose your ears, such as the Momentum Headphone by Sennheiser
  • Folding design
  • Seals music in so no one around you can hear what you are listening to.
  • Surround sound
  • Maximum bass and volume levels
  • Noise cancelling options available
  • Great for home use
  • Comfortable—many models come with padded ear cups and headbands
  • Largest type of headphones
• Wireless headphones: Use Bluetooth to connect to your device
  • Good for portability—these headphones can go up to 33 feet from the device and still produce good sound
  • Needs batteries

Warranty.  Many people were much happier with products that came with a warranty, especially if you are going to be spending a decent amount of money.

Size. The size of the product should be considered as well. If you are going to be traveling with minimal amounts of space, you’re going to want to pay attention to whether the headphones can be folded, and whether they are going to be too big for your head.

Comfort. When using headphones for long amounts of time, it is important to be comfortable and have a great audio experience. Opt for headphones with padding, especially for circumaural models.

Features

Noise-cancelling headphones come in all forms from full-size to ear-buds. This feature actively blocks out sound coming from other sources, which means you can listen to music at lower volume levels and reduce ear fatigue.

Bone conduction is a feature in headphones that does not block out all sounds. This is a good feature for people who are runners and need to hear traffic going on around them. Some types are designed for underwater use as well!

Inline microphones and remotes are often times built into the cord, especially with in-ear headphones.  This gives you the freedom to change tracks and answer calls from the headphones instead of the actual phone.

Cable type and length vary from product to product.

Which is best for you?

Sports and Fitness: You are going to want lightweight earphones that are comfortable and will also stay put while exercising. In-ear, on-ear headphones, or wireless headphones will be the best for this. Some models have water-resistant materials that will protect against sweat, while some have controls on the cords that will let you control music without having to pick up the device.

Home Entertainment: Over-ear headphones are comfortable and have great sound quality, making them a great choice for gamers and those who like to have the “at-the-movies” experience without leaving the house. Look for headphones with surround sound to create the ultimate experience.

Work: On-ear headphones are great, as well as in-ear headphones. They will both effectively keep you from distractions and are not too big and won’t get in the way.

Travel: Wireless headphones are a go-to option when traveling. The cords will not get tangled when hauling all your luggage from place to place, and many models come with exceptional noise-cancellation features.

Sennheiser: A German company that has been making quality headphones since 1945.

Audio-Technica: Has won multiple awards, the most recent dubbing the ATH-MSR7 model the Best Headphones of 2015.

Harman Kardon: A leader in headphone sales, it reported $5.9 billion in sales during the past year.

JVC: Makes many top-notch headphones and continues to be a leader in the market today.