Headphone Buying Guide

The best headphones are the ones that fit how you listen: on a commute, at a desk, at the gym or on a plane. Start with the style, then compare features.

Earbuds, over-ear or on-ear?

• Earbuds: small and pocketable, good for commuting and workouts. Fit matters a lot, so try the different ear tip sizes.
• Over-ear: the most comfortable for long sessions and usually the best noise cancelling and battery life.
• On-ear: lighter than over-ear but press on your ears, which some people find tiring after an hour or two.

Noise cancelling

Active noise cancelling (ANC) reduces steady sounds like engines, air conditioning and train noise. It's worth paying for if you commute or fly. A transparency or ambient mode lets you hear your surroundings without taking them off.

Other things to compare

• Battery life: makers' figures are measured under ideal conditions, often with noise cancelling off. Expect somewhat less.
• Phone compatibility: AirPods and Beats pair most easily with iPhones; Galaxy Buds and Pixel Buds with their own phones. Any Bluetooth headphones work with any phone.
• Multipoint: lets headphones stay connected to a phone and a laptop at the same time.
• Water resistance: an IPX4 or higher rating handles sweat and rain, which matters for workout earbuds.
• Microphone quality: check reviews if you take a lot of calls.

Spotting a good headphone deal

Popular models like Sony WH-1000X, Bose QuietComfort, AirPods and Beats go on sale often, so the sale price is the price to compare against, not the list price. When a newer generation launches, the previous one is often discounted and is usually still a very good buy.