Knowing what kind of headphone you need is a great start on getting a headful of great sound. Simply click on the headphone types below that fit your needs, and we’ll tell you as much as we know (without boring you silly) about the various models of that type, and how to pick a real good one.
Ear Bud
Small earphones that nest in the outer part of the ear.
Balanced Headphones
Headphones custom cabled for ultra-high-end headphone amplifiers.
Wireless
Cordless headphones for free-range listening.
Sealed Headphones
Variety of headphone types that attenuate the ambient noise around you.
Full Size Headphones
Headphones with larger earcups that fit around the ear.
Ear Pad Headphones
Headphones with smaller flat pads that rest gently on your earlobes.
Street Style
The headband design loops around the back of your neck.
Clip On
These have earpieces that hang or clip behind the ears.
Ear Canal Headphone
Tiny, potentially pricey headphones that seal within the ear canal.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sound quality sacrifices provide convenient isolation. Excellent for airplane travel.