There are literally thousands of different headphones, earphones, and earbuds out there to choose from. All have the same idea at heart — to provide you with audio without having to play it out loud for everyone to hear. But some achieve this result so much better than others.
Sure, you could just hit up Amazon and buy the cheapest pair (especially during Prime Day), but that’s not always a great idea. You’re going to want to get the best pair for you, and that means you’ll have to think about how you plan on using them after you buy them. Are you planning on listening at home? Taking them on your commute? Do you want to avoid lousy battery life? Go completely wireless? Read more…
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OUR TOP PICK
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
One of Bose's best creations yet, the second generation Quiet Comfort 35s offer a classy look and optimal noise cancellation.
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Colors: Black, silver
- Bluetooth range: 30 feet
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BEST FOR THE TRULY WIRELESS EXPERIENCE
Bose SoundSport Free
These glorious little guys from Bose are basically guaranteed to stay in your ear, but if you lose one, there's an app for that.
- Battery life: 5 hours
- Colors: Triple black, midnight blue, orange
- Bluetooth range: 30 feet
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BEST FOR SOUND QUALITY
AKG N60NC Headphone
The sound performance on these bad boys gives Bose a run for their money, and they're significantly cheaper.
- Battery life: 15-30 hours
- Colors: Black
- Bluetooth range: Wired
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BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION
Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Headphones
Picky audiophiles will adore the customizable modes while frequent flyers will love the seamless connection, even in the air.
- Battery life: 20-30 hours
- Colors: Black
- Bluetooth range: 50 feet
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BEST LIGHTWEIGHT BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES
Plantronics BackBeat Fit 500
They're not the slickest choice, but if you're tired of headphones feeling heavy, these are your guys.
- Battery life: 18 hours
- Colors: Black, teal
- Bluetooth range: 33 feet
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BEST FOR WORKING OUT
JLab Epic Air Earbuds
Gym goers and runners know the pain that is earbuds constantly falling out — these puppies will stay in while delivering exceptional volume.
- Battery life: 7 hours
- Colors: Black
- Bluetooth range: 30 feet
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BEST BUDGET HEADPHONES
Skullcandy Jib Wireless Earbuds
They definitely get the job done, but the lack of tweakable features shows that you get what you pay for.
- Battery life: 6 hours
- Colors: Black, red, blue, purple
- Bluetooth range: 6 feet
