Consumer Reports' Expert Knowledge: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Headphones

At Consumer Reports, our audio technicians listen to thousands of hours of music every year to formulate our headphone ratings. This interactive buying guide is designed to arm you with their expert knowledge, helping you pick the model that best suits your needs. Whether you're a music enthusiast or a busy professional, we'll help you navigate the world of headphones and find the perfect pair for you.

Understanding Your Needs: What Will You Use Your Headphones For?

When shopping for new headphones, it's essential to consider what you plan to use them for. Different types of headphones are designed for specific purposes, such as travel, working out, or listening to music at home. Our experts recommend considering your lifestyle and intended use when selecting a pair of headphones. For example, if you're looking for portable headphones for traveling or working out in a noisy gym, consider a pair that's lightweight and compact, such as an in-ear headphone. These types of headphones are designed to keep ambient sounds out while keeping your music in, making them ideal for noisy environments.

Portable In-Ear Headphones: A Great Option for Travel

Portable in-ear headphones are a great option for travel or working out in a noisy gym. They're lightweight and compact, forming a seal that helps keep most ambient sounds out while keeping your music in. However, some people may not like the feeling of having plugs in their ears for long periods of time. Portable in-ear headphones cost between $10 to $200, making them an affordable option for those who want to listen to music on-the-go.

Earbuds: A Good Alternative for Those Who Want to Hear Their Phone

If you want to listen to an audiobook but still need to hear your phone ring, consider earbuds. They don't completely isolate you from outside sounds, but they can help block out some ambient noise. Models that stay securely in place are also good for exercising outside, allowing you to still hear some noise like a car horn. Earbuds typically cost between $10 to $200.

Home/Studio-Style Headphones: Ideal for Music Enthusiasts

If you plan to listen to music at home, home/studio-style headphones are an excellent choice. Their larger size gives manufacturers the freedom to focus on sound quality instead of portability. Home/studio-style headphones range from $20 to $500 and offer a more immersive listening experience.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones: A Game-Changer for Noisy Environments

Noise-cancelling headphones can be a game-changer for those who need to get work done in noisy environments, such as on a flight. These headphones use battery-powered electronics to cancel out background noises, making it easier to focus on your music or work. Many noise-cancelling headphones come with and without the noise-cancelling feature, allowing you to still use them for music if the batteries die.

Wireless Headphones: A Convenient Option

If you hate wires, you're in luck! Almost every type of headphone comes in a wireless version, connected using Bluetooth technology. This means you can listen to music without taking your phone out of your pocket. However, keep in mind that wireless headphones may require disposable or rechargeable batteries, which can be inconvenient and cost money to replace.

Special Features: Cord Variations and Smartphone Controls

When it comes to special features, there aren't many variations for headphones. Most headphones come with a traditional Y exit cord, single exit cord, or asymmetrical cord design that allows you to eliminate the Y cord in front of you. Some headphones also feature smartphone controls, allowing you to answer calls, end music, and control volume without having to take your phone out of your pocket.

Consumer Reports Ratings: A Trustworthy Guide

When shopping for headphones, Consumer Reports ratings are an excellent starting point. Our experts carefully test and review each pair of headphones, providing you with a comprehensive guide to help you make informed decisions. Remember to also listen to the type of music you like with different headphones to compare sound quality and find the perfect fit.

Warranties and Return Policies: Always Check

Before making a purchase, it's essential to check out warranties and return policies. We're a not-for-profit organization that pays for all items we test and accepts no advertising. By doing our research and reading reviews from other customers, you can ensure you're getting the best value for your money.

By following these guidelines and considering your needs, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect pair of headphones for you. Remember to trust Consumer Reports ratings, listen to different types of music with various headphones, and always check out warranties and return policies before making a purchase. Happy listening!

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enat Consumer Reports our audio technicians listen to thousands of hours of music every year to formulate our headphone ratings this interactive buying guide will arm you with their expert knowledge to pick the model that best suits your needs so click any chapter to skip around subscribers to our website can access our specific brand recommendations and exclusive product ratings research shows on average people own several pairs of headphones when looking for a new pair it's good to consider what you plan to use them for in every category we test there's a wide range of prices keep in mind a higher price tag May mean better components but doesn't always mean Better Sound in fact we often recommend headphones for as little as $20 for travel or working out in a noisy gym consider a portable inear pair they're lightweight Compact and form a seal that helps keep most ambient sounds out while keeping your sounds in on the downside some people don't like the feeling of having plugs in their ears especially for long periods of time portable inear headphones cost $10 to $200 want to listen to an audio book but still need to hear the phone ring check out earbuds they don't completely isolate you from outside sounds models that stay securely in place are also good for exercising outside so you can still hear some noise like a car horn expect to pay $10 to $200 home or Studio style headphones are a great choice if you plan to listen to a lot of Music at home their larger size gives manufacturers the freedom to focus on sound quality instead of portability home or Studio style headphones range from 20 to $500 noise cancelling headphones can help if you need to get some work done on a noisy flight they use batterypowered Electronics to cancel out some some background noises many work with or without the noise cancelling feature on so you can still use them for music if the batteries die some people have reported feeling slightly disoriented using the noise cancelling feature on some models so it's important to try them out before buying they cost $50 to $300 if you hate wires you're in luck nearly every type of headphone Homer Studio style portable and noise cancelling comes in a wireless version because they're usually connected using Bluetooth you can listen to music without taking your phone out of your pocket they do however run on disposable or rechargeable batteries which cost money to replace or can be inconvenient to charge they cost between 100 and $400 when it comes to special features there aren't many variations for headphones for the cord there's the traditional y exit chord and the single exit cord there's also the asymmetrical cord on these models one cord is longer than the other they're designed to go around your neck to eliminate the Y cord in front of you many headphones have smartphone controls they let you answer and end calls and control your music without having to take your phone out of your pocket but some only work with specific phones so make sure the ones you want are compatible with your phone Consumer Reports ratings and recommendations are an excellent start when shopping for headphones but sound quality and Comfort are very personal our experts say it's important to find a pair that fits well and also sounds good to you so listen to the type of music you like with a variety of headphones to compare and remember it's always a good idea to check out warranties and return policies before making a purchase we're a not for-profit pay for all of the items we test and accept no advertising thanks for your supportat Consumer Reports our audio technicians listen to thousands of hours of music every year to formulate our headphone ratings this interactive buying guide will arm you with their expert knowledge to pick the model that best suits your needs so click any chapter to skip around subscribers to our website can access our specific brand recommendations and exclusive product ratings research shows on average people own several pairs of headphones when looking for a new pair it's good to consider what you plan to use them for in every category we test there's a wide range of prices keep in mind a higher price tag May mean better components but doesn't always mean Better Sound in fact we often recommend headphones for as little as $20 for travel or working out in a noisy gym consider a portable inear pair they're lightweight Compact and form a seal that helps keep most ambient sounds out while keeping your sounds in on the downside some people don't like the feeling of having plugs in their ears especially for long periods of time portable inear headphones cost $10 to $200 want to listen to an audio book but still need to hear the phone ring check out earbuds they don't completely isolate you from outside sounds models that stay securely in place are also good for exercising outside so you can still hear some noise like a car horn expect to pay $10 to $200 home or Studio style headphones are a great choice if you plan to listen to a lot of Music at home their larger size gives manufacturers the freedom to focus on sound quality instead of portability home or Studio style headphones range from 20 to $500 noise cancelling headphones can help if you need to get some work done on a noisy flight they use batterypowered Electronics to cancel out some some background noises many work with or without the noise cancelling feature on so you can still use them for music if the batteries die some people have reported feeling slightly disoriented using the noise cancelling feature on some models so it's important to try them out before buying they cost $50 to $300 if you hate wires you're in luck nearly every type of headphone Homer Studio style portable and noise cancelling comes in a wireless version because they're usually connected using Bluetooth you can listen to music without taking your phone out of your pocket they do however run on disposable or rechargeable batteries which cost money to replace or can be inconvenient to charge they cost between 100 and $400 when it comes to special features there aren't many variations for headphones for the cord there's the traditional y exit chord and the single exit cord there's also the asymmetrical cord on these models one cord is longer than the other they're designed to go around your neck to eliminate the Y cord in front of you many headphones have smartphone controls they let you answer and end calls and control your music without having to take your phone out of your pocket but some only work with specific phones so make sure the ones you want are compatible with your phone Consumer Reports ratings and recommendations are an excellent start when shopping for headphones but sound quality and Comfort are very personal our experts say it's important to find a pair that fits well and also sounds good to you so listen to the type of music you like with a variety of headphones to compare and remember it's always a good idea to check out warranties and return policies before making a purchase we're a not for-profit pay for all of the items we test and accept no advertising thanks for your support\n"