Shop for headphones

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 278 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Klipsch Image S4 earphones offer up sound quality on par with and better than sets that cost many times as much; they are a spectacular choice for anyone looking for new earbuds. Read review

Specs: Headphone - Binaural, Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, 0.4 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Samsung's Refined Sound EHS71 stereo headset is elegantly crafted but lacks the audio chops to match its $129 asking price. Read review

Specs: In-ear ear-bud

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 115 reviews

The Bottom Line: Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there's no denying the sound quality here: they're the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Semi-open, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Limited warranty - Lifetime

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 67 reviews

The Bottom Line: While they're no bargain, the Bose QuietComfort 15s currently offer the best sound and silencing capabilities in a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, Silver, 7.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, TriPort acoustic headphone structure, Bose acoustic equalization, Limited warranty - Lifetime

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 35 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones deliver the trifecta of sleek, comfortable design, useful features, and top-notch sound quality. If you can afford them, they're a worthy investment toward an improved listening experience. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, Black, 9.2 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 100 reviews

The Bottom Line: The unique and stylish Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer solid audio, useful accessories, and a look that's anything but copycat. For fashion-forward folks with cash to spare, they're a great option. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, White, 9.2 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 104 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour In-Ear Headphones offer much in the way of style and sound, but the extra-long earpieces my cause comfort and fit issues for some users. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, 0.7 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, MicroStrand conductors, Patented magnetic FluxTube, 24K gold contacts, In-ear noise isolation, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Audio-Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC1 headphones are a great option for frequent fliers, thanks to their compact, lightweight design, noise cancellation functionality, and good overall sound quality. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, 0.2 lbs, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Noise cancelling technology, Fold-up design, Soft ear pads, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you can't afford Bose's QuietComfort noise-canceling headphones, the attractively designed and more affordable Sony MDR-NC200Ds are worth your consideration. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Ear-cup, 6.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Artificial Intelligence Sound, Battery level indication, L-shaped plug, Gold-plated plug, Noise canceling circuit, Digital noise reduction, Noise-Cancelling Switch

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: While they're not in the same league as the step-up ATH-M50 headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M30 set costs a lot less and offers impressive performance and decent build quality for the money. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, 7.1 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are among the best available for less than $200, offering excellent sound and build quality. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, 10 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 79 reviews

The Bottom Line: With the QuietComfort 3s, Bose has done a remarkable job of shrinking its popular noise-canceling headphones while achieving similarly impressive sound quality--but that engineering feat doesn't come cheap. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, 5.6 oz, Stereo, Noise canceling circuit

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 117 reviews

The Bottom Line: Sennheiser's versatile headphones sound great on DVDs and all kinds of music. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, Black, 10.1 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Limited warranty - 2 years

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 64 reviews

The Bottom Line: Monster's Turbine in-ear headphone looks, feels, and sounds like a much more expensive model. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Black chrome, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold plated connectors

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: Klipsch's ultracomfortable, noise-isolating ear tips are just one of the reasons I love and recommend the S4-series headphones. If you're an Android user shopping for a new pair of earbuds, the Image S4A headphones are definitely worth the $99. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Noise isolating, Limited warranty - 2 years

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 28 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Beats Pro by Dr. Dre from Monster Headphones deliver a sturdy design and top-notch sound quality for those who enjoy skull-shattering bass. If you're a casual listener and can afford them, they're a worthy investment, but if you're an audio purist then you may want to comparison shop. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, White, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 39 reviews

The Bottom Line: While we've heard earphones that sound better for the money, Bose has improved its in-ear headphones so they fit--and sound better--than its previous in-ear model. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, In-ear ear-bud, Black, 0.7 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, TriPort acoustic headphone structure, StayHear tips

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: You may be fooled by their featherweight design, but the MEElectronics HT-21s earn our recommendation for their ample soundstage, subtle aesthetic, and portable convenience. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, Black, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 45 degree plug, Gold-plated plug, Foldable, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The new HD 598's "wow" styling updates the classic Sennheiser look, and the sound has more detail and higher resolution than previous models. We recommend these cans to anyone looking for a pair of headphones with precision sound quality and a wide-open soundstage. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, 9.5 oz, Stereo, Phone stereo 6.3 mm, Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement technology (E.A.R.) technology, Duofol diaphragms, Limited warranty - 2 years

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The sleek TMA-1 headphones by Aiaiai are ideal for traveling DJs who need tough headphones with an up-front, bass-slamming sound profile. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, 6.7 oz, Stereo, 40 mm driver unit, 3 mm cotton fiber filter, 0.4 m coil for greater flexibility

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: At around $50 online, the MEElectronics A151s are among the most affordable balanced-armature earphones out there and deliver very good sound for the money. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-bud, Black, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Noise isolating, Gold-plated plug, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 51 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Beats Solo by Dr. Dre Headphones from Monster offer a killer, travel-friendly design that's sure to turn heads, but the audio quality fails to live up to the price tag. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, Black, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Remote control, Limited warranty - 3 years

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The MeElectronics M9 sound-isolating earphones are an exceptional value, offering solid audio, a good design, and nice extras for an ultralow price. Anyone looking for cheap replacement earbuds should consider these. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Silver, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Anyone looking for ultracompact headphones with top-notch sound quality should consider the Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones. This set will cost you a pretty penny, but it'll be worth it. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, In-ear ear-bud, Metallic bronze, 1.1 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Noise isolating, Gold-plated plug, Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 2 years

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 25 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you can't afford Bose's noise-canceling models, the Bose AE2s--and their improved design and sound quality--make for a good alternative at half the price. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, 4.9 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Detachable cable, TriPort acoustic headphone structure, Adjustable headband, Bose acoustic equalization, Foldable