Shop for portable audio devices

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 75 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: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 26 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:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 22 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Wired, Active, 85 dB, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: SanDisk's tongue-twister of an MP3 player is a stupefying value and its practical clip-on design is perfect for the gym. Read review

Specs: 4 GB, 1.1 in, 15 hour(s), MP3, Protected WMA (DRM), WMA, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, 4 GB, Player battery - Rechargeable

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jaybird BlueBuds X are impressively small wireless sports earphones that offer a secure fit -- but the $170 price just feels too high. Read review

Specs: In-Ear-bud

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The latest iPod Touch is the best iPod ever, and as close to a phoneless iPhone 5 as you can get -- but its high price makes it a tough call versus cheaper tablets with larger screens. Read review

Specs: 32 GB, 4 in, 40 hour(s), 3.1 oz, 32 GB, Apple Lossless, AAC, Audible AAX, MP3, WAV, AIFF, HE-AAC, Protected AAC, Audible, Audible AAX+, Player battery - Rechargeable - Lithium ion

• 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: For under $10, you'll be hard-pressed to find in-ear headphones that sound better and are more comfortable than the Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120s. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, In-ear, Orange, 0.1 oz, Stereo, 9 mm driver unit, 3.5 mm plug

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 16 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, 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: 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:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Though they look a little cheap, the JVC Flats are lightweight, comfortable on-ear headphones that sound surprisingly good for sub-$15 headphones. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Ear-cup, Black, 2.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug, Foldable

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 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, Headphones, 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:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 291 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, 0.4 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Gold-plated plug

• 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:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 46 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:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 82 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: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The JBL Charge is a nice compromise for those who want a better-sounding portable wireless speaker but don't want to make the jump -- both in terms of size and price -- to something like the Jawbone Big Jambox or Bose SoundLink. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Blue

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: A generous feature set, rugged construction, and warm, detailed sound with powerful bass guarantees the V-Moda M-100's strong appeal for audiophiles with a flexible budget. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: Although they won't satisfy audiophiles and purists, we prefer the Soul by Ludacris SL300 headphones over the competition for their sexy light-up earpieces, supreme comfort, and street-savvy noise cancellation. Read review

Specs: Headphones, Over-the-ear, Black/White, Stereo, Noise cancelling technology, Articulating earcups, Seamless signal transfer, iPhone/iPad/iPod compatible

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: While they may not be quite as comfortable as Bose's ultrapopular QC 15 headphones, the Harman Kardon NCs offer slightly better sound and have a built-in rechargeable battery to power the active noise-cancellation circuitry. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headphones, Over-the-ear, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Passive noise reduction, Adjustable headband, Bass Boost, Digital noise reduction, Foldable, USB bus-powered, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The PSB Speakers M4U 2 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones combine above-average noise cancellation with excellent sound quality that's well worth the price for dedicated audiophiles looking to eliminate ambient noise. Read review

Specs: Headphones, Over-the-ear, Active noise cancellation, Active mode and passive mode, Two-way adjustable ear pads

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 42 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, Headphones, In-ear, 0.7 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Acoustic design, Durable, Comfortable stayhear tips, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 31 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, Silver, 4.9 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Detachable cable, TriPort acoustic headphone structure, Adjustable headband, Bose acoustic equalization, Foldable

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 106 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: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Creative D100 speaker plays music wirelessly from your Bluetooth-compatible music player with impressive low-end range from its dual 3-inch drivers, making it a worthwhile addition to your next outdoor get-together. And although it doesn't have a remote control or speakerphone functionality, the price is right for this portable speaker and it earns our recommendation. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speaker, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 40 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