Headphones
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The Best Gaming Headsets
by Haley Perry
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers better sound than many more-expensive gaming headsets, has an excellent onboard microphone, and is comfortable enough to wear for hours.
The Best Over-Ear Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
Whether you’re looking for the best sound or just to cancel out the noise, we’ve picked the best headphones for anyone who wants an immersive experience.
The Best Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
We’ve tested several hundred headphones, including wireless, noise-cancelling, and even kids headphones, to pick the best headphones in each category.
All the Headphones Wirecutter Recommends
by Lauren Dragan
If you’re shopping for headphones, this is the place to start. Here are all of our headphone recommendations.
The Best Audiophile Headphones for Everyday Use
by Lauren Dragan and Brent Butterworth
Audiophile headphones focus on delivering the best sound quality, period. We’ve tested hundreds of them and selected our favorites for different uses.
The Best Earplugs for Concerts
by Lauren Dragan
While custom earplugs are best for pro musicians and regular concert-goers, we like the Loop Earplugs for the occasional concert, club, or spin class.
11 Great Gifts for Listening to Music
by Samantha Schoech
All our best equipment and tech to help the music lover in your life enjoy their passion to the fullest.
The Best Workout Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS are our favorite earbuds for the gym. We love their secure fit, simple controls, waterproof design, and ability to block noise.
The Best Headphones for Running
by Lauren Dragan
When it comes to running headphones, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. So we have multiple recommendations based on style, features, and price.
The Best Kids Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
Whether you need kids headphones for entertainment, school, or travel, we have recommendations—and they all limit the maximum volume to protect young ears.
The Best Sleep Headphones (But We Hoped for Better)
by Lauren Dragan
All of the sleep headphones we tested fell short in some way, but we still have three recommendations for different uses and budgets.
The Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
by Lauren Dragan
The Soundcore Space A40 true wireless earbuds perform so well, it’s hard to believe they’re priced so affordably.
The Best Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
The JBL Tour One M2 over-ear Bluetooth headphones sound great, have a long battery life, and offer premium features at a lower price than the competition.
The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
Whether you prefer over-ear or in-ear noise-cancelling headphones, we have recommendations to help bring peace to your next trip.
These Inexpensive Earbuds Made Me Actually Like Going to the Gym
by Gabriella DePinho
These budget earbuds helped me block out the noise when I first started going to the gym, without blowing my budget. Now, I use them daily.
The Best Portable Headphone Amp With Built-In DAC
by Brent Butterworth
The affordable Fosi Audio DS1 is our favorite headphone amp/DAC because it has the needed connections and power output to suit most headphones.
The Best Bluetooth Headphone Adapter
by Adrienne Maxwell
If you want to use your favorite wired headphones over a wireless connection, the easy-to-use 1Mii ML100 is the best Bluetooth headphone adapter for most people.
The Best Wireless and Wired Headsets
by Kaitlyn Wells and Melanie Pinola
Whether you prefer the freedom of Bluetooth or the reliability of a wired headset, we have picks to suit all budgets and fit preferences.
The Best Wired Earbuds
by Ian D. White
The FiiO FD3 Pro is our favorite pair of wired earbuds under $200 because it offers excellent sound and build quality, plus a ton of helpful accessories.
The Best Earbuds Under $50
by Lauren Dragan
Not everyone wants to spend an arm and a leg to get earbuds, and the good-sounding, features-laden EarFun Free 2S proves that you don’t have to.
The 20 Best Gifts for Gamers
by Wirecutter Staff
You needn’t be an avid gamer to give an avid gamer something incredible. Our gifts team has you covered, with a range of Wirecutter-tested accessories and our favorite games of the year.
The Best Headphones Under $100
by Lauren Dragan
If you’re looking for backup headphones or just don’t want to spend a lot, we reviewed all the best cheap headphones for you.
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones: An Affordable Sound Booth Staple
by Lauren Dragan
The Sony MDR-7506 headphones sound like they should cost a lot more.
The Best Wireless TV Headphones
by Nena Farrell and Lauren Dragan
Wireless TV headphones let you watch TV or play games without disturbing others. We like Insignia’s NS-HAWHP2 for its comfort, ease of use, and minimal lag.
Apple’s iPhone 15 Event Recap: New Phones, New Watches, and USB-C
by Caitlin McGarry, Roderick Scott, and Arthur Gies
Apple’s annual fall event brought iPhone 15 models, USB-C, new watches, and more.
The Best Bluetooth Transmitters for Home and Portable Use
by Nick Guy
Looking for a way to connect your wireless headphones to a source that lacks Bluetooth? Use a Bluetooth transmitter like 1Mii’s ML300 or B03.
How Muted Kids Earmuffs Saved My Family’s Social Life
by Rose Maura Lorre
Parents often enjoy little time to socialize. Here’s how an under-$30 pair of earmuffs can help safeguard your precious plans—and your kids’ hearing.
First Impressions of the Beats Studio Buds +: Don’t Believe the Hype
by Lauren Dragan
We’ve been trying out the new Apple Beats Studio Buds + for about a week. Here’s what we think so far.
Can the AirPods Pro Protect Your Hearing? We Put Them to the Test.
by Brent Butterworth and Lauren Dragan
Can earbuds provide adequate hearing protection for loud concerts? We tested several popular earbuds, including the AirPods Pro, to find out.
How to Improve the Sound of Your Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
If you’re unhappy with the sound quality of your new headphones, don’t return them right away. You might be able to improve the sound through EQ.
How Wirecutter Tests Audio Products (And You Can, Too!)
by Brent Butterworth
Here are the procedures Wirecutter uses to test audio devices, plus a few tips on how you can evaluate them yourself.
How Wirecutter Evaluates Sound in Our Headphone and Speaker Reviews
by Brent Butterworth
This is the first in a two-part series in which we discuss how we evaluate good sound in our speaker and headphone reviews.
Bluetooth Headphones Don’t Always Play Nice With Computers. Here’s Why.
by Lauren Dragan
Bluetooth headphones should work reliably with most newer computers and laptops. If yours don’t, here are some possible reasons why.
We Tested Headphones for Schoolkids. Some Were Worryingly Loud.
by Brent Butterworth and Lauren Dragan
Many headphones sold directly to schools are not volume-limited. This is probably not a concern in most cases, but it’s worth looking into for your kids.
Your Wireless Earbuds Are Trash (Eventually)
by Lauren Dragan
Wireless earbuds are great, but their small batteries have a limited lifespan. Are you willing to sacrifice longevity for convenience?
How One Small Startup Is Tackling Apple’s Big AirPods Problem
by Jon Chase
AirPods are a sustainability nightmare, but a small startup called The Swap Club is doing its part to help AirPods owners and the environment.