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It's hard to know which headphones make the most sense for you with so many options on the market.
Luckily, experts at Consumer Reports did the hard work for us, testing dozens of earbuds and headphones to find the best in each category.
"If there’s one thing that separates truly great headphones from the merely mediocre, it’s sound quality," CR said. "At Consumer Reports, our trained testers evaluate fit and the performance of the noise cancellation tech (if a model has that feature), but in our headphone ratings, we give the most weight to sound quality."
Continue reading to see which were named their favorites — and why.
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If you're buying Apple $AAPL AirPods, CR thinks you should go with the Pro 3. CR said the earbuds, which cost between $200 and $250, have great new features, including live translation.
"The noise-canceling wireless earbuds still offer a clinical-grade hearing test and the option to turn your Pro 3s into an over-the-counter hearing aid," CR said.
Importantly, they have good sound quality and are more comfortable than the previous generation.
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Screenshot: Bestbuy.com
The Sony $SONY WF-1000XM5 took the top for the noise-cancelling earbuds with the best sound. The newest model, which costs around $275, is "smaller, light, and sleeking" than previous models, CR notes.
"The standout feature is the XM5’s truly superb sound quality," CR said. "The earbuds deliver so much musical detail that you simply hear your favorite songs in a different way.
And the noise-cancelling abilities are top of the line.
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Screenshot: bose.com
If traditional earbuds are uncomfortable for your ears, check out the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, CR said. These are "essentially tiny speakers that sit near your ear canal like a cuff-style earring," CR explained. They also allow you to be more present and hear other noises besides whatever you've queued up on your phone.
"Our testers found that the Ultra Opens sound really good," CR said. "They’re also secure for most users, though larger-eared testers did have a slightly harder time getting an optimal fit, and with this design, proper positioning is important."
Because they aren't noise-cancelling, they aren't great on a plane, train, or noisy office.
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CR said Apple $AAPL's AirPods Max (USB-C) are the best noise-cancelling headphones, complementing their "elegant and distinctive styling that’s unique and channels Apple’s other products."
It also said they have a bevy of helpful features. "You can add a transparency mode that filters in outside sound so that you can hear what’s going on around you when you’re out for a walk on a busy sidewalk or a relatively quiet trail," CR noted.
The worst part about the AirPods Max, CR said, is the price — they often cost around $550. Still, you get what you pay for since the headphones feel premium.
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Screenshot: gradolabs.com
If you want classic headphones that still have a cord, go for the Grado RS2x, CR said. They don't come cheap — at $550 — but CR said the sound is "truly amazing." This pair earned the highest sound quality score of any equipment tested.
"For the money, you get both audiophile sound and a unique aesthetic featuring a maple wood housing and Grado’s signature leather headband," CR said. "The Grados use an open-air design; the back of the earcups features a mesh screen instead of a sealed case."
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Screenshot: amazon.com
If you just want a pair of classic wire earbuds, go for the 1MORE E1001 Triple Driver, CR said. They cost just $60 and have really strong sound. "You won’t find many competitors that deliver such impressive audio at anywhere near this price," CR said. "These wired earbuds have a sleek design and come with extras, including a removable shirt clip, a carrying case, and nine sets of earpieces of varying shapes and sizes to help you find a good fit."
