Today: Advice from our headphones expert. Plus …
Whether you’re music obsessed, want to drown out the noise of loud neighbors, or are simply catching up on your favorite podcasts during your morning walk, it matters what kind of headphones you choose. My colleague Lauren Dragan has spent the last decade testing more than 2,000 headphones and earbuds: putting them in the freezer, wearing them in the shower, using them on phone calls while standing in front of a loud fan. I recently asked her for some advice on how to find the best ones. What distinguishes a great pair of headphones from a just okay pair? Great headphones do what you need without any extra hassles. They fit comfortably and perform in a way that’s right for you, especially in the aspects that most impact your life — whether that’s noise cancellation, call quality, or water resistance. And they have to do all of this while sounding great. There isn’t one single pair of headphones that does everything perfectly. So how do I find the best headphones for me? Here’s how I walk my friends through the process. First: What are you going to be doing the majority of the time when you’re wearing them? What devices will you be connecting to? This will help you figure out what features to prioritize. For example, someone wearing earbuds around the office may need a great microphone for meetings. Someone commuting may need great noise cancellation and long battery life. Start with what you’re doing most, choose features that meet those needs, and then work your way out. Keep in mind: Sometimes it’s less expensive to buy two moderately priced pairs, each with features that work for a specific activity rather than one set that does everything. Knowing what’s important to you can help you figure out what’s worth your money. Wired headphones are cool again. What’s up with that? I think it’s a lifestyle decision, as both wired and wireless headphones have their own pros and cons. Wired headphones are easy to use, don’t have a battery life to worry about, and can have better sound quality for the price. On the flip side, active noise cancellation, noise-reducing microphones, voice controls, and other popular benefits aren’t available on standard wired headphones, which can be a downside for some people. Of the 2,000 pairs of headphones you’ve tested … what pair are you taking to a desert island with you? Gah! I don’t have a single favorite! But since we are using a desert-island scenario, I’d want something durable that doesn’t need a battery and that sounds good enough for me to use them as my only set. Given that, I suppose I’d have to go with our longest-running pick, the Sony MDR-7506. My own pair is at least 15 years old — maybe older!— and in that time period, the only thing I’ve replaced or repaired are the earpads. So they should last me long enough to get rescued, I’d hope. We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
Listeners sent in their most pressing headphone-related questions to The Wirecutter Show: What are the best headphones for people with small ears? What about for people with glasses? Or sensory issues? And Lauren gave her expert opinion on all of them. Listen here (with or without headphones)→
One small thing that made our week: To prepare for the longest trip I’ve taken in many years (I’ll be in Italy by the time you read this. Sorry to brag!), I decided to finally adopt our newsroom’s favorite packing hack: packing cubes. I got a set from Away — because they fit perfectly in my luggage and I couldn’t resist the lovely muted tones. Ciao! — Sofia Sokolove, head of newsletters
This rich but not greasy body butter is smooth and absorbs over a few minutes to ensure all-day hydration. It’s Lauren’s go-to for dealing with the arid, rapidly fluctuating temperatures where she lives in Los Angeles. “It’s unlikely that skin has a soulmate, but if it did, this stuff would be mine”→
Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
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