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Shop November 18, 2025

The best headphones to shop now: Noise-canceling, open-ears, earbuds and more

PHOTO: Shop the best headphones in every category
Target, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Nothing, Amazon, Adobe
Shop the best headphones in every category

Headphones are a must-have in the modern world, but knowing which type and brand to pick can cause as bad of a headache as getting the wrong pair.

Below, we've broken down a few common categories and their respective best uses and benefits, as well as suggestions for top picks in each.

Read on to see which headphone style, brand and model are right for you. Happy listening!

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Best over-ear headphones

For the ultimate listening experience, choose an over-ear headphone. They have the most advance engineering possible inside due to sheer size, and -- like the pairs we've selected -- can provide a very comfortable listening session that makes you feel like you're in the recording studio listening live.

Best earbuds

Earbuds are all about convenience and portability, but modern brands like JBL and Nothing don't let that erode the sound quality -- try these top picks to experience incredible sound and comfortable in-ear wear.

Best open-ear headphones

No everyone wants noise-canceling headphones for many reasons, and an open-ear model lets you experience top-notch listening without sacrificing spatial and aural awareness. We think you'll love these options if this sounds up your alley.

Best on-ear headphones

On-ear headphones offer a lighter wear than over-ears sometimes, and the Beats Solo 4 is a must-have if you dislike the feeling of earbuds and want that over-ear experience with slightly less bulk to wear and carry.