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.
This goes doubly for those shopping for headphones as a gift, especially with graduation season coming up -- new grads heading to college or entering the workforce will undoubtedly be grateful for an upgraded pair to use during workouts, commutes, long hours spent studying, in the office and more.
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. We're also including an exciting new release from stylish brand Nothing: The Headphone (a) designed in the brand's signature, tech-savvy aesthetic at an under-$200 price point.
Read on to check out that launch and more of our favorites to determine which headphone style, brand and model are right for your needs. Happy listening!
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British tech company Nothing has launched a new, lighter and more affordable headphone model: The Headphone (a).
Unflinchingly stylish with one of the most eye-catching designs on the market, Nothing lean into a cyber-futuristic vibe that has a distinct turn-of-the-20th-century look and feel you won't find elsewhere. While the Headphone (1) offers a slightly more sturdy, dynamic headphone for a $300 price point, the new Headphone (a) sees a $100 price decrease (great for gifting at a more accessible price point) and lighter build for comfort during longer listening sessions.
Both models benefit greatly from downloading the accompanying app that allows you to choose the level of noise cancellation you want, the best division of sound for your music, book or podcast, and plenty of options for customizing your listening experience instantly.
Each also offers a tactile experience that invokes muscle memory for smoother control thanks to the various on-ear controls. For example, it's a cinch to skip tracks with a satisfying paddle click that lets the listener flip through songs without picking up their phone and potentially getting distracted by the notifications.
As for audio quality, Nothing options offer deep, rich bass that can be tweaked to your liking, crisp middle and top notes, and an overall immersion on par with any of our other favorites in the $300 to $500 range of evergreen favorites below.
For the ultimate listening experience, we recommend an over-ear headphone. They have the most advanced 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.
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.
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.
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.
