7 Best Headphones For Work And Play
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With so much incredible sound in the world and so much outside noise to distract us, it’s a glorious thing when you find a way to optimize your personal auditory space with a good pair of headphones. Although there’s no lack of options when it comes to quality headphones, the styles and the technological offerings can be a bit dizzying. We may not be able to choose the perfect pair for you, but we hope this guide offers some basic tips to help you make your own investment in a good pair of headphones. Whether you want to flow at work, get into the groove at the gym, or tune out the world on your long walk, we’ve compiled our favorite options to accompany you for any activity.
What should you look for in a great pair of headphones?
Headphone technology has taken a quantum leap in recent years. We’re talkin’ crystal clear surround sound, selective and active noise cancellation (counteracting low-level noises in the environment), strategically placed microphones, and styles that suit any ear shape or activity. A good pair of headphones should offer the perfect compilation of comfort, battery life, stability, and sound quality. While the headphones in our guide share many similar features when it comes to battery life, active noise cancellation, and connectivity, one thing that helps to differentiate them is the style. We recommend you start by determining which style will work best for you and then shopping from there. We have highlighted the basic options below:
On-ear or over-the-ear: Over-the-ear headphones used to be heavy and uncomfortable for extended wear. Nowadays, these are more like cushioned “ear muffs” that form a snug seal over the entire ear. Many models are light and adjustable, and although they carry the biggest footprint of the style options, the trade-off is worth it for a more comfortable and longer wear time that doesn’t scrimp on ear mechanics. Consider this style for travel or if you’re a music aficionado looking for the highest sound quality.
In-ear buds: The in-ear style aims to mold to the contours of your inner ear and seal to the ear canal to deliver optimal sound frequency. This is the smallest and most portable option, but it often still offers excellent sound quality. Many options come with a charging case, so you can easily extend battery life as well. Many people prefer in-ear styles for exercise.
Ear hook: Ear hooks are modified forms of earbuds. They are still compact but offer an extra level of stability with a piece that hooks over the top of your ear to ensure they stay in place. Ear hooks can create a secure fit without putting too much pressure on your ear canal, making them a good option for people with smaller ears. These are great options for high-impact or endurance sports.
Open-ear clip-on: Clip-on, open-ear headphones are a newer headphone technology that delivers sound in an intriguing ambient manner. These literally clip onto the outside ear, leaving the ear canal completely unobstructed. They work by either using bone conduction or air conduction to transmit sound into your ears. Fans of this style say it still offers a personal and private listening experience but is safer and more sanitary. (Keeping earbuds clean is no joke!) These are also great for people who wear goggles or glasses during workouts or work.
What are the benefits of wired headphones?
While wireless headphone options are the newest industry standard, there are still music purists who prefer a wired headphone experience. Because wired headphones offer a physical connection to the audio device, it ensures consistent and clean sound quality. They are also good on planes since they fit in the jack to take advantage of the in-flight entertainment system if you travel a lot. And for those who find it hard to regularly charge, wired headphones can eliminate having to worry about battery life. If you just can’t choose, you are in luck because the latest generation of many headphones offers options that can flip-flop between wired and wireless — win-win!
Our criteria:
We’ve researched, tested, and written about the best wellness gear on the market. The headphones on this list are comfortable, have great sound quality, and are built to last so you only have to make your own decision once. We regularly update this list with new favorites that meet the following criteria:
- COMFORT | We’ve included options for in-ear, over-ear, and other types so you can find a high-quality pair of headphones that will stay put for hours, whatever you prefer.
- SOUND QUALITY | The brands on this list have all been vetted for sound quality so you can have a seamless experience whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or taking calls. We’ve noted which models have noise cancellation.
- BATTERY LIFE | We’ve chosen only wireless models with extensive battery life, and we’ve included details about how long they’ll last between charges.
- DURABLE | The headphones on this list are built to last, and many include return policies, guarantees, and warranties that ensure you won’t be repurchasing anytime soon.
Headphones are great for listening to your favorite tunes while you work or play, but other times you need some headphones to drown out that snoring partner or a noisy neighbor. For those instances, check out our guide on the best sleep headphones.
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Best For | Noise cancellation
Style | In-Ear
Features | 9 hours of battery life with case, multi-point Bluetooth connection, voice connection, color options
Prices Starting At | $299
With world-class active noise cancellation and custom sound that caters to your specific ear anatomy, what’s not to love about the award-winning Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds use both passive and active noise reduction technologies to achieve adaptive in-ear noise cancellation. QuietComfort Ultras comes with three pairs of ear tips as well as three pairs of stability bands for a whopping nine combinations to ensure a perfect fit. The immersive audio feature makes it seem as though the sound is coming from beyond the physical earbuds, giving users a more natural listening experience. Be sure to take advantage of the Bose app to maximize the earbud offerings, like creating custom listening modes.
Customer Review | “Upgraded to Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds after using inexpensive, basic earbuds and I am so glad they have been worth every penny. Amazing sound quality and noise cancelling qualities. I didn’t realize how immersive music could be from earbuds. The ability to customize fit in each ear is another great feature. No more sore ears! Highly recommend these earbuds.” – JS14 (Read more reviews)
2. Beats Studio Pro
Best For | Battery life
Style | Over-the-ear
Features | Active noise canceling, 40 hours of battery life, seven color options
Prices Starting At | $350
Beats Studio Pro offers both wireless and plug-in listening capability with the ability to connect with your devices in three different ways: Class 1 Bluetooth, analog input for wired audio sources and in-flight entertainment, and USB-C for lossless audio. These claim to offer theatre-like sound capability. In other words, imagine being surrounded by 64 speakers all at once. With Beats Studio Pro, users are also able to build three distinct sound profiles – Beats signature mode, Entertainment mode, and Conversation mode (for high-quality work call performance). Studio Pros have a quick charge option that allows for an additional four hours of playback time after just 10 minutes of plug-in time. Beats can be purchased in an Apple store, and the purchase comes with a free Apple Music trial.
Customer Review |“They’re the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever had.” – @victorabaraca (Read more reviews)
3. Jabra Elite 8 Active
Best For | High impact or endurance exercise
Style | In-Ear
Features | Sweatproof, waterproof, three color options, up to 56 hours battery (music only feature), fun colors
Prices Starting At | $230
Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are ready for hardcore action. These earbuds are literally “made to withstand extremes,” and are IP68 rated, which makes them sweatproof, dustproof, and waterproof – although you cannot swim in these. The Elite 8 Actives were designed with liquid silicone rubber for comfort and are “wingless” – which aids in a snug and stay-put fit within the ear. Three different ear gels of various sizes allow you to customize the fit. The LE Audio smart case that comes with the Elite 8’s can be engraved for no additional charge. These headphones have adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation, and the control buttons are on the buds, which are great for use while on the move. Charge the Active’s via USB-C or wireless charging. Elite 8 Actives contain six microphones and automatic volume adjustment, too.
4. Anker Soundcore 30i
Best For | Wearing with glasses
Style | Open-ear Clip-on
Features | 10 hours single charge, 30 hours with charging case, multipoint Bluetooth connection
Prices Starting At | $70
The Soundcore 30i open-ear clip-on design allows for advanced awareness while the sound from the speakers is strategically guided to minimize leakage. These were crafted for ear breathability and feature a secure, lightweight clip-on design. Many user reviews say the design allows them to forget they are even wearing anything. Soundcore 30i’s are made with hard-shell material to help them retain shape and offer a secure fit over time, no matter how often they are used. These are IPX4 rated, meaning they are splashproof but certainly not waterproof. There is a money-back guarantee and lifetime customer support. These are great for those who exercise in sunglasses or take calls while wearing glasses.
Customer Review | “Looked at a lot of open air earbuds and there’s only a couple clip on style that don’t interfere with sunglasses, these being one of them. These fit snug but do not seem to cause fatigue. I just wore them for three hours and you’d almost forget they’re there. Sound is amazing short of not strong bass. Custom button settings is awesome. I bought these for audio books at home and music at physio but can easily see me using them much more than that. Should be good for playing Switch while partner watches TV so we can still talk.” – Anonymous (Read more reviews)
5. Nothing Ear (open)
Best For | Distraction-free calls
Style | Ear hook
Features | 30 hours playback, dust and water resistant, Chat GPT connection
Prices Starting At | $149
Nothing’s Ear (open) represents the company’s goal to create iconic technology that inspires and empowers people without distraction from good function and performance. The Nothing Ear (open) is made of skin-kind silicone in a triangular structure for a weightless and comfortable feel. They use a “sound seal system” tilted at precisely 50 degrees, putting the speaker over the ear for an organic and private listening experience. The technology is protected with a titanium coating, which means these are durable while still maintaining that light and airy feel. The ear hook is said to be unaffected by glasses. A distinctive feature is access to AI-enhanced Clear Voice Technology that’s been sampled on over 28 million scenarios. This feature, combined with the two microphones, ensures Ear (open) is prepared for any call environment and there are no environmental distractions.
6. Sonos Ace
Best For | Comfort and travel
Style | Over-the-ear
Features | 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, rapid charge option
Prices Starting At | $449
The Sonos Ace stainless steel headphones underwent extensive testing to ensure ultimate comfort no matter what your head size, shape, or hairstyle. To maintain endurance wear, Sonos built these headphones complete with plush memory foam pads covered in skin-soft vegan leather. Dolby Atmos presents spatial audio, offers dynamic head tracking, and these can be worn wired or wireless. The Sonos Aces offer one of the best rapid charging features in this guide, with three hours of playback time after just three minutes of charging. Strategically and optimally placed microphones pinpoint and eliminate environmental sounds and distractions through the ACE active noise cancellation. But if you prefer to stay in tune with your surroundings, “aware mode” lets ambient sounds trickle in and keeps you connected while you listen. These allow for audio quality adjustments via the Sonos app.
Customer Review | “I can no longer hear the Northern Line screeching over more music. So this is probably saving my hearing damage at the same time as giving me the ability to enjoy my music. I love the ability to turn off the noise cancelling too when wearing them around the office I can stll have a conversation with someone.” – Lizzo (Read more reviews)
7. Sony WH-CH720N
Best For | Work calls or gaming
Style | Over-ear
Features | 35 hours of battery life, 50 if NC is off, multipoint Bluetooth, beamforming microphones
Prices Starting At | $150
Although the Sony WH-CH720N is considered a “noise-canceling headband,” wearers don’t have to sacrifice sound quality when making hands-free calls or listening to music. Precise Voice Pickup Technology uses beamforming microphones, so the WH-CH720N headphones grab voices clearly. The Integrated Processor V1 provides an authentic listening experience with minimal distortion. The WH-CH720Ns are comfortable and lightweight for extended wear and feature an adjustable Ambient Sound mode and Adaptive Sound control to cater to different situations and external environments. The sound tuning is intentionally designed to be well-balanced from low to high frequencies, with natural and clear vocals. Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) helps restore compressed sound files so you can listen to the original and authentic recordings.
Customer Review | “Battery life is exceptional. I wear these when charting at work and these are comfortable for hours of use. I like how the cups rotate so I can wear them around my neck but still hear the music. The noise canceling is top notch – my coworkers end up startling me with how quiet they are when I have the headphones on. Lovethe sound quality for a good price.” (Read more reviews)
Randi Donahue is a Contributing Editor at Good Gear and The Good Trade. She is a freelance writer with a master’s in journalism from Emerson College in Boston. Now based in Florida, she has two daughters and considers herself hyper-conscience when it comes to household consumption, researching every item with intense scrutiny before purchasing. You can see more of her work at www.randidonahue.com.
