Best brands for headphones and earbuds
Now that we’ve covered the factors to look for in a pair of headphones, here are the brands we recommend you start your search with. To help make your choice, think about the kind of sound profile you like. If you prefer a rich bass, for example, look for brands that are known for delivering deeper tones. If you are more concerned with crisp and clear, look for those with a well-rounded profile and superior noise cancellation.
Finding a pair of headphones that you like is a lot like wine tasting — different people will prefer different sound profiles! Our advice: Find one or two brands with models that you like, and then stick with them.
Bose headphones
A renowned leader in audio products, Bose became known for some of the best noise-canceling headphones early on. They are still a big name in the headphone market, though other brands have effectively caught up in technology. That being said, there’s no reason not to look at Bose for high-quality headphones, and you can find a really great deal in refurbished products if you want to go that route.
In particular, the QC35 and Bose 700 noise-canceling models offer a balanced sound signature, making them well-suited for genres like classical and jazz. However, it's important to note that different models offer varying sound profiles, and some may not be ideal if you like a heavy bass for electronic or hip-hop. Bose makes earbud products as well, but over-ear headphones are where this brand really shines.