The New York Times - Our ultimate guide to headphones

noise cancelling headphones side by side.

Photo: Rozette Rago

Senior staff writer Lauren Dragan has tested nearly 2,000 headphones for Wirecutter. She checks for sound quality, comfort, fit, user-friendliness, and more, and enlists the help of listening panels to ensure that our recommendations work for a variety of ears.

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To help you navigate choosing the perfect pair, we’ve organized all of our picks by use—whether you’re looking for a pair for everyday enjoyment, workouts, or noise-cancellation.

All the headphones we love→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Our 100 most popular picks from October

A grid illustration including photos of wireless earbuds, a frying pan and a spotlight camera.

Photos: Wirecutter

Last month, readers upgraded their closets with a trendy pair of sneakers, prepped for holiday travel season with suitcases galore, and tidied up with our top-pick vacuum cleaner.

What readers loved last month→

More from our audio experts

Our pick for best soundbar overall, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX Atmos soundbar, next to its remote control and subwoofer.

The best soundbars

Using a soundbar is the easiest, most affordable way to get a cinematic surround-sound experience at home. Here are four we recommend.

All of our picks for best tabletop radio, placed next to and on top of each other.

Stylish tabletop radios we love

We have great-sounding favorites in a variety of styles, from retro to modern. (We think these make great gifts, too.)

Everything included in our pick for best earplugs for concerts, Loop Experience Earplugs, on a pink background.

Yes, you should be wearing earplugs to concerts

These earplugs are a cinch to use and can comfortably stay in place for hours—no matter how vigorously you might mosh, jump, or dance.

Plus: What NYT pop critic Lindsay Zoladz uses to listen to vinyl

Lindsay Zoladz crouched next to a shelf full of records.

Photo: Marki Williams

We asked New York Times pop critic Lindsay Zoladz what lives in her record-spinning routine. From a $1 vinyl tote to an elegant tabletop rack, she dished on her favorite accessories for caring for and listening to her LPs.

Lindsay’s favorites→

Thanks for reading.

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The New York Times - Our ultimate guide to headphones

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