GREENSBORO, N.C. — It seems like everywhere you go, people are wearing headphones —whether it’s the gym, the airport, or even the grocery store. But with so many different types and styles -how do you choose the right pair for you without breaking the bank?
"Consumer Reports has trained listeners who listen to hundreds of models, and we compare them to references. We judge the sound quality and the noise-canceling," said Elias Arias of Consumer Reports.
CR also looks at the fit and how the headphones are to be used. The good news—there are great picks at every price point.
Like the Sennheiser SPORT True Wireless at $150, which has very good sound quality and scored excellent for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
"If you're someone who really is critical about the quality of the sound, then you'll want a headphone that gives you the finest detail. And those are the models at the top of our ratings that produce excellent sound quality," said Alias.
For the sound and noise canceling, CR likes the Grado SR80x for $150.
If you're someone who likes to travel a bit and commute, consider a noise-canceling model, like the Soundcore Life Q20 for about $50. It has great sound quality and outstanding noise cancellation.
"CR’s labs are seeing more models with excellent noise-canceling performance than ever before. So don’t be surprised if your next pair of noise-canceling headphones are even better at canceling noise," said Alias.
And CR recommends trying headphones out before buying them. If not, make sure you check the return policy before buying them.