Headphones come in many shapes and sizes, from small and portable to huge and clunky. But most people today will probably only own the set of headphones that came with their cell phones. They may be fine for a while, but are generally only good for making hands-free calls on your phone. Sound quality is often not its strong suit. They are probably not ideal to wear to the office or while playing games, so you should probably consider buying something better.

So many options

For a first-time hearing aid buyer, the options can be overwhelming. If you only need headphones for a specific purpose, the choice is quite simple. With an unlimited budget, you can even buy a specialized set for each different purpose. But since most people don’t have that luxury, it makes more sense to buy something quite versatile, one that works best for the purpose for which you use it.

It may take many pages of writing to explain all the different specifications that headphones can have. To keep this guide simple, we’ll focus on the best types of headphones for some popular uses.

Displacements

Many people like to listen to music on the bus or train to work, usually on their phones. You have two upgrade options here, a better set of in-ear headphones or a set of closed-back over-ear headphones. Internal models have the added advantage of being very portable and often come with a carrying case.

Public transportation can be a noisy environment, so you’ll probably want to turn up the volume to drown out other noises. Whichever option you choose, it is very important that no sound spills out. If other people can listen to your music, you will surely receive death stares or even death threats. Noise-canceling headphones can be a great option here. Another useful feature is a built-in microphone, so you can still use it for hands-free phone calls.

Listen to music at home

If you only want to use your headphones to listen to music at home in a quiet environment, open headphones are for you. They have a very transparent, airy and natural sound. The best models for audiophiles are also very expensive and will require a headphone amplifier.

Gaming

Gaming headsets are an entirely different breed. They don’t always sound great for music, but they can add some amazing bass to explosions. They also help you identify the exact location of your enemies. They will almost always have a boom mic for voice communication. Some of them feature surround sound that works through a USB interface, which means they will only work on your computer.

Works

The ideal headphones for work will have a lot in common with headphones for commuting. The only thing you may not need is a microphone. You will probably connect them to your work computer. Closed headphones are a must so you don’t disturb your colleagues with your music. If your office is very noisy, or if you are a freelancer working in a coffee shop, you will be very happy with a noise-canceling model.