10 best headphones, earphones and earbuds of 2016


Headphones mean different things to different people. For commuters and travelers, noise canceling is the key feature. For audio buffs, it might be hearing the musicians’ breath. Or maybe you just want so much bass your brain vibrates. Whatever you are looking for, here are some candidates for your consideration.



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With so many great headphones out there, how do you choose? Let us help, that's how. / ©
BizzleTechWorld

Best over-ear headphones: Sony MDR-1A

Without a doubt, the Sony MDR-1A headphones are the best you can buy for under $300  In fact, these are probably still the best cans you can buy if your budget goes up well beyond the $300 range.
The Sony MDR-1A headphones come with Hi-Res stereo audio response is top-notch and you would be hard-pressed to find a better sound. Sony designed them for Android so you get the optimal experience. The app is available in the Google Play store and you can customize and control the settings from your Android device.
These large over-ear monitor headphones have plush leather cups and a comfortable, flexible head strap. You get several different cords in the box – which are now removable – and the sound simply cannot be beaten. You will never regret buying these headphones.

Sony MDR-1A Headphones (black) $298.00 Amazon.com Buy Now
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The Sony MDR-1A is the best over-ear headphone set on the market. / © Sony

Best in-ear headphones (Bluetooth): Sol Republic Shadow

We're crowning the Sol Republic Shadow the king of in-ear Bluetooth headphones. These are sporty and sleek with an ergonomic design. They come with a band than goes around your neck so they feel like a more stable fit.
The Sol Republic Shadow headphones are smaller than most other Bluetooth enabled wireless headphones but are still perform well and have a ton of features. The sound is rich and detailed. They last for eight hours without a charge. And they are water-resistant.
Bluetooth headphones have their drawbacks in general also. They are heavier than their wired counterparts because there is more electronic equipment in them. The Sol Republic Shadow headphones don't do much to mitigate this, although they are a bit lighter than other Bluetooth headphones.
Sol Republic Shadow Bluetooth headphones (Black/Silver) $83.88 Amazon.com Buy Now


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The Sol Republic Shadow headphones pack a high-quality sound into an erogonomic design. / © Sol Republic

Best in-ear headphones (wired): Atomic Floyd SuperDarts

If money is no object and you want the very best in-ear headphone experience, then look to the Atomic Floyd SuperDarts. Despite being in-ear headphones, they actually have two speakers in each earbud. For $299, you also get noise-isolation, stainless steel construction and various accessories and eartips.
Atomic Floyd SuperDarts Headphones $299.99 Amazon Buy Now


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If money is no object, the Atomic Floyd SuperDarts the ones you want. / © Atomic Floyd

Best headphones for sports (in-ear): Jabra Sport Coach

If you're serious about exercise, you need a pair of headphones that is equally serious. The Jabra Sport Coach in-ears are literally that: they're equipped with motion sensors to count your reps and provide verbal coaching feedback on a variety of different exercises. They'll ensure you can get the most out of every training session.


AndroidPIT Jabra Sport Coach
The Jabra Sport Coach will coach you through a workout. / © Jabra

Best headphones for sport (wraparound): Plantronics BackBeat Fit

If you're the type of fitness fanatic or runner who always seems to be adjusting your in-ear headphones to try to make them more comfortable, the Plantronics BackBeat Fit wraparound headphones are for you. With adjustable earpieces that slightly creep into your inner ear, these 'phones simply can't fall off and feel great for extended periods of time.
They come with a reversible strap-on smartphone pouch and everything has reflective sections for higher visibility.
Plantronics BackBeat Fit Headphones $129.00 Amazon Buy Now


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Even with glasses on, the Plantronics BackBeat Fit headphones stay comfortable for hours. /© BizzleTechWorld

Best noise-canceling headphones (over-ear): Bose QuietComfort 25

Bose makes the best noise canceling headphones around, and while its QuietComfort 25s aren't exactly cheap – the MSRP is $299 – they're already-impressive noise canceling has been improved, and they now sound better than ever.
Bose is so confident about this that it offers a no-quibble return period of 30 days in the US and the UK, and 21 days elsewhere.
Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones $299.00 Amazon Buy Now


AndroidPIT Bose QuiteComfort 25
Nobody does noise canceling better than Bose. / © BizzleTechWorld

Best noise-canceling headphones (in-ear): Bose QuietComfort 20

If you want to spend a little less, $249 gets you a set of Bose QuietComfort 20 in-ear headphones. They do everything the over-the-ear versions do but are much smaller. They also have an 'aware mode' to stop you wandering under a bus or a tram.
It’s important to stress, though, that we’re prioritizing noise canceling here. There are better-sounding headphones out there, but if cutting out background city or traffic noise is important to you, Bose is the leader in this field.
Bose QuietComfort 20 In-Ear Headphones $299.00 Amazon Buy Now


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The Bose QuietComfort 20 produces the same noise canceling but in an in-ear style. / © Bose

Best budget in-ear headphones: OnePlus Icons

How OnePlus managed to make a super-cheap pair headphones that are better than many experienced headphone companies' budget offerings – on its first try – is beyond us. Mind you, one could probably say the same thing about the company's first phone.
The OnePlus Icons are some of the beefiest, bassiest, richest-sounding in-ear headphones we've heard in a while. The fact that they cost less than $50 is almost too hard to believe. They sound better than some headphones at double or even triple that price.
OnePlus Icons Wired Headphones $49.95 OnePlus Buy Now


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OnePlus does it again with the excellent OnePlus Icons. / © BizzleTechWorld

Best budget over-ear headphones: Superlux HD668B

Half the office team here – those less willing to spend a fortune on high-priced headphones – are the proud owners of these budget wonders. For less than fifty bucks, the Superlux HD668B headphones are hard to beat, and they're always available on Amazon.
They're big, comfortable semi-open studio-style cans, and they offer surprisingly good sound.
Superlux HD668B Headphones $42.85 Amazon Buy Now


AndroidPIT Superlux HD668B
The Superlux HD668B is about the best pair of budget over-ear headphones you can get. / © BizzleTechWorld

Best headphones with microphone: Sennheiser MOMENTUM in-ear

The Sennheiser family has been making quality headphones for a long time, concerned with nothing but the pursuit of perfect music reproduction. The whole Momentum range is great, but it's the in-ear wired Momentum headphones that we've been going back to again and again – they're the perfect pair of microphone-equipped smartphone headphones.

Sennheiser Momentum in-ear Headphones $99.99 Amazon Buy Now


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Sennheiser's Momentum in-ear headphones are perfect for smartphone use. / © BizzleTechWorld


Do you have a favorite set of cans, awesome in-ears or Bluetooth headphones? Let us know in the comments!

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  1. Headphones — the original wearable tech — have grown up. They've also become specialized; there's a pair for every use, from sweat-resistant fitness headphones to commuter-friendly active noise-cancelling cans. And each of those types comes with different fit options: on-ear, over-ear or in-ear.
    http://www.latestone.com/headsets

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