Small, lightweight gear delivers big, up-close-and-personal sound.

Whether you want to listen to music or movies without disturbing others, get the best out of your MP3 player, or drown out noisy environments, there’s a set of headphones that’s right for you.

For at-home use, almost any good headphones will do. They can allow you to enjoy a late-night movie without disturbing your sleeping spouse.

Portable headphones let you take the show on the road. If you’ll be using an iPod or portable DVD player in a crowded plane, consider headphones that can diminish unwanted ambient noise.

Some models, such as closed, over-the-ear headphones, keep outside noises from reaching your ears. Insert-style earphones that slip into the ear canal itself form a seal against outside sounds, much like an earplug. “Active noise reduction” models use battery-powered electronic circuitry that damps down noises in addition to just blocking them.

Among the leading brands of after-market headphones are Bose, JVC, Koss, Panasonic, Philips, and Sony. Most models cost from $10 to more than $500.

Home/studio headphones generally look like earmuffs, with earpieces on a headband. Most are corded, with wiring from 3 feet to 8 feet long for hooking up your receiver, DVD player, or TV.

Portable headphones and earphones come in a variety of styles, but all are light and small enough (or can be folded up) to be tucked away in a pocket or purse when not in use.

Wireless models have a battery-powered headset and an AC-powered transmitter that connects to your audio or video gear. They transmit via radio frequency (RF) or infrared.

RF can transmit through walls and floors, enabling you to use the headphones in other rooms or even outside. Several RF technologies are used: FM, digital spread spectrum, and Bluetooth. Portable Bluetooth transmitter types use a rechargeable internal battery.

Their range is less, around 30 feet. The downside is interference with devices on the same frequency. A cordless telephone could cause static and clicking on your headphones and vice versa. A microwave oven in operation also could degrade sound quality. Because you wouldn’t know this until you tried the headphones at home, we recommend that you buy wireless sets only if they can be returned for a refund.
Models that transmit via infrared, much like a TV remote, require a line of sight between the headphones and the base.

Home/studio headphones come in a few basic designs:

Closed, over-the-ears models cup your ears, sealing in sound and helping to muffle ambient noise. But they might also muffle some things that you want to hear, such as a doorbell.

Open, over-the-ears models have openings in the ear cups. They let more sound in and out, so late listening could keep a spouse or roommate awake.

On-ear models are generally lighter and don’t press on the sides of your head—they press upon the ears. But they can allow more ambient sound to enter. On-ear headphones, like over-the-ear, also come in both open and closed versions. Most of these models use an adjustable strap that fits over, or behind, your head to hold them in place. Some can be folded for storage and come with carrying pouches.

There are several types of portable headphones, which are smaller and easier to carry around. They vary mostly by whether the earpieces sit on or go into your ears. Hanging over-ear models, which attach with ear clips, don’t put pressure on the ears. So-called “ear buds”—the type that typically come with iPods and other MP3 players—are placed right outside the ear canal, in the bowl of the ear. Insert-style earphones are actually inserted into the ear canal, forming a seal that can help keep out extraneous sounds. The sports-style on-ear models are good to use during an activity that makes you sweat. The phones are supported by a bracket that passes around the back of the head. The headphones radiate sound forwards (instead of sideways).

Active noise-reduction headphones are designed to cancel out some ambient noise. They come with most types of ear covers: over-the-ear, on-ear, insert, and buds. They often cost a bit more than models without this feature.

Evaluate sound quality. Headphones should feed you clear, accurate sound with sufficient volume. Models with lower sensitivity might not do well with all portable devices, which produce less power. Like speakers, headphones might emphasize different parts of the audio spectrum. With any model, sound quality can vary greatly, so it’s recommended that you try them before buying; online shoppers should check out return policies.

For the best sound, stick with corded models. Most corded models and some wireless sets are fine for use with a TV or, if you’re not too critical, for listening to music. Over-the-ear corded headphones are often the best choice for serious music listening at home. While wireless headphones can be convenient, many have background hissing and/or dynamic range compression that flattens the sound to some extent. We’ve found that digital wireless models can provide better performance than analog, and 2.5GHz models often beat 900MHz headphones. But all wireless headphones are susceptible to interference from other devices, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, and computer hard drives that operate in the same frequencies. Look for headphones with multiple channels so you can switch to another frequency if you encounter interference.

Make sure they’re comfortable. Many headphones or earphones that seem fine at first could become quite uncomfortable during extended use. Comfort, of course, is subjective, depending in part on the size and shape of your head and ears and how much adjustment a headphone allows. The pressure from the earphones and the weight affect how a model feels. With any headphones, prolonged listening can make your ears warm. Many on-ear models offer a good trade-off between comfort and quality. Some people find that earphones that are wedged in the ear can become painful with prolonged use. Insert-type earphones usually come with different-sized tips to accommodate a range of ears. Try headphones before you buy them or deal with a retailer that offers a good return policy.

Choose a design suited to your expected use. Consider how you’ll use your headphones, and get a model most appropriate for that application. Closed, over-the ear models are great for listening at home but could be too large to be easily stowed when you’re traveling. Portable models might sacrifice some sound quality for small size, but they are handy. Ear buds and insert models are great for listening to music during on-the-go activities. If you’ll be doing a lot of flying, or listening in a noisy environment, consider headphones with active noise-reduction technology. Additionally, the over-the-ear and insert types can block ambient noise.