Editors' Top Headphones
updated June 2, 2006

Whether you're out and about listening to your MP3 player or rocking out at home to your high-end stereo, your choice of headphones is critical. Choose a style that's best for your listening needs; they run the gamut from lightweight earbuds to full-size, over-the-ear models. And if the outside world is still too noisy, consider models that provide active noise cancellation or passive noise isolation. Just be sure to check back regularly (or subscribe to our Home Theater and Music Center newsletters)--we'll be updating the list several times each month.
-- Jasmine France, associate editor

Editors' Top Headphones:

Earbuds | Full-size headphones |

Noise-cancellation headphones

| Portable headphones | Wireless headphones

Noise cancellation

Headphones	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Bose QuietComfort 2 Released: 05/15/2003	8.0 Excellent	$399	Bose's standard-setting noise-canceling headphones have just upped the ante. Specs: Headphones , Ear-cup , Stereo , Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , Noise canceling circuit , Battery level indication

Sony MDR-NC11	7.5 Very good	$90	These little earbuds have excellent sound and above-average noise-hushing capability. Specs: Headphones , In-ear canalphone , Black , 1.7 oz, Stereo , Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , On/off switch , Gold-plated plug , Noise canceling circuit

JVC HA-NC100 Noise Canceling Headphones	7.7 Very good	$42-$79 from 7 stores	The cushy JVC HA-NC100 Noise Canceling headphones don't block out ambient noise entirely, but they do a good job of reducing it--and for an affordable price. Specs: Headphones , Ear-cup , 11.8 oz, Stereo , Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , Foldable , Noise canceling circuit , Retractable earphone cable

Sennheiser PXC-300	7.7 Very good	$105-$199 from 9 stores	Sennheiser's featherweight noise-canceling headphones are supercomfy and produce sound quality approaching that of some full-size models. Specs: Headphones , Semi-open , 2.3 oz, Stereo , Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , Foldable , NoiseGard active noise compensation

Sennheiser PXC 250 Released: 02/14/2003	7.3 Very good	$70-$145 from 10 stores	Small, noise-canceling headphones with sound that sparkles. Specs: Headphones , Semi-open , 2.3 oz, Stereo , Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , Foldable , Noise canceling circuit , 2 years Limited warranty