A Music Producer's Guide to Picking the Right Headphones

At any time, the Good Housekeeping Institute's resident music producer and DJ has somewhere between five and ten pairs of headphones around the house. The expert tests the newest products from audio brands in a lab and in real life. People often ask what the best headphones are. The answer depends mostly on how and where you will use them, and expensive ones are not always better.

There are dozens of shapes and prices, and terms like "frequency response curve" and "spatial audio" can sound like science fiction. The guide's advice is to start with the type.

Over-ear headphones are what most people picture. The ear cushions go all the way around your ears and make a seal that can block outside noise and make music feel more immersive. On some models the headband clamps tightly, and wearing them for a long time can be tiring.

On-ear headphones look similar, but the pads rest right on top of your ears. Many have less noise cancellation, but they are often lighter and more comfortable. They sometimes fold up small and tend to cost a little less than premium over-ear models.

Earbuds go in or near the ear canal. Some have silicone tips that fit just inside the entrance, and others, like Apple's classic EarPods, sit just outside it. Tips give a secure fit and strong noise cancelling, but they can be uncomfortable, and some people have trouble finding the right size. EarPods feel less intrusive, but let in more outside noise.

Open-ear clips are probably the newest style. They look a little like clip-on earrings, with the main part wrapping around the outside of your ear and the speaker just inside the curve. Their biggest advantage is that you can still hear what is going on around you, which is good for runners and cyclists. The clip keeps them secure even though they do not sit inside the ear.

The guide also describes bone conduction headphones, another type. Its main point is to choose the type first, since it fits your lifestyle, and then to compare features.