Your Headphone Questions, Answered

If you've ever tried shopping for headphones, you know there’s an overwhelming selection to choose from.  We asked listeners to send us their most pressing headphone questions and brought in Wirecutter audio expert Lauren Dragan to answer them.

From earbuds that stay put in small ears to the best headphones for sleeping, Lauren shares practical advice from years of testing more than 2,000 pairs. She also addresses concerns about Bluetooth safety, hearing loss, and how to keep your headphones clean and working properly.

We had too many great questions to address in the episode alone, so we’ve included an added selection of listener questions and Lauren’s answers on our website.  ()

Products Lauren recommend:

• The best built in microphoneSoundcore Liberty 5 Pro ()

• The best earbuds with a hook over the ear (for small ear canals)Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 ()

• The best earbuds with a stabilizing wing (for small ear canals)Sony LinkBuds Fit ()

• The best overear headphones for wearing with glassesSony WH1000XM6 ()

• An example of a third party tether () you can add to most earbuds

• The best boneconduction headphones for runningShokz OpenRun Pro 2 ()

• The best boneconduction headphones for swimmingH2O Audio Tri 2 ()

• Another option for nonbluetooth streaming while swimming is the Mighty Wave ()

• Great options for sensory issuessoft headbandstyle earmuffs () and Quiet Sense () hoodies

• The best headphones for sleeping, if you dislike wearing earplugs or earbudsAcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless ()

• The best earbuds for sleepingSoundcore Sleep A20 ()

• The best earbuds that adapt to your hearingApple AirPods Pro 3 ()

• Better sounding open earbudsEarFun OpenJump ()

• A tool for cleaning earbuds ()

• The best packable headphones for travelSony WH1000XM5 () or XM6 ()

• The best budget packable headphonesSoundcore Space One ()

• The best sounding wired earbudsTinHiFi T3 Plus ()

• Retrolooking wired earbudsSivga M260 ()

• Earbuds with hearing protectionElgin Rebel ()

• A more affordable earbud if you like the Apple AirPodsEarFun Clip ()

• Durable headphones for kidsPuro Sound Labs BT2200Plus () and the Puro Basic ()

• The best bluetooth transmitter1Mii ML300 ()

• Noise cancelling earmuffs3M ProGrade Earmuffs ()

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, Catherine Anderson, Rowan Niemisto and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

#TheWirecutterShow, #Wirecutter, #Headphones, #NoiseCancelling, #SleepHeadphones, #BoneConduction, #BluetoothEarbuds, #HearingHealth, #MicQuality, #WirelessHeadphones, #SwimHeadphones, #AudioAdvice #Podcast