The right pair of headphones can solve a number of audio/video dilemmas. They can allow you to listen to music and movies late at night without keeping your family awake. They can let you take your favorite music with you — jogging, doing housework, doing yardwork — wherever. They can provide relief from distracting noise while you're at work or traveling. Even if you just want to get better sound from your home A/V system, high-end headphones are a relatively affordable solution.

When choosing a good pair of headphones, you've got to consider two things: what need do you want the headphones to satisfy, and what kind of music do you generally listen to? Below, you'll find information on the four basic types of headphones — home, portable, noise-canceling, and wireless — so you can choose the one that'll fit your activity the best. On the next page, we'll give you tips on features to look for to get the best sound for your listening habits.

What do you want your headphones for?

Open headphones tend to provide the best overall sound quality. (Sennheiser PXC 300s pictured here)

Sealed headphones isolate your ears. They keep outside noise from interfering with your music, and prevent your music from disturbing others. (Sennheiser HD 280 Pros pictured here)

"I just need a good pair of headphones for listening to my music at home or work."
If you want to do a little late-night listening, or if you like to play MP3s or CDs on your computer at work, it's important to have a pair of comfortable home headphones. They're also an affordable way to get better sound from your TV, since most good-quality home headphones can be purchased for less than the cost of a new speaker system.

First, consider whether you want headphones with a sealed or open design. Choose sealed 'phones for listening in noisy environments where you'll need sonic isolation, like in an office you share with co-workers and whom you don't want to disturb (sound can leak out of open headphones, especially at higher volumes).

If you don't need the isolation of a sealed headphone design to block out distractions, open headphones can deliver the best overall sound quality. The earpads rest on the ear and leave room for sound to escape, rather than bounce back and forth between the pad and your ear, which can create unwanted resonance. If you'll be listening for long stretches, look for a headband that's padded and adjustable to comfortably fit the size of your head.

Whether you'll be hooking your headphones up to your receiver, or plugging them into your computer, make sure that the cord is long enough. If you've got your eye on a nice pair of 'phones but their cord is too short for your listening setup, an extension cord designed for headphones can bridge the gap. You might also want to consider a one-sided cord — attached to one earcup but not the other — since it can help minimize tangles.

"I want a pair of headphones to use with my home theater system."
If you love watching movies or do a lot of gaming, high-quality headphones can provide an excellent surround experience. Look for home headphones that offer virtual surround sound. These headphones use sophisticated processing to fool your ears into thinking the sound is coming from multiple locations around you, instead of just two. If you already have a receiver in your home theater setup, then you might want to check its manual first; most new receivers also offer this capability, so you'll just need a nice pair of standard headphones.

You might also want to consider a pair of wireless headphones. They let you listen to your favorite music while you move around the house without the hassle of the typical headphone cord. Most wireless headphones for your home use a 2.4 GHz radio frequency (RF) transmitter to send audio from a source, like your A/V system's receiver, to a pair of battery-powered headphones. The transmitter connects to an audio source's headphone jack or stereo RCA outputs. These clever devices let you walk anywhere within a specified range and still get great sound — so if you need to get up during a movie to make popcorn, you won't miss any of the dialogue. And if you want the best possible reception without fiddling with controls, look for wireless 'phones that provide automatic tuning.

In-ear headphones provide excellent sonic isolation, and make great companions for portable media players. (Klipsch Image X5s pictured here)

Headphones made for active use are designed to stay securely in place during workouts, and are often sweat-resistant and even hand-washable. (Sennheiser PMX 80 Sport IIs pictured here)

"I want headphones to use with my iPod or MP3 player."
You may be thinking, "My portable player came with headphones — I don't need to buy any." But if you care about sound quality, that's not the case. The portable headphones included with MP3 players and other similar devices are almost always very basic, and you'll get much better sound if you upgrade your 'phones. The only question is, which features should you look for?

The answer depends on what you'll be doing while you listen. All headphones designed for portable use are lightweight for easy mobility. If you'll be working out, you'll want a set that won't come loose. Earbuds, in-ear headphones, and headphones with clip-on earpieces are designed with active uses in mind. Some people prefer a behind-the-neck or no-headband design — neither of these will mess up your hair, and you can wear a hat while you listen.

If you'll be riding on a subway or bus to work, look for in-ear headphones — they fit just inside your ear canal, and the secure fit naturally blocks out external noise, so you can hear your music and not the people conversing next to you. Just be aware that in-ear 'phones can accumulate ear wax over time, so be sure to either clean them regularly or replace the ear gels from time to time. And never share your earbuds with other listeners — it's an easy way to spread bacteria and catch an ear infection.

Noise-canceling headphones can work wonders in a noisy office or on a loud airplane flight. (Bose® QuietComfort® 2s pictured here)

"I need headphones that keep other noises out."
Whether you do a lot of traveling, have to work amidst distracting sounds, or just live in a busy household, noise-canceling headphones can be a godsend. They use active noise control — sophisticated circuitry that relies on tiny microphones to pick up the noises around you. The headphones then play a signal that's out of phase with the unwanted sounds, which helps to cancel and quiet the noise. Just be aware that they work best with steady, droning noises, like the sound of an airplane engine — they can't "erase" loud, sudden noises.

These 'phones use batteries to power their noise-canceling circuitry, so check battery life specs before you buy. Most noise-canceling headphones include adapters for airline audio systems. So if you're on a flight, you can choose whether you want to listen to the airline's audio selections, your portable player, or sweet, sweet silence.

Bluetooth-enabled headphones can wirelessly sync with your MP3 player and cell phone so you can easily listen to music and answer calls. (Scosche's UBHPK Bluetooth® headphones pictured here)

"I need headphones to work with my Bluetooth-enabled cell phone."
More and more cell phones and MP3 players are Bluetooth®-enabled, so portable wireless headphones have turned to Bluetooth technology in order to wirelessly stream calls and music on the go. Like the home wireless headphones mentioned above, most portable models come with a small transmitter that connects to the headphone jack on your MP3 player or phone. The transmitter then sends music from your player to a tiny receiver built into the 'phones.

Most models also have built in microphones, so when a call comes through you can pause your music and take the incoming call at the press of a button. Best of all, you can do all of this while your cell phone or music player is safely stored in a briefcase or purse, making it a convenient option for long walks or subway rides to work or school.

Since wireless headphones do run on batteries, models that include rechargeables or use AC adapters will be more convenient and cost-efficient in the long run. Just be sure to power-up your 'phones or carry some extra batteries with you before going on a long trip.