Headphone reviews: How to buy
Besides sound quality, what else should you look for in a good pair of earphones?
Check the headphones are comfortable
It's important to try headphones on for size and comfort before you buy.
Some specialist electrical retailers have headphones hung up for you to try on and listen to.
For hygiene reasons you can't try on in-ear headphones. But as snug fit is vital for decent sound, if you have a friend who has a pair of in-ear headphones you like the look of, ask them if you can borrow them to make sure they fit properly.
In-ear versus on-ear sets
Most headphones are bought to upgrade those supplied with a portable music player.
In-ear and plug headphones are are popular as they're lightweight and easily portable, and they’re generally much cheaper than on- and over-ear sets.
However, their sound quality doesn’t quite match the heady heights of on-ear and over-ear sets. If sound quality is of paramount importance, opt for one of our on-ear or over-ear Best Buys.
Where to shop
Many sets of headphones are only available online, and even those sets that are available on the high street may still be cheaper on the web. You can use the Which website to compare headphone prices at different online shops.
In addition to Argos, Currys, John Lewis and Maplin, which all sell lots of headphones, online shops to try include HMV, Digital Direct, Amazon and Advanced MP3 Players.
Your rights when shopping online
The seller is responsible for the goods until they're handed over to you, and when you buy online you can cancel any time from when you place the order to seven working days from the day after you receive the goods.
However, the seller can charge for the cost of returning the goods back to them – check the terms and conditions before you buy.
To find out more about your rights, see our consumer rights section.