Headphones Accessories

Creative EP-630

If you want to step up from stock earbuds but aren't absurdly picky about audio quality and don't want to spend a fortune, the EP-630 earphones are a solid option. Durability may be an issue, but they're compact, comfortable, relatively stylish and offer good sound quality for the money

Editor's rating 6.7

JVC Gumy

Exceptionally cheap, the Gumy earphones don't offer the most comfortable fit we've ever encountered, but they do provide better sound quality than stock earbuds, and they look better too, thanks to their colourful styling. If you're short of funds, they're a decent option

Editor's rating 5.3

Razer Megalodon headset

Hard-core gamers won't be disappointed by the Razer Megalodon PC gaming headset. Its 7.1-channel surround sound is fantastic and highly tweakable, and the headset's comfortable to wear for prolonged periods. It's fairly pricey but we reckon it's worth the investment

Editor's rating 8.0

Bose QuietComfort 15

The QuietComfort 15s are no bargain, but they're ludicrously comfortable, and deliver the best sound quality that we've heard so far from noise-cancelling headphones. In fact, the level of detail that they offer may inspire you to relisten to your entire music library

Editor's rating 8.3

JVC Marshmallow

Although they're very inexpensive, the JVC Marshmallow earphones are a huge step up from stock earbuds. They offer a secure, comfortable fit, good sound quality across all genres, and decent noise-isolation capability. Available in a wide variety of colours, they're also fairly stylish

Editor's rating 7.5

iBlink Earbuds

With most cheap earbuds more or less indistinguishable from each other, the iBlink Earbuds stand out by virtue of their built-in, music-responsive, flashing LEDs. The construction and sound quality isn't great, but they'll probably appeal to the target market of young folk

Editor's rating 5.7

AKG K 390

The AKG K 390 earphones offer a sleek design and generally impressive sound quality, whether or not the noise-cancelling function is activated. The earbuds and noise-cancelling module are fairly large, which might put off some users, but these are good earphones nevertheless

Editor's rating 6.7

JayBird Endorphin Rush Athletic Earphones

The Endorphin Rush Athletic Earphones are a good choice for fitness freaks looking for a super-secure fit and thumping, encompassing bass. The sound isolation may make them unsuitable for some types of outdoor exercise, but the solid build quality means they'll stand the test of time

Editor's rating 7.3

Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220

If you can get a good fit with the MetroFi 220 earphones, you'll be rewarded with good sound quality across all musical genres, and solid noise isolation. For users of stock earphones looking to upgrade and still have money left in their wallet, the 220s are a worthy option

Editor's rating 6.3

Nike Aero Sport Headphones

Intended for use by fitness fanatics, the Aero Sport Headphones offer a secure fit and sleek, sweatproof design. They're also extremely easy to clean. Sound quality isn't their forte, so they're not the best headphones for day-to-day use, but they're a decent option for gym goers nonetheless

Editor's rating 5.7

Shure SE115

The SE115 sound-isolating earphones are at the entry-level end of Shure's SE line, but still offer a comfortable fit and good sound quality. They don't provide a huge amount of detail, but they do deliver on the bass front, making them a solid choice for fans of reggae and hip-hop

Editor's rating 7.0

Ultimate Ears MetroFi 170

Those looking to upgrade from stock sets without dropping a big wad of cash should check out the MetroFi 170 noise-isolating earphones. If you can get a decent fit, you'll be rewarded by good sound quality across all genres. And, if you keep them in the case, they should last a while too

Editor's rating 6.7

AKG K 702

They're expensive, but the K 702 professional, over-the-ear headphones offer near state-of-the-art sound quality that's only bettered by much more expensive rivals. The extra-soft ear pads are also so comfortable that you're likely to forget you're wearing headphones at all

User rating 10.0

Editor's rating 8.0

Klipsch Image S4

The Image S4 noise-isolating earphones are spectacular, offering sound quality on a par with, or better than, sets that cost far more. They're also extremely comfortable and come with a number of handy extras. Just take care with the cable -- it doesn't look particularly durable

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 9.0

Nixon Nomadic on-ear headphones

The Nomadic on-ear headphones don't offer the best sound quality we've ever heard but they are exceptionally stylish. They have a sturdy design, too, and you can get them in a wide range of colours and configurations. A variety of handy extras, like a hard-shell carrying case, rounds out a decent package

Editor's rating 6.0

Skullcandy Double Agent

The highly stylised Double Agent headphones can be used either as an all-in-one MP3 player and headphone combo, or with a separate audio device. If want to stand out from the crowd and do away with wires, these headphones will be worth a look, but audio quality leaves something to be desired

Editor's rating 5.7

Razer Carcharias headset

The Carcharias has no unique features but it's extremely comfortable, produces fantastic sound and is one of the best PC-gaming headsets we've seen. It also functions well during VoIP calls and when listening to music, although we'd like the boom microphone to be slightly more adjustable

Editor's rating 7.7

Sony MDR-NC500D

The over-the-ear MDR-NC500Ds are, according to Sony, the world's first digital noise-cancelling headphones. Lightweight and extremely comfortable, they certainly provide the best noise-cancelling experience we've had to date. We just wish the bass response was better

Editor's rating 8.0

Sleek Audio SA6 wireless earphones

The SA6 wireless earphones are lightweight and comfortable. They can also be plugged into a traditional headphone cable for wired use, which is fortunate, as wireless reception when on the move isn't perfect. Nevertheless, the SA6s remain fantastic performers, especially with acoustic, vocal and softer music

Editor's rating 8.3

Monster Beats by Dr Dre Tour in-ear headphones

If your ear canals are big enough to host the super-long earpieces of the Beats by Dr Dre Tour in-ear headphones, you'll be rewarded by a stylish and durable piece of kit that offers clear and balanced audio. Those seeking to add flair to their listening set-up should check them out

Editor's rating 7.3