It’d be great if there were one pair of headphones or earbuds that worked for everything. Sure, the best headphones can often work at least reasonably well in every situation, but some are better suited for certain tasks than others. Comfortable over-ears perfect for long listening sessions probably aren’t great for the gym, for instance. I make a real effort to keep tech clutter to a minimum, but with headphones and earbuds, I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone needs exactly three pairs.
Before I get to the whys and whats of the three, we’d like to get your thoughts. What’s your pick for the best headphone and earbud of 2026?
See also: Best Earbud and Headphone Deals: Bag Big Savings on Models From Apple, Sony and Others
Here’s my reasoning for no less than three pairs of headphones and/or earbuds. First, there are the everyday earbuds. These are the ones that can slide
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