Different types of headphones

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Over-ear

These are traditional-looking headphones where cushioned pads cover the whole ear. They tend to be bulkier than other types and are the least suitable for portable use.

On-ear

These are headphones which sit on the ears rather than over them. As a result, they’re usually a bit smaller than over-ear models. They tend to have foam or sometimes leatherette pads for extra comfort.

In-ear

In-ear headphones are probably the most common type and are usually supplied with portable music players. They rest in the opening of the ear rather than in the ear canal and fit some people better than others.

Plugs

As the name suggests, these headphones are similar to ear plugs - you push them right into the ear canal. They can be difficult to fit but if fitted correctly they're good at preventing sound leakage and blocking outside noises. They’re usually supplied with different sizes of plastic or foam plugs you can mould to fit your ear.

Open-back

This is when the back of the ear pads are not completely sealed off. This can provide a more natural sound but open-back headphones tend to leak more noise.

Closed-back

This is when the back of the ear pads are completely sealed off. They can sound a bit muffled but are good at preventing sound leakage and blocking out unwanted noise.

Noise cancelling

Headphones with noise cancelling or noise reduction block outside sound by using clever electronics. They tend to be good at eliminating unwanted low-frequency noise (such as traffic). This feature is mainly available with on- or over-ear headphones but some in-ear models have it too.

Wireless

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to music without cables while no-one else has to put up with your music. They use radio frequencies to transmit sound from their base station to your ears. Long-range wireless connections such as FM systems allow you to move from room to room or even outside. But the downside is you might have to put up with interference.

Bluetooth

This is a type of short-range wireless technology commonly used with hands-free kits. It allows you to link your headphones to an mp3 player or phone, for example, without getting tangled up in wires. But you have to keep the transmitter close to you so they're best suited for portable use.