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You might not want to hear it, but those ubiquitous white earbuds that come bundled with your iPod just don't sound very good. The single best accessory upgrade you can buy for a new media player, smartphone, or tablet is a solid pair of headphones. With so many choices, ranging from $30 cans you can pick up at the local Best Buy to $1,000+ custom-audiologist-fit in-ear monitors, finding the right pair of headphones can be tough. But if you spend the time to pick the right pair, and you take good care of them, your headphones can easily outlive the device that's delivering your music. Whether you prefer padded over-the-ear headphones or snug in-canal earphones, we've got you covered with a quick look at some of the best we've tested in a variety of prices and types, including noise-cancelling, wireless, and gym-friendly pairs.
For in-depth headphone shopping advice, check out our comprehensive buying guide, and our headphone product guide for the latest reviews. For now, here are some of our favorite earphones and headphones.