Investing in a good pair of headphones is a must for any student, whether they’re studying for college finals, or doing SAT prep in high school, and just about everything else in between.
A really good pair of noise-canceling headphones is a great way to focus on studying or writing a term paper because they can block out background noise and free students from the outside world. They can also create a distraction-free zone if you’re listening to music or an audiobook, or even watching a movie on a laptop in a public setting.
SEE ALSO: 20 things you need to survive life in a college dorm
While great headphones can be really expensive, we’ve also included a few pairs that have amazing audio quality and won’t completely break the bank. After all, being broke is pretty synonymous with being a student. With our recommendations, you can save your money and spend it on more important things for school — like textbooks, laptops, and of course, ramen noodles for those infamous all-nighters. Read more…
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BEST FOR ON-TREND STUDENTS
AirPods Pro
Better than the original AirPods in almost every way, with impressive noise-cancelation for their size and enhanced comfort for all-day wear.
$249 from Amazon
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BEST FOR ABSOLUTE SILENCE
Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II
World-class noise-cancelation makes Bose QuietComfort the way to go for a world full of distractions.
$349 from Amazon
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BEST STUDIO HEADPHONES
Sony MDR7506
These Sony headphones are perfect for hearing balanced audio, and their comfortable earcups will feel great throughout the whole day.
$89.95 from Amazon
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BEST FOR YOUNG STUDENTS
JBL JR300BT Kids Wireless Headphones
Keep your kid’s ears safe without taking the joy of music away from them — these JBL headphones have a decibel limit feature, as well as a fun design and all-day comfort.
$49.95 from Amazon
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BEST FOR AUDIO
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B
This pair excels at blocking out noise from the outside world, which makes them ideal for students trying to study.
$99 from Amazon
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MOST COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES
Creative Sound Blaster Jam
Weighing in at only eight ounces, these headphones are so comfortable that you might not even notice you’re wearing them.
$49.99 from Amazon
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BEST HIGH-END HEADPHONES
Sony MDR-ZX110NC
These feature “smart listening,” which automatically adjusts audio during various activities.
$348 from Amazon
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BEST IN-EAR OPTION
1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones
Each earpiece contains three audio drivers for balanced and deep bass and dynamic tones in a lightweight presentation that’s comfortable to wear.
$79.99 from Amazon
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BEST BATTERY LIFE
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
These have the ability to pair two devices at once, so you can go from watching a movie on a laptop to listening to an audiobook on a phone easily.
$164.88 from Walmart
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BEST BUDGET IN-EAR OPTION
RHA S500u
These feature a handy universal remote and microphone for Siri and Google Assistant voice commands.
$27.49 from Amazon
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MOST STYLISH
BeatsX
These deliver clear and crisp sound in a sleek and sexy design with eight-hour battery life and fast charging.
$99.99 from Walmart
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BEST OPEN-BACK OPTION
Grado SR60e
Headphones with open-backed ear cups allow the sound to feel like it’s in the same room as you and not just in your ears.
$79 from Amazon
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BEST WIRELESS OPTION
LG Tone Pro 780
Lightweight and well-balanced, with advanced quad-layer speaker technology that produces excellent audio quality and short charging times.
$69 from Amazon
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BEST BUDGET ON-EAR OPTION
Urbanears Plattan 2
These collapsible headphones offer up really good passive noise isolation with a stylish and fun look.
$34.99 from Amazon
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BEST IN-EAR NOISE-CANCELING OPTION
Audio-Technica QuietPoint
These are an older model, but they still deliver world class audio and high level noise cancelling at a considerably low price.
$99.95 from Walmart
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BEST FOR ATHLETES
Monster iSport Intensity
Durable and sweatproof to keep the music going, with handy controls right on the wire, so you don’t have to fiddle with your smartphone while using them.
$49 from Adorama
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BEST MID-RANGE WIRELESS OPTION
Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT
A great value for students and audiophiles alike with 45mm drivers for quality audio and NFC “tap-and-touch” pairing for up to eight devices.
$149 from Amazon
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BEST HEADPHONES FOR GAMING
Corsair HS50
The microphone reduces ambient noise, and it’s also removable, so it doesn’t get in the way if you want to use the headphones for something else.
$49.99 from Amazon
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BEST WATERPROOF HEADPHONES
H2O Audio Headphones
These are IPX8 rated for 100% waterproofing in heavy sweat, rain, and complete submersion for up to 12 feet of water.
$39.99 from Amazon
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BEST TANGLE-FREE WIRED OPTION
JLab Audio Diego
This sleek and sexy pair are also rugged and flexible, and also comfortable and affordable for students with a price that’s under $15.
$14.99 from Amazon