You want quality and comfort Well-built, with foam ear cups that practically feel like cushions once you slip them around ...

Otherwise, without a wired backup, your music stops when the battery dies. A good pair of headphones should include both Bluetooth for wireless connectivity and either a 3.5mm or USB-C jack for backup ...

I'm always on the lookout for under-the-radar products that might be a good value. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how headphone makers do their thing.