See why we love Bose and Sony

When you’re working, you want to be able to get into the zone and listen to your favorite music or podcasts (or conference call) in a clear and straightforward way that doesn’t interrupt your focus. 
The Bose QuietComfort 20 headphones offer the best of both worlds. You can easily switch noise cancelling on or off at the touch of a button so you hear what’s going on, before switching back to some great sounding audio. These are also super comfy to wear for in-ear headphones, just make sure to buy the dedicated Android/Samsung variety.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones aren’t the only option out there with Alexa and Google Assistant support, but they are some of the simplest to use. Just tap a button to the side of one of the cans and you can hear all your phone notifications, change up the playlist, or ask your Assistant a question. It’s a big help if you’re out and about and don’t want to dig out your Android smartphone. Alternatively, you can use the Action button to adjust the level of noise cancellation you receive, between three different modes. Everything sounds great and well-balanced too.

Not everyone can (or wants) to spend a lot on headphones, but they still want to use a decent pair. That’s where the Cowin E7 Headphones come in. They’re wallet-friendly but offer a lot of bang for the buck. They even come in a number of different colors. Some 30 hours of playtime is available, plus the option to plug in a 3.5mm audio cable for when you’re caught short. Active noise cancellation is surprisingly good for the price, although maybe don’t expect as good sound quality as you might get on more expensive headphones as some tracks can sound a little crackly.

The Jabra Elite Active 65t headphones offer a unique feature in that they have a built-in accelerometer so they can track your run or walk while also allowing you to listen to music. Sure, that might sound a little gimmicky, but it’s always nice to have extra ways to track your run. Perhaps more importantly, they feel comfy in your ears so you won’t have to worry about them slipping out while you’re sprinting at full speed. Sound quality is decent too, with the option to customize how things sound via the Jabra app. Just don’t expect competent noise cancellation here.

Workouts are understandably pretty demanding on your headphones as well as your body. It’s easy for wires to get tangled or earbuds to fall out. The Sony WI1000X headphones use a wraparound method so they stay behind your neck, meaning there’s little risk of them getting in the way of your routine. They don’t look the best, we must admit, but they work well with active noise cancellation, an ambient sound mode that detects when you want to hear something, and the option for hands-free calling. Battery life could be better, but you can always plug an audio cable in and continue to listen, which is a big help.

Extended sessions with any headphones often make you realize they’re not exactly the comfiest. That’s not the case with the JBL E55BT Quincy Edition headphones. Thanks to their soft leather headband and snug ear cushions, they actually pretty delightful to have on your head. They’re easy to use too, with legendary music producer Quincy Jones himself guiding you through the paces. There’s also the option to easily switch between two devices, depending on what you’re doing. The only downside here is that the audio quality isn’t the greatest, but it’s still not bad, and it’s a small price to pay for a comfortable fit.