How to pick the best headphones

Deciding on a pair of headphones can be a daunting task. Do you want over-ear, on ear, an in-ear monitor (IEM), or just regular earbuds? Do you need bluetooth or is wired fine.  If bluetooth, what are all these codecs used for?  In this post, I will guide you to make the best decision possible, so that you can listen to your music in peace. I will also include some examples of the best headphones in my opinion.

First, what type are you looking for? Over-ears are best for those who stay at home or need noise cancellation. This is because over-ears are usually large enough to include good noise cancellation without sacrificing sound quality. This is usually their downfall though, as some people want something portable and lightweight to carry around. In this case, consider an in-ear monitor or earbuds as they're extremely small. When picking between the two however, don't be fooled!  IEMs are better because they improve bass and increase passive noise isolation but they're placed within the ear canal. Earbuds however, nestle just outside of it. This decreases sound quality and increases the amount of leakage and incoming noise and fall easily. In general, I would recommend IEMs because of this, but because some people find them uncomfortable, they may choose earbuds instead. If you find yourself in this situation, I'd recommend on-ears. They're comfortable and somewhat portable, while suppressing some outside noise.
In essence, choose over-ears for noise cancellation, IEMs or earbuds for portability and on-ears for a middle ground between the two. 

Second, what features do you need. Unless you're using it with devices without a headphone jack, or working out, you don't really need bluetooth. It typically worsens sound quality and latency while costing more but for some the convenience is worth it. In this case, look for the supported bluetooth codecs. If you use Apple phones, look for AAC, and if you're on Android, search for Apt-x. This should help reduce the latency while supporting slightly higher audio quality. Another feature to consider is noise cancellation. If you commute frequently, this will help to reduce all the noise around you, so you can hear only what you want to hear. Keep in mind though, that it may affect sound quality as well.  If you're looking for Bluetooth along with noise cancelling, expect to only find very few IEMs, as the tech is relatively hard to pack in a small package.

Lastly, it's the extras. Consider the price and warranty of the product, especially if it's Bluetooth. Speaking of Bluetooth, don't forget to check aspects such as battery life, charging capabilities, multi point connectivity, on-board controls, etc. Remember, this is your headphone, you shouldn't allow someone else to sway your decision other than just giving recommendations. If you're looking for a place to start however, I can happily help. (No, these are not affiliate links)

Recommendations:

Bluetooth headphones: Sony WH-1000XM3, Libratone Track+, Sony WF-1000XM3, B&O H8I,  Vain Sthlm Commute 

Wired: 1More Triple Driver, Audio-Technica M50X, Libratone Q Adapt Lightning, AIAIAI Pipe 2.0