Having headphones to get me through the school day has become a huge habit of mine, and I cannot go without them. If I forget my headphones at home or forget to charge them, my day is ruined. I have become completely dependent on headphones, as have many other students. 

   Having music to help me work through assignments is non-negotiable, as it helps me focus on my work and block out all the distractions around me. Throughout my school years, I have tried many different types of headphones to help me get through the school day. I am going to rank them from least-recommended to most.

Sony Over-The-Ear Headphones

Rating: 2/5

   I absolutely love the Sony brand, so I thought I would feel the same way about these headphones. However, they fell short of my expectations. I doubt the brand is as much to blame as the design of the headphones. The cushioning on these headphones is subpar, and it violently hurt my head to use these for long periods of time. I could probably handle up to an hour with these headphones without getting a massive headache. 

   These headphones were supposed to be “noise-cancelling,” but did a very mediocre job of cancelling any noise. I could still hear my surroundings very well with these headphones on. The only positive thing these headphones had going for them was the long battery life, which is up to 35 hours. I got these headphones for around $100, and they did not offer much for the price tag.

Beats Studio Buds

Rating: 3/5

   These headphones were the first wireless earbuds I ever tried, and they are mediocre at best. The battery life is decent, with up to 24 hours of listening time using the charging case. The earpieces are not compatible with many ear sizes, and fall out often. I constantly had to readjust them to stop them from falling out. They also always made a strange-sounding chirp, which was unsettling. 

   Additionally, they do not have the highest sound quality and have a lot of sound bleeding. The last thing you want in school is for everyone around you to be able to hear your music playing. I would not recommend these earbuds. The prices for these earbuds range widely, but I got them for around $100.

Wired Apple Earbuds

Rating: 3/5

   These are classic and probably the first headphones I ever had. I enjoy the sound quality of the wired earbuds, and they are a staple headphone. Since these headphones are wired, you do not have to worry about charging them. However, the cords hanging off can get very distracting and irritating, especially in a school setting where you’re doing hands-on or computer work. These will get annoying quickly when they constantly get in your way. Additionally, there is no aspect of noise cancellation with these headphones. These are the most affordable headphones, costing about $20.

AirPods 2nd Gen

Rating: 5/5

   I was very apprehensive about spending this much money on headphones, but after the disappointment of all the others, I was desperate to find something that would meet my expectations. The AirPods 2nd Gen did just that. These headphones are exceptional in almost every aspect, and I do not regret purchasing them. They come with different sizes of earpieces, so it is guaranteed that you will find an earpiece that fits your ear and have no issue with them falling out. 

   These headphones have the best noise cancellation I have ever heard, and when I put them in, it completely mutes my environment. This is especially helpful if I am trying to focus on an assignment in a loud classroom. I can’t hear anything but my music when I use these headphones. Along with noise cancellation, it has adaptive and transparent modes where you can choose what is best based on the environment you are in.

   These AirPods have around 30 hours of listening time using the charging case. If you are an Apple user, having AirPods just makes sense. They seamlessly connect between Apple devices, making Bluetooth pairing much easier. Overall, I recommend these headphones to anyone looking for an all-purpose headphone that will last a long time. These headphones cost around $250, but I got them on sale. It is good to look for these headphones while they’re on sale because you can save a lot of money.

   Finding a good pair of headphones for school is essential. It is important to consider battery life if they are Bluetooth, comfort, noise cancellation, and whatever else may be important to you. Although I have not tried all types of headphones, I highly recommend the AirPods 2nd Gen, however, everyone may have different preferences.