Yes, we place our highest priority on audio performance when evaluating a new pair of headphones, but there’s no shame in buying a set that looks as good as it sounds. Headphones that are ugly, uncomfortable to wear aren’t appealing, or with clunky controls, even if they sound amazing. We’ve picked out some of our favorites here—headphones that sound as good as they look, and vice versa.
So whether it’s a modern, sporty option, or a pair that looks like the inside of a sports car, we’ve picked our favorite-looking headphones in each category, from noise-cancelling to budget-priced. Our only criteria beyond looks is they must sound good as well. They may not be the absolute best-sounding options in their respective categories (though some are), but they’ll make you happy if you like the look. And yes, they look fantastic.