There are more types of headphones than ever. Which ones are right for your ears? Here are some tips for picking the best style for your needs:

Earbuds

• Earbuds are commonly issued as freebies with MP3 players, but higher-performance buds can offer sonics that rivals full-size models. Their tiny earpieces rest on the outer ear or need to be inserted into the ear canal; some models include ear clips for a more secure fit.
• Upside
  Ultracompact and lightweight; can provide moderate to excellent isolation from external noise; little to no interference with earrings, glasses, hats or hairstyles.
• Downside
  Sound quality and bass response often not comparable to those of full-size models; can cause discomfort over periods of extended use; some models are difficult to insert and remove; the idea of putting foreign objects in the ear is counterintuitive and uncomfortable for many people; dual-cable design means more possibilities for tangled wires.
  
  Also known as
  In-ear headphones.
  
  Portability
  Highest.

Sports headphones

• This loosely defined category usually refers to lightweight, non-earbud models with two general headband styles: Standard vertical bands that arch over the head or horizontal designs that extend behind the head or neck. These headphones are almost always open-backed designs, with good reason: If you're jogging, the last thing you want to do is completely block out the ambient noise of the street around you.
• Upside
  Behind-the-neck designs won't interfere with your hairstyle or your hat and will usually stay put during running or jogging.
• Downside
  A lot of stylish, slender headphone designs aren't all that durable. Some behind-the-neck designs exert higher-than-average amount of pressure on your ears.
  
  Also known as
  Fashion headphones; vertical headphones; behind-the-neck headphones; clip-on headphones; neckband headphones; Walkman-style headphones; portable headphones.
  
  Portability
  High.

Ear-pad headphones

• These headphones rest on your outer ears and run the gamut from inexpensive portables to high-end home models. While ear-pad headphones can have closed designs that cover the ears, they are never fully sealed as full-size circumaural models are.
• Upside
  Comfortable and less prone to overheating ears than full-size headphones. Some models even fold up for easy transport.
• Downside
  Less effective noise isolation than in-ear or full-size models, and less powerful bass compared with full-size headphones.
  
  Also known as
  Supra-aural headphones; open-backed headphones; semi-open headphones; closed-back headphones; on-ear headphones.
  
  Portability
  Medium.

Full-size headphones

• The tech-speak description for this type of headphone is circumaural--it includes any headphone with ear cups that fully enclose your ears. Because of their size and their acoustic isolation, full-size headphones are often considered to be better suited to home use rather than as a portable option.
• Upside
  Large headphones offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels, and by fully enclosing your ears they effectively block outside noise.
• Downside
  Large size is cumbersome for portable use and some full-size models can be uncomfortably hot, making your ears sweat. Ear cups and headbands can also often interfere with earrings, glasses, and hairstyles.
  
  Also known as
  Circumaural headphones; closed-back headphones; ear-cup headphones; over-the-ear headphones.
  
  Portability
  Lowest.