Best headphones for grads 2018

Sony's WH-1000XM2 is Sony's answer to Bose's QuietComfort 35 II. It's an impressive sounding wireless Bluetooth headphone that also features active noise-cancellation technology that's on par with Bose's, as well as some nifty extra features geared toward frequent travelers.

Bose has added a dedicated button for connecting to Google Assistant to its excellent QuietComfort 35 wireless noise-canceling headphone, which doubles as an advanced headset for making calls. Otherwise the headphone hasn't changed. The original earned an Editors' Choice award from CNET.

V-Moda's latest Bluetooth headphone is its best model yet, with improved sound, battery life and comfort. Featuring excellent build quality, it's one of the best premium over-ear wireless headphones, although it doesn't feature active noise-canceling.

Apple's totally wireless AirPods have taken the world by storm. They're designed to automatically pair with the iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, and other Apple devices running Apple latest operating systems (they're Bluetooth headphones, but Apple devices get access to special features).

Jabra's Elite 65t are one of the top truly wireless earphones and are superior to Apple's AirPods in some ways.

The Soundsport Free totally wireless earphones are Bose's answer to Apple's AirPods -- and have dropped in price since their launch. They sound richer and fit more securely in your ears. 

Although the design stayed the same, Beats upgraded its Studio Wireless headphone with new drivers and components, as well as much improved noise-canceling, battery life and slightly better sound. 

Bowers and Wilkins' PX wireless headphone is the first to include noise-canceling. While its noise-canceling isn't quite as strong as Bose's, its design and sound are top-notch.

The Bose SoundSport Wireless is exactly that -- a great wireless sports headphone.

Sennheiser's PXC 550 Wireless is a worthy competitor to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Like that model, it's very comfortable and features impressive noise cancellation and works very well as a headset for making calls.

The Marshall Mid ANC is the company's first headphone with noise-canceling. It sounds excellent for an on-ear wireless headphone.

Thanks to having been updated with Apple's new low-energy W1 custom Bluetooth chip, Beats' Solo 3 Wireless has much better battery life than its predecessor. Its impressive 40-hour battery life is tops for a Bluetooth headphone.

AfterShokz' bone-conduction wireless headphones continue to improve with each generation, and the Trekz Air is the company's best headphone yet.

Jaybird's truly wireless Run sports earphones had some problems with dropouts at launch but have improved with subsequent software upgrades. They fit well and sound good.

If you're looking for a more traditional wireless alternative to the AirPods, the BeatsX is a fresh take on the neckband-style Bluetooth headphone.

The Beoplay H4, B&O Play's entry-level over-ear Bluetooth headphone, doesn't have much in the way of bells and whistles. However, it sounds very good and it's comfortable.

The Sennheiser 4.50BTNC may not be quite as good as Bose's QuietComfort 35 II, but it costs significantly less.

Bose QuietControl 30 is essentially the wireless version of the company's QuietComfort 20 headphone -- an in-ear model that also features active noise-cancellation.

Jaybird's Freedom 2 wireless sports earphones feature new ear tips that offer a more secure, comfortable fit. There's also a new improved cord adjustment system. These seemingly small changes make a big difference.

Sony's MDR-1A is one of CNET's top-rated over-ear wired headphones and delivers excellent sound in a very comfortable design. Now that the updated Sony MDR-1AM2 is available, the original MDR-1A is being discounted.

JBL's Reflect Mini 2 is a lightweight, comfortable wireless sports headphone that also sounds pretty good and has a reflective cord.

Sennheiser's Momentum Wireless, now called the HD1 Wireless, is arguably the best-sounding wireless Bluetooth headphone. It also features active noise-canceling, though it's not up to the level of Bose's noise-canceling. This headphone started out at $500, but has come down in price.

The AKG N60NC is a wireless on-ear noise-canceling headphone that sounds very good. It's come down in price since it launched, making it a better value.

If you're looking for an affordable on-ear headphone not named Beats that's attractively designed and sounds very good, Plantronics' BackBeat 500 fits the bill.

Though it costs more than some competitors, the UA Sport Wireless Flex by JBL fits well, sounds good and should please runners and players of other sports, especially if they exercise at night.

The Stadion is an interesting take on a wireless sports headphone, with a design that's reminiscent of a coiled telephone cord that creates a secure, comfortable fit.

Plantronics' latest affordable in-ear headphone is lightweight and fits securely. It's meant to be more of an everyday headphone that can be used at the gym. However, we didn't find it ideal for running due to the design of its inline remote.

Beats' Powerbeats Wireless 3 improves slightly on the design of the popular Powerbeats 2 Wireless sports headphone and adds Apple's energy-efficient W1 custom Bluetooth chip, which makes connecting the headphones very easy (for Apple users) and significantly boosts battery life.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Studio, a full-size wired headphone, offers excellent sound quality and a comfortable fit, which helps elevate it from other pro-level headphones. It's priced pretty reasonably, too.

Audeze's Sine is the company's most affordable full-size planar-magnetic headphone. This type of driver technology is known for delivering impressively clean, distortion-free sound. The Sine's sound is superb for the price, although some people might wish it were a little more comfortable. It comes come with two wired options: one with a traditional miniplug, and one with Apple's Lightning connector, which has been upgraded recently.

The Everest Elite 750NC, JBL's higher-end wireless noise-canceling headphone is significantly improved over the previous version, with a more comfortable fit and better sound.

B&O Play's BeoPlay H7, an around-ear model, is stylish, comfortable and sounds very good.

Focal's Listen Wireless headphone is the Bluetooth version of the French company's audiophile-grade wired headphone. It now comes in multiple color options.

This is one of iFrogz' higher-end in-ear headphones, but it's still quite affordable and sounds very good for its price point.

Urbanears Hellas are sporty headphones with touch controls at a reasonable price.

JBL's E55BT isn't a total bargain, but it's a mid-priced over-ear model that delivers solid performance and decent comfort.

The Beyerdynamic T51i remains one of our favorite on-ear wired headphones.