I was just asking this very question in the apple store. the very helpful employee recommended skull candy ear buds (even though the apple store does not even sell them!).

I'm kind of a snob about headphones and unfortunately, I have a cat that likes to chew on headphone cords (only headphone cords). Consequently, I have spent more money on headphones/earbuds than I ever hoped to.

These days, I have a wonderful and very expensive set of Bose noise canceling headphones and the following earbuds for commuting.

http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/earbuds/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=sem&utm_campaign=brand&utm_term=skullcandy&utm_content=34_go_sx_al_ww_11_00_00_us_000009_000140_000000&gclid=ckefjstxkcicfytr7aodaq8aca

The earbuds are really pretty great on sound quality for the price. I road tested the Beats phones and actually like the skull candy ones better.

I bought them at the University bookstore where I work. A couple thousand college students can't be wrong.

Hope that helps.

Re-reading the OP, between earbuds and Beats headphones, I'd get the Beats headphones.

I agree with the high volume/hearing damage concern. I don't know about the data, but my intuition is that earbuds are worse than headphones because they go right in the ear. But both are bad for constant use. You can do damage in 30 minutes a day, and people wear them for hours.

One thing I would do is get noise-canceling headphones. They're not just for airplanes. By canceling out the surrounding noise, they allow you to keep a lower volume setting and still hear the music.

I have two pair that I like. One from Maxell for $69, and one from Sennheiser that are really tiny and lightweight, and have excellent sound, for $150. I got both of them at airport stores. You can probably find broader and cheaper selection at the mall. (The big name in noise cancelling headphones is Bose, but those are $200 - $300.)

Sadly headphones are as much fashion statement as they are about the sound. (The Beats people are billionaires because they understood this.) You probably want to involve DD in this selection, so you don't buy something that she thinks is dorky.

Anonymous wrote:Just be so, so careful about sound volume. Kids tend to make it too loud I have a hearing impaired parent who lost his hearing from headphone use. It happens slowly but is devastating.

Not OP, but do you have a brand recommendation?

Just be so, so careful about sound volume. Kids tend to make it too loud I have a hearing impaired parent who lost his hearing from headphone use. It happens slowly but is devastating.

My daughter has basic earbuds from her phone, decent (but not expensive) headphones and I am getting her wireless ear muffs for Christmas.

my dd wants beats headphones but also wants earbuds. so, for those of you familiar, would you recommend beats headphones, beats earbuds, or another brand of earbuds for less $$? Thanks, this will be a birthday gift.