Shopping for a new set of headphones can be a daunting task, given the wide array of styles, types, and prices. But it doesn’t have to be—and we’re here to help. If you can answer these five questions, you’ll be well on your way to finding a set of headphones, earphones, or earbuds that should provide years of sonic enjoyment.

Before hitting the list below, here are a few things to consider. One is that there are great headphones for nearly every budget, so don’t give up on good sound because you think you can’t afford it. But also remember that you might not need a pricier set of ‘phones that can reveal every ounce of detail if you’re mainly listening to compressed mp3s or less-than-pristine YouTube videos.

Also, the model you choose has to be comfortable, especially if you tend to wear your headphones for extended periods of time. That may lead you to choose one type instead of another. For example, I personally can’t wear in-ear earphones for more than 15 or 20 minutes without them becoming excruciatingly painful, so even my portables are on-ear models. You may decide to own several sets of headphones, depending on whether you’re listening at home or on the go. My go-to cans at home are large, over-the-ear models that are really too large to lug around.

Finally, for many of us headphones have become as much a fashion item as a piece of audio gear. That’s fine, but you don’t have to sacrifice decent sound for an eye-catching design, though you’re likely to pay a bit more cash for the extra flash.