This story is part of 84 Days of Holidaya collection that helps you find the perfect gift for anyone.

There are more headphone choices out there than ever, but the best ones I’ve ever used are the Sony WH-1000XM4. I bought them when they were CNET’s favorite full-sized, wireless noise canceling headphones in the middle of the pandemic, and they’ve helped keep me sane pretty much every day in the two-and-a-half years since.

Why it’s a great gift: These headphones are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for hours, unlike most earbud-style headphones I’ve used. They also sound amazing no matter what I’m listening to. But for me, the best part is the way their noise-cancelling effect lets me completely shut out the outside world. I use them when I need to concentrate on work, while taking Zoom calls or playing video games when I don’t want to disturb others. I even use them while reading a book since the combination of noise cancellation and a playlist of wave or rain sounds helps me get deep into the story without distractions. Check out CNET’s full review of the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones.

What you’ll pay: The list price for Sony’s headphones is $350. Sure, they’re expensive, but with a new version available, you can now find them for a little less.