Choose by how the person who receives them listens. Anyone who commutes and travels will appreciate wireless noise-canceling headphones, like the Argon Audio Quiet Storm at €169 or the DALI IO-6 at €300. Anyone who listens to music at home with attention is better served by open wired headphones, like the Grado Classic SR60 at €139. For sports or for carrying in a pocket, go for earphones like the Grado GT220 at €269.
The headphones we recommend as gifts
| Model | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Argon Audio SOUL3 | €119 | Everyday use, wireless and uncomplicated |
| Grado Classic SR60 | €139 | Listening to music at home |
| Argon Audio Quiet Storm | €169 | Commuting and travel, with noise canceling |
| Grado GW100x | €269 | Fans of the Grado sound who want to cut the cord |
| Grado GT220 | €269 | Sports and pocket use |
| DALI IO-6 | €300 | Travel and commuting, with long battery life |
| Grado Classic SR325 | €369 | Serious listening at home |
| DALI iO-12 | €999 | A top-tier gift for home and travel |
Argon Audio SOUL3, €119
These are wireless over-ear headphones with 25 hours of wireless audio and soft ear pads. The page describes them as the essentials, with clean sound and a solid connection. It does not mention noise canceling or colors. They make a good gift for someone who wants good everyday headphones without spending much.
Grado Classic SR60, €139
This is the entry point to the Grado sound. It has a 44 mm dynamic driver in an open design, 38 ohms, about 220 g and a fixed cable with a 3.5 mm plug and a 6.3 mm adapter. The page describes an immediate, lively sound. They are for home, because open headphones let noise in and sound out. Many phones no longer have a 3.5 mm jack. In that case you also need an adapter or a source with a headphone output. The page does not list colors.
Argon Audio Quiet Storm, €169
It has active noise canceling, 40 mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 5.0. The page talks about long battery life without stating the hours. It is the most affordable noise-canceling model on this list and suits anyone who lives on the train, the subway or planes. The page does not list colors.
Grado GW100x, €269
This is Grado's first wireless on-ear headphone, now with Bluetooth 5.2, a 46-hour battery, a microphone, touch controls and a voice assistant. It comes in black and the page does not mention noise canceling. It is for someone who already likes the Grado sound and wants to drop the cable. To get to know the brand, see our guide Grado, handmade in Brooklyn.
Grado GT220, €269
These are Grado's first true wireless earphones, with Bluetooth 5.0 and 36 hours of total battery life, meaning 6 hours in the earphones and 5 full charges in the case. The case charges by USB-C or wirelessly. Each earphone weighs 10 g and the controls are touch-based. They come in black and the page does not mention noise canceling. They suit workouts and pockets.
DALI IO-6, €300
They have active noise canceling, Bluetooth 5.0 and up to 30 hours of battery, with a full charge in 2.5 hours over USB-C. If the battery runs out, they work with the included 3.5 mm cable. The box also holds the USB-C cable, the flight adapter and the travel case. They come in four colors, namely caramel and white, iron and black, army green and chalk white. They are the right gift for someone who travels.
Grado Classic SR325, €369
They have an aluminum housing, a 44 mm open driver, an 18 Hz to 24 kHz response and weigh about 340 g. The fixed cable has 8 conductors and the plug is 6.3 mm with a 3.5 mm adapter. The page speaks of an open, detailed treble. They gain from a good player or a headphone amplifier, and our guide to open or closed headphones explains why. The page does not list colors.
DALI iO-12, €999
These are the top of DALI's headphone range, with active noise canceling you can switch off, Bluetooth or cable and replaceable ear pads. The driver uses DALI's SMC material to reduce distortion. They come in Dark Chocolate and Mocha Grey. The page does not state the battery hours. For a smaller budget, our DALI iO-8 and iO-12 guide compares the two models.
How to get it right without asking
Notice where the person listens to music. On the subway, the train or a plane, choose wireless headphones with noise canceling. At home, in the evening or at the office, open wired headphones give more music for the money. If they work out or always have their hands full, earphones are the answer. Also check whether their phone has a 3.5 mm jack, because wired models depend on it or on an adapter. When you cannot decide between travel and home, the DALIs take Bluetooth and cable and cover both lives.
What to avoid
Avoid open headphones for someone who listens on the subway, because noise comes in and the music leaks out to the people next to them. Avoid true wireless earphones if the person has never worn in-ear models, because the seal matters a lot and not everyone gets along with them. Avoid wired models for someone who only uses a phone with no headphone jack. And avoid starting with the most expensive pair, because a good pair at €169 or €300 pleases more than a €999 pair that ends up in a drawer.
What to consider before buying
- Check what comes in the box. The DALI IO-6 include cables, a flight adapter and a travel case. The wired Grados include a 6.3 mm adapter.
- Wireless models need a USB charger at the recipient's home.
- Free shipping in mainland Portugal from €100, or pick-up at our store at Av. 5 de Outubro, 29, in Lisbon.
- Part of the catalog arrives by order from the distributor and lead times get longer close to Christmas, so confirm availability before counting on a gift for a specific day.
- You can try them in our listening room Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, by appointment on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Which headphones should I give to someone who commutes?
Wireless headphones with noise canceling, like the Argon Audio Quiet Storm (€169), the DALI IO-6 (€300) or the DALI iO-12 (€999).
Which headphones should I give to someone who loves music?
Open wired headphones, like the Grado Classic SR60 (€139) or the SR325 (€369), for listening at home.
Wireless or wired as a gift?
Wireless if the person listens on the move and wired if they listen seated at home. The DALIs accept both connections.
How much should I spend?
Our selection has good headphones from €119. Between €169 and €300 you find the noise-canceling models with long battery life.
Also read our hi-fi Christmas gift ideas by price range and browse the collections of Bluetooth headphones and earphones, noise-canceling headphones and in-ear earphones.