I hate earbuds. It feels like I am trying to shove giant Q-Tips (sans cotton tip) into my tiny ears, and they always fall out anyway.

The best gift I’ve ever received was noise-canceling headphones. Thanks to JVC’s HA-NC80 headphones, I can pay it forward, while also paying a whole lot less.

Two modes allow users to choose their level of quiet. Me? I like to drown out my own breathing. The HA-NC80 also promises up to 75 percent noise reduction. So it may not kill the screams of the baby behind you on a cross-country flight, but it will probably make them a whole lot easier to tolerate.

• $59.95
• Available in December
• Offers wide & low noise cancellation modes
• Uses one AAA battery
• Weighs less than 6 oz.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.