I've gone through many pairs of headphones over the last few years (mostly due to losing them on a regular basis!) As a result I have tried a fair few brands and types, but I keep coming back to Sennheiser.

These headphones are incredibly comfortable in the ear (with different sized earbuds to make that easier). The quality is also excellent, I have not yet broken a pair, which is a problem I suffered regularly with other brands.

There is minimal noise leakage, which makes the listening experience pleasant for you and means that those around you don't have to share whatever you are listening to! This makes them an excellent choice for the daily commute. It also means that you don't have to have the headphones up too loud (which is always a plus) but you don't lose any of the noise-cancelling experience. This is something that sets it apart.

One thing to note is that these headphones have the two earbud wires the same length, so may not be for you if you prefer headphones with one shorter wire for one ear.

The fact that I always end up with these every time I need a replacement pair of headphones speaks volumes, and I would thoroughly recommend them (especially if bought on special offer!)