How to buy or choose the best headphones
It's no dults that a great pair of headphones can make a huge difference in your listening experience. Those cheap earbuds that came with your device might suffice for a while, but you may soon find yourself yearning for a richer sound quality.
Whether you want to learn how to buy headphones for yourself, or are looking for the perfect gift for an audiophile friend, there are a few things you should take into consideration before making your decision. Here are my top 4 things to think about before buying headphones.
Form Factor: On-Ear vs. Over-Ear vs. In-Ear
On-Ear vs. Over-Ear vs. Earbuds: This will likely be the first decision you weigh when picking your perfect pair of headphones.
- On-Ear headphones feature pads that go over the ears, but don’t cover them entirely. They’re typically more portable than bulky over-ear headphones and cancel some (but not all) noise. Because of their open design, on-ear headphones are not the best choices for very noisy (or very quiet) environments.
- Over-Ear headphones are a bit bulkier but tend to have better sound quality. Some behind-the-neck headphones are still good for moving around, but in general, over-ear headphones are larger and more troublesome to store while on-the-go.
- In-Ear headphones, or earbuds, are generally less expensive, more portable, and take up little space. They’re very convenient for active lifestyles, and can still offer superior sound quality on the higher end (around $50 and up).
Wireless vs. Wired
The next thing you might consider when thinking about how to buy headphones is whether you want a wireless or wired pair. The wireless variety do offer an obvious advantage: no wires to wrap up or snag on anything. But that convenience can sometimes come at a cost. Like noise-canceling headphones, wireless headphones require their own battery power, which means charging and swapping batteries on a regular basis. Additionally, wireless headphones often use Bluetooth for easy pairing with devices, which is convenient, but can also mean lower sound quality and possible interference from other devices. However if you’re especially active with your headphones, wireless may be the clear way to go! Ultimately the choice is up to you, and should be informed based on how you plan on using your headphones.
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| 2018 New I7 wireless bluetooth headphone |
Noise Cancellation
Before buying headphones, don’t forget to think about noise cancellation. Earbuds tend to isolate sound well because of the tight fit in the ear, while the noise isolation of over-ear headphones will vary depending on the style.
If you want to buy headphones with true noise-canceling capabilities, be prepared to spend up to $200 or more for the experience. These types of headphones are built specifically to reduce outside noise, and rely on their own battery power to operate. However generally speaking, full-size (over-ear) headphones are usually the best form factor for true noise cancellation.
Quality
Chances are, if you’re looking to buy premium headphones, you’re ready to pay for quality equipment. After all, if you wanted cheap earbuds, you could just stick with the pair you have around the house!If you’re after buying headphones that will last, here’s a good rule of thumb. Expect to spend at least $50 on portable headphones, and $100 or more for real quality. If that’s not in your budget, a trick I like to use is looking for open box or refurbished options. Buying headphones in other conditions is a great way to get the brand and quality you want — for less that what you would spend on a brand-new pair.
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