Tips to Choose the Right Headphones for You

Headphone Buying Guide Cheat Sheet

Of all the everyday gadgets that impact the quality of life, headphones are near or at the top of the list. We run with them on, we take them to bed, we wear them on trains and planes – some of us even eat, drink, and go to sleep under headphones. The point? A good pair improves your quality of life. And a not-so-good pair? Not so much. So stick with us here, and in the next few minutes, we’ll cut through the confusion, help you narrow your choices, and maybe even open your eyes as well as your ears.

IDENTIFY HOW YOU WILL USE YOUR HEADPHONES

Will you be using your headphones while traveling, sitting in your listening room, or at the gym? Or maybe all three? Different headphones will be better for different situations — and the rest of this guide will help you identify the best ones for you.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT HEADPHONE TYPE

Before we get to wireless variations, noise cancellation, smart features, etc., you need to settle on your preferred headphone type first, so let’s do it. The three basic variations headphone styles are Over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear.

CLOSED OR OPEN-BACK HEADPHONES

Now that you know what your usage is, it’s important to choose convenience. This helps in aiding ease during use. Headphones are of two types namely Closed or Open-Back Headphones. In ears are earphones that fit comfortably inside the ear. On-ears are headphones that rest on the ear and are a perfect segue between big over-ears and small in-ears. They are light and portable as well. Over-ears are larger headphones that sit around the ear and isolate it. Probably the best option for the perfect music you like.

WIRED OR WIRELESS?

Having taken care of step one and two, this can be an interesting step to consider. Regardless of the design, headphones offer you the option of doing away with those pesky wires. At first glance, this might sound like a terrific idea. Wired always has a better audio response. But for those who want to tune into their favorite tracks while traveling or working out, wireless is a better option. Moreover, there are wireless options that even let you use them while you’re swimming! With constant leaps in headphone technology, the day when wireless will catch up with wired output isn’t too far. One more disadvantage of wireless headphones is that since they run on batteries, they’ll need charging from time to time.

Besides wireless and wired, headphones also offer add-on features like microphones and buttons to control volume, songs and others. The ability to converse without picking up your phone or change tracks in your playlist is definitely a feature that’ll appeal to most.

NOISE CANCELATION

There are two different types of noise cancelation headphone technology, and both works to eliminate the noise around you (like the annoying barking dog next door or the kids watching cartoons) so you can focus on your music. “Active noise-canceling,” is a new methodology where unwanted sounds are eliminated via new sounds created and tailored to cancel them out. “Passive noise-reduction” is less expensive, needs no power, and uses insulating techniques to prevent unwanted noise.

If you haven’t bought headphones in the last three years, you’re in for a really nice surprise. It’s hard to overstate how much better quality headphones are – over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear – with the latest noise-canceling tech inside. Whether it’s the sound of a busy plane or train interior, the city at night, the buzz of nearby office workers, or even the hum of light machinery nearby, it all goes away, leaving nothing but you and your music.

SETTING ON A BUDGET

Face it. We’re very sensitive when it comes to price. A first-time buyer might consider this step as the most important. An audiophile too will not completely disregard this fact but will be ready to pay for quality. It’s a personal call. It is always beneficial to set a budget after selecting your requirement from other stages. It is more important to be open to suggestions and consider aspects that were not considered hitherto. Headphones don’t always get better with a price. It all depends on your comfort, quality, and purpose and preferences.

After checking on your design, purpose, mobility and price, tick the right boxes and pick the right headphone. It may seem like a herculean task at first, but as you gain interest in music, it simply seems like eating a cake.