How to Choose the Best Headphones for you

Forget about those cheap, plastic earbuds that came free with your tablet or phone! Investing in a pair of premium headphones or earbuds will change the way you listen to music, play video games or watch your favorite programs! In-ear, over-ear, wired or wireless, noise-canceling…with so many choices out there it can be hard to figure out which headphones to choose from. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a new pair of headphones to help you make an informed decision!

Does size really matter?

In short, yes! Large, over the ear headphones tend to provide the best sound quality. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get an optimal sound from smaller earbuds as well. When choosing the size of your headphones think carefully about how you plan to actually use them. If you’re planning to use them at home, either sitting down gaming or for your home office, then using a large pair of headphones may not bother you. If however, you want to take your headphones on the go, choose a smaller pair of earbuds. Bose makes some of the best, high-quality earbuds available. Don’t worry, you won’t have to pay crazy, high prices for them, just take advantage of an amazing Bose voucher code and you’ll get a nice discount on your next pair! 

Over-ear or on-ear… is it important?

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ear, while on-ear headphones rest on top of your ear, like ear-muffs. It may seem like a small, insignificant difference but it actually matters in terms of comfort-level and the way your ears perceive the sound. Over-ear headphones leave a space between your ear and the speaker which produces a natural sound similar to a concert hall. This is perfect for people that want to feel fully immersed in whatever they’re listening to. On-ear headphones, on the other hand, let in a bit of ambient sound since they don’t completely cover your ears. 

Choosing between the two is all about how much of the real world you want to let in while you’re using your headphones. Over-ear headphones block the majority of external sounds meaning they might not be the best option for work or other places where you still need to be alert. On-ear headphones are lighter and more compact, but they remain on your head by applying pressure to your ears, which can make them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. 

Wired or wireless, is there a difference?

Technology has come a long way since the first pair of Bluetooth headphones. Despite Bluetooth technology being only 20 years old, the first pair of wireless headphones was actually created in the 70s! These days the sound quality between wireless and wired headphones is almost indistinguishable. This means there aren’t a lot of convincing reasons for a regular person to be limited by a wired set.

That being said, true audiophiles such as musicians, music producers or just die-hard music fans, are still going to want to choose a wired pair. Despite the amazing quality of wireless headsets, wired headphones still receive a perfect, full-strength signal and a perfect signal means perfect, high-quality sound. But why not choose the best of both worlds? You can find some great wireless headsets that also come with detachable wires meaning you can effortlessly switch between wired and wireless! 

Noise cancellation… what’s that all about? 

Noise-cancelling headphones are headphones that are designed to remove all background noises so that you can focus directly on the sound coming out of your headphones. They achieve this by using something called phase-canceling technology. This is different from passive noise cancellation which is just relying on physical features such as extra padding or the shape of the headphones to block out sound. 

Noise-cancelling headphones are great for anyone that needs to use their headphones in a busy environment. Commuters, gamers, or people working in environments with high noise levels, will appreciate how noise-cancelling headphones block ambient noise allowing you to concentrate!

So how much should I spend? 

When it comes to headphones and earbuds, you get what you pay for. When choosing a new pair it’s important to invest in the highest-quality pair of headphones that your budget allows, so that you can buy a quality product that should last you for years to come! Just remember, a high price doesn’t always mean high quality. Set your budget and then do your research to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money!