Whether you’re an audiophile or just want to listen to songs on the go, you may have come across this question when buying a personal sound device. Do I need to buy headphones or earphones?
Both offer their strengths and weaknesses, so there isn’t one right answer for every user. However, you should consider the following considerations so that you can choose the option that works best for you:
Affordable
If you look at premium brands, you’ll find that earphones are generally more affordable than headphones. For example, the Sony WF-1000XM4 earphones are now available on Amazon for $ 70 less than the equivalent Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. Similarly, Apple Airpods Max headphones sell for more than twice the price of Apple AirPods Pro earphones.
However, if you really need headphones, you can see less popular brands like Anker’s Soundcore and TaoTronics. These brands offer high quality devices at a more affordable price.
Battery life
Given that headphones are larger than earphones, the former is expected to have a longer battery life than the latter. And even though the earphones get extra battery power from the case, it’s usually not enough to compete with the physically large battery of the headphones.
Take this into account: Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones have battery life indicated by the manufacturer, but WF-1000XM4 headphones only last 8 hours on a single charge. In that case, you can charge it immediately, so you can get a total of 24 hours of power just by fully charging it twice more.
comfortable
This indicator is fairly subjective, as a headphone or earphone design that is comfortable for one user may not be perfect for another. Still, there are some things you need to know.
The unpleasant design can cause pain in the ear canal, as the earphones go directly into the ear. Or, if it doesn’t fit well, it tends to fall off on the move.
Headphone designs, on the other hand, can be very uncomfortable, especially if the headband design is too tight for the head, or if the band is too thin and puts pressure on the scalp. In addition, improperly designed ear cups can overheat your ears. This causes excessive sweating and makes it uncomfortable to wear for a long time.
No matter which design you choose, it’s best to try it out before you buy. Also, different styles have different equipment, so it’s not enough to just try headphones or earphones. Instead, you should try the specific model you want to buy and find that it fits your ears and head perfectly.
Connection options
One of the advantages of most headphones over earphones is the option of a wired connection. True wireless earphones can only be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth. However, wireless headphones usually also have a 3.5mm or 2.5mm auxiliary jack for wired connections. You can dig deeper into the difference between wireless headphones and true wireless headphones. This is because there are some features to consider between the two headphones.
This option allows you to connect your headphones to your smartphone or computer. You can also find adapters such as the CrystalMic Pro XS for using wireless headphones as a popular wired aviation headset.
longevity
Headphone batteries are generally larger than earphones, so these batteries tend to last much longer. This is because a large battery capacity means that the battery does not circulate very much, which extends the battery life.
In addition, the large shape of the headphones allows them to be assembled more robustly than earphones. For example, most true wireless earphones are made of plastic. This is because it is too heavy to wear if made of metal or metal alloy.
However, premium headphones usually come with metal parts. This is because the headphone band supports this extra weight. This design distributes weight over a wider area while firmly anchoring to the head.
Portability
There is no doubt that earphones are much more portable than headphones. The earphone form factor is small even when considering the case. You can easily put these devices in your pocket or in a small section of your laptop bag.
Even if you’re wearing harem pants or cargo shorts, it’s impossible to put your headphones in your pocket. The most portable pair of headphones is when you slide them off your ears and wear them around your neck.
This still needs attention, as it is generally uncomfortable to wear it around the neck for at least a long period of time. They can get too warm and hinder head movements.
Repairability and customizability
The earphones have a small form factor and are notorious for being difficult to repair. They are difficult to disassemble and reassemble, and some YouTube electronic repair channels say they don’t want to work with earphones, and local repair shops are categorically refusing.
Headphones, on the other hand, are much easier to repair. You can easily order spare batteries for popular models like the Sony WH-1000XM3. However, it should be noted that it is usually a third party battery, not an OEM.
You can also replace the ear cushions on some headphones, so you can easily replace them if you’re wearing them or want to customize them. Order the cushion you want to use, remove the old earpads, and place the new earpads you just purchased.
Sound quality
If you compare earphones and headphones in a similar price range, you’ll find that headphones are always better than the former. This is because the size of the headphones is physically large, which allows the driver to be larger and better, resulting in a wider frequency range and a more rounded sound profile. Because.
According to audiophiles, there are also open-back headphones that offer better sound quality. However, you can also find open-back earphones with the new Sony LinkBuds.
Use Case
While many may say that headphones provide a better listening experience than earphones, there are still some cases where the latter is preferred over the former.
For example, when running, swimming, or exercising, we recommend sporty earphones that give you more freedom of movement. Earphones are especially easy to put in your pocket, making them suitable for short-distance commuting.
But if you’re working from home or have your headphones in the office, you’ll love the comfortable fit and most headphones. The long battery life of most headphones is also suitable for long-distance travel. Especially if you have a bag to carry everything with you.
Better sound experience
Both headphones and earphones have their strengths and weaknesses. But no matter what you choose, you can at least know what you are sacrificing when choosing one or the other. Buying online is more convenient than ever, but it’s highly recommended that you try out the items you actually wear before you buy.
After all, no one is built exactly like anyone else. Therefore, if you try the device before you buy it, you can avoid long-term regrets and use it comfortably.