5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying an Earphone?
When choosing an earphone, you need to answer the following questions before making a purchase:
What kind of device do I have?
How much am I willing to spend?
What will I be using my earphones for?
What will the conditions be like?
What kind of music do I listen to most often?
If you can answer these questions, you should be able to find an earphone that’s right for you!
Is it wireless?
When it comes to buying a pair of earphones, it’s not just about how they sound. It’s also about how comfortable they are and whether or not you can wear them for extended periods. If you choose a wired pair, make sure that there is ample wire length so that you don’t constantly have to pull at your earphones when using them. A wireless pair of earphones is always more convenient; however, pairing can be frustrating if there isn’t enough range on your device.
Is it noise cancelling?
Noise-cancelling earphones are great for blocking out ambient noise, whether you’re in a crowded office or a loud subway station. Our tests found that most noise-cancelling earphones don’t cancel all sounds, so your music will still sound muffled. This can be good if you have trouble hearing, but it also means that your music isn’t as immersive when you listen on lower volumes. Also, these features can come at a premium — most noise-cancelling models cost more than $200 and some over $300.
Do you use the 3.5mm jack?
3.5mm ports have been standard in phones and computers for decades, meaning that most earphones are designed with a 3.5mm jack in mind. The biggest reason Apple chose not to use a 3.5mm port on their iPhones was that they wanted thinner smartphones, which would have been difficult with a full-sized jack (3.5mm jacks take up quite a bit of space). It’s important to keep your plans in mind when choosing what kind of earphones you want; if you know you’re getting an iPhone later this year, it might be smart to choose wireless headphones so that you can use them whenever you want without needing an adapter or extra cables.
What is your budget?
Your budget is how much you can afford to spend on a new pair of earphones to keep things simple. Keep in mind that most earphones are priced over $50, so stick to a maximum budget of around $75 if you want a quality set. If you’re looking for more affordable options, we’ve also got you covered below with our best budget earphones to pick and our award-winning cheap earbuds option. Most people don’t need any more than $150, but if your ears are particularly sensitive (and tend to get sore easily), then be prepared to shell out up to $400. It’s not ideal, but it’s often better than ruining your ears entirely when it comes time for new buds.
Are you looking for extra features?
If you’re looking for a standard, no-frills pair of earphones, then you might not need anything more than earbuds with a microphone and one button. However, if you want more than that — such as wireless connectivity or noise cancellation — be prepared to pay more. One button control can also come in handy if you have sensitive hearing and suffer from hearing loss in certain frequencies. Extra features can also make it easier for people with visual impairments or mobility issues to use your earphones because they offer controls that vocal commands simply cannot provide. If extra features are important to you, look at all your options before making a purchase decision.
Types of Earphones
There are many different types of earphones available on today’s market and so it is important that you determine which type best suits your needs before purchasing. Earphones come in three main categories: over-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and earbuds. Earbuds are very popular because they can easily be used with portable devices such as smartphones and MP3 players while also being relatively inexpensive. In-ear headphones may have silicone tips or foam tips depending on your preference; they are inserted into your ears like earplugs would be. Over-ear headphones do not go into your ears, but rest around them instead; over-ear headphones can also be used with portable devices such as smartphones or MP3 players.
- Over-ear headphones (Wireless)
2. In-ear earbuds (Wired)
3. In-ear earbuds (Wireless)
4. Neckband earphones
