Headphone buying guide

You have a lot of options when choosing the right pair of headphones. When there are so many different styles, sizes, and features—how do you know which ones will be perfect for you? In this buying guide, we make it easy for you to narrow down your choices based on your needs.

When you want to buy earphones or headphones, the easiest way to get to a decision is to start with simple choices like wired or wireless, then work your way up to the unique features you’ll find on different sets of headphones.

Table of contents

1. Choosing the right headphones for your lifestyle
2. Wired and wireless headphones
3. Earbuds and in-ear headphones
4. On-ear and over-ear headphones
5. What features should I look for in headphones?

Choosing the right headphones for your lifestyle

When making your decision about the right headphones for you, one of the first things you should do is determine what will be their primary use.

Are you using them on the bus or the train? Do you need an ultra-small set to pack into an airplane carry-on? Will you be using them to work out each day, running, swimming, or with a personal trainer? How you plan to use your headphones most often will help you determine the best choice.

Wired and wireless headphones

When choosing between wired and wireless headphones, it’s important to understand their differences, strengths, and potential limitations. Each type serves a distinct purpose and aligns with different user needs, preferences, and activities. Here’s an in-depth look to help you decide which is best for you.

Wired headphones

Features to look for in wired headphones

• High-quality materials: Cables made of copper or other advanced materials can improve sound transmission.
• Comfortable design: Padded headbands and cushioned ear cups ensure comfort during prolonged use.
• Specialized drivers: Advanced motor, diaphragm, and coil technologies reduce distortion and enhance playback clarity.

Best suited for

• Audiophiles seeking the best sound quality.
• Users who prefer a reliable, uninterrupted listening experience.
• Those with home audio setups or who work in professional audio environments.

Wireless headphones

Wireless headphones connect to your device via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for cables. They offer greater freedom of movement, making them a popular choice for users on the go. Wireless headphones come in two primary types: semi-wireless and truly wireless.

How to choose truly wireless and semi-wireless headphones

Choosing between truly wireless and semi-wireless headphones depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and intended usage. If portability and complete freedom from cables are essential, truly wireless headphones are ideal. However, if you value slightly better connectivity and longer battery life, semi-wireless options may suit you better. Consider these factors when deciding:

• Portability: Truly wireless models are compact and ideal for those always on the go.
• Battery life: Semi-wireless headphones generally offer longer playback time per charge.
• Activity: For activities like working out, both styles provide flexibility, but choose truly wireless for ultimate convenience and semi-wireless for added stability.

Features of truly wireless and semi-wireless headphones

Truly wireless and semi-wireless headphones share several advanced features but differ in key aspects:

• Bluetooth connectivity: Both types offer seamless pairing with devices, but semi-wireless headphones tend to have more stable connections due to their interconnecting cable.
• Noise cancellation: Many truly wireless headphones feature active or adaptive noise cancellation, while semi-wireless models often include passive noise isolation.
• Charging convenience: Truly wireless headphones come with charging cases for on-the-go power, while semi-wireless headphones often use a simple USB cable for recharging.
• Built-in microphones: Both types typically include microphones for calls and voice assistant compatibility.

Activities that best suit truly wireless and semi-wireless headphones

• Truly wireless headphones: Best for users seeking maximum portability, such as travelers, commuters, or gym-goers. They’re also great for short workouts, daily errands, and casual use. You can read up on this type of headphone by checking out the truly wireless headphone buying guide.
• Semi-wireless headphones: Ideal for activities requiring longer battery life or enhanced connectivity, such as extended listening sessions, virtual meetings, or outdoor sports where stability is key.

Earbuds and in-ear headphones

Features of earbuds and in-ear headphones

Modern earbuds come with a variety of features to enhance your listening experience:

• Customization apps: Some earbuds allow you to tweak sound profiles using companion apps.
• Noise cancellation: Active or passive noise-canceling features block external noise effectively.
• Sweat and water resistance: IPX-rated models are durable and suitable for workouts or outdoor use.
• Built-in microphones: Many earbuds include microphones for hands-free calls and voice assistant compatibility.
• Charging convenience: Wireless earbuds often include charging cases for on-the-go power.

Activities that best suit earbuds and in-ear headphones

• Study or work: Noise-isolating earbuds help focus in busy environments like libraries or cafes.
• Commutes and travel: Their compact size and noise-canceling features make them perfect for daily commutes or flights.
• Workouts: Sweat-resistant models are ideal for gym sessions, running, or outdoor activities.
• Casual listening: Comfortable and lightweight, they are great for enjoying music, podcasts, or calls on the go.

On-ear, over-ear, and open-ear headphones

Headphone features to look for

There are almost as many features available in headphones as there are types, styles, and manufacturers. To choose the best pair for you, you’ll want to brush up on headphones terms and technology.

Noise-cancelling vs. Noise isolation

Noise-cancelling and noise isolation sound the same, but they are two different types of technology.

Noise isolation works as a physical barrier against outside sounds, and it feels as though you have a layer of padding over your over-ear or on-ear headphones. This style of headphones gives you a tight seal on an earbud model, and that also provides noise isolation.

A pair of noise-canceling headphones actively listen to the environment around you and create sound waves inside the ear cup that cancel out any outside noise. This is all done digitally and automatically, so all you need to do is turn the feature on or off when you need it.

Ambient or Adaptive mode

A feature that is sometimes related to noise-cancelling is something called Ambient Mode, Adaptive mode, or ‘external listening’. This technology allows you to bring those outside sounds into your headphones so that you can be aware of your surroundings. This feature is most useful for people who might be walking in busy or high-traffic areas, or for someone that may need to stay alert to the arrival of guests, customers, or the boss.

Water-resistant headphones

Water-resistant headphones are great when you’re caught in the rain while commuting or running. They are designed with IPX technology and have a rating for how dust and water-resistant they are. Water-resistant headphones are also often sweat-resistant, making them a great choice for all athletic pursuits.

Some headphones are specially made for use by swimmers. If that’s what you’re hoping to use them for, make sure you choose a pair that are rated safe to be underwater for extended periods of time. You’ll want to choose a minimum of an IPX7 rating, and for continuous submersion in water, you’ll want an IPX9-rated headphone. 

Voice assistants

Most new headphones today come up with some type of voice assistant built-in. Depending on the manufacturer, this could be Apple’s Siri, Samsung’s Bixby, Google Assistant, or Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa.

Having access to technology that connects with a digital voice assistant can be quite useful. You can make adjustments to your music, dial phone numbers, control volume, or set reminders to yourself all without the need to pull out your phone. They can also do calculations and conversions, share the weather forecast, and answer almost any question you have.

Microphones and on-ear controls

Most headphones today have built-in microphones. Whether it’s to allow you to make and receive phone calls or to summon your personal digital assistant, a microphone is almost always a must. You’ll find microphones on all types of headphones, whether they are wired or wireless. The quality of built-in microphones has also increased dramatically in just the last few years.

Controls are also vastly improved in headphones today, and touch controls are increasingly common. You’ll find controls on the earphones themselves, such as touchpad volume on over-ear models, or the ability to push and hold a button on the side of an earbud to summon Google Assistant.

Bottom line when choosing the perfect headphones

Now that you know all about the different types of headphones, here are three tips to keep in mind as you begin shopping for your new headphones:

1. Assess how you’ll use headphones
2. Decide if you want wired or wireless
3. Choose three must-have features or technology

Armed with the answers to these questions, you’ll see you’ve narrowed down your choices significantly and you’ll be able to sift through all of the great options in headphones more easily.

---

Take the next step

With so many headphone styles tailored to different activities and preferences, there’s a perfect pair waiting for you. Use this guide to find the ideal match for your needs. Explore the full range of headphones available at Best Buy and make your choice today!