5 Q&A’s To Consider Before Buying A Good Pair Of Headphones

For many people, there are few objects that get more regular use than their headphones. From commuting and exercising to working in the office, taking calls or just listening to music in peace, people use their headphones today more than ever. This is why it’s so important that you get the right pair of headphones that complement your lifestyle.In today’s market, there are more headphones and headphone manufacturers than ever before, all of which claim that theirs are better than their competitors. It can be a difficult thing to wrap your head around, especially if you haven’t looked into it too deeply in the past. Understanding the difference between noise cancelling headphones and Bluetooth over ear headphones can be confusing. Figuring out how over-ear and on-ear will provide a different experience for you. As well as many more factors that can be considered as essential to a good pair of headphones.It can feel like you’re being hit by a deluge of information that leaves you no better informed than when you started. But, with this in mind, we’ve put together the 5 main things you will need to consider when purchasing headphones. By asking yourself these simple questions when browsing, it makes the whole process of finding the right pair a whole lot less stressful. So, let’s take a look!

1. What type of fit do you want?

If you’re going to be using your pair of headphones regularly, you have to get the fit that suits you best. When it comes down to it, there are essentially three different options for you to choose from with pros and cons to each:

• Over-Ear — These are the largest headphones out there. Over-ear is exactly what it sounds like as the headphones literally surround (go over) your entire ear. These will normally offer the best noise cancelling capabilities and usually give the best audio experience possible. However, you’ll need to make sure that they can be worn for long periods of time without becoming uncomfortable.
• On-Ear — Typically, on-ear headphones will be smaller and lighter than their over-ear counterparts, however they will usually let more ambient or background noise through, making the overall listening experience less immersive.
• In-Ear — You might also have heard these referred to as earbuds or earphones. They’re convenient, incredibly portable and much easier to use when working out than other types of headphone. Despite this, the overall sound quality you get will be lower than other types mentioned and they need to be charged more regularly.

2. Will you be using them when working out or exercising?

As previously mentioned, lots of people like to listen to music or audio books when they’re working out or exercising. However, not every pair of headphones will be suited to operate effectively in this situation. In-ear headphones are the best style to go for here. Most models are lightweight and now come with specially designed tips and wings that will stay in place during running, cycling or any type of repetitive movements. Headphones that come with soft touch operation functionality are also something to look for as they only need a soft tap to operate, meaning that they’re much easier and simpler to use every day. One other feature you’ll want regarding this is to get a pair that are at least IPX-5 water- and sweat resistant, if not the headphones will become damaged over time.

3. How important is noise cancelling to you?

If you want to block out as much noise as possible either when commuting, working in the office or just so you can truly enjoy what you’re listening to, noise cancelling over ear headphones are what you will need. Essentially, noise cancelling headphones block out all exterior sounds so all you hear is what’s coming through the headphones. Take the Flow II from Cleer Audio for example. These noise cancelling Bluetooth over ear headphones feature optimized passive and active noise reduction that enables you to completely eliminate all potential distractions. If blocking out the world around is the main reason you’re buying headphones, this is the high standard of noise cancelling you’ll want.

4. Will you be using them to take calls?

It might be the case that you’ll want to be able to take calls while using your headphones. Whether it’s a work call or a personal one, headphones can mean you avoid any distractions and hear what is being said with complete clarity. If this is a main tipping point for you when buying a pair, you’ll want them to be comfortable, have noise cancelling capabilities as well as voice assistant features that let you play, pause, take and end calls easily and effectively.

5. What sort of battery life do you want?

One of the main complaints that headphone users have is regularly having to charge wireless headphones due to the battery life draining quickly when using them. Some will even lose energy faster when taking calls with them or using them when streaming or playing videos. While some headphones need regular, almost constant charging, there are now headphones that can let you listen to the music you love for up to 100 hours on a single charge. By doing some background research into the headphones that have the longest battery life, you’ll never have to worry about running out of power when you need your headphones most ever again.

Final Thoughts

While this may seem like a lot of things to consider, getting a truly great pair of headphones can elevate many different aspects of your life, be that at work where you can block out distractions, be that travelling which can be made more enjoyable, or be it just in relation to reconnecting with the music that you’ve always loved. By remembering to consider these five factors when it comes to headphones, namely:

• Fit
• Exercising capabilities
• Noise cancelling
• Call functionality
• Battery life

Taking these aspects into consideration as well as answering the five questions mentioned above in this article will set you on your way to owning the best pair headphones that fit perfectly into your everyday life.