Upgrading to a good quality pair of headphones will make a real difference when listening to your music. We take a look at how to buy the best headphones.There is a huge variety of headphone types available from a number of brands such as Beats headphones, Sony headphones and Klipsch headphones. Some are great for listening to music at home, whereas smaller, more portable models keep you listening in comfort while on the go. Each set also varies in the range of features it offers – from noise isolation, wireless operation, onboard controls, to mobile phone functionality.
It’s worth investing in the best headphones you can afford, but choosing the right pair can be a challenge. Take time to shift through the choices available and read our guide to essential features to discover the best headphones that can deliver the excellent audio quality your music collection deserves.
What makes a good set of headphones?
Great sound quality – As with speakers, good headphones will deliver full sound that’s balanced across treble, midrange, and bass frequencies. Most headphones struggle when it comes to producing bass but some over-the-ear headphones deliver rich, deep sounds. Headphones have either open or closed back ear cups. Open-backed headphones offer a more natural sound than closed headphones, but they tend to leak more noise. Closed headphones can sound a bit muffled but are good at preventing sound leakage and blocking out unwanted noise.The best way to test headphones is to try them out. Good retailers will have demo headphone units, though these are restricted to over-and on-ear models for hygiene reasons.
Comfortable to wear – Whether you intend to use headphones every day or just occasionally, comfort is paramount when choosing the best set. Some in-ear headphones are comfortable but if you plan to use your headphones for long periods then on- and over-ear models typically offer the best comfort.
What type of headphones should I buy?
There are four main types of headphones: over-ear, on-ear, in-ear and earbuds.Over-ear headphones – These large headphones have cushioned pads that cover the entire ear. This makes them more comfortable to wear for long periods and they generally deliver good sound quality. Too bulky to be portable, they’re best reserved for home use.
On-ear headphones – Smaller and lighter than over-ear models, these headphones sit on the ears and usually have foam or leatherette pads for extra comfort. Some are foldable making them more portable than over-ear models. However, many have an open back design, which means they can’t match the base levels of closed-back, over-ear headphones.
In-ear headphones – These are probably the most common type and are usually supplied with portable music players. They're lightweight, portable, and generally much cheaper than on- and over-ear sets. They fit snugly inside the ear canal to provide a tight seal so sound leakage is less likely. However, sound quality is poorer than over-ear and on-ear designs, particularly at the base end.
Earbuds – Small and cheap, earbuds are often bundled with MP3 players and smartphones. They nestle inside the ear but don't fully seal it, so they’re susceptible to sound leakage and some people find them too loose fitting to be comfortable. They generally offer the worst audio experience out of the four types of headphones.
In addition to the four main types, there are specialised headphones for specific purposes such as sports models that to fit comfortably around your ear, neck, or head, or clip onto clothing.
What else should I consider when buying a pair of headphones?
Is it worth going wireless?
Wireless headphones let you listen to music without being tethered to the audio source. This makes them perfect for situations such as listening to music in the gym where trailing cables can get in the way. They use one of three wireless technologies: infrared, radio and Bluetooth.
- Infrared – Like a TV remote control, these headphones use an infrared (IR) beam to transmit sound from the base unit. With a range limited to about 7m and the need for a clear line of sight between the headphones and base unit, you can’t wander round the house using infrared headphones. However, they’re great for watching TV or listening to music from your MP3 player or hi-fi while in the same room.
- Bluetooth – As with hands-free mobile phone kits, these uses a short-range digital radio signal to transmit sound. Bluetooth headphones have a similar range to infrared but as they don’t require line of sight, you can move from room to room at home while listening to your music.
- Radio – The best choice if you want to listen to music while walking around the house or in the garden, these headphones use a FM radio signal and typically offer a choice of two or more frequencies to avoid interference from other devices.
Is it worth paying more for sound isolating headphones?
It’s tempting to drown out external noise such as traffic by cranking up the volume on your headphones but this can, in turn, annoy others or damage your hearing. The best solution is to invest in a pair of noise-cancelling or sound-isolating headphones so you can enjoy your audio at much lower volumes.
Great for commuting, sound-isolating headphones fit tightly over or in the ear to eliminate ambient sounds and they deliver better sound quality than noise-cancelling models. Noise-cancelling models are particularly effective on flights and train journeys. They have tiny built-in microphones and battery-powered electronics that produce anti-noise signals to cancel out external sounds like the low drone of engines. Some headphones use standard AAA batteries while other headphones have a rechargeable battery. These headphones don’t come cheap – expect to pay from around £45 and up to around £350 for a top-end pair.
Can I use headphones with my mobile phone?
Look for headphones that have a built-in microphone so you can take mobile phone calls without having to remove the ear piece. This means you can seamlessly switch between hands-free telephone calls and listening to music.
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