5 Things to Consider Before You Buy Earbuds

Because earbuds provide a personal sound experience, it can be tricky to know which ones to choose. This buying guide will help you decide what earbuds are best for you based on some general advice relating to your needs and lifestyle.

What Are Earbuds?

Earbuds are small headphones that you place inside your ear. They typically rest just inside the ear canal, although it’s useful to know the difference between earphones and earbuds—something where the line is much more blurred than it once was. Some people may prefer headphones, which go over your ears, but earbuds are useful when you’re more active or want to wear something lighter or more subtle. 

Earbuds are available in wired and wireless form, with wired ones attached together (and sometimes to your phone or tablet) with a wire. Wireless ones are completely independent of each other and the device you’re using.

5 Things to Consider When Buying Earbuds

Wondering which wireless earbuds to buy? Any kind will provide you with private sound that others can’t hear, but it’s still useful to find the right type for your situation.

Earbuds can cost a little or a lot, with the choice of wireless and wired, also adding to your wealth of decisions. It’s useful to research the topic to find what is ideal for you.

Here are the five key things you should consider before deciding which earbuds to buy.

• Cost
• Sound Quality
• Fit
• Battery life
• Noise Cancellation

How Much Should Earbuds Cost?

The range of prices for earbuds is vast. It’s possible to buy earbuds for $15, but you can also spend up to $300.

The more you spend, typically, the more features and better sound quality you gain. However, it’s down to your needs and budget as to whether you want to spend more or less. Here’s a quick overview of what your money is likely to gain you.

As with any purchase, it’s important to not overspend and stretch your budget too far. Similarly, you don’t want to spend too little if you plan on using the earbuds regularly. 

How Important Is Sound Quality For You?

Sound quality can feel quite subjective. Many people will be happy with a pair of earbuds that simply transmit sound clearly. Others may prefer to hear booming bass through their ears, and a third group may prefer crisp mids shining through. 

It’s a tough call, given that it’s such a personal decision. But if you’ve previously listened to good speakers or a soundbar through your TV and you appreciate the sound, you probably need to invest in better-quality hardware than someone who just wants to keep costs down.

Related to that, how you plan on using the earbuds can also affect how important sound quality is. Just using them occasionally on rare travels? Sound quality will seem less important here than if you plan on listening to them for a few hours a day while you work or study.

Another factor is what you'll listen to. Sound quality is a little less important if you only listen to podcasts or audiobooks and don't do much music. In this case, you're probably safe not splurging.

What Kind of Design Do You Need?

At their simplest, earbuds are available in wired or wireless forms. Fewer earbuds are wired these days, but they offer the benefit of being harder to lose than a small, individual earbud that could fall down a drain on your walk (speaking from harsh experience). 

You also need to think about the design of the earbuds. Most models come with differently sized tips so you can find the right size for your ear. Some simply slot into your ears, while others have a hook that goes behind your ear to keep them secure even if you’re running or they don't "seat" properly. 

There’s no right answer here. It all depends on what feels right to you.

How Much Battery Life Do You Need?

Battery life is highly variable depending on how you use your earbuds. Cranking up the volume and using features like active noise cancellation means shorter battery life. 

However, it’s useful to know that your earbuds have reasonable battery life, however you plan on using them. Cheaper models may only offer 4 hours at a time, while pricier options can offer up to 15 hours before they need recharging. All use a case that can charge them before you need to connect anything to a power source, so it’s also useful to check its capacity, too.

High battery life isn’t essential for everyone, but it can be useful. If you only plan on using your earbuds a couple of hours at a time, it’s less of a consideration than if you want them for a long journey or throughout your working day.

Do You Need Active Noise Cancellation?

Active Noise cancellation is one of the more popular features that earbuds can provide. Rather than simply blocking out environmental sound by turning up the volume, uses power and dedicated microphones to read the sound of your environment before filtering it out.

It’s clever technology, and it can be expensive. It also impacts battery life when you’re using it, so it’s not ideal for everyone. 

If you want earbuds for your commute or because you regularly travel, ANC is very useful. It blocks out environmental sounds, like an airplane engine, traffic noise, or people chatting around you. Most earbuds with ANC have a transparency mode, so you can choose to listen in as needed, saving you from needing to remove the earbuds. 

ANC is great for zoning out, but if you need to hear your surroundings, such as while running near busy roads, it’s not essential. 

Who Should Buy Earbuds?

A few different groups of people will most benefit from buying earbuds: 

• Commuters. If you have a long trip to work, you know how noisy it can get. Earbuds are a great way of blocking that out (either passively or through ANC) so you can enjoy catching up on podcasts or playlists privately.
• Music fans. If you love listening to music, being able to do so by yourself is a huge advantage. It’s likely you’ll want to buy premium earbuds for this so you can adjust the equalizer to your liking.
• Fitness enthusiasts. If you regularly run, lift weights, or any other form of exercise, earbuds can provide you with private entertainment while you focus on your gains.
• Visually impaired people. If you’re visually impaired, clear listening is important. By using earbuds, you can focus more readily on whatever you’re listening to rather than be distracted by your surroundings. 

What Should I Do After I Buy Earbuds?

Once you’ve bought some new earbuds, you need to pair them to your phone or other device. It’s simple enough to pair wireless earbuds to your phone.

• Find some music to listen to. Check out the best music streaming apps and the best places to listen to free music online. If you want to pay for a service, there are also services like Spotify and Apple Music, which can offer Dolby Atmos-supported music, Spatial Audio features, and lossless quality.
  
• Charge your earbuds regularly. Make sure to charge your earbuds regularly so they’re always ready to use before your commute, workout, or however you plan on using them.
  
• Set up any companion app. Some earbuds work with a companion app. It’s not usually essential to set it up, but it can be useful for finding new features. Such options can include adjusting ANC, using an equalizer, or even setting up ways to find your earbuds if you misplace them.
  

More Tips For Buying Earbuds

Before you buy earbuds, there are a few other things to consider. 

• Do you need earbuds? If you live alone and don’t travel often, speakers or simply using your phone’s speaker will more than suffice. Not everyone needs earbuds unless they need to be able to listen privately. 
  
• Headphones may be better. Headphones are also a good alternative to speakers. They’re bigger and fit over your ears and head, but they can be comfier for longer sessions, especially if you find it uncomfortable having anything in your ears. 
  
• Think about compatibility. Earbuds are compatible with any device with Bluetooth. However, Apple AirPods have exclusive features for iPhone users, while earbuds like the Google Pixel Buds or Samsung Galaxy Buds favor Android phones. It’s important to think about what you’re connecting it to to reap the most benefits.