Noise Cancelling: 10 Reasons Earbuds Are Worth It & 10 Reasons Over-Ear Headphones Are Better
Noise Cancelling: 10 Reasons Earbuds Are Worth It & 10 Reasons Over-Ear Headphones Are Better
In-Ear or Over-Ear?
In the market for a new pair of noise-cancelling earphones? While you might immediately gravitate toward the more portable, compact design of in-ear earbuds, you may also wonder if over-ear headphones offer a better overall listening experience. Feeling stumped? Don't worry—we're here to break it down. Here are 10 reasons earbuds are worth it, and 10 reasons why headphones might still reign supreme.
1. Compact & Portable
One of the best things about noise-cancelling earbuds is that they're super compact and portable, meaning you can take them anywhere, whether to the gym or on the plane. Many cases are small enough to fit in your jeans' pocket, so they take up little to no space.
2. Quick Charging
Given that these earbuds sit in their case when not in use, they're almost always fully charged, meaning you don't need to worry about needing to juice them up before connecting them to your devices. Plus, the cases themselves also charge relatively quickly, so they're always ready whenever you are.
3. Perfect for Travel
Since earbuds are so compact and portable, they're perfect for travel. Unlike over-ear headphones, which can take up significant space in your carry-on, these small earbuds can fit in your coat pocket, so you don't need to think about where to pack them.
4. Workout-Friendly
Heading to the gym? Sure, you can bring your over-ear headphones, but they might just slip off when you're doing cardio. With earbuds, though, assuming they perfectly fit in your ears, they won't fall out no matter how hard you push during your workout routine.
5. Excellent Call Quality
Though microphone quality will largely depend on which earbuds you're getting (and which headphones you're comparing them to), the call quality is generally crisp and clear, making them perfect for meetings and hands-free phone calls. In contrast, some over-ear headphones may have microphones that make you sound more muffled when speaking.
6. Lower Cost Options
Earbuds tend to be on the more affordable end as well, so if you're in the market for relatively inexpensive ones that feature noise cancelling, they may be the better bet. Don't underestimate their quality—just because they're smaller, doesn't mean that they'll deliver poorer noise cancellation. In fact, most of the time, you'll be surprisingly impressed.
7. Lightweight
Given their compact size, it's no secret that earbuds are extremely lightweight. This makes them an especially great alternative for those who experience fatigue after wearing over-ear headphones, as the constant pressure on the crown of the head can cause headaches and migraines.
8. Simple, Discreet Design
Earbuds are small, meaning they're practically invisible if you have hair that covers your ears. Their simple, discreet design may make them not only more comfortable to wear when you're out and about, but also means they're not as bulky, clunky, or showy.
9. Great Sound Quality
Just as you shouldn't underestimate their level of noise cancellation, you also shouldn't misjudge their sound quality. Despite being so compact, many noise-cancelling earbuds nowadays make your favorite songs sound crisp, clear, and clean, with enough oomph.
10. Truly Wireless
While over-ear headphones can also be used wirelessly, they're often so big and clunky that they don't feel truly wireless. Earbuds, on the other hand, are lightweight and don't need any wires at all to charge, giving you ultimate freedom.
Still feeling stumped on whether you should go for earbuds or headphones? Well, here are 10 reasons the classic cans may still reign superior.
1. Excellent Sound Quality
Since headphones have bigger drivers than earbuds, the sound quality they deliver is often far superior. These larger drivers can reproduce frequencies with better accuracy, meaning you'll get that full oomph in bass-heavy songs.
2. Stronger Noise Cancellation
Given that headphones sit over your ears, this creates a closed, sealed environment, making noise cancellation much more evident and powerful. In-ear earbuds, on the other hand, may create a seal that can be broken with excessive movement or improper fit, which can affect the amount of noise that's blocked out.
3. Great for Clumsy Travelers
Sure, earbuds are great for traveling, given their compact size and portability, but have you ever had them slip out of your ears while sleeping? If you're clumsy and tend to lose your small earbuds, over-ear headphones are the better bet. Plus, bringing cans means you'll be able to block out noisy passengers more effectively.
4. One Size Fits All
Unlike in-ear earbuds that might not fit all ear shapes, leading to improper seals and sound leaks, over-ear headphones fit a wider variety of people. Plus, when they're tightly fitted across your head, it's hard to shake them loose—unlike earbuds.
5. Longer Battery Life
Earbuds might hold the advantage in terms of charging, given that they always sit inside their cases. But even then, they can run out of juice fairly quickly, meaning you might have to take them off after a few hours to top up their battery. Over-ear headphones, on the other hand, might take longer to charge, but they'll also last longer on a single charge.
6. Customizable Sound Profiles
Many over-ear headphones also give you the ability to create your own sound profiles, meaning you're able to manipulate and adjust how your music sounds to you. Earbuds don't usually have this feature, and you'll have to stick with whatever you're given.
7. Premium Build
It's not that earbuds don't feel or look premium, but over-ear headphones often surpass them in terms of build quality. Whereas earbuds are typically made with plastic, headphones are usually made with higher-end materials, like leather, stainless steel, and metal.
8. Better for Work & Study
Given that over-ear headphones provide better noise cancellation, they're often much better for work and study. This is because they'll be able to block out external sounds more effectively, creating a truly distraction-free zone for you to focus on your tasks.
9. Comfortable Cushion & Padding
Over-ear headphones don't just fit better for most people than in-ear earbuds—they're also often more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. After all, they're usually padded with plush cushions that reduce ache around the ears, making them better suited for lengthy listening sessions.
10. Immersive Experience
Since over-ear headphones offer superior sound quality and better noise cancellation, they're able to provide a more immersive listening experience than in-ear earbuds. In other words, you'll enjoy your music that much more.
