Summary
Earbuds and headphones felt solved years ago, but for those who haven’t been paying attention—there are now more options than ever, thanks to new technologies, features, and designs.
Traditional Earbuds Have Gone Wireless
Traditional earbuds are plugs that slide into your ear and pump sound directly into your ear canal. Apple by no means invented them, but for years the iconic look was white earbuds connected by a white cable, popularized by the iPod.
Today, most earbuds are wireless, but the most well-known model remains Apple’s white AirPods. You can see at least one bud in many people’s ears as they move throughout the world, streaming music and podcasts.
This type of earbuds sees the most competition. Apple, Google, and Samsung each offer their own buds with special perks that you only get when paired with each company’s products. With Samsung buds, I can listen to music on my phone, then have the music automatically pause when I turn on the TV and stream a movie into my ears instead.
Smaller brands, like OnePlus and Nothing also offer their own branded buds. Then there are third-party offerings from names like Sony, JBL, and JLab. They may not be able to integrate as closely with devices, but these alternatives still compete in sound quality and price.
JLab Jbuds ANC 3
The JLab JBuds ANC 3 are super-portable, compact, true-wireless earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation. With its integrated battery case, they offer 42+ hours of playtime.
CMF Buds 2
The CMF Buds 2 are solidly built earbuds that deliver excellent sound at a stellar price, with ANC, good mics, and spatial audio included. They may not be the best earbuds, but they offer among the best value you will find on the market.
Sony WF-C510
The Sony WF-C510 are earbuds that pair with Sony’s headphones app to create personalized equalizers.
Bone Conduction Keeps Your Ears Open
Wireless earbuds are cool, and I tend to keep a pair nearby, but it’s hard for them to impress me. While there’s something to appreciate about tiny wireless objects with days of battery life, the technology feels fundamentally familiar. That isn’t the case with bone conduction.
Bone conducting headphones don’t blast music directly into your ear. Instead, the front of the headphones press softly against the bones directly in front of your ears and send vibrations through them to the bones in your ear canal.
While this sounds like it would be silent to other people around you, this isn’t the case. If someone’s wearing bone conducting headphones next to you, and the volume is up, you can still hear what they’re listening to. Still, there’s something magical about putting in a pair of Shokz and going through my day with my ears uncovered, allowing me to remain present to what’s going on around me even asI listen to my favorite lo-fi music. They are particularly valuable when working out in the yard, when plugged ears or earbuds falling out can be a safety hazard.
Air Conduction Offers Open Ears Without the Vibration
Air conduction buds rest over the opening of your ear (without plugging them up like buds) and funnel sound into your ears. They have the benefit of allowing you to hear your surroundings as you wear them, but may be more comfortable than bone conducting bones, since wearers aren’t subject to steady vibrations. Bone conducting buds can vibrate quite strongly as you turn the volume up. Air conducting buds don’t.
Air conducting buds tend to clip around the back of your ear, like the single-ear Bluetooth headsets of yore. Like bone conduction headphones, they’re often marketed towards runners and athletes who want to listen to music as they practice but must keep their ears clear.
I find air conducting buds comfortable to sleep in, since there is nothing pressing into my ear for hours at a time. I sleep on my side and, if I’m wearing buds, only use them in the ear facing upward.
Premium Over-the-Ear Headphones Immerse You in Sound
Like earbuds, traditional headphones have also undergone steady innovation. Headphones continue to offer the best audio experience, since they’re able to block out the most sound. It’s easier for them to muffle outside noise, and there isn’t the risk of one falling out of your ear.
Wireless over-the-ear headphones can pack dozens of hours of battery life and have built-in mics, just like buds. You can control them with buttons or taps, depending on the pair, but buttons are more common since headphones have the space to provide a more tactile experience.
While expensive buds may approach a couple hundred dollars, a premium pair of headphones can easily cost you half a grand. While they’re not as pocketable as earbuds, that hasn’t stopped the AirPods Max from being a common sight at gyms. I primarily keep a pair of headphones at the desk in my office, since they’re comfortable to wear for hours at a time.
JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones
If you’re able to tolerate modest audio quality, the JBuds Lux are an absolute bargain in terms of active noise cancelation and battery life.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones feature an updated microphone array for improved call quality, noise canceling, and Ambient Sound. They also boast a refined design for extra comfort during long-term listening sessions.
Bose QuietComfort Over the Ear Headphones
The entry-level Bose QuietComfort over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones deliver great sound without breaking the bank. Enjoy a 24-hour battery life and legendary noise cancelation.
While most phones have done away with headphone jacks, and most earbuds and headphones are wireless—wired options have not dried up. You can continue to findexcellent pairs of wired earbudsandgreat wired headphonesalike. Some might argue that, to save money and also invest in a product that doesn’t have planned obsolescence baked in, wired earbuds and headphones are the only way to go.
