Earphones vs. Headphones. The Best Wireless Earbuds for 2022

Wireless Earphones vs. Headphones

Earphones (or earbuds, or in-ear headphones) offer a slightly different sound profile compared with conventional headphones.

Generally, you’ll get better sound from a full set of “cans” around your head than from buds in your ears, but in-ear sound quality has improved a great deal. More importantly, in-ear headphones are much more likely to be water resistant, and much better suited for use when working out.

Get a good sweat going, and you’ll turn your headphone earpads into a nasty mess.

Are headphones or earphones better?

Earbuds are generally more compact, more affordable and more workout-friendly than their canned counterparts. On the flip side, headphones often deliver the best possible audio quality and noise cancellation of the two, not to mention much better battery life — so long as you’re willing to pay the extra premium.

Earbuds vs. headphones: Which one should you buy?

Earbuds and headphones are among the most personal devices you can buy.

Chances are they’ll sit in or around your ears for a good chunk of the day as you jam to some music at home, pump yourself up at the gym and, more than ever lately, take endless conference calls from home. As such, choosing which type of audio gadget is for you is incredibly important.

Headphones and earbuds each have their pros and cons, and picking between the two largely comes down to your personal preferences and how you plan on using them. Want something compact and portable that will stay in your ears in the middle of a sweaty workout? You’ll probably want a solid pair of true wireless earbuds. Looking for the highest-quality sound, or simply want to block out the entire outside world as efficiently as possible? You might be better off investing in over-ear headphones.

Fortunately, there’s no wrong answer when it comes to this decision, and thanks to great releases from the likes of Apple, Sony and Bose, there has never been a better selection of high-quality earbuds and headphones to choose from. Having tested the top earbuds and headphones on the market extensively, we’ve broken down these two popular product types to help you decide which one you should spend your money on.

Is headphones and earphones the same?

Earphones plug into the internal part of the ear covering the eardrums entirely. Headphones rest on the outer surface of the ear without covering the auditory surface entirely. They are lightweight and portable enough to fit in almost anywhere.

Difference between Earphones and Headphones

Smartphones have become a new standard of communication in this digital era and headphones or earphones have become a fashion accessory more than a technology.

These stress-busting devices, which were initially reserved for the athletes and trainers, have become the lifestyle staples of today. They are all the rage these days among the urban youth and with the flexibility to carry your music on-the-go, people now spend a considerable amount of time plugging in their favorite pair of earbuds or headphones.

They are now available in all kinds and budgets, especially the wireless ones which are outselling their wired counterparts.

What is Earphones?

Earphones are basically the stripped version of the monster-sized headphones which rocked the 70’s something era. Headphones began to shrink in the late 80’s when portable music players redefined the whole music-listening experience. All of a sudden, earphones have become all the rage for a better listening experience on-the-go. They are lightweight, handy, easy to carry, and portable enough to fit in literally anywhere, which is not the case with those bulky oversized headphones. Earphones, as the name suggest, are the listening devices which rest on the outer ear or plug into the internal part of the ear. They are also called as earbuds, earplugs, in-ear headphones, etc.

What is Headphones?

Headphones are the oversized version of earbuds with superior sound quality. They rest on the outer ear, covering the entire ear surface but don’t seal them entirely. They provide a better listening experience while blocking out external noise, delivering unsurpassed sound quality, plus they are extremely good at capturing bass tones. Though they are not too portable as earphones, they are great for movies and PC games. They are also comfortable to wear because of the cushioning which doesn’t hurt the ears, plus they don’t compromise with the sound quality. Headphones are a great bargain when it comes to sound quality and they are good for your hearing health than earphones.

Difference between Earphones and Headphones

Design of Earphones vs. Headphones

Earphones are so designed to fit right into your ear canal while some rest on your outer ear. They are lightweight, portable, and less bulky than the headphones, which, on the other hand, are the oversized version of earphones. Headphones rest on your outer ear covering your entire ear surface but do not entirely seal the auditory surface.

Portability of Earphones and Headphones

Earphones are the trimmed version of the headphones which make them portable enough to carry around with ease – be it on a morning run or while working out at the gym. Headphones, on the other hand, are bulky and not too portable to be carried around while walking or running.

Sound Quality of Earphones and Headphones

Headphones block out the external noise thereby delivering a far better music-listening experience. They are really good at capturing bass tones making them ideal for movies and PC games. Earphones do not filter external noise very well thereby affecting sound quality.
Ease of Use with Earphones and Headphones– Earphones can be a great bargain for commuting, thanks to their lightweight and portable design which makes them ideal for running, walking, or working out. Headphones are great for enjoying high-quality sound, but they can get all hot and sweaty when worn for a very long time.

Noise Cancellation in Earphones and Headphones

Noise cancellation means all the unnecessary noise that plays in the background gets inverted. This feature is not as effective in case of earphones, especially when you’re commuting or using a public transport. Headphones are really good at cancelling all the background noises, providing a better listening experience on-the-go.

Are wireless earphones harmful?

Are bluetooth headphones safe? Bluetooth devices emit low levels of nonionizing radiation. Exposure to low amounts of this type of radiation is not harmful to humans. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , routine exposure to nonionizing radiation is “generally perceived as harmless to humans.”

BEST Wireless Earbuds of 2022!

Which Powerbeats are the best? Are AirPods better than Beats?

The 21 best wireless earbuds for 2022

Powerful sound that fits in the palm of your hand.

Looking to upgrade your existing headphones with some top-notch wireless earbuds? The good news is that true wireless earbuds sound better than ever, and you have have a lot of options to choose from.

The best wireless earbuds have an ergonomic design that not only creates a secure fit but also makes the buds comfortable to wear over long periods. A tight seal against the ear canal is also crucial for optimizing sound quality and noise-canceling performance if you’re using noise-isolating earbuds with ear tips like the AirPods Pro (the standard Apple AirPod has an open design). If you can’t get a snug fit with in-ear headphones, you’ll likely feel disappointed and ripped off, which is why I suggest buying your wireless earbuds from a vendor with a decent return policy, such as Amazon. This also helps if the earbuds don’t meet your expectations when it comes to anything from noise cancellation (and reduction of ambient noise during calls) to how well the touch controls work or how long the buds last on a single charge.

Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro remain bestsellers in the category, but there is more to a pair of earbuds than the brand.

Plenty of excellent competitors are available, several of which joined the competition only in the last few months, and they offer superior audio quality, battery life and performance.

Some of these buds are more suited for Android users who can’t take advantage of the AirPods’ and AirPods Pro’s Apple-only features such as hands-free Siri and spatial audio with head-tracking, in the case of the AirPods Pro.

Best Wireless Earbuds

BEST Wireless Earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM4

No earbuds are perfect, of course, and not everybody will love the fit of the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds or be able to afford their high price.

Beats Fit Pro

Hot on the heels of the third-generation AirPods, Apple has another new set of earbuds, this time from its subsidiary audio company, Beats.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

Available in four color options, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 hew more closely to the newer Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live, both of which have eye-catching glossy curved designs and the same compact charging case as this new model.

New Apple AirPods Pro with MagSafe

Even if they don’t sound quite as magical as you’d hope a $249 model would, the Apple AirPods Pro still manage to be a great pair of true wireless earphones with noise cancellation.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

In many ways, Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds are excellent true wireless earbuds, particularly when it comes to their great sound and noise canceling, which is some of the best out there right now in a set of earbuds. Performance-wise, they clearly have a leg up on Apple’s best-selling AirPods Pro.

AirPods 3rd Generation

Take one look at the new design of the third-gen AirPods ($179), and the first thing you’ll probably think is: “Those look like the AirPods Pro without ear tips.”

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ

Bang & Olufsen’s earlier Beoplay E8 earbuds were good but underwhelming for their high price.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7

After a long wait, Bowers & Wilkins has finally released a couple of sets of true wireless earbuds — the PI7 ($399) and PI5 ($249) — both of which are excellent and feature active noise canceling along with a transparency mode.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

The second-generation Momentum True Wireless 2 are among the best-sounding earbuds, have a slightly smaller, more comfortable design and earned a CNET Editors’ Choice Award in 2020.

Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds look a lot like the rumored stemless AirPods we’ve been waiting for.

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro

Anker makes several earbuds that cost less than $100. But its Soundcore Liberty Pro is its “high-end” model that features premium sound, as well as support for Sony’s LDAC audio codec with compatible devices (mostly Android phones).

Sennheiser CX

Sennheiser last year released the CX 400BT True Wireless, a more affordable alternative to its excellent Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds.

Which company earbuds is best?

Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World 2022

Jabra
Sennheiser
Shure
Sony
Bowers & Wilkins
RHA
FiiO
Bose
JBL
Bang & Olufsen
Apple
Beats
Etymotic Research
Skullcandy

Are Wireless Earbuds Worth It?

Yes, they are worth it, especially if you are into fitness or travel. The prices on wireless earbuds have come down a lot in recent years. The lack of wires provides for better range of motion, connectivity to a variety of devices and the latest wireless earbuds have great range, memory and battery life.

The Physically Active

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts move around a lot, so being able to wear wireless earbuds that don’t fling cords around is a huge advantage. Whether you are doing treadmill work, calisthenics or powerlifting, you don’t want anything holding you back and disrupting your performance.

Several wireless earbuds also have systems in them that track your fitness level, such as pulse rate, and heart rate, Apple and Bragi have lots of products that implement these systems.

Travelers

The sheer amount of comfort makes traveling much more convenient; wireless earbuds are much easier to pop in and take out while you are pulling your luggage around or going across the country on a flight, no more untangling messy cords and lining them up, so they don’t get caught on anything.

Why Wireless Earbuds Might Not Work for You

Do you lose things easily, such as your pen or keys? Wireless earbuds may cause a problem for you in this case, because they are so tiny you may misplace them if you forget to put them back into the charging case.

However, even this potential problem could be partially solved with the new special tracking system. Apple can help you track Airpods with Icloud or apps like “find my iPhone.”

If your earbuds are misplaced, some companies even offer discounts for replacement pairs such as SOL Republic and Apple.

How much is wireless earbuds?

You should be able to find a decent pair of wireless earbuds for around $50 to $65, some even as low as $29.

Do earbuds have mic?

Most of the modern earbud models come with a microphone, and even some more expensive earbuds have more than one mic to optimize their quality. The microphone is commonly located in the right earbud or in a case at the wire that connects one bud to the other.

Can cheap earphones damage your phone?

Hearing damage actually occurs not from music in general or even headphones, but from volume. If you listened to your music through your headphones at the lowest volume you wouldn’ t end up with hearing damage. You would be free to enjoy your music however you like. The problem is the volume.