If you’re shopping for a gadget to meet all your audio needs, you may find yourself trying to decide whether earbuds or headphones are the best option for you. You may even be wondering what the difference is anyway – don’t they both do the same thing? Sort of – it all depends on the situation you’ll be in and your personal preferences. Both earbuds and headphones have their pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at what they have to offer in terms of features and design, as well as the differences between earbuds and headphones.
Headphones
Headphones sit on your outer ears. Over-the-ear models, or circumaural headphones, fully enclose each ear (like the ones worn by factory workers or air traffic controllers). Supra-aural headphones surround your entire ear surface but don't completely seal them.
Pros
The primary advantage with a set of headphones is that they provide premium sound quality, particularly in regards to delivering bass tones. They're also more effective at minimizing background white noise.
Cons
The downside is that they’re cumbersome and not very portable (which explains why you don't see them on joggers). They can get a bit hot, which makes them less than ideal for use while working out. Plus, larger sets will crush your hair and get in the way of glasses or earrings.
Earbuds
Earbuds are typically inserted just inside the ear canal, although some models can also rest on the outer ear.
Pros
Earbuds are generally less costly than headphones and far more lightweight and portable. This makes them a great option for travel, working out, and commuting. Because earbuds rest inside your ear, they won’t interfere with your hair, glasses, or earrings.
Cons
The drawback, however, is that earbuds offer subpar sound quality, particularly when it comes to bass tones. They’re also less effective at blocking out background noise. As a result, users will often pump up the volume of their music, which can damage their hearing. Some wearers find the size and pressure of earbuds painful for their ear canals. Others just can't seem to keep the earbuds in at all.
Are earbuds or headphones better for noise-canceling?
Both headphones and earbuds are generally considered "noise-isolating" devices. This means they can all block outside noise to some degree. That said, some users prefer to have access to noise cancelation technology, and that is a different thing.
Noise cancellation is a technological feature that uses a microphone to detect background noise outside of your headphones or earbuds, then flips the phase of the sound waves, canceling them out. This technology functions ideally on steady, low-frequency background noise, like regular street traffic or the hum of the plane engine when you're on a flight. It’s not as effective as masking sudden, high-frequency noises, like a child yelling or a dog barking. So, consider your circumstances and surroundings before you make a purchase.
Standard earbuds and on-ear headphones are generally considered the worst for noise isolation. Their design prevents them from sealing against your ears to stop outside noise. Closed-back over-ear headphones will often have the best passive noise isolation their design seals against your ears to stop additional outside noise and prevents sound from creeping in. Standard earbuds and on-ear headphones are generally considered the worst for any type of noise isolation.
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Are earbuds or headphones better for gaming?
Good gaming is all about comfort, performance, and communication. A quality pair of over-ear headphones will offer better comfort for peak performance levels. If you don’t already own an external microphone, you may even want to invest in a gaming headset. These offer output and input functionality, as well as mute buttons and the ability to adjust volume levels.
The Sennheiser GSP 600 Professional Noise-Canceling Gaming Headset features earpads made of leatherette and suede-like material. The ergonomic earpads feature a closed acoustic design for passive noise attenuation. The noise-canceling microphone cuts out background noise for clear communication and you can lift the boom arm for an auto microphone mute function. For easy access, volume controls are built into the right earcup for on-the-fly adjustments. The headband is adjustable for a customized fit on different head sizes while the solid metal hinge provides a durable design. The earpads, cables, and cover plates can be replaced with spare parts (sold separately).
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Are earbuds or headphones better for the gym?
Jamming out to your favorite tunes while working out can help get you to enjoy your exercise more. For the gym, wireless earbuds can be your best bet. They’re lightweight and cord-free so you don’t have to stress about confining your movement or pulling on your clothing.
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The Verdict
If you appreciate high-quality sound and deep bass tones, a pair of headphones are your best choice. They're also great for listening to music at home, for gaming, or for anyone who needs noise-canceling technology. But if you're working out at the gym or traveling to and from work, a pair of lightweight, portable earbuds are probably a better choice. Many users invest in both and swap them out depending on their situation. That way you’ll always be sure to get the best sound.
