In this purchase guide, we will accompany you step by step in choosing the best wireless headsets. By continuing to read, you will be able to discover all the information you need most: from the in-depth information on how to identify and choose the best models.
Over the past decade, technology has made huge strides. The improvements have been seen in several sectors, from smartphones to computers up to even classic earphones.
If before, in fact, everyone owned and used the classic headphones with the wire, which connected to the appropriate 3.5 mm audio jack, now most people have an earbud, which is certainly much more comfortable and at the same time.
Here we had selected some of the best models of electric earbuds that are listed below.
Buying Guide to Select the Best Wireless Earbuds
Let’s find out what are the main features that must be taken into consideration before buying a pair of wireless earphones, we know more about this type of product and try to make a small ranking of the earphones that currently offer the best value for money.
What It Is and What It Is Used For?
Wireless earbuds a particular type of headset that must not be connected, like those with the Bluetooth, to the chosen device, but must be paired between the two, thus establishing a connection that allows an exchange of data and information.
Wireless earbuds can be used for many things: listening to music whenever you want, even keeping the phone not at hand, answering a call and conversing through them, even watching a movie, connecting them with this connectivity to television and choosing the earphones as the audio output.
How Do They Work?
Each device that wants to take advantage of Bluetooth connectivity must have a particular chip installed inside it, which will act as a locator for the other devices, to create a connection. These chips connect via 79 different frequencies of radio waves.
The first step to follow is to create a pairing or a link between the two Bluetooth devices. It must, therefore, be activated on both and at least one of the two must be visible in the search.
Sometimes an access PIN may be required to pair them (generally it is 0000 or 1234), but most of the time they pair without it.
The great improvements of this technology over time has also allowed that a single device can be connected simultaneously with eight others, each with its own radiofrequency.
It is very convenient and comfortable operation, and these Bluetooth headsets are chosen by more and more people precisely to be able to use them in any place by connecting them remotely simply to your smartphone.
How to Choose Wireless Earbuds?
Before choosing your next pair of Bluetooth headsets, you need to consider various features. For example, you need to evaluate whether a pair of wired or completely wireless earphones are better for you (therefore, without a cable that connects the right earphone to the left earphone).
You have to check how long the earphones last before having to be recharged, what types of controls have and so on. For all the details read on.
Here we had shared the guide on how to choose the best wireless earbuds so that you can make a wise choice.
Format
Most Bluetooth headsets are in-ear type. Therefore they are introduced directly into the ear canal through some interchangeable rubbers that are usually supplied in three different sizes (Small, Medium and Large) to adapt to various types of ear.
Those who do not like in-ear earphones, alas, have little choice, but fortunately, some classic earphones that rest only in the ear without inserting it in the ear canal ( earbuds ) still exist.
Another difference that must be carefully considered is that relating to the cable. Most Bluetooth headsets have a cable that connects the right earphone to the left earphone (and on which, often, the microphone and controls are included).
But there are also 100% wireless earphones that do not have any type of cable. As can be easily guessed, the earphones without cable are a little more comfortable.
Moreover, they can be used in mono mode (as a single earphone for calls) but are lost much more easily and can be more uncomfortable for volume control, music playback etc.
In earphones with cable, the quality of the cable itself, its tendency to create tangles and its colour must be evaluated, because after all, the eye also wants its part!
There are also earphones intended exclusively for sports, which have characteristics that differentiate them from earphones for everyday activities (the so-called city earphones) and make them ideal for use in the gym or while running.
For example, they are resistant to sweat, dust and rain; often have a headband that rests on the outer part of the ear to increase its stability during physical activities (or it is the earphones themselves that have a bow shape) and can include sensors for detecting heartbeat or counting steps and calories burned.
Finally, a separate discussion must be made for the mono Bluetooth earbuds, i.e. those consisting of a single unit, which includes a microphone and is only used to make calls without keeping the smartphone close to the ear.
Autonomy and Charging Times
Wireless Earbuds are battery-operated, so before buying a pair, you have to check their autonomy and their charging times.
Some earphones offer a quick charge function that allows you to get 1 hour of battery life (or a little more) with a charge of a few minutes.
If you are a type who always forgets to charge your mobile phone or other electronic devices, you could consider purchasing a pair of earphones with fast charging to avoid running out of music before going out and going for a run.
Controls, Microphone and Compatibility
Another feature that must be carefully considered before buying a pair of wireless earbuds is that related to the controls.
The controls can be included on the cable that connects the two earphones or in the earphones themselves; they allow you to adjust the volume, answer calls, control multimedia playback and invoke services such as Siri and Google’s voice assistant.
In most cases, the controls work regardless of the device and operating system used, but some controls work on one system and not on the other, or maybe they work only partially.
For example, you may find yourself buying a pair of headphones that allows you to control the volume, calls and music but not to invoke Siri on the iPhone. Check the compatibility of the controls carefully before purchasing a pair of wireless earphones.
The microphone for answering calls, on the other hand, is present on most headsets. Only the quality and the level of reducing external noise change (which must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis).
Sound Quality and Isolation
The sound quality varies from product to product, and general considerations cannot be made. To find out which earbuds sound like you like (e.g. with emphasis on bass or with balanced sound on all frequencies) read the reviews and comments available online.
As for the degree of isolation from external noise, it all depends on the quality of the earphones and the rubbers they have. To have total isolation, you need to buy earphones with active noise cancellation, which at the moment are rather expensive.
Support App
Many manufacturers allow you to adjust the equalization of sound and other parameters of their earphones through practical smartphone apps.
If you want to have complete control over the type of sound that must come out of the earphones (within limits imposed by the hardware), buy a pair that has a good support app.
Technical Features
In the technical specifications of the Bluetooth headsets, in addition to the values relating to autonomy and range, you may find parameters such as frequency response, impedance and sensitivity. Here are their meanings in brief.
- Frequency Response – this value indicates the frequency range covered by the earphones and is measured in Hz. Now, knowing that the human ear roughly perceives frequencies ranging from 20 to 20,000 Hz, the earphones that offer a more faithful sound are those that support a wider frequency range (even above 20,000 Hz).
- Impedance – this value indicates the resistance exerted by the earphones on the audio signal and is measured in ohms. High impedance is equivalent to higher sound quality, but also a maximum volume reached by the lower earphones. To obtain optimal listening, you must use headphones and sound source devices (e.g. smartphones) with a similar degree of impedance.
- Sensitivity – this value indicates the acoustic pressure expressed by the earphones with the applied voltage (2.83 volts listening at 1m distance) and is measured in dB. The higher the sensitivity, the greater the volume that the earphones can reach without distorting the sound.