A Guide to Selecting the Best Earbuds
Smartphone owners use their devices for a lot more than just making and receiving calls. We also might use them to listen to a podcast or short video or to stream music while studying, exercising, or doing chores. A pair of earbuds with WiFi or Bluetooth capability can help you hook up to your phone, without being physically tethered to your device!
But, despite their small size, a pair of earbuds have lots of features and specifications. If you’ll wear them when exercising, you’ll want to know how resistant your earbuds are to perspiration or rain. If you want to hook up to several devices, there are earbuds with the capability to remember up to 7 devices at once! And perhaps you want to be able to listen to a phone call or music, even if you’re in noisy surroundings. There are noise-canceling earbuds that can help you overcome all the distractions around you!
We’ll go through the best earbuds in the Best Reviews Guide list. You’re sure to be able to find a pair that suits your needs!
FAQ
What’s the difference between earphones and earbuds?
Earbuds and earphones are both designed to be worn in or around the ears for listening to audio. The main difference between them lies in their design and how they fit in or on the ears:
-
Design: Earbuds are small, lightweight, and more inconspicuous than earphones. Earphones may partially or fully cover the outer ear, and the speaker drivers are positioned outside the ear canal.
-
Placement: While earphones are usually placed on the outer ear, earbuds are inserted into the ear canal.
What is Adaptive EQ?
You’ll see some earbuds advertise having adaptive equalization. This means that the earbuds have signal processing capabilities that will detect what you’re listening to, and adjust the low frequencies so that you hear them properly.
Types of Earbuds
There are several types of earbuds available on the market. Here are some common types that you’ll see in the Best Reviews Guide list:
-
Wired Earbuds: These are the traditional earbuds that have a cable connecting them to an audio source, such as a smartphone or music player. They typically have a 3.5mm audio jack for compatibility with various devices. An example is the ULIX Rider Wired Earbuds with Microphone.
ULIX Rider Wired Earbuds with Microphone
-
Wireless Earbuds: These earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth or WiFi, eliminating the need for a physical cable connecting them to an audio device. They are usually compact and come with a charging case for storage and battery recharging. Wireless earbuds are popular for their convenience and portability. But they’re not considered “truly wireless”, because they have a wire joining the right and left earbuds. An example is the Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds.