What Are Earbuds?

Earbuds are small headphones that you place inside your ear.

Wireless ones are completely independent of each other and the equipment youre using.

A person enjoying a moment on the beach listening to music on wireless earbuds.

Justin Lambert / Getty

Justin Lambert / Getty

5 Things to Consider When Buying Earbuds

Wondering which wireless earbuds to buy?

Its useful to research the topic to find what is ideal for you.

Here are the five key things you should consider before deciding which earbuds to buy.

Over the shoulder view of someone holding the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds in the charging case.

Bose

How Much Should Earbuds Cost?

The range of prices for earbuds is vast.

Its possible to buy earbuds for $15, but you could also spend up to $300.

Reclining while wearing Jabra Elite 10 earbuds

Jabra

The more you spend, typically, the more features and better sound quality you gain.

However, its down to your needs and budget as to whether you want to spend more or less.

Heres a quick overview of what your money is likely to gain you.

Amazon Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

As with any purchase, its important to not overspend and stretch your budget too far.

Similarly, you dont want to spend too little if you plan on using the earbuds regularly.

How Important Is Sound Quality For You?

Apple AirPods Pro 2 resting just outside of their case while someone holds the case upright.

Sound quality can feel quite subjective.

Many people will be happy with a pair of earbuds that simply transmit sound clearly.

Its a tough call, given that its such a personal decision.

Shure SE425 wired earbuds.

Related to that, how you plan on using the earbuds can also affect how important sound quality is.

Just using them occasionally on rare travels?

Another factor is what you’ll listen to.

In this case, you’re probably safe not splurging.

Bose

What Kind of Design Do You Need?

At their simplest, earbuds are available in wired or wireless forms.

You also need to think about the design of the earbuds.

Theres no right answer here.

It all depends on what feels right to you.

How Much Battery Life Do You Need?

Battery life is highly variable depending on how you use your earbuds.

Cranking up the volume and using features like active noise cancellation means shorter battery life.

High battery life isnt essential for everyone, but it can be useful.

Do You Need Active Noise Cancellation?

Active Noise cancellationis one of the more popular features that earbuds can provide.

Its clever technology, and it can be expensive.

It also impacts battery life when youre using it, so its not ideal for everyone.

If you want earbuds for your commute or because you regularly travel, ANC is very useful.

It blocks out environmental sounds, like an airplane engine, traffic noise, or people chatting around you.

Who Should Buy Earbuds?

Once youve bought some new earbuds, you oughta pair them to your phone or other gadget.

Its simple enough topair wireless earbuds to your phone.