Headphones v. Wireless Earbuds: What's Right for You?

From Zoom calls for remote work to beating boredom with podcasts, the last few years have made clear just how important it is to have reliable headphones or earbuds. With new devices coming out every day, however, it's not always easy to know what the best product for you is. Here are a few tips on deciding if you should use headphones or and earbuds.

What's the difference?

While sometimes people may refer to headphones as anything you use to listen to audio, these days headphones more often refer to bigger devices that sit over your ears. Earbuds, on the other hand, refer to smaller devices that fit inside your ear and may be particularly useful for audio on the go, given their compact size.

Why headphones?

Headphones usually provide better sound quality than earbuds since the devices that convert electrical signal to sound are bigger. That means if listening to music is your thing, headphones are likely the way to go.

Similarly, if you'll be using your audio device on long flights or other places you might want to block out noise, the over-ear coverage of headphones can be helpful for that.

A model like the Magnavox MHP5026M-BL is an example of headphones that provide superior sound quality to that of most earbuds, yet are still not overly chunky. These are perfect to use for something like a remote work set-up, especially given the built-in microphone.

Why earbuds?

Earbuds are great if you're looking for something a little less visible, if you will be moving around a lot, or if you don't want something heavy or clunky. Many earbuds come in wireless form, which makes them smaller, more aesthetically attractive given the lack of wires, and easy to pack in a pocket, purse, or workbag. Check out the Craig CBH568 model if you want the convenience of rechargeable Bluetooth headphones with a sleek look.

Earbuds are also great for working out since they won't slide around your head like bigger over-ear headphones. You may want to try out earbuds that have supports that wrap around the back of your ear if you're worried about your device staying in place while you're working out. A model like the Magnavox MBH583 is a good example of earbuds well suited to keep up with your exercise routine.

Which do you prefer: headphones or earbuds? Tell us what you prefer and why in the comments below.