They should be comfortable, easy to transport on top of that, and above all they should sound good. Finding the right model for you is not that easy. Because hardly anything is as individual as your own headphones.
There are traditionally three variants of the design. In-Ear, On-Ear and Over-Ear – wired or wireless. In the field of wireless in-ear headphones, we still differentiate between conventional headphones, such as AirPods Pro from Apple, and special sports headphones.
Wireless in-ear headphones (with/without noise canceling)
Wireless in-ear headphones – also known as earbuds – are plugged directly into the ear. The membrane is therefore much closer to the eardrum and is smaller than in other models. At least since the introduction of the first AirPods from Apple in 2016, the small wireless plugs have been conquering the headphone sector. The range literally exploded and there are now dozens of very good alternatives to the AirPods. A large part of the wireless in-ears on offer sit a little deeper in the auditory canal and close it off thanks to the silicone extension. Newer models of this design often also have active noise canceling (ANC).
Advantages:
- High wearing comfort
- Light and handy
- Unobtrusive in use
Disadvantages:
- Easier to lose
- Can fall out of the ear
- Sound quality mostly just average
Perfect for:
- pedestrians in traffic
- Depending on the model in sports
Not suitable for:
- Music enjoyment at home
- Very noisy environments
Over-ear headphones (with noise canceling)
Over-ear headphones completely enclose the ear and thus offer passive insulation: external noise is already somewhat shielded by the design alone. Many current models are also equipped with active noise canceling (ANC). This means that environmental noise or voices around the listener are shielded even better by the headphones and sometimes can no longer be heard at all – the music experience is hardly affected.
Advantages:
- Highest sound quality
- Isolation from outside noise
- Can be used with cable in a pinch
Disadvantages:
- Partly high price
- Depending on the model, uncomfortable in the long run
- Unwieldy and heavy
Perfect for:
- Travel by plane or train
- listening to music at home
Not suitable for:
- Sports
- pedestrians in traffic
- Very noisy environments
On-Ear Headphones
Photo: Christian SpreitzPhoto: Christian Spreitz
On-ears are the original headphones for music on the go. The Walkman from Sony already came with the headband headphones lying on the auricle. With the advent of wired earbuds in the ’00s, the popularity of on-ears waned. The on-ear headphones then experienced a renaissance with the extremely popular brand “Beats by Dr. Dre” in the early 10s. Suddenly, the trendy brand’s on-ear models in particular were a kind of status symbol. With the advent of AirPods and Co., however, the hype ended abruptly. Viewed soberly, on-ears are now losing out in the headphone comparison.
Advantages:
- High sound quality
- Firm hold on the head
Disadvantages:
- Depending on the model, very uncomfortable in the long run
- unwieldy
- Hardly any isolation from outside noise
Perfectly suitable:
- During sports
- pedestrians in traffic
Not suitable:
sports headphones
Sports headphones are a special form of in-ears, which are usually fitted with a plastic bracket. The plugs of the sports headphones are either connected to a cable or completely wireless, i.e. true wireless. The cable solution was very popular for a long time, since the alternatives in the in-ear area were still wired at the time. Accordingly, sports headphones have lost this unique selling point in recent years.
Advantages:
- Bomb-proof hold on the ear
- Light and handy
Disadvantages:
- Visually not nice
- Often with a connecting cable
- Sound quality just average
Perfect for:
Not suitable for:
- Music enjoyment at home
- Very noisy environments
General information on purchasing headphones
If possible, it is always worth trying on and listening to headphones before you buy them. You can also order it online and return it if necessary. Headphones are very individual, both in terms of fit and sound. It is best to bring your own smartphone with the appropriate music.