Headphones can feel cumbersome when trying to enjoy music while walking or exercising, whereas earbuds are much easier to carry around. Earbuds are smaller, so they are more portable.
The latest true wireless earbuds Sony has released boast superior noise cancellation and longer battery life than their predecessors, all while being 25% lighter and smaller in size.
Size
Ear buds sit inside the ear canal, making them relatively comfortable, however, the noise cancellation does not perform as well as headphones. For longer wear comfort, earbuds are generally more suitable than headphones. On-the-ear headphones often come with a built-in microphone and sound control, so you can answer phone calls without needing to reach for the mobile device every time audio levels need changing.
When purchasing headphones for workouts, buy ones that have a high sweat resistive quality. When it comes to more vigorous training, in-ear wireless earphones or fully wireless earbuds are more likely to stay put than their wired versions.
When selecting ANC headphones for your commute, check that the sound quality and noise canceling features are up to par. As far as comfort goes, look for models that have a neckband style so you can wear them around your neck when listening. Otherwise, opt for true wireless earbuds that come with a compact charging case for hassle-free transport.
Portability
Headphones usually feature much larger drivers than earbuds, and so the sound stage is more three dimensional, filling your ears with rich bass notes for an immersive auditory experience. Additionally, premium headphones may even come equipped with advanced features like high-res support or audio enhancing algorithms for better music listening experience.
That said, headphones are bulkier and less portable than earbuds, toting them around town or while exercising is not normal comfortable. Larger headphones can even smush your hair and glasses or earrings while on the go.
Conversely, earbuds are a good choice for on-the-go people since they are much lighter and smaller. Most models come with sweat-proof capabilities to endure your active lifestyle and daily commute, while also featuring pocket-sized charging cases which make them exceedingly popular among runners and gym-goers. Creators and mixing engineers also prefer them during mixing sessions since they can focus without interference from external noises.
Audio Quality
Closed-back headphones with large ear cups are best for complete noise cancellation and immersion because they have bigger drivers which reproduce more frequencies allowing for sound to be clear and detailed.
Additionally, the fact that earbuds are more compact and lighter than headphones makes them the best option for traveling since the user doesn’t have to deal with the heavy constraints of headphones. Moreover, some wireless earbuds even come with micro-sized charging cases which make them great to store in bags and pockets.
Using earbuds with active noise cancelling features is superb for commuting because they can cancel out distractions on busy trains and buses. Also, they are very good for working out because there are sweat resistant models that are made to secure themselves during vigorous physical activity – perfect for exercising! Moreover, active noise cancelling earphones provide precise stereo images with full bass response and that gives producers a better idea of how their mixes will sound on different playback systems.
Earbuds, especially, true wireless ones, can be very comfy to wear for long periods of time, provided they fit and seal and them properly around your ear. If not, their sound quality and noise cancelling features may be affected – which can be rather uncomfortable over time.
Headphones would offer a better listening experience as they cover your ears and are secured which creates a better seal, their larger driver is also able to accommodate wider range of audio frequencies which makes music richer and better for the ear.
For those individuals leading an active lifestyle, earbuds with active noise cancelation (ANC) features make for an ideal combination. Look out for those with sweat-proof IPX rating, transparency passthrough, voice assistant support and app control customization – similar to Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless earbuds that have great ANC, work for 6.5 hours on a single charge and boast an additional charging case that has 2.3 charges worth. For such value, they are also fairly priced and great deals can be found so that the savings are maximized.
Battery Life
Headphones typically have longer battery life due to larger drivers and bigger shells that require more power to function.
Earbuds can easily suffer from shortened battery life due to their compact size restricting the amount of space available for batteries and the use of power hungry features such as active noise cancellation. This makes listening through other means much easier as the amount of power required is drastically lower.
Certain headphones have a feature that allows audio to be played even when fully out of battery. This can be especially useful when using the headphones over a long period of time.
The majority of wireless headsets include a charging case for storage of the headphones when not in use to prevent loss or damage while extending battery charge life. True wireless earbuds are an exception as they don’t offer that ease and instead provide no recharging capabilities when not in use.
