When it comes to comparing headphones and AirPods, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. While both serve the purpose of delivering audio directly to your ears, they differ in certain aspects.
Headphones, or over-ear/around-ear headphones, typically offer superior sound quality and a more immersive listening experience. They often have larger drivers, resulting in better bass response and a richer overall sound. With their larger size, headphones have the potential to provide better noise isolation, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music without getting distracted by external noises.
On the other hand, AirPods, or wireless earbuds in general, offer unmatched portability and convenience. They're small and compact, making them easy to carry around, and their wireless nature eliminates the hassle of dealing with tangled cables. AirPods also come with features like built-in microphones, touch controls, and seamless integration with Apple devices.
Additionally, AirPods provide for a more streamlined experience when it comes to taking calls or using voice commands, as they're specifically designed for this purpose. They also offer features like automatic ear detection and easy pairing with Apple devices through the iCloud.
Ultimately, the choice between headphones and AirPods depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to use them. If sound quality and noise isolation are your top priorities, then headphones may be the better option. However, if portability, convenience, and integration with Apple devices are important to you, then AirPods would be a more suitable choice.
Best Headphones of {%year%]
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Beats Studio Pro - Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones - Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Lossless Audio, Apple & Android Compatibility, Up to 40 Hours Battery Life - Black
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BEATS' CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
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LOSSLESS AUDIO via USB-C plus three distinct built-in sound profiles to enhance your listening experience
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HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode
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ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features
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PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO with dynamic head tracking place you at the center of an immersive 360-degree listening experience
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LONGER LISTENING - Up to 40 hours total battery life. A 10-minute Fast Fuel charge provides up to 4 hours of additional playback.
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LOUD AND CLEAR - Voice-targeting mics precisely filter background noise for crisp, clear call performance
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ON DEVICE CONTROLS - Take calls, control your music, and activate Siri with the multi-function on-ear controls
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WIRELESSLY CONNECT to more devices with Industry-leading wireless Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts
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WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Beats Studio Pro Wireless headphones, Woven carrying case, 3.5mm audio cable, Universal USB-C charging cable, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones, Over-Ear Headphones with Microphone, Personalized Noise Cancellation and Sound, Triple Black
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NOISE CANCELLING WIRELESS HEADPHONES: The perfect balance of quiet, comfort, and sound. Bose uses tiny mics to measure, compare, and react to outside noise, cancelling it with opposite signals. Bluetooth range-up to 9 m (30 feet).
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HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO: The TriPort acoustic architecture offers depth and fullness. Volume-optimized Active EQ maintains balanced performance at any volume, so bass stays consistent when turned down and the music remains clear when turned up.
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QUIET AND AWARE MODES: Choose Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling, or Aware Mode to bring the outside into the around ear headphones and hear your environment and your music at the same time.
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UP TO 22 HOURS BATTERY LIFE: Enjoy 22 hours of battery life from a single charge. A quick 15-minute charge offers 3 hours when you’re on the go, or plug in the included audio cable to listen for even longer in wired mode.
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PERSONALIZE YOUR AUDIO: Adjustable EQ allows you to set the bass, mid-range, and treble levels to your personal preferences or select one of several preset options.
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BOSE SIMPLESYNC TECHNOLOGY: SimpleSync pairs your Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones with select Bose smart soundbars for a personal TV listening experience. Independent volume controls allow you to lower or mute your soundbar while keeping your headphones as loud as you like.Away from your phone. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on each device to sync their sound. Already got a group going. Link by pressing the Action button to connect at a moment’s notice. Includes 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
NEW Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Up To 24 Hours of Battery Life, White Smoke
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LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLATION: Effortlessly combines noise cancelling headphones technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
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PREMIUM COMFORT: Plush earcup cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your over ear headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
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2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
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HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
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ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
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MICROPHONE CORD INCLUDED: Plug the included audio cable with in-line microphone into your Bose noise cancelling headphones to use them without a Bluetooth connection, or even when the battery is depleted
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STAYS CONNECTED TO YOUR DEVICES: Seamlessly stay connected to all your favorite devices using the multi-point toggle feature which allows you to switch devices without disconnecting and reconnecting each time
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones 700, with Alexa Voice Control, Soapstone
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Note: The USB-C charging cable and the AUX cable were underneath a flap which was inside the band of the headphones. Powerful noise cancelling headphones — 11 levels of active noise cancelling let you enjoy music, podcasts, videos & calls without distractions
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Astonishing sound: Crisp, clear details. Deep, full bass. These wireless headphones produce exciting, lifelike sound that’s full and balanced at every volume level.Bluetooth version: 5.0 (including all headphone profiles)
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Unrivaled voice pickup: A revolutionary microphone system adapts to noisy and windy environments so your voice always sounds crystal clear on calls
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Keep your head up and hands free: With easy access to voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for music, navigation, weather, and more, and intuitive touch control on the earcups — you can stay connected without reaching for your phone.
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Premium design and comfort: With a lightweight stainless steel headband and earcups tilted for the perfect fit, you can comfortably wear these bluetooth headphones for hours
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Up to 20 hours of non-stop music: Get up to 20 hours of wireless battery life on a single charge.
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1 touch to listen to Spotify: Instantly listen to your last Spotify session or discover new music by tapping and holding the right earcup. Currently only available when using iOS devices with your headphones.
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Pair with Bose soundbar: Use Bose SimpleSync technology to pair these wireless Bluetooth headphones to the Bose smart soundbar 300, 500 or 700 for a personal listening experience.
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Alexa to Alexa calling: Use these wireless noise cancelling headphones to place a call to a Bose smart device or the Amazon Echo device with the Alexa mobile app
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones with Mic for Phone-Call and Alexa Voice Control, Midnight Blue WH1000XM4
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Industry-leading noise canceling with Dual Noise Sensor technology.Specific uses for product : Communication
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Next-level music with Edge-AI, co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo
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Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback)
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the WH1000XM4 Touch Sensor controls to pause play skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls.
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Speak-to-chat technology automatically reduces volume during conversations
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Superior call quality with precise voice pickup. Frequency Response (Active Operation)-4Hz-40,000Hz. Frequency Response(Bluetooth Communication)- 20Hz - 20,000Hz (44.1kHz Sampling) / 20Hz - 40,000Hz (LDAC 96kHz Sampling, 990kbps)
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Wearing detection pauses playback when headphones are removed
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Seamless multiple-device pairing
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Adaptive Sound Control provides a personalized listening experience
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
JBL Tune 710BT Wireless Over-Ear - Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone, 50H Battery, Hands-Free Calls, Portable (Black), Medium
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JBL PURE BASS SOUND: For over 70 years, JBL has engineered the precise, impressive sound found in big venues around the world. These headphones reproduce that same JBL sound, punching out bass that’s both deep and powerful.Specific uses for product : Travel
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50H battery life Listen wirelessly for 50 hours. Recharge the battery quickly in 5 minutes to gain 3 more hours of fun or fully in 2 hours.
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HANDS FREE CALLS AND VOICE CONTROL: Easily control your sound, manage your calls and trigger voice assistants from your headphones with the button on your earcup.
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LIGHTWEIGHT AND FOLDABLE DESIGN: Lightweight and compact foldable design makes these headphones always ready to travel everywhere you go.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
JBL Tune 660NC: Wireless On-Ear Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation - Black, Medium
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The Tune 660NC wireless headphones feature renowned JBL Pure Bass sound, which can be found in the most famous venues all around the world.
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Keep the noise out and enjoy your music with active noise cancellation
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With Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Streaming, you can stream wirelessly from your device and even switch between two devices so that you don't miss a call.
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Listen wirelessly for 44 hours with active noise cancelling for long-lasting fun. Or for up to 55 hours with BT only. Get 2 hours extra with just a 5-minute charge using the convenient USB Type-C cable. Enjoy endlessly in wired mode, using the detachable cable provided..Note:If you face issue in Bluetooth connectivity please turn off the Bluetooth function for a couple of minutes, then turn it back on
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Easily control your sound and manage your calls from your headphones with the convenient buttons and the mic on the ear-cup. Or use the ear-cup button to quickly reach your device's voice assistant.
How to know if headphones or AirPods have better ergonomics for long wear?
When comparing the ergonomics of headphones and AirPods for long wear, there are a few factors you can consider:
- Fit and Comfort: Check if the headphones or AirPods come with different sizes of ear tips or cushioning options. This allows you to choose the configuration that suits your ears best. Look for adjustable headbands and lightweight designs that minimize pressure and discomfort.
- Noise Isolation: Determine if you prefer headphones that provide passive noise isolation by enclosing your ears or AirPods that offer active noise cancellation. Active noise cancellation can be more effective in eliminating external noise, enhancing overall comfort during prolonged use.
- Secure Fit: Consider whether you prefer headphones that fully cover your ears or AirPods that sit inside your ears. Some people find over-ear headphones more secure and stable for extended use, while others prefer the lightweight and freedom of movement offered by in-ear AirPods.
- Breathability: Evaluate if heat and sweating factors are important to you during extended use. Over-ear headphones may cause more heat buildup around your ears due to their design, whereas in-ear AirPods generally allow for better airflow and may be more comfortable in this aspect.
- Individual Preferences: Ultimately, everyone's ears and preferences are unique. Some individuals find headphones to be more comfortable, while others prefer the minimalistic and wireless design of AirPods. Therefore, it is recommended to try different options (if possible) before making a decision or read reviews and feedback from others who may have similar preferences to yours.
Remember that comfort is subjective, so what works for one person may not work for another. It's always best to try out different options and see what feels most comfortable for you during long periods of wear.
What is the design difference between headphones and AirPods?
Headphones and AirPods have a few key design differences:
- Form factor: Headphones are typically larger and cover the entire ear (over-ear) or rest on the outer ear (on-ear), whereas AirPods have a compact design that sits inside the ear canal (in-ear).
- Connectivity: Most headphones have wires or cables that connect to the audio source device, while AirPods are wireless and connect via Bluetooth.
- Portability: Due to their larger size, headphones are generally less portable than AirPods. AirPods come with a small charging case that can easily fit in a pocket or bag, making them more convenient for on-the-go usage.
- Noise isolation: Headphones, especially over-ear models, often offer better passive noise isolation as they cover the entire ear, blocking out external sounds. AirPods, on the other hand, do not provide as much passive noise isolation as they sit inside the ear but do not cover it completely.
- Controls: Many headphones have physical buttons or switches on the earcups to control functions like volume, play/pause, or skipping tracks. AirPods, in contrast, have touch-sensitive controls that respond to taps for various commands.
- Design aesthetics: Headphones come in various styles and designs, and they often feature adjustable headbands, swiveling or folding earcups, and customizable features. AirPods, with their minimalistic design, have a distinct and recognizable aesthetic, featuring a stem that extends down from the earpiece.
It's important to note that these design differences can vary across different models and brands of headphones and AirPods, as there is a wide range of options available in the market.
How to decide which is more portable, headphones or AirPods?
When deciding which is more portable between headphones and AirPods, there are a few factors to consider:
- Size and weight: AirPods are generally smaller and lighter than most headphones. They are designed to be compact and fit comfortably in your ears. On the other hand, headphones vary in size and can range from compact on-ear headphones to larger over-ear models.
- Case: AirPods come with a compact charging case that protects and stores them when not in use. This case easily fits in your pocket or bag, making them highly portable. Some headphones may come with a case as well, but they tend to be larger and bulkier.
- Wireless technology: AirPods use Bluetooth wireless technology, allowing you to connect them to your devices without any wires. This eliminates the hassle of tangled cords and makes them easy to carry around. Most traditional headphones, however, require a wired connection to your device, which can be less convenient.
- Durability: AirPods are easier to damage due to their small size and lack of physical protection. They also run the risk of getting lost or misplaced. In contrast, bulkier headphones may be more durable and less prone to getting lost, but their size can be a disadvantage when it comes to portability.
Ultimately, the decision between headphones and AirPods depends on personal preference and specific needs. If you prioritize portability and convenience, AirPods are a great option. However, if you value audio quality and comfort over size, traditional headphones might be a better choice.
What is the warranty coverage like for headphones and AirPods?
The warranty coverage for headphones and AirPods may vary depending on the brand and model. Generally, most reputable brands offer a limited warranty that typically covers manufacturing defects and faulty workmanship. The warranty typically lasts for a specific period, such as 1 year, from the date of purchase.
Under warranty coverage, if your headphones or AirPods experience any defects or failures not caused by misuse or damage, the manufacturer will typically repair or replace them free of charge. However, it's essential to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the warranty provided by the manufacturer, as there may be specific exclusions or limitations.
It's also worth noting that some manufacturers offer extended warranty options that can be purchased separately, providing additional coverage beyond the standard warranty period. These extended warranties may offer benefits such as extended duration, accidental damage coverage, or quicker repair or replacement services.
Remember, warranty coverage can vary, so it's always recommended to review the specific warranty details provided by the manufacturer before making a purchase decision.
