Headphones Buying Guide
Your guide to finding headphones that suit the way you want to listen.
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In-ear and ear-bud headphones are super-portable and sit just outside your ear, or firmly inside your ear canal.
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Compact and lightweight, they are the most portable type of headphones. The wires run from your device to your ear, so they won't interfere with the top of your head or hair. Depending on the quality of the ear-bud, some models may be prone to slipping out of your ear and others may become uncomfortable if you've been listening for a long time.
The sound goes directly into your ears, resulting in good sound quality and noise isolation. Ear-buds that rest on your ears allow more outside noise in, handy if you want to remain more aware of your surroundings.
The buds for In-ear headphones may need replacing after a while. Models of a better quality are likely to have more durable wires and ear-buds.
Larger than in-ear styles, On-ear headphones come in both on and over-ear designs.
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Slimmer On-ear headphones are considered to be more stylish than over-ear, and can be great for travelling and commuting. Over-ear headphones can be bulky, with some only intended for use inside. Both types should be comfortable for long periods of use, with better quality pairs having softer ear cushions.
Over-ear headphones provide the most immersive experience as they cover your whole ear. On-ear pairs still provide good sound and isolation, but are more likely to have some sound escape.
Headbands typically offer a good lifespan, and the more you spend, the better quality of build you should receive. Some even come with a carry case, giving you extra protection when you're not using them.
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These plug into most devices with a headphone (AUX-IN) port. This includes smartphones, TVs, tablets, laptops and more. Only a few models need to be recharged and wires make them harder to misplace.
Things to consider – Wires can be fiddly and some newer devices, like the iPhone 7, no longer have a headphones port.
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With no tangled wires and great portability, wireless headphones connect to Bluetooth compatible devices and are usually charged with a USB cable.
Things to consider – Battery life, sound quality, playback and connection range can vary. You can find more information about this in the specs for each product.
Many headphones are designed with a specific activity in mind.
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Up to 12 months to pay when you spend £199 or more on headphones.
Representative 29.9% APR Variable.
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