Are you looking for new headphones and confused about what you should focus on in order to end up with the right choice for you? Don’t worry! Below, we have gathered the main features you should pay attention to, depending on the use for which you intend your new headphones.

1. Sound quality

The sound quality produced by the headphones you choose is one of the most important factors. Whatever the intended use may be, one thing is certain: you need good quality and clear sound.

What are the characteristics that determine sound quality?

Frequency response

Frequency response shows the range of sounds that the headphones can reproduce and is measured in Hz. The most common range for this feature is that of human hearing, namely values between 20 - 20000 Hz. A wider frequency range does not necessarily mean better sound quality. More specifically, you can look for the following values depending on what you want to listen to:

• Bass | 20-250 Hz: Stronger bass, for depth. Ideal frequencies for listening to electronic or hip hop music.
• Mids | 250-4000 Hz: The mid frequencies are stronger, suitable for better listening to vocals or orchestral music.
• Treble | 4000-20000 Hz: High frequencies, affect the clarity and sharpness of the sound, for better listening, e.g. to cymbals or the strumming of classical guitar strings.

Impedance

This feature indicates the resistance that the headphone speakers have to electric current and is measured in Ohm or Ω. As a rule, the lower the impedance, the louder the headphones sound, but with less clarity in the sound. The most common value is 32 Ohm for an average user. More specifically, you can choose headphones based on impedance, depending on the use you will make of them, as you will see below:

• <= 50Ω: Such values are found in most headphones for everyday use, which are designed to work easily with low-power devices (e.g. mobile phone, laptop, etc.).
• > 50Ω: Higher values are found in more professional or hi-fi headphones, where more power is needed for sound reproduction. A headphone amplifier is usually also required.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity refers to how loudly they can reproduce sound for a specific amount of power they receive from a particular source (e.g. mobile phone, amplifier, etc.) and is measured in db. The higher the sensitivity of the headphones, the louder they will sound at a given source volume. In general, headphones with a value of 90db or higher are considered a good choice.

• High sensitivity | > 100db: Headphones with high sensitivity produce more sound with lower power. They can reach high volumes with low-power devices (e.g. mobile phone, laptop, etc.).
• Low sensitivity | <= 100db: Headphones with low sensitivity require more power to reach the same volume levels, so they may need a dedicated headphone amplifier.

SkroutzTip: For high-quality sound reproduction, prefer headphones with high-resolution audio.

2. Design & Comfort | Over Ear vs On Ear

Design also plays a very important role in choosing the ideal headphones, as it affects comfort and the overall experience. Headphones are divided into 2 types, based on how they fit on the ears, whether they cover them completely or rest on them.

What are the 2 types of headphones?

Over Ear

Over ear headphones usually have large ear cups that fit around the ear and better isolate external noise. They are ideal in noisy environments where you need more concentration or distraction-free listening, such as on a trip, at the gym, or even at the office.

On Ear

On ear headphones, on the other hand, have smaller ear cups that sit on the ear and do not completely isolate external noise. Their use is recommended in public spaces where you need to be aware of your surroundings for safety, such as when you are on public transport or walking on the street. Additionally, such headphones are ideal for children, allowing them to enjoy their favorite sound while staying connected to their surroundings.

Wired or Wireless? What should I choose?

The battle between cables and Bluetooth has essentially been decided. With most modern smartphones having eliminated the classic headphone jack (3.5mm jack), wireless headphones are now the only way to go for most of us.

• Wireless (True Wireless): These are the well-known "buds" that come in their own charging case, without any cables at all. They connect to your phone via Bluetooth (ideally version 5.2 or higher) so you don't experience audio delays and the battery lasts longer. They are ideal for commuting, the gym, and everyday use.

• Wired: They remain a favorite choice for gamers (as they have absolutely no audio delay) and for studio sound enthusiasts (audiophiles). If you want wired headphones for your phone, make sure they have a USB-C plug (for Android and new iPhones) or that you have the appropriate adapter!

4. Battery | Battery life & charging

The battery in wireless headphones is the feature that you need to pay the most attention to. Depending on how you use your headphones, it is a good idea to know the battery life they offer on a full charge, as well as the full charging time needed to reach maximum battery life.

Which battery life suits your needs?

• Short battery life (4-10 hours): Headphones with short battery life are suitable for occasional users, who either use them on a daily basis for a short period of time, e.g. during their work break, or even less often, e.g. when a new video comes out that they want to watch. 
• Medium battery life (20-40 hours): Headphones with medium battery life are ideal for demanding everyday users who use their headphones at work, on the go, at home, or while traveling. In other words, "wherever they may be, wherever they go."
• Long battery life (>40 hours): Meanwhile, headphones with long battery life are intended for professional use, music playback, and gaming, where the user needs uninterrupted playback without distractions. In this case, a hybrid model would also help, so that once the battery runs out, it can be connected via cable without interrupting the sound.

SkroutzTip: Prefer headphones with fast charging, which can usually provide 3-5 hours of battery life with just 10 minutes of charging!

How to Maintain Battery Life?

1. Disable extra features, such as active noise cancellation, when you don't need them, as they consume more power.
2. Use moderate volume, as using headphones at high volumes requires more energy consumption.
3. Turn off the headphones when not in use and do not leave them in standby mode, as this reduces the battery level.
4. Fully charge them before long trips or periods when you will spend a lot of time away from home and away from a charging source.
5. Avoid overcharging or completely depleting the battery, situations that "shock" the battery and lead to a reduction in its lifespan.
6. Choose premium models, with very good build quality, as they often have optimized energy consumption.

5. Isolation & cancellation of external noise

Isolation and cancellation of external noise is a very common feature of headphones, allowing the user to listen to their favorite content without being distracted by the surrounding environment and the noises present, even at low volume. There are 2 technologies related to noise isolation and cancellation, which work in different ways. Let’s take a detailed look at them:

Passive Noise Cancellation (PNC)

Passive isolation is based exclusively on the physical insulation provided by the headphones, through their design and materials, with the aim of preventing noise from the external environment from reaching the user’s ears. This can be achieved through the materials used in the construction of the headphones, such as memory foam ear pads or a shell made of absorbent materials. Also, over-ear headphones usually offer passive isolation thanks to their design that surrounds the ears and their good fit.

Headphones with passive noise cancellation are suitable for everyday use in quieter environments, with non-continuous noise, such as in an office. They are the most budget-friendly option, guarantee consistent performance and do not need a battery to operate.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Active isolation, on the other hand, is a special technology that detects and blocks external noise, using microphones and electronic circuits, allowing you to hear better and more clearly. How does it work? The built-in microphones capture the external noise, while a sound processing circuit creates an opposite sound wave. As soon as the external noise "meets" the opposite wave, noise cancellation is achieved. 

Headphones with active noise cancellation are suitable for use in environments with constant sounds, such as on an airplane trip or in workplaces and environments with intense noise. They are a premium choice, deliver maximum performance, even if the fit is not the best, and allow better listening, creating a quiet environment.

6. Use 

Now that we’ve seen the most important features you should pay attention to when buying your new headphones, let’s look more specifically at which ones you’ll need based on the use you want them for:

Everyday use

If you want to enjoy music and other audio content in the best possible quality, choose over ear headphones with a wide frequency response range (20Hz to 20000Hz), wired connection and external noise isolation: active or passive. Also, make sure to choose a lightweight model with an ergonomic design and a good fit, so you can use it from morning to night without getting tired.

Travel

If you travel frequently or spend a lot of time on public transport, opt for over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation to find your peace, even in noisy places! Don't forget to ensure that the headphones you choose have long battery life, offer easy portability, and are comfortable for long-term use.

Gymnastics

If you're looking for high-quality listening during your workout, the best choice for you is wireless headphones, without annoying cables. The sweat resistance and the on-ear design will also allow your ears to breathe without sweating and overheating. Additionally, opt for a lightweight model so it doesn't add extra weight.

Children

Are you perhaps not looking for headphones for yourself, but for your child, godchild, or niece/nephew? Make sure to choose wireless headphones for ease of movement and to avoid damage, with on-ear and lightweight design for maximum comfort and maintaining awareness of the surrounding environment. Also, prefer moderate sound volume and sensitivity to ensure maximum protection and safety.

Concentration

If you like reading or need to listen to something relaxing to concentrate, you should choose headphones with comfortable fit, noise isolation, active or passive, reliable sound reproduction quality, and long battery life, in case they are wireless headphones.

Creators 

For content creation needs, such as vlogs or podcasts, opt for wired headphones to avoid audio delay and ensure stable transmission, made from high-quality materials for durability and resilience. With high sound quality and accuracy in reproduction, over-ear design and active noise cancellation.

DJs

If you are a sound professional, such as a DJ, sound engineer, or music producer and you are looking for headphones, then you need high-quality sound, with adjustable settings, sturdy and durable construction, made from quality materials, rotating ear cups, for one-sided listening capability, and clear bass, for beatmatching.

Movie Viewing

If, finally, you enjoy watching movies, especially on television, and are looking for high-quality sound, opt for wired headphones to avoid audio delay, over-ear design for better fit, and wide frequency response (20 - 40000 Hz or more) to perceive all the effects.

Don't forget! Many times there can be a difference in a product, based on its overall characteristics and construction. Before you decide, read the reviews of other users to see their opinion as well!

Finally, you can also take a look at the guide to the best headphones on the market for every use and need, to help you arrive at the ideal choice for you!