Types of Headphones for Different Uses

F or many of us, music is an integral part of our day. Whether it’s making our long commute to work or classes a little easier to bear, or it’s helping us unwind after a long day, our days are incomplete without music. 

This is exactly why it can help to know the different types of headphones for different uses–it can help you pick the perfect one for yourself! Just as important as the music, is how we choose to consume music. 

Why Your Headphone Choice Matters

Some studies show sound waves, from loud a loud volume, traveling directly to the eardrums from in-ear headphones can cause hearing damage in the long term. While soundwaves from headphones are more indirect and, therefore, are a safer option. Here are some alternatives to earphones that’ll be sure to blow your minds and not your ear-drums,

Over-ear Headphones for Those Seeking Comfort

Over-ear headphones are those which encompass your entire ear and hug them comfortably. They are also one of the most regularly-used headphones in the market. Their padding is big enough that it provides suitable cushioning for the ears. They are also the biggest in size as well as compared to all the other headphones on this list. They have a headband that joins the two earcups. 

So, what are the pros and cons of over-ear headphones?

Pros 

The most highlighted feature of this type of headphone is its huge amount of padding. The padding is what allows it to be well-cushioned and fit comfortably around the ear. It is also what provides it with a luxurious feel. The padding doesn’t only serve as a means of comfort but it also helps in noise isolation. Since both your ears are completely hugged by the cushy padding, it allows for very little ambient sounds to get through to your ear canal, thus providing it with sufficient noise isolation, so you can enjoy your music without any distractions.

Cons 

While its comfort is indeed a pro, however, it can also be its con. Since the padding is so well-cushioned, it allows very little air to get in as well, leaving your ears hot and sweaty after a while. It’s especially a problem if you live in a hot climate region. Over-ear headphones may be rather costly, costing upwards of $300 or even $1,000.They also take up a lot of room due to their size.

On-Ear Headphones for Work-out Enthusiasts 

On-ear headphones (also known as supra-aural headphones) are similar to over-ear headphones except that the earpads are smaller. As a result, the earpads lay against your earlobes instead of encompassing your entire ear. Their pros and cons are as such:

Pros

On-ear headphones are a much better choice for those who are workout enthusiasts as they fit a whole lot better than on-ear headphones. The overall lightweight design provides improved stability during athletic activities like your daily runs and workouts. They are also a little simpler to tote around because of their smaller size. Therefore, making it a fan favorite for workouts.

Cons

While they are well-fitting around the ear, they are definitely not as comfortable as over-ear headphones. After continued use, they start to feel constricting to the ears. Your ears can feel as though they are trapped and the feeling can be quite painful. Much like over-ear headphones, sweating continues to be a problem for on-ear headphones, although it is much better when compared with over-ear headphones.

Active Noise-Canceling Headphones For Long Commuters

Active noise-canceling headphones listen to the environment and block out undesirable noise before it reaches your ears. They monitor outside noise frequencies using small microphones and generate the exact opposite signal, essentially canceling out both sets of noises. Here are some of its pros and cons.

Pros

The key advantage to having noise-canceling headphones is the completely immersive experience. That is why it’s a fan favorite when it comes to those people who have to go on extremely long commutes and are frequent flyers. When you pop a pair of these babies on, there is no barrier between you and the music. They’re also a big help when it comes to blocking out the noise to concentrate on work.

Cons 

As you can see, active noise-canceling headphones use pretty fancy technology that’s not available in most lower-end headphones. Their key feature is an expensive one since they require additional chips to work. And, the extra work of noise-canceling also comes at a price of decreased battery life. 

There are many different types of headphones for different uses but with our guide, you’ll find your perfect pair. Regardless of what your needs are, if you know what you’re looking to get out of your headphones, you won’t be disappointed with your purchase.