Headphones vs. Earbuds: Which Are Better?

By: Melanie Radzicki McManus  | 
Young Asian woman listening to headphones
Ultimately, you need to choose the earphones or headphones that work best for you. MOAimage/Moment/Getty Images

Monster-sized headphones were all the rage back in the 1970s. Yet, when portable music players began to emerge in the 1980s, headphones began to shrink — culminating in the sleek, white earbuds that Apple debuted with the iPod in 2001 [source: Hormby]. While both earbuds and headphones remain ubiquitous amongst consumers, people frequently ask which is better: headphones vs earbuds.

Despite their girth, headphones have made a significant comeback. Meanwhile, earbuds remain the ideal choice for listening to music on the run [source: Fekadu]. So which device allows you to best enjoy your favorite tunes? It all depends. Headphones and earbuds both have their pros and cons, and the best device for delivering your tunes depends on the circumstances you'll be in and your preferences. Let's consider headphones first.

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Over-Ear Headphones

Headphones rest on your outer ears. Supra-aural models cover your entire ear surfaces but don't entirely seal them. Over-the-ear models, or circumaurals, fully enclose each ear (think of the ear coverings worn by those who work on airstrips, or inside noisy factories). The biggest advantage with headphones is that they deliver superior sound quality, especially when it comes to capturing bass tones. They're also ideal for offering noise cancellation, which blocks out ambient noise, such as traffic on a street.

Open-cup headphones are quite affordable; you can purchase a pair for as little as $30. Closed-cup models start off a bit pricier, and can run as high as $500 or so. Why such a hefty price tag? Top-quality closed-cup models like Beats by Dr. Dre contain advanced speaker designs, powered amplification and excellent active-noise isolation [source: HP Home & Home Office Store].

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But headphones aren't perfect. They're bulky (and even wireless headphones aren't too portable), which is why you don't see runners wearing them, or people strolling around town with a pair on their heads. If you wear headphones for a while, they can get all hot and sweaty, too, especially if you're exercising. And the bigger the headphones, the more they'll smoosh your hair. They can also interfere with glasses and earrings [source: CNET].

Outer Ear and In Ear Earbuds

Earbuds can also rest on your outer ear — much like on ear headphones — but most are meant to be inserted into your ear canal. Earbuds are typically less expensive than headphones, much lighter and far less bulky. This means they're quite portable, which is why you probably see people with wires hanging out of their ears every day in cafes, on the sidewalk and at work.

Since earbuds only sit in your ear canals, they don't affect your hairstyle, or the wearing of glasses and earrings. Unfortunately, earbuds deliver inferior sound quality, especially when it comes to bass tones. They also don't filter out external noise very well, so earbud-wearers tend to crank up the volume on their tunes, which can wreck their hearing.

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Some people find earbuds hurt their ear canals, too, while others simply can't wear them because they always slip out of their ears [source: CNET]. This can be a particular issue if you've invested in true wireless earbuds, which can easily get lost!

Earbuds Versus Headphones: The Verdict

Final decision: If you want to enjoy better sound quality — and hear all the sounds in a piece of music — headphones are your best bet. They're also great for enjoying tunes on your audio devices at home. But if you're working out at the gym or commuting, earbuds are probably better, due to their light weight and portability.

But there's one more thing to consider before making any purchase. Both headphones and earbuds are typically "noise isolating" devices, meaning they block some of the noise around you, much like when you place your fingers in your ears or put earmuffs on. But some folks prefer to have headphones or earbuds that are noise canceling, and that's a different thing.

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A Note on Superior Noise Cancellation Technology

Noise cancellation is an acoustical technology that detects ambient sounds outside of your headphones or earbuds, then reverses the phase of the sound waves, which cancels them out. This technology works best on steady, low-frequency background noise, such as the sounds of a jet engine while you're flying, or steady traffic along a busy street.

However, this technology doesn't work so well with high-frequency and sporadic sounds: a dog that suddenly starts barking, or kids who come running down the street laughing and screaming [source: Noise Cancelling Review]. So, consider your circumstances and surroundings before you make a purchase.

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Still not sure which is best for you? Many people purchase both headphones and earbuds, swapping them out depending on their circumstances. That way, you'll always get the sweetest sound of all.

Earbuds or Headphones FAQ

Which is better, headphones or earbuds?
Headphones are considered a better option than earbuds because they are outside the ear, creating a barrier between the music and your ears.
Is it worth buying wireless earbuds?
If you are a frequent traveler or a fitness freak, earbuds are worth the money. They are easier to carry and provide a better range of motion.
Can earbuds be used for gaming?
As compared to earbuds, headphones are considered a better option for gaming. Headphones are more comfortable as they are over the ear and also provide cleaner, more wholesome sound.
Can earbuds be as good as headphones?
Earbud sound quality is almost on par with the sound quality of headphones. Therefore, earbuds are definitely as good as headphones in terms of sound quality.
Is it safe to wear earbuds?
Ideally, you are advised not to wear earbuds for long periods as they are in direct contact with your ears. Due to this, loud sounds can damage your hearing ability.

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Author's Note: Earbuds vs. Headphones

For me, this issue is simple. Earbuds always fall out of my ears — my doctor said I have "generously sized" ear canals — so I use headphones. After researching this article, though, I'm ready to pop for a higher-quality pair.

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

  • AuSim. "Selecting Headphones (and Headsets)." (June 7, 2012) http://www.ausim3d.com/products/AuWeb_selecting_headphones.html
  • Barker, Adrian. "Pros and Cons of Ear Buds." Ear-Buds. R-Tools Technology. Sept. 28, 2010. (June 6, 2012) http://ear-buds.articles.r-tt.com/
  • CNET. "Headphones buying guide -- CNET Review." CNET. Nov. 24, 2009. (June 6, 2012) http://reviews.cnet.com/headphone-buying-guide/
  • Earphone Solutions. "Noise Cancelling Headphones." (June 6, 2012) http://www.earphonesolutions.com/coofsoiseaan.html
  • Fekadu, Mesfin. "Headphones vs. Earbuds: Dr. Dre Joins The Eternal Battle." Huffington Post. Dec. 22, 2011. (June 6, 2012) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/headphones-vs-earbuds_n_1165385.html
  • Gadgetry Wizards. "Headphones and Earbuds for a World of Distractions." (June 6, 2012) http://gadgetrywizards.com/blog/computers-and-technology/personal-tech/headphones-and-earbuds-for-a-world-of-distractions/
  • Gray, Katherine. "5 noise-canceling headphones." USA Today. June 2, 2012 or Feb. 6, 2012. (June 6, 2012) http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/story/2012-06-02/noise-canceling-headphones/55330864/1
  • HP Home & Home Office Store. "Beats by Dr. Dre Studio High-Definition Headphones." (June 8, 2012) http://shopping2.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Accessories/Speakers-and-Headsets/AU164AA?Beats-by-Dr.-Dre-Studio-High-Definition-Headphones&aoid=12655&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=33-54125781-2
  • Hormby, Tom and Dan Knight. "A History of the iPod: 2000-2004." LowEndMac. Sept. 2007. (June 7, 2012) http://lowendmac.com/orchard/05/origin-of-the-ipod.html#0
  • Noise Cancelling Review. "Noise Cancelling Review." (June 6, 2012) http://noisecancellingreview.com/
  • Sood, Natesh. "Gadgetell Guide: Should I buy headphones or earbuds?" July 7, 2009. (June 6, 2012) http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/48700/gadgetell-guide-should-i-buy-headphones-or-earbuds/

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