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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