Wireless vs. Wired Headphones: Which best Is for You?

Ever since wireless headphones were released a war has raged amongst wireless and wired headset lovers. This comes as an ever-increasing amount of people are choosing to use mobile and portable devices instead of the outdated, wired devices of the past. Many self-proclaimed audiophiles would laugh you out of the room if you even hinted at using wireless headphones. This is because there is a popular opinion in the technological world that wired technology will always be far more superior to its wireless opponent.

Sound quality

The wireless headphones themselves are fully capable of replicating the same quality as wired devices, however, the absence of this feature comes from the wireless signal. The vast majority of wireless headphones use 2.4GHz Bluetooth which was not initially designed with high-definition audio streaming in mind. The fact that Bluetooth uses the same frequency as other devices does not help the matter either, and you will be surprised how many devices you own that can actually interfere with your Bluetooth quality. Everything from microwaves to phones and even your ever-present Wi-Fi signal can result in audio drops which can be a real inconvenience for serious users. The digital compression which Bluetooth uses is by far the main issue, and the compressed audio simply cannot replicate its wired counterpart.

Bluetooth earbuds

Bluetooth earbuds, at the lower end, have a reputation for lacking bass, sounding tinny, and having short battery life, however when you climb up the price scale you can come across some very powerful pieces of kit. For some uses, it may be beneficial to purchase a cheaper pair of headphones, as although they do lack sounds quality, other features, like their portability may be more important for a buyer.

How good is their range?

If you are purchasing a pair of wireless headphones, which are using Bluetooth instead of infrared, they will usually be using Class 2 Bluetooth. This means that they have a maximum range of just thirty meters, and in most cases this is actually only ten meters! Whilst it may be true that more expensive wireless headphones do sometimes get a better signal this is not always true, as there are a lot of factors at play. The wireless signal is dependent on a good receiver as well as a transmitter, so if you are using an old phone that is not up to date, then paying more for a pair of headphones will not offer a noticeable difference. There is also class 1 Bluetooth, which has a larger maximum range of 100 meters, although it usually stays between 20-30m. This technology is usually found in more powerful devices, like laptops as it draws a larger current.

Are they priced well?

Audio quality is not the only factor to consider, however, and you really need to assess what you need from the device. If we take a look at a similar pair of headphones, all with the same spec, but with one being wired and one being wireless. In most cases the wireless headphones will be more expensive than the wired as the manufacturer has to include all of the extra technology like the receiver and transmitter. Many people are willing to pay this premium price as wireless headphones grant them much more freedom with what they can do.

How comfortable are they?

Another reason people are willing to pay more for wireless headphones is the fact that they are much easier and comfortable to use. The most annoying thing about wired headsets is getting them out of your pocket and finding that they have become a tangled mess and you will then have to spend the next few minutes unraveling them instead of listening to the music that you want to. Wireless ear pods remove this issue and they make it much more convenient to listen to music quickly when on the go.

Some people complain about wireless headphones being hard to operate, as the absence of a cable can result in small buttons in hard to access locations. This is not a huge issue, however, as it can be relatively easy to take out your device and simply change the song, or do whatever you wanted to.

Conclusion
Wired headphones are definitely better for the long term, as the lack of things to go wrong makes them very durable accessories. The only real potential issue you may have with wired headphones is that the cable if it is cheap and thin, may get caught in something and rip. Wireless earphones have a lot that can go wrong with them, and something like a faulty solder in the wiring can result in an unresponsive pair of headphones.

So over the course of this article, we have swayed towards wired technology on the whole, but it is important that you don’t forget some of the pros they have.

They offer less restraint about when they can be used, and for specialist activities like running, they may be very beneficial.
They can also be used with much more haste than wired headphones, and in times when you need to listen to audio immediately, you will not be faced with the embarrassing task of navigating the maze your wire has transformed into.
The absence of cables and a more unique design makes them very comfortable, and the also have the potential to fit the ear very well.