A lot of people may buy something due to the brand the product is, or what celebrity the product represents. In my own opinion, that is not always the telltale sign that said item is the best on the market, nor is it the most cost efficient item on the market for that usage. This is very typical in the realm of headphones. Celebrity endorsed headphones tend to sell the best, and gain more representation in department stores. From my experience, celebrity endorsed headphones are never the best choice if you are serious about hearing the best sound possible. There are many different things someone should look for in shopping for your next set of headphones, and those will hopefully all be covered.

There are three different types of headphones. Our first headphone type we will be discussing is Over-Ear headphones. These are best described as the earcups going over your entire ear. The second, and next smaller size, is a On-Ear headphone. These are best described as the earcups resting on your ears. These typically do not offer as much sound isolation between the music and the real world. So, these may not be the best choice for public use although your mileage may vary. The smallest size, and the most versatile for public usage, is the in-ear headphone, often nicknamed “Earbuds”.

Over ear headphones are the best if you wish for comfort as the number one priority. Another added benefit, is that the sound quality will almost always be better because the speakers have more room to breathe. Another benefit is the noise isolation. The earcups covers your ear, so you can hear the music, and nothing but the music. For these simple reasons, these are the ideal choice for big music listeners, but more importantly the people in which create the music we listen to. On a side note, they aren’t very portable in the slightest, and are much more likely to get in the way, or be difficult to stow away. Some over ears, can make your ears sweat overtime.

On-ear headphones are more capable of portability for day to day activities, however do not offer as much portability as in-ear earbuds. However, one may use these verses in-ears because they do not like the way in ears feel, and are uncomfortable to the user. These are not my personal favorite, since they do not provide as much noise isolation as over-ears. These are going to provide you with the best of both worlds in regards to portability, and sound quality. This is especially true on a budget. However, beware on a budget shopping for over ears, because the most cheap ones will be uncomfortable, and sound terrible also.

In-ears are the smallest of the three, and the best for portability. Often times, you have to pay more for these to get comparable sound to a on-ear, or over-ear headphone. Another benefit is that earbuds are often intended to be portable, so these will often include a built in mic and remote so you don’t have to remove them when someone is calling you. These types of headphones though, usually suffer in comfort. Finding a truly comfortable set of in-ears can be challenging. I can assure you this is possible, even on a budget. Look to brands which cater to audio professionals for good bang for the buck earbuds.

These are some of the most basic guidelines you should follow when shopping for headphones. Look at what the product is itself, and not whom it represents. You can find a set of headphones that is perfect for you, if you stray away from what the current fad or trend is in the music listening world. The proof is in the pudding with headphones, and following that idea is more likely to guide you to a happy purchase.