Tips for selecting the best wireless earbuds for you
From their pocket-friendly size to their impressive sound quality and affordability, today you’ll learn why wireless earbuds are the go-to choice for many shoppers. You’ll also discover the key factors to consider when choosing the perfect pair for yourself.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll share tips on everything you need to know, from understanding what wireless earbuds are, to how they differ from traditional headphones. We'll explore the many advantages they offer, such as their compact size, battery life, and affordability—and even why they make a fantastic gift choice. Let’s dive in!
Info at a glance
- What are wireless earbuds?
- How are wireless earbuds different from wireless headphones?
- What are the benefits of wireless earbuds?
- Tips for finding the best wireless earbuds for you
- What are the top 5 wireless earbud brands?
- What are the best wireless earbuds for a reasonable price?
- What are the best cheap earbuds?
- Are wireless earbuds a good gift?
What are wireless earbuds?
Before we share advice on which wireless earbuds might be best for you, we’ll first explain a few popular questions we often hear from shoppers. Let’s start by answering, “What are wireless earbuds?”.
Wireless earbuds (sometimes referred to as wireless earphones) are a type of wireless small portable speaker that fits inside your ear. They are Bluetooth®-enabled, which means instead of connecting to your phone or computer by a physical wire, wireless earbuds are connected electronically by Bluetooth. Bluetooth is an electronic signal sent over the air, wirelessly, between your audio source and your earbuds.
Think for a moment about the negative impact a wire can have on your experience. Without those pesky cables getting in the way, you’re able to move around more freely. Close your eyes and think about going for a run with a wire connected to your phone versus running with just two earbuds in your ears. A wire can make or break your experience.
How are wireless earbuds different from wireless headphones?
With over-the-ear headphones, the sound quality tends to be better for several reasons. One, the ear is fully covered by the headphone which traps the sound coming out of the headphone; but they also reduce noise coming from outside by creating a seal around your ear. But, this heightened experience means you’re more likely to see a higher price tag range on than wireless earbuds. Main takeaway?
What are the benefits of wireless earbuds?
Wireless earbuds are a great purchase for three key reasons:
- Convenience: Size and weight are two big reasons why wireless earbuds are so popular among consumers. Unlike bulky headphones, wireless earbuds sit snug inside your ear, weigh almost nothing, and are pocket-friendly which means you won’t need to carry a bag to transport them around.
- Price: When wireless earbuds first came out on the market, they were costly. But over the last few years, prices have really come down. These days, you can find many popular wireless earbuds for under $200 while delivering a great audio experience.
- Sound quality: Though wireless over-the-ear headphones generally produce better sound quality than wireless earbuds, for most people’s everyday activities, wireless earbuds are the best mix of sound performance and convenience. Keep in mind, if you’re going to listen to vinyl records, you’ll likely want headphones to tune out the noise and really feel the music.If you’re gaming, you’ll also want to hunt for headphones instead of wireless earbuds—particularly if you need a built-in microphone. But, for most people, wireless earbuds deliver fantastic sound quality at an affordable price.
Tips for finding the best wireless earbuds for you
- Battery life: You want to use your earbuds for as long as possible without recharging them. If you’re in back-to-back phone calls in the office, the last thing you want is for your earbuds to run out of juice in the middle of a call, forcing you to wait for it to charge. Battery life is a crucial aspect of your buying decision. Beware of one thing. Some wireless earbud manufacturers may quote the combined playing time of the three or four “top-ups” available from the charging case, instead of quoting the playing time for the earbuds without any quick charge or “top-up” in between. Let me explain it with an example. If you see a quoted figure of 12 hours of playing time, that’s likely not for continuous listening on a single charge but rather the combined playing time if you recharge the earbuds and drain the entire charging case. It’s good to read the reviews to learn in advance how long you can listen with the earbuds on a single charge before they need to go back in their case for a recharge.
- Activities: When not confined to wires, the range of activities you can perform with wireless earphones is far greater than with over-the-ear headphones or wired earphones. Running at the gym? Wireless earbuds snuggly fit inside your ears and are far more convenient, versus headphones that sit on top of your head. If you attach a silicone tip that matches the shape of your ear, you’ll have an even better and more secure fit. Need to jump on a video call for a work meeting? Wireless earbuds are easier to put in and out (not to mention they won’t mess up your hairdo). Doing chores around the house? You don’t want to get tangled in wires. Even if you’re simply walking and talking outside, it’s more convenient to quickly plug in two earbuds than walk around with bulky headphones, or be connected by a wire to your cellphone.
- Comfort: Having wireless earbuds fit inside your ears is a two-sided coin. On the one hand, you don’t have the weight or bulk size of headphones on your head. But on the flip side, you’re less likely to find the perfect ear tip design that will block external sounds because there’s no seal. You’ll need to weigh what’s more important for you and the activities you plan to do while they’re in your ears. Remember, there are also noise canceling and noise-reducing wireless earbuds—which are the best of both worlds. But, as you can imagine, these come with a higher price tag than standard wireless earbuds.
Shop noise reducing wireless earbuds from AT&T
- External controls: A wireless earbud feature often overlooked is the external control. Are you able to skip songs directly from the earbud? Or do you have to take out your phone each time you want to skip a music track, lower the volume, or answer a phone call? This may not seem like a big deal at first, but when you’re using your earbuds day in and out, it can quickly become a hassle.
What are the top five wireless earbud brands?
See all the wireless earbuds that AT&T carries. Or shop wireless earbuds by the brands you already love like Apple, Samsung, Google, JBL, and Beats.
Be sure to check the key features that matter most for your needs. Check for price, battery life, ratings and sound performance. And if you want to hold them in person to gauge their weight and feel, or even ask more questions from a helpful AT&T agent, find your local AT&T store and swing by.
What are the best wireless earbuds for a reasonable price?
Earbuds under $100:
Are wireless earbuds a good gift?
Wireless earbuds are a fantastic gift whether you’re shopping for the holidays or looking for the perfect birthday gift for your friend or a loved one! But sometimes, the best gift can be for yourself. Starting a new gym routine? Wireless earbuds will make your workout more fun, energizing, and convenient. And if you’re shopping for a new cellphone or smartwatch from AT&T? Treat yourself with a pair of wireless earbuds to complement your new device.
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