Headphone reviews: Features explained
Types of headphones
In-ear headphones account for 53% of UK headphone sales and are the fastest growing section of the market.
People often buy them to replace the set that came with their MP3 player or pocket digital radio, and they're popular because they start at quite reasonable prices – as low as £5 – and are very small and easily portable.
Though some in-ear headphones are worth considering, and we have a couple of plug-style Best Buys, you'll generally get better sound quality from an on-ear or over-ear set.
Over-ear headphones
These are traditional-looking headphones, with cushioned pads that cover the whole ear. They tend to be bulkier than other types and are the least suitable for portable use.
On-ear headphones
These are headphones which sit on the ears rather than over them. As a result, they’re usually a bit smaller than over-ear models. They tend to have foam or sometimes leatherette pads for extra comfort.
In-ear headphones
In-ear headphones are probably the most common type and are usually supplied with portable music players. They rest in the opening of the ear rather than in the ear canal and fit some people better than others.
Plug headphones
As the name suggests, these headphones are similar to ear plugs; you push them right into the ear canal.
They can be difficult to fit, but if fitted correctly they're good at preventing sound leakage and blocking outside noises. They’re usually supplied with different sizes of plastic or foam plugs you can mould to fit your ear.
Wireless headphones can be convenient
Wireless headphones
Wireless sets allow you to listen to music without being tethered to the audio source. They use radio frequencies to transmit sound from their base station to your ears.
Long-range wireless connections such as FM systems allow you to move from room to room or even outside. But the downside is you might experience interference.
Bluetooth headphones
Bluetooth is a type of short-range wireless technology commonly used with hands-free mobile phone kits. It allows you to link your headphones to an digital music player or phone, for example, without getting tangled up in wires. But you have to keep the transmitter close to you so they're best suited for portable use.
The wireless sets we’ve tested use Bluetooth. In many cases you’ll need to buy the transmitter in addition to the headphone set.
Noise cancelling headphones
Headphones with noise cancelling or noise reduction block outside sound by using clever electronics. They tend to be good at eliminating unwanted low-frequency noise (such as traffic).
This feature is mainly available with on- or over-ear headphones, but some in-ear models have it too.
Open back/closed back
Open-back
This is when the back of the ear pads are not completely sealed off. This can provide a more natural sound but open-back headphones tend to leak more noise.
Closed-back
This is when the back of the ear pads are completely sealed off. They can sound a bit muffled, but are good at preventing sound leakage and blocking out unwanted noise.