Type of connection
There are three main types of wireless connection which include Bluetooth, infrared, and radio frequency. The first type, Bluetooth, is widely used and can connect with most devices, as many devices are Bluetooth compatible. As far as infrared and radio frequency connections, these types of headphones will require a separate transmitter in order to pair with devices. While infrared wireless needs a direct line of sight between the transmitter and the headphones, radio frequency is a bit more powerful. It can reach distances up to 150 feet, however interference is an issue. Bluetooth, as mentioned before, can be paired with most devices, and has a range of about 32 feet between the device and the headphones.
Battery Life
While there are some wireless headphones that claim up to 40 hours of battery life, some fall very short of this. One must look for the length of battery life when deciding which pair to purchase. While you might not need 40 hours of listening time, you should at least look for a pair with 8-12 hours of battery life. Of course, you must remember that this is all relative to the listening volume. The higher the volume, the shorter the battery life. Average battery life that is quoted by the company tends to be based on optimum listening conditions rather than real life conditions. The headphones will come with a separate charger, or the transmitter will double as a charger, and a normal pair of headphones will take between 2 and 3 hours to charge.
Sound Quality
If you are looking for premium sound quality, then perhaps you should consider something other than wireless headphones. While convenient and high quality in many other aspects, the sound quality may not be as satisfactory as other options, such as gaming or noise cancelling headphones. This mostly depends on what you plan on using them for, but it is suggested that you try them out before purchasing them to ensure that the sound quality is up to par with what you are looking for.
Style
Wireless headphones, like others, come in three different styles: over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear. Over-ear wireless headphones are just as the name suggests. They are larger, and typically more comfortable headphones that wraps around the listener’s entire ear instead of simply resting on them. On-ear wireless headphones rest on the listener’s ears. While the sound quality is good with these, they are not as comfortable as over-ears. While these two styles are similar or the same as in wired headphones, the in-ear wireless headphones differ somewhat from in-ear wired headphones. Wireless in-ears either have bigger ear pieces than wired ones with a wire connecting them, or they have a thick neckband that holds the electronics.
Price
While wireless headphones are conducive to some people’s lifestyles and convenient, they are, many times, more expensive than wired headphones. Obviously, this depends on the brand and the quality, but generally they are a bit more pricey. When shopping around, it is best to compare prices and do your research on the quality of each one.
There are many different types and styles of headphones. It can be a bit daunting trying to decide which is best for you. However, if you explore your options and don’t make a hasty decision, you will find the right ones for you.
