These days many audiophiles, students, gamers, casual listeners, and more have some kind of headphones for various purposes.
Before buying a pair of headphones you should identify what you need them for. If you know what you need the headphones for it will be easier for you to choose the right type.
In this article, I’ll share different types of headphones and help you to understand which one is better for you.
1. Types of Headphones By Size
The size of the headphone is very important and before choosing a headphone you should check out. It also depends on how and where you’re going to use it. The smaller ones are more convenient and easy to carry outside during walk or travel.
On the other side headphones that are big in size look bulky and also because of the weight these are great for indoor use such as at home or studio.
Here are the types of headphones according to their size.
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- Active noise cancellation for uninterrupted listening pleasure
- 30-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging
- Intuitive controls including Virtual Assistant button for Siri and Google Assistant
- Sennheiser App support providing an equalizer, Podcast Mode and Firmware updates
Over-Ear or Circumaural Design Headphones
These headphones come with a headband and their earcups cover the ears entirely. These are the most comfortable and popular type and used in almost every industry.
Over-ear or around-ear design headphones offer better comfort in longer sessions whether you playing a video game, listening to music, or used for studio work. They also feature bigger driver and wide frequency response than most of the other types which makes them superior in sound quality.
However these cost you more because of the better and superior features. These headphones comes in three different designs: Open-back, closed-back, and semi-open-back.
Open-back headphones have an open back, which leaks the sound but delivers a more spacious sound. Conversely, closed-back headphones provide better sound isolation, so the sound won’t leak. Closed-back headphones are ideal if you don’t want anyone to hear what you’re listening to.
Semi-open-back headphones leak the sound a little. However, they don’t leak as much sound as open-back headphones and not block as much as the closed-back headphones.
Open-back headphones are ideal for studio work for which you require a pleasant and natural sound. Furthermore, because of the open back design, they let the air in and out which won’t cause any fatigue or discomfort.
Closed-back and over-ear headphones are ideal for outdoor use or where you don’t want to leak the sound. Because of the closed-back they don’t let the air in or out and the sound as well and after a few hours of wearing you’ll need a break to relax your ears.
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On-Ear Headphones
On-ear headphones are very similar to the over-ear headphones the only difference they have is they stay on the ear compared to over-ear headphones that surround the ear. On-ear headphones offer good sound isolation and sound quality.
But because on-ear headphones stay on the ears you probably will not want to wear them for as long as over-ear headphones. However, on-ear headphones tend to be smaller than over-ear ones.
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- Flexible, secure-fit wingtips for all-day comfort and stability
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- Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for immersive music, movies, and games
- Three distinct listening modes: Active Noise Cancelling, and Transparency Mode, and Adaptive EQ
In-ear/Earbuds
The next type of headphones according to size is in-ear earphones and earbuds. In-ear earphones and earbuds are very similar in shape. The main difference is in-ear earphones are wired and earbuds are often wireless.
In-ear earphones and earbuds directly rest in the ears and are very portable. Compared to on and over-ear headphones they often cost less. There is a wide range of models available. However, earbuds are less comfortable compared to over-ear headphones because they stay inside the ear and after a few hours of use might cause discomfort.
Also, the sound quality of earbuds is good but headphones offer superior sound. Reasons for this include that earphones and earbuds feature a smaller driver, lower frequency response, and low impedance. If you want portable and cheap headphones to listen to music then earbuds or in-ear earphones are a great option but for professional work such as audio mixing and monitoring or professional-level gaming, headphones are better options.
Related Guide: 7 Best Earbuds for Small Ears
2. Types of Headphones By Shape
The shape of headphones depends on its size. You may be familiar with the terms circumaural or supra-aural. Circumaural headphones are over-ear headphones that are mentioned in the section above, and supra-aural are the on-ear headphones.
Circumaural headphones have a headband and their ear cups stay around the ear. Supra-aural headphones also have headband but their ear cups stay on the ear.
Considering earbuds, some feature a hook or clip that sets on the top size of the ear and used to hold the earbuds for better comfort and to avoid falling off from the ears.
3. Types of Headphones By Connectivity Options
Along with different sizes and shapes, headphones are available with different technologies and different connectivity options. Each kind has benefits and drawbacks. All you need to do is choose one that works well for you.
Wireless and Wired
Wired headphones come with a cable that you plug into an audio source, and wireless headphones are able to connect without a cable, using Bluetooth or other technologies.
Wireless headphones have come a long way in reliability, and have become a viable option.
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- Balanced audio performance at any volume
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Wireless headphones still have lag issues but there are high-quality models such as Sony 1000XM3 and Bose Quietcomfort 35 II that offer excellent comfort, noise cancellation, and impressive sound quality.
Wired headphones tend to feature less technology than wireless headphones. Wireless headphones often feature advanced technologies such as active noise cancellation, Bluetooth technology, and batteries. That is the reason usually wired headphones are less expensive. But wireless headphones are certainly more portable, and very convenient to use for work, exercise, and travel.
4. Types of Headphones By Noise Cancellation Features
One of the most important features in headphones is the ability to block the ambient sound. Some headphones can block and some cannot. It depends on the headphone type.
Here are the two things you need to check if you want to block the ambient sound.
- Active noise cancellation
- Passive noise cancellation or noise isolation
- Bluetooth 5. 0 technology for effortlessly reliable connectivity including AAC and AptX Low Latency...
- Active noise cancellation for uninterrupted listening pleasure
- 30-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging
- Intuitive controls including Virtual Assistant button for Siri and Google Assistant
- Sennheiser App support providing an equalizer, Podcast Mode and Firmware updates
Active noise cancellation
Active noise cancellation is a technology that was first designed to block the loud noises of airplanes, and now is widely used in headphones.
Active noise cancellation features advanced technology that first calculates the ambient sound and then generates the same amount of audio waves or frequencies but in opposite directions that cancel the ambient sound and as a result, we get a calm and relaxed audio environment.
Many people use headphones for lawn mowing, construction work, and while driving heavy machinery. If you want to completely block outside noise then active noise cancellation would be great for you.
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Passive noise cancellation
First, let’s start with passive noise cancellation also known as noise isolation. Noise isolation is done by the headphone design. If headphones has a closed-back and over-ear design it will offer better noise isolation and block the headphone sound from leaking out and ambient noises from entering in much better than over-ear or on-ear headphones with open- or semi-open-back design.
In noise isolation, earpads also play an important role. The better the earpad can seal, the more the noise isolation of the headphones will be.
4. Types of Headphones By Microphone Type
Since games, online education, and video calls became popular, the demand for microphones and headphones with a microphone also increased.
There are two types of microphones available for headphones:
- External microphones
- Internal microphones
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- Comfort: Extended comfort memory foam ear-cushions keep you from fatigue so you can play as long as...
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- Compatibility: PS5, PC/MAC, XBOX SERIES X|S, NINTENDO SWITCH, VR, STREAMING
External microphones
A great example of an external microphone is the gaming headset. You may or may not familiar with gaming headsets, but if you see a gaming headset like Astro A10, you will clearly notice an extended microphone. These are great for making calls and communicating with friends while playing online video games.
Many people do not prefer an external mic because of the extended design and chances to break. They should then consider an internal microphone.
- Smart listening by sense engine. Frequency Response-4Hz-40,000Hz
- Quick attention mode for effortless conversations without taking your headphones off
- In the box WH1000XM3 / Carry Case / Charging Cable USB-C / Audio Cable for Wired Connection
- Industry-leading noise canceling brings only music nothing else. Volume Control Touch Sensor
- Premium sound quality from 40mm liquid crystal polymer drivers
Internal microphones
Headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM3 feature an in-built microphone that works great.
Conclusion
- If you’re looking for a portable option go with in-ear headphones or earbuds.
- If you want to work at a studio or looking for the best and most comfortable option: go with over-ear and open- or closed-back headphones (open-back is recommended).
- If you want to use headphones at noisy places consider active noise cancellation headphones.
- Want to enjoy music and movies without disturbing others go with wireless and closed-back types.
- If you want to play video games or do professional work, headphones with an external mic are more preferred because the microphone is close to the mouth and can record clear audio.
Last update on 2023-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
