Wireless: to be or not to be?
You might be surprised that wired and wireless headphones start at similar prices these days. So how much you spend is less about wires and more about what else the headphones can do for you. We’ve looked at some of the options out there, to give you a head start.
So what is there to think about?
Get the headphones that fit your life
Working out which headphones are right for you comes down to what you want to use them for – and how long you need them to play for. Most headphones will let you take calls and control your music without touching your phone. But some wireless headphones will help you do a whole lot more. If you’re active, choose wireless headphones designed specifically for sports. If music’s your thing, go for a set that put a focus on sound quality. And if you’re always busy and juggling tasks, why not get headphones that let you talk to your personal assistant without even lifting a finger?
Get a move on
Take an important call when you’re out running. Switch your soundtrack when you’re pumping iron. Turn down the volume to really focus on your Downward Dog. If you want to use your phone while working out, wireless headphones will help you up the intensity. You can to do things like take calls and control your music without touching your phone. And most importantly, there are no distracting wires. JBL Endurance Jump headphones are resistant to sweat and water, so they’re ideal for your toughest workouts. They have ear hooks to keep them in place, so you don’t need to worry about them falling out. And they let you control the volume, so you can turn up the music without disrupting your run.
Take a load off
If you just want to kick back and relax with your phone or tablet, wired headphones could work as well as wireless. Watch a film on a plane without disturbing other passengers. Binge on box sets in the comfort of your own sofa. Take calls hands free if you’re sitting at your desk. And you don’t need to worry about battery – your wired headphones will keep going just as long as your device will. If you decide to go wired, the JBL T290 headphones have a flat cable so you don’t have to deal with tangling. And you can also take calls and control your music without touching your phone. So you can drift out of your morning commute and into the recording studio, with powerful JBL PureBass sound.
Get the power you need
When it comes to battery life, all wireless headphones are not created equal. So it’s worth thinking about how long you need yours to last for. Want to turn an epic train journey from wasted hours to time well spent? Choose Samsung Galaxy Buds for up to six hours of music and movies – and you’ll get an extra seven hours when you power them up through the charging case. Or try Apple AirPods. You can ask Siri questions or make calls – the microphone even filters out background noise. Play or pause your music by popping them in or out of your ears. And the portable case holds 24 hours’ charge, so you won’t get caught out.
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Products featured in this article
- JBL Endurance Jump headphones
Comfortable, sweat resistant and perfect for working out. Find out more about JBL Endurance Jump headphones.
- JBL T290 Headphones
Choose wired headphones with a flat cable, for no tangling. Find out more about the JBL T290 Headphones.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds
Get crisp, clear sound by AKG. And power up on the go, with the charging case. Find out more about Samsung Galaxy Buds.
- Apple AirPods
Make calls, listen to music and talk to Siri. Find out more about Apple AirPods.