Especially when it comes to headphones, cords are a real pain. Not only does being tethered to your music limit your movement, but it can also be a hassle and even a safety hazard. Thankfully, thanks to Bluetooth technology, these pesky cords are quickly becoming a relic of the past.

The key to Bluetooth’s success is the ability to run for a long time and consume very little electricity while working wirelessly. This means that you can spend a lot less time charging your wireless headphones and a lot more time enjoying your music. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before shopping for a good deal on Bluetooth headphones.

Before Buying Bluetooth Headphones

Spending money on headphones is not difficult. You can pretty much find a pair of headphones for any price you can imagine. But spending money wisely is something you need to consider when it comes to being on a budget. The good news is that there are plenty of solutions to consider, regardless of the type of activity you have while wearing the headphones.

If you are a professional, you can still find reliable designs that make your work life easier. If you are only looking to listen to music, you may find cheap solutions comparable to overall sound quality with alternative headphones. It all depends on what is important to you, what sacrifices you are willing to make, and what determines the appeal of the headphones to you.

Range

The range of Bluetooth headphones can be important in certain situations. If you have ever done any physical workout with headphones, you know that it can sometimes be hard to keep your phone on you.

Circuit training in the gym can be one of the areas which can see considerable benefits when it comes to the range as you can leave the phone playing without having it on you. The best headphones can play and connect up to 33 feet away. Together with the range, it is also important to know that you can always rely on clear sound; otherwise, the entire purpose of wireless music is ruined.

Battery Life and Charging

Nothing impacts users’ experience more than battery life. While battery technology is the slowest to progress, it is an indication that you need reliable designs to play your music. Many batteries work while playing music for up to 8 hours. Multiple battery designs can play music even longer. At the same time, it is important to note that some of the most interesting solutions in the class of affordable headphones come with batteries that support different types of users.

So while talk time can be even longer, music time might require increased battery life. Another vital aspect comes with charging time. Similar to your smartphone, the headphones need charging as well. Even more, with a few hours of constant charging, you should be ready for an entire day of music listening. At the same time, the headphones need to be charged before you actually go out, as it takes between 2 and 3 hours to charge the average headphones.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is hard to rate, especially if you don’t compare it to what can be achieved from other headphones. However, a few simple adjustments can make even the cheapest headphones sound good. One of these adjustments comes with noise cancellation. Whether it is active or passive, it represents one of the main areas to consider, especially when it comes to good music, listening to clear sounds.

The bass is also an area that sees plenty of complaints from users, and it is why you should look for headphones that are capable of standing out. There is no reason to undermine bass performance just because you are on a limited budget.

Many manufacturers advertise stereo sound, high fidelity sound, and high definition sound. But at the same time, it is crucial to understand how this would be in reality. Small headphones are considerably limited when it comes to bass performance, for example. So if it truly is an essential characteristic for you, choosing larger headphones can be the way to go.

Portability

The design of the headphones can impact their portability. Depending on the location where you wear your headphones, you can find various designs. If you only use headphones for gaming, you are less likely to choose a compact solution with a neckband. Simultaneously, if you listen to music on your way to work, the compact design with integrated neckbands is not a bad choice.

But regardless of the chosen design, you should not choose solutions that are not durable. Many cheap headphones simply fall off, or they tend to lose their stable construction even after a few days of use. It is why there are more and more premium materials in budget headphones. Steel, aluminum, and durable plastic are often used for this purpose. Foam materials can also be durable in some cases, as they are added for the ultimate ear comfort.

Durability

Besides portability, the materials impact the durability of the headphones as well. In many cases, it is worth considering the options you have when it comes to the ultimate durability, as you do not want to replace the headphones every other month. Since you might even be changing your phones in the near future, you should also consider durability from the perspective of compatibility and future-proof purchases.

The great news here is that you can find affordable headphones that work with both Android and iOS. It is highly recommended to test the compatibility before using the headphones for the first time, as there are a few cases in which this fails on certain devices.

Ease of Use

The ease of use of the standard headphones is changing. With simple buttons and direct controls for volume or song settings, you can enjoy a faster experience. The fewer buttons you have on the headphones, the more you will have to control your music from the smartphone. At the same time, touch capabilities are already introduced to affordable designs, and it means that you can experience quick song selection, playing, or pausing simply by tapping your headphones.

Wired vs. Bluetooth

Another important area to consider comes with data transfer options. While Bluetooth comes with a wireless experience, you might need to use wired devices from time to time. Instead of purchasing multiple headphones, you can simply buy the design that works with wired and wireless data transfer. This is possible with cheap designs as well as the best of them are compatible with both systems.

Warranty

The warranty can cover a period of up to two years. Depending on the chosen materials and sealing, you will see vastly different policies from product to product. However, you need to know that most products offer a policy of up to 2 years, in the conditions in which you only use the headphones as recommended by the manufacturer.

The chosen materials can influence the quality of the policy and its durability. In many cases, having your headphones replaced is the only solution in case of hardware fails. Before purchasing your favorite headphones, make sure you read the warranty information, which will further clarify this.

IPX5, IPX6 – What It Actually Means

Water-resistance is measurable by the standard. It is why you will see it under the form of IPX5 in the product description in most cheap headphones made to resist rain and sweat. The lowest category is IPX0. It means that the headphones, in this case, have no water resistance at all. IXP1 will protect the headphones from a few raindrops, especially vertical drops.

The first level of IPX that protects your headphones from water coming from all directions is IPX4. IPX6 can offer protection against water jets. The highest level of protection comes with IPX8, which means the headphones can even work while diving. Of course, this level of protection is rarely added to cheap alternatives.

Water protection is essential for headphones made for the active user. Sweat can slowly damage the headphones without sealing. The same can happen from raindrops, which are often the case for runners or cyclists who often need to replace their headphones.

It is also recommended to have a good level of protection if you are investing in your headphones and if you are an active person. A gamer might not even need this type of protection. But if you plan to take them out of the house, which might be the case with commuting, it is recommended to have at least a level of protection of IPX5.

Furthermore, it is also important to note that you might need to start looking for headphones with this specific characteristic before looking at aspects such as battery life or even comfort. The last thing you want is to spend more on headphones by purchasing new designs due to the lack of sweat protection. With minimum information on proper headphone durability, you can make an informed decision.

Final Thoughts

Before making a final decision on your headphones, you can consider your purpose as the definite answer. If you need them for sports, then you should look for sporty designs. They stand out with designs that are often fixed on the ear to avoid falling off due to movement. If you are going to use the headphones for gaming, you should make no concession on sound quality and bass performance, which can positively influence your gaming experience. If you travel often by plane, you might also need to reconsider your options. Compact neckband designs are recommended in this situation. With good sound quality and compact size, they are perfect when constantly on the go.

Other important aspects of your purchase involve the actual sound quality of the headphones. It is why you can start choosing designs that allow you to take full control of your music experience. Some apps can even personalize the most important aspects of the sound, depending on your preferences. But the modern user rarely has time to make in-app adjustments, and this is why you have the opportunity to choose the designs which are made for your preferences.

Advanced features such as multiple-device pairing and battery level indicators are also a guaranteed path towards a future-proof purchase. Beyond the obvious characteristics, many headphones now come in pouches or boxes. It ensures they remain damage-free even when traveling. You can use the pouches to keep dust and moisture away from your headphones for ultimate durability. In some cases, you might also find other accessories to be of good use. They can include hanging hooks or interchangeable ear fins.