Wireless vs wired headphones. Advantages and disadvantages

Headphones today come in a variety of models and types. There are so many available options that it can get exhausting just thinking about all of them: earbuds, wireless, wired, over the ear, on the ear, closed back, open back and so on. But the most controversial aspect has always been whether wireless headphones are better than wired headphones. Which one sound better, which one should you get? Choosing between Bluetooth and wired headphones can be a difficult task, since they both come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. We’ve jotted down the most important ones, to help you get a clearer picture.

Advantages of wireless headphones

• They don’t have a wire. This is obviously the biggest advantage Bluetooth headphones have over the wired ones. With Bluetooth headphones you don’t have to drag around a long cable, there’ll be no more tangling, no more getting your loose wire caught in things, etc. There’s just a sense of more portability and freedom with wireless headphones
• They are better for people into sports or who are on the go a lot
• They are compatible with basically all smartphones, so you don’t have to invest in a new phone, to be able to use them
• They also have the option of wiring them, in case you run out of battery
• They are the headphones of the future. As technology advances, more and more brands give up on the 3.5mm headphone jack. Apple has already done it and others are starting to follow their example

Disadvantages of wireless headphones

• they need to be constantly charged, because they use a rechargeable battery in order to work
• they are usually more expensive than wired headphones, especially if you want a high quality pair
• for true audiophiles, the quality may not seem as good as with wired headphones. Although this aspect has improved considerably as Bluetooth headphones advanced and most people can’t really hear the difference anymore, wired headphones sound just a bit more authentic, because the signal will always be stronger than with Bluetooth connections and there will be no limitations, latency and no quality loss due to the digital to analog converter found in wireless headphones. Generally speaking, those who will prefer wired headphones over Bluetooth ones will mostly be professionals who work in the audio/music field. Wired headphones are definitely the go to type when recording, mixing or mastering music for instance, because they’ll offer a better dynamic range and a higher audio resolution
• wireless headphones tend to be less durable than wired headphones. That is because they are more complex, they have more modules and parts than regular headphones and all those components can break in time

In conclusion, when talking about wireless and wired headphones, it all comes down to your lifestyle and personal preferences. But regardless of what type of headphones you choose to buy, make sure you don’t get the cheapest pair you can find. Headphones are a long-term investment and if you don’t want to change them as often as your socks, don’t skimp on quality and try to buy a decent pair, from a decent brand.