What to Consider When Buying the Best Budget Earbuds
With thousands of products on the market that promise the best listening experience, it can be confusing to choose the ideal best budget earbuds for you.
Specifications
When getting the best budget earbuds, you have to measure its quality by researching about its specifications. Here are some technical terms you need to be familiar with.
Drivers
Without the driver, there will be no sound coming from your device. A larger or stronger driver results in better sound. Drivers also play a difference in the mids, treble, and bass, as well as your overall listening experience.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the best budget earbuds signals how loud can they can go. The sensitivity specs refer to how electric signals change into acoustic signals.
Sensitivity is measured in SPL (sound pressure level). To make sure you are picking an earbud that is safe, choose one with a mid-range level of sensitivity.
Frequency response
The frequency response of the best budget earbuds is measured in hertz (Hz). This term refers to the range of audio frequency the device can repeat.
Knowing the Hz capability of your earbuds is essential, especially if you love listening to specific types of music. For example, if you love songs that have lots of bass, go for the best budget earbuds with low bass frequency.
Impedance
Impedance is the measure of opposition the circuit gives to a current when voltage is applied. The lower the impedance, the more current will flow.
To get the maximum power and quality, you must match the impedance of your source to the device’s impedance.
Comfort
You may have the best budget earbuds when it comes to sound quality, but you surely won’t use them every day if they are not comfortable. Keep this factor in mind when choosing your product because if you can’t stand using them for long listening sessions, what’s the point?
Get a device which is still comfortable to use even after many hours of use. Having overworked ears because of tight earbuds is the worst feeling.
To make sure you are getting comfortable earbuds, consider their fit. The best budget earbuds are just like clothes – there's no one size fits all.
Since you may have a different ear size and shape than your friend, don’t expect their favorite earbuds to function just as well for you. Get a device that offers an amazing seal without being too tight on your ears.
The material will also play a factor in the fit and comfort of your earbuds. Get a product with rubber, foam, or silicone since these are the most comfortable materials for the ear.
Sound isolation
When you are buying the best budget earbuds, make sure that you know its sound isolation capability. This factor is crucial, especially if you love using your earbuds when you are in noisy places such as public transport or your workplace.
Sound isolation will enable you to enjoy music without worrying about background noise.
Wired vs. wireless
There are many choices of the best earbuds on the market. So whether you choose a wired or wireless option is entirely due to your preferences.
Wired
Wired earbuds are the cheaper choice. However, you have to deal with tangled cables if you don’t store them properly. The wires can also be quite uncomfortable for many users, especially during a workout session.
If you are getting a pair of wired earbuds, make sure that the cable is long enough to use. However, you don’t want a wire that’s too long since it may affect the quality of the sound by lowering the volume and allowing external noise. Longer wires also get tangled easily.
Get an earbud with shielded cables to help with sound isolation. You can always get an extension cable if your wire is too short.
You should also factor in whether you want double-sided or single-sided cables. Keep in mind that double-sided cables get tangled more easily.
Earbuds with the single-sided design are equipped with internal circuity to carry the signal to the right earpiece.
Wireless
Wireless earbuds don't have cables that can get in your way when you’re running or spending a day at the gym. However, these models are pricier than traditional wired earbuds. You may also have trouble dealing with their battery life.
Specialization
Different types of earbuds are tailored for different purposes. Depending on where you are planning to use your device, you might want to look into additional features. For example, people with an active lifestyle may prefer a device that is sweat resistant.