Headphones vs Earphones: What is the Difference?

You are not the only one who has been in a store (or on a website like Amazon) comparing headphones vs earphones before reaching a decision. This is one of the most frequently asked questions in audio  and, well, there really isn’t a right or wrong answer. Both can be superb; it will just rely on the way and place you will use them.

Others rely on the headphones for their great, big sound and the comfort of bigger drivers. Others opt for earphones every time because they are smaller, more convenient to fit in a bag, and simply more convenient throughout the day. It all depends on your lifestyle – listening to music, playing games, making calls at work, exercising, traveling – anything.

What Are Headphones?

A headband connects the ear cups, which house speakers that sit on or around the ears. Basically there are two kinds; over ear and on ear.

Headphones that wrap around your ears completely over your ears, often do a fairly good job of blocking out a lot of background noise on their own without electronics that are the over-ear variety. They’re a favourite for those that are looking for that deeper listening experience. On-ear headphones sit on top of the ear rather than around it and are somewhat smaller while they may not isolate as effectively.

In today’s world, you’re able to own wireless bluetooth headphones for freedom, but there are still many gamers, musicians, and audio purists who prefer wired headphones for the stability and consistency of the connection and sound quality.

What Are Earphones?

The smaller brothers are earphones, which fit into or around the ear canal which makes them much easier to transport. Wireless earphones are popular because their charging cases protect and recharge them on the go, eliminating the need for frequent plugging in.

Wired earphones are still available and actually make a good budget option, no charging needed, simple, inexpensive. People use earphones daily for workouts, commutes, and calls.

The Core Difference

There’s no wrong answer to this one at the simplest level, headphones fit on/over your ears, earphones fit in/near your ear canal.

The difference in size is also important to sound. Generally, headphones have larger drivers that produce more bass and a broader soundstage. Earphones are designed to be portable, which doesn’t mean they lack in quality of sound.

Sound Quality

It used to be the size advantage that really mattered when it came to sound quality, and that’s certainly the aspect that people care about most. Larger drivers will have the ability to drive a fuller, more spacious sound, this is the reason why bass-heavy over-ear headphones are still favored by music fans.

However, do not overlook the earphones as good earphones these days are far tighter than their size suggests, with good clarity, balance and surprisingly tight bass. In fact, the expression “headphones vs earphones” is not as relevant as it is driver quality, tuning, the codec used, the source device, and the original mastering of the recording.

Noise Cancellation

Active noise canceling (ANC) is a common feature of headphones and earbuds. This is done through a combination of microphones and a bit of ingenious electronics, which actually help mask ambient noise, such as on flights, in traffic or in any other noisy place.

Headphones also achieve passive noise blocking almost gratis, simply due to the ear cups basically blocking out the sound. If ear tips form a seal, earphones can do the same. However, when it comes to making comparisons in ANC performance, it is important to consider the functionality of the system and not what its classification is.

Comfort and Fit

Over-ear headphones are good for extended listening time because the cushion doesn’t compress into your ears, although larger headphones might get warm and/or heavy over time for some.

Earphones in the long run are more convenient to wear, but conformability is paramount here. They can feel uncomfortable in seconds when you get the wrong size ear tip — or worse — the seal can fail, and you’ll lose bass and noise isolation.

Portability

This one is not close — earphones are always portable. They have the ability to fold into a very small case which can be fit in a pocket. Even foldable headphones take up more room, and are most suitable for home use, office or travelling with a bag to store them in.

For commuters, those who frequently change jobs or simply those who are on the go constantly, that size difference is frequently the deciding factor.

Battery Life

Larger headphones will typically contain larger batteries, which in turn means that wireless headphones will typically last longer between charges. Wireless earphones usually come with smaller batteries, but they are compensated for by the charging case — not exactly charging, but placing them back in it between sessions.

When it comes to battery life, consider both: playback time per charge and the additional charges provided by the case.

For Music and Gaming

If you’re listening to pure music, headphones are typically better than earphones — particularly those with a lot of bass and a broad soundstage. Earphones are more practical, however, if you use them primarily when on the go.

Gaming is similar. For serious or competitive games, headphones are the recommended choice because of the immersive sound, comfort for extended periods of play, and the addition of surround sound, dedicated microphone, etc. For mobile usage the earphones are still good to use for games as well, as they are very small. Regardless, monitor the quality of the microphone, latency, and positional sound location capabilities.

Call and Microphone Quality

Standard headphones and earphones feature built-in micsets, though sometimes, headphones use a boom mic for improved sound clarity. The quality of the call depends on the quality of the mic, noise cancelation, Bluetooth reliability and noise levels. If you spend a lot of your time on the phone or attending calls and meetings, it may be worthwhile looking in the independent mic reviews first.

Durability and Water Resistant

When you use your sound equipment on a daily basis, durability is important. Headphones are often bulkier in themselves, depending on the brand and price, but it’s just because they’re bigger.

However, for exercise, earphones are the sensible option, so it is important that they are water resistant — just note that “water resistant” is not the same as “waterproof. Don’t assume that earphones can tolerate a sweaty run or a downpour—always verify the actual rating from the manufacturer.

Wired or Wireless?

These all can be wired or wireless! If you prefer simplicity, wired options eliminate the battery altogether and provide you a lag-less and rock-solid connection. That is replaced by the ability to wander around with wireless models, but with the downside of frequent charging and sometimes connectivity quirks.

Which One Should You Go With?

Well, it depends on the things that are the most important to you.

If you’re looking for comfort, deep bass, a wide soundstage or the best noise cancellation over headphones are more important to you than portability, go with headphones.

Use earphones if you’re looking for a lightweight, portable, and active, go, go, go type of device like for workouts, commuting, quick calls.

Final Thoughts

The answer to the “headphones vs earphones?” The question is, of course, “the answer is yes.” But it’s the right answer for you. Headphones deliver rich, immersive audio, high-bass and prolonged comfort. Earphones are all about portability, convenience, and day-to-day functionality.

Consider how you’ll use them for  whether it’s music, games, phone calls, exercise, or travel  and then compare them against sound quality, comfort, battery life and durability. If you get that match right, either will do.