Best Beats Headphones

Buying guide for best beats headphones

These days, most of us have a pretty hard time putting down our devices, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. There always seem to be games to play, funny cat videos to watch, and new music to listen to.

But if you’re using your device on the train during your morning commute or want to watch your favorite movie at night when your partner is sleeping, noise can become an issue. That’s why a good pair of headphones can come in so handy.

Headphones allow you to enjoy your audio devices without worrying about disturbing others with the noise. And when it comes to headphones, Beats is one of the best makers of headphones today. Most Beats headphones are wireless, which makes them especially easy and convenient to use, and they’re loaded with other features that can improve your listening experience.

Because Beats offers so many models, the prospect of choosing the right pair of headphones can leave you in a quandary. You need to know what style, weight, and features would provide the best experience for you.

Are you ready to buy a pair of Beats Headphones? Check out our top recommendations. For general info on how to choose a pair of Beats headphones, continue reading this shopping guide.

Many Beats models offer on-ear controls that let you adjust the volume, switch tracks, and perform other functions with the headphones themselves.

How do Beats wireless headphones work?

Most Beats headphones are wireless, so you don’t have to plug the headphones into an audio jack on your device. Instead, the headphones are Bluetooth-enabled, so they can usually connect to any smart device within a 30-foot range.

Wireless headphones typically run on battery power and can be charged using a USB charging cable.

Types of Beats headphones

Over-the-ear

Over-the-ear Beats headphones cup your ears, sealing in sound and blocking out ambient noise. They’re very effective at trapping sound so that people nearby won’t be disturbed.

On the downside, over-the-ear models tend to be fairly heavy. For some people, comfort can be an issue with over-the-ear headphones.

On-ear headphones

On-ear Beats headphones sit on the ears but don’t cup them. As a result, they often weigh less and are more comfortable than over-the-ear headphones.

However, on-ear headphones aren’t as effective at blocking ambient noise, so the sound quality isn’t usually as good.

In-ear headphones

In-ear Beats headphones feature earbuds that rest inside the ear. They don’t form a seal, so they don’t block all noises or keep the sound from disturbing people around you. However, they’re extremely lightweight.

Questions to ask when shopping for Beats headphones

Would you prefer wired or wireless Beats headphones?
To use wired Beats headphones, you must plug a cable from the headphones into an audio jack on your phone, tablet, or other device. As a result, you’ll be tethered to your device by headphone wires. This makes it more difficult to move around.

Wireless Beats headphones use a Bluetooth connection to sync with your device, so there’s no cable connecting them to your phone, tablet, or laptop. This allows you to move much more freely. If you’re frequently on the go, you may prefer a pair of wireless Beats headphones.

Which type of headphones would suit your needs the best?
Your three broad choices are over-the-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, and in-ear earbuds.

• Over-the-ear Beats headphones block outside noise effectively and prevent others from hearing what you’re listening to. They can get fairly warm on your ears, though, so comfort can sometimes be an issue.

• On-ear Beats headphones tend to be comfortable because they don’t make your ears as warm as over-the-ear headphones. However, they do permit some ambient sounds to reach your eardrums, and other people may be able to hear the audio you’re listening to.

• In-ear Beats earbuds are extremely lightweight, and most people find them comfortable to wear. Because they are inserted into your ears, they can block some outside noises.
   

Would you prefer lightweight headphones, or are you willing to wear some weight on your head?
Heavy headphones can be somewhat uncomfortable to wear. Over-the-ear styles tend to be the heaviest, while on-ear models offer a more lightweight feel.

If you’re particularly bothered by bulky headphones, we recommend that you consider a pair of in-ear earbuds.

What kind of battery life does the particular model you’re considering have?
Beats wireless headphones run on battery power. To ensure that you can listen to your favorite music and other audio as long as possible, choose a model with an adequate battery life.

Most larger headphone models offer 22 hours of battery-life, so you could listen nearly all day without a recharge if you wanted to. If you were to switch the headphones to low-power mode, you could get as much as 40 hours of wireless playback.

Beats wireless earbuds don’t have the long battery life that other Beats products do. In general, they offer up to about 12 hours of battery life per charge.

Will the Beats headphones you’re considering be compatible with your devices?
Beats headphones are designed to be compatible with all Apple products, including iPhones and iPads. The headphones will also work with Android devices, but some of the features, such as the microphone and volume-control, likely won’t be functional.

Would you (or those around you) benefit from Beats headphones with a noise-cancelling feature?
Some Beats headphones offer an active noise-cancelling feature. They use small microphones to monitor outside noise frequencies and then produce the same frequencies to cancel out the noise. If you need your headphones to block out outside and ambient noises, be sure to choose a pair of noise-cancelling Beats headphones.

How much do Beats headphones cost?

Beats headphones vary in price based on style and features, but they generally range from $50 and $400. The following are ballpark figures as to what prices you can expect.

• For wired Beats earbuds, expect to pay between $50 and $99.

• For wireless Beats earbuds, expect to pay between $100 and $160.

• For wired Beats headphones, expect to pay between $130 and $180.

• For wireless Beats headphones, expect to pay between $180 and $400.

Tips

• Keep your Beats headphones shiny and free of fingerprints by wiping them clean with a dry microfiber cloth.

• Don’t expose your headphones to any liquids, as this could easily damage them.

• Avoid keeping your Beats headphones in a location that’s subject to extreme temperatures or high humidity. Store your headphones in a clean, dry location.

• When you want to disengage your wired Beats headphones, don’t pull on the cable itself, as this could damage it. Instead, pull on the plug at the end that’s connected to your device.

• Beats headphones come with a protective case. Use this for storage to keep them safe.

Many Beats headphones fold for easy storage. They also come with a convenient storage case to ensure that they’re protected.

FAQ

Q. What type of Beats headphones should I choose for maximum comfort?
A. For the most comfortable fit, choose a Beats model that sits on the ears rather than over them. On-ear styles are lightweight, so they don’t put as much pressure on your head when you’re wearing them.

Q. What type of Beats headphones have the best noise-cancelling qualities?
A. Some Beats headphones are specifically designed with a noise-cancelling feature; these products are the best option. In general, however, you should opt for an over-the-ear style to block as much ambient and outside noise as possible.

Q. What type of Beats headphones are best for working out?
A. Wireless headphones are the easiest to wear when you’re exercising because you don’t have to worry about a cord getting in the way. However, you don’t usually want a heavy, bulky pair of headphones when you’re running, biking, or lifting weights. We suggest that you opt for a pair of Beats wireless earbuds for your workouts.