Headphones & Earbuds: Buying Guide 2023
The right pair of headphones can transform your listening experience, but sifting through all of the options, prices, features and specs can be mind-boggling. In this guide, we’ve included the best wireless earbuds for the gym, noise-cancelling headphones, earphones for your iPhone and much more.
Whatever you want, chances are we’ve got some advice to help make the choice a little easier. So, regardless of whether you want headphones for music, podcasts, movies or simply voice note dictation – read on for all our best headphone and earbud buying advice, as well as discounts and deals on some of our favourites.
In this guide:
- 10 Best Bluetooth Headsets 2023
- 10 Best Sweatproof Headphones For Working Out 2023
- 10 Best iPhone Headphones 2023
- Best Sony Headphones And Earbuds 2023
- Best Headphones With A Mic 2023
- 5 Best True Wireless Earbuds 2023
- 6 Best Sleep Headphones
- 6 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100
- 5 Best Earbuds Under $50
- 5 Best Earbuds For Small Ears
To streamline all the options you might be considering, here’s what we think you should take into account when it comes to choosing a new pair of earbuds or headphones.
Types of headphones
You’ve got in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear headphones — and all have their own pros and cons. In-ear headphones are a lot more portable and less intrusive than over or on-ear options – but they also offer lower sound quality generally, especially if they’re wireless. On-ear headphones aren’t ideal for everyone as they can hurt after a few hours. If you wear headphones often, we’d suggest trying on a pair before you buy.
Brands
Sennheiser, Shure, JBL, Bose and Audio-Technica are all household names – but smaller brands can have a lot to offer, especially if you place value above sound quality. As with any electrical product, make sure you consider the customer service and warranty before you hand over any money just in case something does go wrong with your new purchase.
Closed or open back
While the vast majority of consumer headphones are closed back, some higher quality headphones are open back. The difference in can be enormous, though, with audiophiles leaning towards open back headphones due to their more natural sound quality.
Wireless vs wired
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s worth mentioning that wired options have better quality of sound. Plus, you won’t have to stress about battery life. With that said, you’re probably still going to look for wireless options, and who could blame you, as they’re considerably more convenient (and cool, arguably).
Special features
This includes water resistance, voice assistant, mic and volume controls etc. Anything that’s an extra consideration will probably cost more, so factor that into your budget ahead of time.
10 Best Bluetooth Headphones 2023
Once you switch to wireless headphones, you’ll never go back (seriously, aren’t you tired of untangling them every time you have to use them?). But if you’re feeling seriously overwhelmed as you shop through all your options, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve compiled a list of the best of the best wireless headphones you can get your hands on. Better still, every single one of these headphone options comes with a Student Beans discount, meaning
you can get great sound quality and save on the cost!
10 Best Bluetooth Headphones 2023
10 Best Sweat-Proof Headphones For Working Out 2023
Finding headphones that stay securely on while you run, jump and everything in between is a struggle. Thankfully, headphone companies are finally taking note and making sport headphones better fitting than ever.
We’ve done the work for you by listing the 10 best options for the gym below, all depending on what you want to get out of your headphones. And don’t forget that every single one of the headphones on the list is eligible for a Student Beans discount!
10 Best Sweat-Proof Headphones For Working Out 2023
10 Best iPhone Headphones
It might seem easy to pick a pair of headphones to use with your phone, but with so many options to choose from, it can be a minefield of choice. Luckily for you, we’ve done the leg work and rounded up plenty of great options.
These are the 10 best headphones to get if you’re an iPhone user, sorry Samsung…
Best Headphones With A Mic 2023
Whether you’re attending Zoom classes or working from home, getting a pair of headphones with a decent microphone has become even more important post-pandemic. But which pair is right for you?
Read on to find out our top options for headphones with a mic, regardless of what you’re using them for.
Best Headphones With A Mic 2023
Best Sony Headphones And Earbuds 2023
Consistently creating some of the best audio equipment on the market, Sony has been mastering the headphone game for years now, and every iteration just seems to get better.
We’ve sorted through and found the top Sony headphones and earbuds on the market right now so you don’t have to!
Best Sony Headphones And Earbuds 2023
5 Best True Wireless Earbuds 2023
If you’re still using wireless earbuds in the year 2023, it’s time to upgrade and grab yourself a pair of true wireless earbuds. “But I like my headphones just fine,” we hear you say. Alas, dear reader, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. Once you ditch the wires for good, you’ll wonder how you ever survived.
We’ve done the research and found the absolute best true wireless earbuds available right now – including those with a student discount, courtesy of Student Beans.
5 Best True Wireless Earbuds 2023
6 Best Sleep Headphones
Whether you have noisy roommates or just want to get deeper sleep than you’re used to, getting a pair of headphones to help you snooze is becoming more normal. Finding a pair that will stay put all night long is a bit more tricky, though.
These seven pairs are the best of the best.
6 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100
While headphones may be the universal sign of “please don’t talk to me,” sometime you really want to just mute everything that’s going on around you. Whether you’re trying to study, attempting to enjoy your commute a little more or just want to really vibe to your favorite playlist – noise cancelling headphones are the best way to go.
With more and more brands offering great noise cancelling headphones, it can be a bit tricky when it comes to finding the right pair for you. We’ve picked the top six pairs, each for whatever you want to use them for the most. The best part? Each pair of these headphones is eligible for a Student Beans discount!
6 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100
5 Best Earbuds Under $50
While shopping for headphones can feel nearly impossible, especially if you’re on a budget, it doesn’t have to be a painful process.
There are plenty of great earbuds on the market that offer great sound and features without draining your bank account. Below are the best options that won’t break the bank, all coming in at under 50 bucks.
5 Best Earbuds For Small Ears
While we’ve come a long way since the beginning of earbuds (who remembers those first gen Apple headphones?), if you’re like me and have small ears, you’re not convinced they’re ever going to fit properly in your ears when you put them in. If they aren’t actively giving me a headache, they’re falling out…
Thankfully, we’ve researched the best earbuds on the market for people with little ears. Each product listed here is eligible for your Student Beans discount, too, meaning you can shop and save.
