Wireless earphones eliminate the hassle of being tethered to a device. Their compact and lightweight profile makes them perfect for everyday use. You can use them while working out, while commuting on a bus or a train, and even to block out background noise. Wireless earphones are convenient to carry around, and they are also a bit affordable than wireless headphones. Modern Bluetooth earphones offer plenty of features, and this can make choosing the right pair a tedious task. We have filtered out some of the important features you should look which will help you to choose the best.
Choosing the right form factor
Bluetooth in-ear earphones can be divided into two categories – Neck-band style and Truly Wireless Earbuds (TWS). Neck-band style earphones have been around for a while, but Truly Wireless Earphones are the ones gaining popularity. They have no wires whatsoever. Just plug them in your ears, and you are ready to go. TWS earphones are now affordable with models such as the Realme Buds Air Neo and the Redmi Earbuds 2C being sold for well below the Rs. 3,000 mark. Such earphones are perfect for casual use. You can use them while relaxing at home or while attending Skype video calls. Most models have modern and subtle designs, making them perfect for use at work.
The freedom from wires offers convenience, but you also have to be careful not to lose them. Some models such as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and the Jabra Elite Active 75T are specially designed for a secure fit. This is one of the reasons many users still consider neck-band style wireless earphones. Earbuds on such earphones are connected to neckband via a wire. This makes them ideal for runners or cyclists who need wireless connectivity with the sense of security that the earbuds won’t fall off. Such earphones are also more affordable than the Truly Wireless ones.
Build quality and fit
Wireless earphones are thoroughly used accessories, so they need to be sturdy. Most manufactures use plastics to maintain the earphones’ lightweight profiles, however premium models also use aluminum to offer more structural rigidity. Many entry-level and mid-range Bluetooth earphones come with IPX4 or IPX6 rating which tells you if they are water and dust-resistant. These models can be worn during intense workout sessions without any worries. Models such as JBL Endurance Dive come with IPX7 rating, and they can be submerged under water up to 30 meters. The earphones also come with on-board storage, allowing you to play music even under water.
A good fit is also very important while choosing the right pair of earphones. Most manufacturers provide multiple silicon tips allowing for a more personalized fit. However, if you are skeptical about finding the perfect fit, you can always visit your nearest Reliance Digital store to try out a variety of Bluetooth earphones. You should also look for on-board controls, which makes controlling music and attending phone calls easy.
Finding balanced audio quality
Wireless earphones are compact devices with tiny drivers, and these drivers are responsible for delivering high, mids and low frequencies. Most entry-level wireless earphones render flat sounding audio which is good for casual usage. Such devices often support SBC (low-complexity sub-band) codec which takes time to transmit data. This creates a delay in data transmission, which is noticeable when playing games and watching movies. If you are looking for top-notch music listening experience, look of earphones with support for aptX, aptX HD, LDAC 900 codecs. Earphones with these codecs support high bit rate audio, and they often render natural-sounding audio. Such earphones might cost you a bit more over the entry-level ones, but their premium sound quality surely enhances the overall music experience.
Battery life
The battery is one of the important aspects when buying Bluetooth earphones. Neck-band style earphones have bigger batteries, and most models deliver up to 7 to 8 hours of listening time. Truly Wireless Earbuds have smaller batteries due to their compact design. However, most models house batteries in their charging case which doubles as a battery backup. This can also be a very useful feature when you are travelling. Also, look for earphones with a fast-charging feature that can significantly reduce charging times.
Bluetooth standards
The latest Bluetooth standard today is 5.1. Newer standards can be more energy-efficient, and it also provides better coverage too. The newer standards also support advanced features such as multi-point sharing, allowing earphones to maintain simultaneous connections with at least two devices. This feature comes quite handy as it lets you easily switch music or calls from one device to another. The new Bluetooth standard also introduces a Location Finding feature that lets you locate your earphones within inches of their exact location.
App compatibility
App compatibility might not appear important at first, but it gives you far better control over your earphones’ settings. Most earphone apps let you know the device’s battery status, customise on-board touch controls, and even fidget with earphones auto power off settings. The apps for some models also let you set up voice assistant on supported devices. Models such as Sony WI-C310, WI-C400 and WF-1000XM3 lets you fine-tune music listening experience using the Sony Music Center app’s built-in equalizer. Earphone manufacturers also push updates using the app, which promises to bring more features in the future and improve the overall music listening experience.
Those were some of our recommended features to look at while buying Bluetooth in-ear earphones. If you want to explore a variety of Bluetooth earphones, head on to www.reliancedigital.in or visit your nearest Reliance Digital store for a more hands-on experience and you can also ask our trained sales executives for advice.
Note – Prices are subject to change. Check the product page for latest prices, details, and availability.
