In the recent past choosing a quality pair of headphones meant dealing with the dreaded weak point, the cable. And even adurable cabled headphonecame with drawbacks, the main one being it was just in the way.
But what about the person who wants it all? The person who knows the benefits being gainedandlost. The person who wants to want for nothing, who wants to hold all the aces, who wants tohave their cake and eat it too. What about the person who wants a cord and doesn’t?
A true audiophile and even most casual headphone users probably know the basic benefit of a corded setup. Getting high-quality sound with a cord, with the technology we have today, is just unbeatable. But what happens when you want to take those headphones on the go. Through the subway, to workout, or maybe you just want to set the cell phone down.
If you’re looking for it all, whether you’re on a budget or want the best audio experience money can buy, I’m here to happily tell you that when it comes to wireless headphones with wired options, there are choices galore.
Why Keep the Cord
In a time when Bluetooth runs supreme, and Bluetooth 5.0 has connectivity issues of the past nearly nonexistent, the simple question is, why even keep the cord as an option? The benefits of Bluetooth are obvious, but unless you’re an audiophile, i.e., nerdy sound nerd, you may not know the real intricacies behind the headphone tether.
The big and the small of why you should keep the cord is the sound, but what does that mean?
Well, think of each headphone like a mini home sound system. Like a home sound system, with a cord, the audio quality is provided by analog signals. The beauty of these analog signals is in the processing or lack thereof.
Now, even the most advanced wireless-only headphone will need to compress the audio quality being sent. If you’re out and about, that might not make a huge difference, but listening in your den and you may hear it. And a worst-case scenario when the Bluetooth signal is sent can involve audio interference. You just won’t get that through a good-quality cable.
Choosing the best Wired Headphone with Wireless Options
When you’re ready to pull the trigger on a pair of wireless detachable cable headphones, there are a few things you’ll want to think about.
Needs
Wired headphones with wireless options fall into a broad range. For example, you can get in-ear wireless detachable cable headphones over the ear and on the ear. And beyond these simple categories, you’ll find premium studio-quality headphones, budget headphones, and even ones that are best for working out.
Take a second and think about what you’ll need from your headphones besides portability. Spending a few extra bucks could mean the difference between anoise-canceling or noise-isolatingpair of headphones and a pair that lets all the subway noise or water from washing dishes in. If you’re looking for agaming headset, you’ll need broad connectivity and a good mic.
At the end of the day, the beauty of wired headphones with wireless capabilities is the fact that you’ll be able to do multiple things with them. So think realistically about those things and purchase accordingly.
Active Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation is a feature on some wireless over-ear headphones (and some earbuds too). Think of it as a form of sound isolation, where a device in the ear cup actively seeks out external noise and electronically cancels them out. The idea is great and the technology behind it can be spot on.
Certain brands are known for their ANC (active noise canceling) technology. Bose is known for making the best earbuds for motorcycle and their noise cancellation is typically considered the leader even though some are having a hard time connecting bose headphones to their mac computers. Aside from Bose, Sony headphones now feature excellent noise-canceling tech as well.
These noise-canceling technologies, though, tend to drain the battery faster. And if you’re out and about with low power, noise-canceling can be a liability as it will use more power than regular headphones. It’s nice to have for those times when you need silence, though.
Getting active noise cancellation will also increase the price of your Bluetooth headphones (or, for the same price, will likely be a give and take in other areas).
Durability
Durability should be one of the first things you consider when purchasing any pair of wireless headphones. And the nature of the detachable cord means you’ll be using these things in a variety of settings, so it’s something you’ll want to pay particular attention to with these.
When selecting your pair of wired headphones with wireless options, look first for quality materials. If you’re choosing over the ear or on the ear headphones, remember that a metal band will always hold up longer than a plastic one. And a good quality material like leather will often outlast a synthetic counterpart. And for the actual cushions, memory foam is the way to go.
If you’re looking for headphones or earbuds to detach for a workout companion, try finding something with an IPX4 or above rating. That’ll mean they’re sweat and water-resistant. And with those earbuds, remember, although foam in-ear tips provide better sound transference, silicone will last a lot longer.
Cable quality
Whether high-end cables or balanced and unbalanced cables make a difference in sound quality is up fordebate, but a high-end cable undoubtedly affects durability. Considering you’ll be pulling the cable in and out repeatedly, durability and long life are something to look for. To keep it simple, look for a robust, flexible cable with sturdy plugs on both sides.
And for heaven’s sake, when you do pull the plug to go wireless, actually pull the plug and not the cord. And don’t wind the cable into knots if you want it to last.
Battery Life
It’s a pretty obvious move to opt for headphones with the most extended battery life possible. When you’re on the run and away from the cord, it will be nice to have worry-free listening.
Over-the-ear headphones generally have a longer battery life, some even lasting days, so if battery life is a concern, opt for a broad, over-the-ear choice. When it comes to batteries, bigger means more room for a large battery and is usually better.
If looking for a smaller headphone or earbud-style removable cable headphone, look for a battery life that will last about a traditional working day or around 8 hours. Even with battery degradation over time, 8 hours, give or take a couple, will provide you with a ton of charge-free listening time for your day.
Long battery life is also a solid standard to judge the overall quality of the headphones.
Wireless with Wired Option VS Detachable
This list is all about wireless headphones with a wired option. If that’s what you’re looking for, be careful when searching for detachable cable headphones. Many affordable detachable earbuds and headphones are detachable butonly for durabilityor upgrading connectivity purposes. So. double-check your purchase and make sure it has Bluetooth. If you want to be sure-sure, check out some options in the list below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get on-ear headphones or over-ear headphones?
On-ear headphones can hurt some people’s ears after prolonged use. Over-ear headphones can also hurt your ears and feel like they’re squeezing your head. With that said, on-ear headphones are more portable and easier to store (size-wise), while over-ear headphones often offer better audio quality. Personally, I always recommend over-ear headphones compared to on-ear headphones.
Can wireless headphones be used wired as well?
It really depends on the specific pair of headphones and if they support it. The headphones featured in this article all offer both wireless and wired.
What are wired and wireless headphones called?
There really isn’t a name given to headphones that can be both wireless and wired (though it would be helpful if there were!).
Are wired or wireless headphones better?
There are more options available with wireless headphones, which is great for some people. Wired headphones are said to have better audio quality, but that’s not always the case these days. It really comes down to your priorities: if you prefer mobility and convenience, wireless is good. If you prefer good sound quality and do not want to worry about battery life – wireless is better. See our full article on wired vs wireless headphones.
