Have you been looking for a comfortable pair of headphones lately? If so, you may have seen two different types of headphones on sale, "in-ear headphones" and "earbuds". Some companies may even advertise their headphones as "in-ear headphones" as if they are the same thing, but they are not! Although they look very similar, they both have different dynamics that suit different people depending on what they want. So what's the difference?
SummaryWhat are in-ear headphones?What are headphones?ConfusionBest buddies
Although the earphones sit very close to your ear canal, the main difference is that they never fully enter it. They rest on the concha ridge of your ear, the small outer ridge just before your ear canal. As such, they are great for people who don't like the feeling of something in their ear canal. In a way, they are like miniature speakers that you place very close to your ear but never inside.
Due to their positioning, you may find that headphones fall out more often than in-channel headphones, simply because they have less grip on your ear. The absence of presence in the channel means that you will also hear your surroundings better. It's not ideal for people who want to cut themselves off from the world, but for those who want to listen to music while being aware of their surroundings, they are a good alternative to in-ear headphones.
Unfortunately, as mentioned above, the terms "in-ear" and "headphones" often get mixed up when used in a product description. If you search for "headphones" on Amazon, you will see many in-ear models. It can be difficult to find a "suitable" earphone on the market if you are not sure what you are looking for.
If you want headphones and not in-ear headphones, just look for models that don't have the "canal cushion" on them. Headphones simply look like mini speakers, while in-ear headphones will have the cushion on them. This will allow you to choose the one that suits you the most, even if it is mislabeled!
While in-ear headphones and headphones may sound very similar, they are actually quite different with their own use cases. Now you know what everyone is doing; more importantly, you can detect which is which, despite what they are advertised!
Which do you prefer? Let us know below.
