What to look for when buying travel-friendly earphones?

Everyone likes to travel, primarily because it gives us a much-needed break. Apart from exploring new places, we also travel to disconnect from the crowd, chaos and be by ourselves in solace. Undoubtedly, the best travel companion is a good pair of earphones. And, if somehow, we forget to carry them, we practically feel lost without them. A good pair of travelling headphones can be a reliable partner that ensures the mind-numbing noise around you doesn’t reach your ears. So allow us to help you pick a travel companion to accompany you on your many voyages ahead:

1. Design: The first thing you should decide is whether you want in-ear earphones or over-ear headphones. For instance, if you prefer something light, truly wireless earphones, or TWS, are the way to go about it. But if you are a fan of heavy-bass and aren’t afraid to embrace specific designs, over-ear headphones are a better option for you.

2. Comfort: Since you would be wearing them on the go, it is crucial to prioritise your comfort. In-ear earphones are light, but some don’t really find them comfortable as the ear tips are very close to their ear drums. Over-ear headphones are bulky but don’t feel as intrusive as in-ear earphones. It boils down to your preference, as the audio quality remains more or less the same.

3. Noise cancellation: A prime purpose of any travel earpiece is noise cancellation. You should decide whether you will be satisfied with passive noise cancellation or if you require active noise cancellation. Depending on the design, brand, and price, you will have different levels of active noise cancellation. However, over-ear headphones are known for having the best passive noise cancellation.

4. Battery backup: It can be challenging to find power outlets while travelling. Having earphones with a great battery backup will give you a sense of assurance that you can enjoy them for longer without having to worry about charging. But if your phone has a 3.5mm jack, it is an ideal situation. You can buy wired earphones/headphones and stop worrying about powering them up altogether.

5. Build quality: This should be a priority regardless of the occasion. But this becomes even more important when you’re travelling. Our devices are used in less-than-ideal conditions and are subjected to rough use every now and then. A delicate pair of earphones will only add to your stress. You will feel reluctant to use it, which defeats the whole purpose.

6. Portability: When travelling, you want to pack as light as possible. Every little thing counts. If you zero onto over-ear headphones, you might want to look into options specifically designed for travelling. They fold in certain ways and become more compact for easy carry and packing.

7. Ports and charging: It shouldn’t be an issue as long as you power your earphones/headphones via USB Type-C. This way, you can carry only one charger for your phone and earphones. It reduces unnecessary weight from your travel bag and eliminates the hassles of carrying dedicated chargers just for your headphones.

8. Sound quality: The primary purpose shouldn’t be neglected just because you are buying it for travel purposes. Good audio performance should be your priority regardless of the purpose for which you are buying. Your headphones/earphones should be such that you can use them in every scenario. Even if it is lacking in one or two other dimensions, good audio quality can certainly cover up for it.

Also read: How to clean earbuds like a pro

Apart from all this, there are a few other factors to consider, such as a budget. There is no right or wrong when it comes to buying a good pair of headphones. It simply depends on what you are willing to spend. There are dedicated apps and related features available with many high-end earphones and headphones. Be sure to know them in detail prior to buying them. You should know exactly what you are spending your money on.