Buying headphones: what matters

Start with where and how you will mostly use your headphones: on the train or bus, in an office with lots of calls, for sport, or quietly at home. That decides the shape (in the ear, on the ear or around the ear) and whether active noise cancelling is worth paying for. Next, check that the headphones suit your phone or computer: Bluetooth codecs and connecting to two devices at once depend on both sides. Battery, water resistance and your rights under German law decide how long you will be happy with them.

Which type of headphones suits me?

There are three basic shapes, and each has its own strength.

• In-ear headphones sit in the ear canal. They are small, light and fit in any pocket. How well they block noise and how much bass you hear depends heavily on the fit, so try the different tip sizes in the box. Some people find the pressure in the ear uncomfortable after a few hours.
• On-ear headphones rest on the outer ear. They are more compact than large headband models but often press on the ears over long sessions, and more sound leaks out than with closed over-ears.
• Over-ear headphones enclose the whole ear. They spread the pressure across the head, are usually the most comfortable for long sessions and block noise well. In return they are bigger and warmer in summer.

Headphones are also either open or closed. Open designs sound airier but let sound through in both directions. For offices, trains and open-plan spaces, closed models are the better choice. For sport, what matters most is that nothing slips: a headband, ear hooks or fins on the earbuds help.

Do I need active noise cancelling (ANC)?

With active noise cancelling, built-in microphones pick up the noise around you. The electronics produce an opposing signal that cancels part of it. Manufacturers say this works best on low, steady sounds such as engines, air conditioning and road noise. Voices and sudden sounds are reduced less, and the noise never disappears completely.

ANC is worth it if you commute, fly or work somewhere loud. You can then listen at a lower volume, which protects your hearing. Many models also offer a transparency or ambient mode that brings outside sound in through the microphones, which is handy for announcements and in traffic. Keep in mind that ANC uses battery power, and some people feel it as pressure on the ears. If you can, try it before you buy.

What do Bluetooth versions and codecs mean?

The Bluetooth version number says little about sound. What matters more is the codec, the method used to pack the music for the radio link. A codec only helps if both the headphones and the playing device support it. Otherwise the two fall back to a simpler codec they share. So check both data sheets.

• SBC is the classic baseline codec for music over Bluetooth. It works everywhere but is the least efficient.
• AAC is another widely used codec.
• aptX, in its several variants, comes from Qualcomm. Both the playing device and the headphones need compatible chips.
• LDAC comes from Sony. Sony states that it transmits at 330, 660 or 990 kbps and picks the level based on connection quality. You only get the top level on a very good connection.
• LC3 is the codec of LE Audio, the new generation of Bluetooth audio. The Bluetooth SIG says listening tests found LC3 sounds better than SBC even at half the data rate, which saves power.

LE Audio builds on features introduced with Bluetooth 5.2. Android supports LE Audio from version 13 if the phone's hardware does. LE Audio also brings Auracast: one transmitter can send sound to any number of receivers, for example the TV sound in a waiting area. It also enables Bluetooth hearing aids. If you plan to keep your headphones for many years, LE Audio support is a plus, but it only helps once your phone supports it too.

In games, the radio link can delay the sound slightly. If you play a lot, look for a dedicated gaming mode or use a wired connection.

How important is multipoint?

With multipoint, headphones stay connected to two or more devices at once. You listen to music from your laptop, and when your phone rings you take the call without pairing again. If you work from home and switch between computer and phone, this is a real convenience. How many devices work at once and how smoothly switching works varies from model to model. If the data sheet does not mention multipoint, assume it is missing.

How good do the microphones need to be?

If you make lots of calls, the microphones matter as much as the sound. Small earbuds find it harder than headsets with a boom microphone to separate your voice from wind and street noise. The number of microphones a manufacturer lists says little about quality. Recorded call samples in noisy places, or a test call in a shop, tell you more.

How long does the battery last, and how do I charge it?

Manufacturers state battery life under their own conditions. Check whether the figure applies with noise cancelling on or off, and at what volume. For true wireless earbuds, the headline number often includes the extra charges from the case. For a long train journey, the time per charge is the number that counts.

Since 28 December 2024, headphones, headsets and earbuds with wired charging sold in the EU must have a USB-C port. This is set by Directive (EU) 2022/2380, which Germany implements in its Radio Equipment Act (Funkanlagengesetz). A seller who offers a device with a charger must also sell it to you without one. A pictogram on the packaging shows whether a charger is included, and in online shops it must appear near the price. An additional label describes the charging power the device needs. A USB-C charger you already own is usually enough for headphones.

Batteries age, and after a few years the battery life drops noticeably. With earbuds, battery replacement is rarely planned for. Before you buy, ask whether the manufacturer offers a battery replacement or individual spare parts such as ear pads and charging cases.

How water resistant do headphones need to be?

Water and dust protection appears as an IP code on the data sheet. The first digit covers dust and solid objects, the second covers water. An X means that part was not tested. Under DIN EN 60529, the second digit means:

For rain and sport, IPX4 is usually enough. If you want to listen while swimming, you need a model the manufacturer explicitly designs for that. If the data sheet gives no IP rating, assume there is no tested protection. The charging case is often not protected.

How do I protect my hearing?

Noise damage to hearing builds up slowly and is permanent. The World Health Organization and the ITU describe a weekly sound dose in their safe listening standard: for adults it equals 80 decibels for 40 hours a week, for children 75 decibels. If you listen louder, you should listen for less time. Use the volume limit and listening level features on your phone where available. Good isolation or ANC helps because you do not need to turn the music up over the noise. For children, there are headphones with a built-in volume limit.

What are my rights if something breaks?

When you buy from a seller in Germany, you get two years of statutory warranty (Gewährleistung). If a defect appears within the first year, it is presumed to have existed at purchase, so you do not have to prove it. Headphones with an app and firmware count as goods with digital elements: the seller must make sure you receive necessary updates for the period you can reasonably expect. The law sets no fixed number of years. A manufacturer's guarantee is voluntary and comes on top of the statutory warranty. Check whether it covers the battery.

Common mistakes

• Buying on codec logos alone. A codec is useless if your phone does not support it.
• Mistaking total battery life with the case for battery life per charge.
• Treating ANC as hearing protection. It reduces noise but does not replace ear protection for very loud work.
• Underestimating fit. Badly fitting earbuds sound thin and block little noise.
• Assuming multipoint. Many models only connect to one device at a time.
• Overlooking the case's water protection. Often only the earbuds are protected.

How Tallybuy compares prices

For each pair of headphones, Tallybuy shows the complete total including delivery to your address in Germany, where the shop states delivery costs. Missing information is shown as unknown, not as zero. You can see the observed price history on every product page. We earn a commission on some shop links. It never changes the order of the offers.

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