Bryn De KocksThe average college student spends between 2 and 3 hours a day listening to music. Whether that’s spent making the commute to campus less dull, engaging with lecturers online, or using music to enter flow state during study sessions, one thing is certain – a good pair of headphones or earbuds is an essential tool for most college-goers.
Those in high learning environments have unique needs that differ from traditional headphone users, so having a tailored list that considers these requirements is essential to finding the best headphones for college students.
How Will You Be Using Your Headphones?
College is a shared experience, but everyone has their own unique way of studying. The way we study, our commute to campus, and how we interact with our lecturers differ greatly from person to person, and these all play a role in deciding which headphones are best for the way you do college.
For Studying
Headphones and earbuds for studying should have excellent isolation that reduces ambient noise and allows you to focus on the work you’re doing. Since you’re likely to be studying for extended periods at times, having a good level of comfort is essential as it reduces both discomfort and distraction. If you take courses online, you’ll want to ensure that you also have a good microphone. Make sure you have sufficient battery capacity, as the last thing you want is your headphones dying on you in the middle of a lecture or study session.
Sleek, stylish, and filled with functionality, the Bose QuietComfort 45 creates a quiet environment with its powerful noise reduction. The audio quality is excellent, with an accurate, balanced sound. Its removable cable also adds impressive versatility.
A reliable choice, the AirPods Pro features effective noise cancellation and personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for an immersive audio experience. These popular earbuds are a safe pick for any college-goer seeking an in-ear study companion.
For Commuting
If you use public transport to commute to or from college, a good pair of headphones can make the journey feel less like a chore. Having the comfort of familiar music can lessen the anxiety many feel when commuting. Active noise canceling is essential, as public transport can get very loud and distracting. Discreet designs are often preferable for commuting, especially for those who want to blend in with the rest of the commuters.
The adaptive noise canceling of the Momentum 4 is excellent at reducing environmental noise. It has an extremely long battery life, a comfortable fit, and a balanced sound, making it an appealing option for those seeking high-quality sound that can be taken anywhere.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro is a highly-rated pair of earbuds that perform ahead of their price point. They have great comfort levels for a variety of ear shapes and effectively remove environmental noise.
For Gym & Exercise
Whether you’re on a sports team, or just looking to stay fit and healthy during your college stay, having a suitable pair of headphones or earbuds can really benefit your routine. Think about how much more amped you get to work out when you have a powerful, motivational banger playing. Earbuds tend to be more suitable for exercise and should feature sweat resistance, comfort, and a secure fit. They should also have good volume capabilities, as no one is getting pumped up when they can barely hear the music.
Few over-ear headphones are suitable for exercise, but the QC45s have enough stability for gentle workouts, while still retaining their comfort. These headphones are extremely versatile and suitable for just about every type of use. They even have water resistance.
For an active lifestyle, the Elite 8 Active from Jabra is outstanding. They hold their position during exercise while still providing hours of comfort. They have a long-lasting battery, along with quick charging time and sweat resistance.
For Casual Music & Gaming
Sometimes college life gives us a break and lets us enjoy some downtime with gaming or casual music listening. These headphones should focus on sound quality, comfort, and reliability. Additionally, a built-in microphone is useful for multiplayer gamers, and can also be used for online classes if needed.
The Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless is a gaming headset that be used wired or wireless. It has low-latency Bluetooth connectivity to ensure you’re not being left behind in competitive gaming, while also producing high-quality sound that’s ideal for music lovers. It has an optional cable that can be used for further latency reduction.
They have modern features like ANC, while also supporting low-latency codecs that allow gamers to retain a competitive edge over higher-latency earbuds. They have a balanced sound that allows music lovers to enjoy their favorite tunes the way the artist intended.
Headphones vs Earbuds For College Students
Decide whether you want headphones or earbuds, as each offers a slightly different experience:
Earbuds
Earbuds are discreet and easily portable, meaning you can carry them in your pocket between classes. Because many models are made to hold their placement during movement, they are also often suitable for gym use. They’re also typically more affordable than over-ear headphones. Keep in mind, however, that the comfort of earbuds is more subjective than over-ears and is influenced by the shape of your ear. To compensate for the earbuds’ inherent lack of noise isolation, consider getting earbuds with an effective ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), this will help to reduce ambient noise, letting you focus on the task at hand.
Headphones
Over-ear headphones are larger and more bulky than earbuds but tend to have a higher ceiling for sound quality. Because they cover the ear, they have an inherent advantage in noise isolation. While less versatile than earbuds, headphones are a great choice for college students who also want to have high-quality sound for movies and gaming, or who prefer their music to have accurate sound reproduction. Consider a pair of over-ear headphones with ANC and optional cable for added flexibility.
Wired vs. Wireless – Which Is Best?
One of the greatest technological advances in music equipment over the last 15 years is the broad adoption of wireless connectivity. Since most of us use our phones to play music, we can use wireless Bluetooth headphones and earbuds without having to worry about cables, which is usually the weakest point in a headphone design.
For college students, it’s highly advisable to go wireless; especially with so many great Bluetooth headphones on the market. Having said that, wired headphones do offer advantages that shouldn’t be ignored. Compare these two approaches and consider what’s more important to you.
Benefits of Wireless Headphones
- Increased durability
- No cable clutter
- Effective for casual listening
- Allows the listener to move around more freely
Benefits of Wired Headphones
- Supports higher quality audio
- Improved latency
- No concerns about battery life and charging
- More affordable
You can get the best of both worlds with many new headphone models that have a hybrid approach and can be used wirelessly or have a chord attached for wired listening. These versatile options tend to cost more but offer a great balance between the two.
What You Should Expect To Pay
Understanding what you should expect to pay and what influences the prices of headphones can help ensure you’re not overspending and that you’re getting the best value from your purchase.
For entry-level headphones, you should expect to pay between $50 and $80, but these models will often exclude important features like active noise cancellation or the ability to be used both wirelessly and wired.
Mid-range options tend to cost between $80 and $200. In this price range, you’ll typically get better audio quality and the addition of active noise cancellation. You can sometimes find flagship releases from smaller brands, or mid-tier options from renowned brands in this price range.
For high-end headphones that feature great sound quality, active noise cancellation, and other modern features, you can expect to pay between $200 and $400. This is where the flagship releases from most major brands fall. Consider seeing this as an investment, as the performance in this price range usually warrants the hefty price.
Understanding Headphone Specifications
Technical specifications are a double-edged sword. They can be challenging to understand, yet they provide crucial information about the performance. We’ve crafted an easy-to-read and intuitive way to look at the specs of headphones you’re interested in:
Battery Life
Battery life is an essential consideration in any wireless product, and having a long-lasting battery should be a priority. Battery life is influenced heavily by the volume at which you listen and the features you have active (such as ANC). Here’s a guideline of what you should expect from modern earbuds and headphones.
Over-ear Headphones
Low Battery Life: 3 to 10 hours
Average Battery Life: 10 to 20 hours
Good Battery Life: 20+ hours
Earbuds
Low Battery Life: 1 to 3 hours (10+ hours with charging case)
Average Battery Life: 3 to 5 hours (20+ hours with charging case)
Good Battery Life: 5-10 hours (30+ hours with charging case)
Charging Time
Nearly as important as battery life itself, charging time defines how long it will take to get your headphones up and running again. Consider the charging time alongside the total battery life for a good indication of overall battery performance.
Over-Ear Headphones
Slow Charging: 5+ hours
Average Charging: 3 to 5 hours
Fast Charging: 1 to 3 hours
Earbuds
Slow Charging: 3+ hours (6+ hours for charging case)
Average Charging: 2 to 3 hours (4 to 6 hours for charging case)
Fast Charging: 1-2 hours (2 to 4 hours for charging case)
Frequency Response
Frequency response is simply the range of frequencies that the headphone can reproduce, similar to how some singers can achieve a broader range than others. Broader frequency response is typically associated with deeper bass. It is written as follows: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, where the first number shows how deep the lows extend, while the second number shows the highs it can reproduce. In this case, it extends from 20 Hertz to 20 000 Hertz.
Narrow frequency response: 60 to 100 Hz low end and 15-18 kHz high end
Average frequency response: 35 to 60 Hz low end and 18-20 kHz high end
Wide frequency response: 20 to 35 Hz low end and 20 kHz high end
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation is similar to isolation, but isolation tends to be passive and describes how well the headphone’s design reduces ambient noise without any additional hardware. Inversely, noise cancellation is a far more effective way to actively reduce surrounding noise. ANC works by analyzing local sounds, then inverting the soundwaves and playing the inverse audio back to the listener. It’s a little complicated, but all you should know is that it is an extremely efficient way to block out external noise.
Low noise reduction: Passive noise isolation
Moderate noise reduction: Active noise cancellation
High noise reduction: Adaptive noise cancellation
Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth is a constantly evolving technology and every year or two a new version is released, that usually enhances the performance offered by the previous version. These improvements typically aim to reduce latency, improve audio quality, and increase range.
Outdated Bluetooth Versions: Bluetooth 4.0 to 4.2
Effective Bluetooth Versions: Bluetooth 4.2 to 5.0
Modern Bluetooth Versions: Bluetooth 5.1 and up
Water Resistance
Water resistance is commonly expressed as an IPX rating. This rating specifies under which conditions the electronics can continue to operate. While water resistance isn’t essential, it can help to protect your headphones from rain during commuting or outdoor use, or from sweat during exercise.
IPX0: No protection against water or dust.
IPX1: Protected against dripping water.
IPX2: Protected against water dripping at a 15-degree angle.
IPX3: Protected against water spray.
IPX4: Protected against water splashes from all directions.
IPX5: Protected against low-pressure water jets.
IPX6: Protected against high-pressure water jets.
IPX7: Protected against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter.
IPX8: Protected against continuous immersion in water for a time specified by the manufacturer.
Additionally, if the X is replaced by a number (eg: IP67), it’s also protected from dust.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many great options for headphones for college students. The best one is going to depend on the kind of lifestyle and study routine that one has. Opting for earbuds or headphones with ANC, good battery life and comfortable fit is a safe bet.
