When buying a pair of earphones online, you’d know there’s not much to help identify the right type. Although brands list out a ton of attractive creatives with a list of features, the functionality of the earphone might feel completely different when you use it. So if you want to know how to buy a pair of good quality earphones, keeping these factors in mind before purchase should help you make a decision.

Earphone type
You’ll come across several types of earphones on the market, like in-ear headphones, on-ears, and over-ears. Some might have no wires connecting either earbud, also known as True Wireless Stereo (TWS). Moreover, some neckbands are connected by a single wire to each other but connect wirelessly to a smartphone. Each comes with different functionalities, weights, and designs. So narrowing down on the type of earphones you want will help you make the right choice during the purchase.

Driver size
A driver is a component inside an earphone capable of generating sound. It is made by combining a voice coil, magnet, and diaphragm. In most situations, the larger the driver, the better the sound generated from earphones. But this is not always the case, and large drivers made of inferior materials may produce low sound and terrible quality audio.

Battery life
The battery in wireless earphones determines how long a gadget can function without needing a charge. While manufacturers may quote playback times between three to five hours, real-life figures are much lower. So look for wireless earphones with long battery life. As for TWS, you should ensure the case can charge the earbud at least four to five times before it is out of juice.

Noise cancellation
While earphone brands offer clear audio and deep bass with most models, they often skimp on noise-cancellation features. And here’s where most users purchase the earphones without checking call clarity. Earphones with good noise cancellation can reduce environmental noise, such as sounds from car engines, water from taps, and birds.

Controls
One purpose of using wired or wireless earphones is to make or receive calls and stop and play music or entertaining content without the need to remove the smartphone often. Truly wireless buds have features like single-tap to pause or play content, double-tap for the next track, and so on. So look for earphones with the most modern technology for better control without the need to remove your smartphone often.

Latency
The latency of wireless earphones has become one of the most important factors, especially for gamers. Low latency ensures minimum lag between audio transmitted from the smartphone to the earbuds. Several brands may claim their wireless earphones offer low latency. However, you should look for those with a latency of 100ms or lower.

Codec support
Basic models work with an SBC codec which does not support higher-resolution music and results in a poor listening experience. Apple should ensure that the earbuds they purchase support AAC, as Apple devices only support SBC and AAC codecs. So if you’re an Apple user, earphones that only support SBC, aptX, or LDAC codecs will not be compatible with the smartphone. Android supports most Bluetooth audio codecs, including Hi-Res aptX HD.

Apple’s latest addition to its range of audio accessories is the 2nd-generation AirPods Pro. These earphones are a significant upgrade over their predecessors. The new H2 chip ensures rich audio output and has features like smart noise cancellation and advanced three-dimensional sound. The AirPods Pro 2 is equipped with touch controls to let you manage playback functions seamlessly by operating the stem. With the upgraded battery, the pods get you up to six hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. You can get these AirPods starting at around $250.