TodayTools

How to choose headphones for study, music and calls

The right headphones depend on where you use them: long study hours at home, calls at work, or music on the bus. Check your current pair's left and right sound first.

Donate

Check what you have first

Play left, right and bass tones to check your headphones and speakers.

Test your speakers

What to look for

  • Comfort for long hours. Over-ear cups with soft pads are easiest for study and work.
  • A good mic for calls. Look for a boom mic or noise cancelling mic if you are on calls often.
  • Noise cancelling. Worth it for noisy homes, buses and trains.
  • Wired or wireless. Wired never needs charging and has no delay; wireless gives freedom to move.
  • Keep the volume low. Listen at a level where you can still hear someone next to you.

Questions people ask

Are noise cancelling headphones worth it for study?

If your home or commute is noisy, yes. In a quiet room, a comfortable wired pair is enough.

Why does one side sound louder?

Run the speaker test: if one side is weak on every device, the headphones may be damaged; if only on one device, check its balance setting.

More buying guides

Donate