12 questions
Headphones FAQ
The questions people ask most before buying headphones, each with a short, direct answer on its own page.
Price and value
How much to spend, and what the extra money buys you once you go past the budget tier.
Is there a difference between cheap and expensive headphones?
Yes, but the gap is much smaller than the price gap.
Is it worth buying expensive headphones?
Only if you'll use the thing cheaper pairs do badly every day.
What is a good price to spend on headphones?
For most people, $50 to $100 buys the best value in wireless over-ear headphones.
Hearing and safety
Volume, listening time and headphone type matter far more for your ears than the price you paid.
What is the 60-60 rule for headphones?
Keep the volume at 60% or less, and take a break after 60 minutes.
Are cheap headphones bad for the ears?
No. Volume and listening time decide the risk, not the price.
Are over-ear headphones healthier than earbuds?
Slightly, for your ear canals. For your hearing, volume matters more than the type.
Bluetooth features
What LDAC and multipoint do, and when they make a difference on a budget pair.
Does LDAC actually make a difference?
Sometimes, and less than the marketing suggests.
Is LDAC actually lossless?
No. LDAC is a lossy codec, even at its top 990 kbps setting.
How does multipoint Bluetooth work?
Your headphones stay connected to two devices and play audio from one at a time.
Do iPhones have Bluetooth multipoint?
Multipoint lives in the headphones, so any iPhone works with multipoint headphones.
Lifespan and brands
How long a pair should last, and how the budget brands compare.
How long do headphones last on average?
Expect two to four years from a wireless pair you use daily. The battery usually goes first.
Is Soundcore a good brand?
Yes. Soundcore is Anker's audio brand and one of the safest bets under $100.