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Wireless vs True Wireless: How to Choose?

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There are a lot of choices when it comes to Bluetooth headsets, aren’t there? 

You have the over-ear headphones and neckband types, and you have the true wireless earbuds type. So which one do you choose?

For that, you need to know the pros and cons of each type. But do the often-repeated words “wireless vs true wireless” confuse you? 

Let’s straighten it out!

What Are the Differences?

Here are the main differences:

Bluetooth headphones are of three major types: cordless over-ear or on-ear types, neckband type in-ear headsets, and true wireless earbuds type. 

The over-ear and on-ear look just like they usually do, but without the cord that connects them to the audio source. 

The in-ear wireless headphones are connected by a neckband, which can be either solid arc-like or flexible cord-like. 

The true wireless headphones eliminate even the wires that connect the two earbuds. This makes them two little earbuds that interact with each other and the audio device via Bluetooth.

Now let’s see their pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Wireless–On-ear, Over-ear, and Neckband Types

Pros:

  • They eliminate the hassle of tangled wires because they don’t need a physical connection with the audio device. 
  • They are connected via Bluetooth to the device.
  • You can carry them around your neck when you are not listening to audio.
  • Over-ear and on-ear headphones can give effective noise canceling.
  • In-ear types of wireless can be noise-isolating due to their perfect seal in your ear. 
  • There are several different models to choose from, and the prices start as low as $50 to $100.
  • Advanced codecs like aptX HD gives high-quality sound via Bluetooth. 
  • Compared to true wireless headphones, the neckband type can be cheaper.
  • Some of these can give a battery power up to 20 or 40 hours. 

Cons:

  • Their prices differ according to the companies and the specifications that they give. It can be as high as $350-$500.
  • The Bluetooth signal is interference prone. 

Pros and Cons of True Wireless

Pros:

  • True wireless gives absolute freedom from wires. 
  • Touch sensors in some of these give ease of use. 
  • All specifications available for wireless headsets are in these models too, including mic and noise cancellation. 
  • They usually come in a carrying case these days, which double up as a portable charger. 
  • Some of these can be charged wirelessly. 
  • Their prices are usually lower than over-ear wireless types. 
  • Battery with the combined charge in the carrying case can go up to 28 or 30 hours. 
  • In some models, each of the buds can be paired to a separate device simultaneously.
  • High-quality sound is now possible via Bluetooth. 
  • These merge seamlessly into the background, for those who do not like to advertise their headset use.
  • Some models can look so stylish that they become your ear bling!

Cons:

  • Since they do not have wires, their fit is sometimes an issue. They tend to fall out sometimes. 
  • The touch screen of some of these devices is super sensitive to the point that random hair touching it can activate the sensor. 
  • Chances for greater signal interference because the whole system works via Bluetooth only. 
  • Better companies and better experience with true wireless usually mean a higher price. 

Final Verdict

So, if you are faced with the choice of wireless vs true wireless, which one would you prefer? 

We pointed out their pros and cons with the hope that you will be better informed the next time you have to choose. 

Yet, there are still some points we would like to address before wrapping up. 

Firstly, there is a misconception that wired headsets, rather than any type of wireless, always give higher quality audio. 

While this was the case in the past, with the arrival of Bluetooth 5.0 and codecs like aptX HD, the sound quality via Bluetooth is getting better and better. 

Anyways, these days the sound quality is more dependent on the driver sizes and the quality of the material used. 

Secondly, the battery. It varies a lot in the wireless and true wireless devices, so look out for that particular feature. 

Finally, the price varies according to the features. Over-ear headphones always cost more, just like in-ear headphones cost a lot less. 

That’s all. We hope this helped.

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