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True Wireless Earbuds Pros and Cons
Unlike semi-wireless earphones, true wireless cans feature no wires, cables, or cords whatsoever. Instead, they rely on a remotely controlled device (base) to power up and connect to Bluetooth-enabled devices.
They’re the latest letters in technology as far as wireless convenience goes, but they’re still not perfect. Today we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of truly wireless earbuds, so let’s start right from the top:
Pros & Cons of True Wireless Earbuds
The main benefits of the true wireless earbuds are a more convenient approach to listening to music, their lightweight construction, and ease of use.
On the flip side, they’re typically less durable than other types of headphones, they require more careful maintenance, and they’re prone to glitches if you move too far away from the base. Let’s get into more details.
Advantages of True Wireless Earbuds
Comfortable Listening Experience
One of the most typical drawbacks of wired headphones is minimal mobility – you’ll be limited to the length of the cable, and that typically force you to stay nearby your PC or to hold your phone in your hands.
On the flip side, true wireless earbuds eliminate this disadvantage completely. You’ll be able to freely partake in any activity without having to worry about the cord’s length or if the input will get warped or damaged if you move around too much.
This leads to a substantially more comfortable listening experience, whether it be practicing your instrument or casually listening to music.
Easier Phone Calls
Obviously, holding the phone makes multitasking very hard, so most people resort to using wireless models. Now, the benefit of true wireless earbuds in this regard is the fact that these buds normally feature built-in answer/reject call buttons, as well as onboard volume sliders.
It’s not only much easier but also way more convenient to have professional and casual talks while using Bluetooth earbuds when compared to any other headphone type.
Lightweight Construction
Wireless earbuds are substantially lighter than any other headphone type. They’re as small as in-ear monitors, and they feature small speakers and a minimal quantity of hardware pieces. The lack of a cord and obviously the lack of any wires that would connect the earbuds themselves further reduces their weight.
Again, this advantage only augments the pro of a more comfortable listening and talking experience. They feel more natural to wear than any kind of headset while they’re slightly better than most in-ear headphones.
Very Easy to Use
Headsets sometimes need to be adjusted, wired headphones will sometimes urge you to move the cable around and out of the way while wireless earbuds require you to simply wear them. Even if we go with the notion that all headphones are easy to use, wireless buds are superior in terms of technical practicality.
Often Equipped with Highly Advanced Drivers and Speakers
Though small, most wireless earbuds are equipped with remarkably strong speakers and drivers. It can be argued that this is true due to the fact that they’re among the latest technologies that have emerged on the market, but it’s more likely the ‘fault’ of specialized brands that are locked in very tight competition.
Disadvantages of True Wireless Earbuds
Flimsy Build
Durability has been traded for the sake of improved functionality and comfort in the case of Wireless earbuds. Even the most expensive models that are currently available feature flimsy plastic construction that offers little protection from physical damage and no protection whatsoever against water, dust, and similar external (harmful) factors.
Furthermore, due to the fact that they’re so tiny, they can easily be misplaced and stepped on, which will destroy even the sturdiest pair.
They Require Frequent and Diligent Maintenance
Wireless earbuds are needy in a lot of respects. They aren’t in any way protected from dust, so they need frequent cleaning, and the fact that they’re wireless means that they operate on batteries, which in most cases aren’t exceptionally powerful.
This further means that they also need regular charging, which makes them slightly less dependable than most wired headphone types (which can be used indefinitely). This is possibly the biggest shortcoming of Bluetooth earbuds.
Price
Bluetooth technology itself (and patents that surround it) isn’t ridiculously pricey. The numerous hardware and software pieces that are required to enable it in one device, even more so for multiple devices (both buds and the base) can be pretty expensive.
The marginal price point categories for wired and true wireless earbuds (budget and boutique) are substantially different, with the price tags being dissimilar by more than hundreds of dollars.
Sound Issues When You’re Out of Bounds
True wireless earbuds operate on Bluetooth, which means that the same rules apply to them as for any other Bluetooth-based device. The signal will become unstable and less dependable if there are any physical obstacles between the transmitter (base) and the receiver (the buds), which makes earbuds impractical in a myriad of situations.
Furthermore, even though you won’t have to deal with cables, you’ll still be limited to a certain range – the operational range of the transmitter. While most Bluetooth-based devices can work up to 100 feet, the actual operating range of most true wireless earbuds is ten times smaller (roughly ten feet for reliable performance).
If you leave the base at home and, for example, take a walk around the block, you’ll start noticing distortion, crackles, and signal interruption.
Conclusion
All things considered, true wireless earbuds are certainly revolutionary pieces of sound equipment. They’re light years ahead of their wired counterparts and drastically superior to most semi-wireless buds, but they still leave plenty of room for improvement.
With proper use and maintenance, you’ll eliminate most of the drawbacks of the true wireless earbuds. However, for as long as their operating range is dictated by the base transmitter, they’ll still be just a tad more convenient than other wireless headphones.
Ultimately, their size, comfort, and sound quality are the reasons why true wireless buds are the currently best Bluetooth-operated type of headphones available.
Senior editor for Ultimate-Guitar, passionate about good music and quality gear. Bassist. King Crimson fan. Travel enthusiast. Compulsive buyer of Bose headphones and old Fender amps.