However, it is not always convenient for those sounds to be blasted out on a speaker. This is where the role of mobile phone headphones comes in, creating a personal and private listening experience.
No pair of headphones are the same, with some built on a budget, while others are designed to deliver high quality audio with the best noise isolation. Here we take a look at the best headphones you can buy for your smartphone and there is one for every situation and type of person.
- Anker Soundcore Spirit Pro – from £55
- EARIN M-2 – from £199
- Mpow Wireless Headphones – from £18
- Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) – from £290
- Sony WH-1000XM3 – from £330
- Plantronics Backbeat Go 600 – from £69
Anker Soundcore Spirit Pro – from £55
The Anker Soundcore Spirit Pro are wireless in-ear headphones that have a great price point. These sports headphones are great for high intensity training with IP68 water resistance and Sweat Guard, which makes them completely impermeable to sweat.
There are a number of technologies working to deliver awesome sound. aptX enhances the quality of the music, while Dual EQ Modes let you quickly intensify your music when you need extra motivation.
Supplied with several sizes of EarWings and EarTips, these headphones offer flexibility when deciding which will be the most comfortable fit. The battery life offers up to 10 hours of playback. One nifty feature that you will love is built in magnets that let you wrap the cable around your wrist. You can then fasten the two ear pieces together, meaning you don’t need to take a carry case everywhere you go.
EARIN M-2 – from £199
The EARIN M-2 are one of the best earbuds where there is no cable between the two parts. This makes them completely wireless in all senses. Sound quality is exceptional with noise reduction and there are four microphones inside and outside of the earphone, letting you make calls via your smartphone.
The great sounding audio can be customised through an iOS or Android app and you can use your default digital assistant through the headphones. The earbuds last for up to 4 hours and they are supplied with a small aluminium storage capsule. The capsule is a fantastic bonus because it also provides on-the-go charging, delivering up to 14 hours playback.
If the price tag is a little too rich for you then the EARIN M-1 earbuds are available from £65 and they offer many of the same features. These are a real bargain if you have your heart set on a pair of earbuds that are not connected together by a wire. The battery in the M-1 isn’t quite as long lasting but you can still use them for almost 3 hours.
Mpow Wireless Headphones – from £18
The Mpow Wireless Headphones are the best on a budget and even though they are the cheapest, they offer a surprisingly good experience. They are IPX7 certified, attesting to them being 100% waterproof and sweat proof. The headphones are ultra lightweight and they are supplied with memory-foam ear tips, making them extremely comfortable.
Further features include built-in noise suppression, noise cancelling microphones, HD Sound, and the ability to use your default digital assistant. The wireless range is fantastic at 33ft and the tangle resistant cable saves a lot of messing around when you want to use them. You can listen to music for up to 10 hours and the headphones fully recharge in only 1.5 hours. These Mpow headphones are one of the best for iOS devices because they can show the remaining battery time on your screen.
Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) – from £290
The Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) offer the best build quality for those who want a superb pair of over-the-ear wireless noise cancelling headphones. Premium materials have been used and these include soft Alcantara and synthetic protein leather. With noise cancelling and the Bose Connect App, you can choose the level of environmental noise that you want to let in or block out.
These fully featured smartphone headphones let you use the Amazon Alexa digital assistant, giving you voice control for tasks such as playing music, checking the weather or listening to the news. You can of course still use your phone’s default virtual assistant if you wish.
Voice prompts guide you through the pairing process, so even technophobes can get started with ease. A Volume Optimised EQ provides high quality sound at any volume level and clear voice calls can be made using the noise rejecting dual microphone.
Having moved on to over-the-ear headphones we see a large leap in usage times. You can experience 20 hours of wireless use or connect to your smartphone with a wire to boost this to up to 40 hours.
Sony WH-1000XM3 – from £330
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are by far the most expensive wireless headphones but they are also the best noise cancelling headphones. Noise cancellation covers a wider range of frequencies and once again you can choose what environmental noise is let in or blocked out.
These foldable headphones have soft ear pads and they are supplied with a high-quality carry case. They can play music for up to 30 hours, positioning them as the longest lasting wireless headphones that we have mentioned here. Quick Charge technology lets you boost the battery in record time with five hours of use gained in only ten minutes.
The features are extensive but one of the most loved will be high-resolution audio and the headphones capability to upscale compressed music files, using DSEE HX technology. The quality of the music isn’t diminished over Bluetooth with LDAC transferring three times more data over that Bluetooth connection.
Further features include Gesture Control, Ambient Sound Mode and access to the Google Assistant for hands free calling. Sony also has a free Headphone Connect App for Android and iOS smartphones, letting you tailor the experience to your own particular tastes.
Plantronics Backbeat Go 600 – from £69
If you are shopping for a more affordable pair of over-the-ear headphones then the Plantronics Backbeat Go 600 could be the ones for you. They look stylish in both black and navy blue and the memory-foam ear-cups deliver a good measure of comfort, while isolating sound.
Advanced acoustic technology produces a deep bass and rich sound. You can set up two EQ Profiles and doing so makes it easy to switch between a balanced mode and a bass boost mode. The battery performs very well with an impressive 18 hours of music playback.
The wireless range of 33ft will let you move a reasonable distance away from your smartphone. You can even take calls at this range by using the built-in controls, which also let your skip tracks and adjust the volume level.
If you have searching for the best headphones for your smartphone then here we have steered you towards the best choice. There is something here for all price ranges with both in-ear and over-the-ear options. It doesn’t matter if you have an Android phone or an Apple iPhone, impressive music and audio is available to all.
