This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
A decent set of headphones are a must-have item for any student — for leisure and as a study tool. A good pair of headphones can help you to focus on studying or writing an essay, because they can block out background noise and distractions. They can also help you unwind from a hard day of studying with an audiobook, movie, or playlist.
Great headphones can be really expensive, but you don’t have to use up your entire loan. There are excellent options available at a great price. And let’s be honest: being broke is pretty synonymous with being a student. Every penny counts.
It’s not as simple as just buying the cheapest pair you see on Amazon. In fact, that’s a fast track to buying a pair that will need replacing just a few months down the line. To help you along, here’s some need-to-know information.
How much do headphones cost?
This is the key question for anyone — students included — looking to save money where they can. Headphones can easily cost hundreds of pounds. That’s for top end headphones from the likes of Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser.
But — see below — it’s possible to get good headphones for around £100 or less.
What headphone features are important for students?
Headphone specifications can get really hi-tech, especially if you’re spending a lot of cash. But there are some features that will suit the workload and lifestyles or everyday students, such as noise cancellation and multi-point pairing.
What is noise cancellation?
This is an increasingly popular feature that helps block out external noise, giving you an immersive listening experience. It works by using mini microphones within the earcups. These microphones detect external sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel out incoming noise. This feature is especially good for students who are studying hard and need to block out distractions.
What is multi-point pairing?
This is a cool Bluetooth feature that will suit the device-heavy student lifestyle. It allows you to connect your headphones to two or more devices, meaning you can switch to listening from your smartphone to your laptop to tablet without the hassle of having to manually change your Bluetooth settings.
What’s best, over-ear or in-ear headphones?
If good sound is important, you'll want to be sure you buy the right style. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like in-ear buds that drill tunes directly into their head.
Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound and often have beefed-up features and tech capabilities, but if you’re carrying them around on campus, the bulkier design might be less convenient.
Earbuds are more compact and portable and will better suit anyone who’s moving from place to place with a bag full of books and devices. If you spend time between classes working out, earbuds tend be better for fitness, too.
What are the best headphones for students?
That has to be your decision — it’s all down to personal choice and what works for your lifestyle and study needs. But we’ve helped narrow down your choices down with this selection of headphones. With these recommendations, you can save your money and spend it on more important things for school — like textbooks, laptops, and, of course, pot noodles for late night study sessions.
These are the best headphones for students in 2023.
