5 Headphone Form Factors and How They’ll Help You Choose Your Perfect Pair
Headphones are much like musical instruments — as in, each pair has its own voice, personality, and purpose. Some are designed to accompany you on your morning jogs and subway commutes; others, to immerse you so deeply into a musical composition that it feels like you’re in the front row. There are city headphones, sports headphones, studio headphones, and many others, and you need to be mindful of which pair to choose.
That’s why more often than not, you begin choosing your new pair not by its sound quality or price, but by its form factor. The way the headphones look, fit, and interact with you in your daily life is paramount, so it’s the shape and type of the headphones that need to be determined first.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different form factors and their differences, and help figure out what pair would be perfect for you.
Contents
Headphone Form Factors
Earbuds
These headphones rest in the outer ear without entering deep into the ear canal.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact.
- Don't create pressure inside the ear.
- Comfortable for short listening sessions and walks.
Cons
- Offer almost no noise isolation.
- Provide a less profound audio experience compared to other form factors (but can still deliver clear and balanced sound).
Best for: City life, making calls, and any situation where it's important to hear your surroundings.
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Apple
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Brand: Apple
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Apple
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Noble Audio
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Noble Audio
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Noble Audio
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Sony
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Meters
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
Headset type: stereo
Brand: Bose
Type of wireless headphones: True Wireless
In-Ear Monitors (IEMs)
IEMs are secured inside the ear canal using silicone or foam eartips.
Pros
- Provide good isolation from external noise due to their snug fit.
- Compact and lightweight.
- Top-tier models can deliver detailed and precise sound.
Cons
- Some users experience discomfort from the in-ear pressure due to the feeling of a foreign object in their ear canals.
- Not suitable for people with narrow ear canals.
Tips
- Customize your IEMs with the eartips that you’re comfortable with. Consider options like Dekoni Audio eartips.
- Listen to different models first to compare their fit and feel.
- For a perfect fit, order custom eartips made from an impression of your ear.
Best for: Sports, travel, city commuting, and audiophile experience.
Brand: MoonDrop
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 15
Brand: MoonDrop
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 10
Brand: MoonDrop
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 7
Brand: MoonDrop
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 15
Brand: Sennheiser
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 6
Brand: Noble Audio
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: MoonDrop
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 16
Brand: Noble Audio
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: Kinera
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
On-Ear Headphones
These headphones have soft earpads that rest directly on your ears.
Pros
- Lighter than full-size over-ear headphones.
- Some models can be folded compactly and fit into a bag or backpack.
Cons
- Mediocre noise isolation (solved by ANC).
- Can create pressure on the ears over time.
Best for: Office, walks, and general urban use.
Case included: yes
Color shade: black
Connector shape: straight
Earpads material: leather
Headphone type: wired
Kind of headphones: on-ear
Color shade: black
Connector shape: straight
Connectors: 3.5mm jack, 6.35mm jack
Brand: Marshall
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Bone Conduction Headphones
These models are a type of on-ear headphone…sort of. In bone conduction models, the sound is transmitted via microvibrations through the cheekbones directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrums.
Pros
- Rest on your temples, leaving your ears completely open to monitor your surroundings — perfect for driving, cycling, and fitness.
- Typically water-resistant, making them suitable for swimmers.
- Lightweight and don't put pressure on the temples, which makes them comfortable for long periods.
Best for: Sports, swimming, and fitness.
In-Ear headphone type: with a neck band
Multipoint: yes
Brand: Shokz
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 50
In-Ear headphone type: true wireless
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
In-Ear headphone type: true wireless
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: Shokz
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Over-Ear (Full-Size) Headphones
Over-ear models have large earcups that completely enclose your ears. They come in three main variations: closed-back, open-back, and semi-open.
Closed-back models deliver deep, rich sound with well-defined bass and excellent noise isolation. But they can sometimes cause fatigue during long sessions due to their pressure or weight.
Open-back headphones provide natural, "airy," and lifelike sound but have poor noise isolation. They are comfortable to wear and perfect for any scenario where natural sound is a priority and there are no distractions.
Semi-open models strike a balance between rich and natural sound and offer medium noise isolation. They are great for long work sessions and casual listening.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality.
- Comfortable for extended listening sessions.
Cons
- Quite large and can be heavy.
Best for: Studios and high-quality listening sessions at home or elsewhere.
Multipoint: yes
Brand: Sennheiser
Headphone type: wireless, wired
Brand: Apple
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: Bowers & Wilkins
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 10
Brand: Focal
Headphone type: wireless
The lowest frequency, Hz: 15
Brand: Sennheiser
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 8
Detachable microphone: yes
Multipoint: yes
Headset type: stereo
Choosing the Perfect Headphones
When it comes to form factors, the right answer depends on your goals. Ask yourself, what’s the setting in which you’re going to use these headphones? What are its peculiarities and restrictions? Your headphones must complement your lifestyle, not make it harder.
Here’s a quick rundown of a few default scenarios, and the best form factors for them to give you some idea.
Sports & Active Lifestyles
IEMs or bone conduction models are lightweight, offer a secure fit, stay firmly in place, and won't interfere with movement.
City & Everyday Use
Earbuds, on-ear models, or bone conduction headphones don't create pressure and allow you to stay aware of the world around you.
High-Quality Home Listening
Over-ear models provide superior sound quality and are comfortable for long, immersive sessions.
Studio
Closed-back over-ear headphones or IEMs don’t distort the sound, allowing you to hear every detail and nuance of a recording.
Travel
Bone conduction headphones are perfect if you need to monitor your surroundings while driving or cycling. On the contrary, IEMs with ANC or wireless on-ear models are perfect if you need to disconnect from external noise. They provide comfort and sound isolation on public transport and don't take up much space.
Pay attention to the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) feature — a technology that uses microphones and special algorithms to cancel out external sounds.
Finally, if sound isolation and audio detail are your top priorities, look into IEMs with balanced armature drivers.
Conclusion
There isn’t — and can never be — a single pair of headphones perfect for every task and scenario. It’s your intended use and personal preferences that define the right form factor for you, not anyone else’s reviews.
The best way to find your perfect pair of headphones is to visit a showroom, explain your goals to a specialist, try on different models, and listen to your favorite music. Everyone has different tastes, head and ear shape, and sound perception, and we’ll be happy to help you find your perfect match.
We’re waiting for you at Business Central Towers - B, B1 Shop 3 - Al Sufouh - Dubai Internet City, every day between 10 AM - 10 PM. And if you have any questions in advance, reach out to us on Telegram or WhatsApp.
Let’s make the right choice — together!
