Are Wired Headsets Better Than Wireless?

With modern-day technology, the headset industry has evolved from big bulky wires to completely wire-free earbuds that look stylish and eliminate inconveniences. The question is, is it truly that simple? Do wired headsets have advantages over wireless headsets and vice versa or is wireless really the way to go?

Many people pick wireless headsets simply because they are the new norm but audiophiles claim that they will never beat a good pair of wired headsets. What is the truth behind that statement and how much of it is true even with the speed of modern technology?

Wired vs Wireless Headsets

Many people think it’s just a preference for technological advancement but really it isn’t that simple. There’s a lot of differences between wired and wireless headsets that people usually don’t look into when splurging on a good pair of headsets.

Sound Quality

When it comes to reproducing the sounds that an artist or musician would like you to hear as you put on that pair of headset, it’s all about information being transferred. Many people don’t know this but wireless headsets simply cannot be compared with wired ones in this aspect.

When a recording is done, it is usually recorded into formats such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, or ALAC. FLAC, WAV, and ALAC are known as lossless file formats and usually reproduce the recording in the most accurate form possible. Bluetooth technology is getting more and more advanced but there is only so much information it can handle at a time.

Wired headsets, on the other hand, simply will not have any problems playing those file formats as the file’s information is directly transferred into the drivers via a physical connection. But again, unless you’re an audiophile or musician, you’ll rarely know the difference.

Another thing about wireless headsets is the cost of the technology being put into them. Since the latest Bluetooth technology is needed to give the best audio quality possible, an extra cost is incurred by manufacturers.

This heavily affects sound quality as well but people usually don’t realize it. When manufacturers don’t have to fork out an extra cost just for the headset to work, they can focus fully on the things that matter, such as sound quality.

This is also the reason why wired headsets have way better sound quality when compared to wireless ones of the same price.

Portability / Ease Of Movement

There is absolutely no question about this. Wireless headsets are just so much more convenient than wired ones. It’s not uncommon to hear wires tangling up in their cases or accidental yanks happening when people forget that they are wearing wired headsets.

No wires, no obstructions.

Battery

Wireless headsets required batteries. They run on batteries and it’s their only source of power. You can enjoy using wireless headsets as much as you want but it only lasts for so long. Wired ones, on the other hand, just require you to plug it in and the rest works itself out.

Compatibility

When it comes to compatibility, both wired and wireless headsets will give you no problems at all. Wired ones will work with any device that has Bluetooth supported and everyone knows Bluetooth devices are just a norm now.

Wired one will work with just about any device as long as you can plug it in. Some even give multiple interchangeable heads for you to plug into different devices. Something to note here is that many phone manufacturers have been starting to remove the headphone jack from their devices. As previously mentioned, you just need to find the right converter.

Price

This factor makes a big difference when decided between the two. Wired headsets are meant to be cheap without compromising much on audio quality. You can get a cheap one and still be content with what you hear.

Wireless ones have no way around it. You can’t have a cheap wireless headset and a good one at the same time.

Do Pro Gamers Use Wired Or Wireless Headsets?

Everyone wants to be doing what the pros are doing but when it comes to wired or wireless headsets, it really narrows down to the preference of the user. There is just no definite answer to this.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages and it boils down to what the user is looking for. Sure some people argue that latency is just so much worse on a wireless headset but technology nowadays allows lag-less and wireless audio.

Some pro gamers want to perform the most optimally and will take a wired headset for its nonexistent latency, but others will choose a wireless one for its flexibility and freedom of movement.

Should You Use A Wired Or Wireless Headset?

Again, this will all come down to the preference of the user. There is no better one between a wired and wireless headset, only a more useful one for the needs of the user at that specific time.

Wireless headsets are preferable for those who need to move around a lot while having their headphones on. This also applies to those who work from home but have pets or toddlers moving around the place.

You don’t want your headsets to be yanked straight out of their jack as it will very easily damage them. It also applies to those who walk around a lot with their headsets on as your wires will be catching on to things here and there.

If you’re the kind of person who wants nothing but the pure enjoyment of sound from your headsets, wired ones are the way to go. The philosophy is, for every wireless headset, there is always a better one that is wired selling at the same price.

It also works for those who work in a stationary manner like an office. In the end, it’s completely up to you to decide on which one is better.

Summary

Wired or wireless headset, it doesn’t matter as long as it fits your needs. Many tend to have a bias towards a certain one but truth is, both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Get a wireless one if you need the convenience and a wired one if you want the best quality.

Ultimately, as long as it floats your boat, it doesn’t really matter.