The differences between over-ear and on-ear headphones
Comparison between over-ear and on-ear headphones
| Over-ear | On-ear | |
|---|---|---|
| Wearing method | Over your ears | On your ears |
| Weighs less | No | Yes |
| Shuts out surroundings more effectively | Yes | No |
| Easier to take with you | No | Yes |
| Warms you ears | Faster than on-ear headphones because no fresh air gets through to your ears | Less fast because air gets through to your ears |
The difference between over-ear and on-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones go over your ears. You'll hear less ambient noise thanks to this, which is pleasant in noisy environments like public transport and at the office. This also means you don't have to increase the volume by a lot, which is better for your hearing. Because the ear cups are a lot larger than with on-ear headphones, it's less easy to take with you in your jacket or bag. Over-ear headphones don't press on your ears, so they're more comfortable to wear during a longer listening session.
On-ear headphones
On-ear headphones rest on your ears. They're smaller and lighter than over-ear headphones, which makes them easy to take with you. Ambient noise is still audible to a limited extent. That's why on-ear headphones are safer in traffic. Because the ear cushions press on your ears, on-ear headphones may hurt sooner than over-ear headphones.
Which is better?
Both wearing methods have their advantages and disadvantages. It's hard to say which one is better, since this differs per person. But it's safe to say that over-ear headphones are better for your hearing in the long run. Because this model betters shuts you off from your environment, you don't have to use a high volume to enjoy your music.
Warm ears
Over-ear headphones warm up your ears faster than on-ear headphones. Most over-ear headphones have ear cushions made of leather, fake leather, or rubber. These cushions close you off well from your surroundings, but also make sure cold air doesn't get through to your ears. Thanks to this, your ears warm up faster. With on-ear headphones, more cold air will get through to your ears. As a result, your ears won't be too hot soon.
