Music and audio media have become an even bigger part of regular Irish life in the last decade. Luckily for us, along with the growth of music, modern headphones and earphones have become increasingly popular. Not a day goes by where you won't see somebody with a pair of Samsung headphones, Bluetooth earbuds, or 'AirPods' on the street. So if you have finally decided to bite the bullet and search for a pair of headphones or earphones of your own, you have come to the right place.

Below are a wide variety of headphones that excel in different areas, allowing you to enjoy doing what you love in style and in comfort whilst also enjoying the best sound quality possible. So follow the links, check out our top tips, and thank us later!

There are two main categories of headphones or earphones on the market. These are wireless and wired. Both have their pros and cons, and we feel that it is only fair to look at both objectively before giving you our top suggestions. 

Contrary to popular misconception, wired headphones are said to provide a better quality of audio than wireless headphones. This is because the wire is directly connected to your device. Wired headphones are, by and large, cheaper than their wireless counterparts and are also more reliable, provided the wire is kept in good condition. With a pair of wired headphones, you won't have the issue of needing to charge them before you use them. Once they are with you, they are ready to go!

The negatives of a wired headset are pretty obvious; there is a cable attached to you. This can be an issue for certain scenarios like running or fitness (we will touch on this in a moment). Finding a pair of wired headphones or earphones with an ideal cable length is also quite difficult. The last thing you need is a cable that is too short, and a cable that is too long can be a pain also.

The number one pro when it comes to wireless headphones has to be that it is so convenient. Not only do they allow more freedom and portability, but many wireless headphones have incredible technology that will allow you to sync them to your mobile or tablet instantly.

Another big pro associated with wireless headphones or earphones is in that there is no cable. Wireless headphones and earphones connect to your devices using Bluetooth, so there is no cable hanging out of your pocket or from your ears. 

We have all been there, where we take the wired headphones out of our bag and have to spend 20 minutes untangling them; it is a pain. A good pair of wireless earphones or Bluetooth earbuds will fix that.

What we can say though, is that Bluetooth and wireless devices need to be charged, so there is not the same reliability attached to these headphones or earphones that are found in wired variations. Secondly, wireless devices of any kind are typically more expensive than wired devices, purely because there is more advanced technology present. Just something to keep in mind when you are browsing the collection. 

If you love to game, then we think that the JBL Quantum Over Ear Wired Headphones could be the best fit for you. Why? Well, they are over-ear and are built to be comfortable when worn for long periods. They are noise cancelling, so you can focus on your game and nothing else around you. The Quantum sound feature will make all noises in-game sound clear and crisp, and the game chat balance dial is perfect for balancing out the in-game volume and the volume of your group chats. These headphones will set you back about €100, but they are worth every cent!

For those of you on a budget looking to pick up a great deal on some brilliant wireless earphones, consider the Huawei Freebuds. Not only are they stylish, comfortable, and inexpensive, but they are on sale both online and in-store! The earbuds use adaptive ear-matching technology to detect the best noise cancellation mode for your ear shape. The charging case fits into your pocket, and you can even match them to two devices at a time and switch up what you are listening to at a moment's notice. The earbuds themselves are normally €130, but you can catch them on sale for €80 regularly.

When it comes to fitness, it has to be wireless. Wireless headphones and earphones in Ireland have become a staple of the fitness wardrobe, so it is only right that we recommend the Jabra Elite 4 In Ear Wireless Earbuds. Not only are they well priced, and well balanced, but they are small, convenient, noise-cancelling, and have a great battery life, so you won't have to worry about running out of power mid-workout. Available for €60-80 depending on what offers are in-store or online, you can pick up a pair of Jabra Elite 4's in Lilac, Black, Navy, or Mint.

For good noise-cancelling quality, we think that there is a wide range of Sony headphones on the market that could easily take the crown. However, we feel that the €200 wireless Sony over-ear noise-cancelling headphones with extra bass are one of the best options available in store. With 30 hours of battery life, a deep bass boost, precise voice pickup technology, and of course, 360 Realty Audio that is noise cancelling, you will feel like you are at a concert every time you listen to your favourite songs!

If you have a large budget to spend, then perhaps you could consider a pair of Apple AirPods Max Over-Ear Wireless Headphones. They are designed to be comfortable, convenient, and crisp in their sound quality. We love how easy it is to control your music just by using the headphones themselves. The AirPods Max allow you to control volume, skip songs, and take phone calls without using your phone. They are made using acoustically crafted memory foam and come in a range of colours in-store too! For big spenders and people that want a balance of quality and style!

If you are still on the hunt for a new pair of headphones but don’t know which pair would best suit your lifestyle, get in touch with your local store, or call our online sales team, who will be happy to assist!