Main points
- Your dusty Apple EarPods deserve a second look for their simplicity and affordability.
- Great for calls, with a clear microphone, convenient controls, and unsealed environmental awareness.
- Reliability, ease of use, and nostalgic appeal make Apple’s wired EarPods a great choice.
My most controversial audio opinion is that Apple’s wired EarPods really rock and many audiophiles think they’re worth arresting. I know these earbuds have some major drawbacks, such as they have zero isolation due to the unsealed fit, so the bass frequencies are quiet. But I think there’s a lot going for these classic and affordable wired headphones, and I won’t shy away from that.
My most controversial audio opinion is that Apple’s wired EarPods really rock and many audiophiles think they’re worth arresting.
Regardless of your preconceptions about EarPods, these earbuds are great for a lot of people. For example, I used to really hate the feeling of silicone earplugs in my ears, so these are my go-to. Once I got over that, I did move on to technically better earbuds, but I still have a soft spot for the EarPods. So, as an audiophile who also suffers from nostalgia, here are a few reasons why I think EarPods are still going strong.
0:49
I tested 5 of the best-selling wired headphones so you don’t have to
The wired headphone revolution has arrived. There are some things you should bring into this era, but some things are better left in the past.
1 Apple users may already own a pair
EarPods were once a must-have accessory for Apple consumers
The best things in life are free, and that includes free earbuds you get with your phone. Both iPhones and iPods used to come with EarPods, which means a lot of people probably have a pair of them but they’re gathering dust somewhere in a drawer. If you are one of them, I implore you to give them another chance.
I listened to my old iPod for a month and it wasn’t the nostalgia trip I was expecting
I turned to the bulky iPod Classic for a simpler listening experience, but it also brought some complexity.
You might even consider taking them with you when your wireless earphones run out of juice or you want to swap them out with an almost retro accessory. If you already own them, this is enough to make them really worth the money. Or give them to someone who appreciates these iconic earbuds.
2 EarPods are affordable
$19 for a solid pair of headphones is a steal in this day and age
Yes, while there are better wired earbuds for the same price, the EarPods are still very affordable. $19 isn’t a bad price for a pair of durable earbuds that have great controls and a good microphone (more on that later) and have that signature Apple look.
If you really need a pair of wired earbuds and don’t mind or even want the non-sealed earbuds that EarPods offer, by all means get the EarPods. You won’t spend a lot of money, the design is classic, and chances are they’ll last you many years, like every pair I’ve worn.
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3 They are simple and easy to use
No need to modify advanced settings.plug and play
Some of my favorite earbuds and headphones are the simplest, just plug in and start listening. No setup required, no learning curve, just a simple experience. No gimmicks, no extra features, really just a pair of earbuds that you plug in and use.
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There’s always something to learn in the manual, some apps to navigate, and some firmware updates to install. With simple earbuds like EarPods, you don’t have these issues, but I love it.
Nowadays, I feel a little tired because so many earbuds do have tons of features that don’t seem to be relevant to the ultimate experience of listening to music. There’s always something to learn in the manual, some apps to navigate, and some firmware updates to install. With simple earbuds like EarPods, you don’t have these issues, but I love it.
4 They have great mics and controls
Tip: EarPods are great for calls and voice memos
EarPods are great for making phone calls. I will always stand by this. The microphone on the inline control works really well when you’re on the go and want to talk to someone on the phone or record a voice memo. It’s very clear, easy to place, and I find it very reliable. Its biggest drawback is that it doesn’t cancel wind noise very well, but what do you expect from a pair of $19 earbuds that haven’t fundamentally changed since their release?
After using wired headphones, I understand why retro tech is on the rise
After a few months of wired listening, I’m a fan of making old technology feel new again, but wireless headphones still do it better at this point.
The controls work great too. You have a middle pause button that also has playback controls with more presses, and volume up and down buttons, all of which work reliably. You can also answer and hang up calls by pressing the middle button. All the necessary controls are conveniently placed in front of you as buttons, which I prefer over the gesture controls found on many wireless earbuds like the AirPods.
5 You can talk to people around you while wearing them
There’s also a silver lining to the non-sealed fit of EarPods
While the EarPods’ unsealed fit means your music will never sound perfect, and the bass frequencies in particular are very quiet, you can have a full-blown conversation with someone without taking the earbuds off. Sometimes you don’t even have to pause the music.
I want to be able to interact with the world around me, but I often find that transparency mode on noise-canceling headphones sounds too weird and overwhelming to actually use.
I know this sounds a bit tongue-in-cheek, but when I say this is a positive, I really mean it. I don’t like that I miss what people are saying to me when I’m wearing earbuds or headphones that isolate me from the outside world, which is actually a drawback I find with noise canceling. I want to be able to interact with the world around me, but I often find that transparency mode on noise-canceling headphones sounds too weird and overwhelming to actually use.
8:10
Bose’s new Ultra Open earbuds are a success in style and function, and I can’t stop wearing them
They may not be part of the Bose QuietComfort series, but my ears don’t need any other headphones. Think Transparency Mode – but better.
So EarPods have found a happy middle ground, I can hear and talk to strangers when I’m walking down the street, and I can hear and talk to family members at home when I’m doing housework. chat. It also means you can be more aware of your surroundings when you’re outdoors so you can stay safe and alert.