How to buy headphones at a good price: TWS, over-ear, gaming, studio
Which type of headphones suits you
Headphones are divided first of all by form. TWS earbuds (like AirPods) are handy on the move and for sport, but have limited battery time and a small case. On-ear and over-ear headphones isolate better, stay comfortable for longer and sound more spacious. For the studio and gaming, the choice comes down to wired models or wireless ones with low lag, and for gaming the quality of the microphone matters too.
Features that affect the price
Active noise cancelling, codec support (LDAC, aptX), water resistance and battery life all raise the price. Don't pay for what you won't use: for running, the fit and sweat protection matter most, for calls the microphone quality, and for the metro noise cancelling. If you listen on an iPhone, aptX makes no difference, because it doesn't support that codec.
Original or copy: the most common trap
Headphones of famous brands, especially TWS, are widely faked. A copy may look right and even connect, but it sounds worse, gets no updates and doesn't work with the brand's ecosystem features. So say plainly in your request that you want an original, and ask the seller how it can be confirmed: serial number, official warranty, bill. If a third-party alternative also suits you, say so: you will get more offers.
What to put in your request
- type of headphones: TWS, in-ear, on-ear, over-ear; wired or wireless; with a microphone;
- model: for example, AirPods Pro 2;
- new or used: and what condition suits you;
- features: noise cancelling, microphone, codec, water resistance, battery time;
- what for: sport, gaming, calls, studio, a child;
- original or copy: what suits you;
- colour;
- warranty, delivery, budget.
Example: “I'm looking for original wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling for office work and calls, black, new, with an official warranty. Courier delivery to Pretoria, budget up to R 2,300.”
How to compare offers
Match the model letter for letter: “Pro” and the base version cost different amounts. Ask about the batch's year of manufacture, the warranty, and whether the box, cable and spare ear tips are included. For used headphones, ask about the condition of the ear cushions and the battery: in TWS the batteries wear out, and you can feel it.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You create a request on BlaBlaPrice, and sellers of electronics reply with offers in the chat: which model, what condition, price, warranty. They see their place among the others and often improve their terms. The best offer by value is first in the list, with seller reviews beside each. It is free for the buyer, and contacts are hidden. Read more in the “How it works” section.
For home listening you can also look at portable speakers, and the full catalogue is in the “Audio equipment” section.
