Why I'll never part with my corded Apple headphones

I'm constantly carrying two pairs of headphones: the Sony WH-1000XM5s and my trusty corded Apple EarPods. And I use the latter a lot more.

While I'll defend over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones to the hilt when it comes to public transport and the gym, they're not warranted in every situation. Plus, failing to remember to charge them is a fatal flaw of mine.

However, my corded Apple EarPods have never died on me. They offer great audio quality and are very affordable. I would honestly choose them over AirPods every single time, and I'm going to tell you why.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector

$29 on Amazon

Apple AirPods 4

$268 on Amazon

But first, what's the difference between AirPods and EarPods?

EarPods are the 'corded' option from Apple. The earpiece used to be circular, which was quite uncomfortable; however, they now have a similar shape to the AirPods, designed to fit universally in people's ears.

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AirPods are the wireless version that revolutionised Bluetooth listening. Sure, they connect wirelessly to your Apple family of devices, but they also cost $240 more, give or take.

I will admit, there are fewer devices you can plug your EarPods into, especially if you have the Lightning cable connector. I do still have a pair with a pin connector that I sometimes use with my laptop, but the USB-C adaptor seems to be the most versatile for someone who is Apple-agnostic.

I've bought three pairs of corded EarPods in a 12-month period (a clue as to why I don't have AirPods), and I will never stop replacing them. Here's my pitch:

They're practical

• The EarPods don't die and don't require a charging case. They won't run out of battery mid-flight or mid-run.
• They're really small, so they can be placed inside your smaller handbags and even your pocket.
• They're ideal for speaking hands-free in the car if you don't have a Bluetooth connection on your radio.

They're of good quality

• I use the EarPods at work when I'm writing and catching up on emails so that I can still hear my team around me. The audio is crystal-clear, and they have a great volume range, but I can still hear people talking to me.
• The EarPods is also great, significantly better than my noise-cancelling headphones, which are a little fuzzy when it comes to calls and VNs.

They're affordable

• The Apple EarPods cost $29, while the AirPods 4 currently cost $268 on Amazon.
• If you want some 'girl math', even my three corded pairs from over the last year haven't added up to the price of a pair of AirPods.

A few cons

I understand that these simple and affordable headphones may not be for everyone. For instance, they don't have noise cancellation, which is my favourite thing about my Sony pair. The new AirPods do have active noise cancellation, which makes them pretty enticing.

They also lack the extra level of simplicity of the AirPods, something I ponder when they get tangled in my handbag and I have to spend five minutes righting them.

The cable connector can also be limiting, especially if you're on an iPhone model that still has a Lightning connector. This also extends to charging – you can't use a charger cord and the EarPods simultaneously unless you buy an adapter. The AirPods will connect to any iPhone or Mac, which is another point in their favour.

However, if you don't need anything flashy or expensive for your daily headphone use, I will always recommend spending the $29 on Apple's trustiest product.

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