With the rising popularity of TWS earbuds, the future of neckbands seems uncertain.
In our neckbands vs TWS earbuds comparison, we found TWS earbuds to be more practical for everyday use.
That said, preferences vary. Many users still prefer neckbands over earbuds for specific reasons, such as comfort, battery life, or ease of use.
So, are neckbands good and still worth it? Let’s find out.
Quick Summary: Neckband earphones offer good sound, call quality, and battery life but lack true wireless convenience and newer features. While their popularity is fading, they’re still a solid choice for most needs.
Are Neckbands Good?
Undoubtedly, neckband earphones offer significant benefits, but there are a few important factors to consider.
- Not Fully Wireless: While neckbands provide a wireless experience, they are not entirely free from wires.
- Limited Evolution: The neckband category is no longer evolving as rapidly, with most companies now focusing their efforts on earbuds.
- Limited Options: The market for neckbands has become more limited. If you’re seeking a premium-quality neckband with the latest features, you might not find one easily.
On the positive side, they offer:
- Excellent Sound Quality: Most neckbands deliver great sound quality, offering an immersive audio experience with clear, detailed music playback.
- Portability: Neckbands are easy to carry and can be conveniently rested around your neck when not in use.
- Long Battery Life: These earphones offer excellent battery performance, typically lasting between 8 and 25+ hours, depending on the model.
- Physical Buttons: With physical buttons, neckbands eliminate the risk of accidental touches, ensuring a more reliable user experience.
- Superior Call Quality: The microphone is positioned near your mouth, resulting in superior call quality. Additionally, you can physically adjust the mic for optimal performance.
- Helmet Compatibility: Neckbands are also well-suited for use with helmets, making them a practical choice for commuters and motorcyclists.
Considering these factors, it’s evident that neckband earphones remain a viable option for many users.
While they may not be as popular as they once were, they still offer valuable benefits and are likely to maintain their place in the market going forward.
Is a Neckband Better than Earphones or TWS Earbuds?
When compared to wired earphones, we don’t believe neckbands offer a superior experience.
Why? Because with wired earphones, manufacturers focus primarily on sound quality. In contrast, with neckbands, companies must balance sound quality with other factors such as Bluetooth connectivity, codecs, battery life, and more.
If you compare a Rs 1500 wired earphone to a neckband in the same price range, you’ll likely find that the wired earphone offers clearer, fuller sound with a wider soundstage and deeper bass.
Additionally, call quality is typically much better on wired earphones.
When compared to TWS earbuds, neckbands often sound better, or at the very least, deliver a similar audio experience.
These days, companies are primarily focusing on TWS earbuds, leading to significant improvements in their performance.
Modern earbuds come with advanced features such as high-res audio, lower latency, improved battery life, and better call quality, among others.
However, as mentioned earlier, neckbands are not receiving the same level of focus from manufacturers as TWS earbuds are.
Still, we would say that while neckbands may not match wired earphones in sound and call quality, they can outperform TWS earbuds in certain areas within the same price range.
For example, when comparing a Rs 1500 neckband to Rs 1500 TWS earbuds, the neckband could outperform the TWS earbuds in specific aspects.
However, when it comes to convenience and ease of use, TWS earbuds are far superior to neckbands.
Also check the Realme Buds N1 vs T310.
How Much Should You Spend on a Neckband?
The advantage of neckbands is that they are relatively inexpensive.
They could have been priced higher if companies had focused more on them and incorporated the latest features. However, with most companies prioritizing TWS earbuds, neckbands have received less attention.
So, how much should you spend on a neckband?
The ideal price range for a neckband is between Rs 800 and Rs 2500. If the neckband offers premium features, you might consider spending up to Rs 3000.
We don’t recommend spending more than Rs 3000 on a neckband unless it’s the latest model and includes high-end features.
Should You Buy a Neckband?
We understand that most users are leaning toward TWS earbuds, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, we also prefer TWS earbuds over neckbands.
However, that doesn’t mean neckbands should be completely ruled out.
We can’t deny that neckbands have many advantages. They offer good sound quality, are easy to use, provide excellent battery life, are budget-friendly, and much more.
So, if a neckband meets your needs, there’s no reason not to consider one. Just be sure to keep the pros and cons in mind when making your decision.
Pros and Cons of Neckbands
Pros
- Easy to carry, no case needed
- Simple to use
- Not easy to lose
- Physical buttons prevent accidental touches
- Better call quality than TWS earbuds
- Usable with a helmet
- Good battery life
Cons
- No true wireless experience.
- Can’t charge while in use.
- Limited new features due to less focus from manufacturers.
Final Verdict: Are Neckbands Still Worth It?
We acknowledge that the popularity of neckbands is declining, with more people opting for TWS earbuds due to the truly wireless experience and added convenience.
However, neckbands still offer their own unique benefits.
While the availability of neckbands may decrease in the future, you can definitely still purchase one if it meets your needs.
You might like the Redmi Buds 6 review.
So, are neckbands still good and worth buying? By now, we’re sure you have your answer.
If you still have any doubts, feel free to ask us in the comment section.
Do you agree or disagree with the points mentioned? Share your thoughts with us!