You can find headphones virtually anywhere, whether complimentary on a plane ride or $249 at the Apple Store. They’re great for blasting Rap God during sleepovers or falling asleep to random e-books, but what can be overwhelming is the sheer amount of headphone options. Ranging from wired to over-the-ear to Bluetooth to noise canceling, which version is the best? As a headphone aficionado who plays music 24/7, wireless Bluetooth earbuds will always remain my top pick. Not only are they extremely portable and convenient, they are also versatile. The ultimate perk? Their overall sound quality will have you jamming in a jiffy. Despite the nostalgia and aesthetics you get when wearing wired headphones, the benefits of a sleeker pair of wireless earbuds are better suited for a world like today’s.

A huge pet peeve of mine is when I pull out a pair of wired earbuds, and the cord is completely tangled. You can only work your fingers through a knot thicker than a yarn ball for so long before you give up. With wireless earbuds, the upgrade is immediate; they are much easier to access and use instantly without those pesky wires. Furthermore, headphone wires are apt to be quite flimsy – despite their protective rubber casing, wires bend and wear down over time, decreasing the headphones’ performance. Additional drawbacks of headphone wires include their tendency to catch on jacket zippers or hoodie strings (and the chance that they get yanked out of your ears if you drop your phone).

With wireless earbuds, your hands are free during usage and performing physical tasks becomes infinitely easier. The range of movement you get when wearing wireless earbuds is like no other. Compared to their over-the-ear counterparts, which may feel heavy on your head and unwieldy while active, wireless earbuds move smoothly with you by resting snugly in rather than on your ears. Though some of you may appreciate an over-the-ear pair’s hug-like fit, my head starts to ache from the pressure of wearing them for long durations, and wireless earbuds can mitigate that.

Also, the majority of wireless headphones typically connect to devices using Bluetooth. As an increasing number of technology companies implement Bluetooth compatibility into their products, your headphones can connect with a more diverse range of electronics. This versatility outweighs the constraints of traditional wired headphones, which, unless you use outside adapters, are very limited in connections. Even if you traditionally use an iPhone, who’s to say you can’t connect to your Samsung friend’s cell with wireless headphones?

When looking at characteristics of wireless earbuds, noise cancellation is often present. Most wired headphones — earbuds specifically — do not have that capability. 

Though their main purpose is serving as a vessel for listening to audio, you can’t deny that the perks of wireless headphones come in handy. Whether studying on a noisy train or concentrating on meditation, wireless earbuds’ built-in noise cancellation block out noise and reduce sensory input. This feature can offer stress relief by eliminating background noise and making it easier to focus. Indeed, technology can sometimes be faulty, such as when Bluetooth connection is shaky at best and crispy at worst. However, wired earbuds can also have the same problem. If headphone ports and plugs are caked with debris or bent out of shape, your music can be just as choppy. Sound quality from wireless headphones improves with the assistance of noise canceling, and even without, stays just as good as wired.

Unfortunately, Bluetooth headphones are, on average, more costly than wired ones. However, the durability and features most wireless earbuds contain are a worthy investment. You can find quality pairs of Bluetooth earbuds for under $10 on Amazon — there are also countless other options to fit various needs.

I won’t discount how having visible headphone cables can elevate any outfit, nor the satisfying click when plugging wired headphones into a device. Wired headphones are tried and true and are the originals for a reason. Nonetheless, because of their ease of use and elevated attributes, it’s so worth it to upgrade to wireless Bluetooth earbuds.