Collection: Earphones & Headphones

Headphones and earphones come in a few forms — in-ear buds, on-ear and over-ear — and the right one depends on comfort, portability and whether you want noise cancelling. Bluetooth headphones and wireless earbuds suit commuting and exercise; over ear headphones suit long listening and travel. Noise cancelling headphones make a real difference on planes and in offices. Think about where you'll wear them most, how long at a time, and whether blocking noise matters to you.

Earbuds, on-ear or over-ear?

The three types trade portability against comfort and sound:

• In-ear earbuds: tiny and pocketable, sitting in the ear canal, good for commuting and exercise. Wireless models charge in a case.
• On-ear headphones: pads resting on the ears, more compact than over-ear but can press over long sessions.
• Over-ear headphones: cups fully enclosing the ears, most comfortable for long listening with the best sound and isolation, but the bulkiest.

How does noise cancelling work?

Active noise cancelling uses microphones to listen to surrounding sound, then generates an inverted sound wave that cancels it out before it reaches your ear. It works best on constant low-frequency noise — aircraft cabins, train rumble, air conditioning, traffic hum — which is why it's transformative on a flight. It's less effective on sudden, variable sounds like speech or a door slamming. Passive isolation, from over-ear cups or well-sealed in-ear tips, blocks noise physically and complements it. If you fly or commute regularly, active noise cancelling is the feature worth paying for.

How do you protect your hearing?

Hearing damage from headphones builds gradually and is permanent, so it's worth managing volume deliberately. A widely used guide is the 60/60 rule — listen at no more than about 60 percent of maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a stretch, then take a break. If someone next to you can hear your music, it's too loud. Noise cancelling actually helps here, since blocking background noise means you don't have to raise the volume to compete with it. If your ears ring after listening, that's a sign the volume was too high.

Common questions

Is noise cancelling worth it?
Yes if you fly or commute — it's very effective on constant low-frequency noise like aircraft and train rumble. It's less useful against speech and sudden sounds.

Are earbuds or over-ear headphones better?
Earbuds are pocketable and suit exercise and commuting; over-ear headphones are more comfortable for long sessions with better sound and isolation. Choose by where you'll wear them.

How loud is too loud for headphones?
A common guide is no more than around 60 percent volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. If someone beside you can hear your music, it's too loud.

Why do my earbuds keep falling out?
Usually the wrong tip size — most come with several sizes, and a proper seal both holds them in and improves bass noticeably. Try each size to find the right fit.

Can I pay for headphones with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our earphones and headphones start from $18, which is four fortnightly payments of $4.50.

Complete your setup

Headphones work with the rest of your audio. Add speakers for shared listening, a soundbar for the TV, and a TV to pair with.

A $18 pair of headphones splits into four fortnightly payments of $4.5 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.