I use these for when I want to slightly enhance a boring situation by listening to background music or doing a Duo Lingo lesson on the go. I wouldn’t recommend these for top sound quality for a music session. I use my over ear Bose headphones for anything intense. But these are PERFECT for car rides (when your not the driver in charge of the music) or waiting in line for rides at amusement parks or at work (on break of course!), or at night if you sleep with someone but want to watch a show on your device, or even shopping. You can still hear around you but you can chose your own sound track. I’ve never tried the brand name ear pods but I really don’t think it’s necessary to spend $$$ for these kind of head phones. I have small ears and these don’t fall out. They even stay in when I’m laying down in bed. 10/10 recommend. Very easy to connect over multiple devices. Has a button for on/off sound. Volume is controlled on the device. The case battery is very impressive. I’ve never listened long enough for the battery to die and I’ve had them over a month now. I travel A LOT (about 10 different states a week) for work and always have them in my pocket.