Is the future of music wireless? I wouldn’t bet on it. The wired headphones have – and probably still will – have their purpose, but in the meantime, there are more and more Bluetooth devices in the stores that have very little to envy to their wired counterparts: they are light, have a good autonomy and are able to guarantee a more than satisfactory sound quality.

I bet that you too in the face of this “flourishing” of wireless solutions are tickled by the idea of abandoning your old wired earphones and switching to Bluetooth headphones, right? Then give it a try.

Let’s find out what are the main features that must be taken into consideration before buying wireless headphones, we know more about this type of product and try to make a small ranking of the headsets that currently offer the best value for money. Do you want it? Well, then let’s ban the talk and start now!

Below you will first find a list of the best Bluetooth headphones of the moment, then a short buying guide on the factors and specifications to consider to choose the right product.

RANK NO. 1
Sony WI-C100 Wireless in-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Built-in Microphone, Blue
  • Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears,...
  • Long battery life of up to 25 hours
  • DSEE restores high frequency sounds lost in compression
  • Splash-proof and sweat-proof with an IPX4 rating
  • Easier, clearer hands-free calling
SaleRANK NO. 2
JBL Tune 510BT: Wireless On-Ear Headphones with Purebass Sound - Black
  • The Tune 510BT wireless headphones feature renowned JBL Pure Bass sound, which can be found in the most famous venues all around...
  • With Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Streaming, you can stream wirelessly from your device and even switch between two devices so that you...
  • For long-lasting fun, listen wirelessly for up to 40 hours and recharge the battery in as little as 2 hours with the convenient...
  • Easily control your sound and manage your calls from your headphones with the convenient buttons on the ear-cup..Note:If you face...
  • Siri or Hey Google is just a button away: activate the voice assistant of your device by pushing the multi-function button.
SaleRANK NO. 3
Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Earbuds 80hrs Playtime Wireless Charging Case...
  • 80hrs Playtime & Digital Charging Case: Each ear buds offers up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge, allowing you to...
  • Hi-Fi Sound Quality & HD Voice Technology: Bluetooth earbuds incorporate 13mm double-layer diaphragm drivers, delivering sound...
  • One Button Control & Auto On/Connect: Manage your music, adjust volume, and answer calls effortlessly with the wireless...
  • Bluetooth 5.3 & Multi Using Mode: Stay connected to your device with confidence, thanks to the advanced Bluetooth 5.3 capability...
  • Design for Sports & IPX7 Sweat-resistant: Bluetooth earphones are the result of years of research aimed at improving people's...
RANK NO. 4
Plantronics M70 - Noise-Reducing Mobile Bluetooth Headset - Black & White...
  • This Certified Refurbished product is factory refurbished, shows limited or no wear, and includes all original accessories plus a...
  • Reduces noise, wind and echo from calls and delivers HD audio clarity when used with wideband-enabled smartphones and mobile...
  • DeepSleep hibernation mode activates when out of range from your paired phone, keeping the headset charged up to six months
  • Control your music and streaming audio using headset buttons instead of your smartphone
  • Onscreen headset battery meter is automatic for iPhone and is enabled for Android smartphones using the free Plantronics battery...
SaleRANK NO. 5
Wireless Earbuds Mini Ear Buds Bluetooth Headphones 5.3 IPX7 Waterproof...
  • Ultra-light & Ultra-compact Design: Ear Buds (T62 2023) weigh just 3.3g/pc, as light as a feather, providing a zero burden wear...
  • IPX7 Waterproof & LED Display: Wireless earbuds are equipped with IPX7 water resistance, preventing damage from sweat and...
  • Bass Acoustic and Touch Control: Headphones wireless bluetooth equipped with an advanced dynamic driver and provide crystal-clear...
  • Bluetooth 5.3 and One-Step Pairing: These ear buds feature Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ensuring fast and reliable connections for an...
  • Long Playback Time & Transparent Case Design: Earphones with a 30mAh capacity offer up to 5 hours of continuous usage. Case with a...
RANK NO. 6
REETEC Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear - [7 LED Lights Display] Foldable...
  • 🎧 With excellent hi-fi stereo and rich bass, the wireless headphones adopts 40mm neodymium driver and ear pad design, and the...
  • 🎧 Unique LED light luminous bluetooth headphones, with multi-light breathing mode. In dark light or game environment, it will...
  • 🎧 Equipped with 500 mAh battery, the wireless headset can provide up to 48 hours of play or talk time in bluetooth mode,...
  • 🎧 Comfortable soft protein earmuffs and skin-friendly materials make the earphones perfectly fit, reduce ear pressure, and...
  • 🎧 The over ear headphones built-in TF card slot, compatible for iPhone, iPad, tablet, Android, laptop, computer, TV and other...
SaleRANK NO. 7
Otium Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Earbuds IPX7 Waterproof Sports Earphones...
  • IPX7 waterproof,Adopting highly sealed shell + nano-coating waterproof technology, its waterproof performance reaches IPX7...
  • Excellent sound quality, headset and Bluetooth 5.3 for stereo sound and superb bass sound. Clear high & low volume. Excellent...
  • Up to 15 hours ,music playing for full battery charge. Super quick charge time with full charge light indication.The headphone...
  • With easy to use button, Allows skip/play/pause on your music tracks as well as all phone use without reaching your phone. Super...
  • State of the art earphones design, Best workout sweatproof bluetooth ear buds. Great for Running, Jogging, Hiking, Biking, Gym...
SaleRANK NO. 8
KORSKR Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Ear Buds 42Hrs Playtime Bluetooth...
  • 【LED Power Display & 42Hrs Playtime】Discover the ultimate in wireless freedom with our wireless ear buds. With a quick 1.2hrs...
  • 【Stereo Audio & Crystal-clear Calls】Experience the ultimate in high-fidelity stereo sound with our wireless headphones....
  • 【Ergonomic Design for Sports】Our wireless earphones are the pinnacle of performance and comfort for the fitness lovers....
  • 【Bluetooth 5.3 Stable Connection】With latest Bluetooth 5.3 chip, these ear buds provide a seamless and more stable connection,...
  • 【Instant Pairing & Touch Control】Say goodbye to complicated pairing and hello to instant connectivity with our earbuds. Once...
SaleRANK NO. 9
KVIDIO [Updated] Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear, 65 Hours Playtime Wireless...
  • HIGH FIDELITY STEREO HEADPHONES: KVIDIO upgraded bluetooth headphones with dual 40mm drivers and noise isolation technology,...
  • UNMATCHED COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Over ear earmuff made by softest memory-protein foam gives you all day comfort. Adjustable...
  • WIDE COMPATIBILITY: Simply press multi-function button 2s and the over ear headphones with mic will be in ready to pair. KVIDIO...
  • SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTION: Updated Bluetooth version V5.3 ensures an ultra fast and virtually unbreakable connection up to 33...
  • WARRANTY AND SURPPORT: Package include a Foldable Deep Bass Headphone, 3.5mm backup audio cable, USB charging cable and User...
SaleRANK NO. 10
Stiive Bluetooth Headphones, 5.3 Wireless Sports Earbuds IPX7 Waterproof with...
  • Low latency, Fast and Stable Connection: Our Bluetooth 5.3 headphones can fast connection to previously paired devices after power...
  • Amazing Audio Experience: With the dynamic drivers and CSR chip, our wireless earbuds has a truly authentic sound and powerful...
  • Dual Waterproof Protection: With IPX7 waterproof rating and interior nano-coating technology, our workout headphones can...
  • Up to 16 Hours Playtime: The rechargeable battery of Bluetooth earbuds supports up to 16 hours of playtime with just 2 hours of...
  • Super Soft and Secure Fit: With a lightweight and ergonomic design, our sport headphones are a great combination of comfort and...

The Best Bluetooth Headphones Buying Guide

Before choosing your next Bluetooth headphones, you need to consider various features. For example, you need to evaluate whether a pair of wired or completely wireless earphones are better for you (therefore without a cable that connects the right earphone to the left earphone), you have to check how long the earphones last before having to be recharged, what types of controls have and so on. For all the details, read on.

Format

Most Bluetooth headphones are in-ear type; therefore they are introduced directly into the ear canal through some interchangeable rubbers that are usually supplied in three different sizes (Small, Medium and Large) to adapt to various types of ear.

Bluetooth Earphones

Those who do not like in-ear earphones, alas, have little choice, but luckily some classic earphones that rest only in the ear without inserting it in the ear canal ( earbuds ) still exist.

Another difference that must be carefully considered is that relating to the cable. Most Bluetooth headphones have a cable that connects the right earphone to the left earphone (and on which, often, the microphone and controls are included), but there are also 100% wireless earphones that do not have any type of cable. As can be easily guessed, the earphones without cable are a little more comfortable, they can also be used in mono mode (as a single headset for calls) but are lost much more easily and can be more uncomfortable for volume control, music playback etc.

In earphones with cable, the quality of the cable itself, its tendency to create tangles and its color must be evaluated, because after all, the eye also wants its part!

Bluetooth Headphone for Sports

There are also earphones intended exclusively for sports, which have characteristics that differentiate them from earphones for everyday activities (the so-called city earphones) and make them ideal for use in the gym or while running. For example, they are resistant to sweat, dust and rain; often have a headband that rests on the outer part of the ear to increase stability during physical activities (or it is the earphones themselves that have a bow shape) and can include sensors for detecting the heartbeat or counting steps and calories burned.

Finally, a separate discussion must be made for the Bluetooth mono earphones, i.e. those consisting of a single unit, which includes a microphone and is used only to make calls without keeping the smartphone close to the ear. In most cases, it is not possible to buy two mono earphones and use them in stereo mode to listen to music. Instead, you can purchase a pair of fully wireless headphones, such as Apple’s AirPods or Samsung’s Gear IconX, and use them in mono mode for calls by wearing only one.

Autonomy and Charging Times

Bluetooth headphones are battery-operated, so before buying a pair, you need to check their autonomy and their charging times.

Some earphones offer a quick charge function that allows you to get 1 hour of battery life (or a little more) with a charge of a few minutes.

If you are a type who always forgets to charge your mobile phone or other electronic devices, you could consider buying a pair of earphones with fast charging to avoid running out of music before going out or going for a run.

Pairing Methods and Supported Devices

Most Bluetooth headphones are compatible with the Bluetooth 4.1, Bluetooth 4.2 and Bluetooth 5.0 standards and are backwards compatible with the previous Bluetooth standards, so regardless of the type of smartphone, tablet or PC you have, you should not have compatibility problems. The range that the headphones connected via the latest Bluetooth standards can cover is 10 meters.

Some headphones are also equipped with support for NFC technology, which allows you to pair with smartphones and tablets faster than the classic Bluetooth pairing. Just put the earbuds close to a smartphone or tablet with NFC support, and you’re done.

Multi-Point Earphones

To be taken into consideration, there is also the maximum number of devices to which it is possible to associate a pair of wireless earphones without having to first disassociate them from other previously paired devices. The headphones that support pairing with multiple devices simultaneously allow you to switch from one device to another without having to repeat boring pairing procedures and, above all, without “forgetting” the device used previously. Then there are the multi-point earphones that can be connected to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and manage them at the same time (e.g. one to receive calls and one to listen to music).

Controls, Microphone and Compatibility

Another feature that must be carefully considered before buying a pair of wireless headphone is that related to the controls.

The controls can be included on the cable that connects the two earphones or in the earphones themselves; they allow you to adjust the volume, answer calls, control multimedia playback and invoke services such as Siri and Google’s voice assistant.

In most cases, the controls work regardless of the device and the operating system used, but there are also controls that work on one system and not on the other, or maybe they work only partially. For example, you may find yourself buying a pair of headphones that allows you to control the volume, calls and music but not to invoke Siri on the iPhone. Check the compatibility of the controls carefully before purchasing a pair of wireless earphones.

The microphone for answering calls, on the other hand, is present on most headphones. Only the quality and the level of reducing external noise change (which must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis).

Sound Quality and Isolation

The sound quality varies from product to product; general considerations cannot be made. To find out which headphones sound as you like (e.g. with emphasis on bass or balanced sound on all frequencies) read the reviews and comments available online. As for the degree of isolation from external noise, it all depends on the quality of the headsets and the rubbers they have.

Support App

Many manufacturers allow you to adjust the sound equalization and other parameters of their headphones through practical smartphone apps. If you want to have complete control over the type of sound that needs to come out of the earphones (within limits imposed by the hardware), buy that has a good support app.

Technical Features

In the technical specifications of the Bluetooth headphones, in addition to the values relating to autonomy and range, you may find parameters such as frequency response, impedance and sensitivity. Here are their meanings in brief.

Design and Ergonomics

The first factor to consider before purchasing these devices is a direct consequence of the design or ergonomics. Bluetooth headphones, are real objects of wearable technology and, as such, must be comfortable.

In other words, whoever wears the headphones must not perceive an annoying object inserted in his ear canal. The form of the latter is different from person to person.

Therefore, headphones could be convenient and comfortable for one subject, while another could perceive them as annoying and bulky. Also for this reason, often several rubbers/adapters are supplied.

In-Ear Vs In-Ear Canal

Another element to evaluate the ergonomics of the headsets is undoubtedly the type of the latter. In fact, we can distinguish between in-ear earphones and in-ear canal earphones.

If we talk about Apple AirPods shape, they should not be inserted deep into the ear canal. They are therefore very comfortable (almost not perceived in the ear), but certainly not very stable and with limited sound insulation.

In contrast, in-ear canal earphones are inserted deeper and, at the moment, represent the most popular sub-category of products.

This type of earphones offers excellent stability and improved sound insulation.

Dimensions

Obviously, among the most relevant factors to evaluate the comfort of the headphones are the size and weight of the devices.

These may vary from model to model, but most of the products on the market have a very small footprint. However, headsets with physical controls are usually larger than those with touch technologies.

Performance

Of course, audio performance has a fundamental weight in the choice. Unfortunately, manufacturers are providing less and less technical information about headsets, making it fairly complicated to judge devices based on objective data. Often, you need to rely on the brand reputation itself and the feedback available online.

Frequency Response

Frequency response is one of the easiest data to find when it comes to headphones. As we know, the human ear is able to hear sounds within a certain frequency range, in this case from 20 to 20000 Hz.

Any sound belonging to this range is audible, although other factors must also be taken into account, such as the age of the subject. In fact, over the years, hearing loses the ability to detect sounds with higher frequency, also influencing a possible judgment on the performance of a pair of Bluetooth headsets.

When purchasing Bluetooth headphones, it is advisable to move towards models that have a frequency response in the range mentioned above.

The latter is considered to be an international standard, although many budget Bluetooth headsets are unable to achieve it.

Impedance

Another criterion for assessing the audio performance of Bluetooth headphones is certainly impedance.

This indicates the resistance that the audio signal encounters in the coil placed inside the earphone. It is measured in ohms and, generally, higher impedance values correspond to better sound quality.

On the contrary, the impedance value is inversely proportional to the performance in terms of volume (the greater the obstacle that the sound must overcome, the more challenging to reach high reproduction volumes).

To make the right choice, we advise you to orient yourself on products that have an impedance of at least 30 Ohm. This should be sufficient to offer good sound quality.

Driver

Drivers, as for the purchase of Bluetooth soundbars and speakers, are one of the most decisive factors. It is the physical element placed inside the earphones, capable of transforming the electrical signal into sound. In other words, it’s the speakers placed inside the ear-plugs.

Obviously, the larger their size, the more powerful the sound will be. However, today’s drivers are able to achieve excellent performance, while maintaining rather small dimensions (approx. 15 mm).

Functions

The Bluetooth headphones, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, connect to our smartphone (“pairing”) and offer the possibility to manage some of its features.

Obviously, the features change according to the model of headphone chosen, but in most cases, they include:

  • Switch the earphones on / off
  • Change song being played
  • Answer/end calls
  • Activate the voice assistant
  • Raise / lower volume
  • Activate NFC

Microphone and Calls

True wireless headphones are also devices that can make our calls more comfortable when we are on the move, obviously thanks to the integrated microphone.

In addition, the physical or touch controls of the device allow you to easily answer or close the line, without putting your hand on the phone. To evaluate the quality of the calls, you need to focus on the microphone power, noise isolation and stability of the Bluetooth connection.

Additional Features

Apart from the functions that can be managed directly from the earphones, it is good also to consider the presence of apps to associate and the additional features that they offer.

In fact, the brands of the best Bluetooth headphones offer dedicated apps where you can directly control the settings from your smartphone, adjust the equalizer, customize the keys or access some additional information.

For example, some models dedicated to athletes integrate accelerometer and heart rate monitor and allow you to track physical activity directly in the app, just like in other apps specialized in fitness tracking.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation or noise cancelling is a much sought after feature in the latest generation headphones and earphones. However, there is a first distinction to be made between passive and active noise cancelling.

The first refers to the “physical” ability of the earphones to adhere to the ear canal and prevent the passage of external sounds. So this is a feature closely related to the shape and structure of the headset. Active noise cancelling (ANC), on the other hand, uses a dedicated technology to cancel external noises.

Active Noise Cancellation

In other words, the headphones with ANC integrate a microphone capable of detecting the frequencies of external sounds, so as to cancel them by emitting opposite frequencies.

This is particularly useful in situations with fairly uniform and persistent background noise, for example on public transport or on aeroplanes.

Sensitivity

This value indicates the acoustic pressure expressed by the earphones in relation to the applied voltage (2.83 volts listening at 1m distance) and is measured in dB. The higher the sensitivity, the greater the volume that the headsets can reach without distorting the sound.
Another feature that can be found in Bluetooth headsets is the support for aptX technology, which allows you to have 24-bit audio streaming, with therefore a higher quality than that of classic Bluetooth transmissions and even that of audio CDs.

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