The 11 best wireless Bluetooth headphones

Audio stores offer a large selection of wireless headphones. To make it easier for you to choose a functional model, we have compiled a rating of really cool Bluetooth headphones for home, office, sports, computer games and walks in the fresh air.

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Best wireless Bluetooth headphones

In modern gadgets, Bluetooth technology is responsible for wireless communication, transmitting the signal over a distance of 10 meters or more. A smartphone, laptop, tablet, TV or other device with a built-in BT transceiver usually acts as a sound transmitter.

There are two types of Bluetooth headphones on the market. The first category includes models whose cups are connected: a wire or a headband. In the second, TWS-accessories, where each earpiece is completely self-contained and generally devoid of wires, have recently branched off.

Shure SBH2350-BR-EFS

Studio-level sound

Shure is a product for the serious audio industry. It is highly prized by sound engineers, musicians, and advanced audiophiles who prefer detailed and energetic sound.

Reasons to buy:

• exquisite finish;
• Adjustable noise reduction;
• comfortable touch control;
• wired connectivity;
• works with all advanced codecs.

The frame of the large, full-size headphones is made of metal and plastic. The padded headband is lined with eco-leather, and the ear cushions are filled with resilient foam. The flexible earcup adjusts to size with a clear click, and the cups of the covering type move to the sides.

Touch buttons are built in for selecting songs, adjusting volume, and answering calls. Inside the headphones are dynamic drivers and premium amplifiers.

The bluetooth version works with AAC, aptX, aptX HD and LDAC codecs. There is multi-level noise cancellation and a "transparent" mode to block out extraneous sounds. The ShurePlus Play app provides access to noise-canceling settings and a software player with equalizer and Hi-Res Audio support.

Battery charge lasts for 20 hours. The model comes with a protective case and two cables.

Apple AirPods Pro

Excellent noise cancellation.

Apple's proprietary Airpods Pro are already quite decent-sounding, fully capable of neutralizing external noise, and they also charge quickly and offer good battery life.

Reasons to buy:

• Good noise isolation;
• Wide frequency range driver;
• adapted equalizer;
• easy operation.

The small in-ear headphones have a glossy plastic housing with a short "tail. Three pairs of earmuffs are included so that everyone can find the perfect size.

Playback is controlled via touch-sensitive n sensors. Volume is adjusted from your phone or with a voice assistant. Active noise suppression muffles external sounds in the subway, airplane, and crowded places. To hear what's going on around you, all you have to do is disable the lock and go into open mode.

IPX4 splash and sweat protection allows you to play action sports without worrying about damaging your gadget. A Lightning connector case is used for storing and charging the headphones.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBT

Big sound with good bass

The wireless full-size close-fitting model produces premium sound quality, successfully combining it with Bluetooth wireless technology. This makes it a sought-after accessory for home and travel.

Reasons to buy:

• Soft headband and comfortable cups;
• A powerful microphone;
• Possibility of wired and wireless connection;
• passive noise cancellation;
• great sound.

The frame of these headphones is made of abrasion-resistant plastic. The elastic headband is reinforced by a metal plate and covered with synthetic leather. Size adjustment is done with the help of positional notches.

The big round cups rotate on two axes and the soft synthetic ear cushions fully cover the ear cups. A hinge mechanism allows the heads to fold inward.

The controls for the headphones are placed on the right side. In the middle of the left cup there is a touchpad to call the voice assistant. Bluetooth works with aptX, AAC and SBC codecs. A cable with a 3.5mm mini-jack plug is provided for a wired connection.

The ATH-M50XBT boasts an excellent microphone that delivers speech without distortion. Buyers are happy with the functionality of the gadget, but note one drawback - the inability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

Full control over sound

Premium headphones attract an impressive set of features, improved ergonomics and a concise design.

Reasons to buy:

• Compact size;
• active noise reduction;
• IPX4 moisture protection;
• voice assistant;
• AAC and aptX support.

The housing of the plastic drop-in earbuds includes powerful microphones for active noise cancellation and clear voice transmission during telephone conversations. On the inside there are charging contacts, a magnetic mount, LED indicators and optical wearable sensors.

It is controlled via the touchpad - the gestures can be customized in the mobile app. The sensor clearly responds to touch and executes commands without delay.

Codecs AAC, aptX and standard SBC transmit audio files without "stuttering" even in places with serious radio interference. It comes with removable ear cushions, a USB cable and a plastic charging case.

Sennheiser TWS 2 is compatible with Android and iOS. Among the useful features of the headset is a smart pause: if you take one earpiece out of your ear, playback automatically pauses and resumes again when the earpiece is put back in place.

Bose Headphones 700

"Smart" headphones.

Bose Headphones give you clear sound and guarantee the effect of total immersion into music at any volume. The headset is also optimized to work with voice assistants.

Reasons to buy:

• Concise design;
• Noise cancellation control;
• Adapted microphone system;
• intuitive touch control;
• Bose AR branded augmented reality technology.

Bose Bluetooth headphones are combined of matte plastic and metal. On the inner side of the moving headband is a soft insert covered with synthetic leather. The bills of the open cups rotate around the axis by 90 degrees.

On the right side there is a touch pad. Here you can easily activate music, pause the song, receive calls and activate voice guidance.

Built-in microphones clearly pick up voice and clean it from interference, so even in a busy room your speech will be clearly audible to the interlocutor. There's an 11-level noise reduction system and a Bluetooth/Power button for sleeping on the train or plane. Pressing it turns off the bluetooth, interrupts the connection with the phone, but leaves the noise suppression.

The Bose AR augmented audio reality system is interesting. It enhances the perception of the surrounding world and opens the access to the exclusive content (however, in our market it is not available yet).

Bose Headphones 700 are sold with a large case, in which they are conveniently stored. When the battery is empty, the headphones can be simply connected by wire.

Jabra Elite Active 75t

TWS waterproof headset

The Elite Active 75t is a headset designed for active workouts. The gadget has an ergonomic shape and high quality build.

Reasons to buy:

• Good as a phone headset;
• Long battery life;
• Multipoint mode;
• IP57 moisture and dust protection;
• Ability to switch to audio transparency mode.

In Jabra Elite the developers implemented a cascade of 4 microphones, which significantly improved the quality of calls. The device also supports the "local effect" (sidetone), the ability to turn off the microphone, has a separate equalizer that adjusts the transmission of speech on incoming calls.

The model is characterized by good noise isolation. There is an automatic pause sensor and multipoint, which allows you to connect to two sound sources at once. The developers have also released a handy application that allows you to customize the functionality and sound of the "ears". There are also no complaints about the overall sound quality.

Jabra Elite 75t supports Bluetooth 5.0, works with SBC and AAC codecs. The size of the model is relatively small, and the battery life is about 7.5 hours. With a charging case, you'll get 28 hours.

Beats Powerbeats Pro.

With a comfortable earhook

In-canal headphones with good sound insulation and clear sound do not fall out of your ears even during vigorous exercise - a good option for sports.

Reasons to buy:

• original design;
• Adjustable BTE earpieces;
• balanced sound;
• sweat and moisture protection;
• high autonomy.

Powerbeats Pro's flat, streamlined plastic housings have a mechanical control button and a narrow double button. The proximity sensor triggers when you pull the accessory out of your ear and pauses the melody or transfers your voice to a second earpiece when you're on the phone.

The model supports the AAC codec. Each earpiece connects independently, so it can be fully used separately from the other. The spacious carrying case provides reliable storage and quick battery charging. But even without it, the headset can work autonomously up to 9 hours.

The in-canal placement ensures that Beats fit snugly in the ears, and the earbuds ensure that they won't fly off even when you move them sharply. Passive isolation allows you to listen to music comfortably indoors and outdoors.

AKG K 361-BT

Resilient wireless connectivity

AKG headphones produce balanced, natural sound suitable for listening to different genres as well as professional audio recordings.

Reasons to buy:

• High-quality materials of construction;
• comfortable fit;
• wide frequency range;
• closed acoustic design;
• possible connection through a detachable cable.

The headphones look compact, concise and folded fit into a jacket pocket. The flexible headband is made of steel, the speaker housing is made of brushed plastic.

The oval earcups rotate freely on the hinges and fold into the headband. The ear cushions are filled with memory foam and covered with synthetic leather. The heads fit snugly against your ears, cutting off loud ambient sounds.

The touch pad on the left ear is responsible for track selection and call control. SBC and AAC codecs are available for audio transmission. The accessory is charged via the standard microUSB cable. A full charge is enough for 24 hours of operation.

Included with AKG K 361-BT is a removable 3-meter long audio cord with a standardized 2.5 mm plug and adapters for 3.5 and 6.3 mm. With them you can connect home audio equipment when the battery is low.

V-moda Crossfade Wireless

DJ headphones with hidden microphone

Support for AAC and aptX codecs combined with high resolution makes V-moda Crossfade one of the luckiest headphones on the audio market. They also offer enviable durability and reliability.

Reasons to buy:

• swivel cups;
• lively and deep sound;
• removable audio cable;
• multipoint;
• high durability;
• ANC system.

Wide headband headphones have large hexagonal cups with a metal band around the circumference and shield-like overlays. The special attachment allows you to rotate them in different directions for the most comfortable fit. The accessory fits snugly on your head, the soft ear cushions nicely cover your ears and provide good insulation.

At the top of the right hand there are three buttons for volume control and track switching. There is also a fader that activates pairing mode, connectors for charging and cable.

Inside are 50-mm dual diaphragm speakers with CCAW voice coils. The Bluetooth model connects to two devices simultaneously and guarantees 14 hours of battery life.

The V-moda Crossfade Wireless is available in black, white and gold. In addition to the headphones in the box are cord in fabric braided with a 3.5 mm jack, an adapter from it to the 6.3 mm and a thick pouch that follows the contours of the headset.

Sony WI-1000x

Stereo headphones with neckband

The Sony WI-1000x is a great choice for walking around town and riding on public transportation. Active noise cancellation dampens low-frequency sounds, makes listening to music enjoyable and protects your hearing.

Reasons to buy:

• Stylish design;
• high quality build;
• clear sound;
• fine-tuning through a proprietary app;
• high capacity battery.

The headphone body, combined of metal and plastic, is quite large due to the hybrid driver system and two built-in microphones. But the silicone in-canal ear cushions do not squeeze the ear canal and are permanently fixed inside.

The heads connect to the neckband via a cord. On the inside of the headband there are control buttons and an NFC tag for instant pairing of the gadget with your phone. Bluetooth 4.1 supports a stable connection within 10 meters. The LDAC codec broadcasts music in high resolution, so there are no delays in audio playback when watching video content.

The headphones have 10 hours of continuous battery life. This time is reduced when noise cancellation is enabled. To enjoy all the features of the WI-1000x, the Sony Headphones Connect app is installed on your smartphone. The app gives access to adapted sound control, EQ, noise reduction optimizer and power saving features.

Jaybird X4.

Sports waterproof headphones

Jaybird X4 is a welcome gift for active people who prefer to enjoy music while exercising, walking and traveling.

Reasons to buy:

• compact design;
• IPX7 water protection;
• removable silicone fasteners;
• sturdy cable;
• case for storage and transportation;
• good autonomy.

The two heads of the lightweight Jaybird plastic headphones are connected by a short, flat cable that can be placed around the neck. A special clip adjusts the length so that the cable doesn't wobble and interfere with listening to music while exercising. The cable has a remote control with three buttons and a microphone.

The model with IPX7 protection is not afraid of heavy rain and can withstand short-term immersion in water up to 1 meter.

Wireless communication is via Bluetooth 4.1 with SBC and AAC codec support. In the absence of obstacles, the signal range is about 13 meters. Battery life is 8-9 hours, there is a function of fast charging.

Jaybird X4 gives a balanced sound with clear audibility of vocals and acoustic instruments. The free Android and iOS app is recommended for customizing the EQ to your liking.

The 5 best wireless headphones with microphone

About Bluetooth Codecs and Wireless Sound

BT headphones are steadily taking over the market, gradually replacing wired models. To ensure a reliable connection and avoid audio delays, pay attention to supported audio codecs when buying them.

A Bluetooth codec is a special program that encodes information to reduce data transfer and then decodes it for playback.

There are several basic codecs, differing in file compression algorithm and the amount of data transferred per second. Popular codecs are:

• AAC;
• SBC;
• aptX (and its variants - LL, Adaptive, HD);
• LDAC.

When you turn on the music, the audio source decodes, encodes the data again, and sends it to the headphones. The headphones decode the data, convert it into an analog signal, and send it through the speakers. For the system to work, both devices must support the same codecs. Otherwise you will not be able to decode the signal.

The key parameters of the codecs.

Unfortunately, no models with simultaneous support of all codecs are on sale. Usually there are 2-3 algorithms built into the device for audio transmission. If you know their characteristics, you can choose the best headphones for yourself.

Subband Coding (SBC)

The codec transmits data in trimmed and compressed form, but is basic for sending files because it is supported by all devices with the A2DP Bluetooth profile.

Its characteristics are:

• The bitrate is 238 kbps;
• sampling rate 48 kHz;
• Sound delay 150-200 ms.

The average sound resembles a distorted MP3. The algorithm is compatible with services Google Play, Apple Music, Windows.

Advanced Audio Coding (AAC).

The codec is based on complex algorithms for which powerful computing capabilities are relevant.

AAC characteristics:

• bitrate 252 kbps;
• sampling rate 44.1kHz;
• bitrate and bandwidth are standardized within MPEG-2 and MPEG-4.

The program discards unnecessary data, broadcasts pure sound. Used in Apple phones, iPods, and apple gadget compatible headphones.

AptX (LL, Adaptive, HD)

The aptX family of codecs condense, enhance streams, and have minimal audio latency. They prioritize communication quality and dynamic sound.

• In the "classic" aptX version, audio is encoded at 44.1 kHz with a bitrate up to 352 kbps.
• In the updated programs, these figures increase to 48 kHz, 576 kbps and higher.

Algorithms are built into products with flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. These include products from Huawei, Meizu, LG, Sony. But these codecs do not work with Apple.

LDAC

Codec, which transmits music in high resolution, is focused on the technology of the premium class.

Its main indicators:

• 96 kHz sampling rate;
• 24-bit sampling rate;
• Three operating modes at 330, 660 and 990 kbps.

These characteristics allow you to broadcast audio in CD and Hi-Res format. LDAC was developed by Sony for its own devices. Other gadgets rarely support it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to achieve high sound quality via Bluetooth?

The sound quality of Bluetooth headphones raises questions and doubts among many people. Audiophiles believe that wireless playback is inferior to wired playback because codecs do not preserve all the characteristics of the original song. This is not quite true.

To preserve the sonic nuances, algorithms are required to provide lossless compression. Lossless processing reduces the bitrate by 2 times and restores an exact copy of the file. Only the aptX LL and LDAC codecs have such capabilities.

What to consider when choosing wireless headphones?

Be sure to specify the version of Bluetooth in your phone - it is desirable that it coincides with the headphones. The higher the protocol, the better the stability of the connection and the speed of data transfer. Bluetooth 4.1, Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth 5 and 5.1 have good functionality.

In addition, consider the battery life, audio parameters, the presence of protection from external noise and rain.

How do I know or change the codec on my Android smartphone?

Go to the phone settings, select the "System" option, activate the Developer menu and find the "Allow USB debugging" tab. Look for "Audio codec for Bluetooth transmission". In the window that opens, examine the list of supported codecs. Choose to use or disable any of them.

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