7 Best Wireless Bluetooth Earphones

Bluetooth headphones used to be a must-have only for gym rats, businessmen on the go, and other similar crowds. These days, however, the emergence of smartphones that have foregone the classic 3.5mm headphone jack made wireless headphones more popular than ever.

Shopping for the perfect wireless headphones is arguably a bit more complicated than choosing a wired headset. There are more aspects to consider, especially in terms of connectivity and sound quality.

That said, it’s clear that wireless listening is the future of audio, so it’s only fitting that we all exercise due diligence when buying wireless headphones for ourselves. And this guide will help you accomplish just that.

In this Bluetooth headphones buying guide, we’ll discuss the different types of wireless headphones, their pros and cons, and all the important factors that you have to look into before making a selection. Let’s dive right in!

Why You Should Buy Bluetooth Headphones

Everyone agrees that tangled wires can be pretty annoying. We’ve all desperately dug into our bags looking for a pair of good old wired headphones—only to be frustrated by the tangled mess that we end up fishing with our hands.

But the elimination of these bothersome wires isn’t the only upside of wireless headphones. They also allow you to freely move around while listening to audio. So if you like exercising to the beat of your favorite song or doing house chores while listening to an awesome podcast, Bluetooth headphones will provide you with the freedom you’re craving.

You no longer have to constantly hold your phone or have it on your body everywhere you go. As long as your smartphone is within the wireless operational range, you can simply leave it on top of a table and proceed to roam around your home or workplace with the headphones comfortably tucked in your ears.

Types of Bluetooth Headphones

Now, let’s move on to another fundamental topic. Bluetooth headphones come in different types, and each type has its own pros and cons. Understanding the key differences between these types will help you narrow down your choices.

In-ear wireless headphones

Also referred to as wireless in-ears, the first type of Bluetooth headphones is also the simplest. It usually features two normal earbuds that are joined by a wire.

This category typically offers the least secure hold. However, some models have small in-ear hooks attached to them, just like the Bose 761529-0010 SoundSport, Phaiser BHS-790, Sennheiser CX Sport, and Jaybird X2 Sport Headphones that were featured in our list above. These small hooks help the headphones stay in place—enabling you to use them during your workouts.

But if they’re among the least secure in terms of hold, why do many gym-goers use in-ear headphones? Simple: they’re lightweight, fuss-free, and generally comfortable to use. They’re more portable than bigger models from other categories. What’s more, if you want to take a break from your music, you can simply remove them from your ears and leave them dangling around your neck.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for wireless headphones to indulge in and appreciate music, in-ear headphones are admittedly not the best in this category. It’s not difficult to imagine how much more indulgent big, over-the-head headphones are as opposed to teeny-tiny wireless in-ears.

Over-the-ear wireless headphones

Over-the-ear wireless headphones are just like in-ear headphones but with stiff hooks that go over the ears to keep them in place. Examples of over-the-ear wireless headphones are the Powerbeats3 and JLab Audio Epic 2.

If you prefer to have a more secure fit than what you’d normally get from in-ear wireless earphones, going for this category would be a smart move. However, you’d definitely feel the ear hooks while you’re wearing them, meaning they’re not as lightweight and “barely-there” as plain wireless in-ears.

Over-the-head wireless headphones

Over-the-head Bluetooth headphones, as the name suggests, go over the head and feature full-sized ear cups that cover the entire ear. If you’re not familiar with this category, a good example that showcases its form is the Beats Solo 3 Wireless.

Over-the-head wireless headphones are considered the best for listening to music. The sheer size of the speakers allows you to really turn up the volume and immerse yourself in the audio you’re listening to. What’s more, because over-the-head models aren’t so restricted in terms of physical footprint, they usually have bigger and longer-lasting batteries than their smaller counterparts.

They’re also less likely to slip off your head while you’re doing vigorous physical activities. Many models that fall under this category also boast ergonomic features like memory foam cups, velour, and leather. However, note that they’re relatively heavy, bulky, and harder to lug around.

Truly wireless earbuds

While all of the aforementioned categories are wireless in the sense that they operate via Bluetooth instead of the classic 3.5mm cord, they still have wires that join the two sides of the headphones together. Truly wireless earbuds, on the other hand, have a design that abandons the use of wires altogether.

The ever-so-popular Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds belong to this category, and, from our list above, the Jabra Elite Active 65t does, as well.

The advantages of truly wireless earbuds include portability, comfort, and lightness. Many of them offer wireless charging, as well, so you really, really never have to deal with wires anymore. They’re also pretty stylish if that’s your aesthetic.

On the other hand, they’re definitely less secure than over-the-ear and over-the-head wireless headphones. Also, you can’t just take them off and leave them hanging over your neck. You have to either hold them, put them inside your pocket, or put them back inside their case.

Factors to Consider When Shopping for Wireless Headphones

Battery life

Unless you have access to a charging port all the time (and you don’t mind using it a lot), looking at the battery life is very important. This is especially true if you’re purchasing a model that has active noise cancellation because this consumes a considerable amount of power.

Additionally, you might also want to look at the required charging times of the models you’re considering. A pair of headphones may last 48 hours on a single charge, but if it takes a full day to recharge, then it’s obviously not even worth it.

Portability

In-ear headphones and completely wireless earbuds are obvious winners in this category, but that doesn’t mean you can’t search for portability-centric features in an over-the-head pair. Even the biggest headphones may offer helpful features like collapsible ear cups, foldable bands, or an included travel case.

Durability

Headphones that can withstand the trials of everyday life are always great. If you’re looking for workout headphones, make sure the model you’re eyeing is sweat-resistant. A pair that is water-resistant is also great if you live in a rainy climate.

Controls and usability

Because Bluetooth headphones are so compact, most of them will require you to pull the connected phone out of your pocket to access control functions. However, some models have a built-in control module that lets you execute specific controls without having to use your phone.

Another thing that you may want to look at is usability. Many newer models are now compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Google Now, and Alexa, which makes controlling the audio you’re listening to a breeze.

Microphone Quality

Bluetooth headphones aren’t only for listening—they’re also for talking. If you intend to use your wireless earphones to take calls on the go, then you should definitely take a look at its microphone specs. Reading reviews about the quality and reliability of its microphone will also help you weed out bad candidates more effectively.

Noise cancellation or Noise isolation

These two terms sound like they must refer to the same thing, but they actually don’t. A pair of wireless headphones that offers noise isolation means that it is engineered to physically sit between you and external noise—therefore blocking outside sounds from reaching your ear.

Noise cancellation takes a more active approach to reduce environmental noise. Headphones with active noise cancellation (frequently called ‘ANC’ in the audio world) actively detect external noise. It then proceeds to generate the opposite soundwave, effectively canceling out any sounds that come from outside the headphones.

Some models offer either noise isolation or noise cancellation, while others offer both. If you plan to frequently use your Bluetooth headphones in noisy environments, investing in a good noise-canceling pair will definitely be worthwhile.

Operational Range

You’ll find that most Bluetooth headphones can operate within 30ft of the audio source (a.k.a. your phone). However, there are models that sport either a smaller or a larger range.

If you mostly use your earphones while on the road, in the gym, or in your daily commute, you really don’t have to be too concerned about this specification. However, if like walking around your house while listening to music on your headphones (and your house happens to be huge), then it would be smart to be more particular about operational range.

Can Wireless Headphones Be Used as Wired Devices, Too?

Some of them can. Some wireless headphones can be converted into wired devices and vice versa—making them an extremely versatile choice.

These models will typically sport a built-in 3.5mm audio jack and come with an audio cable out of the box. This enables you to enjoy all the benefits of having Bluetooth headphones, while simultaneously giving you the option to temporarily convert them into conventional wired headphones when you need to.

This is helpful for instances when you’ve run out of batteries in your headphones and a charging port is nowhere in sight, as the typical wired headset does not depend on a battery to run. You can also attach the audio cable to quickly use your headphones with a PC or another device that does not have Bluetooth capabilities.