What to Look For in Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones transmit audio by using a wireless technology which relies on radio transmission signals with low power. These signals are converted into analog audio using the built-in DACs and then sent to the drivers of the headphones to be output as sound waves.

Before you can connect your Bluetooth headphones the headphones must be "paired". The pairing process establishes a connection between the headset device and the parent device.

Audio Quality

Bluetooth utilizes radio waves with a short range to transmit audio data, removing the necessity for wires. It can range up to 30 feet, which is ideal for use around your home. It also ensures that your music doesn't cut out as you move around rooms. It also helps to keep interference from other Bluetooth-enabled devices to the minimum, ensuring that your headphones don't get flooded with noises that can distract you from listening to the music.

However, Bluetooth was not originally intended for audio entertainment, and has a limited bandwidth that makes it necessary to apply data compression to music files when they are transmitted wirelessly. This might be acceptable for phone calls but it affects the quality of your audio experience.

To combat this, certain headphones come equipped with aptX or aptX HD audio codecs that eliminate the requirement for data compression. This ensures a more precise and natural representation of the audio file. It is now possible to enjoy high-resolution music via Bluetooth. These more advanced Bluetooth codecs are supported by a broad variety of audio apps and music services, including Spotify and Apple Music.

The most reliable Bluetooth headphones will have at the very least a basic audio codec like SBC however, some will have more advanced audio codecs that ensure compatibility with all of your listening needs. If you intend to use your headphones to stream videos from YouTube or Netflix select headphones that support aptX Low Latency or aptXHD. This will allow the audio and video to sync, providing a more immersive listening experience.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones are among the best Bluetooth headphones for excellent sound quality. They are an excellent winner of our Product of the Year award and offer a premium experience that competitors can't compete with. They have a clear advantage in noise cancellation too and their user experience is top of the line class. Bowers & Wilkins' Px7 S2 headphones offer a superior audio quality and a more attractive design if you're willing to pay more.

Easy to Use

Wireless headphones are a great alternative to wired headphones. Bluetooth is an established wireless technology that utilizes short-range radio waves to connect devices like headphones and music players. Bluetooth requires that a transmitter as well as a receiver be connected to an audio source. The source encodes and sends the audio signal to the Bluetooth chip, which in turn broadcasts it through radio waves to the headphones.

The headphones' Bluetooth receiver decodes the received signal and transforms it into an audio signal that can be listened to. The amplifier in the headphone shop then amplifies the signal to the appropriate voltage needed to power the speakers and generate sound. The majority of headphones using Bluetooth come with digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to ensure high-quality audio playback.

The most modern Bluetooth headphones also come with an integrated headphone amplifier to boost the output power to playback music more loudly and to reduce distortion levels. Most headphones have a microphone for hands-free call, and some models have Apple's exclusive codec aptX to improve audio quality when streaming movies or podcasts.

Some wireless headphones have internal data storage that allows you to store songs and play them without the need of an external audio device. This is perfect for people who enjoy listening to a particular playlist or want to be untethered when working out. However, updating and transferring songs on internal storage will require a cable and, if your music preferences change, you'll need to update the content.

Bowers & Wilkins' Px7 S2 headphones are more premium than their predecessors that was released in 2020. They provide a neutral sound that is enthralling and stands out amongst the other models. They come with an extended battery life as well as fast charging. They also support the aptX Adaptive or aptX HD codecs for audiophiles who have sources that allow these codecs. They are also reasonably priced, and have a sleek-minimalist look.

Long Battery Life

Long battery life is among the most important features to look out for when purchasing headphones. You want a pair of headphones that can keep you entertained for the duration of a flight, or your daily commute without needing to recharge.

Thankfully, most Bluetooth headsets are engineered to meet this promise. The top choices in our evaluations, such as the Cleer Enduro ANC or the Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless over-ear headphones, can last up to 60 hours of playback per charge. In our testing, these pairs proved to be a great value, offering premium audio performance and a long list of desirable features at an affordable price.

The typical Bluetooth headphone can last for up to 8 hours with just one charge. If you're looking to get the most out of your headphones, you should opt for a model that offers high-efficiency charging. These models charge in 1.5 to 2 hours whereas conventional headsets can take up to 3 to 4 times longer to achieve the same amount.

Additionally, the kind of Bluetooth headphone you purchase can also make a big difference in the life of your battery. The two most commonly used types of Bluetooth headphone are Class 2 and Class 1 headsets. Class 2 headsets typically use the maximum of 2.5 milliwatts, while Class 1 headsets can draw up to 100 mW of power.

Another method to save battery life is by selecting a pair Bluetooth headsets that work with your mobile device. You can find headphones that are compatible with all smartphones, tablets, and computers. You can test compatibility by visiting the website of the manufacturer or referring to the documentation for your device for more information on how to do this.

In the beginning, Bluetooth headphones were a mess. They would constantly drop out, pairing was a pain, and the audio quality was comparable to the old tin-can telephones that you used to make when you were a kid. Thankfully, Bluetooth technology has improved and wireless headsets provide a superior audio experience and come with various features that make your smartphone or tablet even more efficient.

Noise Cancellation

Choose headphones that have noise cancellation capabilities. The best noise cancelling headsets will reduce ambient noise to allow you to focus on your music with no distractions. Noise cancelling technology is built on acoustic isolation which makes use of physical barriers like ear cups or a headset to block out external sound waves. The most advanced headsets use multiple microphones to block sound from the listener's head and ears, resulting in highly effective audio quality.

Modern headsets and headphones are equipped with noise cancellation. You can control the amount of noise cancellation by using the built-in controls, or through an app. Many headphones and headsets let you hear ambient sounds, which is ideal for commutes or working in an office.

The first step in audio transmission is the conversion of the digital audio signal coming from the Bluetooth transmitter to analog using the Headphone Offers Sale Audio Profile (HSP). The HSP codec encrypts a digital signal to an A2DP format. This is then transformed on the Bluetooth UHF carrier, and wirelessly transmitted to the headset's receiver. The Bluetooth receiver decodes the modulation and uses an integrated DAC to convert the A2DP signal back into an analog audio signal which is then transmitted to the headphones' drivers.

One of the major differences among RF and BT headphones is that RF signals are able to be interfered with by other electromagnetic transmissions however, BT uses Bluetooth-specific frequencies. The most recent Bluetooth 5.0 protocol has minimized the impact of interference however older models may be affected by other electronic devices that generate electromagnetic signals in the same frequency range.

Bluetooth-enabled headsets come in various sizes and styles, such as over-ear, circumaural and on-ear. Some headsets are designed to be discreet such as the Plantronics Discovery 925 and Jawbone Icon XR however, others are more bold, such as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or TaoTronics soundLiberty 79. The size and design of a headset can be influenced by its function, with smaller models generally being more portable and headphone offers sale comfortable to wear for long periods of time.