What to Look For in Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones transmit audio using a wireless technology that uses 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 best they must be "paired". The pairing process creates a link between the headset device and parent device.

Audio Quality

Bluetooth transmits audio data using short-range radio waves, eliminating the necessity for cables. It can transmit audio data up 30 feet away, making it perfect for use in your home. This stops music from fading out when you move between rooms. It also helps to reduce interference from other Bluetooth devices to a minimum, so your headphones won't get flooded with other sounds that could distract you from the music you're enjoying.

Bluetooth was not designed to be used to play audio entertainment. The limited bandwidth of Bluetooth forces it to compress music files in order to transmit wirelessly. This may be fine for phone conversations, but it degrades 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 will allow for a more precise and natural representation of the audio file. It is now possible to listen to high-resolution music via Bluetooth. These higher-quality Bluetooth codecs are supported by a range of audio applications and music services, such as Spotify and Apple Music.

The most reliable Bluetooth headphones will support at a minimum the most basic audio codec, such as SBC, but many have more advanced audio codecs to ensure compatibility with all of your listening requirements. If you plan on using your headphones to stream videos from YouTube or Netflix choose headphones that support aptX Low Latency or aptX High as these will allow the audio to sync with the video and provide an immersive experience.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones are the best Bluetooth headphones for high-quality sound. They are worthy winners of our Product of The Year award, and offer a premium sound experience that rivals cannot match. They have a clear advantage in noise cancellation, and their app experience is among the best in its class. Bowers & Wilkins' Px7 S2 headphones provide superior audio experience and a more attractive design if you're willing to pay more.

Easy to Use

Wireless headphones offer an excellent alternative to corded headphones wireless. Bluetooth is an wireless technology that connects devices like headphones and music players via short-range radio waves. When using Bluetooth, a receiver and transmitter must be connected to a compatible source. The source encodes and transmits the audio signal to the Bluetooth chip which then broadcasts it via radio waves to the headphones.

The headphones' Bluetooth receiver decodes the received signal and transforms it into an analog audio signal which can be heard. The amplifier in the headphone then amplifies the signal to the appropriate voltage required to drive the speakers and create sound. Most headphones that work over Bluetooth come with digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to ensure high-quality audio playback.

Modern Bluetooth headphones also have an in-built headphone amplifier to increase the output power and reduce distortion. Additionally, the majority of headphones feature a built-in microphone to allow hands-free calls, and some models will even support the Apple-exclusive codec aptX to provide better audio quality when streaming videos or podcasts.

Certain wireless headphones come with internal storage for data, allowing you to store up to a few gigabytes worth of music for easy playback without the need for an external audio device or connection. This is great for people who enjoy listening to a particular playlist or want to be untethered when working out. However, updating and transferring songs stored on internal storage will require the use of an internet connection and, if your musical preferences change, you'll need to replace the music.

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 in the competition. They provide a long-lasting battery and fast charging, and support aptX Adaptive and aptX HD for audiophiles who own devices that support these higher-quality Bluetooth codecs. They're also reasonably priced and feature a minimalist, smart design.

Long Battery Life

Long battery life is among the most important factors to look for when purchasing headphones. You want a pair of headphones that can keep you entertained for the length of a flight or your daily commute without having to recharge it.

Most Bluetooth headsets are made to deliver on this promise. The top choices in our evaluations, such as the Cleer Enduro ANC or the Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless over-ear headphones, offer up to 60 hours on charge. In our testing, these pairs proved to be a great value, Noise cancelling headphones with premium audio quality and a long list of features that are desirable at the price of a reasonable amount.

The typical Bluetooth headphone can play for up to 8 hours on a single charge. However, if you are seeking to extend the number of hours you can listen to music before having to reconnect them it is recommended to choose a model that utilizes high-efficiency charging technology. These models charge in 1.5 to 2 hours, whereas traditional headsets can take up to 3 to 4 times longer to charge the same amount.

The type of Bluetooth headphones you choose can also have a major impact on the life of your battery. Class 2 and Class 1 headsets are the two most commonly used kinds. Class 2 headsets typically run on up to 2.5 milliwatts of power, while Class 1 headsets can consume up to 100 milliwatts of power.

Another method to save battery life is by choosing a pair of Bluetooth headsets that work with your mobile device. Many smartphones, tablets, and computers are able to use Bluetooth connections, so you can easily find a headphone that will work with your device. You can check compatibility on the manufacturer's site or by checking the documentation of your device.

In the early days of Bluetooth headphones, connections would drop out constantly and pairing was a nightmare and audio quality was the equivalent of the old tin-can phones you used to make when you were a child. Thankfully, Bluetooth technology has improved and wireless headphones now provide a fantastic audio experience and come with many features that make your phone or tablet even more efficient.

Noise Cancellation

Look for headphones with noise cancelling capabilities. The best noise cancelling headphones can reduce background noise so that you can concentrate on your music without distractions. Noise cancelling technology is based on acoustic isolators, which utilizes physical barriers such as ear cups or a headset to block out external sound waves. The most advanced headsets block the sound from the listener's ears and head with multiple microphones.

Modern headsets and headphones are equipped with noise cancellation. You can control the amount of noise cancellation by using the built-in controls or via an app. Many also include the option to allow the user to hear ambient sounds which is useful when working or commuting in the office.

The Headphone Audio Profile (HSP) is used to convert the digital audio signal transmitted by the Bluetooth transmitter into analog. The HSP codec converts the digital signal into A2DP format, which is then modulated into a Bluetooth UHF carrier wave, and then wirelessly transmitted to the receiver of the headset. The Bluetooth receiver recognizes the modulation and utilizes an integrated DAC to convert the A2DP signal back into an analog audio signal which is then sent to the headphones' drivers.

The primary distinction between RF headphones and BT is that RF can be affected by other electromagnetic transmissions whereas BT utilizes Bluetooth specific frequencies. The most recent Bluetooth 5.0 protocol has reduced 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 are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, ranging from circumaural and over-ear to supra-aural and on-ear. Some headsets are designed to be discrete such as the Plantronics Discovery 925 and Jawbone Icon XR however, others are bolder, like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or TaoTronics soundLiberty 79. The size and shape of a headset can be influenced by its function, with smaller models generally being more compact and comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.