Best Bluetooth Headphones and Earphones

Are you tired of wired earphones and want to try a Bluetooth headset model with wireless technology for listening to music from your smartphone?

The market in recent years has literally exploded, with models of headphones and Bluetooth headsets of all kinds, for all needs and for all wallets.

In this guide, you will find out how to choose, and we will see which are the best models to buy, depending on the type and price range, from the economic to the top of the range.

Which Bluetooth headphones to choose

Let’s start with the categories, to understand which type of model to buy.

Over-ear (circumaural) Bluetooth headphones are those that completely surround the ear and provide an excellent level of comfort. For external noise reduction, they are the best of all.

On-ear (supra-aural) Bluetooth headphones are the ones that cover the auricle, but don’t surround it. They are good enough for decreasing external noise, and the sound quality is similar to that of over-ear headphones, but they usually have smaller drivers.

Wired BlueTooth headsets are convenient because they can be hung around the neck when not in use, and tucked into the ear whenever we want. They are often equipped with a unit that contains the microphone for calls and controls to manage the music tracks.

True wireless Bluetooth headsets are the ones that don’t have the wire to connect the two units. They are always sold with a charging case so you can safely store them and recharge them when not in use.

For each of the above categories, there are models in all price ranges. Generally speaking, the more expensive models are better for sound quality, build quality, and additional features.

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Features to be observed

Then there is to understand what are the characteristics that are sought in a Bluetooth headset, here we indicate the most important.

• Wireless technology: Bluetooth, APTX, and NFC

The wireless headphones connect to your smartphone (or any other mobile device) through BlueTooth connectivity. The more advanced the Bluetooth protocol, the more stable the connection. Currently, the most recent protocol announced in January 2020 is Bluetooth 5.2.

AptX HD is present in many modern generation devices, including wireless headphones. This technology, distributed by the Qualcomm company and introduced in 2016, is essentially a codec that allows you to transfer an audio file from the source to the speaker (in this case Bluetooth headphones) with 24-bit hi-res compression. In practice, if you have the aptX codec on both your smartphone and headphones, the audio will be better.

Having NFC connectivity is convenient for fast pairing. Near Field Communication technology is used to initialize the Bluetooth connection simply by touching the two devices. It is one more thing to have, but it is not essential.

• Noise-canceling

There are two types of noise-canceling, passive and active.

The first is what is offered in a natural way by the very structure of the headphones. For example, circumaural headphones provide a good degree of passive noise cancellation because they cover the ear and protect against external noise.

Active noise cancellation is what happens at the hardware and software levels. In headphones with active noise canceling we find several microphones placed on the outside, to capture and process the sounds coming from the surrounding environment. External sounds are then filtered out and eliminated from playback.

Active external noise cancellation technology can be found in both headphones and earphones. In the latter, to provide a degree of isolation you have to rely on earphones in ear canal.

• Sound quality

For audio playback quality, over-ear headphones are generally the best. They offer 50mm drivers capable of reproducing different frequencies in more detail, with a more complete sound spectrum than on-ear headphones and earphones.

On-ear headphones, however, usually have 40mm drivers and are therefore slightly inferior to over-ear headphones.

Bluetooth headsets are the ones that suffer the most in sound quality, but they don’t sound bad for that. Some models that you will see in this chart are also very good for those who love well-defined music. But it goes without saying that we cannot expect the same performance as a 50mm driver from a small headset.

• Build quality and water resistance

The quality of the materials varies from model to model. In wireless headphones, the first thing we look at is the degree of resistance and flexibility of the headband. It is also important to understand if the pavilions are made of breathable material, to avoid sweating too much when we wear them for a long time.

For wireless earphones, being smaller and more elusive, we recommend evaluating the type of use, to understand whether or not to invest in water-resistant models. They will be used a little everywhere and sometimes they will fall out of your ear inadvertently, so we invite you to give some weight to this choice.

• Open-air or in-ear-canal earphones

Among the earphones, we distinguish those that are inserted into the ear but that do not obstruct the ear canal (open-air), and those that instead block the ear canal completely (in-ear-canal) through the use of rubber, often provided in different sizes.

The latter model of earphones offers more isolation, which may or may not be welcome, depending on personal taste. Some users find in-ear-canal earphones difficult to digest because they are more invasive and the feeling of ear canal blockage is not for everyone.

For those who prefer the open-air headset, it must be taken into account that the stability inside the ear, in this case, is less. For example, Apple AirPods can often fall out if we use them for physical activity. In this case, then we recommend a finned headset model, which provides an extra degree of stability.

Another feature that must be considered is that with the open-air earphones if we are in a noisy environment we will have to turn the volume up to the maximum to hear the music, while the in-ear-canal earphones allow us to keep the volume lower.

• To telephone

If we buy a pair of Bluetooth headphones or earphones for the smartphone, for sure we will also find ourselves using them to make voice calls, as well as to listen to music and watch videos.

We therefore also recommend evaluating the quality of the phone call, which is often linked to the presence of more than one microphone on the outside, to capture our voice clearly, and provide quality audio to our interlocutor.

• Voice assistant

It is also convenient to call the Google Assistant, Siri, or Amazon Alexa directly from the microphone of the wireless headphones, and have compatibility with this function. Some models are compatible with multiple voice assistants, others have limited compatibility.

Best budget Bluetooth headphones

1. Philips BASS + SHB3175

The cheapest Bluetooth headphones

 
The best budget wireless headphones of 2022 are the Philips BASS +, suitable for those looking for a model of over-ear headphones at a reduced price, without having to completely give up the sound quality.

They are comfortable and light, with a generous sound in the low frequencies, and the level of sonic detail is amazing for a pair of Bluetooth headphones from around 39 DOLLAR. The quality of the smartphone call is not bad either.

The rechargeable battery offers approximately 12 hours of battery life, and the controls on the right earphone allow you to interact to adjust music and calls.

This wireless headphone is the on-ear type with a 32mm pavilion. There is no active noise cancellation, but we do have good sound insulation offered by the foam ear cups, which are soft and cozy.

• Low frequencies emphasized
• Good for voice calls
• Very attractive price
• Entry-level build quality

2. House of Marley Positive Vibration 2

The inexpensive BlueTooth headphones with a unique design

 
The House of Marley Positive Vibration 2 is among the best quality-price Bluetooth headphones, beautiful to look at, with an unmistakable look, sound good, and cheap. We highly recommend them both for the value for money and for the technical specifications.

They offer quality materials, always in the eco-friendly naturalistic style of the Marley house, and the tactile experience is very pleasant.

The pavilions are foldable inside the headband. The compression level is enough to keep the headphones firmly on the head, but not too much and they don’t cause headaches. On the pavilion, we find the volume controls and to change tracks, and there is an integrated microphone for making voice calls.

We have an internal battery that lasts about 12 hours, and the Bluetooth 4.2 technology ensures a stable connection between the smartphone and the BlueTooth headset.

• Design
• Natural soundstage
• Little sound insulation

3. Sony WH-CH510

The entry-level Bluetooth headphones to spend little

 
The Sony WH-CH510 are among the best cheap bluetooth headphones of 2021, aimed at those looking for a model in the 50 dollars range . The long battery life of 35 hours makes them perfect for those who intend to carry them around to listen to music throughout the day, or on vacation, where charging options are a bit limited.

There is bluetooth connectivity and the pavilions are rotatable at 90 ° to facilitate transport. The cushions are quite soft, not as soft as those of hi-end wireless headphones, but satisfying for the price range.

The sound is better than what we can expect from an entry level pair of headphones. The bass is clear and present, the high frequencies at times a little intrusive, but in general the experience is positive. For those who have no great demands, or for those who use them for podcasts and to listen to the radio, they are fine.

• Quick charge
• Rotatable pavilions
• Autonomy 35 hours
• They do not work with cable

Best mid-range Bluetooth headphones

4. Pioneer SE-MJ561BT

Durable Bluetooth headphones

 
The Pioneer SE-MJ561BT are mid-range wireless Bluetooth headphones with 40mm drivers and foam pads comfortable enough to wear.

It depends a little on the size of the head, for some they could tighten a lot because the headband is very strong and resistant, we recommend them to those who do not have a very large head because otherwise, you will find it difficult to wear them for a long time.

The Bluetooth connection is 4.0 type, and we can perform the pairing via NFC. Battery life is 15 hours. The sound is of a good standard, with good depth both for listening to music and for the consumption of media such as podcasts and videos. The controls on the earcup allow you to raise and lower the volume, change track, and play/pause. There is a built-in microphone for making voice calls.

• Build quality and resistance
• Value for money
• Good autonomy
• They tighten a little
• Absence of dual Bluetooth

5. Sennheiser HD 350BT

Sennheiser signature sound at an affordable price

 
If you are looking for a Bluetooth headset for quality listening, without going to spend the high figures of premium wireless headphones, this model from Sennheiser could be for you.

The Sennheiser HD 350BT is comfortable to wear as well as lightweight. Only those with big ears might find them a little less comfortable.

The pavilions are composed of a generous portion of soft rubber that we can keep on for a long time without feeling the need to remove them. If, on the other hand, we use them for sports, breathability is not the best.

• Sound quality
• USB-C
• Folded
• Less suitable for sports
• Fast charge absent

6. Fresh ‘n Rebel CLAM ANC

Mid-range noise-canceling headphones

 
For those looking for a modestly priced Bluetooth noise-canceling headset, we recommend the Fresh ‘n Rebel CLAM ANC. They are also available in the version without noise-canceling, in case you don’t need this feature and to save even more.

We find them very comfortable to wear, the headband is spacious and well padded, and the pavilions are soft and welcoming. The shape of the pavilion is not very small, and the design is suitable for those looking for bulky headphones, apart from that we find them aesthetically pleasing.

The pavilions are foldable, and the autonomy is 35 hours of playback, with the possibility of using the cable in case you run out of battery.

For sound quality, we don’t have the sonic presence of a premium headset like Bose, Sony, or Beats, but at this price point we’re pleasantly surprised, and there’s also aptX technology for superior quality over Bluetooth connectivity.

• Active noise canceling
• High autonomy
• A little big and bulky

7. Bose SoundLink 2

Comfortable wireless headphones with excellent sound quality

 
The best Bluetooth headphones for true high-definition music fans are the Bose SoundLink 2, which offers an appreciable design, very spacious sound, and great battery life.

Among the main strengths of these headphones is a high level of comfort, thanks to the soft earpads and their lightness. On the other hand, it is precisely the plastics that are so light that arouses some perplexity about their longevity; the advice is to use them at home or always store them carefully in their case (included).

Battery life is over 20 hours, which is a very good result. They also feature great sound quality, are clean, balanced, and incredibly spacious for such a compact pair of wireless headphones.

8. Sony WH-1000XM4

The best high-end Bluetooth over-ear headphones for a quality price

 
The best BlueTooth headphones of 2021 of the Sony line are the WH-1000XM4, excellent for noise-canceling performance, and are fantastic for sound quality. To travel by plane we recommend them with your eyes closed for their value for money.

Very comfortable to wear, they weigh less than other rival Bluetooth headphones and offer an extremely comfortable level of padding.

When we listen to high-definition music, it is clear that Sony has made great strides. With the WH-1000XM4, in fact, every musical instrument is well defined and the acoustic space has a wide breadth. Also highly recommended for those who love hi-fi music.

9. Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700

The top-of-the-range BlueTooth headphones from Bose

 
The Headphones 700 are the best high-end BlueTooth headphones from Bose for those without budget problems. The design is magnificent, and they are also distinguished by the quality of listening, which obviously is signed by Bose.

The equalization is perfectly balanced for an engaging sound, both for music and for movie viewing, and if we use them for a telephone conversation they manage to make the call quality particularly appreciable.

Active noise canceling is state of the art, surpassing what previous Bose QuietComfort 35 IIs had managed to achieve. The wearability is nothing short of exceptional.

Obviously, for such an inviting design, and a set of top-of-the-range features in a Bose product, we will have to pay a premium price, while the competition offers somewhat interesting alternatives.

Best cheap (wired) BlueTooth earphones

10. Amazon Basics Wireless Bluetooth Fitness Headphones Earbuds with Microphone

Among the best cheap Bluetooth headsets for sports of 2022

 
The Amazon Basics is one of the best budget wireless earphones of 2022 for sports and running, we recommend this model for its resistance to water splashes with IPX4 certification.

The audio quality will not be that of the more expensive models, but for a training session and to take to the gym we think it is more than enough. They last about 10 hours of continuous playback, a very good result when compared to the price range in which we find ourselves.

The connection quality is also good. Any flaws? They are bulkier than the average Bluetooth headset, they do not have magnets that allow them to be attached to the neck when not in use and some may find them a bit uncomfortable for this.

11. SoundPEATS Q30 HD

Bluetooth 5.0 earphones

 
Among the best cheap Bluetooth headsets, we find the SoundPEATS Q30 HD, which offers a very affordable quality/price ratio for those looking for a simple BlueTooth headset for sports and leisure.

They are very resistant and have an IPX4 certified degree of protection, so they are also anti-sweat headphones and able to withstand light rain. The magnetic earphones allow you to hang them around your neck without losing them. The battery life is 13 hours, and they are recharged using the micro USB connector.

The fit is good, with different sizes of grommet for the ear canal, plus the wings to secure the earpiece to the ear. If used for running and sports they will be quite stable.

Best mid-range Bluetooth earphones (wired)

12. KLIM Fit Fusion Earbuds with Microphone + 

Cheap sports earphones

 
If you are looking for an economical model of earphones to play sports, with KLIM you are on the safe side. This low-cost product company produces Bluetooth headsets characterized by the best value for money, such as the KLIM Fit.

The hook that is placed around the ear makes them very firm (although not always very comfortable) for running and gym, so as to avoid losing them. The sound quality is quite good for the proposed price, and they last 12 hours of continuous listening.

The sound is clean, less emphasized on bass than other higher-end headphones, but much more pleasant than the average budget models that usually sound thin or jarring. For the price paid, you won’t regret it.

Best cheap (wired) Bluetooth earphones

14. 1MORE EHD9001BA

Design earphones with active noise cancellation

 
The 1MORE EHD9001BA earphones are a product characterized by a refined and elegant design, which at the same time offer excellent sound performance.

They are equipped with an active noise cancellation function and for this reason, they can be used without problems even on vehicles, during the race even if there is wind, or in other noisy environments. Another feature appreciated by sportsmen is the IPX5 certification, for resistance to rain and sweat.

The wearability is also good, but the design of the earphones makes it preferable to use them standing up, so we do not recommend them for those looking for headphones for the machine room in the gym.

The battery life can be up to 20 hours (depending on the selected listening mode). There is a fast charge function that with only 10 minutes of charging guarantees 3 additional hours of autonomy.

15. Jaybird X4

Comfortable to wear Bluetooth earphones

 
If you are looking for a pair of wireless earphones, the Jaybird X4 is among the most common for sports and physical activity. They offer a remarkable level of comfort, and a dedicated app to customize the sound to your liking.

Thanks to the silicone hooks, they will hardly come off the ear during a workout, and in the box we find different sizes of both rubber and hook, to adapt the headset to our ear.

For charging, there is Jaybird proprietary technology with connectors on the back of the microphone, which are applied to the small dock. The autonomy of the Bluetooth headphones is about 8 hours.

The remote control allows you to activate Google Assistant and Siri, skip the track and answer incoming calls, there is only a little lag in response times.

16. Plantronics BackBeat Go 410

Wireless earphones with Active Noise Canceling

 
Plantronics BackBeat Go 410 is recommended for everyday use, especially for traveling on public transport. Their design is elegant, and they offer a feature that we rarely find in this price range, namely active noise cancellation.

The quality of noise canceling is not equal to that of more expensive headphones, but we still find them useful for noise isolation when we want to listen to music in a noisy place.

They are also well recommended for receiving voice calls, and the Bluetooth 5.0 connection is reliable and with good signal stability. The design is unsuitable for running and sports, due to the presence of Bluetooth and battery slots on both sides of the silicone cord that connects the two earphones.

17. Bose SoundSport Wireless

Top-of-the-range wireless earphones and anti-sweat

 
Among the best Bluetooth in-ear headphones for sports and running, the SoundSport Wireless has quality audio and is comfortable to wear. They are a bit protuberant, but this is a passable cosmetic defect.

We especially like them for their open-ear designs, so they don’t obstruct the ear canal and let outside noises pass, but at the same time offer top-of-the-range sound and excellent stability thanks to the StayHear + fin that fits inside the ear cup.

Small note for those who use them frequently, the Bluetooth headphones last about 6 hours. For our daily train ride, a few voice calls, and for the gym hour the battery life of the Bose is enough, but if we were to use them longer we should plan to charge them during the day.

Best budget true wireless earbuds

18. Soundcore Life P2

The best cheap Airpods

 
Among the best budget Bluetooth headsets of this year, the Soundcore Life P2 offers the balanced sound quality, along with great wearability. We wear them for long periods and we don’t feel the weight of them. In addition to being light, they are also quite firm, and we can also use them for a run in the open air without any problems.

Anker Soundcore is a reference brand in the budget Bluetooth headphones market. Well, this model of true wireless earphones competes directly with Apple Airpods, at a much more advantageous price.

The charging case is also very well made, small and light, and offers an additional 40 hours of battery life. Bluetooth connectivity is stable, and they’re also satisfying enough for voice calls, even if our voice on the other side isn’t exceptionally detailed.

19. Philips True Wireless In-Ear Headphones

Cheap wireless BlueTooth earphones

 
Another model of true wireless headphones that we offer you in the economic price range is these Philips. These are true wireless earphones that have an IPX4 certified level of protection, therefore resistant to some splashes of water and sweat. They are good enough for everyday use, both for listening to music and for watching videos, thanks to the practically zero latency.

Despite being inexpensive wireless headphones, the Philips is still well built, and the materials are of good quality. We also recommend them to those looking for a model suitable for sport for their stability.

The Bluetooth connection is 5.1 type, the last 6 hours of uninterrupted listening, to which are added the other 18 hours guaranteed by the charging case.

Best mid-range true wireless earphones

20. Anker Soundcore Liberty Air

The true wireless headphones alternative to the big brands

 
Among the best true wireless headphones for the price, the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air is positioned in a market range that is attractive to most and offers an excellent alternative for those looking to spend less.

The design is the same as the Airpods, and the charging case is also space-saving, with magnets to hold the headphones firmly inside the recess. Battery life is approximately 5 consecutive hours of listening, plus another 15 hours of charging with the case.

We recommend them to those who use them with a device because they could create a bit of frustration for those who have to constantly switch between smartphones and tablets. It is possible, but it takes a few more steps than we expect.

21. Apple AirPods

The wireless headphones for Apple multi-devices

 
For those who have already tried and worn the classic Apple wired earphones, if you want to switch to a pair of wireless earphones, the Airpods are the ones that offer the same wearability you are already used to.

For sound quality and stability inside the ear, they are not the best, but you can be sure that their use with an iPhone will never give problems of compatibility or connection, precisely because they are specially designed for Apple products.

Pairing, activating Siri, switching from iPhone to iPad, all those activities that perhaps with other wireless headphones turn out to be a little less fluid, with the Airpods you will have the certainty of never having to have problems and waste of time.

The Jabra Elite Active 65T are among the best wireless earbuds 2021, especially if you are looking for a model of truly wireless headphones for running and sports, with good active noise cancellation, above-average audio quality, and fantastic wearability.

They offer an exceptional degree of comfort, are anti-sweat, and have a non-protuberant profile, useful because they are aesthetically beautiful to see on you and because being less protruding they will fall less often.

The Jabra application allows you to activate or deactivate noise canceling, and to change the equalization of the Bluetooth headphones, along with other options.

The charging case is a bit of the Achilles’ heel, we would have preferred the earbuds to be magnetic. The autonomy is still good, with more than 5 hours of continuous playback plus another 10 hours of charging with the case.

Best high-end true wireless earbuds

23. Bose Sport Earbuds

True wireless earphones with a defined sound

 
For athletes and runners, the Bose Sport Earbuds are the best Bluetooth earphones in terms of sound definition. Their somewhat protuberant design may be unattractive to some, but we assure you that what they lack in beauty, it all goes in favor of quality sound.

They offer a musicality that is not usually found in this type of Bluetooth headset, with a very immersive soundstage. The bass is slightly raised to give more body to the listening when we are outdoors in the midst of noises.

We particularly appreciate the open-air design, which allows you to keep the ear canal free without feeling overwhelmed by an invasive headset, thus remaining in contact with external sounds. However, the earphones remain firmly attached to the ear thanks to the special fin that rests on the outside of the ear.

24. Sony WF-1000XM4

Top-of-the-range Bluetooth earphones

 
Among the best Bluetooth earphones of 2021 with noise-canceling functionality, we find the Sony WF-1000XM4, truly wireless headphones that beat all others in the same category for sound quality, noise isolation, and features.

The design is modern and well studied, they are light and comfortable, but the stability also depends a bit on the shape of the ear because these earphones do not have the fin for locking and we have to rely only on the rubber that goes into the ear. For this reason, they are not the most suitable model for sportsmen.

There are touch controls for volume and to activate noise canceling. Once activated the active noise cancellation we find that these earphones offer truly excellent performance from this point of view. The audio quality is amazing; the Sony WF-1000XM4 is definitely top-of-the-range Bluetooth earphones, recommended for those who love Hi-Fi music.

Photo: amazon.com