When Bluetooth technology made its way to headphones, you can see why it blew up. Bluetooth headphones have many benefits over wired ones, but the most major one is that they don’t have cables. That means fewer tangles and more freedom.
But they don’t cost a dime either. So, if you’re reconsidering going wireless, you want the best Bluetooth headphones. Here’s a list of the best Bluetooth headphones that are peer-approved and 100% authentic.
Why Should You Buy Bluetooth Headphones?
The wired vs. wireless debate has been going on for decades. And while there’s no true answer to the question, there are certain reasons why you might consider buying a wireless headset. You’ll want to buy Bluetooth headphones if:
- You are tired of your wired headphones always getting tangled.
- You want a more pocketable headset (only applicable to in-ear headphones).
- The device you want to connect to doesn’t feature a headphone jack.
- You want the freedom to move and dance while listening to your music.
- You need a tangle-free solution while commuting.
- You’re an athlete/runner/rock-climber and can’t put up with a wiry mess.
- It’s the new trend, and you want to catch up.
Why Shouldn’t You Buy Bluetooth Headphones?
While there are many reasons you might want to buy a Bluetooth headset, there are a few reasons you should not. In a nutshell, you shouldn’t buy a Bluetooth headset if:
- You don’t go out much and want to save a few bucks.
- You can’t commit to charging your headphones.
- The device you want to connect to doesn’t feature Bluetooth.
- Your device has regular connectivity issues.
- Wired headphones reproduce much better sound.
Types of Headphones:
Over-Ear:
Over-ear headphones are the largest types of headphones. The “ear cup” encapsulates your whole ear as well as some of the area around the ear.
Pros:
- Can reproduce sound much better across a wider frequency spectrum.
- Great at noise isolating.
- Creating a fully immersive sound-space.
- More battery life as compared to other types.
- Uses the natural shape of your outer ear to funnel sound.
- Comfortable to use.
Cons:
- Big and bulky.
- Might put stress on the outer ear.
On-Ear:
You might not have heard of on-ear headphones, but you’ve probably used them. These sit directly on top of your ear, with the earcup not extending beyond your ear.
Pros:
- Can reproduce sound across a wider range of frequencies.
- Fairly moderate battery life.
- Comfortable to use.
- Easier to pack – many can swivel and fold in on themselves.
Cons:
- Not as good at noise isolating as over-ear headphones.
- Might put stress on the ear.
- Not as small as in-ear headphones.
In-Ear:
In-ear headphones (also known as earphones or earbuds) are those in which the ear cup sits directly in your ear, plugging the ear canal.
Pros:
- Highly portable.
- Great for athletes and in-helmet use.
- Do not put stress on the outer ear.
- Fairly good at isolating noise.
- Most come in various cup sizes.
- Good noise isolation.
Cons:
- Do not reproduce sound as well as other headphones do.
- Can be lost very easily.
- Shortest battery life.
Frequency Response:
Frequency response refers to the range of frequencies the headset can reproduce and with what intensity. Typical headset frequency responses range from 20 H to 20 kHz, which is the human hearing limitation.
However, not all headsets will replicate the sound equally across all frequencies. The general ideal response is the “flat” response. This is when the headphones reproduce all frequencies at equal intensities.
Those who want a more bass-oriented headset should look for a frequency response in which the lower frequencies are intense. For treble-oriented listening, look for the same intensity but on the other side of the graph.
Active vs. Passive Noise Cancellation:
Finally, consider the type of noise cancellation you want. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is the most recent development in this regard, and many of the newer headphones feature this.
ANC is a bit complicated to replicate, but it’s easy to understand. ANC-enabled headphones release a small signal that can cancel the noise signal, removing any noise entirely.
Cheaper headphones feature passive noise cancellation, better known as noise isolation. It simply means they use a special type of foam that prevents outside noise from getting in. Over and on-ear headphones also tend to “cup” your ear, though over-ear headphones do it better.
Gaming Headphones:
Aside from the three major types of headphones, there are also gaming headphones. These headphones are usually over-ear headphones and are comfortable to use. They usually come with their mic, which can cost you less than purchasing a mic separately.
In addition to that, most, if not all, gaming headsets have RGB lighting and some fancy logo. Many are sober, so you don’t have to get the funky light-up headphones if you don’t want to. Since they’re in popular demand, there are many designs to choose from.
However, a good set of gaming headphones comes with a hefty price tag, which isn’t something gamers are unfamiliar with. And there are many fraud/counterfeit headsets that, albeit cheaper, are just as cheap in their sound quality.
Biking/In-Helmet Headphones:
These are strictly reserved for those who listen to music while commuting and use a vehicle that requires a helmet. They sit flush in your helmet and can be remotely controlled for a truly immersive sound experience.
In-helmet headphones are almost always in-ear headphones. If they’re Bluetooth, you just need to cut out a space for them in your helmet and control them via your phone.
Conclusion:
Bluetooth headphones are one of the many ways wireless technology is changing our lives. They’re easy to transport, fun to commute with, and highly convenient.
Bluetooth earbuds are very easy to lose. And you need to remember to charge them often. But aside from that, these headsets are the most convenient types, and we just looked at some of the best Bluetooth headphones.