The Best Bluetooth Headphones – Reviews

With the recent addition of Google Assistant, Bose has made sure that its latest pair of headphones – the QuietComfort 35II – are the best money can buy.

Features:

Starting with the best that these headphones have to offer, and their Google Assistant feature comes into play. Once you activate it by pressing the “Action” button on the left ear cup, Google Assistant reads notifications from your headphone, controls smart home devices and plays music on its own.

Turning our attention to their design, and they have Bose’s trademark elegant look. Available in two colors – black and silver – the design is best for those who don’t want to raise eyebrows, and less so for audiophiles who want a style statement from their earphones.

Additionally, since these headphones have a noise-cancellation feature, they won’t allow external noises to interfere with your listening experience. Their grip is much softer than what most headphones provide and the fact that they weigh a mere 310g means they won’t weigh heavily on your head.

In terms of their sound quality, the QC 35II are able to handle anything you might throw their way. From the drumstick hits to the lowest depths, each powerful bass note that they deliver is nuanced and weighty. Their treble is controlled and measured and the lows are easy to decipher as well.

Pros:

• Has an integrated Google Assistant
• Noise cancellation is impressive
• Work in wired mode if the battery dies down
• Lightweight and provide a comfy fit.

Cons:

• The battery isn’t replaceable.

Final Verdict:

Even for the existing QC35 owners, the addition of an integrated Google Assistant feature makes the Bose Quiet Comfort II a must-have. For all others, these headphones have all the features to take your music listening experience to the next level.

Compare it to its predecessor, and you’d note that not only is the Sony WH-1000XM3 more comfortable – but it also weighs 20 percent less than its predecessor. Fortunately, though, the reduction of weight hasn’t come at the cost of shedding of features which made the 1000XM2 headphones famous.

Features:

First things first, the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones have borrowed their design from the 1000XM3. And why not? These headphones have the same ergonomic yet elegant design, though the headband now bends more acutely and provides a closer fit to the head, which is never a bad thing.

As far as features are concerned, the 1000XM3 comes loaded. The best among them is the gesture control pad which lets you raise/lower volume and you can also use it to move up or down your playlist. It even gives you the freedom to activate Siri on iOS and Google Assistant on Android.

Equally special is Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control feature. Once you activate this feature, it would automatically monitor your activity and choose a complementing noise-cancellation profile. Though, if you don’t like it, Sony’s convenient Headphone Connect app lets you customize the same.

Next comes the active noise cancellation feature which offers a massive 20 levels of noise cancellation. You can gauge the immensity of the number from the fact that the Bose QC 35II offers mere 3 stages of noise cancellation, and you’ll have to pay less for these headphones too.

Pros:

• Sleek and comfortable design
• 20 levels of active noise cancellation
• Gesture controls and convenient app
• 30-hour battery timing

Cons:

• Call quality is mediocre

Final Verdict:

As you might have gauged by now, the Sony WH-1000XM3 are the best noise canceling headphones on the market. Go for them, and the outside noises would never ever trouble you while you’re listening to your favorite music.

Granted; these headphones are anything but inexpensive. Though once you compare their looks, features and sound quality to other models in this review, you’d notice that they do well to justify their otherwise astronomical price tag.

Features:

In contrast to most headphones in this review, the headband of the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless contains not one but two textures of leather. On the bottom of the headband is deluxe ottoman whereas the top has a ruggedized wallet – with both combining to give a premium feel.

Located on the left earcup are microphones that help in active noise cancellation, whereas the right earcup features discreet micro-USB for charging, 3.5mm wired input, multi-function volume rocket, and a power/Bluetooth discovery button.

Even with some of the best bluetooth headphones, it’s difficult to gauge how much battery is left. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Momentum Wireless. They come with a Sennheiser Smart Control app for both Android and iOS which lets you see the exact percentage of charging remaining.

Next comes the two-mic beamforming feature which improves call quality by ameliorating the passage of signals. Equally impressive is the Transparent Hearing feature which you can activate if you want to hear what’s going about around you.

Finally, in addition to boosting a respectable – though not market-topping – 22-hour battery life, these Bluetooth headphones also offer NFC connectivity for wireless freedom. You even get a 2-year warranty on these headphones.

Pros:

• Offer NFC connectivity
• Good call quality thanks to “two-mic beamforming”
• Active noise cancellation
• aptX codec guarantees premium sound quality

Cons:

• Multi-function button is finicky.

Final Verdict:

There aren’t many headphones out there whose name defines their character. That isn’t the case with Sennheiser “Momentum” Wireless headphones whose superior sound quality, respectable battery timing and a bucket-load of features make them a force to be reckoned with.

What is it that makes any pair of Bluetooth headphones the best for the gym? Think hard about the answer to this question, and write down whatever comes to your mind. Why? Because only then you would realize that the Jabra Elite Active 65t offers every single one of those features.

Features:

Sleek, small and unobtrusive, Jabra’s Elite Active in-ear headphones are as subtle as they come. Unlike Apple’s AirPods – whose white stem makes them noticeable from a mile – these circular buds, thanks to their protruding tip, fit so snugly that no one can notice them from a distance.

Fortunately, unlike most in-ear headphones, the Elite Active aren’t easy to lose. Why? They come with an oval charging case which doubles as a storage box as you work out. Similar convenient is on offer by their smart arm which makes inserting and fitting the headphones in your ear a cinch.

Additionally, since these headphones have a built-in accelerometer, they would log your runs in the Jabra Sound+ app for future reference. You also get a HearThrough feature which lets in the outside noise to make you aware of your surroundings.

As for its audio, the Elite Active’s companion app offers EQ presets which lets you customize the sound to your taste. From bass boast to bump up the treble, there are loads of option in the app to perfectly customize the sound to your liking.

Lastly, while their battery timing isn’t the best in business, you could still get a maximum of 15 hours on a single charge. Though they need to be charged between workouts without which the battery would last only 10 hours.

Pros:

• Noise isolation is excellent
• Balanced, focused sound
• Decent battery timing
• Connections are reliable

Cons:

• Fit is fairly tight

Final Verdict:

Provided you can ignore the effort which is required to open the charging-cum-storage box – which isn’t easy to ignore, to be honest – there aren’t many reasons why the Elite Active 65t aren’t for you, especially if you’re a workout fanatic.

Announced in the middle of 2018 – June, to be precise – the V-MODA Crossfade 2 are much more than an improvement upon their predecessor, the Crossfade 2 Wireless. Go for these headphones if you’re looking for something that is built to last.

Features:

Available in three colors – black-and-rose-gold, matte black and matte white – these headphones featured rounded hexagonal earcups whose excessive memory foam cushioning makes sure that a perfect seal is obtained between the earcups and the ear, while also guaranteeing a comfy feel.

What’s more, in contrast to your average Bluetooth headphones, the Crossfade 2 are customizable. Provided you buy them from the manufacturer, you can choose from a wide range of options for not only the color but also the material of the backplate.

Also, since you’re currently looking at a Codex Edition, you will get aptX Bluetooth support from this model. That means that you’d get the same bass which is the unique selling point of most V-Moda headphones. Though the bass is more sculpted in these headphones, which is never a bad thing.

More importantly, while some bass-heavy headphones ignore mids and highs, the V-Moda doesn’t fall into this trap. Its highs have a good representation in the overall soundstage whereas the mids are still lush and the lows are easy to decipher. All in all, the entire soundstage is easily audible.

Pros:

• Has aptX support
• Military-grade durability
• Loads of customization

Cons:

• Pricey

Final Verdict:

Want headphones which could last a lifetime? Don’t want to compromise on the sound-quality either? If your answer to both these questions is in the affirmative, the V-Moda Crossfade 2 are a great option for you.

Coming from a manufacturer that’s famous for making high-quality swimming accessories, the Jaybird X4 sound amazingly clear in the water and that too without using any earbuds. How? Let’s find out.

Features:

What differentiates the Jaybird X4 from other headphones in this list is their IPX7 certification – a ranking which categorizes headphones based on their resistance against water-ingress – you can submerge these headphones up to 1 meter and they would still work.

Fortunately, to let you easily switch between podcasts or songs in between swimming, the Jaybird X4 provides a simple interface. You can use its one-touch buttons to skip tracks, replay them or adjust volume with ease.

Next comes the convenient Jaybird app which lets you customize the EQ to fine-tune the sound to your preferences. It also saves your personal settings and allows the creation of multiple profiles should one than more users are benefiting from these headphones.

And that’s not all, for these headphones have a battery timing of 8 hours and they require only 2 hours of recharging time. Also, since they have a fast charging feature, you could charge them for 10 minutes and enjoy 1 hour of playback time.

Pros:

• 8 hours of playback time
• IPX7 certified
• Comfortable and secure fit

Cons:

• Not suitable for land use

Final Verdict:

Our review of the Jaybird X4 wireless headphones makes it crystal clear that these waterproof headphones have everything which allows them to pack your ears with your favorite music under layers of water.

Provided you’re going to have your headphone on all day, it better be comfortable or else your ears won’t thank you for using it. Fortunately, though, long-wearing comfort is only one of the many features which make the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC worth-having.

Features:

Starting with a glance over its design, these headphones feature a silver metal band, tasteful red accents, and overall black exterior. While the headset doesn’t fold, the earcups do and they have buttons for voice-command, music control, and a volume rocker.

Long-wearing comfort is undoubtedly the major selling point of these headphones. They have a springy metal band which, while keeping earpads pressed against your ears, won’t be too tight to cause a headache. You’ll also get plenty of leverage from the padded headband to protect your hairdos.

What’s more, since this is a multi-connectivity headphone, you can pair two devices (for example, a PC and phone) at once. It also offers active noise cancellation which lets you remove out the rumble you get on tubes, airplanes and such.

Lastly, for a headphone whose boom – yes, they do have a boom – might make you think that it is all about conference calls, the Voyager Focus UC sound surprisingly good. Then there’s the ‘HD Voice’ mode which you can turn on via its app to get better sound quality than the standard mode.

Pros:

• Incredibly comfortable
• 24-hour battery life
• Active noise-cancellation
• Boom Mic

Cons:

• Do not provide a wired option

Final Verdict:

At the cost of offending other headphones’ manufacturers, let it be said that not all models you see on the market provide long-wearing comfort. Luckily, the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC provides just that and that too without compromising on its sound quality.

Since they don’t come from as famous a brand as Beats or Bose, the Audio-Technica headphones offer one significant advantage: they sound equally well despite costing half the money. That’s exactly what you get from the latest iteration of the ATH-M50 series, the ATH-M50xBT.

Features:

For headphones that don’t cost you to rob a bank, the ATH-M50X do well to bridge the divide between a professional studio headset and one that plugs directly into your phone. Sure, they are big and chunky but you also get a 90degree swivel earcups as well as a foldable headband out of them.

As far as their building materials are concerned, they are all-plastic expect the padded earpads and a metal band on the inner side of the headband. The padding is synthetic leather, though, which means they aren’t designed for long-wearing sessions when it’s hot out there.

In terms of sound quality, the Audio-Technica would appeal to a large mass of audience. And that’s not an insult. Incredible bass power and low-end subtlety is on offer and you also get control which lets you tune the music to your preferences.

Add to it the smooth-yet-detailed treble which they provide, and you won’t have any complaint about the headphones not sounding exciting and lively. Therefore, while DJs might go for the more high-end headphones, for everyday consumers, there isn’t much wrong with the Audio Technica.

Pros:

• Bass is powerful
• Affordable
• Provide decent detail
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Slightly bulkier design

Final Verdict:

Minor complaints aside, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT headphones pack a brilliant punch despite coming at a moderate price. You won’t get many headphones who belong to the under $200 price range and sound as good as they do.

In addition to their minimalistic design and an aesthetically-pleasing outlook – rarities among over-the-year headphones – the Sennheiser HD1 Wireless headphones produce a good quality sound which can impress even the audiophiles out there.

Features:

Wrapped in British leather, the stainless steel band that Sennheiser chose for this model looks gorgeous and is incredibly comfortable. That prevents these headphones from forming any pressure points on your head even if you use them for 2 to 3 hours in a single sitting.

Similar is the case with the ear cups which feature genuine leather ear cushions. Unlike synthetic leather, its genuine counterpart is more breathable and can be easily worn even in hot outdoor environments. That, in turn, results in a more comfortable experience.

As for their battery timing, we were amazed that even with the active noise cancellation turned on, these headphones last up to 22 hours on a full charge. These headphones also have a battery life indicator LED and have a charging time of only 3 hours.

Also, as we’ve come to expect from Sennheiser models, the HD1 produce an immersive sound. The reason for this lies in their usage of the aptX codec technology which results in brilliant sound separation. To further sweeten the deal, an NFC connectivity is also provided in the package.

Pros:

• Materials are high-quality
• 22-hour battery timing
• NFC connectivity
• Solid call quality

Cons:

• Pricey

Final Verdict:

Quibbles about their price notwithstanding, the Sennheiser HD1 headphones are for the audiophiles out there who can figure out the subtleties in music and want to get a premium listening experience.

The AKG N60NC Wireless headphones have a brilliant build and their light weight makes them perfect for those of you who are out and about. All of this while they come at a much cheaper price than most models in this review.

Features:

In contrast to most noise-canceling headphones – which go for an over-the-ear design – the AKG N60NC Wireless have gone for an on-ear design. As a result, you’ll feel that these headphones are slimmer than their over-ear counterparts and provide folding arms to let you stow them in your backpack.

Turn to the right earcup, and you’d come across a bevy of buttons to control volume, pairing, and playback. Also present there are the levers using which you can skip tracks, play and pause music. Then there is the on/off lever using which you can activate/deactivate the noise cancellation.

The right earcup, meanwhile, has gone for a 2.5mm jack – which is a curious choice since almost 99% of headphones opt for a 3.5mm jack for compatibility purposes. It seems that the manufacturer recognized the difficulty of finding a compatible wire, which is why you get a complemented cable in the package.

As for their performance, even for users who have used both, they would find it difficult to identify any difference between the noise cancellation of these and the more expensive Bose QC 35 II. You can count on the noise-cancellation to eliminate outside noises with ease.

Finally, if you want too much bass on your music, then turn away because they won’t. However, if it is natural and (dare we say) studio like the sound that you’re after, you’d find the sound quality of these headphones reassuring.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality
• Huge battery timing
• Compact design
• Active noise cancellation

Cons:

• Not the most comfortable

Final Verdict:

Talk about headphones which offer a proficient combo of noise cancellation and excellent sound quality, and the AKG N60NC Wireless rank right up there at the top. The only issue is with their comfort level, though that should only trouble you if you plan on wearing them for extended listening sessions.

There you have them; Our list of the best bluetooth headphones available. Regardless of whether you’re an audiophile, a fitness freak or just a casual listener looking for something to tantalize his vocal cords, our review has got you covered.