A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Bluetooth Headphones

Your Guide to buying the best bluetooth headphones

Overview

This buying guide is designed to help you make an informed decision when purchasing Bluetooth headphones. We will walk you through the different types of headphones available, their features, and the pros and cons of each. We will also help you decide between wired and wireless headphones and provide advice on choosing the best quality headphones for your needs. Finally, we’ll cover how to maintain and care for your headphones, and give tips on getting the most out of your listening experience.

Key features

  1. Type: Consider whether you want over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, or earbud-style headphones, depending on your preference of fit, sound isolation, portability, and comfort.
  2. Battery Life: Determine the expected battery life of the headphones. Look for headphones that have long battery life and may offer quick-charging capabilities.
  3. Noise Cancellation: Decide if you want active noise cancellation (ANC) technology to reduce ambient noise. Active noise cancellation is advantageous for canceling out background noise, especially when traveling.
  4. Water Resistance: Consider whether you want water-resistant or waterproof headphones for optimal protection against sweat or spills.
  5. Microphone: Determine if you need a built-in microphone for making calls or voice commands. Be sure to check the quality of the microphone and feedback from users.
  6. Compatibility: Check for compatibility with your device. Most headphones will be compatible with any device, but double-check the product description to ensure they will work with your phone, tablet, or other device.
  7. Comfort: Comfort is important when purchasing headphones. Look for headphones that are lightweight and have adjustable ear cups and/or headbands for a comfortable fit.

See the most popular bluetooth headphones on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Wireless Convenience: Bluetooth headphones are free of wires and cords, providing an easier listening experience and portability.
  • Wide Range of Compatibility: Bluetooth headphones are compatible with a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops.
  • High-Quality Audio: Many bluetooth headphones are designed to ensure high-quality streaming of audio for a superior listening experience.
  • Controls: Bluetooth headphones typically come with on-ear controls that allow the user to adjust audio settings right from the headset.
  • Long Battery Life: Most bluetooth headsets are designed with long-lasting battery life, so you can enjoy your music or media for a longer duration.

Cons

  • Range: Bluetooth headphones typically have a limited range of about 30 feet. If you are looking to use your headphones while in another room or away from your device, you may find that your audio quality is reduced or even non-existent.
  • Battery Life: Though battery life has improved with newer models, Bluetooth headphones still use more power than wired headphones and will need to be recharged more often.
  • Delay: When using Bluetooth headphones, there is sometimes a noticeable delay between the audio and video, making it less than ideal for watching movies or playing games.
  • Interference: Bluetooth signals can be easily disrupted by other devices in the area, resulting in poor audio quality.

Best alternatives

  1. Noise Cancelling Headphones - headphones designed to reduce or eliminate background noise
  2. Wired Headphones - headphones connected via a wire or cable
  3. On-ear Headphones - headphones that cover the entire ear
  4. Over-ear Headphones - headphones that are larger and cover the entire ear
  5. In-ear Headphones - headphones designed to fit inside the ear, often smaller and less powerful than over-ear and on-ear headphones

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Charging Cable - A cable used to charge the battery of the headphones.
  • Soft Pouch - A pouch used to carry and protect a set of headphones.
  • Replacement Ear Tips - Spare ear tips for headphones that may be damaged or lost.
  • Wireless Transmitter - A wireless transmitter used to wirelessly connect two devices.
  • Hard Case - A protective case used to store and transport a set of headphones.
  • Audio Splitter - A device used to split a single audio signal into two or more signals.
  • Bluetooth Adapter - A device used to add Bluetooth capabilities to a device that does not have it.

Common questions

  1. What are the benefits of wireless headphones? Wireless headphones provide users with maximum comfort and convenience compared to traditional wired headphones. They are also lightweight, have a longer battery life, and provide better sound quality.
  2. What should I look for when buying wireless headphones? When shopping for wireless headphones, you should consider the sound quality, battery life, comfort level, connectivity range and type of connection, and water-resistance, if needed.
  3. Do wireless headphones work with all devices? No, not all wireless headphones work with all devices. Generally, wireless headphones are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices, but some may also be compatible with other technologies. Be sure to check the specifications of the headphones before buying.
  4. What is the difference between Bluetooth and wireless headphones? Wireless headphones refer to any type of headphones that use radio-frequency technology to allow for transmission of audio signals without the need for cables. Bluetooth headphones specifically use Bluetooth technology for audio transmission.
  5. How do I connect wireless headphones to my device? The process of connecting wireless headphones to your device varies depending on the type of connection. Generally, you need to turn on the headphones and make sure they are discoverable. On your device, you then need to activate the Bluetooth feature and then select the headphones from the list of available devices.

Trivia

In 2014, Bluetooth headphones made a surprise cameo in a South Korean soap opera. During a particularly intense scene, one of the characters was seen wearing a pair of Bluetooth headphones. The product placement was so successful that sales of the headphones skyrocketed in the days following the episode airing. This unusual product placement helped to make Bluetooth headphones more mainstream and contributed to the industry's growth. https://www.cnet.com/news/bluetooth-headphones-soap-operas-south-korea-surge-in-sales/

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.