Best Wireless Headphones for 2020
What to look for when choosing a wireless bluetooth headphone in 2020?
Sound and compression codecs.
AptX, AAC, LDAC is audio compression codecs that allow you to transmit sound in high quality. The AAC codec (250 Kbps) misses less than aptX (352 Kbps), as a result, the sound is of inferior quality. The next step is aptX HD (576 Kbps). The largest data stream, of the widespread, has the LDAC codec (990 Kbps).
The overall sound quality.
Many wireless headphones have an excess of bass and a lack of high frequencies. Below in the TOP, it is indicated. And pay attention to the frequency response graphs.
Management. Touch control is implemented efficiently in 200 $ + models. In cheaper headsets, touch elements often deliver only inconvenience due to false alarms or malfunctions. Button control remains the most convenient and versatile solution in models up to $ 200.
Autonomy.
In 2020, 20 hours + on a single charge, this is the minimum for full-size models. The plugs have not yet reached such heights due to the compact design. For vacuum and liners 8-10 hours, this is the norm. For True Wireless (like Apple Airpods ) – 4h + and 15+ from the case.
Connector.
Micro USB is a thing of the past. The future is for Type C (as early as 6 years). This is a universal connector with which faster charging and data throughput are possible. It is better to choose a model immediately with Type C, since in 2020, this is the iron standard.
Comfort.
2 hours without discomfort is the minimum for full-size models. The same applies to plugs and liners. With invoices, it’s more and more difficult, they press their ears because of their design and the average time for comfortable use is reduced to 1 hour +.
Longevity.
Up to $ 100, many Bluetooth headphones are made of fragile plastic. Do not focus on metal elements. Sometimes strong plastic lasts 10 years, and headphones with metal body elements break in the second year.
Price.
The products of Apple, Beats, Marshall, Sony, Bose, Sennheiser are always a supplement for the brand, but often they have cool and unique technologies that are 100% justified for the price. Buying not very popular ( Chinese ) products, you do not pay for the brand. Up to $ 100, brand choice options and not a brand – the sea. In general, an excellent model for price/quality, you can choose for $ 200-300. Up to $ 200, compromises appear. More than $ 200, – unique features appear, such as NFC and active noise reduction (which not everyone needs and can be saved on them).
Other.
A microphone is present in all Bluetooth models in our collection, I have not seen recently wireless headphones without a microphone. Bluetooth headphones are better to choose with Bluetooth 4.0 (not lower). The NFC chip is often useless, but you will have to pay extra for it, some may need it, but I used it 3-4 times. The new 2019-2020 models are most often lighter in weight, better in sound, more autonomous and with other useful updates, compared to the wireless headphones of past years. It is worth bearing this in mind and choosing the extreme revision in the line (in 80% of cases, extreme = better than the previous one).
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- Sound
- Functional
- Price
- Appearance
- Comfort
- Durability
- None
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- High-quality assembly;
- Stylish appearance;
- Folding design;
- Good sound;
- Effective system of active noise reduction;
- Long working time;
- Possibility of wired connection;
- Support for the aptX LL codec.
- Micro-USB jack
- Hybrid ear cushioning on ears (half-waybill).
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- Nice design
- Quality finishing materials;
- Comfortable and reliable fit;
- Deep and voluminous bass;
- Excellent noise reduction.
- Lack of ventilation system;
- At high volume, strong distortion appears;
- Bass dominates the rest of the frequency range.
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Sony WH-1000XM3 sounds nice, soft, and unobtrusive. If you like Sony's corporate identity, then you can buy them without first listening. Just make a discount on the fact that, although they use the LDAC codec, it's still Bluetooth, and above their heads, you will jump. But to listen to music in the way of more, probably, it is not necessary.
In a word, if you are looking for comfortable full-size headphones for trips and walks that would need to be charged once a week and could be carried in a small bag without hassle, then pay attention to the Sony WH-1000XM3.
- The efficient noise reduction system
- Good corporate sound from Sony
- Convenience
- Folding bowls
- USB Type-C Charging
- Wired connectivity
- Good touch control (excluding freezing temperatures)
- Convenient and functional branded application for the phone
- The touchpad has false positives in the cold
- High price
- Poor sound quality with wired power off
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Active noise cancellation... it's really amazing. ANC's adaptive features are simply awesome technologies that will appeal to anyone who likes to customize the sound in their headphones to their taste and needs.
Obviously, $180 is a lot of money to spend on headphones, and if you want to make a bargain - look for the MDR-1000X at a great discount. I’m sure that they will be sold out by stores very soon. Although you will lose some of the ANC efficiency and impressive application functionality, they are almost as good.
I highly recommend the Sony WH-1000X M2 headphones to anyone who wants to get one of the best active noise-canceling options with great sound and pleasant ergonomics.
- Excellent work of active noise reduction.
- Good ergonomics and ease of listening.
- Pleasant, soft sound with a bias in the bass.
- Despite the full-sized form factor, the headphones are convenient to use when traveling.
- Currently, the LDAC codec can only be used with Sony equipment.
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Sony's noise reduction was effective, but not a record.
The WH-CH700N is a controversial headphone, on the one hand they have everything that comes to mind to require a wireless model, on the other hand, each of the aspects does not quite reach excellent quality. Therefore, before buying, I recommend that you personally familiarize yourself with them so that you do not have false expectations.
- Battery life
- Comfortable
- Good build quality
- Compact
- Full integration with Google Assistant and Siri
- AptX HD codec support
- Soundproofing.
- Noise reduction is just good, but not excellent
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I do not exclude that LDAC is not a panacea. Most likely, the next version of the codec will be released in a few years, and the manufacturer will announce even higher quality. But what I hear today suits me completely. Let's not forget that we are listening to wireless headphones not at home, but on the road. And even with a powerful system of active noise reduction, we will not be able to appreciate every nuance and tone of sound when we ride the subway or fly in an airplane. Therefore, the modern implementation of the LDAC codec is enough with a margin for such tasks.
The sound of the Sony MDR-1000x headphones is confident, high-quality and dense. When you take them in your hands, you immediately understand that this is quality. When you put it on your head and start listening, you are convinced: this is what you were looking for.
But remember that the Sony MDR-1000x, like other Sony headphones, has a signature emphasis in sound - a soft, enveloping, honeyed sound with a slight emphasis on low frequencies and an easy pushing of high frequencies to the background. If you already had Sony headphones and you liked the sound, don’t hesitate to buy the Sony MDR-1000x, especially if you have a source that supports LDAC or aptX.
Recall the active noise reduction, which competes on equal terms with the unspoken king - the BoseQC 35 headphones. And it wins them functionally because QC 35 has only one operation mode - active noise canceling is always on, it cannot be turned off or its operation can be changed. While the Sony MDR-1000x allows you to either completely turn off noise reduction, or turn on its intelligent version, or turn off the suppression of human voices. Ample opportunities and high efficiency - it is obvious that the Sony MDR-1000x wins this battle.
If you are looking for full-size wireless headphones with active noise reduction and the ability to listen to lossless CD-quality recordings, pay attention to Sony MDR-1000x headphones, I'm sure they won’t disappoint you.
- Excellent ergonomics, you can listen to headphones for 3 or more hours without discomfort;
- Premium manufacturing materials: metal, genuine leather, high-quality plastic;
- Foam pad ear pads and headband for maximum comfort;
- Support for advanced LDAC and aptX codecs for high-quality wireless music transfer;
- Long working time - up to 20 hours with an active noise reduction system;
- Excellent sound quality with Sony brand name;
- Excellent quality of active noise reduction, in the subway you can listen to music at the usual volume level;
- Stylish, attractive and concise appearance.
- Your interlocutors will not always hear what you say: the microphone does not pick up your speech very well;
- A long battery charge time is about 4 hours
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- Powerful bass
- Stylish look
- Long battery life - up to 22 hours
- Efficient Active Noise Reduction
- Convenient controls
- The headphone sound is not universal, most suitable for modern popular and electronic music
- The internal free space of the ear pads is small, so I recommend trying on headphones before buying
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- Good sound quality, especially when connected to aptX-enabled phones;
- Convenient ergonomics, headphones can be listened to for several hours in a row;
- Instant connection to your phone or laptop using NFC;
- Soft, comfortable ear pads;
- Active noise reduction system;
- Bluetooth range up to 10 meters;
- Good value for money;
- Sturdy construction;
- Headphones can be connected via Bluetooth or by wire
- In the summer with prolonged listening ears sweat;
- When connected via wire, the sound quality drops dramatically;
- Active noise cancellation outperforms competitors;
- The built-in microphone does not always work well, with external noise the interlocutor will not hear you well.
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- Very comfortable;
- Very high efficiency of active noise reduction;
- Excellent working voice assistant;
- Reliable connection to the phone.
- The sound quality is good, but not great, with a strong emphasis on low frequencies.
- Headphones do not support LDAC, aptX and aptXHD codecs;
- High price.
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- A good, pushy sound;
- High maximum volume;
- Good passive sound insulation;
- Long battery life
- Easy to connect to Bluetooth devices;
- Convenient joystick control;
- Not suitable for all music genres;
- Headphones put pressure on the ears, so after a few hours of listening to music you need to give your ears a rest;
- Not everyone will like a vintage design with texture under old leather.
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- Nice and nice sound;
- Support aptX technology;
- Excellent build quality;
- Management with KNOB;
- The presence of the cable in the kit;
- Removable ear pads;
- Up to 30 hours of work via Bluetooth;
- No cover included.
Pros and Cons of Wireless Headphones
Pros
Lack of wires, convenience.
This, of course, is the main plus. Nothing interferes, does not delay, does not limit freedom. The Bluetooth connection also has its limits, but they are much wider than wired. And they are constantly expanding. The sector of fully wireless headphones is booming: earbuds and “plugs” that have no wires even between the cases.
Rich functionality.
Most of the additional functions are implemented precisely in wireless headphones because they already have a lot of electronics. And no one expects audiophile sound quality from them, priority is convenience. Active noise reduction, “transparency” mode, “smart” pause, on-the-fly sound enhancement and processing technologies, functional control of the source (playback, volume, and other functionality through the voice assistant): all this and much more can now be found mainly in wireless headphones. And precisely because of the demand for them, these areas of technology are developing.
Great selection.
We have already entered an era when, when they say “headphones,” people mean wireless. In another case, they will clarify what they are talking about “wired headphones.” And Bluetooth models are now available more than wired. All the most interesting news in this segment. Except, perhaps, audiophile. Even gaming, for example, options with a wireless connection (but via a radio channel) is becoming more and more.
Progress.
As a result, all new technologies are being created for wireless headphones. Bluetooth connectivity is getting more stable, audio quality is getting better. All new developments in the field of consumer audio equipment belong to the wireless segment.
Cons
Sound quality and communication.
Despite the fact that now “wireless sound” is already much better than it was a few years ago, but it is still far from the quality available “by wire”. No matter how good the Bluetooth headphones sound, you can easily find a wired model that will give a better, more detailed, natural and lively sound. Well, communication artefacts still exist even in the best models. It is enough to get into a place with a loaded “ether”.
Price.
The postulate “expensive Bluetooth headphones give the same sound quality as a wired model is 2 times cheaper” is still more or less fair. And if in the budget and mid-price segment the difference is smoothed out (wireless headphones up to $ 100 sound better than wired models for $ 50), then in the “top” it remains noticeable.
Autonomy.
Yes, now there are already wireless headphones that can work on a single charge for up to 40 hours (or TWS, which will last more than 100 hours with charges from the case), and these are already comfortable indicators, but there are a couple of nuances. Firstly, there are still few models with such impressive autonomy. Secondly, it’s still a +1 gadget on charging sooner or later. Wired headphones will never fail in this regard. 😉
Top 5 Bluetooth Headphone Manufacturers
Sony.
This company has always been at the forefront of technological progress. It is difficult to overestimate their contribution to the field of audio technology. And now they are releasing a wide variety of wireless headphones. Sony understands what exactly is the future of Bluetooth (at least the near future) of personal audio. Therefore, they offer not only dozens of models of headphones and speakers in different price categories (from very budget to “flagship” and expensive) but also develop their own technologies for playback and wireless sound transmission: LDAC codec, proprietary active noise reduction system, “recovery” algorithm poor quality records and so on.
Sennheiser.
This German company specializes only in the production of audio equipment. Mostly headphones and microphones. Sennheiser produces a lot of wireless headphones, among which there are iconic ones (the Momentum series in general and the best TWS Momentum TW2 headphones in sound), which always have high sound quality. The emphasis is on this. If you still don’t believe in high-quality wireless sound, listen to the top Sennheiser models.
Apple’s.
The company has created the most popular fully wireless AirPods headphones. In terms of sound quality, this model is far from the best, but it has a lot of fans around the world. Apple has been selling its wireless headphones more than anyone for the past year. They emphasize usability, ergonomics and ease of use, which is very important for many fans to listen to music on the go.
JBL.
The company produces a wide variety of wireless models of headphones and, perhaps, the most popular Bluetooth speakers. JBL has long focused on the wireless segment, in their assortment, there are almost no wired models. But Bluetooth options are the sea: any form factor and price. With the exception of expensive “premium” models. The company focuses on the budget and mid-market segments, which has earned the love of customers. And, importantly, their headphones are always high-quality, vibrant and, so to speak, youthful. What you need for an active life.
Marshall.
This manufacturer of concert equipment not so long ago entered the headphone market, but very quickly navigated it. Now they are releasing 1-2 models of each form factor that have migrated from wired to Bluetooth. In addition, Marshall has several models of portable speakers. They differ from others in their corporate (easily recognizable and memorable) style and sound. The concept of “only for rockers and metallers” is now slightly expanded, but the basis remains. Headphones and speakers Marshall stand out among analogues, and at the same time, which is very important, they are of high build quality and materials.
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Marshall Minor II Wireless Headphones: A Complete Review
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Sennheiser Momentum Free Special Edition: A Complete Review
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Pioneer SE-C8TW Truly Wireless in-Ear Headphones: A Complete Review
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Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 SE Headphones: A Complete Review
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Google Pixel Buds Wireless Earbuds: A Complete Review
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