What types of wireless headphones are there, and how to choose headphones for your phone with good sound? Do I need to read the characteristics of the headphones and is it possible to buy wireless in-ear headphones for my phone on Aliexpress? About this and a bunch of other things - in our mega-guide to wireless headphones.
Imagine: you spent a long time choosing and finally bought a good smartphone. With a large screen, a good battery, a smartphone that you are going to use for at least 3-4 years.
On it you will watch videos from YouTube, films or TV series on the subway on the way to work and back. Or maybe listen to audiobooks, podcasts or just music in the office or at home. Or do you simply want to have a headset so that you can be hands-free in the car or talk on the phone at minus 20, without fear that your hand will fall off from the cold or your phone will turn off in the cold?
In all these cases, you will need good ears. So you go to the store again and buy... what? Cheapest wireless headphones? The model from Xiaomi, JBL, Samsung or Huawei that has the most sales? Or will you just take the headset out of the box with your smartphone?
Let's say right away that stock headphones that come with smartphones can be safely thrown into the trash in about 90% of cases. Relatively good, but always wired headphones are equipped only with the iPhone, flagship smartphones from Samsung, Huawei, Oppo and... perhaps all of them.
Meanwhile, the difference in sound between complete headphones that cost a couple of dollars and not even good, but just normal headphones, is colossal. It is amazing and gives a real idea of what your smartphone is capable of in terms of audio reproduction.
Agree, it’s stupid to buy a cool smartphone that supports all the latest audio codecs and use headphones for 150 rubles.
But how to choose wireless headphones for your phone? Buy the most expensive ones? Not necessary.
To help you, we'll tell you everything you need to know about wireless headphones. Let's look at what types of headphones there are. We will explain all the nuances associated with wireless headphones as simply as possible, so that you do not make a mistake with your choice. And we’ll go through the most popular models of wireless headphones for phones, identifying their strengths and weaknesses.
What types of wireless headphones are there?
With all the variety of models of wireless headphones, they are easily divided into types. After reading our guide, you will never confuse one with the other.
In-ear headphones
In-ear headphones, earplugs, wireless in-ear headphones - this most popular class of headphones has several names, but, in essence, these are all types of compact headphones that are inserted into the ear.
How do wireless in-ear headphones differ from each other?
Firstly, the presence/absence of ear pads and their type.
Ear pads are made of silicone or foamed polymer materials. There are models without ear pads, such as Apple AirPods.
Headphones without ear pads have the lowest sound insulation. You can hear everything that happens around you very well. Sometimes this is useful and good - when jogging, while working out in the gym, when riding a bike, but most often it is a disadvantage. In the subway, train, or on a noisy street, such headphones are useless.
Headphones with “foam” ear pads, on the contrary, work like earplugs and perfectly cut off external noise.
The most popular models of in-ear headphones, with silicone ear pads, are somewhere in the middle in terms of sound permeability.
Ear pads for in-ear headphones can be purchased separately and exchange “silicone” for “foam” and vice versa. More expensive models of “plugs” are immediately equipped with two types of ear pads.
Secondly, in-ear wireless headphones can be divided according to the method of fixation in the ear.
They can simply be inserted into the ear, or have additional elements for a more secure fit, like sports models.
Regular in-ear headphones
In-ear headphones with “wing”
In-ear headphones with ear hook
Prev.Next
Wireless in-ear headphones may also have a body in the form of a neckband (necklace). It sometimes houses the battery and controls.
In-Ear Necklace Headphones
There are also so-called TWS headphones
TWS stands for True Wireless Stereo, if translated into Russian, then truly wireless stereo .
Why for real?
These headphones have no wires at all. They consist of two separate elements that synchronize with each other via the Bluetooth protocol.
True Wireless headphones
Thanks to Apple, this type of headphones has become the most hyped; every self-respecting company has released one or more True Wireless, of varying degrees of quality. In addition to the obvious advantage - the absence of wires - these headphones also have their own disadvantage. They get lost quite cheerfully, at least for us.
What are the good and bad things about wireless in-ear headphones?
Pros:
- Portability and mobility.
- There are moisture-resistant versions for sports and outdoor use.
- Microphones placed on the wire (with the exception of True Wireless) provide good audibility during a telephone conversation and cut off external noise. In True Wireless models, noise reduction is carried out using software algorithms with varying degrees of success.
Minuses:
- Lower, on average, sound quality than on-ear and full-size models (low frequencies are especially difficult for such headphones).
- Inability to use models with ear pads for a long time (ears get tired).
- Low quality of active noise reduction (if any).
- Short battery life.
How to choose wireless in-ear headphones?
Ideally, it is better to have several pairs for different use cases. If this is not possible, you will have to choose based on where you will use your smartphone headphones most often.
Wireless in-ear headphones are good when mobility and freedom of movement are required, and for training, sports Bluetooth headphones are, in fact, the only option.
For noisy places, such as the subway, wireless headphones with foam or silicone ear pads that provide good sound insulation are more suitable. Indoors, you can also use cushionless models. The ears get tired less in them.
Separate advice on TWS headphones. Here we strongly suggest buying the newest models. This is a new format and some older models have real problems with synchronizing the left and right earbuds. You could call these growing pains, which the latest wireless headphones have completely overcome.
Final rating table
| Place | Name | Ya.Market |
| #1 | Apple AirPods Pro | Buy |
| #2 | Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro | Buy |
| #3 | Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 | Buy |
| #4 | Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 2 | Buy |
| #5 | Samsung Galaxy Buds Live | Buy |
| #6 | HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i | Buy |
| #7 | HONOR Earbuds 2 Lite | Buy |
| #8 | JBL Tune 215 TWS | Buy |
| #9 | Realme Buds Air 2 | Buy |
| #10 | Sony WF-XB700 | Buy |
On-ear wireless headphones
A larger type of headphone whose ear pads sit on top of the ears. Typically, the connecting arm of such headphones is made in the form of a headband, but there are also models of over-ear headphones with a neckband. There are few of them and they are usually intended for an active lifestyle.
Neckband headphones
On-ear headphones with good passive sound insulation are good in transport, on the street with high noise levels, and when traveling. However, they can also be used at home.
This class of wireless headphones for phones can be regarded as a transition between in-ear and full-size headphones, a compromise between compactness and sound quality. Connoisseurs of style will also like them, as such headphones look much more impressive than bulky full-size “ears”.
On-ear headphones, while not as popular as in-ear headphones, are actually the most versatile of all Bluetooth headphones. They are suitable for almost everything (there are even models for sports), except for long work.
The good and the bad of over-ear Bluetooth headphones
Pros:
- Higher sound quality than in-ear headphones of the same price category.
- longer battery life.
- compact and lighter weight compared to full-size headphones.
- Convenient carrying of folding models.
Minuses:
- impossibility of long-term use. Ear pads that are pressed tightly by the headband to the ear after some time cause discomfort (ear pads that are not pressed tightly to the ear simply do not hold well).
- Among on-ear headphones, there are few models with high-quality active noise cancellation (ANC)
- microphones in wireless models pick up too much extraneous noise. Talking on the phone with these headphones in noisy places is very difficult.
Audio Specifications
The sensitivity of headphones can be considered their volume. To avoid buying a model that is too quiet, choose headphones with a sensitivity of 95 dB or more. But always remember that excessive use of loud music can damage your hearing.
Frequency range is the range of sounds that headphones can reproduce. The human ear recognizes sounds in the range of 20 - 20,000 Hz. Choose headphones that correspond to this range, then they will produce all the sounds available to the ear.
Resistance (impedance) affects volume and overall sound quality. For most mobile devices, headphones with an impedance of 16–32 ohms are optimal. For home equipment, it is better to choose a device with a higher impedance.
Over-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones completely cover the ears and in 99.99% of cases come with a classic headband.
Closed over-ear headphones
This is a very large class of headphones, varied in price and quality. It includes headphones for travelers, professional headsets, and just headphones for lovers of good sound.
Closed full-size headphones can be used at home, on the street, in the office, and in transport. You can work in them and listen to music, watch movies and play video games, travel and communicate on the phone.
And to do all this for a long time - these are the most “humane” headphones for our ears . They provide a high level of comfort and the best sound quality. Let's make a reservation, we mean GOOD models, and not no-name trash.
The good and bad of full-size wireless headphones
pros:
- Best sound of any wireless headphone type
- Maximum wearing comfort
- Long working time
- The best passive and active noise cancellation among all classes of headphones
- Suitable for almost everything - games, music, work, watching movies, communication.
- Some models of wireless on-ear and over-ear headphones have the ability to connect them via wire. Then, if the battery runs out, you won't be left without music.
Minuses:
- Not suitable for sports
- No waterproof models
- They are large in size, which makes them inconvenient to use in winter (you have to wear such headphones over your headgear, sacrificing sound insulation). In case of rain or snow, not all models fit under the hood.
- They take up a lot of space during transportation (even folding models, even in a case).
There is another way to divide Bluetooth headphones into types - by method of use.
The first is universal wireless headphones . This includes the vast majority of wireless headphone models.
The second is wireless headphones with a microphone on a mini-boom.
This is the form factor of professional business models and gaming headsets. They provide the highest quality of your voice transmission, but at the same time, they are the most inconvenient.
The rod clings to clothes and often breaks, so such headsets are designed to be permanently located on a work or gaming desk.
And the third type is Bluetooth sports headphones. The vast majority of these headphones are in-ear, among them there are many headphones without ear pads, that is, they allow external sounds to pass through well.
However, advanced models of sports headphones with ear pads have an “ambient” mode, which allows either all or part of external sounds to pass through. And sometimes even amplifying external sounds (like a hearing aid) so that the person wearing headphones does not fall out of the surrounding reality. For example, while jogging, he could hear the barking of a dog running after him or the beep of a car.
As a rule, sports headphones have a “wing” for mounting in the ear or a bow and have increased durability and dust and moisture protection.
History of origin
The first wireless devices were released by Koss in the late nineties. They were connected to an amplifier, player and other sound sources via an infrared port. Competitors did not waste time and soon released headphones that worked within a radius of 45 meters next to the device. They did not become popular because they occupied the 900 MHz GSM cell phone frequency.
The first wireless devices that connected via Bluetooth were the Bluetake i-PHONO BT420EX. Bluetooth technology is still popular today, along with Wi-Fi and radio connection methods.
Apple has created perhaps the most popular headphone model today. They released Airpods with an original shape, separate earbuds, in-ear controls, tap controls, and a charging case.
Unusual wireless headphones
I would like to briefly mention the various exotics. For example, models of headphones with bone conduction, when sound is transmitted through the owner’s cranial bone.
Among the exotic devices, we also came across a personal mobile subwoofer that transmits low frequencies directly “to the soul.”
Several manufacturers have recently released unique sound collars with directional speakers, allowing you to watch movies or listen to music without wearing anything on your head and without disturbing others too much.
Microphone presence
There are 3 options: headphones without a microphone, with a regular or with a moving microphone. The first option is suitable for those who only plan to listen to music or watch movies using the device.
The second option is ideal for those who will communicate via video calling and more. Headphones with a moving microphone are suitable for people who conduct video conferences, lectures or conduct business negotiations.
The microphone can be moved to the side, if necessary, to hide sounds that should not get into it.
How to choose headphones for your phone with good sound?
Usually they write a few banal phrases here, like “listen to headphones before buying them.” I wonder how many places such advisors know where you can come and listen to in-ear headphones?
Although, if you have the opportunity to listen to headphones live, for example, by borrowing them from friends and colleagues with good “ears,” then, of course, you should listen. In stores you can usually only listen to on-ear or full-size headphones. For reasons of hygiene, they do not allow listening to in-ear ones.
If there are no friends ready to help, usually in search of wireless headphones for a phone with good sound, they are sent to the websites of manufacturers and stores, where the user immediately drowns in a lot of incomprehensible terms.
Let's try to restore order here too.
Types of emitters used in wireless headphones
Dynamic - the most popular type of emitters. Usually they say about these that they “provide a bright and expressive sound.”
Armature drivers with a balanced armature can transmit sound very accurately with minimal distortion, but do not always cope well with the low and high frequency ranges.
Some in-ear headphones have a hybrid design, when some emitters in one model are dynamic, and some are reinforced.
It is impossible to single out one or another type of sound emitter as being of higher quality . There are successful models, and there are less successful models of any design, but by far the most popular and widespread type of emitter is dynamic.
Technical characteristics of wireless headphones
Characteristics such as sensitivity, resistance (for models with wire), distortion level, frequency response matter, but... let's say SCARY: you shouldn't pay much attention to them.
Why?
On the one hand, all more or less well-known manufacturers do not make obvious technical errors that will be visible in the stated figures.
On the other hand, the characteristics specified by the manufacturer always give a very blissful picture and carry very little meaningful information. For a correct assessment, you need data from independent testing laboratories, and in order to correctly interpret such data, you need to have technical knowledge and spend more than one year in the world of sound.
And one last thing. Even perfect numbers do not guarantee that you will like the sound of the headphones.
The best wireless TWS headphones 2022 in terms of price and quality
13th place. JBL Tune 215TWS
The review of the best bluetooth tws headphones for music moves on to the JBL Tune 215TWS, the highlight of which is thoughtful ergonomics, nice design and a huge selection of color options.
These include green, purple, blue, classic white and black. On one charge they will last up to 5 hours, and the case increases autonomy up to 20 hours and charges itself from 0 to 100% in 2 hours. It will be comfortable to listen to music even in a noisy place thanks to high-quality passive noise insulation. Due to the absence of wires, JBL Tune 215TWS does not restrict movement and is ideal for sports. Advanced dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets and a 6 mm diaphragm size allow you to reproduce the entire frequency range. The result is a sound rich in bass, which is what the manufacturer’s products are so famous for.
Connection to the signal source occurs via Bluetooth 5.0. It will be stable at a distance of up to 10 meters. Dual Connect technology allows you to take calls and listen to music with either one or two headphones. For a secure fit in the ear, the kit includes silicone ear pads of several sizes so that everyone can choose the best option for themselves.
Pros:
- Large range of action;
- Decent autonomy;
- Sound quality;
- Beautiful design and variety of color options;
- Convenient case.
Minuses:
- Charger not included;
- When listening for a long time, your ears begin to hurt;
- Unnatural sound when talking on the phone.
12th place. Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 2
One of the most affordable options in the range of the Chinese manufacturer is distinguished by moisture protection according to the IPX4 standard. They are unlikely to survive immersion under the surface of the water, but there is no need to be afraid of getting caught in the rain. The best inexpensive in-ear tws headphones for Android have a built-in noise-cancelling microphone, which makes talking on the phone comfortable. Connecting to a phone
occurs via the Bluetooth 5.0 wireless protocol, the signal of which extends over a distance of up to 10 meters.
The headset is equipped with dynamic drivers with a diameter of 7.2 mm and an improved audio chip from Realtek. The left and right earbuds can work independently of each other. You can take advantage of this when traveling by car, using one earpiece as a headset to answer calls safely. The headset has a built-in 43 mAh battery, which lasts for 4 hours of listening to music. With the case, autonomy increases to 12 hours, and recharging it will take about 2 hours.
Pros:
- Some of the most affordable;
- Good bass;
- Fast connection to your phone via Bluetooth;
- High-quality magnets in the case;
- High volume level;
- Noise canceling microphone;
- Small case;
- Value for money.
Minuses:
- The case is prone to scratches;
- Volume control only via phone.
11th place. JBL Tune 225TWS
When choosing the best tws headset, you can choose the JBL Tune 225TWS, available in 9 color options - gold, red, orange, pink, gray, white, black, blue and even transparent. The device belongs to the popular JBL T-Series line and will be a great addition to your image.
The headphones weigh only 2 grams and do not create any discomfort. Moreover, this did not prevent it from achieving good autonomy - up to 5 hours of continuous listening to music, and with the case this time increases to 25 hours. The case charges in 2 hours to 100% via the USB Type-C port. Audiophiles will not like the weak passive noise insulation, but on the other hand, it increases the safety of movement in an urban environment.
Large dynamic drivers with a diameter of 12 mm reproduce lows, highs and mids well. Each earphone has a microphone, and you can use them both together or separately. It is convenient to separate them when exchanging voice messages in instant messengers or talking on the phone.
Pros:
- Good sound with noticeable bass;
- Battery life;
- Moisture protection;
- Huge selection of color options;
- Excellent build;
- Very fast and easy connection.
Minuses:
- Sometimes it shifts and sits incorrectly in the ear, which causes pain over time;
- Microphone without noise reduction.
10th place. Honor Earbuds 2 Lite
Honor
offers the best tws headphones for audiophiles in terms of price and quality, which attract with their beauty, light weight and pleasant ergonomics. On one charge they last up to 10 hours, and the case increases autonomy up to 32 hours and is charged via a modern USB-C port. Each earbud features dual noise-canceling microphones that adapt to your surroundings using artificial intelligence. This ensures accurate voice transmission and the absence of noise.
At its core, Honor Earbuds 2 Lite contain powerful 10mm speakers that generate clear and surround sound. Bluetooth 5.2 is used for stable communication with a smartphone. In addition, support for AAC and SBC codecs is announced. Touch sensors allow you to touch control music playback, noise reduction and answer calls. When you remove the headphones from your ears, music playback is automatically paused. There is a transparent mode that allows you to hear the sounds of the outside world without removing the headset.
Pros:
- High-quality sound without extraneous noise;
- Good dual microphone with noise reduction;
- Touch control;
- They last a long time on one charge;
- Automatically paused when removed from ears;
- Connect quickly;
- Do not create any discomfort;
- Transparency mode.
Minuses:
- The case is prone to scratches;
- Loud even at the minimum level;
- There is no charging cable included.
9th place. Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro
Redmi
managed to create the best budget tws headphones in your budget with a good microphone and active noise cancellation. There is a transparent mode that allows you to hear the sounds of the outside world without removing the headset from your ears. When it is removed, playback is automatically paused. Multipoint allows you to connect to multiple devices at the same time, and AAC codecs improve the sound.
The built-in battery lasts for 6 hours of music playback, and the complete case gives up to 28 hours of autonomy and charges 100% in 2.5 hours. Charging can be either wireless or Type-C. Touch sensors allow you to control music playback without taking out your phone.
Each earphone has 3 microphones. Two of them process external sounds and are needed for active noise suppression. Calibration occurs automatically, but some settings are also available for manual adjustment. 9mm composite drivers produce excellent bass and treble.
Pros:
- Active noise cancellation;
- Transparency mode;
- Touch control for music playback;
- Autonomy;
- Wireless charger;
- Appearance;
- Sound quality;
- Possibility of simultaneous connection to several gadgets;
- Beautiful animation on the phone with information about the remaining amount of charge.
Minuses:
- There is no proprietary application for flexible settings;
- Case material.
8th place. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
Samsung
was lucky enough to get 8th place in the top of the best inexpensive tws in-ear headphones
Galaxy Buds Live with fast charging - 5 minutes is enough for an hour of listening to music. Buds Together technology allows you to connect multiple headphones to one device. In games, audio latency is reduced, allowing you to react faster to approaching enemies.
At the heart of the headset is a 12mm single-way speaker from AKG, which is complemented by an accelerometer, Hall sensor, touch sensor, compression sensor, infrared sensor and bone conduction vibration technology. In addition, there are three microphones inside for good voice transmission to the interlocutor and active noise reduction.
With all this, we managed to maintain a modest weight of 5.6 grams. The case is IPX2 waterproof and supports touch controls. The battery life is enough for 6 hours of music playback, and with the case we get 21 hours. The case can be charged both wired and wireless charging.
Pros:
- Comfortable fit;
- Atypical design;
- Includes two sets of pads;
- Possibility of flexible configuration in the mobile application;
- Good bass;
- Autonomy;
- Fast and wireless charging;
- Google Voice Assistant;
- Microphone.
Minuses:
- The case is easily soiled and scratches quickly;
- Weak noise reduction - it will be missed in transport.
7th place. Huawei FreeBuds 4i
TWS headphones with good sound and a microphone will last up to 10 hours on a single charge, and the included case extends battery life to 22 hours. The case charges via a modern USB-C port, and very quickly - in 1.5 hours to 100%. In the fourth generation, the headset acquired moisture protection according to the IP54 standard, active noise reduction and sounds even better compared to its predecessors. At the same time, the case opening mechanism has been improved, which is now easy to handle with one hand.
Huawei
FreeBuds 4i are equipped with drop-shaped emitters and sit comfortably in the ear, without trying to slip out. Protruding from the emitters are legs where batteries and controllers are built in. The plastic case weighs less and has an oval shape. For full operation, you will need to install the Huawei AI Life application, available on iOS and Android. Through it, the software is updated and fine-tuning is performed.
Support for SBC and AAC codecs is declared, which is combined with dynamic drivers with a size of 10 mm. Together, this gives an excellent sound and correct reproduction of compositions of any genre. For stable pairing with a smartphone, the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol is used.
Pros:
- High-quality active noise reduction;
- Transparent mode for listening to the environment around you;
- Touch control;
- They fit comfortably in the ears;
- They last a long time on one charge;
- The music stops when you take it out of your ear;
- Proprietary application for fine tuning;
- External execution;
- Build quality and materials used.
Minuses:
- Difficult to remove from the case due to the powerful magnet;
- The delay is 300-400 ms on phones without ACC.
6th place. Samsung Galaxy Buds2
The comparison of tws headphones moves on to the best for calling on the phone thanks to a quality noise-canceling microphone that picks up voice well in noisy environments and windy conditions. From the first generation Samsung
Buds2 is distinguished by the presence of active noise reduction technology, but is inferior to Buds Plus in terms of operating time on a single charge. Another disadvantage is the lack of Multipoint support. There is only automatic switching between Galaxy smartphones.
A key feature is the presence of a vibration bone conduction sensor. It vibrates and affects the elements of sound perception in the ear, while while listening, the headphones do not necessarily have to directly affect the eardrum. Due to this, you can enjoy your favorite songs while maintaining a connection with the outside world.
Thoughtful ergonomics ensure comfort while listening to music, and the headphones last up to 5 hours on a single charge. With a complete case, this time is extended to 29 hours. It turns on automatically when removed from the case, after which it pairs with the phone via Bluetooth. It has its own volume control, support for AAC codecs and a transparent mode.
Pros:
- Bone conduction technology;
- They look interesting;
- Transparent mode and touch control;
- Beautiful animation when pairing with a smartphone;
- Small and convenient case;
- Pleasant bass;
- Good noise reduction;
- Headphone search function;
- Good mobile application.
Minuses:
- There is no full support for Multipoint;
- Playback is not interrupted if you remove only one earphone;
- Slippery.
5th place. Huawei FreeBuds Pro
TWS headphones with good bass connect to the phone via Bluetooth 5.2, which gives a stable connection at a distance of up to 10 meters. Top
The manufacturer's headphones come with active noise cancellation, Multipoint technology and transparent mode. They are good even on a noisy street or when traveling on public transport, where the active noise reduction system will reveal its advantages.
The body is conventionally divided into two parts - drop-shaped emitters and a vertical leg attached to them with a built-in battery and microcircuits. On one charge the device will last up to 5 hours. Without noise reduction, battery life increases to 7 hours, and with a case up to 22 hours.
Moreover, a full charge takes only 50 minutes. Bright and balanced sound is provided by dynamic drivers with a size of 11 mm, and the technological filling minimizes delays. The microphones are noise-cancelling and capture voices well even in windy conditions.
BUY
Pros:
- Possibility of simultaneous connection to several devices;
- Excellent sound quality and noise reduction;
- Battery life and charging speed;
- They fit comfortably in the ears;
- Functional application for your phone;
- There are bass and all frequencies;
- Supports a large number of gestures;
- Design.
Minuses:
- Slippery;
- It is difficult to remove from the case - due to the powerful magnet, you need to apply force.
4th place. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
The best sports tws headphones from Samsung
stand out from competitors with a combination of two speakers - 11 mm low-frequency and 6.5 mm high-frequency, which gives new emotions from listening to already familiar compositions. During calls, three built-in microphones are used to cut out external noise, and the air chamber minimizes the effect of wind blowing. Accordingly, the interlocutor will hear you well under any conditions.
For complete immersion in the world of music, active noise reduction technology is implemented, and the intensity of noise reduction can be adjusted to suit your preferences. If you start talking to someone, the transparency mode is automatically activated, in which you can clearly hear everything happening around you. Find My Earbuds technology will help you find lost headphones.
Along with the headset, you receive a charging case that extends battery life from 5 to 20 hours. It fully charges in 1 hour, which can be done via a USB-C cable, or without wires at all. There is a 3D sound function and the ability to personalize gestures.
Pros:
- Convenient mobile application;
- Two speakers for different frequencies;
- The battery lasts a long time;
- The set includes three sets of ear pads;
- Great microphone;
- Ability to personalize gestures;
- Search function for lost headphones;
- Supports fast and wireless charging of the case in 1 hour;
- Moisture protection IPX7;
- Clear and bassy sound.
Minuses:
- The shape is not for everyone;
- You cannot connect to two different devices at the same time.
3rd place. Sony WF-1000XM3
Sony WF-1000XM3 with support for the Google Assistant voice assistant and Quick Attention mode takes 3rd place in terms of sound quality in TWS headphones. The latter lowers the volume, pauses playback or resumes it when you touch the touch panel (depending on the selected settings). Wearing Detection technology pauses the tune when you remove one earbud from your ear and resumes playing when both earbuds are in place.
Japanese engineers managed to reduce the size of the processor, which was previously used in a full-size headset. Thus, it was possible to obtain active noise reduction, comparable in quality to older models. It effectively cuts out noise from the street, and in the subway you can barely hear the sound of wheels.
In the proprietary application, the Sense Engine setting is available, which determines what you are currently doing - driving, sitting or walking, depending on which the noise reduction algorithm changes. There is a transparent mode, an NFC chip and support for AAC codecs. The operating time on a single charge reaches 6 hours, but with a case it increases to 24 hours.
Pros:
- The set includes a lot of ear pads. Of these, half are soft, the others are hard;
- They sit comfortably and do not fall out of the ears;
- Beautiful and high-quality charging station;
- 15 minutes in the case is enough for 2 hours of music playback;
- Good noise reduction;
- The music turns off if you take one earphone out of your ear;
- Autonomy;
- Good distribution of sound flow;
- Digital sound enhancement and elimination of compression defects.
Minuses:
- Large charging case that doesn't fit in your pocket;
- There is no protection against water and sweat;
- The plastic of the docking station gets scratched quickly.
2nd place. Apple AirPods Pro
Apple
managed to create the best noise reduction in tws headphones
, which became possible thanks to the presence of an internal and external microphone. In addition, it comes with an adaptive equalizer, transparent mode and Siri voice assistant. In the new generation, the control system has been completely redesigned.
If previously it was built on an accelerometer and recorded tapping on the body, now miniature panels with a pressure sensor are installed. With it, you can switch tracks, pause them, and activate transparency mode. In the latter, the microphones specifically allow external noise to pass through so that you can assess the situation around you.
The main innovation concerns connection calibration. The phone sends a test signal, comparing the sound in the earphone and outside. Based on this, AirPods Pro determine how well the tip fits. If it is not tight enough, the system will advise changing the position of the nozzle or replacing it.
The sound quality is superior to its predecessors due to vacuum landing and new custom drivers. As a result, the dynamic range has expanded, the sound spectrum has become smoother and the bass power has increased. Autonomy lasts up to 4.5 hours, but with a case it increases to 24 hours.
Pros:
- Very comfortable and do not fall out of the ears;
- Top noise reduction - you can’t hear anything except music;
- Good bass;
- Autonomy;
- Calibration when connected;
- Voice assistant Siri;
- Convenient mechanism for controlling music playback;
- Transparency mode;
- Ecosystem.
Minuses:
- Stainless body;
- Bluetooth 5.0 for the money.
1 place. Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony has released the best tws headphones 2022 in terms of sound quality, the low-frequency range is especially pleasing. The bass is rather neutral, but clear and with good attack, which remains a rarity for TWS. 360 Reality Audio technology gives the sound volume, but this format requires special content. Now it is only available on some streaming services.
Battery life is limited to 8 hours, and with the case it increases to 36 hours. It fully charges in 1.5 hours, which can be done either by wire or wireless charging. The kit includes comfortable polyurethane tips, and the headphone housing meets the IPX4 waterproof standard. To improve the frequency range, LDAC-enabled technology will be required. With it it will be in the range of 20 - 40000 Hz.
There is auto-pause, high-quality active noise reduction, transparent mode and a noise-canceling microphone. Voice control possible using Google Assistant. The case is made of matte plastic, which makes it less dirty. It can be painted black or silver. Alas, it is still massive and is unlikely to fit in your pocket. In terms of sound quality, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is better than AirPods Pro, but loses in the conversation department.
Pros:
- An opportunity to take a fresh look at already familiar melodies;
- Excellent noise reduction and transparency;
- Size and comfort of fit;
- Battery life;
- 5 minutes in the case is enough for an hour of use;
- Design;
- Variety of available settings;
- Autopause;
- The LDAC codec is superior to Aptx HD in many ways;
- Instant connection;
- Soft inserts in three sizes;
- Fine-tune the sound through the equalizer.
Minuses:
- Price;
- Transparency mode is inferior to AirPods Pro;
- Large charging case;
- No multipoint.
Is there perfect sound in wireless headphones?
There is still a myth that wireless headphones sound worse than wired ones, but with the advent of audio codecs such as aptX HD and LDAC, the topic of “defectiveness” of Bluetooth headphones can be completely closed, unless you are an audiophile who is ready to spend on a player, amplifier, cables and The headphones themselves cost 300 thousand rubles or more.
Moreover, even the “old” Bluetooth codec SBC, not to mention the more advanced AAC and aptX, provides decent sound quality.
We spent many hours test-listening various models. Wired and wireless, in “with cable” modes (some wireless headphones can be connected to a sound source via cable) and without. The same musical fragments of all genres were listened to, on all streaming services available (and even inaccessible) in Russia. Hi-Res Audio tracks in FLAC format were listened to.
There was certainly a difference in sound between the different models, but it did not lie along the line between wired vs wireless headphones, but by the type of headphones and price category.
As a rule, more expensive models sounded better, more accurate and more interesting (strange), but there are nuances here too. Different brands still see the ideal sound differently and color it differently.
We can say that there are two fundamentally different approaches.
The first is an ideal frequency middle and less expressive lows and highs . This approach gives a very precise, dry and slightly boring sound. This type of sound is loved by true audiophiles.
The second is a “youth approach” with raised low and high frequencies so that everything “thumps and clucks” . These headphones sound brighter and more impressive, but less accurate.
We can say that the sound of this or that model, this or that brand lies somewhere between these two poles.
Let's sum it up
To choose the right Bluetooth headphones, you need to decide on some of their most important parameters. First of all, you need to decide on the price segment. Calculate the amount that you are really willing to spend on headphones. You also need to know what exactly you need wireless headphones for. The main characteristics that you should pay attention to will depend on this.
Important! When choosing headphones for sports, pay close attention to the moisture resistance characteristics, and for long-distance travel, to the battery life. Also, do not forget about the distribution of frequencies depending on your musical taste.
People also often choose headphones based on the brand, but this can be a big mistake. Chasing a name brand may end up giving you a lower quality product at a higher price. Typically, the average wireless headphone user won't need the professional sound that a job like a music producer requires, and that companies like this are actually willing to shell out a lot of money for.
We hope that this article was useful to you, and now you know exactly how to choose the best wireless headphones.
Is active noise cancellation important in wireless smartphone headphones?
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) or Active Noise Reducing (ANR), or active noise reduction, is the most hyped audio technology used in modern wireless headphones .
It can be represented as the sum of two identical numbers, but with the opposite sign. +10 and -10 add up to zero, that is, silence. External microphones pick up external sound (+10), and the headphone speaker creates a sound wave with the same amplitude, but in antiphase to the original sound (-10). In the process of interference, sound waves are mixed into a new wave and cancel each other out (0).
Active noise reduction together with good passive noise reduction allows you to listen to music even in the hellishly noisy Moscow metro or on an airplane.
Moreover, modern ANC systems have become very sophisticated and operate on very advanced algorithms. Special proprietary applications installed on a smartphone understand how the user behaves, what he does, and accordingly adjust the operation of active noise cancellation in wireless headphones to him. So, for example, if you are a metro, then ANC works to its fullest. But if you are sitting in a chair at home or in the office, then noise reduction passes the spectrum of frequencies corresponding to the human voice, so that you can talk to you.
Almost all headphones with ANC also have an ambient mode, which we mentioned above.
Another important aspect of ANC is its ability to cancel out external noise during phone calls. Its purpose is to give your interlocutors the opportunity to hear you well, despite strong external noise.
There is only one problem with active noise cancellation. Not all companies were able to implement it effectively enough . Often the inscription ANC or ANR on the box is pure marketing. The reference solutions (for today) can be considered solutions from Sony and Bose in their series of full-size headphones WH-1000XM and QuietComfort, respectively. For other brands, the implementation of ANC ranges from “not bad” to “not at all.”
If we talk about different form factors, then so far the best active noise cancellation is implemented in full-size headphones. It’s a little worse with overhead ones, even worse with in-ear ones.
Connection methods
The method of connecting wireless earbuds to a phone on Android or iOS is standard and consists of the following steps:
- Activating the Bluetooth function on your mobile phone.
- Turn on the audio device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- If the device synchronization procedure has already been performed, the headphones will connect automatically.
- For the initial connection, you need to find the name of the accessory on your smartphone in the list of nearby Bluetooth devices and perform synchronization.
On a note. If necessary, pairing can be established via an external Bluetooth module. This method is relevant for connecting an audio accessory to a TV that does not support wireless device pairing technology.
Wireless headphones with good call quality
The best, but unfortunately highly professional solution, is a microphone located on a mini-boom, which we discussed above.
There are wireless headphones without a boom, which effectively cut off external noise using software and hardware. This function is implemented at a higher level than others by companies with experience in producing professional headsets - Jabra, Plantronics, Bose, and very well by such a monster as Apple.
Charging time
Charging time for any device, including wireless headphones, takes on average 1-2 hours and depends on the power of the cable. In addition, if you use a non-original cable, the charging time increases.
However, there are models that charge in 10 minutes due to the presence of the fast charging function, and those that restore their functionality within 4 hours. It is also worth considering that many modern devices support wireless charging technology.
All this is usually indicated in the technical documentation for the device, so you need to pay attention to it.
How to connect wireless headphones?
Some wireless headphones can be connected to several sound sources at the same time or, conversely, several wireless headphones can be connected to one source.
Why do you need to connect headphones to several sound sources at the same time?
You are watching a video on a monitor or TV with headphones and don’t want to miss a call. Or you have two phones, your work one and your own. You listen to music on one phone and again don’t want to miss a call on the other phone. What do you do in such a situation? That's right, connect your headphones to two sound sources at once.
Oddly enough, the implementation of, at first glance, such a simple thing as simultaneous work with several sources is normally implemented only by Plantronics and Jabra (let’s make a reservation only for the models we tested). We won’t point a finger at other vendors, even in the coolest and most expensive models, either there is no such support at all, or even with the stated support for several sources, during our listening everything worked every once in a while and quite often one of the sound sources simply fell off.
Why connect several pairs of headphones to one source?
There are significantly fewer scenarios here. In fact, only one. If you want to listen to music at the same time as someone else, but you are not satisfied with the classic “sharing ears” method. If this is what you are missing, look for this feature in JBL models.
Bluetooth version is important
The built-in radio transmitter affects the sound quality. Headphones with the new version spend less energy on signal reception and reproduce voice and music more clearly.
Bluetooth is built into modern TVs, stereo systems, and players. A portable receiver is connected to old equipment. In this case, the Bluetooth version in the headphones and devices must match.
Receivers released later do not improve signal quality. Headphones with the latest version of Bluetooth receive the signal from the old version unchanged. The discrepancy is reflected in the depth of sound and bass. As a result, music sounds flat or dull in gadgets with modern software.
Controlling wireless headphones
The old-school style of controlling headphones—three buttons on a wire—is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Control becomes more intelligent and ergonomic.
In wireless headphones, it is usually located on the ear cups, if these are on-ear and full-size models, on the cable or plastic in in-ear headphones, or on the in-ear speakers themselves, if these are True Bluetooth headphones.
Wireless headphones have both mechanical and touch controls . Touch gesture control, on the one hand, is more convenient, on the other hand, it is more capricious, especially at low temperatures. There is also a risk of accidental operation.
Mechanical solutions, however, can also be very sophisticated. Controlling the Plantroincs headphones with ring controls and a gyroscope is an example of ingenious engineering and excellent ergonomics.
However, not only Plantroincs, but also some other companies have mastered the gyroscope and automatic pause when removing headphones.
Soundproofing
Loud outside noise can ruin your favorite songs or interfere with an important phone conversation. To protect yourself from it, take a closer look at models with increased sound insulation.
Internal earbuds, also known as vacuum headphones, and external closed-back headphones are best at blocking out ambient sounds.
Some models protect against noise not only due to design features, but also with the help of special functions. So, there are headphones with active noise reduction technology. They monitor surrounding sounds through a microphone and automatically block out noise when needed. But this technology consumes battery power and increases the cost of headphones.
Sony MDR100ABNB Active Noise Canceling Headphones
What specific models of wireless headphones for smartphones can we recommend?
Let us warn you right away: there are a lot of good headphones. Fewer than bad ones, but still a lot .
We can only give recommendations on those models that we have listened to ourselves. Moreover, due to the vastness of the topic, there will only be popular and affordable brands and models.
In-ear wireless headphones
BeatsX is not new, but it's a good wireless model for the iPhone. Good sound and perfect compatibility with Apple devices are guaranteed.
Sony WI-1000XM is a series already consisting of two generations with active noise reduction, good sound, and the ability to connect via wire to a sound source. This is rare for in-ear headphones.
Jabra 65t series (Elite, Elite Active, Elite Sport, Evolve) are TWS headphones. A very successful line of “true” wireless headphones, including sports and “business” versions. Good passive sound insulation, external microphones with noise reduction. Ambient mode, good sound, including low frequencies, support for two sound sources, convenient control.
Apple AirPods 2 is a legendary model that is ideal for iPhone. Excellent ergonomics, good sound. There is one minus - there is no noise reduction, either active or passive. And of course we are all waiting for Apple AirPods 3.
BOSE SOUNDSPORT IN-EAR HEADPHONES are great sports headphones. Good sound quality and powerful passive sound insulation or... lack of it when choosing the appropriate type of ear pads, rich equipment.
Xiaomi Air 2 and Redmi AirDots are completely wireless headphones from Xiaomi, which are simply destined to be hits at prices of 50 and 15 dollars. Such price offers from a category A brand simply do not exist in nature.
Huawei FreeBuds 3 are the first fully wireless headphones with Bluetooth 5.1 support. There is active noise cancellation. Very advanced model with good sound.
Adidas Sport model FWD-01 - new and spectacular sports headphones from Adidas. Battery life reaches 16 hours.
Under Armor True Wireless Flash by JBL are another sports headphones and also a collaboration between the manufacturer of clothing and headphones, only a completely wireless model. Very comfortable, excellent passive noise reduction + ambient mode, peppy sound. Everything is as it should be with JBL.
On-ear wireless headphones
Marshall Major III Bluetooth - 30 hours of battery life, spectacular design, good sound and insane popularity among fans of the brand.
Bowers & Wilkins PX5 Wireless are very comfortable headphones for music lovers with excellent sound, luxurious design, cool passive and good active noise reduction. There is only one minus. VERY EXPENSIVE.
The AKG N60NC Wireless don't have as great a sound as the previous model, but they still sound very decent, and passive and active noise cancellation allows you to listen to sound almost anywhere. There is the possibility of connecting via wire and 30 hours of battery life
TOP 2 Premium models
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
Premium model SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
Price: 33,990 rubles
Arctis Pro Wireless headphones from SteelSeries, which are considered one of the most functional and expensive. Communication with devices here is organized via a radio channel, although this model also has the ability to connect via Bluetooth. The headphones have a truly wide range of functions and fine-tuning settings, and therefore they are suitable for listening to music, watching movies, and playing online games. On one charge they work up to several days in a row.
Pioneer SE-Master 1
One of the best and most expensive headphones Pioneer SE-Master 1
Price: 153,990 rubles
Pioneer went even further and released SE-Master 1 headphones for 153,990 rubles. They are considered one of the most expensive in the world. In addition to the completely professional sound, they also have a metal frame and leather ear pads, which even in appearance shows their premium quality. The sound picture transmitted by these headphones is called the brightest. But one question remains - is it really worth paying such fabulous money for sound alone?
