Smartwatch Headphones A Review of Wireless Audio Options

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated December 22, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Best wireless headphones

Next time you get on a flight, take a look around. Im willing to bet that one of the most common types of headphones youll see are wireless headphones. We still have our doubts when it comes to Bluetooth headphones (especially Chris), but its hard to deny that Bluetooth has come a long way from when it was first announced, particularly for wireless earbuds. Not only do some of the best wireless headphones sound great, but they also come with a number of useful features.

What's new?

This list was updated on December 18, 2023, to add the Bose QuietComfort Ultra to our Top Picks.

Commuters will find a lot of value in Bluetooth headphones. If you spend a lot of time riding buses and trains, then you probably like to stay occupied with headphones. Well, cutting the cord makes blocking the world out that much easier.

Office workers will also find a pair really helpful. Lets say you want a break from your cubicle but dont want to engage in casual banter. Easy solution: Grab a pair of wireless headphones. They notify others that youre not up for talking without having to explicitly say so.

Students can also get a lot out of Bluetooth headphones. Getting around campus can be a slow, monotonous process. You might as well exercise your mind and learn a thing or two from your favorite podcast while going from the quad to your English seminar.

What makes the Sony WH-1000XM5 the best noise canceling headphones?

For the past year, the Sony WH-1000XM4 occupied this spot, but now the WH-1000XM5 takes its place. Its no surprise that it reigns as one of the best wireless headphones since it isnt drastically different from its predecessor, with the same great app experience and high-tech features. The two headsets diverge when it comes to the fundamentals like sound quality, ANC, and microphone quality.

The newer model improves upon its predecessor in active noise canceling performance and passive isolation, doing an even better job at blocking out environmental noise. This makes it great for traveling or studying when you want to silence the world around you. With the XM5 headphones, you can enjoy a less treble-heavy sound compared to the XM4, which bodes well for those with eclectic music taste. Like its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5 is a bit heavy on the bass, but it wont shake your skull.

The WH-1000XM5 also has great features like ambient sound control options, automatic ear detection, a fantastic microphone, and speak-to-chat, which automatically pauses your music when talking. It also has Bluetooth multipoint, making it easy to switch between two devices at a time. The WH-1000XM5 retains many well-loved features of its predecessor, making it an obvious pick on this list.

Sony WH-1000XM5

ANC performance Outstanding microphone Useful app features

The king of the ANC pack extends its reign

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has an excellent microphone, and it has great noise rejection as well. You cant even tell theres any background noise in our wind conditions demo. Take a listen:

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Wind conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

16776 votes

The Sony WH-1000XM5 (left) looks a bit more minimal than the WH-1000XM4 (right).

While the Sony WH-1000XM5 has taken the spot on this list that the Sony WH-1000XM4 once held, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is still worth getting if you dont want to spend as much money. Considering it still has excellent noise canceling, good sound quality, and a lot of the premium features the WH-1000XM5 has, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is still a great pick for a lot of people.

Sony WH-1000XM4

Great ANC Sound quality Connectivity options Auto-wear detection

An exceptional pair of noise canceling headphones.

High-quality Bluetooth codecs, great sound, improved noise-canceling, good battery life, and smart features like auto-pause and Bluetooth multipoint make the Sony WH-1000XM4 a great all-round pair of headphones.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is a sensible choice

The touch controls work effortlessly on the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless.

If your goal is a solid set of wireless headphones with good codec support, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless might be the right choice. For one thing, Sennheiser gave the headphones SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs, which basically means it connects to anything and supplies high-quality audio. In addition, you also get a 3.5mm connection and USB-C listening. Plus, it supports Bluetooth multipoint.

That the headphones get quite close to our house frequency response curve means you neednt do much equalizing, but you can use the Smart Control app if you want to alter it. The ANC onboard is not quite as strong as the Sony WH-1000XM5, although it should still help out on your commute.

Lastly, you dont get any spatial audio as with the WH-1000XM5, but the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless does outperform nearly all headphones weve tested with its 56 hours and 21 minutes of battery life. For the price, the form and functionality of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless deserve your consideration.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

App for EQ changes Simple, elegant design USB-C charging

High-end ANC over-ear headphones focus on style and comfort

If you need total immersion in your music, you need some ANC over-ears. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 focus on style and comfort while delivering the core features high-end shoppers need with their headphones.

While not all microphones are created equal, Sennheiser is one of a handful of companies that generally hits a certain level of quality here, though it does seem to have some issues with noise rejection. Take a listen to the following demo recordings from our standardized test setup for microphones.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless microphone demo (Wind conditions):

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless microphone demo (Street conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

8341 votes

The best features go to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra

At 253g, the PRODUCT are quite a bit lighter than headphones with an all-metal construction, and more portable as a result.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones represent a significant advancement in the Bose ANC lineup, even compared to the Bose QuietComfort headset. These headphones are ideal for discerning users who prioritize both performance and longevity in their audio devices. The lack of waterproofing might be a minor drawback, but their technical capabilities, including the leading active noise canceling (ANC) technology, more than compensate.

Notably, the QuietComfort Ultra sets itself apart with its Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and support for aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound, ensuring superior wireless audio quality. These features, combined with a robust 27-hour battery life and efficient fast charging, make the headphones a top choice for both casual listeners and audiophiles. The straightforward control scheme, involving a multifunction button and a touch-sensitive volume strip, adds to the user-friendly experience.

Overall, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a compelling choice for those seeking the latest in audio technology and comfort. With their advanced noise canceling capabilities, lightweight design, and future-proof wireless features, they stand out in a crowded market of high-end headphones. While the price point is on the higher side, these headphones justify their cost with a blend of performance, durability, and cutting-edge technology, making them a worthy successor to the previous Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Great battery life Advanced audio experience

Quality and comfort noise canceling headphones

Going ultra with their ANC headphone experience, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise cancelling headphones offer up to 24 hours of battery life, a comfortable fit, Spatial Audio support, and powerful ANC.

Additionally, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra excels in microphone quality, making it versatile for a range of scenarios, from phone calls to virtual meetings.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

1561 votes

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Office conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Street conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Reverberant space):

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless isone of the best value buys

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless is one of the best values in the ANC headphone world.

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless stands out in the bustling market of ANC headphones, offering a compelling balance of price and performance. At a fraction of the cost of high-end competitors, these headphones dont skimp on audio quality, supporting aptX and aptX HD for superior sound transmission. Theyre crafted for long listening sessions, boasting a lightweight design with comfortable padding.

Despite some trade-offs, like the absence of a TRS jack and LE Audio support, the ACCENTUM Wireless shines with its 46-hour battery life and USB-C audio option for lossless listening. The inclusion of a 5-band equalizer through the Sennheiser Smart Control app allows for personalized sound tuning.

In terms of ANC, while not industry-leading, the headphones efficiently reduce noise by up to 75%, courtesy of a well-designed cup and band. This makes them suitable for moderately noisy environments, ensuring a focus on whats playing. The sound signature is pleasantly robust, especially after some EQ adjustments, and while the ANC might not match that of Bose or Sony, the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless delivers where it counts.

Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless

Comfortable Impressive battery life Effective ANC

An affordable set of ANC headphones with excellent sound quality.

The Sennheiser Accentum Wireless headphones are a great choice for immersive, comfortable, and extended listening experiences. With up to 50 hours of battery life, they offer high-definition sound and effective ANC. These headphones deliver comfort and audio quality, making them a fantastic choice for both at-home enjoyment and on-the-go use.

The 1MORE SonoFLow is the best bang for your buck

The 1MORE SonoFlow headphones are a budget-friendly auditory delight for the casual listener and the travel-savvy commuter alike. With their plush ear pads and long battery life, which outperforms the advertised 50 hours, these headphones ensure a comfortable and enduring listening experience. Coupled with a stylish, foldable design and a convenient travel case, they offer both portability and aesthetic appeal.

A key advantage is the integration with the 1MORE MUSIC app, providing users with a visual EQ and various listening modes to personalize the audio experience. Although the headphones have a lightweight clamping force and are slightly headband-heavy, which might not make them the gym-goers first choice, they excel in their active noise canceling capabilities. The ANC works wonders to mute bothersome background sounds, allowing for an immersive and distraction-free listening environment.

Sound quality doesnt disappoint either, with the SonoFlow offering a range of EQ presets to satisfy different genre preferences and the flexibility to save custom settings. The option for wired listening adds versatility, though its important to note the ANC feature is inactive in this mode. Overall, the 1MORE SonoFlow stands out in the crowded market of sub-$100 ANC headphones, presenting a compelling combination of comfort, sound personalization, and robust noise cancelation.

1More SonoFlow

Comfortable fit and well-padded In-app EQ Long battery life

Feature rich with a stylish design, the SonoFlow headphones are all about value

The 1MORE SonoFlow are good-sounding, feature-rich headphones that won't break the bank. Commuters and travelers will enjoy the ANC, long battery life, and plush ear pads. Experienced listeners will enjoy decent sound and EQ options.

Should you save up for the Apple AirPods Max?

The Apple AirPods Max costs $424.99 at Amazon, which means plenty of us would need to take out a small loan just to afford Apples noise canceling headphones. Since were not financial advisors here, its a bit unwise to recommend you purchase something so pricey when other products of similar quality go for much less. However, the AirPods Max performed better than any other headphones weve tested for active noise canceling, and it also sounds really good. The AirPods Max may be right up your alley if money isnt an object and youre happy to pay a premium for absolute convenience (assuming youre deep into the Apple ecosystem).

The Apple AirPods Max looks great, though it did take a while for the overall look to grow on me.

Apple integrated its H1 chip into each AirPods Max ear cup, so it has plenty of processing power for things like Adaptive EQ, Transparency mode, active noise canceling, hands-free Siri access, automatic device switching, and more. These features require basic operating system requirements depending on your Apple hardware, so thats something to keep an eye on.

Battery life is on parwith the Sony WH-1000XM4 at around 20 hours, and you need a Lightning cable to charge the AirPods Max. It supports passthrough audio if you purchase a Lightning to USB-C cable, which may be useful for audiophiles.

Apple AirPods Max

One of the best ANC 20-hour battery life Well-built pads

A spectacular pair of headphones with best-in-class ANC

The AirPods Max wireless headphones offer best-in-class noise canceling with twenty hours of battery life. They provide excellent frequency response and great audio features.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is a well-rounded pick for most people

The ear cups can articulate in multiple directions.

Audiophiles and audio enthusiasts know Audio-Technica: its a prolific premium audio company thats proven itself time and time again in the professional industry. Audio-Technica hits it out of the park with its wireless headphone debut.

If you liked the wired ATH-M50x, youll love the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. It may be clich to say, but this headset takes everything we love about the wired version and features it in the wireless version. Save for the newly added playback controls, the headset is nearly identical to its wired brethren. For better or worse, this means it features the same synthetic padding, which remains a bit thin. That said, the headband is reinforced by its metal frame. Folding the ear cups in and up results in a compact, travel-friendly form, too.

Audio-Technica stays true to its roots, ensuring that audio quality takes precedence over headline-grabbing gimmicks. While its not a flashy set of headphones, it includes the necessities to keep pace with the best of them, including Bluetooth 5 and LDAC support.

Additionally, battery life is excellent; it lasts well over 64 hours on a single charge. If youre looking for the best wireless headphones that can do it all, the ATH-M50xBT2 is all you need.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2

High-quality sound Fast pairing Long-life battery

An excellent-sounding and straightforward headset.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 headset offers excellent sound and the long battery life with an optional headphone jack promotes an uncomplicated music experience.

The microphone on the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is great for phone and Zoom calls, and it does a good job rejecting household noise so your voice comes through loud and clear. Take a listen for yourself:

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 microphone demo (Non-standardized):

How does the microphone sound to you?

5623 votes

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of headphones for less than $150

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 finds the middle ground between premium features and affordable price.

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 stands out as an exceptional choice for those seeking high-quality noise cancelation without the hefty price tag. They retail at $150, but you can often find them on sale for around $100, and they compete admirably with more expensive models. While its sound profile might not be every audiophiles dream, it serves the needs of the general listener. The microphones capability to effectively reject background noise makes it perfect for work calls. Moreover, the promise of a staggering 55-hour battery life with ANC, coupled with a quick 5-minute charge yielding 4 hours of playback, sets it apart from many rivals.

The adjustable, swiveling ear cups and foldable design make for easy storage, and the metal-reinforced headband provides a robust feel while adapting to different head sizes. To elevate the user experience, the Soundcore app, compatible with both iOS and Android, allows various customizations, from EQ presets to Bluetooth codec selections.

In short, for those prioritizing a balance between cost and performance, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 emerges as a compelling pick in the mid-tier wireless headphone market. With its emphasis on comfort, robust ANC, and extensive battery life, it delivers exceptional value. Those in search of a different sonic profile might need to make some tweaks, but overall, the Q45 promises a solid listening experience.

Soundwise, the Q45 has certain idiosyncrasies. The sub-bass is somewhat pronounced, and the highs can fluctuate, but the app offers equalization options to cater to individual preferences. When it comes to noise cancelation in real-world settings, the Q45 excels, easily muting daily commute noises like train rumbles or traffic. However, the key to optimum noise cancelation lies in achieving a snug fit.

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 microphone system is surprisingly good, although it doesnt stand out under ideal conditions. Instead, the dual microphone array shines under sub-optimal conditions. It effectively rejects background noise, particularly on city streets and in windy environments. Listen to our demonstrations, and let us know your thoughts by voting on the poll below!

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 microphone demo (Street conditions):

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

5057 votes

The best wireless headphones: Notable mentions

The QuietComfort 45 looks nearly indistinguishable from the QC 35 II.

Anker Soundcore Life Q35 ($99 at Amazon): This headset might not have a premium design or be as well-built as some of the other options on this list, but it does offer a bunch of great features that allow it to hold its own against the big dogs for much less.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT ($79 at Amazon): This budget-friendly set of headphones is designed to go with you to and from the studio. It sports a fairly steep volume roll-off in the sub-bass, but otherwise, it should please all but the bass heads.
Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless ($599 at Amazon): If you want to enjoy your music without being bothered by the sounds of the people youre living with, these studio-style cans are for you. The Amiron Wireless supports AAC, aptX, and aptX HD.
Bose QuietComfort 45 ($279 at Amazon): If you want the best active noise canceling and comfort around, look no further. This one builds upon the QC 35 II with improved ANC.
Edifier Stax Spirit S3 ($209 at Amazon): These headphones stand out for having electrostatic drivers rather than the conventional dynamic drivers found on the vast majority of wireless headphones. Oh yeah, they also sound great.
Focal Bathys ($699 at Amazon): Look, Apple started it. The prices of wireless headphones have been increasing. At least with the Focal Bathys, youre getting a superb-sounding pair of headphones with ANC, but that doesnt come cheaply.
Jabra Elite 45h ($99 at Amazon): If you want affordable, on-ear headphones with an insane battery life, the Elite 45h is for you. The portable design and two-year warranty make this headset great for taking anywhere, and its battery lasts 54 hours on a single charge, so its an excellent adventure companion.
Jabra Evolve2 85 ($372 at Amazon): For the individual who demands a set of headphones capable of handling professional calls, PC gaming, noise canceling, and commuting, this one has both a removable boom mic and built-in mic to suit your needs. Plus, 15 minutes of charge equals a full workdays battery.
JBL Live 660NC ($149 at Amazon): Striking a reasonable balance between form, function, and cost, these noise canceling headphones do a good job of quieting noise, working as expected, and throwing in a bit of extra bass.
Marshall Major IV ($116 at Amazon): If youve worn a lot of on-ear headphones, you know that they can feel uncomfortable pretty quickly. However, the Marshall Major IV is a notable exception, with memory foam ear pads and a lightweight build with a foldable design.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 ($249.99 at Amazon): Microsofts noise canceling headphones sound great and look even better. These modern cans can go anywhere and have the best Bluetooth multipoint functionality around. If you want something that can keep pace with your workflow, get the Surface Headphones 2.
Monoprice BT-600ANC ($84.99 at Amazon): If you want to keep a pretty low budget and get premium features like very good ANC, aptX HD, and solid battery life, youll like Monoprices headset. It isnt perfect, though, as the sound quality favors bass and treble much more than most people would like.
Sennheiser HD 350BT ($86 at Amazon): This pair of over-ear headphones sounds excellent and gives more expensive headsets a run for their money, at least when it comes to audio quality. You get a host of Bluetooth codec support: SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Low Latency are all available.
Shure AONIC 50 ($298 at Amazon): For some pretty good noise cancelation and a premium build, pony up for the AONIC 50. These headphones are extremely comfortable to wear (yes, even with glasses), and they support all the high-quality Bluetooth codecs you could ever want.
Sony WH-XB910N ($148 at Amazon): If you want a bass-heavy headset with very good ANC and plenty of software features, including 360 Reality Audio, this is a good pick.
Sony WH-1000XM4 ($278 at Amazon): This is one of the best active noise canceling headphones available, even though the newer Sony WH-1000XM5 outperforms it. If youre looking to save some cash, though, this is generally cheaper than the newer model.

Hold up! Somethings different:

Some of our picks frequency response and isolation charts were measured with our old testing system. We have since purchased a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 test fixture (and the appropriate support equipment) to update our testing and data collection. It will take a while to update our backlog of old test results, but we will update this article (and many others!) once were able with improved sound quality measurements and isolation performance plots. These will be made obvious with our new chart aesthetic(black background instead of white).

Thank you for bearing with us, and we hope to see you again once weve sorted everything out.

What you should know about the best wireless headphones

The Monoprice BT-600ANC supports aptX HD, AAC, and wired playback.

In the early days of Bluetooth, stable connectivity was an issue. Fortunately, it rarely crops up these days due to the incremental improvements over the generations of Bluetooth. Now, the main concerns youll encounter with wireless headphones are whether they have active noise canceling (ANC) or not, the Bluetooth codec selection (see below), and battery life. All else consists of added luxuries, which doesnt mean you shouldnt care, but if theres a specific feature you want, it might not be available on all headphones.

Starting with a good-sounding set of cans is usually a must, regardless of whether you look at wired or wireless headphones. Otherwise, unique to Bluetooth is the inclusion of companion apps on the go with your phone to adjust EQ, ANC ambient modes, touch controls, spatial audio, and more.

What is active noise canceling, and how does it work?

The active noise canceling (ANC) here is surprisingly good, considering that its an on-ear design.

You can dive deeper if youre really curious to learn the science behind active noise canceling, but if you dont feel like dusting off your old textbook and want the TL;DR version, here it is.

Tiny microphones built into the headphones pick up whats going on around you and then play the opposite sound wave into your ear along with your music. Because the sound wave produced by the headphones is basically the exact opposite of the one thats outside of the headphones, it cancels out. Leaving you with just the sound of your blissful music. See? That wasnt so bad. Science can be cool.

How do Bluetooth codecs work?

So you think youre ready to understand what makes LDAC or aptX HD good? Get ready; Theres a ton of technical jargon and numbers were about to go over, but well try and keep it relatively short.

It may be high-frequency sound, but these drop-outs will be audible to younger ears.

LDAC is supposed to be better because it can carry more audible information than the standard SBC codec, but our testing revealed that LDAC isnt completely able to replace a wire. Luckily any performance issues are increasingly hard to hear as we age because, sorry to break it to you, but our ears arent that great when were old.

Even if your phone doesnt currently support it, you should still get headphones that support these codecs anyway. Android 8.0 brings support for these wireless standards to lots of phones in the near future, and assuming your headphones last longer than your smartphone does: your headphones will only sound better as the tech in your phone catches up.

You can use Bluetooth headphones to watch TV, but typically this demands some kind of Bluetooth base transmitter, such as the Sennheiser BT T100 Bluetooth Audio Transmitter () in order to act as a go-between for the TV and headphones. Some TVs have Bluetooth, but ordinarily, wireless headphones for TV use radio frequencies (RF) instead, such as in the Sennheiser RS 195 RF ($2999.99 at Amazon) to transmit audio to your headphones.

When considering Bluetooth headphones to pair with a TV, make sure your headphones have compatible low-latency Bluetooth codecs like aptX Adaptive or aptX Low Latency to ensure your audio synchronizes with the video. A good match would be the aforementioned Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, which uses aptX Adaptive with the Sennheiser BT T100 (if your TV doesnt have Bluetooth).

If you dont want to shell out for a dedicated Bluetooth base or RF wireless headphones, consider grabbing a set of wireless gaming headphones if your TV has a USB port. These cost much less than TV headphones that use RF and do not require an additional base. Something like the Razer Barracuda X (2022) even has a removable mic alongside its 2.4GHz dongle that you can plug into your TVs USB port and sells for only $99 at Amazon. However, you wouldnt want to use the Barracuda X (2022) for its Bluetooth utility with your TV because it only supports the SBC codec, which most likely will encounter noticeable latency.

How we choose the best wireless headphones

Choosing which product is best changes depending on what the category is. If youre searching for the best headphones, we might focus more of our efforts on sound quality instead of cool extra features. On the flip side, if youre looking for the best waterproof speakers, chances are were going to prioritize a strong, durable build over something like sound quality.

For this particular list, there were a few things that took priority. First was the Bluetooth connection. In order to be in the running for the best wireless headphones, a strong connection was a must. After that came sound quality. At the end of the day, these are still headphones, and youre going to be using them to listen to music.

Additionally, we took user feedback on battery life into account when weeding out products from our list. When we were writing our list of the best Bluetooth earbuds, our readers made it very clear that battery life was the most important quality to assess after sound quality and comfort.

Bluetooth by itself has a bad rep when it comes to sound quality, but its come a long way over the years, so anything on this list had to, at the very least, sound good. Lastly, some of our decisions were made based on internal objective testing of the best wireless headphones with special software and microphones.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

Each writer at SoundGuys has accumulated years of experience reporting on the consumer audio market, and our staff adheres to a strict ethics policy. We dont use sponsored content on the website at a time when doing so is the norm. SoundGuys survival depends almost exclusively on readers enjoying their purchases. We pride ourselves on transparently outlining objective facts while accounting for the subjective experience to contextualize an audio products performance. When we do misspeak, we correct and own up to it.

Frequently asked questions about the best wireless headphones

The Sony WH-1000XM4 actually does come with a 3.5mm cable. While their microphone isnt perfect, its good enough to relay your voice clearly. If you need the headphones for professional calls at your desk and the mic quality isnt meeting your requirements, wed recommend looking into a separate standalone microphone.

The Grado GW100 are a high-quality pair of open-back Bluetooth headphones. It is quite an expensive headset, though, and you could definitely save money by getting one of Grados wired options, like the Grado SR60x, without sacrificing sound quality.

WhileBeats are definitely an attractive brand of headphones, their sound quality just isnt worth their price. Beats overemphasize bass frequencies to the point of loss of detail in the mid and high frequencies, and they cost the same as some of the best Bluetooth headphones around. We dont typically recommend Beats, but if your heart is set on the brand, we recommend theBeats Solo Pro.

If youre looking to use your Bluetooth headphones for working out, you might want to find a pair with an officialIP ratingor waterproof rating. None of the Bluetooth headphones in this list have waterproofing of any kind. Its much more common to find that on earbuds.

Just because we didnt select a certain pair of headphones for this list doesnt mean theyre not good; it simply means they dont satisfy some set of criteria to make them one of the five headphones we highlight. Maybe they dont test as well as the ones on the list, or they dont offer certain features that make them less appropriate for it. I know that might not be a satisfying answer, but five headphones are a pretty narrow selection for any category. Be sure to check out our reviews if you want to learn more about any set of headphones youre looking for.