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Bluetooth earbuds – the latest in technology and fashion. Once Apple cut the cord, and made the AirPods the new default for the iPhone – the best Bluetooth earbuds suddenly became a highly contested topic.
Whether you are on a business call, working out, on the train, or doing yoga – cutting the cord makes listening to audio a true delight. But with popularity comes an absolute glut of products.
We saved you the legwork, and spent thousands of hours testing different models, and aggregating online reviews. Here are our top picks, for the best Bluetooth earbuds.
Our Top Pick
Apple AirPods
The gold standard. Just like the signature white earbuds that came with iPods – the new AirPods from Apple are just as trendsetting. While some reviewers still prefer the richer sound (specifically the bass) of non-earbud headphones – the convenience and lightweight feel of AirPods is hard to beat. Not to mention – they look great, no matter what the setting.
Other Great Picks
Powerbeats Pro
If you are a serious athlete that loves music – these are the earbuds for you. Sleek, powerful, and with great sound quality – this is a serious upgrade for anyone serious about their workouts (and music). Our staff loved the 9 hour battery life, as we found ourselves rarely running out of a charge – even if we had been irresponsible and not charged the headphones for a while beforehand.
TOZO T10
Though it’s possible you have not yet heard of the T10s – the rest of the world certainly has. With over 5,000 glowing online reviews, they are one of a top budget pick, in terms of best Bluetooth earbuds. While the battery life of 3.5 hours is less than that of more expensive models – for many people, this is the perfect pair of headphones.
Samsung Galaxy Buds
Samsung competes with Apple in a variety of fields, and these Galaxy Buds are no exception. Battery life is comparable to the Airpods, as is the sound quality. Certainly nothing revolutionary is happening with these wireless earbuds – but they work great, and are right in that sweet spot of affordability. A great, durable pick.
Jabra Elite Active 65t
Jabra is not nearly as well-known in the mainstream – but over 3,000 online reviews tout the greatness of these Bluetooth earbuds. So we tried them out – and we have to say, we were impressed. While not quite as stylish as the AirPods, they are a little more comfortable, and do provide slightly better sound quality. Definitely worth of a purchase.
RHA MA650
These earbuds provide a more natural sound experience. That’s right – you may not realize it, but AirPods and Beats By Dre typically have enhanced (and sometimes overpowering) bass. The sound quality is closer to actual recordings, and the battery life is also very solid.
JLab Audio JBuds
JLab was not a brand we were as familiar with, but after trying out these headphones, we were pleasantly surprised. Over 1,000 positive online reviews brought these to our attention, and they were largely accurate. You want get the sleekness or fashion points (as with the AirPods or Beats By Dre) – but you get an improved price, and good sound quality.
Jaybird Tarah
We had not heard of Jaybird before this review – but are staff was impressed by the performance of these headphones. The sound quality was much better than we expected, and our only complaint was that they weren’t quite as comfortable as some other earbuds. The lower price point definitely makes up for this, though.
ACIL H1
We were not that familiar with ACIL before we tried these wireless earbuds – but we were pleasantly surprised. Elegant, light, and with great sound. They are also extremely comfortable in your ear, and boast over 1,000 glowing online reviews. They may just be the best Bluetooth earbuds money can buy (if you don’t want AirPods).
Phaiser BHS-790
While not the most expensive or luxurious option – these are our absolute favorite budget pick, for best Bluetooth earbuds. If you have longer hair though – make sure you invest in some clips, or tie it back. The cord is not the best, at keeping these buds in your ears.
What Is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is everywhere these days, but this was not always the case. While there are more technical details behind it, essentially all you need to know is that Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication protocol. Whereas your home or office Wi-Fi is a long-range network – Bluetooth is more of a personal network.
Named after a king from the tenth-century (yes, really) – Bluetooth has absolutely revolutionized the worlds of music playing and cell phones. It is pretty much impossible to go to an airport, coffee shop, library, or office – without seeing many people using Bluetooth earbuds.
Bluetooth also powers the mega-popular Apple AirPods – the headphones that have completely changed the game. Bluetooth can even be found in your car, inside your smart speakers, in your laptop, inside smart fridges, and inside smart TVs.
In one word, Bluetooth can be found – everywhere. In this guide, we will cover what makes for the best pair of Bluetooth earbuds, how to connect Bluetooth earbuds, and even how to fix Bluetooth earbuds. Read on, for more information.
What Are Bluetooth Earbuds?
The small, white headphones that you’ve seen everywhere for the best two decades – are simply called earbuds. Apple made these very popular, with their iPhone and attached earbuds. By branding them white – these earbuds immediately stood out compared to every other pair of headphones on the market.
Compared to traditional, over-the-ear headphones, earbuds are smaller, offer less bass, but are also far more portable. Initial pairs of earbuds (specifically Apple’s) – were not wireless. However, soon – Bluetooth would take over the world.
Wireless headphone listening, hands-free phone calls – these were revolutionary steps forward. After an initial breakthrough period – Bluetooth soon was in every new car, all new cell phones, and in every new laptop computer.
By fitting directly in the ear canal, Bluetooth earbuds give you better noise isolation, as well as better noise cancelling. Simply pair them with your favorite device – and have completely wireless listening – in just a few seconds.
What To Look For In Bluetooth Earbuds
Bluetooth earbuds are not all created equal. You will want to choose a pair that offers excellent sound quality, good range, and can work in any environment. This means you can use them at the gym, in the kitchen, at work, for gaming, and for all your phone calls.
You want to avoid cheap models, as they will provide very poor sound quality, and may not last more than a month or two. While it may seem like a great deal upfront – you will end up having to buy a new pair soon after. Like all the best electronics – choosing the best Bluetooth earbuds is a convergence of quality craftsmanship, a good price point, and impeccable design.
How We Tested The Best Bluetooth Earbuds
We love music – so this assignment was easy. We tested a plethora of models, and tried out every kind of music imaginable. From country to rap to rock – we wanted to test the range of our favorite wireless earbuds.
After aggregating tens of thousands of actual user reviews, and testing many different models for hundreds of hours – we were able to determine the best buying choices. We factored in how comfortable the earbuds were, what the overall sound quality was like, and how good the battery life was. We also looked at durability, as well as portability.
How To Pair Bluetooth Earbuds
Unlike traditional wired headphones, Bluetooth earbuds connect to your device with just a radio signal. Pairing your earbuds is easy – simply turn on the earbuds, go to the system settings of your favorite device, and choose the ‘connect’ option. That’s it.
Pairing for Bluetooth earbuds could not be any easier, and once your headphones are connected, most devices will automatically remember them. This means that the next time you want to use your earbuds – they’ll simply connect to your device, as soon as you turn them on.
Do Bluetooth Earbuds Work For Running?
One of our favorite uses for wireless Bluetooth earbuds? Exercise. Whether you want to lift dumbbells, train for a marathon, or do a CrossFit workout – Bluetooth earbuds are perfect.
By using the voice activation on your favorite smartwatch, you can even control the song selection during your workout – simply by speaking. Without any heavy weight, or any annoying wires – your workout will also be more streamlined than ever before.
How To Charge Bluetooth Earbuds
Charging your Bluetooth earbuds is as easy as placing them in the case that they came in. Once this case is plugged into power (either through a USB port or an actual outlet) – you’ll quickly have your earbuds completely recharged.
While charging your earbuds is very easy, you will want to check the manufacturer’s documentation, for any further instructions that may pertain to your specific model. Some models only require fifteen minutes of charging time – for three hours of wireless listening.
How To Fix Bluetooth Earbuds When Only One Side Works
Unfortunately, there is little you can do, to fix Bluetooth earbuds that fall into this predicament. You can try to troubleshoot any issues by using a jack cable, but fixing Bluetooth earbuds is best left up to a professional.
Since Bluetooth earbuds are typically not all that expensive, we usually simply replace our pair, if something goes awry. You may also be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty, so that is also a good method to pursue.
Bluetooth Earbuds Battery Life
The average battery life of Bluetooth earbuds is really quite good. One charge will give you an average listening time of eight hours – meaning you only need to charge your earbuds for very short periods of time. We typically just leave our earbuds plugged in overnight – and we never run out of juice.
How To Connect Bluetooth Earbuds
Connecting Bluetooth earbuds is very straightforward. Simply turn on your earbuds, go in to the system settings on your preferred device, and hit ‘connect’. Once your favorite earbuds are connected – your device should automatically remember them, the next time you go to listen.
Cheap Earbuds
If you’ve ever walked through an airport or gone into a pharmacy – you’ve undoubtedly already seen cheap earbuds. While the price might seem right – we highly advise that you do not buy these. They are almost always poorly made, have terrible sound quality, and fall apart extremely easily.
Opt for a pair with thousands of great user reviews, with proven craftsmanship and sound quality. As the old adage goes – ‘you get what you pay for.’ Invest a little more upfront, and later be very glad that you did.
Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones
Having waterproof headphones (or earbuds) can be very cool – who doesn’t want to head out into the ocean, and still be able to listen to your favorite tunes? There are two categories to consider here – earbuds that can be used near water, and earbuds that can actually be used for underwater swimming. Please see our other guides for these picks, or simply look at the product specifications, for the earbuds listed in this guide.
Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Earbuds have one unique advantage over traditional headphones – they block out noise more efficiently. Since they are placed directly in the ear canal, earbuds do not allow much outside noise in to your eardrum. Look at the product specs for the earbuds listed in this guide to find a great pair of noise cancelling earbuds, or simply review our specific guide for the best noise cancelling earbuds.
Why A Good Seal Is Important (And How To Get It)
The way you put in your earbuds is crucially important to blocking out exterior noise. The ‘sealing off’ of the outside world is important, and can be done by simply placing your earbuds inside the ear canal, in a particular manner.
To get a good seal, simply pull up on the top of your ear (gently), and then insert the earbud in as far it will comfortably go.
While playing music, adjust the fit until the music is not muffled. Release the top of your ear, and let it snap into place.
Bass In Bluetooth Earbuds
One weak spot of most pairs of earbuds – is bass. It’s largely true – most earbud models won’t quite have the same bass response as traditional headphones.
Bass is harder to reproduce using the somewhat-limited technology in tiny earbuds – but that doesn’t mean it is entirely absent. Unless you are a huge ‘basshead‘ – Bluetooth earbuds will provide the type of great sound quality you’ll want.
However, there are specific models that provide more of a bass response. Simply search for ‘best Bluetooth earbuds with bass’ – to find the right model for you.
The Best Bluetooth Earbuds
There you have it – our picks for the best Bluetooth earbuds. The world of headphones is certainly not limited to wireless earbuds though – make sure you take a look at our many other picks, in the electronics category.