AirPods And Alternatives: The Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Best Wireless
True wireless headphones have a lot of advantages, almost to the point of becoming the norm today. Here are our recommendations.

The Best Earphones At A Glance:

Gone are the days when the right true wireless headphones could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The releases have followed a breakneck pace in recent months and all major manufacturers offer their wireless intras. A quick overview of the best models according to your priorities.

Jabra Elite 85T :

If you are having a little trouble choosing or if you just want a model that is good at everything, then look to the Jabra Elite 85T. The manufacturer returns with a pair of headphones and a particularly compact case that hide their game well.

The Jabra Elite 85T

In addition to their excellent comfort, we particularly appreciate the well-thought-out physical controls and the application’s very rich settings. The active noise reduction is exemplary, in particular for the deaf noise of transport. The Bose QC Earbuds do a little better, but it’s a photo finish.

With a tendency to put the mediums first, the sound reproduction is warm and pleasant, even if it is a little less detailed than on the Momentum True Wireless 2. The battery life is excellent and exceeds 6 hours. Jabra offers headphones here that without being the best anywhere are very good everywhere. So you can buy them with your eyes closed.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds :

If there’s one brand we’ve been expecting around the corner on wireless intras, it’s Bose. Leader in the headphone market, the American has remained silent on the subject since the Soundsport Free in 2018. And let’s not go through four paths: these QC Earbuds are a demonstration of know-how in terms of noise reduction.

The Bose QC Earbuds

Adjustable on ten levels, the latter is incredibly effective. It’s simple: it is close to what traditional headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4 offer. The sound reproduction is very pleasant without offering the highest precision on the market.

Nothing to say about the rock-solid Bluetooth link either. Among the few criticisms that we can make, we note a bulky case and the lack of Bluetooth refinements such as multipoint or aptX.

This second generation of Sennheiser wireless intros looks a lot like the model they replace at first glance. We find compact and very comfortable headphones accompanied by a fairly massive case.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

While active noise reduction is present, it does not offer the same level of insulation as the best on the market. On the other hand, their musical quality really makes us love these headphones. The sound reproduction is remarkably precise on all frequency bands and is generally reflected in the sound identity of Sennheiser.

If you are looking above all for comfort and sound quality, we can’t do better at the moment. Find our full test to find out more.

 

The AirPods 2 did not have active noise cancellation, it is now offered on the AirPods Pro, released in late 2019. This is not the only addition of these Pro models, however. On the contrary, this is a major overhaul of the AirPods.

The design has evolved and significantly reduced the length of the shaft characteristic of Apple headphones. They’re now less conspicuous (or more discreet if you prefer), and we’re moving from earbuds to in-ear headphones. It was mandatory to provide active noise reduction.

AirPods Pro

Obviously, AirPods retain this extremely convenient pairing with iPhone. Apple product requires symbiosis is perfect with iOS even if compatibility with Android is assured. However, since their release, the competition has woken up and is doing better in many ways.

Honor Magic Earbuds :

Not everyone has the desire or the means to put $ 200 or more into headphones. Fortunately, models that are both affordable and quality are now available, foremost among them the Honor Magic Earbuds.
The shape of the Honor Magic Earbuds is reminiscent of that of the Airpods

True introns, they take the cotton swab format inaugurated by Apple and its AirPods. It’s not very discreet, but it’s light and it sits well in the ears, even while playing sports. Despite the rather aggressive price, the sound signature is rather pleasant. Admittedly, the bass and treble are a little behind, but the general rendering is pleasant and detailed. Active noise reduction is correct, nothing more. It won’t cut you off from the world, but it is enough to make a metro ride much more enjoyable.

The battery life is a bit tricky since it is difficult to exceed three hours on a charge. So certainly these Magic Earbuds suffer from some flaws, but for this price, we can’t find better. If you have a slightly higher budget, the Huawei FreeBuds 3i might interest you. For the full Honor Magic Earbuds review, it’s this way.

 

Special Mentions :

If the models chosen above are in our opinion the best at the moment, you will find some quality alternatives here.

 

Sony WF-1000XM3:

The old benchmark in the industry still has beautiful remains. Regularly on sale below the 200 dollars mark, they are then an excellent deal.

Realme Buds Q:

Don’t want to spend too much money? No worries, Realme has you covered with budget-friendly headphones that are far from ridiculous.

—SOME ADVICE BEFORE YOU BUY—

Before buying wireless headphones, there are many questions that may cross your mind. We have listed a few here with answers that we hope will light up your lantern.
  • Why Choose Wireless (Or True Wireless) Earphones?

Wireless headphones are generally completely wireless in-ear headphones. They work the same way as Bluetooth headphones, except that there is total freedom of movement, hence the term “true wireless”. This type of product is intended for the more nomadic – as well as the more athletic – looking for lightness and practicality. Usually delivered with a charging case, wireless headphones generally enjoy good battery life. In addition, some models even take advantage of additional features, including active noise reduction.

  • What Criteria To Take Into Account For Sport?

If you like to indulge in sports activities while listening to music, know that some manufacturers have thought of you. First, you need a headphone model that sits well in the ears despite sudden and repeated movements (adding support that goes around the hollow of the ear is usually a plus). Then, it is especially necessary to check the IP certification. Depending on its level, it will be more or less waterproof. If you don’t plan on going to a swimming pool with it, IPX4-certified headphones are the union minimum to withstand rain and sweat. Fully submersible headphones are still quite rare on the market, although some smartphones today go as far as IPX8.

  • What Brands You Can Trust?

When browsing the Internet for a few minutes, one can quickly see the plethora of brands that offer wireless headphones today. You should not generally be fooled by ultra-attractive prices, models often show a quality that is unfortunately not there. In comparison with actors like Sony, Jabra, Samsung, or Bose who have acquired undeniable know-how over the years, there is no photo of small brands without any reputation, who often try to clumsily copy the references of ‘Apple, in vain. There may indeed be exceptions, but turning to one of the brands mentioned above is the assurance of having a quality product in your ears.

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