The 12 Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - Fall 2019
Reviews

The best Bluetooth headphones that we’ve tested so far are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. They’re very comfortable, easy-to-use noise cancelling headphones that sound great. Their 20-hour battery life is great, and they also have a handy auto-off timer that you can adjust in the Bose Connect app. They isolate noise very well, thanks to their great active noise cancelling (ANC); however, it was even better before a recent firmware update (4.5.2). The headphones still cancel an impressive amount of noise, just not quite as well as they used to.

Unfortunately, you can’t customize the way they sound with their app. They also leak a considerable amount of sound, so if you’re concerned about bothering those around you with your music, you might want to consider the Bose QuietControl 30. They perform similarly, but their earbud design results in less leakage. However, the QC 35 II are the best wireless over-ears we’ve tested so far thanks to their unparalleled blend of comfort, ease-of-use, sound quality, noise isolation, and battery performance, so if you prefer over-ears you’ll want to go for them instead.

The best wireless in-ear headphones we’ve tested so far are the Jaybird Tarah Pro. They’re also the best wireless headphones for running we’ve reviewed, thanks to their great build quality, IPX7 rating for waterproofing, durable braided cable, and easy-to-use in-line remote. They have good audio reproduction and are highly customizable thanks to their compatibility with the Jaybird MySound app, which features a great parametric EQ. Their 13-hour battery life is very good, especially for wireless earbuds, and their magnetic earbuds even trigger an auto-off timer when snapped together.

These earbuds use a proprietary charging cradle that can be a bit inconvenient at times, especially if you forget it somewhere. If you want a cheaper pair of headphones that offer very similar sound quality, consider the JBL Reflect Mini 2, though you'll be losing a bit on build quality and battery life. Overall, the Jaybird are versatile wireless earbuds that deliver a satisfactory listening experience, not only for athletes but for more casual users as well.

The best wireless headphones for gaming we’ve reviewed so far are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. These headphones are among the most versatile we’ve tested thanks to their Bluetooth connectivity and great low-latency wireless transmitter, which provides a ton of connectivity and customization options as well as battery charging. They have a low-latency wireless transmitter for gaming that doubles as a battery charging station. They sound great, their retractable microphone is excellent, and their dual-battery system only stops when you do.

Unfortunately, they don’t have adjustable microphone control like the wireless Astro A50 or the wired SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC. These headsets don’t support Bluetooth, though, and are less versatile overall. The Pro Wireless may be a bit bulky, but they’re very good headphones overall and are great not only for PC or PS4 gaming, but for watching TV and even just listening to music at home.

The best wireless headphones under $100 we’ve tested so far are the Mixcder E9 Wireless. They offer decent build quality for the price and are quite comfortable. They aren't too heavy, and the cups should be large enough for most ear shapes and sizes. They have an easy-to-use control scheme allowing you to play/pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume, all on the headphones themselves.

Their sound quality is pretty good overall, providing excellent bass with the right amount of thump for bass-heavy music while still  accurately reproducing vocals and lead instruments in the mid-range. Their treble lacks a bit detail and brightness, though, so while they're decently suited for a wide range of genres, they'll perform better with more popular genres of music like pop or hip-hop than say, classical or jazz. They don't cancel noise as well as the similarly-priced Mpow H10, but they feel much better-built and even leak less sound, so you can raise the volume to mask more background noise without bothering those around you.

The best Bluetooth headphones in the budget category are the Anker SoundBuds Curve. They have a stable yet comfortable fit, decent sound quality, and great low price. They have powerful bass that’s well-suited for bass-heavy EDM, dubstep, or hip-hop tracks but still sound balanced enough to be suitable for more vocal-centric music. They charge in an hour and a half and provide nearly 13 hours of continuous playback, which is pretty good, especially for wireless earbuds.

Like most budget headphones, they don’t have many active features. If you use a Samsung device and want more customization options, like an EQ or an auto-off timer, consider the Samsung U Flex. They’re a bit more expensive, but also provide a more premium experience with their companion app. That said, the Anker are more comfortable, sound better out-of-the-box, and provide unbeatable value for their price.