Cutting the cable doesn’t mean sacrificing good audio quality – these Bluetooth earbuds are the best in the business right now.
While they started out as somewhat of a gimmick, Bluetooth earbuds have become all-but ubiquitous for everyday use. To begin with, the audio quality was almost always poor, but thanks to increasing development in Bluetooth standards as well as codecs like aptX, wireless earphones are some of the best available.
Regardless of whether you’re interested in the increased range of motion you can achieve by cutting the cable or are turning to Bluetooth audio because your phone has ditched its 3.5mm audio jack, you’re in luck! All the best consumer brands – Jaybird, Plantronics, Apple, Jabra and more – are lending their weight to the cause so we can keep listening to top-notch audio, cable-free.
While the neckband-style wireless earphones have had their popularity cemented, the likes of the Apple AirPods and other truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds have changed the game once more. Don’t worry, we’ll explain the differences shortly.
It can be tricky to choose a pair with so much variety out there, but thankfully TechRadar has been painstakingly reviewing these earbuds over the years and have a solid idea of what’s worth the dosh. On this page, we’ll take you through the best wireless, Bluetooth earphones on the market right now so you can find exactly what you want.
Can’t decide which type of headphones to buy? Check out our guide video:
Before we dive too deep down the rabbit hole, we should cover the whole true wireless vs wireless discussion happening in the audio world right now.
Wireless headphones – the earbuds you see in front of you now – have existed for some time now, basically since Bluetooth as a standard was invented.
For years they went largely unrecognized by the audio community because Bluetooth, despite being ultra-convenient, didn’t do the best job transmitting music at a high enough resolution. That changed with the advent of aptX – a codec that allowed for higher bitstreams at lower latency.
While aptX was changing the game for the whole of the audio community, audio manufacturers were working on an entirely new form factor: True Wireless.
True Wireless Headphones have no cord whatsoever. While wireless allows us to wear headphones a few feet away from our music players, True Wireless cuts the cord between the earbuds, giving us true freedom.
This round-up primarily focuses on the former, but, if you’re looking to go full wireless, we also have a round-up of the best true wireless headphones to help you live that cord-free lifestyle.
Acoustic design: Closed| Weight: 20 grams| Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz| Drivers: 6mm| Driver type: Dynamic| Sensitivity: 103dB +/-2dB| Impedance: 16 Ohms| Battery life: 14 hours| Wireless range: 10m| NFC: No
While Jaybird has consistently offered some of the best bang-for-your-buck Bluetooth ‚buds, the sport-centric company’s first foray into ‚Pro‘ territory proves that they’re not just for the conscious.
Improving on almost everything that made its predecessors great, the Jaybird Tarah Pro offers excellent sound (tweakable via the simple Jaybird app), great comfort and fitting options, and all the conveniences you’d come to expect in the ultimate pair of wireless in-ears, such as a 14-hour battery life, magnetic driver housings, and a rugged design.
