How to Choose Bluetooth Headphones

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 28, 2022 References

Deciding on whether you should opt for wireless Bluetooth headphones or standard wired ones will be dependent on personal preference. Like all things, both choices have pros and cons, but you might find that the Bluetooth option has favourable specifications for your day to day needs.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Selecting the Type of Bluetooth Headphones You Need

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Choose Bluetooth headphones for wireless connectivity. Bluetooth headphones have the advantage of being wireless which can make carrying them that much easier. While the benefit of going wireless means less fumbling with cables and cords, Bluetooth headphones need to be charged on a regular basis. Furthermore, if you forget to pay attention to the battery life, it can run out during mid-use which can be frustrating so think about where and when you’ll be using them to inform your decision.^{[1]
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- If you’re working outside all day and want to listen to music in the meantime, pay close attention to the talk/music time labelled on the Bluetooth headphones to make sure it’ll last for as long as you need it to.
- Using Bluetooth headphones will also drain the battery of the device it’s connected to so remember to contemplate your smartphone’s battery life as well.^{[2]
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Get headphones that can switch between wired and wireless. Some Bluetooth headphones have the option to attach a wire if you want to avoid the trouble of keeping an eye on the battery life. If you’d prefer to have that freedom, look for the models that offer both.^{[3]
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Pick the lighter earbud variety for quick and easy use. There’s a slight difference between Bluetooth earbuds and Bluetooth headphones. Earbuds fit directly into your ear and weigh close to nothing. These are great if you simply want to get up and go out as they’re very easy travel with. However they generally have lower quality sound compared to over-the-ear headphones due to not being able to drown out as much outside noise.^{[4]
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Research source} This decision should be based on whether you need mobility or not and if you think it’s worth the compromise.
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Get over-the-ear headphones for the highest quality sound. Over-the-ear headphones have superior sound to earbuds due to having larger and better technology. They also have huge noise reduction that blocks out surrounding sound from the outside, thereby isolating your music.^{[5]
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Research source} The only major drawback is that they can be heavy and cumbersome.
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Choose Bluetooth headphones with a microphone for phone calls. If your job entails making and taking calls throughout the day, there are Bluetooth headphones specifically made for that purpose. These are not for listening to music but rather for talking to people without the need of handling the phone itself.^{[6]
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- These headphones can be especially useful if you’re in the car because they allow you to talk hands-free.
- Bluetooth headphones designed for phone-calls also have a longer battery life with some providing as much as 10 hours of talk time in one sitting.
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Check the ‘specifications’ section of a headphone brand to get an idea of its capabilities. You might discover useful features you hadn’t thought of that you may appreciate. Some headphones might cost more due to a feature you don’t even need, so explore the specs and determine if you’re getting your money’s worth. There are many different styles and varieties so it’s worth seeing what is available.^{[7]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Considering Your Purchase Before You Buy

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Make sure you have a device that is compatible with Bluetooth first. The majority of smartphones are perfectly capable of connecting to Bluetooth headphones, but it is worth checking your phone’s settings before making your purchase just in case.^{[8]
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Remember that using Bluetooth around the house can affect other devices. If you’re going to be using your Bluetooth headphones primarily in your own home, Bluetooth headphones can actually interfere with other wireless devices such as cordless home-phones or your Wi-Fi router.^{[9]
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Research source} If you think this might become a problem for you, a solution can be to relocate your router within closer proximity of your computer.^{[10]
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Think about paying a little extra for better quality if you’ll be using them often. If you’re going to be using your headphones on a regular basis, you might want to spend a bit more on your purchase. This is because the Bluetooth equivalent of a wired set of headphones is going to cost more. If going wireless is a necessity for you, then forking out a little more cash may be the sensible choice, especially if you want to maintain high sound quality.^{[11]
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- More expensive Bluetooth headphones don’t necessarily have a longer battery life. $30-$40 headphones can have six and a half hours of talk/music time while $300 headphones can have only up to four hours with one charge.^{[12]
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Use Bluetooth headphones to simplify your gaming setup. If you plan to buy headphones for gaming, then Bluetooth is a safe bet if you want versatility. Some Bluetooth headphones are compatible with gaming consoles in order to make handling the devices that much easier. These will often have microphones attached to give you the option of voice chat as well.^{[13]
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Choose Bluetooth if you listen to music while you work-out. Whether you’re heading to the gym or going for a run outside, the earbud variety of Bluetooth headphones can really help give you the space you need to exercise. Wires can get tangled and in the way which is a good reason to choose Bluetooth in order to avoid the hassle.^{[14]
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- This also applies to general travel. Less wires means less clutter. But don’t forget to pay attention to the battery life.