The Best Bluetooth Headphones
By: Gabriel Radic
Tags: Bluetooth, Review, Headphones

The Best Bluetooth Headphones

You probably asked me what Bluetooth headphones to get, so I made this short guide about the three most recommended models. Gabriel Radic Jul 1, 2019·4 min read

Back in 2006, Bluetooth sounded distinctively bad compared to a wired connection, but it was still worth it to me. The simplicity and futurism of Bluetooth headphones spark so much joy in me every time I use them.

The first great pair of Bluetooth headphones I used were the Sennheiser MM 450-X. They sounded great on most music and podcasts, were comfortable and compact, but had so many little glitches it was an overall frustrating experience.

The other great Bluetooth headphones I ever used before this round of research were the Jabra Revo Wireless. I chose those because The Wirecutter said they were the best at the time, and I loved them from day one. I used the first pair for about three years, until it got stolen. At that point I did a lot of research to find a better replacement. After many hours reading and watching tests online, a few hour-long tests at the mall and a couple of Amazon orders returned, I ended up buying the same Jabra Revo model. They’re simply the best combination or good sound, great ergonomics and are still affordable.

For some reason, I had to replace them, which brings me to today, and to The Wirecutter recommendations for Best Bluetooth Wireless Headphones for 2019 and Best Wireless Earbuds…

Criteria for Testing

Good or great sound. I’m not an audiophile but I do have some respect for music and I listen to lots of pre-iPod music.

Fit and ergonomic are even more important than sound. The thing must fit and feel right.

Connectivity ergonomics. It must connect fast to either Phone or Laptop and switch between without much hassle.

Battery life is important. Not a big win if you trade the sound cable for a charging cable.

How I Test

My days look like:

Commute for ~35 minutes

short waiting times on the platform for two different trains

watch Netflix, listen to podcasts, sometimes an audiobook

Work day with multiple 30–45 minutes work and listening sessions

Half the time it’s some favorite 60s to 90s rock, folk, hip-hop, alt/indie, dubstep and stuff

The other half, whatever Spotify playlist or radio I fancy, which can be almost anything

Jabra Elite 65T

My expectations for earbuds were very low, as I never liked the feeling in my ears. These were however “ok”, and I could wear them for hours without too much discomfort.

Good

They sound ok, I’ve heard worse. Probably I could live with this.

The charging box has a small form factor and a pleasant shape. I just have it with on me all the time.

The in-ear positioning is fairly stable and not at all unpleasant.

Connects fast, and stay connected. Except that one time in the Ring S-Bahn where they kept continuously dropping like I was going through a jammed areas. (I have no idea how that should sound, but that’s how I imagine it.)

Bad

Poor noise isolation. You can actually hear clearly everything around you. There is barely any difference when hear-through is active.

The connection disappears from the devices, every time I try to reconnect them. I don’t mean it drops or that it doesn’t reconnect automatically; the device itself disappears from the list. This happens both on macOS Mojave and on Android. It may be something with my device, but I didn’t hear back from Jabra support.

If I was more into sports and the connection problem was not there, I would probably keep the Jabra Elite 65t. But I am not and it is, so I sent them back.

Sony H.ear On 2 WH-H900N

Good

They sound really, really good.

Noise cancelation is amazing.

Battery life is amazing, I charge them once in a while and they last forever.

Bad

Bulky. Not comfortable to wear around my neck. Heavy. Not folding flat.

My ears hurt after one hour so, both outside and in. It’s the pressure of the headband and the air tightness of the cans.

Not rain proof.

Wind noise canceling is not doing much.

I am not into hurting my ears, so I’ve sent back the Sony H900N too.

Final Pick: Sony WH-1000MX3

After being kind of disappointed with the top recommendations, I decided to try the Sony WH-1000MX3, which were recommended by many and also on a free trial offer at Grover (here’s a Grover referral link for 25€ off)

Good

Light and not too tight on the head. Fairly compact when folded.

They sound good, but not as great as the H.ear On 2 WH-H900N.

Noise cancelation is just superb. They just shut down the world. These are the first headphones that manage to cancel Berlin wind whooshes, which were very annoying with all the others I tried.

Amazing baterry life, and charging via USB-C.

Bad