The best 10 Bluetooth headsets in comparison

As wireless technology becomes more and more popular, wireless Bluetooth headsets are rapidly evolving, becoming more sophisticated.

Consumers have eagerly embraced Bluetooth headsets due to the ease and convenience with which they can be integrated into their lives, whether they want to have a better audio experience during commutes or workout routines or conduct professional affairs with greater accessibility and efficiency.

As the best wireless headsets match and, in many cases, exceed the capabilities of their traditional wired counterparts, the market continues to expand in terms of the breadth and variety of available products.

Due to the sheer variety of options, we have compiled this guide to give you some guidance and arm you with crucial information concerning the specs and various features of these devices so that you can find the best Bluetooth headset for your needs.

Sound Quality

Noise cancellation: active noise cancellation vs. passive noise cancellation

Noise cancellation is perhaps the most important and desirable feature of a mobile phone headset. As one of the main advantages of Bluetooth headsets is their convenience and ease of use, you can use them to carry on a conversation in a variety of settings, such as crowded subways or noisy intersections.

These environments are quite loud and make it challenging to maintain a phone call or enjoy a movie. Because of this, most of the top Bluetooth headsets employ active noise cancellation (ANC), which involves detecting ambient and environmental noise, and suppressing it by producing sound waves that cancel out the distracting noises.

While this takes care of noise issues affecting inbound audio quality, environmental noises can also disrupt outbound sound quality. If this happens to you during a phone call or video chat, the person on the other end will have a hard time hearing and understanding you.

For this reason, many mobile phone headsets also contain noise-canceling microphones, which filter out distracting background noise from the sounds transmitted through your microphone, ensuring smooth two-way communication.

Most headsets make use of two microphones to reduce unwanted noise. However, some have more than two microphones to ensure top-notch active noise cancellation capabilities. Some headsets offer passive noise isolation instead of active noise cancellation. Whereas active noise cancellation is a function carried out within the headset itself, passive noise cancellation relies solely on the earbuds themselves, acting as a seal that prevents and reduces external noise.

Stereo sound

While the traditional image of a Bluetooth headset consists of a single, simple earpiece delivering mono sound, most of the best products on the market today offer two earpieces producing stereo sound. If you generally use your wireless headset for sending and receiving phone calls, you may still find mono sound adequate. However, most smartphone users are not just making phone calls, but also watch videos on the go, listen to music, and play games – activities that require stereo headsets.

Impedance, sound pressure level, and frequency range

Some of the essential audio specifications to be aware of when researching wireless mobile headsets are impedance, sound pressure level, and frequency range. Impedance refers to the resistance of the device to the flow of electric current.

The sound pressure level (SPL), measured in decibels, is used to determine the sensitivity of a headset. SPL measures the effectiveness with which a headset converts an electrical input into audible sounds, and determines the perceived loudness of sound.

Finally, the frequency range specifies the high, mid, and low sound frequencies, which determine the pitch of the sound.

Usually, manufacturers list the lowest frequency, responsible for bass sounds, and the highest frequency, accountable for the higher-pitched sounds. As with Bluetooth versions, it is crucial to make sure that the audio specifications of your wireless headset are compatible with the smartphones, computers, and audio equipment you plan on using.

Design

Weather-sealed and water-resistant headsets

In looking for a Bluetooth headset with the versatility to withstand any situation, you may want to consider a model that is weather sealed, water-resistant, or waterproof. Weather sealed devices can withstand rain and inclement weather; they are also useful for workouts as they are not damaged by sweat. Water-resistant and waterproof devices can withstand water penetration and even immersion in water. You can read more about the difference between water resistance and waterproofness here.

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth version of the device is also an important specification to consider when making your purchase. So far, five Bluetooth versions have been developed, with the greatest strides in the technology being made in versions 3.0 and 4.0.

Bluetooth 3.0 added high-speed data transfer to the basic wireless connectivity featured in the first two versions, and Bluetooth 4.0 built upon this with further increases in data transfer, security, connectivity, and vastly improved energy efficiency. It also features a variety of sensors, allowing you to collect data on your motion, heart rate, and even body temperature, which has contributed to making Bluetooth devices integral parts of many people's fitness routines.

The top Bluetooth headsets feature Bluetooth version 4.0 or later, such as the Mpow EM10, which features Bluetooth version 4.2. When it comes to the best wireless earbuds such as AirPods and the Jabra Elite 75t, it's standard that they come with Bluetooth version 5.0 at a minimum.

The range of a Bluetooth headset is the greatest distance at which it can connect to another gadget. While Bluetooth 4.0 has a maximum range of 60 meters (200 feet), even high-end headsets begin experiencing connectivity issues at a distance of around 10-20 meters (30-60 feet).

Bluetooth version 5.0, released in 2016, has quadrupled the maximum range capability of Bluetooth devices while also doubling their maximum speed to 50 Mbits/s. When selecting your headset, remember to make sure that the Bluetooth version it runs is compatible with the version supported by the devices you'll be using it with.

Battery life and charging cases

Since the portability of Bluetooth headsets used as a means of communicating via mobile phones is one of their most compelling attributes, your device's battery life is a crucial specification.

A battery providing 7-10 hours of active use will likely suit most users' needs, and you can also find extremely long-lasting models that provide up to 6 hours of talk or listening time between charges.

Charging your battery is also easy and quick in many cases, especially with fast charging capabilities. Additionally, many headsets come with charging cases, which enable you to recharge your device on the go.