Just a few short years ago, we might have discouraged you from buying wireless Bluetooth over-the-ear headphones. The non-recommendation (if such a thing exists) was a no-brainer at that point, as the wireless earphones space was at its infancy. And as with any technology in its early stages, it’s littered with an abundance of issues. For one, wireless connectivity, as well as the technology around it, was still wonky and in the works. This resulted in sound quality taking a deep dive, which, if you’re not following, as a major no-no for a pair of wireless headphones you spent good money on. Besides, who would want crappy-sounding headphones? Or to better phrase it, why spend money on a pair of headphones that sound bad when you can do it on cheap portable speakers for a couple of dollars? In fact, most of the time, those cheap speakers will provide a better sound quality than the usual wireless headphones. And on top of all that, these wireless headphones only last about a couple of hours before you need to re-charge them or replace their batteries, a number that will set music aficionados from ever considering it.
After all, going wireless when it comes to music listening isn’t enough to justify poor sound quality and a battery that can barely accompany you throughout the day. Back then, normal headphones with wires are there, and they work just fine.
But alas, man, with his constant need to improve the ways of life, have continued finding technological advancements in wireless technology. After all, wireless headphones allow for more movement, making it a better alternative for those with an active lifestyle. Furthermore, it can also be a great companion for phones that lack a 3.5mm aux port to connect with.
The result can be seen today, where, thankfully, the wireless golden age have reached our handheld listening devices. Thanks to Bluetooth advancements and manufacturers stepping up their game, wireless headphones sound just as good, if not better, as their wired counterparts.
Before you dive deep into the world of cord-free auditory goodness though, here are four aspects that we used to test out the earphones and ultimately come up with our list.
a. Comfort and fit – A common dilemma with headphones is that they may start feeling uncomfortable after wearing them for a long time. A poor-fitting earphone will make you wear it, as well as affect overall sound quality. With that, we made sure that those included in this list offer a comfortable fit for your ears.
b. Sound quality and battery life – Probably the biggest factor when it comes to buying earphones or headphones of any kind is how they sound. Or rather, how good they sound. Is the bass overpowering? Can your hear the mids? Is it dynamic enough? or does it sound like your favorite artist made a demo tape using a four-track recorder? Furthermore, how long does the battery last? Can it accompany you through a two-day road trip? Or ask for a recharge after a couple of albums? We don’t want anyone paying for a wireless headphone that sounds bad and has a poor battery life, and this list made sure of that.
c. Other features and build quality – This is another important factor. After all, what use is a fantastic sounding headphones if it breaks after a few months? Or if the Bluetooth connection is faulty? With that in mind, we made sure to look for products that offer consistent durability and build quality. Other features, such as a microphone and call capabilities, are also considered, since they become important when you use the headphones daily.
d. Customer support – Often overlooked, this factor is actually very important. A warranty means nothing if you can’t even get help from the manufacturer of your headphone, so we made sure that every company on the list has a notable manufacturer that looks after their customers.
So with all of that in mind, here are our top picks this 2019 for wireless Bluetooth over-the-ear headphones. So have a listen yourself, and check out our list:
1. Sony H.ear On 2 WH-H900N – First on the list is a wireless pair manufactured by consumer electronics giant Sony. There really is no introduction needed for this unit, as when it comes to overall versatility and bang for your buck, not much can hold their own against this pair. Featuring a mild forward bass that doesn’t compress the overall dynamics, clean highs and treble that don’t pierce and bleed when you crank up the volume, and mids that deliver the best possible frequency without overpowering the overall output, the H900N is as good as you can get. And if that’s not enough for you, it also has a max battery life of around 25 hours, a comfortable and stylish fit, clear phone call capability, and an active noise-cancelling feature that’s better than average. As an extra feature, it also has a touch sensor panel for easy use, and a DSEE HX Upscale compressed music to near high-resolution sound quality.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT – When it comes to manufacturing high-quality music devices, Audio-Technica has had its fair share of the audiophile spotlight. Founded back in 1962, the Japanese company have had a long history of making turntables (and its accessories), headphones, and microphones, and that history shines through in the ATH-M50xBT.
Designed with high quality in build, performance, and looks, the ATH-M50xBT provides a warm, dynamic, and well-rounded sound, thanks to its frequency response range of 15-28,00 Hz and built-in EQ. Furthermore, the set also features 45mm drivers and a wireless range of 30+ feet, making it the perfect gym companion. In terms of battery life, the headphones also last for a whopping 40 hours, making it perfect for road trips and travelling. However, the built-in microphone isn’t the strongest, nor is its calling capability. Still, these are mostly second-thought features for someone who’s spending good money for studio-grade headphones.
3. NAD HP70 – One of the most common problems when wearing over-the-ear headphones for an extended period of time is that they may get uncomfortable. Well, that’s what the NAD HP70 focused on, featuring a lightweight build, a non-heavy yet durable chassis, and long-lasting supersoft memory foam ear pads, the HP70 is unmatched when it comes to lasting comfort. Pair that up with a well-rounded warm sound quality, wireless Bluetooth connection courtesy of aptX HD and NFC, 15 hours of battery life, minimalist look, easy-to-use controls, and decent noise cancellation, and you got yourself the best-pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones ever.
And did we mention that it also comes with a two-year warranty?
4. Jabra Move Wireless – If you’re on the market for your own pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones but don’t have the budget to spend on big brands, then the Jabra Move Wireless is definitely up your alley. At just under $100, you might think the Move Wireless will just disappoint you with sub-par build and sound quality. After all, it’s a hundred bucks, what were you expecting?
Thankfully, we are confident to say that the Jabra Move Wireless’ performance far exceeds its budget price point, and is an all-around fantastic product. With stellar sound quality, a wireless range of 33 ft., 40mm drivers, and a frequency response of 20-20kHz, the set is one you shouldn’t pass up on, especially if you don’t want to break the bank. Build quality is also great, and has a battery that lasts for around 8 hours.
5. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless – Sennheiser is no stranger when it comes to top-of-the-line auditory devices, proven by its long and impressive catalog. The Momentum Wireless then, is certainly no less credible. Featuring incredible fidelity and pristine sound quality, the headphones come last at our list simply because of its high price point, although for committed music enthusiasts, that price is more than justified. And justify it does, as the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless features a stainless steel build wrapped in leather, giving it a classy look and feel that putting it around your neck adds another layer to your outfit. More so, the headphones also features an industry-leading 22 hours of performance off a 3 hour charge. It’s ridiculous, but at this price point, it just has to be there.
Of course, the controls may be a bit finicky, and may not feature twisting ear cups to better rest on your neck. But put it on and you’ll find no less than auditory flawlessness, featuring pronounced and punchy bass that’s never overbearing, and pitch-perfect mid and highs that doesn’t muddle up the mix. Throw in some stellar active noise isolation and you may find that imagining your favorite artist performing in front of you is now more believable.
The price point may be a hard pill to swallow, but with that performance and quality, the Momentum Wireless basically pays for itself.
So there you have it, our top 2019 picks for wireless over-the-ear headphones. Whether you have the money to shell out, or are just looking for a budget pair that will do more than its job, we got you covered!