6 Best High-End Bluetooth Headphones (Best of the Best)
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People have the misconception that wireless headphones don’t sound as great as their wired counterparts but that is not always the case. A premium Bluetooth headphone from a good brand can sound just as great and bring along a lot of useful features that are not available in traditional wired headphones.
Here are a few things to look for when you are considering to purchase the best of the best Bluetooth headphones:
1. Build quality and design – If you want to purchase an expensive product, why not purchase something that is attractive and durable. Even if a pair of high-end headphones sounds great, it can leave a lot to be desired if they look like a cheap product or are fragile enough to stop functioning after experiencing a single drop.
2. Comfort – If you plan on buying a high-end Bluetooth headphone, you must want to wear it for a long duration as you have the freedom to do so. Thus, the product you buy must not cause any discomfort or pain even after wearing for a few hours.
3. Useful features like ANC and voice assistants – A premium product is expected to feature a lot of useful features. Although it is not necessary to house every single useful feature, a few important ones like good ANC performance, voice assistants, quick charge, support for various Bluetooth codecs, intuitive touch controls are great to have as they improve the user experience a lot.
4. Sound quality – A premium headphone is expected to completely blow away cheaper models in terms of sound quality. After all, there is no use in purchasing a costly product with lots of features if they don’t sound great.
| Brand | Sennheiser Momentum 3 | HiFiMAN Ananda-BT | Beyerdynamic Amiron wireless | Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i | Master & Dynamic MW65 | Bose 700 Wireless headphones |
| Type | Over-Ear closed back | Over-Ear open back | Over-Ear closed back | Over-Ear closed back | Over-Ear closed back | Over-Ear closed back |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5 | Bluetooth 5 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5 |
| Battery Life | Up to 17 hrs | Up to 10 hrs | Up to 30 hrs | Up to 18 hrs | Up to 24 hrs | Up to 20 hrs |
| Charge Time | About 3 hrs | 2.7 hrs | – | Up to 2.5 hrs | About 2 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| Active Noise Canceling | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.6 oz | 16.2 oz | 13.4 oz | 10.05 oz | 8.64 oz | 8.8 oz |
| Dimension | 231 x 193 x 104 mm | – | 8.07 x 4.13 x 5.90 inches | 7.7″ x 7.9″ x 2″ | 165mm x 190mm x 66mm | 2.00 x 6.50 x 8.00 inches |
| Impedance | 100 ohm(passive)470 ohm (active) | 35 ohms | 32 ohms | 32 ohms | 32 ohms | – |
| Detachable Cables | 3.5 mm, USB Type-C | USB Type-C | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm, USB Type-C | 3.5 mm | 2.5 mm |
| Supported Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX™, aptX™ Low Latency, AAC | SBC, aptX-HD, HWA and LDAC lossless HD Bluetooth codecs. | aptX™, aptX™ LL, aptX™ HD, AAC, SBC | AAC and SBC codecs | AptX and SBC | SBC and AAC |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
Sennheiser Momentum 3
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 is perfect for music lovers who love both performance and style. High-end products from Sennheiser are known for their aesthetic quality and this is no exception. The extendable matte steel arms of the headband covered in genuine leather look classy and are durable too.
People really like the plush covering of memory foam on the ear cups as it makes them easy to wear for long durations. The right ear cup contains 3 rubberized buttons that allow you to access the voice assistants, change volume levels, pair using Bluetooth, and switch between calls and music quickly.
You have to fold the ear cups towards the headband to power off the device. And, removing the headphones initiates the auto-pause/play feature which is quite handy. Plus, you can connect up to two devices to the Momentum 3. The free app provided by Sennheiser is useful for customizing EQ and controlling ANC settings, voice assistants, etc.
The active noise cancellation feature of this product is a hit or miss for most people. It is better than products like Master & Dynamic MW65 but cannot be compared to industry standards like Sony, AKG, or Bose. With ANC turned on, the battery lasts for about 13 hours and just 10 minutes of charging will store enough power to run it for 1.5 hours.
The product is great for listening to hip-hop and pop music because it is tuned for producing warmer sounds. Consumers love it because they can use the EQ to change the sound signature to their liking. Overall, the Momentum 3 is not the best value-for-money in terms of performance. It is suitable for people who prefer style, comfort, build-quality, and sound quality over ANC performance.
Pros
- Outstanding built quality
- Good sound quality
- Fast auto-connect, multi-connect
Cons
- Lack of remote/in-line mic on 3.5mm cable
- No hardshell, carrying case
HIFIMAN Ananda-BT
The HiFiMAN Ananda-BT is the only Planar headphones on this list and quite costly. However, the wireless audio performance of the device is worth every penny. In terms of sound quality, labeling them the ‘best sounding Bluetooth headphones that are available right now’ won’t be wrong. The headphone is designed to impress and fit even the largest ears. The plastic and metal construction is durable and gives it the feel of a luxury product. The open-back design creates a better soundstage but struggles to isolate external noise and reduce the sound leakage.
The NEO ‘supernano’ Diaphragm (NsD) results in a fast response and provides a detailed image with lush, full-range sonics. Users love the balanced sound signature of the device powered by the custom-designed amplifier and DAC filter designed by experts who have also worked on products (R2R2000 DAP) worth $2500.
For most people, the interface of the device leaves much to be desired in terms of button-controls. You can only use the two buttons to play-pause music, charge the device, connect it to Bluetooth devices, and receive or end calls. The battery life of the product is also average, ranging from 6-10 hrs of usage depending on the volume levels and Bluetooth audio codec used to listen to music. The Bluetooth signal reception range and stability of the device is quite good, usable for up to 50 meters in open space.
The overall sound signature of the headphone is crisp and cinematic with extremely accurate imaging and a bright tonality. Many people praise the grand soundstage and 3D presentation of imaging. The bass and mids are well-controlled and the treble is smooth and snappy. The Ananda-BT will impress audiophiles who are skeptical about the sound quality of Bluetooth headphones. If all you want is the best wireless sound quality possible, this is the product to choose despite a few of its disadvantages.
Pros
- Support for all Bluetooth audio codecs
- Superior wireless sound quality
- Holographic soundstage
Cons
- No ANC
- Semi-open back design
Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless
The Beyerdynamic Amiron wireless is an expensive piece of hardware but not a bad choice if you can afford it. The build quality of the product is phenomenal due to the metal parts. They feel sturdy but also comfortable to wear due to the plush padding. In fact, even though they lack ANC, the passive isolation is very good. However, during summer, the comfortable ear cups may get a little hot if you keep wearing them for hours.
The music playback can be controlled using the touch-sensitive pad on the right ear cup. It also features the buttons for power/Bluetooth pairing, a USB Type-C input, and a 3.5mm input. People love using the touch-sensitive pad as it allows them to skip tracks, control volume levels, play-pause music, access personal assistants, etc.
The accompanying app is useful and helps you to customize your hearing experience. The support for a wide range of codecs is also a good feature. The battery life of the device is quite good and lasts up to 30 hrs. However, the best part of the product is the sound quality which is really good.
The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless features a wide soundstage with a good level of details and instrument separation. The bass is not overdone but satisfying and the highs are clean. The best part is that they sound the same both wireless or when connected to the 3.5 mm cable.
Although some people don’t like the bulky design or the lack of ANC in the device, they are blown away by the vibe of the sound quality, build quality, design, and the usefulness of the app.
Pros
- Strong build quality
- Good passive isolation
- Great sound quality
- Battery life
Cons
- Bulky design
- aptX HD doesn’t work properly
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i features a luxurious design and excellent sound quality. They fit well and are comfortable to wear due to the stitched leather on the headband and the soft cushioned memory foam on the ear cups. The swiveling ear cups also allow you to adjust them carefully.
The right ear cup features touch-sensitive controls for playing/pausing songs, adjusting volume levels, activating ANC, and receive/cut calls. It also has a USB Type-C port, port for the audio cable, pinhole mics, status LEDs, and switch for power/pairing. You can also control a lot of functions of the headphone and get detailed statistics of the device using the companion app but you have to register to use it.
The battery life of the device is great and can last for up to 18 hours with ANC on. It takes just about 2.5 hours to charge fully. But people love it because the battery is replaceable and you can change it in the future.
One thing that some people complain about is the active noise cancellation performance. It is not on par with Sony or Bose headphones but does its job effectively. However, the sound signature changes noticeably with ANC turned on and it might displease a few people. You cannot set the level of ANC but switch to the ‘Transparency mode’ to hear outside noises.
Although there is a lack of Bluetooth codecs, the sound quality is impressive. It features a tight bass, clean-mid-range, and crisp treble. The sound is dynamic and detailed enough to please even seasoned audiophiles.
Overall, there are better options available on the market if you prioritize ANC. However, if your focus is on design, comfort, and sound quality at a relatively lower cost compared to more premium brands, this can be a good choice.
Pros
- Replaceable battery
- Rich bass and detailed highs
- Good design
Cons
- Noise cancellation could be better
- Lack of advanced Bluetooth codecs
Master & Dynamic MW65
The Master & Dynamic MW65 is a lightweight product with a catchy design. The grill plates on the ear cups give the impression of using an open-back headphone but they are purely for decorative purposes. Nevertheless, they look great and an eye turner. It’s comfortable to wear due to the lambskin leather wrapped around the ear cups but not suitable for wearing for long durations. The build-quality of the product is just as good as it looks due to the anodized aluminum pieces.
Consumers paint a good picture of the noise-canceling performance of the device. Using the ANC buttons located on the left ear cups, you can cycle through modes – high, low, off (passive). It is good enough for daily commuting on public transports. Plus, the battery life of almost 24 hours is quite encouraging for daily use. The best part is that you can juice it up for 12 hours of playback time by charging it for just 15 minutes.
Connecting them is easy and the connection range is quite stable and long (20 meters). Coming to the sound quality, the MW65 is suitable for listening to any genre of music due to almost negligent auditory masking and clarity. However, people using iPhone have a lot of complaints as they don’t support AAC.
The mic does a decent job of filtering background noise but is not good as it doesn’t reproduce the sound of the voice well. Overall, this headphone is suitable for music lovers who want a Bluetooth headphone with good ANC performance but don’t want to select anything less than an eye-candy.
Pros
- Lightweight, decorative, open back design
- Replaceable ear pads
- Noise-canceling performance
Cons
- The mic could be better
- Could be more comfortable
Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones 700
The Bose 700 Wireless headphones are a popular product with a lot of good features. It is perhaps the most value-for-money product on this list. This iconic product is often compared to other popular products such as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM3 due to its excellent combination of ANC performance, build quality and comfort.
In terms of design, the product is not gorgeous but functional. Some people mind the hinge-less design as it cannot be folded but the ear cups can be rotated up to 90 degrees. The metal construction of the headband adds to the durability but the padding is not suitable to provide a comfortable listening experience for extra long periods.
Some people despise the process of connecting the device for the first time and setting up the Bose Music app as it is a hassle. However, the app is essential if you want to have the best experience and access all the features. There are 3 buttons on the headphones that allow you to control the level of ANC, activate the voice assistant, and pair the device. The touch-sensitive controls are easy to use and intuitive. But the most exciting part is the ANC controls. You can switch between 11 different levels of ANC settings which is very useful.
The battery life of the product is quite good, allowing you to use it for up to 20 hours. The quick charge functionality can juice-up the headphone for up to 3.5 hours with just 15 mins of charge. Coming to the sound quality, it is suitable for listening to hip-hop or bass-heavy EDM music. The sound signature has a punchy and deep bass with energetic mids. However, the treble is just okay.
Pros
- Great ANC performance
- Good touch interface
- Good mic
Cons
- Lack of foldable hinges
- Sound quality could be more balanced
Conclusion
There is no shortage of good Bluetooth headphones on the market. However, the ones listed in this article are the best of the best you can buy at the time of writing. Everybody has a different design choice or a feature they prioritize. Depending on your budget and usage scenario, the headphones that are the most suitable for you will vary from other users. Still, it is a good idea to read online reviews of previous users to figure out the advantages and shortcomings of each product.
A good Bluetooth headphone can sound just as good as premium wired headphones but feature useful features like ANC and voice assistants. But that’s not all; they also provide the flexibility of using them during commutes or when traveling long distances.
