A pair of wireless headphones may seem easy to choose at first glance. However, the differences are not limited to colour or brand name. A low price may come with limited battery life, while an expensive model is not automatically comfortable or guaranteed to work well with your phone.
Before buying Bluetooth headphones, pay particular attention to these three common pitfalls:
Headphones with long battery life are useful for commuting, travelling and working from home. Always check whether the manufacturer states the usage time with ANC on or off. For example, the Sony WH-CH720N offers up to 50 hours without noise cancelling and 35 hours with noise cancelling. The Soundcore Space One Pro lists 60 hours without ANC and 40 hours with ANC.
With wireless earbuds, you need to compare two figures:
The Apple AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation offer up to 5 hours of music listening per charge and more than 30 hours with the case. That is a different scenario from 50 hours for over-ear headphones.
Also check the fast-charging function. According to the product description, the Sony WH-CH520 offers approximately 1.5 hours of use after 3 minutes of charging. Check the current product specifications before ordering, as battery life may vary by version.
ANC headphones, or headphones with noise cancelling, are particularly practical on trains, aeroplanes, in the office or on a busy street. Check whether the model has active noise cancellation and whether it includes a transparency mode. This mode lets surrounding sounds through, so you can follow a conversation or announcement more easily, for example.
A high number of microphones may sound appealing, but on its own it does not indicate how clearly calls will sound in a particular environment. So look for features such as multipoint, microphone noise reduction and an app for adjusting settings. According to the product description, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro has six microphones and offers a transparency mode. The overall experience also depends on the fit, device and software.
Do not use noise cancelling as a substitute for staying alert. Do not wear headphones while cycling, driving or in any other situation where you need to hear traffic and surrounding sounds.
For extended listening, weight and pressure distribution are more important than an impressive number of features. According to the product specifications, the Sony WH-CH520 weighs 147 grams. This on-ear model is compact, but does not completely cover your ears. Over-ear headphones may offer more passive sound isolation, but are generally larger and heavier.
Also check:
Why it suits this profile: Lightweight on-ear headphones for music, podcasts and calls without extensive ANC features.
The product specifications mention a low weight, USB-C, a microphone and multipoint. Do check the stated battery life for your chosen colour variant.
147 grams, AAC/SBC codecs, Bluetooth and simultaneous connections to a phone and laptop.
Why it suits this profile: Over-ear headphones for users who value ANC, app controls and an included audio cable.
The specifications list ANC, multipoint and a cable. This means you can also listen without Bluetooth when the battery is empty.
Bluetooth 5.3, active noise cancellation, 24-hour battery life and a weight of 380 grams.
Why it suits this profile: Designed for Android users looking for compact wireless earbuds for sport, travelling and calls.
The IP57 rating and transparency mode are clearly stated. This means protection against dust and splashes, but it is not suitable for swimming.
ANC, six microphones, Bluetooth 6.1, wireless charging and up to 30 hours of total playback without ANC according to the product specifications.
Why it suits this profile: Foldable over-ear headphones for long journeys, working and everyday use.
Battery life is stated separately for ANC on and off. Fast charging and a foldable design are also described clearly.
Up to 60 hours without ANC, up to 40 hours with ANC, LDAC support and 5 minutes of charging for up to 8 hours of playback according to the product description.
We have put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety requirements.
Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone, switch on the headphones and activate pairing mode. Select the model name from the Bluetooth list. On some Sony models, Swift Pair and Fast Pair help establish a connection more quickly. If pairing does not work, charge the device, remove an old Bluetooth connection and try again.
Usage time per charge varies from a few hours for wireless earbuds to dozens of hours for an over-ear model. Overall lifespan depends on charging cycles, storage, moisture, temperature and daily use. A battery that cannot be replaced by the user may limit the practical lifespan over time.
Yes, active noise cancellation uses additional energy. That is why the stated battery life with ANC is often lower than without ANC. Also check whether an app, wireless charging function or high audio quality has an additional impact on power consumption. This way, you compare not only the purchase price, but also how often you need to recharge.