Best high-end Bluetooth wireless headphones money can buy in 2020
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Can you imagine a world without earphones? We know we can, but it doesn’t sound like a planet we want to live on – having to listen to dubstep-reggae-metal or whatever blasting from the loudspeaker of someone else’s phone would be a bummer. Of course, the convenience to listen to anything in private is not all there is to love about earphones. Today’s models are comfy, portable, and sound pretty darn good, especially if you invest in a high-quality set of cans.
John C. Koss is one of the many people we have to thank for the advancement of headphones. In 1958, this fine gentleman gave the world the first stereophones, as they were called. They weren't the first headphones ever made, but they were the first set of mass-market headphones made for music listening capable of producing stereo sound of good quality – quite an innovation for a time when if you used a pair, you were most likely a telephone or radio operator.
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The headphones we're focusing on today, however, are a bit different from the stereophones of Mr. Koss. We've put together a list of the best Bluetooth headphones – the models with the best sound, best battery life, best design, and best features money can buy right now. Check them out and let us know which one suits your preferences best!
Best high-end wireless headphones, a summarized list:
- Jabra Elite 85H
- Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 3rd gen
- Sony WH-1000XM4
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
- Master & Dynamic MW65
- Shure AONIC 50
- Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3
- Bowers & Wilkins PX7
- Apple AirPods Max
- Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless
Jabra Elite 85H
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds inward |
| Weight | 10.4 oz (295 grams) |
| Battery life | 36 hours (with ANC on) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, no aptX |
Some might think that this pair doesn't deserve to be here since compared to others on this list it's straight up cheap. However, Jabra has managed to squeeze plenty of audio prowess into its Elite 85H and make them worth considering if you're looking for great sound quality without spending half a grand.
Of course, the Jabra Elite 85H comes with a few sacrifices compared to the competition around here. The design is rather dull and there aren't any fancy materials used, so if you're looking for a pair that compliments your dress to impress outfit, that's not it.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 3rd gen
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds flat |
| Weight | 10.0 oz (285 grams) |
| Battery life | 25 hours (with ANC on) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.2, no aptX |
As most other audio products by the well-known brand, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 stands out with its modern design and classy appearance. This set of earphones uses soft lambskin for the earcups and cowhide leather for the headband, while the sturdy mechanisms are made of metal. Touch controls let you change to volume or skip songs, and placing your whole palm over them enables Transparency Mode which turns off the active noise cancellation and lets ambient sound through.
The third generation comes with improved battery life and a dedicated Google Assistant button, but unfortunately still no Bluetooth 5.0. Despite that, if you have the money to splurge on these, you won't be disappointed.
Sony WH1000XM4
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds flat or inward |
| Weight | 9.0 oz (255 grams) |
| Battery life | 30 hours (with ANC on) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and LDAC; NFC pairing |
Sony's new high-end earphones are more of an upgrade of the previous genration. The design remains the same and so do most of the features, but there are some notable changes. The Bluetooth connectivity is now 5.0, the active noise cancelling is improved beyond what it already was, which is awesome, and you can now pair them to two devices for easier switching between your laptop and phone, for example. The sound is, of course, also top notch and battery life remains the same, but it was already very good anyway. Owners of the XM3 shouldn't consider these but for everyone else, these Sonys are definitely worth considering.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds inward |
| Weight | 8.8 oz (250 grams) |
| Battery life | 20 hours (with ANC on) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, no aptX; NFC pairing |
If great active noise cancellation is what you're looking for in a pair of headphones, the Bose NC Headphones 700 is another option worth exploring. This pair is meant to directly compete with the Sony WH-1000XM3, but it looks better and is made out of more premium materials. Active noise cancelling is pretty much on par with the Sonys, which is quite a compliment in itself. The 700s come with support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa and touch controls this time around.
The 20-hour battery life is slightly disappointing for over-the-ear headphones but unless you travel across the world on a regular basis, it shouldn't be a problem.
Master & Dynamic MW65
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds flat or inward |
| Weight | 8.6 oz (245 grams) |
| Battery life | 24 hours (with ANC on) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX |
The message these headphones send is pretty obvious: "I have a lot of money and I'm not afraid to spend it." But we must admit that the Master & Dynamic MW65 look outstanding, made using ample amounts of leather and metal. They're a big improvement over the MW60s, adding 8 more hours of battery life and active noise cancellation, making the premium price much more justifiable. A lot of the weight has been shed as well, improving comfort during prolonged use.
Shure AONIC 50
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds flat |
| Weight | 11.7 oz (331 grams) |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX |
Shure also have their contender in the high-end wireless headphones space, as you might expect from a known brand like it. Unlike some other models around, however, the AONIC 50 don't have active noise cancelling but rely solely on the passive one provided by the cups. They are quite bulky and have a generous padding, so you should get a good amount of noise reduction anyway. They still have "Environmental mode", however, so you can safely wear them outside without being too separated from your surroundings. The sound of the AONIC 50 is excellent and you can enjoy it for up to 20 hours on one charge, which is okay but not amazing for over-the-ear headphones.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds inward |
| Weight | 10.7 oz (303 grams) |
| Battery life | 17 hours (with ANC on) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX |
Another pair of headphones with design that makes a statement. The Momentum 3 Wireless look good and sound even better. Sennheiser has packed them with the best tech it has available and the result is a pair of banging cans. Unfortunately, the minimalist design comes with a sacrifice: battery life. With barely 17 hours of playback time with ANC on, this pair lasts almost half the time other headphones do. If sound is what matters most to you, however, these are some of the best-sounding wireless headphones out there right now.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, folds flat |
| Weight | 10.7 oz (304 grams) |
| Battery life | 30 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX |
If there's & in the name, you know it's something high-end. Jokes aside, the PX7 are a worthy member of the premium wireless headphones club. The elegant design surrounds your ears without adding too much bulk but still provide enough soft padding for comfortable wear. The has adaptive noise cancelling that B&W says will give you the best experience depending on your surroundings. The PX7 have large, 43mm drivers, so you can expect nice and full sound spanning across the range. You can pair them to two devices at the same time for easy switching, which the headphones will even do automatically, if you get a call while watching a movie on your laptop, for example.
Apple AirPods Max
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, fold flat |
| Weight | 13.6 oz (384.8 grams) |
| Battery life | 20 hours (with ANC) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, no aptX |
The AirPods Max might not be out for sale just yet, but one thing is clear, they're high-end. If you're deep within the Apple ecosystem and have an iPhone, an iPad and a MacBook, the AirPods Max will seamlessly switch between the three. The design is extremely Apple-esque and if the amount of talk that's already surrounding them is any indication, it's safe to say that people on the streets will recognize that you're wearing a $550 pair of headphones. For better or worse. Of course, for that price, they have active noise cancelling, and given how well it worked on the AirPods Pro, we expect the AirPods Max to deliver an even better noise-cancelling experience. At that price point, the expectations for the sound quality are also extremely high, but we'll have to wait until we have them for further comments.
Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless
| Design | Around the ear, closed back, don't fold |
| Weight | 13.4 oz (380 grams) |
| Battery life | 30+ hours (no ANC) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX |
With the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless, we're reaching peak audio quality. This pair is for those that put sound quality above all and want to get the best no matter the price. Going beyond the superior sound, however, those are an odd pair of wireless headphones. The build quality is excellent but it seems they aren't meant to be used outside much. First, they're very bulky, second, the carrying case is enormous because they don't fold and third, they don't have active noise cancelling. They are, however, perfect for enjoying your favorite music all around your house without worrying about disturbing the neighbors or other members of your household. The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless are the true audiophile Bluetooth headphones.
Source: Phonearena
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