Democratized by the Apple AirPods, the best true wireless Bluetooth headphones are finding more and more pairs of ears in 2022. To the point that the offer becomes almost unreadable as the models multiply. On the one hand, smartphone manufacturers offer almost all their wireless headphones to accompany their latest innovations. On the other hand, audio specialists rely on their expertise in the field to win their share of the cake.
So it’s hard to see clearly. To help you choose the best Bluetooth headphones 2022 , we have concocted a complete comparison. Indeed, the sound quality is not the only important point when buying wireless headphones. Autonomy, comfort, maintenance or compatibility with your devices are all elements to take into account before buying.
1- AirPods Pro
The best 2022 bluetooth headphones on the market… if you have an iPhone
Do we still have to present the AirPods Pro? Apple headphones have quickly established themselves as the best true wireless Bluetooth headphones on the market. With the first AirPods, Apple even started the trend. It continues it with the recent release of the AirPods Max, a premium wireless headset from the same manufacturer.
If they do not impose themselves as the ultimate reference in terms of audio quality, the AirPods Pro remain very good, not to say excellent. Apple has chosen to provide the same rendering to all its users, so you won’t be able to really personalize listening using an equalizer. Nevertheless, the sound delivered is of high quality with good bass and excellent midrange (voice).
The AirPods Pro differ above all from their competitors by their very good active noise reduction and a transparency mode far above the competition, complementing passive isolation due to the in-ear format of the headphones. Apple succeeds in passing to remove the cork effect by integrating welcome air outlets. Results ? By switching from noise canceling mode to transparency mode, you will never need to remove these headphones from your ears, the comfort of which helps to make them completely forgotten.
That said, if you don’t like the silicone tips, we advise you to opt for the AirPods 3 instead (ranked #2 in this comparison of the best wireless headphones).
Finally, note that the AirPods Pro offer the best experience for any iPhone, iPad or Mac user. Pairing takes a handful of seconds and integration into the Apple ecosystem is simply exemplary. An excellent choice therefore for users of Apple products, but not for others since the functionalities will be limited.
2- AirPods 3
Best bluetooth headphones 2022 with open design
If you are one of those allergic to in-ear headphones, the AirPods 3 stand out as better Bluetooth headphones than the AirPods Pro. More affordable (199 euros), they differ from the previous generation by their more AirPods Pro design, their increased sound quality and their case with wireless charging.
We therefore find a design with a small stem – which has now become a standard. Here, the sound quality is a little worse than with the Pro version, which is quite logical since the AirPods 3 have neither passive isolation (due to their format) nor active noise reduction. If the audio quality really matters very little, we invite you to also check out the AirPods 2 still on sale, a little cheaper.
The AirPods 3 deliver a fairly consensual sound , without artifice, but which remains at the height of a product at this price thanks to physically larger drivers. Its main asset lies in the quality of the conversations and the good transcription of the voices. Perfect for listening to podcasts, a little less for music. If you plan on making a lot of calls, these Bluetooth headphones will be nicer than the AirPods Pro.
You guessed it, the AirPods 3 enjoy the same integration into the Apple ecosystem. That said, they are also compatible with Android devices (and more generally all Bluetooth-enabled ones). Hence its position as number 2 in this comparison of the best wireless headphones.
3- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
The best bluetooth headphones 2022 for audio quality
If you are looking for a good compromise between top audio quality and full integration into the Android ecosystem, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 are the best Bluetooth headphones for you. These True Wireless earphones are praised for their sound reproduction quality, especially thanks to their deep and powerful bass. They are obviously equipped with active noise reduction like the best Bluetooth headphones from Apple.
Unlike their competitors, however, they have full touch controls on the sides. Of course, the rest is subjective, but many users find them more comfortable than Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro. They come with a case that charges wirelessly – at no extra charge. Thanks to their larger design, they allow repairs – including changing the battery. Which is a real plus on the AirPods which are disposable, whatever the model.
They also have a few hiccups – which nevertheless have relatively little impact. Not everyone is a big fan of treble and midrange reproduction. Users also report some bluetooth instabilities with some smartphones. The “Transparency” mode which “cancels” the presence of the headphones on your ears can seem a little artificial and unpleasant. Finally, capturing the voice requires a relatively quiet environment.
4- Huawei Freebuds Pro
The best bluetooth headphones 2022 to make you forget the AirPods Pro
After several encouraging attempts, Huawei seems to have found the right recipe to produce among the best bluetooth headphones of 2022. With the Freebuds Pro, the Chinese giant easily rivals Apple’s AirPods Pro. It even allows itself to surpass the American in terms of audio quality.
Huawei’s Freebuds Pro also adopt an in-ear format with active noise reduction. If the insulation equals that of Apple headphones, the sound quality is much better . The bass is more present, the mids just as good and the highs well calibrated.
If the use with the Huawei ecosystem is more ergonomic, the Freebuds Pro also work with any Android and iOS smartphone. This of course applies to tablets and PCs.
Huawei differs above all in its price positioning. The Freebuds Pro are available at 180 euros , which is 100 euros less than the AirPods Pro. They also come in three colors: white, black and silver (our favorite). In short, a product that fully deserves its position on the podium of the best wireless headphones this year.
5- Sony WF-1000XM4
The best bluetooth headphones 2022 for noise canceling quality
While its WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones are the new benchmark, the WF-1000XM4 wireless headphones are among the best 2022 true wireless bluetooth headphones when it comes to audio quality.
Unlike Apple or Huawei, Sony is here for sound lovers. The expertise of the Japanese in this area is no longer to be proven, so the WF-1000XM4 leave great freedom to users.
The headphones’ companion app allows for advanced sound customization with multiple listening profiles and a full EQ. Everyone can therefore configure their headphones as they wish for optimal audio quality.
On the other hand, the WF-1000XM4 are not as comfortable to wear (imposing) even if Sony has considerably reduced their format. They make up for it with a very good autonomy as well as a multitude of touch controls directly accessible on the headphones.
Finally, the Sony WF-1000XM4 have improved noise reduction, a weak point of the previous generation. The gold standard in consumer wireless headphones. For now.
6- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
The best bluetooth headphones 2022 to forget the classic AirPods
A benchmark in the audio world, Sennheiser also offers its wireless headphones. With the Momentum True Wireless 2, the manufacturer is focusing on what it knows best: sound. They unquestionably stand out as the best bluetooth earphones 2022 in terms of audio quality. The deep bass complements disconcertingly accurate mids as well as treble with small onions.
Add to that careful manufacturing (special mention to the fabric case), excellent support and a set of controls on the headphones, all customizable.
The Momentum True Wireless 2, on the other hand, fail with their barely perceptible active noise reduction, their autonomy well below the competitors or even the absence of a multi-point connection.
Finally, the Momentum True Wireless 2 have a fairly high price of 299 euros all the same. The price of premium sound. Too bad you have to compromise.
7- Sennheiser CX Plus
The best bluetooth headphones 2022 for value for money
The True Wireless Sennheiser CX Plus headphones deliver up to 24 hours of music playback thanks to their charging case. The sound quality is there, since in addition to technologies such as the AAC, aptX Adaptive and SBC codecs which make it possible to go beyond the limited bandwidth of the bluetooth protocol (including in its most recent revisions) .
On top of that, Sennheiser offers a furiously attractive design and pleasant ergonomics that fit well in the ear while delivering exceptional comfort. Four sizes of ear tips (included) allow you to fit as close as possible to your ear canal – to enhance passive noise reduction. Added to this is excellent active noise reduction to find calm even in the noisiest places.
Bass lovers will be delighted. A special setting can very easily raise the lower part of the spectrum to deliver a more enveloping sensation.
8- Sony WF-XB700
The best cheap bluetooth headphones 2022
We know more about Sony headphones and earphones at the top of the range, with references such as the excellent WH-1000XM4 headphones, to name but one. Yet Sony has something for all prices, starting with the entry level. The headphones do the job without the slightest artifice – these are headphones that deliver a total autonomy of 18 hours (with case).
They offer a slightly marked sound reproduction in the bass (which is classic in this price range). Ideal for jogging or working out, the earbuds are IPX4 certified – meaning they can withstand rain and splashes with ease. They connect via bluetooth 5.0, which means a bit less power consumption than with earlier revisions.
But also a lower speed than the latest variants, which is however of relatively little importance given that we cannot really speak of HiFi headphones. Note that at this price, obviously, these true wireless do not offer active noise reduction. The fact that they are intras nevertheless isolates you from most of the ambient noise.
Conclusion: how to choose the best bluetooth headphones in 2022
All the models in this comparison deserve the qualifier of the best Bluetooth headphones 2022. But then how to choose? The first aspect to consider is the brand of devices you already own. The AirPods, for example, are a real treat for iPhone owners. After pairing (simplified) everything works without having to think about it. You put them in your ears and start reading, whether on your watch, your smartphone or your computer.
The AirPods Pro in particular have truly impressive active noise reduction – the effectiveness of which is enhanced by their in-ear design. Design that’s never a problem even when you want to stop feeling in your bubble. Indeed, without removing the earphones, it is possible to activate the Transparency mode with one press, which makes the earphones “disappear”. You hear everything around you as if you weren’t wearing them.
The quality of the standard AirPods, and their autonomy can leave a little to be desired. But if you really want to take it up a notch in quality and functionality, the AirPods Pro are definitely for you. They are compatible with Hey Siri, have really impressive active noise reduction, and a transparency mode without any equivalent on the market. Of course they can work when paired with an Android smartphone.
But their daily use is much more tedious, especially since there are more advantageous alternatives depending on the brand of your smartphone. For example, if like a large number of Android users you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you are entitled to almost the same user experience in the event that you transfer your choice to Galaxy Buds 2 for example. They are excellent and a little more repairable (at least guides exist to change their battery without destroying them, unlike AirPods).
Moreover, ease of use is not everything. Other models in this selection do much better in terms of audio quality. While being capricious on the pairing side. This is why we can advise you both to buy certain references such as AirPods and Galaxy Buds with your eyes closed, while also advising you to go, as much as possible, to test competing products in stores before stopping. totally your choice.
Our complete comparison of the best bluetooth headphones 2022 ends here. Obviously, we were not able to compare all the products on the market as there are so many. If you particularly liked a product not listed in this guide, please let us know in the comments.