Whether you’re kicking back and listening to music, lost in a podcast or just need something to exercise to, there’s nothing like a great pair of Bluetooth earphones or headphones. Pair them up with your phone and you’re good to go. But with so many options out there, it’s hard to know which to pick.
That’s why we’ve selected 5 of the best with something for every type of listener – but which do you like the sound of?
For sporty types
Love to work out or go for a run? Powerbeats Pro from Beats let you listen to your fave playlist to get you moving. Their secure ear hooks mean they won’t fall out no matter how intense your workout and they’re completely adjustable - so you can easily find your perfect fit.
Whether you’re out for a run in the rain or you like to work up a sweat, they’re water-resistant and incredibly sturdy - so you can push yourself without worrying about them. They’re not only built to last, but the audio packs a punch too. And because they come packing Premium Bluetooth technology, the music won’t drop out either.
Battery’s super important for wireless earphones and there’s no worries there either. You get 9 hours of playback, plus an extra 24+ hours of power from the charging case. And even if you’re really in a hurry to get out on your run, you can charge them up in 5 minutes to give you another 90 minutes of power.
Lost on your run? Just say “Hey Siri” and you can ask for directions, request a playlist or even get a weather report. Super simple!
For gamers
While some people still like to take on one-player campaigns, online gaming has never been bigger. And whether you’re taking on your mates at Fortnite or building blocky worlds on Minecraft, playing online is as much about socialising remotely as it is the game. And for that you need proper gaming headset.
LOGITECH G733 LIGHTSPEED are a great pick. For starters, they’re wireless – so you won’t get into a tangle when you’re in the heat of battle. They’re also lightweight and comfy – great for that gaming marathon. They’ll go for 29 hours on one charge – so it’s only game over when you’re ready to put down your controller.
But they’ll actually make you a better gamer too. With virtual surround sound, you’ll hear people creeping up on you from behind. And the super clear mic and speakers will let you guide your team to glory!
For blocking out distractions
Modern life is noisy! Whether it’s commuter trains, busy traffic or background conversation, it’s great to have earbuds that can help block it out. Great if you want to get lost in a playlist, podcast or you’ve just got some work to do on your commute.
Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds not only give you noie cancelling tech but they even adapt to what’s going on around you. But you’ve also got full control too. So, if you’ve got noise-cancelling on but you don’t want to miss your station, it’s easy to adjust your earbuds (with a few taps) to let in as much or as little of the outside world as you want.
You’ll get up to 6 hours playback, and if you need a boost when you’re out and about simply pop them back in the charging case for 3 extra charges. And not only is the sound great, but you can also adjust the EQ by downloading Sony’s headphones app. So, you can change from a podcast to some classic hip hop and switch the sound profile to make everything you listen to sound its best.
And even if you’re trying to get stuff done at home, these earbuds can be super helpful. Because they’ve got Google Assistant, you can change music or even control your smart home just by asking!
For staying in touch
If you’ve been working or studying from home, you know how important it is to have a decent pair of headphones that let you talk clearly to people over Teams or Zoom.
BOSE Headphones 700 are perfect for that. With their comfortable fit, not only can you hear every word, but the microphone actually adapts to the noise levels going on around you – so you’ll always be heard. Even if the dog starts barking mid-call!
And because it’s BOSE, you know that the noise cancelling is going to be a big feature. That means you can take crystal clear calls when you need to but also block out the noise when you’ve got to get your head down and get those deadlines done.
And the BOSE app will let you play with EQ and bass, so you get everything sounding just the way you like it.
For kids
Whether it’s for school or downtime, tech savvy kids will usually have access to a tablet or phone – so it’s good that they have a pair of headphones made just for them. The JLAB AUDIO JBuddies are compact and foldable, so they can be neatly packed into their school bags and go with them anywhere.
They also come with an audio limiter, so you don’t have to worry about damaging their ears. They’re easy to control and hands-free – great if they like to catch up with their mates or do some online gaming.
And if you’re off for a day out, the JBuddies will give them 13 hours on one charge – perfect for long car trips too.
What’s your idea of headphones heaven? Found any brilliant buds you could recommend? Let us know below.