Best Budget Wireless Headphones
You don't have to spend an arm and a leg on headphones. The most recent models provide incredible sound, features, and ease of use at a lower cost.
These on-ear headphones are wireless and have a long battery life. They also have controls to control the playback of music, changing songs, and enabling your smart assistant. They also support Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Low Latency, which allows high-definition audio streaming.
1. Sennheiser HD 450BT
You'd expect a high-quality performance from a pair of headphones sporting a Sennheiser label on the box. The 450BT delivers on the promise, with superb noise cancellation and a variety of features you'd normally see on more expensive models. They support the aptX low Latency codec, offer battery life that easily outlasts even the longest flights and offer a comfortable fit.
The earcups are padded and cushioned to provide the most comfortable experience and they fold flat to make it easy to carry inside the case included. The controls are on the right earcup, and they include one button that allows you to activate the voice assistant on your phone or tablet. The button can be used to control the music playback, including pausing, skipping and rewinding. The battery of the 450BT provides 30 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation enabled. The audio quality is excellent and the Smart Control app allows you to adjust the sound according to your preferences.
The headphones have a well-balanced tone that makes them suitable for most musical styles. The bass frequencies are crisp but not so intense that they overpower the low-end. The treble frequencies are also very sparkling. They are also very responsive to dynamic changes which gives you a clear sensation of space and a sense of airiness. They're a pleasure to listen to for anything from the piano keys in Frahm's classical music to the pulsing bass beat of Kendrick Lamar's Alright.
The 450BT is an excellent model, but it's still in competition with models that are cheaper. Anker Soundcore NC and Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 both provide excellent alternatives in this category. If you are able to extend your budget by $200 and 450BT, then it's an excellent value.
The HD 450BT headphones are well worth the extra cost because of their outstanding noise cancellation, long-lasting battery, and fashionable design. They're a great choice for the majority of music lovers however, those looking for more transparency and higher-quality Bluetooth codec support may prefer more premium options like the Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bose QC35 II.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
If you're looking for an excellent pair of headphones at an even better price point then the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is a solid alternative. The Bluetooth version of the renowned M-series headphones adds wireless connectivity to the headphones for only S$40 more. These headphones are made to be used for recording, mixing and everyday listening. The design is minimalist and refined, with a matte black finish that is more attractive than the cheap plastic or faux silver options on many other budget headphones. They're also comfortable, although their fit isn't perfect and is dependent on the size of your head.
The ATH-20xBT delivers a high-quality audio quality that's comparable to the top-of-the-line over-ear headphones, thanks to its 40mm drivers and copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils. They're also constructed to last, with a rugged metal construction. They can be folded into a compact case, which makes it easy to store. The earcups cannot be rotated, which may be a problem for certain users.
The battery life is excellent, lasting up to 60 hours on one charge. They are simple to pair and also support multipoint pairing, so you can listen simultaneously to two sources. They also have low-latency mode for video streaming, which means you can stay in sync with what's happening on screen.
The M-series headphones aren't perfect, but they do not support ANC or apps, are a great choice for anyone who is looking to purchase their first Bluetooth headphones at a reasonable cost. The M-series headphones provide excellent audio quality at this price point and their absence of ANC and app control doesn't detract from the overall value.
If you're looking to buy a budget pair of Bluetooth headphones that still provide high-quality music, the ATH-20xBT might be worth a look. It's not as good as the M50xBT2 which is more expensive, but it is able to compete with other headphones at this price point.
3. Tranya T20
Tranya, a brand-new audio company, is known for its high-end wireless headphones. The T20 is the brand's latest pair of wireless earbuds that are truly wireless and they look stunning and fit well. They also sound great especially when you get them for a great price. The T20 features are comparable to Apple's 2nd generation Airpods at less than half the price.
The earbuds from Tranya offer a wide range of tips that will assist you in finding the perfect fit to your ear canal regardless of the shape it has. They also come with dual EQ settings that allow for a wide range of flexibility: the normal mode sounds balanced and warm, perfect for classical music, podcasts or jazz, whereas the bass Boost mode is great for EDM and hip-hop. If you're a fan of gaming, the T20s come with the low-latency mode, which ensures smooth, non-lag transmission, ensuring that your audio and video feeds are synchronized properly.
For phone calls, the Tranya T20's 4-microphone and noise filtering system do great job of separating your voice from background noise. You can also use them hands-free with your smartphone while driving or walking. They're also IPX7 rated which means they can be used in the shower or while swimming.
The T20's dynamic drivers measuring 6mm with graphene coating are not the biggest in their class, but they offer plenty of sound projection to create an expansive audio stage. The soundstage is clean and feels like an extension of your experience, with vocals and higher instruments sounding clear and spacious. The Bass Boost setting is bassy but doesn't overwhelm the higher frequencies, like vocal trance.
The earbuds can be recharged with a portable charger that can hold up to five charges. It's easy to determine when it's time to recharge by using a a LED indicator which flashes blue and red when the battery is low. You can also connect the earbuds to your laptop or computer to stream audio and share content with friends. And if you're traveling the earbuds work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control your apps and smart home devices with your voice.
4. 1More Soundcore Life Q20
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a pair of budget-friendly wireless headphones that provide an outstanding value for the price. They are an excellent choice when you're looking for an over-ear wireless headphones that are lightweight, comfortable, and have excellent noise cancellation. They may not offer the same quality of sound as the top models like the Sennheiser PXC 550 II or Bose QuietComfort 45 but their prices and features make them an appealing option for those looking to save money without sacrificing performance.
These headphones don't offer the same level of advanced features, like noise cancellation, which can be adjusted or a monitor setting to bring outside sound when listening to music in public. However, they provide excellent audio clarity and a good level of noise cancellation. Plus the 40mm driver has enough power to pump out full-bodied, detailed music. They also feature Bluetooth with low latency, making it possible to make video and voice calls.
If over the ear headphones wireless have an ANC setting on the Life Q20 can block out around 70 percent of the ambient noise, so you can concentrate on your music and shut out the world. However, when ANC is turned off, the headphones don't perform as well of neutralizing sound, and they can be distracting in noisy environments. The headband can also be tight and cause unnecessary pressure to your skull over time.
Once paired with your device, using the headphones is easy due to their simple control scheme. There are no gesture controls or apps, but clearly identified physical buttons on the bottoms of the ear cups. If you have the Soundcore app installed, you can adjust the audio settings.
In addition to the headphones themselves in addition to the headphones themselves, the Soundcore Life Q20 comes with a hard travel case and an USB-A cable to TRS for wired listening. The case is a nice addition that shows 1More is determined to make these the best choice for traveling and comes with pockets to store different cords, as well as risers to ensure that the headphones stay at the right height when wearing them.