@Lino_kitsune) Updated 20/11/21 at 07:00 p.m. Share:
The success of true wireless headphones, which began with the arrival of Apple's AirPods in 2017, is no longer in doubt. These completely wireless Bluetooth headphones are now legion. Sporty, waterproof, with active noise reduction, in-ear, low price, high-end ...: you will find in this comparison all the models of true wireless headphones passed through our lab.
True wireless headphones are the latest big trend in the audio world. This new market born in 2016, now essential, attracts the big names in audio (Sony, JBL, Jabra, Apple, Samsung, Sennheiser…) as well as young shoots… and there is plenty. The promise of total freedom, wireless, the practicality and compactness of these little animals has won over many music lovers on the go. This young category continues to improve and evolve, so we see the arrival of new features such as active noise reduction or the integration of voice assistants, previously reserved for other products such as Bluetooth headphones. .
Note, however, that the optimization of a specific feature is often done to the detriment of others - a fact that is particularly true with true wireless headphones since the autonomy and completeness of the controls, the stability of the connection and the quality of the connection. sound reproduction are not always present. We therefore pay particular attention to these points in our tests, in addition to the other critical points (comfort, ease of use, etc.). Our comparison is there so you can find the model that best suits your needs and your budget.
The success of true wireless headphones, which began with the arrival of Apple's AirPods in 2017, is no longer in doubt. These completely wireless Bluetooth headphones are now legion. Sporty, waterproof, with active noise reduction, in-ear, low price, high-end ...: you will find in this comparison all the models of true wireless headphones passed through our lab.
True wireless headphones are the latest big trend in the audio world. This new market born in 2016, now essential, attracts the big names in audio (Sony, JBL, Jabra, Apple, Samsung, Sennheiser…) as well as young shoots… and there is plenty. The promise of total freedom, wireless, the practicality and compactness of these little animals has won over many music lovers on the go. This young category continues to improve and evolve, so we see the arrival of new features such as active noise reduction or the integration of voice assistants, previously reserved for other products such as Bluetooth headphones. .
Note, however, that the optimization of a specific feature is often done to the detriment of others - a fact that is particularly true with true wireless headphones since the autonomy and completeness of the controls, the stability of the connection and the quality of the connection. sound reproduction are not always present. We therefore pay particular attention to these points in our tests, in addition to the other critical points (comfort, ease of use, etc.). Our comparison is there so you can find the model that best suits your needs and your budget.
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Let yourself be guided by our experts
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What are “true wireless” headphones?
The so-called “true wireless” headphones are completely free of wired connection, both between the reading device (smartphone, laptop, etc.) and between the two headphones. They all rely on wireless communication via Bluetooth. After a few naming attempts when they were created in 2016 (wirefree, truly wireless, totally wireless, 100% wireless, etc.), the manufacturers agreed on the term “true wireless” (abbreviation TWS). This type of earphone is always accompanied by a transport case, also designed to charge the earphones.
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How are true wireless headphones tested at TechnologiesTips?
Like Bluetooth headsets, true wireless headphones undergo a full battery of acoustic tests: frequency response, harmonic distortion rate, square wave response, impulse response, isolation ... These measurements are the responsibility of Rick, our ear measuring dummy. silicone residing in our sound lab. The results allow us to support our analytical listening carried out beforehand in multiple situations. Autonomy, connection stability, comfort and everything related to the ergonomics of the product are judged in the field, in different contexts depending on the functionalities and promises of the products.
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What are the different true wireless earpiece formats on the market?
Just like wired and Bluetooth headphones, there are three different large formats for true wireless headphones: the “button” earphone, the semi-in-ear earphone and the in-ear earphone. The first is the least insulating and also the one which tends to be the most universal in terms of comfort since it nestles in the hollow of the pinna of the ear, without obstructing the entrance to the ear canal - even if the maintenance is not always optimal. Conversely, the in-ear speaker is inserted into the entrance to the ear canal in order to provide real passive isolation as well as better audio performance, especially at lower frequencies. The comfort provided by this format is on the other hand much less universal, although several tips of different sizes are very often provided. The semi-in-ear format, rarely chosen by manufacturers, falls between the two.
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How can I be sure that the true wireless model I have chosen will be comfortable for me?
The test that we carry out in this area is very subjective: like any human, the writer has his own morphology. Obviously, as soon as we have the opportunity, we compare our experience with that of other people to give you as much information as possible and help you make the right choice. Redhibitory faults can appear, binding for all. Conversely, the multiplicity of tips, their shape and their material will indicate a much greater probability of compatibility with your ear.
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Does the completely wireless aspect of true wireless pose problems of latency or stability of connection?
By their very essence, true wireless headphones rely exclusively on wireless communication and are therefore totally dependent on it. It therefore happens that there is a significant latency in the communication between the headphones and the reading device, as with any Bluetooth headset. The delay time depends on the velocity of the integrated electronics, on the version and codec used, or on the topology of the Bluetooth connection (direct connection to the two earphones, or relay from one earphone to the other). Whatever the manufacturer promises, only a field check can tell exactly what is going on. Our analysis published in our tests is the result of several field tests as well as an impulse response measurement carried out in our sound lab.
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What level of sound insulation can be expected from true wireless?
As we explained above, not all true wireless adopt the same format. “Button” type headphones, like Apple's famous AirPods, isolate very little from surrounding noise. In-ear devices tend to provide the most passive isolation and can cut the user off from almost all of their sound environment. This can be an advantage (in transport or to concentrate in an open-plan space), but also a dangerous disadvantage; therefore gauge according to the use that you will make of it, and remain vigilant in all circumstances.
And then there is the case of active noise canceling headphones, which use a few sleight of hand technology to isolate the user even more strongly from noise disturbances - with very variable efficiency depending on the model. The advantage? Better sound immersion of course, but also the fact that we are then less inclined to increase the volume of our music; a listening habit that is more respectful of our eardrums. Most of these models also offer a "transparency" mode, conversely amplifying external sounds and allowing the user to reconnect in an instant to his environment.
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Are true wireless up to the task in terms of autonomy?
Since their introduction to the audio world in 2016, these little beasts have made notable progress when it comes to battery life. The first models hardly exceeded 4 hours of autonomy per charge. This is now the minimum observed, most products now offer 5 to 6 hours of autonomy per charge, some exceeding 10 hours. The transport cases are also used to recharge the headphones after use. In general, these allow you to fully recharge the battery of the headphones 2 to 4 times. We compare the data provided by the manufacturer and systematically indicate the autonomy per charge and the number of recharges of the box observed during our test period.
