Does Bluetooth Audio Still Suck?

We keep getting a lot of emails with a lot of questions. But one that has been more frequent is regarding Bluetooth audio. 

Discover the best headphones in 2020.

The truth is that there was indeed a time when Bluetooth audio was simply terrible. No matter if you were using speakers or headphones, Bluetooth wasn’t really designed for high-quality audio. However, everything evolves and this is what happened with Bluetooth audio as well. 

Why Bluetooth Audio Used To Suck

The main problem related to Bluetooth audio has always been the same: the need for digital compression which ends up leading to a sacrifice in the quality. 

If you have an older pair of headphones or you are still using an older version of Bluetooth, you may still be experiencing a noisy, buzzy, and even robotic sound. While this shouldn’t be a problem if you are listening to podcasts or audiobooks, for example, in what comes to music it is terrible. 

While this has always been the main problem, there are others that may affect the Bluetooth audio. In case you usually wear your headphones at home, the act that Bluetooth uses the same wireless frequency as other things you have such as microwaves, Wi-Fi signals, wireless keyboards or mice, then these can also affect the quality of your headphones. Notice that in this case, you won’t notice the difference in the sound itself may you may experience audio drops and other quirks. 

This is how you should choose the best Bluetooth headphones.

Bluetooth Has Come A Long Way But You Still Need To Be Careful

There’s no question that the Bluetooth technology has evolved and improved. Bluetooth standards have improved significantly since the days of Bluetooth 1.1 and 2.0 (which is when Bluetooth headsets and headphones really hit the market), and today’s Bluetooth 3.0 and 4.0 devices are built with more attention to stereo audio in mind.

When you are looking for the best Bluetooth headphones, you should then look for the ones that support aptX or ones that support A2DP. 

While we are sure that Bluetooth headphones aren’t still as good as wired headphones, the truth is that they may be what you are looking for when you want:

Take a look at the best wireless Bluetooth headphones reviewed.

#1: Portability:

When you are looking for headphones that you can carry with you along the day, then you can’t even consider wired headphones. 

#2: When You Don’t Have A Lot Of Expectations:

While you may like to enjoy the sound of your favorite songs and artists, the truth is that we are not all audiophiles who need the best quality all the time. As long as you are aware of the Bluetooth limitations, you should be fine with Bluetooth headphones. 

#3: When You Need To Wear Headphones In Noisy Environments:

When you work in a loud, noisy environment, or even at an office, then Bluetooth headphones may also be a great option for you. The reality is that you don’t need as much quality when you are focused on more important matters. 

Check out the best magnetic Bluetooth headphones.

#4: When You’re Listening To Poor Audio:

When you are listening to poor audio, the Bluetooth headphones won’t make much of a difference. Notice that we’re not advocates of anything that might make your music sound worse, but if you can’t tell the difference and you want the convenience that Bluetooth offers, there’s no reason to shy away from it (aside from price, of course). Still, even if you don’t care about fidelity, this underscores the importance of getting the highest-quality streams and rips you can, so the effects of audio compression are as small as possible overall.