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Looking for a pair of Bluetooth headphones with a long-lasting battery? You’ve come to the right place. Our article on 8 best Bluetooth headphones with long battery life in 2021 will help you find the right headphones and save you some time (and maybe money) in the process. Even if you don’t find the headphones you like or can afford, you will learn a few things about headphone batteries, different factors affecting battery life, and you will learn what to pay attention to when searching for Bluetooth headphones with long battery life.
Before we present our selection to you, let’s discuss the most important factors that affect battery life and see what’s the average and max battery life you can get from a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Table of Contents
- Factors Affecting the Battery Life
- Best Bluetooth Headphones with Long Battery Life – Comparison Table
- What’s the Average/Max Playtime for a pair of Bluetooth Headphones?
- Best Bluetooth Headphones with Long Battery Life In 2022
- 1. DALI IO-4
- 2. Beats Solo3
- 3. TaoTronics TT-BH22
- 4. Bowers & Wilkins PX7
- 5. Sony WH-XB900N
- 6. JBL Live 500BT
- 7. Bluedio T2s
- 8. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT
- Things to Look for When Buying Bluetooth Headphones
- Battery (Continuous playtime, fast charge, auto-off, recharge time, Bluetooth version, etc.)
- Design, build quality, and comfort
- Controls
- Bluetooth connection (version, range, NFC, reliability, etc.)
- Additional features (ANC and other smart features)
- Sound quality (supported Bluetooth audio codecs, driver size and type, frequency response)
- Price
Factors Affecting the Battery Life
There are a few important factors that need to be mentioned when it comes to battery life. Three things are crucial – volume level, Bluetooth version, and some additional features (primarily ANC).
Volume Level
Volume level is, probably, the most important thing. Those advertised playtimes you can find in specs lists are usually measured at 50% (unless the manufacturer says otherwise). To be accurate, there’s no industry standard that defines the conditions under which the playtime is measured, but most manufacturers do the measuring at 50% volume.
Related : 8 Best Wireless Earbuds with Long Battery Life In 2021
The advertised playtime varies with the volume level. For example, if the advertised battery life (at 50% volume) is, let’s say, 20 hours, you will get significantly less at full volume (sometimes, less than 4 hours). So, the volume has a great influence on battery life and you have to be aware of that. Sometimes, people complain about the battery life because they don’t understand the correlation between the volume and battery life and they simply expect to get the advertised playtime at all volume levels (which is absolutely impossible).
Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth version does not affect the playtime as much as the volume level but it’s still quite important.
Bluetooth 4.0 and later versions (4.1, 4.2, and 5.0) support Low Energy Protocol (Bluetooth LE or BLE) which significantly reduces the power consumption and, consequently, prolongs the playtime.
If you can choose, it’s better to go for the latest Bluetooth version but going for Bluetooth 4.2 instead of Bluetooth 5.0 is not a big issue. However, the difference in battery life between headphones featuring Bluetooth 2.1 or Bluetooth 3.0 and headphones featuring Bluetooth 4.2 can be quite significant (even if both headphone models have the same battery capacity). So, the easiest and safest way is to choose the headphones with the latest Bluetooth version.
Additional Features (ANC)
Active Noise Canceling can have a big effect on playtime. The difference between playtimes with the ANC engaged and without the ANC, measured at the same volume levels, can be pretty big. The majority of manufacturers (at least those reputable and honest ones) will advertise the playtimes at 50% volume and with the ANC engaged. However, not all the manufacturers are honest and some generic brands will put anything on their boxes, just to sell their headphones.
Best Bluetooth Headphones with Long Battery Life – Comparison Table
| Bluetooth Headphones with Long Battery Life | Rating | Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| DALI IO-4 | 5.0 | Check Amazon | Read Review |
| Beats Solo3 | 4.4 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
| TaoTronics TT-BH22 | 4.3 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 | 4.4 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
| Sony WH-XB900N | 4.6 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
| JBL Live 500BT | 4.4 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
| Bluedio T2s | 3.9 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT | 4.4 | Check Amazon Check Walmart | Read Review |
What’s the Average/Max Playtime for a pair of Bluetooth Headphones?
Practically all the over-ear and on-ear Bluetooth headphones can deliver at least 10 hours of playtime per one charge (50% vol). The majority of Bluetooth headphones will deliver 15-20 hours but that’s not the maximum. In some cases, you will get more than 20 or 30 hours, or even more than 40 hours per one charge. The most capable headphones can deliver up to 60 hours. The batteries are getting smaller but more capable every day and, soon, we will have headphones with much longer playtimes.
Now that we’ve covered all the basic topics, we can move onto the more interesting part.
Here’s our selection of 8 best Bluetooth headphones with long battery life in 2021.
Best Bluetooth Headphones with Long Battery Life In 2022
1. DALI IO-4
Continuous playtime: up to 60h
Recharge time: 2-3h
IO-4 is, along with IO-6, the first pair of headphones made by this famous Danish speaker manufacturer. DALI IO-4 headphones are our absolute favorite when it comes to battery life. Besides the battery life, there are many other things to like about them including the design, comfort, versatility, ease of use, and sound quality. The biggest downside is their price.
What’s in the box?
Inside a simple but nice-looking box, you will find your DALI IO-4 headphones, USB-C charging/audio cable, 3.5mm audio cable, carrying pouch, user manual, and 1-year warranty. Surprisingly, IO-4 headphones don’t come with a hard-shell case.
Things we like
IO-4 headphones, like any other DALI product, look very attractive and premium. There are two available versions – iron black and caramel white.
The headphones feel solid and tough. The manufacturer designed them with real everyday use in mind and made them quite durable. The earpads are easily replaceable and, if they get worn out, you can buy the spare pads from the manufacturer.
The comfort is above average. They are maybe a bit heavier (320g) but the weight is perfectly distributed and there’re no obvious pressure points. The cups can rotate 90°. The earpads are nice and thick. The headband padding is not very rich but it’s satisfying and doesn’t cause any discomfort.
The control/input scheme is simple and intuitive. All the controls and inputs, except for the AUX input, are located on the right cup. On the faceplate of the right cup, there’s a DALI logo that doubles as a play/pause/call button. Above and below the logo, there are volume buttons. Along the rim of the right cup, you will see the power button, USB-C charging/connection port, and battery status indicators.
One of the biggest highlights is the battery life. IO-4 headphones have a huge 1,100mAh battery and can deliver up to 60 hours of continuous playback. Thanks to the USB-C connection, the battery can be fully recharged in 2-3 hours.
Connection versatility is also amazing. First of all, there’s Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC, aptX, and aptX HD support. The range extends beyond 50ft (in real-life conditions) and the connection is perfectly stable. Besides the Bluetooth, you can use 2 types of wired connection – AUX and USB-C.
IO-4 headphones have a very good built-in mic. Mic performance is above-average and it’s very good for everyday use.
DALI IO-4 headphones deliver balanced sound. If you’re are into bass-heavy music, you may not be amazed. If you, on the other hand, prefer the type of sound that’s closer to audiophile standards, with nice and punchy bass, clear treble, and detailed midrange, you are going to love them.
Things we don’t like
The biggest downside is the price. At $400 price tag, the expectations are pretty high and, in many ways, IO-4 headphones meet or exceed those expectations (battery, sound quality, versatility).
However, there are a few things we didn’t like. First of all, the packaging doesn’t include a hard-shell case, only a carrying pouch. Also, the headphones don’t support multi-point pairing and don’t come with a smartphone app.
2. Beats Solo3
Continuous playtime: up to 42h
Recharge time: 1.5h
Beats Solo3 is, currently, one of the most popular headphone models on the market, mostly because of a huge hype but also because of its audio performance, battery life, excellent Bluetooth range and overall Bluetooth connection quality. The biggest downside, aside from the price, is partial compatibility with Android devices. Solo3 headphones are made for Apple devices.
What’s in the box?
The headphones come along with a zippered soft pouch, AUX cable with in-line controls, USB-A to micro USB charging cable, manual, and a warranty card.
Things we like
In terms of design, Solo3 is the exact copy of the Solo2. The headphones are compact with smallish earcups. They are somewhat ordinary but what makes them special is the ”b” logo on the faceplates and the number of available color schemes/finishes. The headphones are also foldable which makes transportation easier.
The build quality is not impressive. They are mostly made of plastic but still look solid and durable. Comfort is satisfying but there’s room for improvement, especially when it comes to clamping force. The headphones are a bit tighter, which can be a problem if you have sensitive ears. On the other hand, this also means that they are very stable and can be used for workouts and jogging.
The controls are fairly simple. The right cup houses the power/pairing button and micro USB charging port. The b button is used to control the playback (play/pause/forward/backward/call management). Two volume buttons and an AUX port are also located on the left cup. The AUX cable that comes with the headphones also has inline controls.
Solo3 headphones feature Bluetooth 4.2 with a 150ft of unobstructed range and very stable wireless connection. Pairing and Bluetooth connection work flawlessly.
The battery life is amazing. You will get a little bit more than the advertised 40 hours (up to 42h) and the recharge takes less than 1.5 hours. When you run out of juice, you can use the included audio cable (aka RemoteTalk cable) and keep listening to music in wired mode. The headphones also support fast charge – five minutes of charging will give you 2.5h of playback.
Thanks to the built-in mic, you can use the headphones to talk to Siri or to answer calls. The mic performance is not flawless but it’s better than average. Noise isolation in loud environments is not the best.
For a pair of Beats headphones, Solo3 delivers quite a balanced sound. The emphasis is on the bass but it’s just slightly elevated. The midrange reproduction is fairly consistent and balanced but slightly recessed and the vocals are pushed to the back. The treble reproduction is amazing – there are no noticeable peaks or dips and no signs of brightness or harshness. It’s very neutral and consistent.
Things we don’t like
Aside from the price, there are a few minor downsides we would like to mention. First of all, there’s a tight fit. Some people might like it but some will find it uncomfortable and fatiguing. Also, the cups are relatively small (they are rather on-ear than over-ear headphones) and, if you have large ears, you may feel some additional discomfort.
Also, Solo3 headphones don’t offer great noise isolation and the sound leakage is quite noticeable at higher volumes.
3. TaoTronics TT-BH22
Continuous playtime: up to 40h
Recharge time: 3-3.5h
Looking for something more affordable than Beats or DALI headphones. TaoTronics is one of only a few generic brands we really like and trust. Almost a year ago, we did a review of the previous version of TT-BH22 but this is an upgraded version with much longer battery life and improved Bluetooth connection. TT-BH22 headphones also feature ANC but don’t expect reference-grade performance.
What’s in the box?
The box contains your TT-BH22 headphones, a hard-shell carrying case, audio cable, charging cable, manual, and a warranty card.
Things we like
The design is a little bit generic but they still look nice and sleek. The headphones are foldable and the cups can rotate. There are two versions available – black and pink.
The build quality is pretty much on par with the price. In fact, if you compare them against some more expensive headphones, you could even say that the build quality exceeds the price tag. They are mostly plastic but the headband has reinforced frame and they feel solid.
The comfort is very good. The earpads are generously padded. The padding on the headband is not as thick and it’s concentrated on the top but the weight is evenly distributed and the headphones are light.
The control scheme is intuitive and easy to use. The left cup houses the ANC button and 3.5mm input. All the other controls and charging port are located on the right cup.
The headphones feature Bluetooth 4.2 with up to 100ft of unobstructed range (less than 50ft indoors). The pairing is fast and the connection is stable. You can also use the included cable if the battery dies. However, you won’t be able to use the controls and mic in wired mode and there are no inline controls on the cable.
The battery is one of the most impressive features – the headphones will deliver 40 hours of playtime at 50% volume. The recharge takes a bit longer than with more expensive DALI and Beats headphones. You will need up to 3.5h to fully charge the battery. Fast charge is not supported.
ANC works well but it’s not on par with industry-leading ANC headphones. It will isolate a great chunk of ambient noise but it will also affect the sound a little bit. The ANC introduces some kind of quiet hissing noise, but it’s barely noticeable when the music is playing.
The mic offers a satisfying performance. It may muffle your voice, especially in loud environments, but it won’t make the communication impossible.
The sound quality also exceeds the expectations. The sound is bass-oriented but not boomy and it won’t destroy your listening experience. The bass heads are going to love these. The mids are slightly recessed but clear and articulate. The highs are a bit elevated and maybe a little bit brighter but not fatiguing or painful. All in all, TT-BH22 is a good-sounding pair of headphones, especially considering the price.
Things we don’t like
You can use the headphones in wired and wireless mode but you can’t use the controls in wired mode – you have to use your phone to control the playback and volume.
The distortion becomes quite noticeable at 80% volume.
4. Bowers & Wilkins PX7
Continuous playtime: up to 38h
Recharge time: 2h
PX7 is another premium and pricey headphone model. They are feature-rich headphones with very long battery life but aren’t the best-sounding headphones in their price range. Their adaptive noise canceling and battery life are the biggest upsides while the biggest downside is their mic performance.
What’s in the box?
The box contains your PX7 headphones, a large hard-shell case, audio cable, USB-C charging cable, manual, and 1-year warranty.
Things we like
Just like every piece of audio equipment that comes from Bowers & Wilkins, PX7 headphones are quite unique and stylish. There are a few very distinguishable details including oval racetrack-inspired earcups, one-sided yokes, and nice fabric finish.
The construction quality is very premium. PX7 headphones look and feel solid and are able to withstand long-term use without any issues. The comfort is more than satisfying. The earpads are plushy and pleasant, the clamping force is optimal, and we haven’t experienced any excessive pressure or discomfort. No complaints there.
PX7 feature Bluetooth 5.0 with an extended range that goes well beyond 150ft (unobstructed range). The headphones also support AAC and aptX Adaptive and are compatible with both Apple and Android devices. They support multipoint pairing, too.
The headphones can also be used in wired mode but need power to work, even in this mode.
The battery is one of the greatest highlights. The advertised playtime, with the ANC engaged, is 30h. Without ANC, you will get up to 38h. Thanks to the USB-C connection, the recharge takes less than 2 hours. Fast charge is also supported (15min charge will give you 5h of playback. In the end, the headphones feature some smart features like wear sensors – the headphones will go to standby when you take them off.
PX7 headphones come with Bowers & Wilkins app (Android and iOS). The app allows you to adjust the amount of noise-canceling, reset the headphones, or to adjust (or turn off) the wear sensors.
The ANC works flawlessly. You can adjust the amount of ambient noise you want to hear (there are a few different levels of noise-canceling).
Depending on your preferences, you will either love or hate the sound. It’s quite bass-heavy. The bass response is relatively flat but quite emphasized. The midrange response is also very accurate but, due to the bass emphasis, it’s recessed and the vocals are pushed back. Treble reproduction is quite inconsistent. Lower treble is recessed and sounds a bit dull. Also, there’s a peak around 10kHz which could cause some sibilance (especially with treble-heavy songs).
Things we don’t like
At this price point, we have expected NFC pairing and better app with more settings. The app is too basic and doesn’t allow you to adjust the EQ settings.
The included audio cable doesn’t have inline controls or microphone so you can’t answer calls or control the playback in wired mode without taking out your phone
In the end, if you run out of juice, you won’t be able to use them in wired mode – they need power to work, even in wired mode.
5. Sony WH-XB900N
Continuous playtime: up to 38h
Recharge time: 6h
The next headphones come from a famous WH line of Sony’s noise-canceling headphones. These have XB prefix which means they are made for bass heads (XB – Extra Bass). WH-XB900N can also be considered a cheaper alternative for Sony’s flagship ANC headphones WH-1000M3. WH-1000XM3 headphones may offer better overall performance (better ANC and more balanced sound), but the XB900N headphones offer longer battery life and that was the decisive factor to include them in this list. If you don’t mind shorter playtime and you want the best possible noise canceling and balanced sound, you should go for the WH-1000XM3.
What’s in the box?
Along with the headphones, you will get a black carrying pouch, AUX cable, USB-C charging cable, manual, and 1-year warranty.
Things we like
Like all the headphones from the WH series, WH-XB900N are sleek and very attractive headphones. They may look a bit cheaper and the plastic they are made of is a bit thinner than the plastic used for the flagship WH-1000XM3, but their durability is satisfying and their build quality is pretty good.
The comfort is above-average. The only thing that could cause some discomfort is their closed-back design but that’s a common issue with all closed-back headphones. In all the other ways, these are great for long listening sessions.
The control scheme is quite intuitive and the control buttons are responsive. The right cup has a touch-sensitive panel and can be used to control the playback, answer calls, and adjust the volume. Along the rim of the right cup, there are also some physical buttons, including the power/pairing button and CUSTOM button (you can shift between ANC/Ambient mode/OFF by pressing this button). Also, the right cup houses USB-C charging port and AUX input.
XB900N headphones feature Bluetooth 4.2 with more than 100ft of unobstructed range. The headphones support NFC quick pairing and multipoint pairing.
The battery lasts up to 30h per one charge, with the ANC engaged. You will get 38 hours without the ANC. The recharge takes 6h. The headphones also support fast charge – you will get 1h of playback after 10mins of charging.
XB900N headphones also come with the Sony | Headphones Connect App (Android/iOS). The app allows you to play with the EQ settings (manual adjustments and EQ presets). The app also has a built-in media player, adjustable auto-off timer, and it enables you to control the amount of noise you want to let in (ANC adjustments).
ANC offers decent performance but it’s not on par with Sony’s flagship model. The headphones struggle with the low-frequency noise. There’s a very useful feature called Quick Attention Mode which allows you to hear outside noise by covering the right cup with your hand.
The mic offers decent performance. You can use it to answer calls, activate voice assistant, or talk to Alexa. XB900N is one of the rare headphone models with Alexa support.
As the XB prefix implies, XB900N headphones are bassy. Their bass response is elevated and strongly emphasized. So, if you are into EDM, you’re going to love them. The mids are balanced but recessed and pushed back. The treble response is not very consistent. The lower treble is slightly recessed and may sound lifeless or unnatural.
Things we don’t like
We have expected a hard-shell carrying case at this price point but, unfortunately, the headphones come only with a soft pouch.
Charging the battery takes quite some time (approx. 6h), even though they feature USB-C connection.
6. JBL Live 500BT
Continuous playtime: up to 37h
Recharge time: 2h
JBL is better known for its Bluetooth speakers but their headphones are pretty good, too. JBL Live 500BT is the upgraded version of the previous JBL E55BT model. Just like the JBL speakers, JBL headphones have very large and long-lasting batteries and that’s their biggest trademark. They also have quite a recognizable design and enjoyable sound signature. The headphones are priced under $150.
What’s in the box?
Inside the box, you will find you JBL Live 500BT headphones, micro USB charging cable, braided AUX cable with inline controls and mic, manual, and 1-year warranty.
Things we like
Live 500BT headphones look quite attractive and recognizable, mostly due to the comfort-fit fabric wrapped around the headband. It’s similar to the waterproof fabric on JBL speakers, but not the same. The earcups can rotate and the headphones are foldable. They are available in 5 colors – black, blue, white, green, and red.
JBL Live 500BT are mostly made of plastic but the most sensitive parts like the joints and headband frame are reinforced with metal. The cups are dense and study and the overall build quality is pretty good.
Comfort is satisfying but not perfect. The biggest issue is the clamping force. If you have a larger head, these headphones might feel a bit too tight. On the other hand, the headphones are light and the weight is nicely distributed across the headband.
The control scheme is fairly easy to use. You can control the playback, volume, and take calls with the buttons located on the right cup. The left cup houses a micro USB charging port and the right one houses the AUX input. Another useful thing is the JBL Headphones app (Android/iOS). The app allows you to adjust the EQ settings and activate some advanced features like TalkThru or Ambient Aware. The headphones are also compatible with Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa.
Bluetooth connection works flawlessly. The headphones feature Bluetooth 4.2 and have a very long unobstructed range (more than 200ft). They also support multipoint pairing. When you run out of battery, you can use them as wired and you can also control the music, playback, and answer calls.
The battery is the greatest highlight. The headphones exceeded the advertised 33 hours and delivered almost 37 hours of continuous playtime. Recharge is very fast – it takes less than 2h to fully charge them. The headphones also support the auto-off feature (they will turn off after 10mins of inactivity). Fast charge is also supported – 10mins of charging will provide you with 2h of playtime.
The mic performance is not on par with the price. Your voice will sound thin and muffled on the other end but it will still be intelligible in quiet and moderately loud environments.
The sound signature is exciting and enjoyable. The bass extension is very good and some low and mid-bass frequencies are slightly elevated. The mids are quite accurate, balanced, and detailed. The vocals are perfectly clear. The treble is not consistent and it lacks a little bit of detail and sparkle. On the other hand, it’s not too bright or harsh.
Things we don’t like
The first thing you’re going to notice is that the carrying case is not included in the package.
Also, the fit is a little bit tight, which is good for stability, but it also makes them uncomfortable for long listening sessions.
7. Bluedio T2s
Continuous playtime: up to 37h
Recharge time: 3h
Bluedio is, just like TaoTronics, a cheap generic brand and it’s a viable choice if you’re on a budget. Due to their price/performance ratio, these are one of the bestselling headphones on the market. They are super-cheap (priced under $30) and they are tuned for a mainstream audience (they are bass-heavy). Their greatest quality is the battery life – they will deliver up to 37 hours of playtime on one charge. Naturally, you can’t expect them to be perfect – they look cheap (because they are cheap), they leak a lot of sound and don’t isolate much.
What’s in the box?
The box contains your T2S headphones, AUX cable (without inline controls), micro USB charging cable, manual, and a warranty card.
Things we like
The design of T2S is definitely unique. It’s also unusual and somewhat awkward. These headphones are not for everyone. They are available in two colors – black and white (both with silver details).
The comfort is satisfying but you must have in mind that these are rather on-ear (not over-ear) headphones. So, unless you have really small ears, the pads will put some pressure on your ears. The headphones are not too heavy or bulky and the weight distribution is good (no pressure points or any additional discomfort).
The controls are simple but somewhat flimsy. You have all the buttons on the right cup. The track dial looks really cheap but it’s responsive. The AUX port is on the bottom of the left cup. The charging port is on the right one.
T2S headphones feature Bluetooth 4.1 with more than 100ft of unobstructed range. The connection is stable within the 30ft range – anything further than that causes the signal to cut out. As expected, advanced Bluetooth features (NFC, multipoint pairing, etc.) are not supported.
The battery is one of the biggest highlights. It can deliver almost 37h of continuous playback (at moderate volumes). The recharge is relatively fast – it takes approx. 3 hours. When you run out of juice, you can use the T2S in wired mode but you can’t use the controls and you can’t answer calls.
The mic performance exceeds the price tag. It’s not perfectly clear and it will muffle your voice and make it thin but it’s usable.
The sound is very bass-heavy and, if you are a bass head, you are going to love it. If you are not, you’re probably going to hate it. The bass emphasis is really huge and it extends, partially, onto the low mids. The rest of the midrange is recessed and not very clear. The treble reproduction is very bad. It lacks detail and dynamic, and it’s kind of lifeless.
Things we don’t like
At this price point, it would be unreasonable to expect a perfect device. Some downsides are completely expected. Build quality, for example. It’s perfectly on par with the price. T2S headphones look cheap and are almost entirely made of plastic. The cups are kind of flimsy, too.
There are two more things we want to warn you about – on-ear design and sound isolation/leakage. Due to on-ear design, they are not the best choice for long sessions.
Also, they are not the best choice if you want great noise isolation and low leakage. They leak a lot of sound at higher volumes.
8. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT
Continuous playtime: up to 37.5h
Recharge time: 5-5.5h
ATH-M50xBT is a wireless version of the highly praised wired ATH-M50x model. The Bluetooth version sounds fairly similar to the wired one and it looks exactly the same. The biggest highlight is, expectedly, battery life. Considering the price tag, the feature set is not impressive and there are a few things that these headphones lack (NFC support, multipoint pairing, ANC). Also, the charging time is quite long.
What’s in the box?
The packaging contains your ATH-M50xBT headphones, AUX cable with inline remote and mic, micro USB charging cable, manual, and 1-year warranty.
Things we like
In terms of design, these are the same as their wired predecessor. They look kind of like a toy. The cups can swivel and rotate and the headphones are foldable.
The build is not extremely rugged. They are mostly plastic but the plastic is quite dense. The headband frame is reinforced with a thick metal frame. The weakest points are probably the joints connecting the headband and the cups.
The comfort is above-average. The manufacturer did everything right and made a very comfy pair of headphones. The only problem could be their loose fit. They are stable enough for casual listening but won’t stay in place if you want to use them for workouts.
The controls are fairly easy to use. You have all the buttons and inputs on the right cup. There are three physical buttons for playback/volume/call control, a simple on/off switch, AUX input, and a micro USB charging port. The controls are responsive and easy to use. The Audio-Technica logo on the right cup also doubles as a touch-sensitive button. You can touch it to activate voice assistant (Siri or Google Assistant).
The headphones feature Bluetooth 5.0. Their unobstructed range extends over 100ft. Indoors, you’ll get 30-50ft. The connection is stable and the pairing starts when you turn them on – there’s no separate pairing button. The headphones feature support for aptX (no aptX LL or aptX HD).
The battery life is excellent. The headphones will deliver up to 37h of playtime per one charge. The recharge, however, is not equally impressive and it takes up to 5.5h. When you run out of battery, you can connect the included cable and keep using the headphones. You can also control the playback and answer calls in wired mode thanks to the inline remote with mic.
M50xBT headphones come with the Audio-Technica Connect app (Android/iOS). The app will help you to find your headphones if you lose them. It also shows the battery status and allows you to select the Bluetooth codec. However, it doesn’t allow you to play with EQ settings and you will have to use some third-party app if you want to adjust the sound signature.
The microphone offers average performance. This is not a noise-canceling mic and it won’t deliver the best performance in loud environments. On the other hand, your voice will be somewhat muffled but perfectly intelligible in quiet and moderately loud environments.
Compared to its wired predecessor, M50xBT headphones deliver similar sonic performance. Their bass response is extended. It’s quite flat but slightly elevated. The bass heads will enjoy this extra thump. The mids are also fairly accurate but low mids are slightly recessed and pushed back. This could be a problem when listening to bass-heavy songs, especially if you prefer a more balanced sound. The treble is consistent and nicely balanced with the mids.
Things we don’t like
The first thing we didn’t like is their long charging time. It took almost 5.5 hours to fully charge the battery. Compared to some other similarly priced models (and cheaper), especially to those with USB-C charging port, their charging time is quite long.
Also, at this price point, we have expected a few more features. M50xBT don’t support NFC and multipoint pairing. They don’t feature ANC and don’t come with a hard-shell case (only carrying pouch).
This is the end of our list of 8 best Bluetooth headphones with long battery life in 2021. We’ve tried to gather some nice options for every budget but there are quite a few headphone models out there that can deliver at least 20 hours of continuous playtime per one charge. In case you didn’t find something that suits your taste and budget, and you want to keep searching, here’s a shortlist of things to pay attention to when buying Bluetooth headphones, especially Bluetooth headphones with a long-lasting battery.
Things to Look for When Buying Bluetooth Headphones
Battery (Continuous playtime, fast charge, auto-off, recharge time, Bluetooth version, etc.)
Since the main concern of this article is battery life, that’s the first thing to look for. Continuous playtime per one charge is the most important thing but it’s not the only one you should pay attention to.
You should also check if the headphones come with a micro USB charging cable or with a USB-C cable. USB-C cables deliver faster charging rates and, consequently, shorter charging times. Some headphones offer pretty long playtimes (30+ hours) but they come with micro USB charging cables and their batteries take more than 5h to fully recharge. It will take less than 2 hours to charge the battery of the same capacity if the headphones come with a USB-C cable. On the other hand, headphones that come with a micro USB cable are usually cheaper.
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You should also check if the headphones feature fast-charge and auto-off or some other advanced features (proximity sensors, for example). The fast charge allows you to get up to 5 hours of playback after 15-20 minutes of charging. The auto-off feature is self-explanatory – the headphones will turn off after some time of inactivity or if they are not paired with any Bluetooth device for more than 15-30 minutes.
You should also pay attention to the Bluetooth version. As said in the introduction, Bluetooth versions starting from Bluetooth 4.0 support Low Energy Protocol and enable longer playtimes.
Design, build quality, and comfort
Design is very important to most of us and it has a significant effect on our choices. However, the design is also a matter of taste and there’s no point in recommending a specific style – just choose the headphones you like.
Build quality is very important, too. Nobody wants to pay $100+ for something that lasts a few months. Most of today’s headphones are made of plastic, even those expensive ones. You should at least try to find the headphones with some aluminum reinforcements, like aluminum headband frames and yokes.
Comfort is partially affected by personal preferences (tighter or looser fit) and some personal characteristics (head size and shape). However, we all want them to be light and we all like plushy cushions and headband paddings.
Controls
Not having to take out your phone to change a song or adjust the volume is, naturally, a big plus. Most headphones on the market have at least some basic control buttons located along the rim of the earcups, even the cheapest ones. The control schemes are usually simple and easy to use.
Bluetooth connection (version, range, NFC, reliability, etc.)
Reliable wireless connection is one of the most important things when it comes to Bluetooth headphones. Having Bluetooth headphones with an unreliable connection that constantly cuts in and out, even if the phone is less than five feet away from the headphones, is simply unacceptable. Most of today’s headphones will provide you with a stable connection within the 15-30ft range. More expensive headphones with the latest Bluetooth version could have a much longer range (longer than 100ft). If the NFC quick pairing is important to you, you should also look for a pair of headphones that support NFC.
Additional features (ANC and other smart features)
If you want something that can block the ambient noise, you should look for ANC headphones. They are usually pricier than the regular headphones but the price difference is not huge and you can find a decent pair for less than $100. However, if you want top-of-the-line noise canceling, be prepared to pay $300+.
Sound quality (supported Bluetooth audio codecs, driver size and type, frequency response)
Sound is, just like the design, a matter of taste. Many people prefer bassy, or even boomy sound. Others like balanced sound or stronger midrange emphasis. Luckily, the market is big enough and has something to offer regardless of your music taste. You just have to be persistent.
There are some things you could check if you don’t have the chance to try the headphones. For example, you could check the supported Bluetooth audio codecs. Most headphones support AAC and SBC but more advanced models support aptX codecs (aptX LL, aptX HD, or aptX Adaptive) and LDAC. AptX or LDAC codecs allow lower compression rates, more detailed reproduction, and better sound quality.
If you prefer strong bass, you should also check the driver size – larger drivers usually deliver stronger, deeper, and more powerful bass.
Only a few manufacturers publish frequency response curves for their headphones. These curves can tell you a lot about the headphones if you know how to read them.
Price
Price is probably the first thing to pay attention to since we all have some budget limits. Naturally, you won’t get the same feature set and sound quality from a pair of $50 headphones and from $500 headphones. You can, however, get a very good battery life and satisfying sound quality from a pair of headphones under $100.
Hello, my name is James Longman.
I’m a writer and editor at AudioReputation. I disassembled my first portable AM/FM radio when I was only 8. At the age of 11, I burned the circuit board on my old boombox cassette player. I’m not going to explain how but it was reckless and stupid.
Since then, I have become much more careful around radios, boomboxes, and other audio devices (at least, I like to think so) but I have never lost the passion for audio equipment. Throughout 20 years of my professional career, I’ve been working for various audio equipment manufacturers and even started building speakers on my own in my little workshop.
I love the work we do here at AudioReputation. Testing, comparing, and evaluating all kinds of audio devices (speakers, soundbars, headphones, home theater systems, etc.) is something I truly enjoy. I try to be unbiased and give you my honest opinion on every piece of equipment I test. Still, you should take my reviews with a pinch of salt and always be just a little bit skeptical. The fact that I liked some speaker or soundbar doesn’t mean that you are going to love it. If you have the opportunity, you should test it/hear it before buying it.