By 2023, it’s no longer just premium headphones that boast multipoint connectivity. Majority of Bluetooth headphones and earbuds can now connect to multiple devices. However, it’s important to note that not all of them can be linked simultaneously. This is where the difference lies between multiconnection Bluetooth and multipoint Bluetooth, and they should not be interchanged. With multipoint Bluetooth, your headphones or earbuds can be paired with two devices at once.
In the absence of genuine multipoint Bluetooth pairing, a particular set of headphones can only be connected actively to one device at any given time, thus necessitating the manual switching to another device to gain access to it as an audio source. When multipoint pairing is enabled, you have the ability to use your computer to listen to audio and when a call comes in on your phone, your headphones or earbuds will shift automatically to your phone, allowing you to answer the call without any hassle. This article will unveil the top multipoint Bluetooth earbuds and headphones for you.
Apple and Samsung provide a version of multipoint Bluetooth pairing referred to as “automatic switching,” which is exclusively compatible with their respective gadgets. For instance, it’s possible to connect your AirPods Pro 2 to both your iPhone and Mac (as well as an iPad) concurrently, but you can’t incorporate a non-Apple device for simultaneous pairing. Samsung’s several Galaxy Buds have a comparable set up with Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
Previously, certain headphones geared towards business use, and equipped with boom microphones, showcased sophisticated multipoint Bluetooth pairing. However, this feature has made its way into more consumer-oriented headphones, which is our current point of interest. (We also have a compilation of the top headphones for working remotely, featuring a few high-end headsets intended for business use, complete with boom mics and USB dongles designed for dependable wireless connectivity with PCs.) Unfortunately, it is challenging to ensure dependable implementation of multipoint Bluetooth pairing in truly wireless earbuds.
Jonathan Levine, the CEO and founder of Master & Dynamic, notes that until very recently, Bluetooth chips were restricted to supporting only two connections at once. This made it easy for headphones with a wire connecting both ear cups to implement multipoint connectivity. However, in the case of true wireless products, one of the earphones consumes one of the two connections, leaving only a single connection available for the audio source. Fortunately, cutting-edge connectivity protocols have enabled true wireless products to establish much more seamless connections and bypass the maximum two-connection limit.
I have tried all the headphones and earbuds mentioned in this list and will update it with the latest models that have multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. It is worth noting that Apple’s AirPods range, comprising of AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max, have the ability to switch between Apple devices linked to your iCloud account, but since this feature is restricted to Apple devices, they have not been included in this list. The same applies to Samsung’s earbuds.
David Carnoy/CNET writes about the latest release from Bose – the QuietComfort 45. These over-ear wireless headphones are priced at $329 and are available at Bose, Amazon, and Walmart. With a battery life rated up to 25 hours and multipoint capability, they offer excellent convenience. However, they are not water-resistant and do not have an IP rating.
The QuietComfort 45 boasts a design that is almost identical to its predecessor’s, the QuietComfort QC35 II, which was widely regarded as one of the most comfortable over-ear headphones available. According to Bose, it features the same drivers and button layout, but with some minor yet noteworthy modifications. To begin with, the headphones now come with USB-C instead of micro-USB, which is a welcome improvement.
Furthermore, there are differences in the microphone setup. The positioning of the microphones on the headphones has been adjusted, and an additional external microphone has been added to enhance voice pick-up. This results in a total of six microphones for the QC45, with four being beamforming and dedicated to voice. On the other hand, the QC35 II only has a total of four microphones with two being dedicated for voice usage. It’s worth noting that the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 also feature six microphones in total.
These headphones are great for making phone calls, resembling the Bose Headphones 700 in this aspect. Additionally, they come with exceptional noise cancellation technology and allow multipoint Bluetooth pairing, enabling you to connect them with both your PC and phone at the same time. To learn more about the QuietComfort 45, check out our comprehensive review.
$329 at Bose$329 on Amazon$329 at Walmart
David Carnoy from CNET has recommended the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones as the best noise-canceling headphones with multipoint technology. These headphones are priced at $348 on Amazon, $398 on Crutchfield, and $350 at Best Buy. They come with a battery life of up to 32 hours, and have active noise canceling (ANC) technology. The headphone type is over-ear wireless, and they are not water-resistant with no IP rating.
Please note that to use this feature, you need to activate multipoint pairing in the Sony Headphones companion app.
Check out our review for Sony WH-1000XM5.
Available at Amazon for $348, Crutchfield for $398, and Best Buy for $350.
David Carnoy/CNET
Sony WF-1000XM4
The finest earbuds from Sony
$198 at Amazon$198 at Walmart$198 at Crutchfield Battery Life Up to 30 hours of use with charge Noise Canceling Feature available Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating
While the fit of the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds may not suit everyone, it’s important to note that no earbuds are flawless. However, if you’re in search of earbuds offering excellent sound quality, active noise cancellation, reliable voice-calling features, and reliable battery life, these buds are worth considering. Moreover, since Sony is expected to launch their next-gen flagship earbuds later this year, these buds are often available at discounted rates.
Similar to the Linkbuds and Linkbuds S, these earbuds did not originally support multipoint Bluetooth pairing. However, Sony introduced this feature in a software update towards the end of last year. Activation of the feature is required through the companion Sony Headphones app.
Check out our review of the Sony WF-1000XM4.
$198 on Amazon$198 on Walmart$198 on Crutchfield
Anker’s latest Soundcore Liberty 4 earbuds are now available for purchase at Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon for $125, $130, and $130, respectively. Though they don’t deliver the same level of audio quality as pricier competitors like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, they come with exciting features such as head tracking spatial audio mode, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, Sony’s LDAC audio codec support, wireless charging, and a battery life of up to nine hours.
When compared to the high-quality earbuds that I have evaluated, these earbuds are slightly deficient in terms of overall clarity, precision and bass definition. Nevertheless, the majority of individuals will perceive them as being of good quality, as they play music at a high volume and generate powerful bass sounds. Additionally, one could modify their sound profile using the app or produce a customized HearID Sound profile for noise reduction purposes.
Check out our review of Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4.
$125 on Walmart$130 on Best Buy$130 on Amazon
Sony’s LinkBuds S offer big sound in a small package. These wireless earbuds, available for $148 at Amazon, Walmart, and Crutchfield, feature noise-canceling technology and are rated for up to 9 hours of battery life. While they lack multipoint connectivity, they are water-resistant with an IPX4 rating for splash-proofing.
Unlike the open design of the LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are conventional noise-isolating earbuds that come with ear tips to be inserted into your ears. They are smaller and lighter than Sony’s top-of-the-line WF-1000XM4 and come with Sony’s V1 processor. While they are not as good as the XM4 in terms of sound quality and noise cancellation, they are a close competitor and are available at a lower cost. These earbuds are perfect for those who can accommodate larger earbuds like the XM4 but still desire 80-85% of the features and performance and are available for $80 less.
At the beginning, these earbuds did not feature multipoint Bluetooth pairing; however, Sony included it as a late addition in 2022. To activate it, the companion Sony Headphones app is necessary.
Check out our review of the Sony LinkBuds S.
$148 on Amazon$148 on Walmart$148 on Crutchfield
David Carnoy from CNET highly recommends the Google Pixel Buds Pro as exceptional wireless earbuds specifically designed for Android users. They can be purchased on Amazon, Walmart, and Crutchfield at a price of $200. The earbuds have a battery life rating of up to 11 hours, include noise-canceling technology (ANC), have Multipoint capability, are made in a wireless earbud style, and are water-resistant with an IPX4 rating (splash-proof).
Google’s first earbuds to incorporate active noise-canceling are the Pixel Buds Pro. Although this feature has been available on many true-wireless earbuds for quite some time, what makes the Pixel Buds Pro stand out and deserving of attention, especially for Android users, is their unique design and comfortable fit. These qualities work together to improve their sound quality and noise-canceling ability. Although they are not exceptional for voice-calling, they performed well as a headset for making calls. At the time of their release, a couple of features were missing, including spatial audio and a five-band equalizer. However, a firmware update has since added the equalizer, and we are now eagerly awaiting spatial audio with full head tracking.
Please note that the multipoint feature needs to be enabled in order to use it with these earbuds (learn how to do it here).
Check out our review of Google Pixel Buds.
You can purchase them for $200 at Amazon, Walmart or Crutchfield.
Jabra Elite 45h is the best bang for your buck when it comes to on-ear multipoint headphones. With a price of $100 on Amazon, you can receive price alerts for this product. It has a battery life of up to 50 hours and offers no noise-canceling feature. However, it does have multipoint capabilities and is a type of wireless on-ear headphones. Unfortunately, it is not water-resistant and does not have an IP rating.
The Jabra Elite 45h, released in the middle of 2020, were marketed as the best affordable on-ear headphones available. While they aren’t particularly showy, they currently provide excellent value due to their quality sound, durable construction, and comfortable fit (in terms of on-ear headphones, of course). They are also proficient as a headset for taking calls, and have a sidetone feature that enables the user to hear their own voice, preventing them from speaking too loudly. Additionally, their battery life is impressive, and they support multipoint Bluetooth pairing, meaning the user can link their phone and computer simultaneously and switch between the two effortlessly if a call arrives. For the most part, this function performs well.
Please note that the Jabra Evolve2 65 priced at $180, which comes with a built-in boom microphone, can be considered an advanced office version of the aforementioned headphones.
Currently, Jabra Elite 45h is available at a price of $100 on Amazon and you are receiving alerts for the same.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: Flagship Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a top-of-the-line noise-canceling headphone. You can find it for $380 on Amazon, $350 on Walmart, and $380 on Crutchfield.
While the previous generation Momentum Wireless headphones had a unique look that combined retro and modern elements, they were also known for the exposed metal on their headband. The new Momentum 4 Wireless headphones, however, have a more subdued appearance that is similar to some of their competitors.
The Momentum 4 Wireless surpasses the Momentum 3 Wireless with exceptional performance in all aspects, with the most notable improvements in noise cancellation, voice-calling, and battery life. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 60 hours with moderate volume levels. Additionally, the headphones come equipped with a transparency mode that permits ambient sound to enter and a Smart Control app for iOS and Android through which a personalized sound profile can be created using the built-in EQ, sound modes, and a novel Sound Personalization feature that gauges the listener’s preferences and alters the listening experience accordingly.
With 42mm drivers, the Momentum 4 Wireless headphones from Sennheiser are claimed to have the “best-in-class” sound quality, although this claim can be argued. In my opinion, the sound quality of the Momentum 4 headphones is comparable to that of other headphones in this price range. They sound outstanding, with clearly defined bass, a reasonably wide soundstage (providing an open sound), and a smooth treble that highlights the intricate details in well-recorded music. Using these headphones is a delightful experience.
Check out our initial review of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones.
Available for $380 on Amazon, $350 on Walmart, and $380 on Crutchfield.
Technics EAH-AZ60, the premium Panasonic multipoint buds, are available for $121 on Amazon. These wireless earbuds have a battery life of up to 7 hours and feature noise cancelling and multipoint capabilities. They are also water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, making them splash-proof. You have opted to receive price alerts for this product.
Note: The text has been rearranged and some minor changes have been made for clarity.
Although not as luxurious as the EAH-AZ70W, Panasonic’s Technics EAH-AZ60 earbuds possess a pleasant sound characterized by well-balanced tones, clear bass, and excellent detail. They come with active noise-canceling, which is effective, as well as a transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth pairing enabling simultaneous connection to your phone and computer, and solid voice-calling performance with effective noise reduction. These buds are IPX4 rated, meaning they can withstand splashes, and are capable of lasting up to 7 hours on a single charge at moderate volume levels.
At this price point, there are a few missing features which include an ear-detection sensor that stops the music automatically when the earbuds are removed. Another missing feature is wireless charging, however, the former feature is of more importance. The EAH-AZ40 is a good alternative, but it doesn’t come with noise canceling and has smaller drivers (6mm compared to 8mm). On the other hand, the EAH-AZ60 not only have larger drivers, they also support Sony’s LDAC audio codec, have two extra microphones for voice calls and noise canceling.
You have enabled price notifications for Technics EAH-AZ60, currently priced at $121 on Amazon.
The Master & Dynamic MW75 is an excellent premium noise-canceling headphone that sounds great. It is priced at $599 on the Master & Dynamic website. Although the Sony WH-1000XM5, which costs $400, is a more affordable option for most people, the MW75 has high-quality construction and offers top-notch sound, making it the best full-size headphone by Master & Dynamic yet. The voice calling and noise-canceling capabilities are strong and comparable to the best-in-class Sony WH-1000XM5. Additionally, with aptX Adaptive support, the MW75 provides better sound quality for Android users with the right setup. However, streaming music with an iPhone 13 Pro using the AAC codec also yielded excellent results.
Check out our initial review of the Master & Dynamic MW75 headphones.
Available for $599 on the Master & Dynamic website.
Creative Sound Blaster Jam V2
Affordable On-Ear Multipoint Headphones
These headphones are priced at $35 on Amazon and have a battery life of up to 22 hours. They feature noise-canceling technology (Qualcomm cVc 8.0) and have the ability to connect to multiple devices. They are on-ear wireless headphones and do not have any water-resistant IP rating.
I was a supporter of the vintage-style?Sound Blaster Jam headphones from Creative, which were initially launched in 2015. They provided excellent audio quality that was worth the price. Nowadays, they have been updated to a 2.0 version that incorporates certain critical improvements, such as Bluetooth 5.0, charging via USB-C, better call quality, and multipoint Bluetooth pairing that enables simultaneous pairing with two devices. It is evaluated to offer a battery life of up to 22 hours.
I managed to connect these wireless headphones to a Mac Mini and an iPhone 12 Pro, and also switch audio between the two devices. It’s common to face difficulties when connecting Bluetooth headphones to Mac and Windows PCs, but once I paired these headphones with both my PC and phone, they served as a great pair of headphones for working from home. Additionally, the price is reasonable for parents searching for a good pair of headphones for their children’s remote learning and daily use.
The Jam V2s are lightweight and designed to be comfortable for on-ear headphones. The sound is nicely balanced with good detail and ample bass that’s not overwhelming. During my testing, call quality was good as callers reported being able to hear me clearly, even while I was on the noisy streets of New York. While a carry pouch is not included, an extra set of foam ear pads is provided, which is beneficial as they will eventually wear out.
The headphones feature tactile buttons to manage volume and playback, and are equipped with aptX support for wireless streaming on compatible devices. Check out our review of the Creative Sound Blaster Jam.
$35 on Amazon
David Carnoy from CNET reviews the Mark Levinson No. 5909, the first headphones from the premium audio brand. They come at a hefty price tag of $999 and may be considered slightly overpriced, but they’re undeniably of excellent quality. The design is robust yet doesn’t feel weighty when worn, making them comfortably suitable for extended use. Additionally, the earcups and headband are nicely padded with replaceable leather. The product can be purchased at Music Direct or Crutchfield.
They not only possess impressive noise cancellation and exceptional audio quality, but also demonstrate outstanding voice-call performance, rendering them one of the most outstanding noise-canceling headphones alternatives currently available. Furthermore, they offer the convenience of multipoint Bluetooth pairing, enabling dual pairing with two devices, such as a computer and a phone, simultaneously.
The No. 5909 headphones are certified as high-resolution and support Sony’s LDAC as well as Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codecs, enabling Bluetooth streaming with minimal loss in quality. While certain Android devices are compatible, Apple’s iPhones and iPads lack support for these codecs. When using the No. 5909 headphones over Bluetooth with my iPhone 13 Pro, the sound was slightly more natural and polished than that of AirPods Max (with the No. 5909 delivering a purer and more precise sound).
After pairing the No. 5909 with my Google Pixel 4 XL, which supports LDAC, and streaming high-res music via Qobuz, I immediately noticed an improvement in sound quality. The audio had enhanced depth and texture, as well as increased sparkle, definition, and openness.
Check out our review of the Mark Levinson No. 5909.
Available at Music Direct for $999 and at Crutchfield for the same price.
David Carnoy/CNET
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45
Premium noise-canceling headphones at an affordable price
$130 on Amazon
$150 at Best Buy
You have received price alerts for Soundcore by Anker Space Q45.
If you find Sony’s WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC45 to be beyond your budget, then you might consider the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 as a good alternative, priced at around $150, with occasional discounts available. Despite being not compatible with smaller heads, this headset is comfortable to wear, featuring nicely padded ear cups and a dual-hinge folding design. In addition to providing very good sound quality, these headphones offer better noise cancellation than the lower level Q35, as well as supporting multipoint Bluetooth pairing (equipped with Bluetooth 5.3) and the LDAC audio codec for streaming high-resolution music tracks over Bluetooth, if your device supports LDAC. Most Android phones have this feature, but not Samsung’s Galaxy phones.
The battery of Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 is excellent as it lasts for up to 50 hours with noise cancellation turned on at moderate volume levels. Additionally, the headphones are provided with a durable carrying case for convenient travel. The price of this product is $130 on Amazon and $150 at Best Buy. You have set price alerts for this item.
Jabra Elite 7 Pro are the latest and most advanced earbuds from Jabra, with a price tag of $200 on the Jabra website. They are 16% smaller than the Elite 75t and feature the new MultiSensor Voice technology, consisting of a bone-conduction sensor, four microphones, and intelligent algorithms that promise groundbreaking call quality, however, the performance of the voice calling does not quite meet the expectation. Despite this, Jabra has made improvements to the buds’ firmware and added multipoint Bluetooth pairing alongside other minor enhancements.
They come equipped with adaptable active noise cancellation, Jabra’s HearThrough transparency mode, and Bluetooth 5.2. When noise canceling is turned on, they provide a play time of up to nine hours at moderate volume levels, and the charging case can provide almost three additional charges — the total battery life has been evaluated at 35 hours. The charging case features wireless charging capabilities.
The earbuds have an IP57 rating, which indicates that they are resistant to dust and completely waterproof (they can be immersed in up to 1 meter of water). If you prefer to use only one earbud, you can also use either earbud independently in mono mode.
Jabra costs $200.
Shokz OpenRun Pro is the top choice for bone-conduction headphones priced at $180 on Amazon. Formerly known as AfterShokz, the brand has released its ninth-generation headphones with enhanced bass performance. The Aeropex, now called the Shokz OpenRun, was previously the flagship model, but the OpenRun Pro has surpassed it. However, they still do not match the sound quality of conventional headphones. You have price alerts enabled for Shokz OpenRun Pro.
Wireless headphones that use bone-conduction technology deliver sound via the cheekbones instead of resting on the ears. This technology boasts a major safety advantage for runners as it allows them to hear ambient noise, particularly traffic noise, while enjoying music or phone conversations (which the headphones perform well for). Additionally, some race organizers prohibit the use of ear-canal headphones for their events, making bone-conduction headphones a useful alternative.
While they do provide a more complete and bass-rich audio experience, the difference is only marginal and not a significant advancement. As with other bone conduction headphones, their strengths lie in the midrange where vocals are prominent, making them ideal for listening to podcasts, talk shows, news broadcasts, and audiobooks. They also excel in phone calls and, much like other Shokz products, can be paired with multiple Bluetooth devices.
Shokz offers other models that are more affordable. The OpenComm model, which features a boom microphone, also supports multipoint Bluetooth pairing.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro is available for $180 on Amazon. You have set up price alerts for it.
Check out: The Top Earbuds of 2022 That You Can’t Miss 06:08
