We all get confused with wireless and Bluetooth headsets. But it is very important to differentiate between them. Headphones are necessary for every user and are used daily.
Key Takeaways
- Wireless headphones use various technologies, such as Bluetooth, radio frequency, or infrared, for audio transmission without cables.
- Bluetooth headphones use Bluetooth technology for connectivity, offering compatibility with various devices.
- Although both types eliminate the need for cords, Bluetooth headphones have shorter ranges and lower audio quality than other wireless technologies.
Wireless vs Bluetooth Headphones
A wireless headphone is a type of headphone that can connect to an audio source, such as a smartphone, without the need for a physical cable. A Bluetooth headphone is a type of wireless headphone that uses Bluetooth technology to establish a wireless connection with an audio source.
Wireless headphones are paired or connected with a device through a radio or infrared signal. They cover a long range depending on the environmental barriers.
On the other hand, Bluetooth headphones are those that connect one device to another device with the help of Bluetooth. It covers a small radius depending upon its surroundings.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Wireless Headphones | Bluetooth Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | All wireless devices are not Bluetooth devices. | All Bluetooth devices can be called wireless |
| Technology | Wireless headphones require an adaptor to attach to the device. | Usually, by default, Bluetooth is built inside the device. |
| Sound quality | It uses either infrared or radio waves to transfer audio signals. | It used radio waves to transfer audio signals. |
What is Wireless Headphone?
Wireless headphones transfer sound waves or signals either with the help of infrared or radio frequency waves.
Infrared waves work exactly like your TV remote, i.e. transfers signals to the headphones from the base unit. The operating range is limited, i.e. limited motion should be present within a distance of 7 meters or less between the transmitter and headset.
Radio waves are more powerful and work in a broader range, making walking around in the house trouble-free. The range is considerably better, i.e. up to 300 feet if the environment is problem free.
They work without cable or wire and get the sound waves from a base joined to a device such as a speaker, smartphone, gaming console, or computer. They work on a set of standard batteries.
They can be charged or easily replaced when they stop working.
They are smaller and can be worn close to your ears. Hence it helps us listen to various sounds of movies, music, videos etc.
They are also known as cordless headphones as they work without any wire or cord and use radio frequency waves to transfer the sounds.
When we talked about wireless headphones in the past, we referred to headphones with a microwave/infrared receiver that worked with the help of a transmitter.
Such headphones are still present in the market as Bluetooth connections are of a small range and can cause delays.
Many wireless technologies around us, such as gaming headphones, do not require Bluetooth.
The origin of villages can be traced from early human history, when agriculture started, cattle rearing and other domestic works.
Villages are not populated, houses over there are not too modern, neither have multi-floor buildings, and the livelihood of people of the village is relatively simple.
What is Bluetooth Headphone?
One of the most impressive wireless technologies is Bluetooth which works in a short or limited range but can connect to multiple devices using radio waves without wires or cables.
The technology helps send and get data with the help of devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc., that have Bluetooth in them.
Bluetooth headphones directly connect with the help of Bluetooth technology and give us a wireless listening experience.
We found this technology in almost every hi-tech modern device, such as laptops, smartphones, and speakers, and it covers short or limited ranges.
Bluetooth radio is present in small computer chips in devices that help connect with each other. We get confused between wireless and Bluetooth devices as they are synonymous.
Bluetooth headphones work so that each earbud works without a wire and directly connects to the phone.
Some the Examples of these headphones are Apple Airpod, Bose SoundSport Wireless, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless etc.
Main Differences Between Wireless and Bluetooth Headphones
- All wireless devices are not Bluetooth devices, whereas All Bluetooth devices can be called wireless.
- Wireless headphones require an adaptor to attach to the device, whereas Usually, by default, Bluetooth is built inside the device.
- Wireless headphones use infrared or radio waves to transfer audio signals, whereas Bluetooth headphones use radio waves to transmit audio signals.
- Wireless headphones cover a broad radius of up to 300 feet, depending on the environmental barriers. In contrast, Bluetooth headphones cover a small radius of up to 30 feet or less, depending on the surroundings.
- Wireless headphones are not always compatible with all devices as it depends on the inbuilt of other devices, whereas Bluetooth headphones are compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285000/
- https://educateemf.com/are-bluetooth-headphones-safe/
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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