How to Choose the Right Multipoint Bluetooth Headphones
Multipoint Bluetooth headphones connect multiple devices to the same pair of headphones simultaneously. This protocol allows you to switch between source devices and effectively organize their signals. Since its introduction with Bluetooth 4.0 in 2010, companies like Sony, Bose, Anker, and Technics have flooded the market with many splendid options for multipoint Bluetooth headphones. The sheer number of options, combined with the different use cases you might have, can make it difficult to pick the best pair for you. But fear not! We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you select the best multipoint Bluetooth headphones. Let’s dive right in.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Type of Multipoint: Advanced Bluetooth Version: 5.0 Audio Codec: SBC and aptX Battery Life: 20 hours (2 hours for a full charge) Companion App: Surface Audio Other Features: Active Noise Cancellation, Noise-canceling microphone, Dedicated mute button and volume dial, Omnisonic sound, Touch controls, Transparency Mode
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 stand out by leading the pack in terms of switching ability. All it takes to switch playback devices is to play audio on the other device. No delays or additional actions required. Case in point, there are three types of multipoint pairing: simple, advanced, and triple. It’s easy to say that it’s best to go with the most advanced option. But since this also affects the headphones’ price, it’s better to go for something you can fully utilize instead. Ultimately, knowing the difference between the three is crucial in finding which headphones are most suitable for you.
Simple multipoint
As the simplest form of multipoint technology, this only allows two devices to be connected to the headphones at the same time. Both of the source devices will also share the same channel. So, when you’re on a call on one device, and another call comes in on the other, one has to get disconnected for the other to be picked up.
Advanced multipoint
This type builds on the shortcomings of simple multipoint. With advanced multipoint, you can simultaneously connect to up to two audio sources. However, switching between calls is more seamless. For example, if you have a call ongoing in one of the devices and another call comes in from the other device, the ongoing call will simply go on hold. This is a great choice for multitaskers, specifically those constantly on a call.
Triple multipoint
Lastly, triple multipoint is the most advanced form of multipoint commercially available today. These devices often come with a dock that allows users to manually switch through three different devices. Triple multipoint devices can also merge calls into one channel. And when talking about connection stability, here are three things to consider:
Bluetooth version
Unlike other wireless headphones-related protocols, Bluetooth gradually improves its performance with updates. For connection stability, the logical choice is to choose a device that runs on the latest Bluetooth versions, including 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2. However, this won’t matter if your source device can only support lower Bluetooth releases. If so, you’ll only be limited to the capabilities and standards of that version.
Audio codec
Bluetooth audio codecs compress and decompress audio signals to transport them from your audio source to your wireless headphones. However, there are a lot of different audio codecs available today. And some codecs are simply better than others. The key to a stable connection is ensuring your device can support good codecs like aptX. Yet, remember, if the headphones can use aptX but your smartphone cannot, it will default to using the most basic and lowest form of codec — SBC. But some are more tailored to a specific ecosystem. For example, the AirPods don’t have a Bluetooth multipoint protocol. But Apple developed auto-switching for their devices. Apple’s auto-switching allows AirPods to switch between Apple devices under the same iCloud account. It’s technically not Bluetooth multipoint, but it serves as a suitable – if not better – alternative for Apple users. However, it only works among Apple devices registered to the same iCloud account. Don’t expect your AirPods to switch seamlessly between your iPhone and Windows laptop. If that’s what you want, pick from the headphones we’ve recommended below. Although multipoint technology is our main concern here, it doesn’t mean we can simply ignore other extra features that help justify the headphones’ price. So, aside from multipoint connectivity, you should also keep an eye out for other key features you need from your headphones. This includes Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, noise-reducing mics, foldable ear cups, and more. The more features headphones have, the higher the cost will be. It’s better (and more cost-efficient) to find multipoint headphones with features that you know you’ll need. That way, you won’t feel you wasted money on features you don’t use. Right now, multipoint Bluetooth headphones are used by multitaskers and users who typically find it hard to stay away from their headphones. This means that people who use multipoint headphones probably don’t remove them at all for hours. That’s where comfort and fit come into the picture. Here are the factors that you can focus on to determine comfort and fit:
Form factor: The best headphone types will vary depending on your situation and what you’ll use them for. If you want the best mix of comfort, battery life, and sound quality, go for over-ear models. But for the best portability, true wireless earbuds might be a more ideal fit.
Padding and materials: The padding and materials decide headphones’ comfort level. For the padding, it would help to go for leather if you want the best sound isolation or breathable mesh for better airflow to your ears. You should also pick headphones made from polycarbonate. They’re lighter, which compensates for the weight of the battery inside the headphones.
Adjustability: Head shapes and sizes vary greatly. The more angles your headphones can adjust to, the more likely you’ll feel comfortable wearing them. Ideally, you should go for headphones with adjustable headbands and swiveling ear cups to ensure you get the best fit. Folding ear cups are added points for better portability.
People who use multipoint Bluetooth headphones are those who cannot afford to stay off their work or other activities for long. If you’re one of them, you probably know how important it is to have a pair of headphones that won’t wear out from such intensive, daily use. Apart from that, charging time should also factor into your decision. You never know when your headphones need to recharge. And when you do, it should not take too long and cause you precious productive hours. In that case, headphones with a quick charge feature that can give you hours of function for a few minutes of charging are your best bet. These headphones can even tell which device is relaying audio and prioritize it accordingly. If you’re listening to music on a laptop and then pick up a call on the phone, the Surface Headphones 2 will automatically pause the music and relay the call to the headphones. But we didn’t pick these headphones as the ‘Best Overall’ for that alone. The Surface Headphones 2 come with Bluetooth 5.0, Omnisonic Sound, and aptX codec support. Even better, the AptX codec works in multipoint mode as well! These headphones also have a 20-hour battery life that can fully charge in just 2 hours. This battery life bodes well for professionals frequently getting on conference calls. Plus, the dedicated mute button, volume dial, and touch controls make these all the more convenient. Unfortunately, we found that the ANC and Transparency Mode were both underwhelming. The ANC’s effect isn’t as prominent as Bose QuietComfort 45‘s or Sony WH-1000XM5‘s. Also, when using Transparency mode, we did notice a persistent humming sound – which is quite annoying. Another downside is the quality of the Surface Audio App. Although the app has good intentions, reliability could be an issue because of sudden disconnections and wrong battery information. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Sony WH-1000XM5
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Type of Multipoint: Advanced Bluetooth Version: 5.2 Audio Codec: LDAC, AAC, and SBC Battery Life: 30 hours (a 3-minute charge for 3 hours of playback) Companion App: Sony Headphones Connect Other Features: Active Noise Cancellation, Noise-canceling microphone, Touch controls, Dedicated ANC/transparency button, Speak-to-chat
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are our strong runner-up with their seamless multipoint connection, incredible ANC, and superb sound quality with the LDAC codec. Switching between connected devices is also a breeze with the WH-1000XM5. All you need to do is start playing audio on either device, and the headphones will automatically switch to the device you’re currently using. But seamless switching is only a piece of the complete package. The WH-1000XM5 offer a 20-level active noise canceling that lets you freely control how much of your surrounding you want to hear. It’s also customizable through the Headphones Connect app. The maximum level of ANC can even cancel out loud noises like train or airplane engines without giving you that vacuum sensation. These headphones also have a Speak-to-Chat feature. It allows the headphones to automatically switch between ANC and transparency mode when you’re speaking. Sound quality is also overall excellent with the LDAC codec. For the sound signature, there’s a slight emphasis on the lows that’s just enough to make the bass pop without muddying other sounds. The mids and highs are slightly over-emphasized out of the box. Luckily, you can tone them down with the EQ from the app. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Anker Soundcore Life Q35
Key features:
Form Factor: Over-ear Type of Multipoint: Simple Bluetooth Version: 5.0 Audio Codec: LDAC, AAC, and SBC Battery Life: 40 hours (a 5-minute charge for 4 hours of playback) Companion App: Soundcore App Other Features: Active Noise Canceling, Transparency mode, Wired playback
If you’re gunning for the best value multipoint Bluetooth headphones, look no further than the Anker Soundcore Life Q35. These headphones can connect to two devices at once, albeit not as seamlessly as the more premium options above. To switch between devices, you’ll need to pause the playback on the first device before the second one can start playing sound through the Soundcore Life Q35. But given the sub-$200 price bracket, it’s hardly anything to complain about – especially with other features that these headphones offer. The Soundcore Life Q35 come with active noise canceling and Transparency mode that work surprisingly well for budget-oriented headphones. You can toggle between ANC, transparency, or passive isolation (ANC off) using a dedicated button on the back of the left ear cup. However, what stands out about the Soundcore Life Q35 is the battery life. These headphones can last up to 40 hours with ANC on, leaps and bounds better than others on this list. If that’s not enough, you can get 4 hours of playback with a 5-minute charge. While not the best, the Soundcore Life Q35 offer excellent sound quality, especially compared to other budget-oriented headphones. There’s a noticeable boost on the low frequencies that helps create visible lows like kick drums and bass lines. But unfortunately, the lows can bleed to the mids in some tracks. This results in muddy vocals and backing string instruments. Luckily, it’s possible to somewhat mitigate it via the EQ in the Soundcore App for Android or iOS. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Technics EAH-AZ60
Key features:
Form Factor: True Wireless Earbuds Type of Multipoint: Advanced Bluetooth Version: 5.2 Audio Codec: LDAC, AAC, and SBC Battery Life: 7 hours (5 hours with LDAC codec) Companion App: Technics Audio App Other Features: Active Noise Canceling, Transparency mode, JustMyVoice, IPX4 water resistance
If you prefer earbuds over headphones, the Technics EAH-AZ60 might be the perfect choice for you. With the EAH-AZ60, you can automatically switch between devices. The earbuds will detect the latest device that relays sound signal – no need to pause the playback on the current device. But what makes the EAH-AZ60 stand out is that they support LDAC with Bluetooth multipoint active. To add to the harmonious switching between devices, the AZ60 also offer excellent sound quality, ANC, Transparency mode, and Just My Voice feature – making them our pick for the best true wireless earbuds with multipoint. The EAH-AZ60 have a detailed and spacious sound stage, considering the form factor. In our test tracks, we found the lows to be tight, punchy, and precise – even comparable to the likes of the Grado GT220. The lower mids are slightly pushed down – likely a side effect of the ANC. However, the upper mids are excellent in reproducing clear vocals without causing any sibilance or harshness. Battery life on the EAH-AZ60 is adequate at 7 hours with ANC on. Switching over to LDAC codec will reduce the battery life to 5 hours. The EAH-AZ60 also have admirable microphone quality for calls, thanks to the JustMyVoice feature. The JustMyVoice feature allows the 4 mics on each earbud to prioritize your voice and lowers the ambient sound around you that might disturb the call. Unfortunately, the EAH-AZ60 aren’t as loud as others at max volume. It’s plenty loud for casual listening in a quiet setting. But when used with some ambient noise – especially without ANC – they won’t sound as defined as you’d like. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Bose QuietComfort 45
Key features:
Form Factor: Over-ear Type of Multipoint: Simple Bluetooth Version: 5.1 Audio Codec: AAC and SBC Battery Life: 24 hours Companion App: Bose Connect Other Features: Active Noise Canceling, Transparency mode, Wired playback
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 offer well-rounded features beyond multipoint Bluetooth capability, making them an excellent choice for all-in-one headphones for daily use. You can connect up to two devices to the Quiet Comfort 45 – but you can only play audio from one source at a time. To switch between devices, pause the audio on the first device and start playing from the other. The Quiet Comfort 45 come with excellent active noise canceling, easily negating loud sounds. They also do so without giving that vacuum sensation in your ears. Battery life is also not an issue with these headphones, as they last for about 24 hours with ANC on. The Quiet Comfort 45 have a brighter sound than most consumer headphones. This leads to vocals and string instruments standing out with almost zero sibilance at 70% volume. However, the highs tend to overwhelm the lows in some tracks. As a result, bass and kick drums are less visible. We had to crank up the volume to 100% to hear the bass, resulting in sharper highs that led to ear fatigue. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Plantronics – Voyager 5200
Key features
Form Factor: True wireless monaural in-ear Type of Multipoint: Advanced Bluetooth Version: 5.0 Audio Codec: mSBC and SBC Battery Life: 5.5 hours (1.5 hours for a full charge) Companion App: Plantronics Hub Other Features: Triple-mic Active Digital Signal Processing, Noise-canceling boom mic, dedicated mute button
Here’s one for modern times. The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is a monaural headset built — inside and out — for movement. The Voyager 5200 has Bluetooth 5.0 and has advanced multipoint. The call button located at the microphone’s back end serves as the switching button. It may take you some time to memorize how to switch, but it’s all smooth once you get the hang of it. It has a fairly low battery life of 5.5 hours, but the 1.5-hour charging time makes up for that. Its overall design looks professional but sleek enough to be used outdoors. It has a noise-canceling boom mic, with wind reduction and also features a triple-mic active noise cancellation on its speaker. The mute button on its backside is also a great addition. The headset utilizes SBC and mSBC. MSBC or Modified SBC is a version of the classic SBC made for monaural devices. It has a lower processing power and memory footprint making it more efficient than AAC. The Voyager 5200 is one of the headsets compatible with the Plantronics Hub app. This app allows you to map buttons, update firmware, and pair multiple devices to the headset. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Shokz OpenRun
Key features
Form Factor: Bone Conduction Type of Multipoint: Simple Bluetooth Version: 5.0 Audio Codec: SBC Battery Life: 8 hours (1.5 hours for a full charge) Companion App: N/A Other Features: IP67 rating, Premium Pitch 2.0+
For those who are fans of bone-conduction headphones, the Shokz OpenRun (formerly known as Aftershokz Aeropex) are a great choice that feature multipoint technology. The Shokz OpenRun are as advanced as they come, with Bluetooth 5.0, multipoint, and automatic switching. They also have Premium Pitch 2.0+, a feature Shokz developed to give its products powerful bass and higher volume. They also have an IP67 rating, making them highly water-resistant, and thus the best-rated headphones on this list. Battery life is also reasonably good at 8 hours, and it only takes 1.5 hours to charge the device fully. It is worth noting that the OpenRun are only compatible with the SBC codec. To be honest, this isn’t much of a concern considering that bone-conduction headphones are not the best choices for sound quality. Also, as of writing, Shokz has not developed a companion app for any of its devices. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Jabra Motion Office
Key features
Form Factor: True wireless monaural in-ear Type of Multipoint: Triple Bluetooth Version: 4.0 Audio Codec: SBC Battery Life: 8 hours Companion App: N/A Other Features: Dual noise-canceling microphone system, Touch Screen Dock, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Power Nap
The Jabra Motion Office is for the real professionals out there. This monaural headset goes beyond the usual multipoint Bluetooth headphones you’ll see in the market today. With this, you’ll see more work-related features developed to make office life easier. The Jabra Motion Office is a triple multipoint headset with Bluetooth 4.0. It lets users simultaneously connect to their mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desk phones, or VoIP softphones. Being a triple multipoint headset, the Motion Office includes a dock with a touch screen that lets you conveniently switch between calls. Though not compatible with the likes of Siri and Alexa, it comes with its own voice recognition software. Thus allowing users pick up and initiate calls with just their voice. Jabra did not miss out on noise-canceling for the Motion Office as well. Their headset features Digital Signal Processing (DSP) noise-reduction, including two noise-canceling microphones. Clear audio input and output are to be expected. The headset can run for 8 hours and continuously charges when placed on the dock. In addition to that, Jabra has also integrated its Power Nap feature into the headset. This feature intelligently powers down the whole system when not in use to save up the battery. The Jabra Motion Office may lack the lifestyle features you often see in headphones today, but that shouldn’t be a problem. This headset is meant for a specific group of people, and if you’re one of those, this is nothing less than a worthwhile investment. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Notable Mentions
These headphones didn’t make it to our top recommendations for multipoint Bluetooth headphones. However, they just fell very short of making the cut – so we’re putting them here to expand your choices:
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Type of Multipoint: Advanced Bluetooth Version: 4.1 Audio Codec: AAC and SBC Battery Life: 20 hours (2.25 hours for a full charge) Companion App: Bose Connect Other Features: Alexa-enabled, Dual noise-canceling microphone system, Bose AR, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), IPX4
The QuietComfort line has been one of Bose’s most trusted headphones series out there – and for a good reason. It’s no wonder the Bose QuietComfort 35 II offer good competition to the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. The QC35 II are over-ear headphones with advanced multipoint. Manual switching is done through the power button and is conveniently smooth. However, automatic switching has been a concern for others. Occasionally, the headphones would switch to the wrong device when detecting a sound. They’re complete with modern-day essentials such as ANC and dual noise-canceling microphones. On top of that, they also have an IPX4 rating – making them resistant to minimal water damage. The QC35 II also feature Bose Augmented Reality (AR) for real-time spatial audio, and Bose Connect App for updates, auto-pairing, and personalization. One of the biggest pros of these headphones, however, is their comfort. Weighing only 0.51 lbs, they are made of soft padding and are quite adjustable and flexible. You can wear these for hours and not feel any ear fatigue. The only things holding the QC35 II from taking the top spot are that they only support AAC and SBC codecs and take slightly longer to charge at 2.25 hours, compared to the Surface Headphones 2. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Soundcore Life Q30
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Type of Multipoint: Advanced Bluetooth Version: 5.0 Audio Codec: AAC and SBC Battery Life: 40 hours (2 hours for a full charge) Companion App: Soundcore Other Features: 3 Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) modes, Dual noise-canceling microphone system, Transparency Mode
For those looking to boost their productivity on a budget, the Soundcore Life Q30 can be your best bet. Despite being an economical pick, these headphones boast a massive battery life and other features you’ll find in higher price ranges. The Life Q30 are Bluetooth 5.0 over-ear headphones that can connect to two devices. Like others, you can switch between the connected devices using the power button. They also have three ANC modes (Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor), and a Transparency Mode. Each of these modes cancels out different levels of noise depending on your need. Aside from that, the Soundcore Life Q30’s two microphones are also noise-canceling. These are just concerns with the Q30 — which you can expect from any budget headphones. For one, the paddings seem to be thin. This becomes a real comfort issue when the headphones are used for long hours. Unfortunately, you may encounter some minor issues when switching from one device to another as well. Common ones include volume jumps and audio not playing despite switching to the source device. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
