Bluetooth earbuds recommendations?

[Andy T]

I have grown used to LG HBS family. However, they started breaking at an alarming rate. My most recent LG HBS 750 broke after 4 months!
What are some decent blue tooth earbuds that people could recommend? Primary use is listening to audio books/making phone calls.
Budget: ideally under $100, but will consider more.

Thanks

 

[Commodus]

Jaybird is frequently the gold standard for Bluetooth headphones. I'd consider the Freedom if you can (it's very compact in your ear, and the battery cradle on your remote extends the battery), but the X2 you can likely get for under $100 without much trouble.

 

[cbrunny]

X3 is out now apparently. It's surprisingly cheap considering how much the X2 was at launch. I have X2 and they're far better sound quality than other bluetooth buds I've tried, albeit there's a bit of a trade off in terms of weight of the units. X3's design seems to have helped some of those issues but comes with what i'd consider to be a few trade offs.

 

[Commodus]

X3 is out now apparently. It's surprisingly cheap considering how much the X2 was at launch. I have X2 and they're far better sound quality than other bluetooth buds I've tried, albeit there's a bit of a trade off in terms of weight of the units. X3's design seems to have helped some of those issues but comes with what i'd consider to be a few trade offs.

Hey, you're right... remember hearing talk of them but hadn't seen much. The X3s are $130 US, but might be worth it if you treat them as an investment.

 

[ControlD]

Maybe the Freedoms are better made than the Bluebuds, but I have NOT been impressed, at all, with the quality of the Jaybird bluetooth earbuds either I or my wife have had. My wife has been through 2-3 pairs now (one replaced under warranty). Despite their claims, they don't hold up well to sweat. I rarely use mine as they are probably the most uncomfortable thing I have ever put in my ears. I see the Freedoms still have those wings so I have to assume they are just as uncomfortable, at least with the wings which are required if you are moving around. Good luck keeping a seal with them when moving around even with those wings. If stationary, they do sound really good as long as you have a decent seal.

 

[cbrunny]

my X2s hold up to a massive amount of sweat. I treadmill and indoor cycle multiple hours consecutively at least 6 days a week and use these ubiquitously. I'm actually surprised they haven't broken yet because even my treadmill is starting to show signs of having been sweat on too much.

Interesting how much production quality could change between one pair and another.

 

[ControlD]

Maybe we were just unlucky. I ended up giving my wife my pair since I never use them, so perhaps she will have better luck with those. She only listens to podcasts when she runs, so for her the seal isn't a concern.

 

[Kini1000]

Plantronics backbeat fit, the only BT headphones under a $100 that have lasted me more than a month. I went through around a dozen prior to these and none lasted a month.

 

[cbrunny]

Plantronics backbeat fit, the only BT headphones under a $100 that have lasted me more than a month. I went through around a dozen prior to these and none lasted a month.

actually i can vouch for plantronics too. I had a different model and found them to be quite good. Not as good as the X2 but for $60 CDN it was a huge value.

 

[core2slow]

got a cheapo S150/S160 BT headset for $15 off amazon and they've been great for the past 3-4yrs or so. Have it sync up to my phone, tablet, and laptop no problem and the micropohone is just as sensitve (being that it's in-ear) with not a lot of background noise heard from the other caller.

 

[Thope]

I have the jaybird x2s and bose sp wireless. They both sound good but ears pain after about an hour. I have been using cheap china buds since last month. They sound about same as x2. Fit is perfect and I can wear them for long periods without experiencing discomfort.

Bluetooth sound quality just isn't very good even with AptX / AAC. I have senn momentum 2 over ears and they actually sound worse than any of the earphones listed above due to being more transparent.

The mic is useless on jaybird because the only way to keep them on is to use the clips and the mic ends up behind the ears. Bose/tao are perfectly fine for phone calls. Bt range is also quite good on either of these.

https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-B...eywords=taotronics+bluetooth+headphones&psc=1

 

[Raduque]

I love my Jaybird X2s. My mom swears by her Samsung IconX's, but fully wireless earbuds would be too easy for me to lose.

The Jaybird X2's lasted a full 5.5-6hr on a charge. I've heard the IconX's are around 2-3, but I haven't tested them yet.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Another vote for the backbeat fit. Now granted I do actually use them only for running/swimming which is what they're mainly intended for. They're rather open so you're going to get a lot of background noise. This is great for running but maybe not so great if you're planning to just use them as regular headphones.

 

[Crono]

I got these Sony earbuds on Friday. Liking them so far. Good isolation and quality, at least for the price and for Bluetooth. Battery life is quoted at 8.5 hours.

 

[JeffMD]

Keep in mind if you are having no luck with bt earbuds, you can try a good set of normal buds and use a battery powered bt receiver on the end. You will have the chord around but it can be tucked away and not tethered to your phone.

 

[hellfire88]

I have the HBS-750 and HBS-850, both still work well. Gave them to some family members and I recently got the Bose SoundSport Wireless which I'm liking thus far. The sound quality is pretty good (better than the LGs...but it also cost a lot more) and the noise insulation level is just-right for me. I can hear whats going on around me, but still focus on the music. Its designed for running etc. so I guess its safer to be aware of your surroundings.

 

[redgtxdi]

old school bump........I actually have to laugh because I have a buddy who's talked me into BT buds for cycling and running. He first had Jaybird X2's (which he's currently loaned me) and then had me try his Plantronics backbeat fits. The X2's you really have to stuff in your ear so obviously a little more dangerous for runner/cyclist.

The Plantronics are nice because you can have "stereo" music but still hear everything around you.

He's no techy so I know he's not been anywhere near this forum, yet still find it funny he ended up with 2 of the exact same buds discussed in this thread.

Anything newer/better since this thread started???

TIA

 

[cbrunny]

X3s are out now which are smaller than the X2s and WAY cheaper (launch prices). I am still going strong with my X2s. Use them daily on the treadmill and on my turbo trainer, and then around the house from time to time as well. Last night I watched Star Trek on my tablet in bed with them while my wife read a book. Unclear which one of us is nerdier at this point.

 

[KentState]

Just curious OP, how did your LG's break? I got a new pair of the HBS 1100 for Christmas after my dog ate my older ones. My previous set went in for warranty repair twice and now my new ones are going in for repair. When they work, they are awesome, but the quality of the earbuds themselves are troubling.

 

[desura]

I saw some avantree dual driver bt headphones on amazon for $50.

 

[GeoDragon]

I use a set from Melosound. Work great so far and battery life is good.
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-He...srs=14835724011&ie=UTF8&qid=1486656200&sr=8-2

 

[Andy T]

Just curious OP, how did your LG's break? I got a new pair of the HBS 1100 for Christmas after my dog ate my older ones. My previous set went in for warranty repair twice and now my new ones are going in for repair. When they work, they are awesome, but the quality of the earbuds themselves are troubling.

The sound to the left earbuds stopped working. I could have probably sent them in for warranty, but didn't. After trying different types, I still came back to LG's. However, this time I bought LG TONE Infinim from Costco. So even if they break down a year or more down the road, I will return them.

 

[KentState]

The sound to the left earbuds stopped working. I could have probably sent them in for warranty, but didn't. After trying different types, I still came back to LG's. However, this time I bought LG TONE Infinim from Costco. So even if they break down a year or more down the road, I will return them.

Exactly what happened to my last pair twice and now my new ones. Luckily the warranty process has a quick turn around and they pay for shipping both ways.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I use a set of Bose Soundsport. I don't usually buy Bose products, I don't think they're that great in general, however, these buds fit pretty comfortable in my ears. I think I got them on sale for around $99 a few months ago. They've been great so far.