Best Bluetooth headphones for Apple Watch in 2022

Best Bluetooth headphones for Apple Watch iMore 2022

• Best overall: Apple's AirPods Pro
• Best for working out: Beats Fit Pro - colors vary
• Best connected earbuds: Beats by Dr. Dre - Beats Flex
• Most portable: Apple AirPods 2 - with wireless charging case
• Best truly wireless ANC budget model: EarFun Free Pro - Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancelling - Black
• Best truly wireless long-play value: Tribit FlyBuds C1 - Black

Best overall: Apple AirPods Pro

Apple has taken what people love about the AirPods to the next level with the AirPods Pro. Apple has bumped up the sound quality with Adaptive EQ, which creates a rich sound by automatically tuning the low- and mid-frequencies of the music to the shape of your ear.

The AirPods Pro also feature the long-awaited Active Noise Cancellation using two microphones and advanced software to continually adapt to each ear. Or, you can switch the AirPods Pro to Transparency mode so you can hear your surroundings. Additionally, you get multiple ear tips for a perfect fit. AirPods Pro are sweat and water-resistant.

Best for working out: Beats Fit Pro

Beats Fit Pro provide excellent sound quality with spatial audio and dynamic head tracking. You get Active Noise Cancelling and Apple's H1 chip, so you get many of the advantages that used to be exclusive to AirPods such as Hey Siri and easy Apple device switching.

The wingtips hold the Beats Fit Pro more securely than many earbuds, which is great for your vigorous workouts, but they can be uncomfortable for all-day wear. You get button controls instead of a touch surface, which can be easier to operate while working out. Choose from four color options: Beats Black, Beats White, Sage Gray, and Stone Purple.

Best connected earbuds: Beats by Dr. Dre - Beats Flex

Beats Flex hit all of the important criteria when looking for headphones for your Apple Watch, particularly if you tend to lose tiny earbuds. They provide an instant connection to your Apple Watch and its music through the company's W1 chip. The buds are attached by a wire and two weighted remotes, making them harder to lose. Beats Flex headphones are more comfortable and last longer than Apple's AirPods. Beats Flex tend to be a little bass-heavy for some tastes, but they have a rock-solid Bluetooth connection and super-easy pairing process, making them ideal for use with the Apple Watch. Get up to 12 hours of playtime. If you're running low on power, a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge will get you 1.5 hours of playtime.

Most portable: Apple AirPods 2

The AirPods 2 are still a nice option, even though with the arrival of AirPods 3 they're not the newest model anymore. If you don't need the newer features that the AirPods 3 offer, but prefer a smaller form factor, you'll love the AirPods 2. That ultra-compact dental floss-sized case is perfectly sized to slip into a jeans pocket. They're the perfect pair to have with you for any occasion since they don't take up a lot of space in your bag (or pocket) and have a relatively long battery life — combined with the charging case, up to 24 hours.

Best truly wireless ANC budget model: EarFun Free Pro

These truly wireless earbuds have active noise canceling (ANC) and can be charged wirelessly or via USB-C. A four-microphone array makes for crystal clear phone calls. Low latency mode is great for gaming and watching videos. In addition to adjusting the volume on your Apple Watch, you can actually control the sound on the EarFun Free Pro earbuds themselves. Plus, you can access Siri (or Google Assistant.)

Get up to 32 hours of playtime: Seven hours on the earbuds and another 25 hours with the charging case. The fast-charging feature gives you two hours of playtime from a 10-minute charge. They are IPX5 rated, meaning they are water and sweat-resistant. Single earbud mode means that you can use the earbuds together or either one alone. The sound quality on these earbuds is excellent!

The EarFun Free Pro earbuds come with multiple ear tips and ear hooks, so you can find your perfect fit. I have found these to be comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Best truly wireless long-play value: Tribit FlyBuds C1

If you want to charge your earbuds less often, consider the Tribit FlyBuds C1. You'll get up to 50 hours of playtime each time you charge the case: 12 hours of listening time on a single charge and an additional 38 hours of playtime from the charging case. Plus, just 10 minutes of quick USB-C charging gives you 1.5 hours of playtime.

Utilizing Bluetooth 5.2 technology and a Qualcomm QCC3040 chip, the headphones give you a fast connection and low-latency listening experience. I've tested these extensively, and the audio is great. If you're making and taking phone calls, four microphones with noise reduction technology will filter out up to 90% of the background noise around you for better call clarity.

A single tiny button on the stem of each earbud makes for easy controls. Play and pause your music with a single click of either button. Answer and hang up calls the same way, or double click to reject a call. A double click of the right advances the track; the left goes back. Triple-click either one to activate Siri. Press and hold the right button to increase volume or the left button to decrease it.

Five different ear tips are included, so you'll be sure to find one that fits your ears. I find these quite comfortable to wear for a long time, and I have sensitive ears. They are water-resistant (IPX5), so you can work up a sweat without worry.

The best Apple Watch Bluetooth headphones for you

Apple's AirPods Pro have all the same features as Apple's AirPods, but more, like Active Noise Cancellation, sweat and water resistance, multiple silicone ear tips for a more comfortable fit, superior sound quality with Adaptive EQ, Transparency mode, and customizable controls. They're the perfect companion for listening to audio on your Apple Watch Series 7 or any iteration of the Apple Watch, simply the best Bluetooth headphones for just about anyone. If you need a case to protect the AirPods Pro charging case, we've got you covered.

However, if you want different features or a lower price point, any of the other Bluetooth headphones in this guide will be sure to please. Happy listening!

Credits — The team that worked on this guide