This year may finally be the time where you can cut the cord on your family’s headphones with a pair of truly wireless headphones. Onkyo may have been the first company to get into the truly wireless headphone game, but they are certainly not the last. Apple, Jabra, Happy Plugs and Bose are just a few of the manufacturers in the space; it is sometimes tough to choose the right headphones, especially when you are buying them as a gift.

For some guidance on truly wireless headphones, we have collected five options that may be a perfect fit for your family member’s stocking this holiday season.

Stocking Stuffer ideas: Truly Wireless Headphones

Apple AirPods

truly wireless headphones 1 Apple AirPods have become the most well-known headphones out there. Period. If you are a fan of the shape of Apple’s original wired EarPods, you are going to love the Apple AirPods. The second generation of these trailblazing headphones were released in March of this year, and are built on Apple’s new H1 chip. This chip boasts Bluetooth 5.0 and better battery life than the previous generation.

Apple AirPods provide 5 hours of listening time and up to 3 hours of talk time on one charge and the charging case can provide 24 hours of total listening time between charges. There’s even a quick-charge feature with the device that can give you 3 hours of listening time on a 15 minute charge. The second generation AirPods add another convenience factor: an upgraded case that can be charged on a Qi-certified charging pad.

Beyond the ease-of-use and added benefits you get with the new AirPods, living in the Apple ecosystem will make the AirPods even sweeter. They are easy to set up generally but are even easier to set up on an Apple device. All you have to do is open the case’s lid, hit connect on your device and you are ready to listen. These headphones only support one connection at a time, but switching between devices is very seamless.

Apple AirPods Pro

Take everything you love about the AirPods, add more features and you get the new truly wireless headphones 2Apple AirPods Pro. These upgraded headphones provide some key features that differentiate them from the standard AirPods.

The first is Active Noise Cancellation; Apple claims that the AirPods Pro are the only in-ear headphones with Active Noise Cancellation that adapts to both the shape of your ear and the fit of the ear tips.

Beyond this, these headphones come with multiple ear tip sizes (unlike the original AirPods) and a Transparency Mode that allows you to easily switch between letting the outside world in and blocking it out completely. These headphones can give you 4.5 hours of play time on one charge and the case provides an additional 24 hours of play time.

Truly Wireless Headphones: Jabra Elite 65t Headphones

Beyond the Apple AirPods, the Jabra Elite 65t In-Ear Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are another awesome alternative. Instead of using “tapping”, the Jabra Elite 65t headphones have physical buttons on the earbuds themselves. When you are on-the-go and can’t access your phone, tap gestures can occasionally falter. The Jabra Elite 65t Headphones’ physical button allow you command your phone with ease. You can also use Alexa and Google Now as well and they come with a set of tips in different sizes that allow you to size the earbuds well to your ear.truly wireless headphones 3One added difference, these headphones are IP55 rated. They won’t be able to be submerged in water, but they are rated to provide protection against sweat and jets of water (like in heavy rain, for example). Other truly wireless headphones may have lower ratings (like IPX4 – light water) or might not be rated at all for water resistance. Justin Tse reviewed these headphones and had a really positive outlook on them. On the sound front, he shared that these headphones had good mid-range and high-end, but were lacking a bit in the bass department.

Truly Wireless Headphones: Bose SoundSport Free Headphones

truly wireless headphones 4Don’t forget about Bose! The Bose SoundSport Free Headphones are made your workouts thanks to their snug ear fit. This tight fit is achieved through the company’s StayHear+ Sport soft silicone tips. Not only do the headphones fit well, but they will provide up to 5 hours of audio on a single charge and the included charging case will extend your listening for another 10 hours. Also, like many of the options in this list, you can use your voice assistant with these headphones.

These headphones possess a IPX4 rating for protection against splashing liquids (like sweat or light rain). They also have a unique feature that is really handy if you lose them: a “Find My Buds” feature. If you lose your buds, the free companion app can help you find them. Steven Hill reviewed these headphones and he had good things to say. His only major knock against the device was that they might stick out of your ear if you have a shallow ear canal.

Truly Wireless Headphones: Happy Plugs Air1 Headphones

If the price of higher-end truly wireless headphones is intimidating and you are buying these headphones for teenagers who might misplace or not take care good care of them, you may opt for the more budget friendly Happy Plugs Air1 Headphones. Although they may not deliver the same sound quality or runtime as other premium headphones in the category, they come packed with many of the same features. Sweat resistance, quick charging through the included charging case and the ability to use voice assistants. Darren Blakeborough reviewed these headphones a few months ago and really liked the sound and build quality of the device.

Truly Wireless Headphones might be the ideal stocking stuffer

Now might be the perfect time to get that someone special some truly wireless headphones and you can read more on our blog, What are the Best Truly Wireless Headphones.

If these headphones from Apple, Bose, Happy Plugs or Jabra don’t fulfill your needs, there are more headphones available in-store and at BestBuy.ca. Check out the Truly Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Headphones section of the Best Buy Canada website for more information and for even more gift ideas, check out the Best Buy Canada Blog!

Jacob McCourt
Jacob is a brand manager, play-by-play sports commentator, writer and podcaster. He draws his strength from a strict diet of wrestling, video games, technology & sweet potatoes. He has spent way too much time driving up and down Highway 401. You can find his other work at JacobMcCourt.com.

3 COMMENTS

  1. My how I’ve grown in a year. It helps when my usual over-ear headphones broke this morning and the warranty is expired. I’m definitely interested in truly wireless earbuds now. I need to do some research to see what I want in my next pair of headphones!

  2. Those truly wireless earbuds look cool, but I would be afraid that I would lose one of them. I’d rather get a set that are corded together, but still connect via bluetooth to other devices.

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