Wireless Headphones Types

Radio-frequency and Bluetooth headphones

Wireless headphones can use different technologies. Some wireless headphones operate on a RF (radio frequency) channel, and although that means you can wander around your house with your headphones, you can also get interference and static from other electronics that use radio signals, such as cordless phones and wireless routers. However, careful tuning can correct this issue. The more expensive wireless headphones of this type have auto-scanning that will attempt to find a clear channel for an interference-free transmission. At the higher end, some wireless headphones supposedly can maintain an acceptable signal from as far as 100 meters away.

Some wireless headphones use infrared (IR) technology. There's much less interference than with radio frequency (RF) headphones, but you have to remain within sight of the infrared transmitter. Even then, there is the slight chance of interference by strong direct light such as that from sunlight or glare from plasma screens. Infrared wireless headphones are better if you plan to sit and listen in one place.

Bluetooth stereo headphones have really come into their own within the last year. Some include a Bluetooth adapter than can be plugged into an iPod or most standard headphone jacks, while others are designed like mono headsets with the Bluetooth technology built into the device. Some, like the Logitech FreePulse (*Est. $120), work with music players only. Others, like the Jabra BT3030 (*Est. $55), can connect to both a Bluetooth phone and a music player (or laptop), letting you use one headset for both phone and music.

Bluetooth headphones are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices or with any device if the headphones come with a Bluetooth adapter. Other wireless headphones typically come with a base unit that hooks up to your audio equipment and communicates with the headphones. The base unit also doubles as holder for the headphones when you're not using them.