Best headphones with Amazon Alexa support Android Central 2020
Headphone manufacturers are jumping at the chance to make Alexa a standard feature on their products. There are many options, but the Sony WH1000XM4 is the best because it offers comfort, sound quality, versatility, and the ability to bring Alexa into your life. There are many options, so we've compiled our top picks for headphones that work with Alexa.
Source: Peter Cao / Android Central
It can be difficult for any company to improve on a product. But Sony has made the WH-1000XM4 a top-quality pair of headphones. Although there was no need for a new model, it is always a good idea to improve on the existing models. It is difficult to say if the WH-1000XM4 sounds better. LDAC and aptX HD codec support are available, as well as 360 Reality Audio for those who have Tidal. Sony also experimented with sound. Sony upgraded the microphones on its phones to improve the phone calls quality. Smarter features such as the ability to pause music and add ambient sound when you are talking to someone, make clearer calls. Active noise-canceling should be more intuitive and efficient. It will drown out difficult pitches and noises, which can still pierce through. Sony's Connect app still offers the ability to customize and offer equalizer capabilities. Although the battery inside won't last as long as the WH-1000XM3, it still provides a respectable 30 hour charge. The USB-C fast charging feature is the same. A 10-minute charge gives you five hours of listening. Talking to Alexa is simple enough, and perhaps even easier thanks to the upgraded mics. It doesn't go as far as it did with the previous model in terms of commands. While you can access Amazon Music's music, Spotify is not available. To get Spotify songs, you will need Siri or Google Assistant to assist. Con: A comfortable fit
Ambient modes and ANC improved
Maintains excellent sound
It's much better to make phone calls
Great battery life Cons
Alexa doesn't seem to work with Spotify
Expensive
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 Runner-up
Source: Bose
Bose has been a leading contender in audio circles for a while, even though the mere mention of it raises the ire among audiophiles. Bose's reputation for sound is obvious. However, it's not surprising that they can make good headphones. But their effectiveness can be far beyond that. Bose's smartphone app allows for customization, which enhances the excellent ANC performance. These headphones are not a perfect fit for everyone. These headphones aren't one-size fits all from a sonic standpoint, even though their lightweight frame and comfortable earpads make them seem like it. Although their ANC performance isn't as good as Sony's, they are a solid alternative. They block out most persistent sounds, such engines and mid-range sounds, such people talking. This ANC experience is one of the most flexible. It can provide up to 11 steps. Bose gives you an easy connection to Alexa. You can easily make general inquiries, request music from Amazon Music, and control your smart home devices. It does have some limitations, such as the inability to play Spotify music via voice commands. Spotify can be resumed using a shortcut that you have enabled on the app. Voice integration would have been even better. The average battery life of 20 hours per charge is despite all these great features. Fast charging via USB-C takes just 15 minutes and can provide up to 2 hours of playback. This will allow you to listen to your favorite tunes even when you are not at home. They don't fold which can be a problem when you travel or commute, as they take up more space in your bag. The pros: Excellent ANC performance
High quality sound quality
Very comfortable
Battery life is amazing
Fast charging cons: Bulky, non-foldable design
Battery life is outperformed by competitors
Higher priced than the top pick
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 - Wireless Bluetooth Bluetooth Headphones Runner-up Sounding great in all the right tones. These feature-packed headphones have a variety of sound options and noise cancellation. Amazon: $379
Best Buy: $379
Walmart: $379
Best over-ear value: Jabra Elite 85h
Source: Daniel Bader / Android Central
Although spec sheets can be confusing, the Jabra headphones are a compelling choice, considering the price. It's remarkable how the company's reputation for making wireless headphones is transferred to over-ear headphones. Although the Jabra Elite 85h isn't a direct crossover with the company's true wireless headphones, the quality is there. These earbuds sound great with all music genres. The Jabra Sound+ app allows for customization via an onboard EQ. The little things that make a difference are the ones that help. Turn off the headphones and stop the audio pauses. It resumes when you put them back on. These little details add up. The Elite 85h is a voice assistant that can hear what you say. The headphones are equipped with eight microphones, which ensures that commands can be heard clearly. This is critical for Alexa as it can interpret commands in a variety of settings. Although you won't have the ability to tell Spotify which song to play, it doesn't seem to be an issue regardless of who makes headphones. ANC quality on headphones other than Bose and Sony is less effective than it is on Bose. SmartSound is supposed to adjust the sound according to your environment. HearThrough is also suitable. The headphones can be charged for up to 30 hours, and the USB-C port allows for faster charging. Pros: Comfortable design
Solid for music and phone calls
Sound+ app: EQ and setting
Auto-pause and Resume
Battery life is excellent
Good price Cons: The ANC could be more affordable
SmartSound doesn't always sound smart
It is heavier than other models
Spotify is not compatible with Alexa
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless noise-canceling headphones with best over-ear value Comfort and convenience in one package Amazon: $158
Best Buy - Starting at $190
Best in-ear: Sony WF-1000XM4
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
These would be the wireless version of Sony's WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones. This is where you will find a lot of the same technology that makes these headphones so powerful. Although the volume of the low-end sound spectrum is less powerful due to the smaller space, the audio performance is still excellent. ANC also makes its way through, and it works beautifully in almost all environments, especially when it's tightly inserted into your ears. Alexa is included in this mix, and the popular voice assistant should work like it's been there all along. Although it won't be significantly different from the over-ear models of Sony or other brands, it's still a nice feature to have. You can control your smart home devices, ask general questions, set reminders and play songs from Amazon Music. You already know the answer about Spotify. There are some limitations to this technology. Although the earbuds are slimmer than their predecessors, you might need to adjust for running or jogging. This earbuds are now IPX4-rated, which is a slight improvement over their previous IPX3 rating. They can still be used for running or exercise, but you'll need to ensure they are clean. Salt and sweat won't cause damage. The charging case has been reduced by Sony, which makes it more portable. The earbuds can last for up to eight hours on a single charge. You can charge your earbuds wirelessly, but USB-C is faster. You can plug in for only 10 minutes and your earbuds will play for up 90 minutes. Pros: Outstanding ANC performance
Excellent sound quality
Amazing battery life
Wireless charging case for USB-C
LDAC and 360 Audio support
Solid app support Cons
Comfortable may not be possible for smaller ears
Only in the right buds can you use single-bud mode
Alexa does not integrate Spotify with Spotify
Sony WF1000XM4 Truly Wireless noise cancelling headphones for in-ear use. The Sony WF1000XM4 are small and lightweight, but still pack a punch. Amazon: $280
Best Buy: $280
B&H $280
Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Generation): Best in-ear value
Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central
Amazon continues to expand its range of hardware products. However, in the second attempt at wireless earbuds that are truly wireless, the tech giant has made some significant improvements. Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Generation) still feature the Alexa app as a key component in the setup and functionality. Without a dedicated operating platform, Amazon has no choice but to make it feel seamless. It is easy to wake Alexa by simply speaking, which makes it stand out from other earbuds. You can also control smart home devices and have notifications sent to you. We hope Spotify integration will be available sooner than later, even though Spotify integration is still absent. The hardware changes on the inside included cleaner drivers that amplified the audio quality. However, some of this result may also be due to the improved fit. This unit also has ANC, which helps to drown out any ambient noises and improves audio quality. Passthrough mode allows you to hear ambient sounds for greater awareness. The battery life is less than the iPhone's at five hours (or less) per charge, but you can get as much as 6.5 hours if ANC is off. You get an additional three charges with the case. Two hours of playback can be achieved by quick charging via USB-C in 15 minutes. Pros: Alexa can be baked in
A smaller and more comfortable fit
Performance of ANC has improved
Maintains EQ Support
Excellent support for both Android and iOS
Cons: Faster charging is not better than the predecessor. There's no real difference in battery lifetime.
No multiple Bluetooth
Finicky touch controls
Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless In Ear Earphones Alexa are the best in-ear value. This is a notable improvement on Amazon's previous efforts to create true wireless earbuds. Amazon: $120
Best Buy - $120
Best sport: Jabra Elite Active 75t
Source: Daniel Bader / Android Central
There are few options for Alexa-enabled headphones that can withstand a lot of abuse. Jabra is a top-tier option for active users, thanks to its work over the past three years. The Jabra Elite 75t are easily the best active earbuds. This model is a copy of the regular Elite 75t, which was released in 2019. Only the price and improved IP57 sweat and water resistance ratings are notable differences. They are identical, other than that. This is not necessarily a negative thing. This is just an extra cost to ensure that your earbuds don't get damaged by sweating during exercise or running. These earbuds are already built on a solid foundation due to the outstanding Elite 75t in various aspects. The AirPods' sound quality is superior to the AirPods, and it is comparable with some of the most respected brands in the industry. The package includes a smaller form factor (compared with the Elite 65t) as well as solid support through Jabra's Sound+ app. If you are looking for a voice assistant, Alexa is an option. Although it works most of the times, it can have difficulty understanding every word if there is too much background noise. It doesn't have ANC so it can't block out background noise. However, passive noise isolation is one of the best for wireless earbuds. The battery life has been almost doubled from the Elite 65t and now lasts 7.5 hours depending on how much you use it. Although the case is slimmer, it's more comfortable to use with your earbuds. Wireless charging would have been great. You do get USB-C at a reasonable rate of charging. The pros: Great fit and finish
Excellent sound quality
App support that works efficiently
Amazing battery life
Better sweat resistance Cons: No ANC
No wireless charging
No audio upgrade for regular Elite 75t
Alexa has no Spotify
Jabra Elite 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds - Break a sweat with additional insurance Amazon: $150
Best Buy $150
Walmart: Starting at $180
Best for audiophiles: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3
Source: Sennheiser
Sennheiser has a solid reputation for making high-quality headphones that sound great. They often compete with the best brands in audio fidelity and quality. Momentum Wireless 3 continues to be a great choice for audiophiles. However, they aren't designed for those who are strict about sound quality. They are made for consumers who want better overall sound. The headphones tend to be more low-end, which can lead to a greater bass. However, Sennheiser's Sound Control app allows you adjust the EQ settings. These headphones can be customized to sound better according to your preferences. There are three options for blocking out ambient noise. Transparent mode aims to increase spatial awareness by piping the noise in. It is easy to connect to two devices simultaneously via Bluetooth by using auto-play or pause. The headphones will turn off when you fold the earcups in. The headphones come with a protective carrying case, which includes pouches for both the USB-C line-in and 3.5mm line in cables. As you would expect, Alexa can be used as a voice assistant. The integration is similar to other headphones. The battery life is limited to 17 hours, which is less than other brands. You will need to wait longer before they can be charged again. The pros: Great sound quality
Design that is both stylish and comfortable
Sound Control App allows for customization
Support for the ANC
Convenient with a case and foldable design
Battery life could be longer
Expensive
Spotify is not available
