5 signs you need to upgrade your wireless headphones

Tom's Guide

11-05-2025

Portable audio products lose their luster over time. Need a reminder? Look at your damaged and outdated wireless headphones. It's not just about the daily wear and tear you're putting these cans through that cause long-term impact to overall performance.
The lack of modern specs also affects usability. All of this is common among consumers who have owned headphones for several years or purchased an inexpensive pair built from cheap parts.
They'll start to experience connectivity cutting in and out more often because their headphones aren't running the latest recommended Bluetooth version (Bluetooth 5.3 or higher).
Excessive wear begins to deteriorate materials such as the faux leather on the ear pads and headband, causing discomfort and slippage. Most importantly, sound becomes heavily distorted due to overdriving. That's just an audiophile term for saying your drivers have been put through the wringer by listening to music at very loud volumes.
Those aren't the only general indicators to ditch your old wireless headphones for a new pair of the best wireless headphones. With the category evolving so quickly, your next headphone purchase should be up to date with the latest components, special features, and wireless technologies. This will ensure optimal performance for years to come.
Here are 5 warning signs you need to upgrade your wireless headphones, ASAP.
Hi-res audio is immensely popular in the music streaming world, with services like Tidal and Qobuz leading the way, while Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music progressively expand their initiatives. In order to hear more detail and nuance at higher bitrates, you'll need headphones that either come with Hi-Res Audio certification or upscaled audio codecs like aptX Adaptive/Lossless and LDAC. Both codecs support 24-bit audio for richer sound reproduction and wider dynamic range.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
There is a workaround if you have wireless headphones that don't come with these sound-enhancing technologies. It requires headphones with a 3.5mm AUX or USB-C audio jack and buying a portable DAC that is tethered to your headphones and media device. The smarter and more practical investment would be new wireless headphones.
Your headphones aren't holding a charge the way they used to, and that's not by accident. This is known as battery degradation. It means the internal battery is draining faster due to repeated charging and discharging cycles.
Other factors can affect battery life, including active noise cancellation, high volume, hot temperatures, and continuous listening over long stretches.
So, if you're an AirPods Max user who has witnessed their below-standard battery life (20 hours) drop even lower over the course of two years, check your AppleCare+ status to see if the headphones are covered, because if so, you're entitled to a battery replacement. Everyone else without an AppleCare+ warranty will have to splurge on a new pair. Coverage plans and warranties are different among all audio brands.
Ever heard of multipoint technology? You should have it by now. This feature has been around for several years and allows users to pair their headphones to two devices simultaneously.
Certain models like the AirPods Max don't offer this. Does that make them obsolete? Absolutely not. All AirPods models come with auto-switching, which automatically pairs your headphones or buds to your most recently used Apple device.
However, if you're someone who juggles multiple devices throughout the day and hates having to unpair from one to pair to the other, then multipoint technology can relieve you of this frustration.
Category leaders like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Sony WH-1000XM5 make transitioning between your laptop and smartphone, and vice versa, a seamless task.
Spatial audio is now a norm in the wireless audio space. Almost every major headphone maker has developed its own 3D sound format, and if it hasn't, it's licensing the technology from other companies.
You want the engaging and immersive sound that spatial audio provides for concerts, music, movies, sports events, and all other content. Headtracking also adds a level of realism by positioning sound accurately to your head movements. It's the most intimate way to enjoy audio.
Most current wireless headphones have a companion app to personalize performance across multiple verticals (e.g., connectivity, controls, sound). If yours don't, well, that's a heavy indication to swap them out for something more modern. You don't want to miss out on functional perks that keep your cans future-proof.
Those who already own headphones with app support must monitor their firmware updates. This is important because when you stop receiving them, it's likely the manufacturer of your headphones has completely abandoned the software. That means no additional features through OTA (over the air) updates. Any bugs or issues you encounter in the app won't be fixed either, which may restrict access to popular features that can't be enabled directly on the headphones.