How Becca Farsace tests and reviews wireless headphones

Reviews of wireless headphones don’t just happen. Three weeks ago, I got my hands on seven pairs of wireless headphones to see which is the best option under $ 100. It may sound like Christmas Day to many, but the sight of such a pile on my desk for me hurts my ear and the inevitable feeling of having to find new music to love or podcasts to be mesmerized. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but what no one told me about reviewing the technology is that it takes time and dedication.

When researching the headphones I wanted to try out, I started with reputable companies with well-established customer service operations. I’ve also sent a lot of Slack messages to my colleague Chris Welch who also reviews wireless headphones for The edge. Then the headphones started pouring in.

I always start testing my headphones the same way: wear each model for at least one battery cycle to get a feel for pairing, controls, battery life, and comfort. A good wireless earphone should tick four boxes for me: good sound quality, a solid Bluetooth connection, a comfortable fit without being too bulky, and enough battery life for at least four hours of continuous listening. Oh! And a good mic is a big plus, but I also realize that not everyone on the phone talks as much as I do.

Photo by Alix Diaconis / The Verge

Photo by Alix Diaconis / The Verge

Photo by Alix Diaconis / The Verge

For this video, I tested the Sesh Evo at $ 59.99 from Skullcandy, Indy Evo at $ 79.99 from Skullcandy, OnePlus Buds Z at $ 49.99, 1More PistonBuds at $ 49.99, the JBL Tune 215TWS for $ 69.99, the JLab Go Air for $ 30, and the JLab Epic Air ANC headphones for $ 99.99. These are the usual retail prices for each model, but these go on sale frequently and it’s not hard to find one for even less than the price of their sticker.

In the first round of testing, I made three eliminations. First of all, Sesh Evos from Skullcandy for their super large heads that never stayed in my ears and their very plastic and cheap case. Then the 1More PistonBuds were eliminated for needing to remove the right button from the case first to connect to the left button, which then connects to my phone – a tedious and awkward process. If I didn’t pull the PistonBuds in that order, the left earbud would connect to my phone before connecting to the right earbud, then only play media from the left earbud. And finally, the JLab Go Airs were cut due to their open case design which, while it had magnets to hold the earbuds in place, made them pop out of their case in my backpack.

With four pairs left, it was time for the second round: natural selection. At this price point, the difference in every model is the fit, build quality, and connection. I keep all of the headphones that are still in the game in a pile on my desk and every morning I see what and when I naturally gravitate to. Very quickly, I was able to determine my favorite pair. While they lack a lot of the touch controls that I like about the other models, I went back to the OnePlus Buds Z for $ 49.99.

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

The OnePlus Buds Z’s 10mm speakers deliver full sound with decent treble and bass separation, but above all, they have a powerful bass. There is an IP55 water resistance and the silicone ear tips block out enough noise that you can hear music clearly even in the subway. I take each of my top picks on a few subway rides to test how much sound is blocked and how strong the Bluetooth connection they have. On my nighttime walk in Brooklyn, it was never difficult to bring the Bud Z’s small, lightweight case, and I found I could comfortably wear the headphones for long listening sessions.

Typically, around the time of my tests where I picked a winner, I would invite my friends over to a barbecue and some spring headphone tests. Right after dinner I grabbed my top picks and a bottle of rubbing alcohol and we went to test each pair. This time I had to rely on more Slacks for Chris Welch and just a staunch friend. But even with a smaller pool, the choice was clear.

From balanced sound quality with decent bass, a mic I could use for Zoom calls, and a comfortable fit, the Buds Z feel more premium than other headphones in this price range. They also have a case that doesn’t look plastic coated, although it lacks wireless charging, one of my favorite features. At this price, however, there’s really nothing to complain about. Watch the video for more information on the OnePlus Buds Z and to see what I pick as second and third choice.