The Galaxy S20 includes exciting new additions like a 120Hz screen, but it misses out on one important feature: the 3.5mm jack. Samsung is the latest brand to ditch the analog jack, and that means you’ll have to use Bluetooth headphones to listen to music on your S20. The obvious choice is Samsung’s own Galaxy Buds+ for the sound quality, battery life, and convenience.
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Buds+
If you don’t want over-ear headphones and are looking for a true wireless option, the Galaxy Buds+ are the obvious pick. Samsung overhauled the earbuds’ sound profile, adding a secondary driver in each earbud to deliver much better sound quality. There’s also Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, three microphones, and fast pairing.
Another area that saw a massive change is battery life. The Galaxy Buds+ feature an 85mAh battery, and they manage to deliver 11 hours of battery life between charges, nearly double that of their predecessor. You also get wireless charging over the Qi standard, and the case has enough power to provide an additional 22 hours’ worth of music playback.
Pros:
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- Qi wireless charging/fast charging
- Excellent battery life
- Decent sound
Cons:
- Limited bass
- Finicky controls
Best Overall
Samsung Galaxy Buds+
- $149 at Amazon
- $150 at Best Buy
- $149 at Walmart
- $149 at B&H Photo
Same design, much better sound
The Galaxy Buds+ deliver much better sound and a larger battery than their predecessor.
Best Sound: Sony WH-1000XM3
A year after their launch, the WH-1000XM3 continue to be the headphones to beat. Sony nailed the basics, and the lightweight design allows you to wear the headphones all day without any discomfort. You get plush ear pads, intuitive controls on the right earcup, and the ability to connect to Google Assistant and Alexa. There’s also 30 hours of battery life, fast charging over USB-C, and a fold-down design for easy portability.
A lot of what makes the WH-1000XM3 great is the dedicated QN1 processor that Sony included, which does an incredible job with noise isolation. The result is that the WH-1000XM3 are in a class of their own when it comes to active noise cancelation. If you’re a frequent traveler or are looking for headphones to block out ambient sounds during your commute, the WH-1000XM3 should be at the top of your list. They are costly at nearly $300, but you’re getting great value for your money here.
Pros:
- Exquisite sound quality
- Unmatched active noise cancellation
- Great for all-day use
- Lasts 30 hours
- Charges over USB-C
Cons:
- Costly
- Poor call quality
Best Sound
Sony WH-1000XM3
- $348 at Amazon
- $350 at Best Buy
- $348 at Walmart
Still the headphones to beat in 2020
The Sony WH-1000XM3 offer an incredible combination of sound quality and noise isolation.
Best Value: TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones
TaoTronics makes some of the best sub-$100 headphones you can buy, and this particular option stands out in a lot of ways. First up, you get active noise cancelation, which in itself is a big deal since it’s usually reserved for more expensive headphones. Combine that with a great sound profile with a bass-heavy sound signature and a fold-flat design, and the headphones become that much more exciting.
But the biggest reason to get these is the battery life. These headphones last well over 40 hours from a full charge, and you also get a carrying case. The overall value here is incredible.
Pros:
- 40 hours of music playback
- Bass-heavy sound
- ANC toggle
- Portable design
- Fast pairing
Cons:
- Plain design
- No fast charging
- Micro-USB charging
Best Value
TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones
- $50 at Amazon
The best value you’ll find in this segment
TaoTronics’ latest headphones come with active noise cancellation and last over 40 hours from a full charge.
Best On A Budget: Aukey Latitude EP-B40
Aukey is another brand that caters to the budget category, and the Latitude EP-B40 continues to be a great option if you want Bluetooth headphones for under $50. You’re getting a lot for a little here: The neckbuds have an IPX4 rating that makes them ideal for workouts, and you also get the AptX codec.
The neckbuds have magnets at the end of each earbud, and they hook together around your neck when not in use. There’ are also in-line controls for music playback and volume, and they have a fin-style design that ensures you get a secure fit. Where Aukey cuts corners is in the Bluetooth, which uses an older standard. It all should work just fine for most people.
Pros:
- IPX4 rating
- AptX codec
- Lightweight design
- Snug fit for workouts
Cons:
- Micro-USB charging
- Bluetooth 4.1
Best On A Budget
Aukey Latitude EP-B40
- $30 at Amazon
Just throw ’em in your bag.
The Latitude have IPX4 water resistance, high-fidelity AptX codecs, form-fitting earbuds, and 8-hour playback.
Best For Commutes: Jabra Elite 85h
The Elite 85h is a great option if you’re in the market for headphones that have active noise cancelation and a lightweight design. The water-resistant nano coating makes them ideal for the rigors of a daily commute, and the fold-flat design means they’re portable. They’re protected against sweat and dust, and should hold up under light rain just fine.
However, the best part about the Elite 85h is that they automatically enable ANC once they detect a lot of ambient noise in your surroundings. The fact that you don’t have to manually toggle it on makes the headphones that much more enticing. Another key point is that these headphones last 36 hours on a full charge, and come with fast charging that delivers five hours of music playback after just 15 minutes.
Pros:
- Water-resistant coating
- Incredible sound quality
- Lightweight design
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Fast charging
Cons:
- No AptX
- Mushy controls
Best For Commutes
Jabra Elite 85h
- $203 at Amazon
Power up your commutes
The Elite 85h combine a lightweight design with incredible noise isolation, sweatproof nano coating, and over 36 hours of battery.
More For Less: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
Plantronics has managed to carve out a name for itself in recent years by offering a similar feature-set as the likes of Sony and Bose, but at a much more affordable price point. The BackBeat 2 Pro illustrate this point perfectly. They deliver great sound quality and last for 24 hours between charges, and you get excellent active noise cancelation that minimizes ambient noise in your surroundings.
There isn’t a downside here, and the fact that you can get your hands on the BackBeat 2 Pro for around $150 makes them a fantastic choice. You also get a carrying case, and the Bluetooth range on offer here is incredible. There are a few trade-offs, like Micro-USB charging, and the design is a bit bulky, but overall you’re getting excellent value for your money here.
Pros:
- Outstanding sound quality
- ANC that works
- 24 hours of music playback
- Portable design
Cons:
- Bulky
- Mushy controls
- Micro-USB charging
More For Less
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
- $150 at Amazon
- $133 at Walmart
Great audio quality, low price.
The BackBeat 2 Pro delivers a similar sound quality and features as high-end headphones but at half the retail price.
Plenty of great options for your Galaxy S20
The audio industry has focused heavily on the wireless segment over the last three years, and the result is that you can get your hands on decent Bluetooth headphones for under $50. The best overall option is still the Galaxy Buds+. Samsung has managed to deliver much better battery life here, and the sound profile is cleaner as well. Combine that with the fact that you can charge the earbuds wirelessly on the back of your Galaxy S20, and they become an even better deal.
But if you’re looking for the best out there, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is the obvious pick for your Galaxy S20. Sony’s high-end options has everything you’re looking from in a pair of headphones. You get excellent audio quality with customizable EQ, a lightweight design that’s great for all-day use, and noise isolation that’s on a whole new level.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Harish Jonnalagadda is the Regional Editor of Android Central. A reformed hardware modder, he now spends his time writing about India’s burgeoning phone market. Previously, he used to ponder the meaning of life at IBM. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.
