Smart assistants like Amazon Alexa are becoming more popular than ever, and headphone makers are jumping on board to offer it as a built-in signature feature. They're growing in number and variance, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 stand out because of the combination of comfort, sound quality, and versatility in bringing Alexa into the fold. We have plenty of options for all ranges, so here are our picks for the best headphones with Alexa.
These will get Alexa talking
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It's a challenge for any company to follow up on a great product with something better, but in this case, Sony has continued to work its magic with the WH-1000XM5 one of the best pairs of headphones available. There was no need to reinvent the wheel when so much of the previous model worked so well, though good changes are always welcome. You do get a cleaner look here, and they'll fold flat, just not curl in for smaller transport.
Whether the WH-1000XM5 sound much better is highly subjective. There is aptX HD and LDAC codec support, plus 360 Reality Audio for those who can hear it on Tidal. Sony's sound signature preserves the same balance that you could always tweak through the equalizer in Sony's Connect app, including a "clear bass" slider for a boost in the low end. Call quality continues to improve as well, and the WH-1000Xm5 will also pause playback and turn on ambient sound as you start talking.
The stellar active noise-canceling (ANC) should better drown out the more difficult pitches and noises that often still pierce through. It's also easy to pair with two devices simultaneously, listening to music on one device and taking calls on another. The battery inside probably won't last any longer than the previous WH-1000XM4, but it's still a respectable 30 hours per charge. USB-C fast charging is also the same, with a 10-minute charge giving you five hours of listening.
Meanwhile, talking to Alexa is easy enough and arguably easier than before because of the improved mics. Unfortunately, it doesn't stretch much further than it did on the previous model regarding commands. You can get tunes from Amazon Music, but not Spotify, when you need to have Google Assistant or Siri step in to take over.
Bose has been a top contender in audio circles for some time, even if the mere mention of the brand raises the ire of audiophiles. Still, that it can make a good pair of headphones isn't surprising, considering Bose's pedigree for sound, but their efficacy can go beyond that.
The excellent ANC performance is augmented further by a certain level of customization through Bose's mobile app. But for the most part, you will have to rely on what comes out of the box once you wear these headphones. They aren't a one-size-fits-all from a sonic perspective, even if their lightweight frame and comfy earpads make wearing them feel like they are. While ANC performance doesn't quite hit Sony's level, they're a solid alternative that do a solid job at blocking out most persistent noises, like engines, and some mid-range sounds like people talking. You get up to 11 steps of ANC, making this one of the most versatile ANC experiences available.
Bose also gives you a direct line to Alexa, and the integration should feel seamless. It's easy to make general inquiries, request tunes from Amazon Music, or control smart home devices. However, it does have its limits — for example, it won't play music on Spotify through voice commands. You can resume Spotify playback through a shortcut you enable on the app, but voice integration would've been even better.
Despite all the good things, battery life is average at 20 hours per charge. A quick 15-minute fast charge through USB-C will deliver up to two hours of playback, ensuring you can listen to some tunes in a pinch. They also don't fold, which could be an issue when traveling or commuting, taking up more space in your bag.
If there were a true wireless earbud iteration of Sony's over-ear WH-1000XM4, these would be it. Our own review of these excellent earbuds says as much. Much of what makes those headphones so effective finds its way over here. While smaller real estate limits how much of a boom the low-end of the sound spectrum will have, audio performance is excellent despite it. ANC makes its way over, too, which works splendidly in most environments, especially when they're tightly nestled into your ears.
Alexa is in the mix here, and the popular voice assistant should work as if it's been there the whole time. It's not going to be radically different from Sony's over-ear model or competing brands, but it's nice to have. You can control smart home devices, ask general queries, set reminders, play songs from Amazon Music, and more. As for Spotify, well, you already know the answer to that at this point.
There are some caveats to all this tech. The earbuds have a slimmer profile than their predecessors did, but you may find you need to make adjustments when out for a jog or run. The IPX4 rating is also a modest upgrade from before and doesn't exactly put these earbuds in rugged territory. You can still do a run or workout with them, only you will need to be vigilant about keeping them clean afterward, so sweat and salt don't ruin them.
Sony also trimmed down the charging case, which is excellent for portability. The earbuds could last up to eight hours per charge, plus an extra three charges coming from the case. Wireless charging support gives you another convenient way to charge, though USB-C is the faster route. In a pinch, plug in for 10 minutes, and the earbuds can play for up to 90 minutes.
Amazon's cupboard of hardware products continues to grow, and the tech giant managed to improve the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) in a couple of key areas. The Alexa app still figures prominently in both the setup and functionality, as the lack of a dedicated operating system leaves Amazon with no other option to make things feel seamless. We found that all too well when we tried them out. Though a 3rd Gen is now out, they cut out noise canceling and ear tips, leaving these as still Amazon's best option.
You can wake Alexa at any time by just talking, making it a hands-free experience that sets it apart from other earbuds. This way, you can control smart home devices or get notifications read to you as they come in. While Spotify integration continues its absence, we hope that feature comes sooner or later.
One hardware change on the inside involved using cleaner drivers to amp up the overall audio quality, though some of that result is also because of the improved fit. Plus, there's ANC on board here, helping drown out ambient sounds to help audio quality come through a little clearer. If you want the opposite, Passthrough mode lets in ambient sound for greater awareness.
Battery life isn't any better at a max of five hours per charge (usually less), though you get up to 6.5 hours if you leave ANC off. The case offers an extra three charges. Quick charging via USB-C for 15 minutes can get you two hours of playback.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro are a great example of earbuds that do right by the fundamentals. Starting with their comfort level, you're not only able to wear them for more extended periods, but also benefit from better sound because of how well they fit. That passive isolation serves the ANC well, though you do have to run through the mandatory sound customization in the Sound+ app to personalize the feature for your ears. We noticed all of these things when reviewing the Jabra Elite 7 Pro.
Expect balanced sound that you can also skew how you want via the Sound+ app. That's also where you set up Alexa (you can also choose Google Assistant instead) for quick access by just pressing the right button on the earbuds themselves. Even better that they're physical buttons and not touch-sensitive ones for a more consistent experience every time, you need Alexa to do something for you.
It's also great for calling people, further enhanced by Jabra's MultiSensor Voice Technology for an extra layer of clarity. Note that while you can use either earbud in mono mode, Jabra still has to upgrade the firmware to include multipoint support to let you connect to two devices at once.
In case that includes getting active, the Elite 7 Pro come with an IP57 rating for solid water and dust resistance. Plus, battery life holds up well at up to eight hours per charge with ANC on, stretching it to 10 hours when leaving it off. The case gives you an extra three charges for about 30 hours. Charge it up via USB-C or Qi wireless charging, plus fast charging, where a quick five-minute charge can get you up to 60 minutes of playback.
Sennheiser holds a steady reputation for producing quality headphones with great sound, often competing with top brands through impressive audio fidelity. That remains the case with the Momentum 4 Wireless, which weren't engineered for picky self-respecting audiophiles, but rather for consumers who care about listening to headphones that offer better overall sound. That's exactly how we saw it in our review.
These skew more heavily toward the low-end for bigger bass, but it's best to use Sennheiser's Sound Control app to get even more out of them through the EQ settings. The beauty of these headphones is they can make just about any musical genre sound great. Improved ANC takes things up a notch, including a pretty effective Wind Reduction mode, but Sennheiser still has another gear to hit on that front. The transparent mode does the opposite by piping in ambient sound for greater spatial awareness.
Auto-play and pause when putting on or removing the headphones is convenient, as is connecting to two devices at once via Bluetooth. Fold the earcups in, and the headphones turn off. They also come with a carrying case, including pouches for the USB-C and 3.5mm line-in cables.
Alexa is available as a voice assistant option, and as you might expect, the integration is much like it is in other headphones. Better yet, Sennheiser vastly improved battery life by raising it from 17 hours in the previous pair to as high as 60 hours in the Momentum 4 Wireless. When you need to plug in, charge them and listen to tunes at the same time.
Do you hear me, Alexa?
Alexa is a ubiquitous voice assistant people have parked in almost every corner of their home. Taking it with you offers a good measure of the same experience outdoors, even if some key integrations are missing. More headphones will be joining the group listed here — you can count on that. However, right now, you'll have to pay a premium to get it built-in. As more headphones hit the market with Alexa onboard, the price should go down. But, for now, you'll be paying three figures for the privilege. To be honest, you'll be paying that much for some of the best wireless headphones on the market.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 deliver the best combination of what you would expect a feature-laden pair of headphones to have. They're up against stiff competition, yet cover the right bases by improving upon previous models and pushing other brands to raise their game. Overall, these are the best headphones with Alexa, and you won't be disappointed with everything else they can do.
