When it comes to differentiating between Wireless and Bluetooth, wireless refers to connection of a computer to a particular network, while Bluetooth refers to connection of different devices such as a phone and laptop for transferring information. Wireless includes various communication forms such as satellites and radios, all of which use electromagnetic waves.

Definitions

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Wireless headphones are small electronic speakers which are worn close to your ears and help you listen to a particular sound device. However, the device is not connected to the headphones through any wires. These headphones are commonly also dubbed cordless headphones. Instead of using wires, the device – be it a smartphone or a laptop – uses radio frequency waves to transfer the sounds. Your wireless headphones may be large as shown in the figure above, or small enough to fit in your ears.

Some earlier devices also used infrared waves for this type of transfer of sound.

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While the Bluetooth headphones also do not require any wires to connect to a device for transfer of information, they use radio waves.  Bluetooth covers short ranges and this technology is available in almost all hi-tech devices such as laptops, smartphones, speakers, and of course, headphones. Bluetooth devices contain a small computer chip with Bluetooth radio. The chip has software that helps devices connect with one another.

Wireless vs Bluetooth Headphones

Both these types of headphones are wireless i.e. they do not use wires of any form to connect to a device. But the main difference between wireless and bluetooth headphones is their range. A wireless headset can receive signals from up to a distance of 100 feet (30 meters). On the contrary, Bluetooth headphones are designed for devices at a distance of up to 30 feet (9 meters).

Comparison Chart