Buying guide for Best Bluetooth beanies
Just because you're out on the slopes, it doesn't mean you can't listen to your favorite playlist. It also doesn't mean you can't take that important call. If you wear a Bluetooth beanie, you can be stylish, keep your head warm, and stay connected to your smartphone. However, there is a wide variety of options available, so you want to be sure to get the Bluetooth beanie that's right for you.
You want a Bluetooth beanie that fits your style, is comfortable to wear, has decent stereo speakers, and can be washed. A quick recharge time coupled with a long battery life is ideal, and having a built-in microphone will be appreciated when a call comes in.
Key considerations
When choosing a Bluetooth beanie, there are many features and options to consider, but three take priority: warmth, functionality, and style.
Warmth
Unless you’re looking for a Bluetooth beanie for the warmer seasons, your overriding concern is finding one that will keep your head warm. This is most important for those with shorter hairstyles, but in the coldest days, even a thick mane could use some help. Fleece, cotton, wool, and cashmere are all good options. Acrylic is a lightweight choice for people who may be allergic to other fabrics, but it doesn't breathe as well, so it might make you sweat.
Functionality
The whole reason for getting a Bluetooth beanie instead of a regular beanie is so you can have your technology on hand wherever you go. Having the latest version of Bluetooth on your beanie is ideal, but if your smartphone hasn't been upgraded in a decade, you might run into some communication issues. You also want decent speakers and, if you plan on taking calls, a quality microphone.
Style
A beanie can be a fashion statement. How you wear one says just as much about you as the style you choose. Are you someone who prefers neutral shades, or do you prefer to express yourself in neon? Since you’ll be the one wearing it, you need to find a Bluetooth beanie that strikes your fancy but still keeps you warm and functions well with your smartphone.
How much warmth a Bluetooth beanie provides is a key consideration. Bluetooth beanies may be made from fleece, wool, or cashmere to keep your head warm.
We research the quality of the Bluetooth beanie's speakers and, if it has one, its microphone. We also find out how well the Bluetooth connection withstands interference and how frequently it drops calls or loses connection.
Style is a key factor with Bluetooth beanies. We consider options in different shapes and colors and with unique decorations.
We look for Bluetooth beanies that offer breathability and moisture-wicking properties, which protect the wearer from built-up dampness.
The durability and craftsmanship of the fabric and seams affects the longevity of a Bluetooth beanie. We look for beanies that will withstand time and wear.
We seek out Bluetooth beanies that are simple and quick to use, whether you're out for a walk or on the slopes.
Bluetooth beanies can be charged via USB port, outlet, or both. We find out how a Bluetooth beanie charges before we make our recommendations.
We research which Bluetooth beanies offer the longest pairing ranges. Users who don't plan to have their phone on them should look for a Bluetooth beanie with a greater pairing distance, which can reach up to 33 feet in some cases.
We find out whether the electronics of a Bluetooth beanie can be removed for cleaning. Some beanies are machine washable when the electronic components are removed.
When evaluating market offerings, we make sure to look for wool alternatives, like acrylic, for those who are allergic to wool.
Bluetooth beanie features
Now that you've made those all-important initial decisions, it's time to look at some of the differences you might find between Bluetooth beanies. If something in the following list is important to you, make sure that the beanie you choose has that feature.
Durability: You want a Bluetooth beanie that will last. If your beanie is of inferior craftsmanship and begins to come apart at the seams after wearing it only a few times, you won't be a satisfied customer.
One-touch control: Whether you want to skip to the next song or end a call, having one-touch control will come in handy for any user.
Conductive gloves: If you need to communicate with your beanie in a way that isn't possible with one-touch control, you will want a pair of conductive gloves to operate your smartphone so you don't have to go barehanded in the cold. Some Bluetooth beanie bundles include a pair of conductive gloves.
Charger: At some point, you’ll need to charge your Bluetooth beanie. Some models you charge via a USB port while others you charge from an outlet. Some models even offer both options. If you have a preference, be sure the Bluetooth beanie you choose meets your expectations.
Battery life: If you're out on the slopes all day long, a Bluetooth beanie that loses its charge in 90 minutes won't be very useful. Look for a model with extended battery life.
Speaker quality: This covers both comfort and sound quality. If the stereo speakers are uncomfortable or don’t sound good, you won't be using your new Bluetooth beanie for very long.
Built-in microphone: If you want to take calls while wearing your Bluetooth beanie, you'll need to choose one with a built-in microphone.
Pairing range: If you plan on being more than a few feet from your smartphone while wearing your Bluetooth beanie, you'll want to consider the pairing distance. A range of 33 feet is at the higher end of the spectrum.
Removable electronics: A Bluetooth beanie with removable electronics can be cleaned more easily. Some beanies may even be machine washable once all the delicate parts have been removed.
Moisture wicking: It is possible to sweat in cold weather. Moisture-wicking fabric draws that moisture off of your skin and transfers it to the outer layer of the fabric so you don't get chilled.
Did you know?
In Canada, a knitted, beanie-like hat is called a tuque.
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Bluetooth beanie prices
Bluetooth beanies come in a fairly narrow price range. Roughly $20 is all that separates the low end from the high end.
Inexpensive: At $6 to $14 you have the bargain beanies. These may have all the features, but often the quality is what is lacking. These beanies may be slightly less comfortable and not offer the best sound quality.
Mid-range: From $15 to $25 is where you have the most options. Many beanies in this range are washable, most have a microphone, and they’re available in a wide variety of styles from reserved to outrageous. You might also find some included bonuses, such as conductive gloves.
Expensive: After you move into the $30 and more range, many of the styles revert to a more neutral look and are crafted with better-quality materials.
Tips
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Know when to say no to the beanie. Not every situation is beanie appropriate. Formal occasions, dinner out, and many workplaces won’t give you a big thumbs-up if you're wearing a beanie.
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Stick with neutral colors in the warmer months. Switzerland got it right: if you wear your beanie year-round, neutral is best.
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Wear it your way. Covering your forehead and ears is a classic beanie look. It's a safe fashion statement, and it helps you stay the warmest. If you opt for style over function, you can place the beanie on the back part of your head to make a hip statement. However, if this is your chosen style, not only will your ears get cold but you also won't be able to hear your Bluetooth speakers. For a subtle style, choose a beanie that matches your hair color. One trendy, fun option is to pull the top of the beanie up, so that only the rim is touching your head.
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Go baggy. If you're blessed with an abundance of hair or it's particularly curly and full of body, look for a larger-size beanie so you can tuck that mane away.
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Be smooth. A beanie made out of coarse material is one of the main causes of hat hair. Look for smoother fabrics, such as angora, if you want to keep your hair under control when the beanie comes off.
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Try a dryer sheet to control static. Is static a problem? A dryer sheet works surprisingly well in a pinch.
- Don't put on your beanie if your hair is damp. This will cause your hair to set as it dries beneath your beanie. Even better, dry and style your hair in something forgiving like a low ponytail before pulling that beanie overtop.
FAQ
Q. How comfortable is it to wear a Bluetooth beanie?
A. Most Bluetooth beanies have lightweight flat speakers located in the rim of the knit cap. Since there's nothing protruding, there's no additional pressure on your ears that might be caused by the elastic. In other words, with most Bluetooth beanies, you can't even feel the speakers, or if you can, you’ll quickly forget you’re wearing them because the hat feels roughly the same as a regular beanie.
Q. My Bluetooth beanie doesn't sound the same as my earbuds. Why is that?
A. Earbuds slip inside the ear canal and deliver sound more directly. Most Bluetooth beanies have little disk-shaped speakers that sit outside the ears. The effect is more akin to listening to ambient music, so you won't get as much of the bottom end for that booming sound, which isn't healthy for your ears anyway.
Q. Can I wash my Bluetooth beanie?
A. That depends. If you get a Bluetooth beanie that has removable electronic parts, then it will be safe for you to wash the beanie after you've removed them. However, you still have to be careful because some beanies can’t be machine washed. Always read the instructions to determine the best way to clean your Bluetooth beanie.
