Measuring on Bluetooth. Start, then drag the slider until the flash and the click feel simultaneous.
Bluetooth codec latency table
Typical end-to-end figures measured on consumer headphones. Both the phone and the headphones must support a codec for it to be used; otherwise they fall back to SBC.
| Codec | Typical latency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| aptX Low Latency | 32–40 ms | Needs an aptX LL transmitter (usually a USB dongle); rare in phones. |
| LC3 / LE Audio | 20–60 ms | New Bluetooth 5.2+ standard. Only the newest phones and earbuds. |
| aptX Adaptive | 50–80 ms | Low-latency mode on Snapdragon Android phones; 80–120 ms otherwise. |
| aptX | 70–120 ms | Most Android phones; no iPhone support. |
| AAC | 120–200 ms | What every iPhone and Mac uses. Apple devices compensate in video apps. |
| SBC | 150–250 ms | Mandatory fallback; Windows often lands here. Can exceed 300 ms. |
| LDAC | 150–250 ms | Sony’s hi-res codec; optimised for bitrate, not latency. |
| Earbud “game mode” | 60–90 ms | Vendor shortcut that shrinks buffers; costs range and stability. |
Which codec am I on?
- iPhone / iPad: always AAC (SBC fallback). No setting exists.
- Android: Settings → Developer options → Bluetooth audio codec, while connected.
- Mac: hold Option, click the Bluetooth menu-bar icon, hover the device.
- Windows: no display. Usually SBC or AAC; aptX needs a dongle or specific laptops.
Ways to cut the delay
- • Turn on the earbuds’ game / low-latency mode in their app.
- • On Android, force aptX or aptX Adaptive in Developer options if both sides support it.
- • Stay within a couple of metres, clear line of sight - interference means retransmits means buffering.
- • Disable spatial audio, EQ and “enhancements” - each stage adds processing.
- • For instruments or competitive play: wired, or a 2.4 GHz dongle. Bluetooth cannot get there.
Popular headphones: what to expect
| Device | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods / AirPods Pro (iPhone, iPad, Mac) | ~150–190 ms | AAC only. iOS delays video to compensate, so YouTube looks in sync while games and rhythm apps still lag. |
| Galaxy Buds (Samsung phone) | ~90–200 ms | Samsung Seamless codec with game mode lands under ~100 ms; on non-Samsung phones expect AAC/SBC numbers. |
| Sony WH-1000XM / WF-1000XM | ~170–250 ms | LDAC or AAC; no aptX. Switching to AAC (Android) usually lowers latency slightly. |
| Bose QuietComfort / Ultra | ~150–200 ms | AAC/SBC on most; newer Ultra models add aptX Adaptive on supported phones. |
| 2.4 GHz gaming headset (USB dongle) | ~15–30 ms | Not Bluetooth — a proprietary radio. The reliable low-latency wireless option. |
Figures are ranges from published measurements and vary by phone, firmware and codec negotiated. Your reading above is the number that matters. For the generic version of this test, see the audio latency test; for TV and soundbar lip-sync, the AV sync test.
Bluetooth Latency FAQ
How do I test Bluetooth latency?
Run this test once with wired headphones or the device speaker and save it as the baseline, then connect your Bluetooth headphones and run it again. The baseline captures your display and reaction delay; the difference between the two readings is the delay Bluetooth itself adds. Without a baseline the single reading still works, just expect it to include 20–50 ms that is not the headphones’ fault.
What is a good Bluetooth latency?
Under 60 ms is excellent and only aptX Low Latency, LE Audio, or a vendor game mode achieves it. 60–120 ms is good for video and casual gaming (aptX class). 120–200 ms is typical for AAC earbuds and fine for music and for video in apps that compensate. Above 200 ms you are on SBC or LDAC and will notice lip-sync errors in anything that does not compensate.
Which Bluetooth codec am I using?
iPhone and iPad: always AAC (or SBC) — there is no setting. Android: Settings → Developer options → Bluetooth audio codec shows the active codec while headphones are connected. macOS: hold Option and click the Bluetooth menu bar icon, then hover the device. Windows: no built-in display; most Windows laptops negotiate SBC or AAC unless you add an aptX dongle.
Why do AirPods look in sync on YouTube but lag in games?
iOS and macOS know the AirPods’ latency and delay video playback to match it, so film and YouTube look correct. Games, rhythm apps and live camera previews cannot be delayed without breaking the interaction, so the full ~150–190 ms shows up there. This test measures the real, uncompensated figure.
Can I reduce Bluetooth latency without buying new headphones?
Sometimes. On Android, force a faster codec in Developer options if both sides support it, or turn on the earbuds’ game mode in their companion app. Keep the phone within a couple of metres with a clear line of sight — retransmissions after interference add buffering. Turn off audio effects and spatial audio. If you need true low latency for instruments or competitive gaming, wired or a 2.4 GHz dongle is the only reliable fix.
Does the browser’s reported output latency include Bluetooth?
No. The Web Audio API’s outputLatency describes the path from the browser to the operating system’s audio output. It cannot see the encoding, radio and decoding inside a Bluetooth link, which is why the perceptual reading here is usually 100+ ms higher than the reported number on wireless headphones.