LDAC vs aptX, AAC, LHDC, SBC, and More: Best Bluetooth Audio Codecs in 2025
When shopping for wireless headphones, you’ll often see terms like LDAC, aptX, AAC, or LHDC. But what do they mean, and which codec delivers the best audio quality and performance? At Kling Digital, we break down the most important Bluetooth audio codecs to help you choose wisely.
Comparison Table of Bluetooth Audio Codecs
| Codec | Max Bitrate | Audio Quality | Latency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBC | 328 kbps | Basic, lossy | High | General Bluetooth audio |
| AAC | 320 kbps | Good (best on Apple) | Medium | Streaming, Apple devices |
| aptX | 352 kbps | Near-CD quality | Low | Gaming, Android devices |
| aptX HD | 576 kbps | High-definition | Low | Hi-Res music, Android |
| LDAC | 990 kbps | Hi-Res (24-bit/96 kHz) | Medium | Audiophile listening |
| LHDC | 900 kbps | Comparable to LDAC | Low | Hi-Res + Gaming |
| DSEE Extreme | N/A | AI-enhanced | N/A | Upscaling compressed audio |
Codec Overviews
SBC
The universal baseline codec. Works everywhere, but with limited sound quality and higher latency. Not recommended for audiophiles.
AAC
Apple’s default codec. Performs best on iPhone/iPad with great efficiency. On Android, quality can be inconsistent.
aptX & aptX HD
Qualcomm’s codec family. aptX offers near-CD quality with low latency. aptX HD raises resolution to 24-bit/48 kHz. Great for Android users, but unsupported by iPhones.
aptX Lossless
Introduced in 2021, promises true CD-quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz). Still rare in devices and not compatible with Apple products.
LDAC
Sony’s hi-res codec, up to 990 kbps and 32-bit/96 kHz. Excellent for audiophiles with Android. Not supported by Apple devices.
LHDC
A competitor to LDAC with similar specs. Found on select Android phones (Huawei, OnePlus). Less universal but excellent quality + lower latency.
DSEE Extreme
Sony’s AI upscaler. Not a codec, but improves compressed audio files (like MP3 or streaming) to sound closer to hi-res. Found in Sony headphones.
LDAC vs aptX: Which Should You Choose?
- Bitrate: LDAC up to 990 kbps | aptX HD up to 576 kbps
- Resolution: LDAC up to 32-bit/96 kHz | aptX HD up to 24-bit/48 kHz
- Latency: aptX (Low Latency mode) is faster | LDAC can be slower
- Best for: Audiophiles → LDAC | Gamers & stable streaming → aptX
Verdict: If you prioritize sound quality, go with LDAC. If you need low latency and stable connections, aptX is often better.
Conclusion
No single codec is universally “best.” The right choice depends on your device, your headphones, and your priorities. For Android audiophiles, LDAC or LHDC shines. For iPhone users, AAC is optimal. For gaming, aptX Low Latency or Adaptive rules. And the future may belong to LC3.