Technics has launched a new Rolling Stones-themed variant of its five-star EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds.

The announcement has been made to coincide with the release of The Rolling Stones’ new album, Foreign Tongues.

The limited edition earbuds come in a gift box, which houses Technics’ flagship EAH-AZ100 earbuds in a black finish alongside an exclusive rubber case embossed with the band’s lips and tongues logo.

The rear of each pair’s protective case also features a laser-engraved serial number from 0001-5000. Technics says that serial numbers cannot be pre-selected.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 feature a wealth of cutting-edge hardware, including a magnetic fluid driver, which places an oil-like liquid filled with magnetic particles inside the driver’s voice coil to reduce distortion and improve bass reproduction.

We previously awarded the EAH-AZ100 a five-star review for the earbuds' “superb detail and clarity”, “expressive, spacious and engaging sound”, and “Bose-bothering ANC performance”.

But, rockers, take note: If you’re feeling tempted, you’ll need to act fast, because the earbuds are limited to 5000 units worldwide.

Exclusively available to buy online, the EAH-AZ100 Rolling Stones limited edition earbuds can be yours today for £259 / €299.

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This is a lovely name for a pair of wired earbuds.

Sivga has introduced its new Lyrebird wired in-ear headphones, designed to produce "a high-end listening experience at an accessible price point".

The in-ears feature a quad-driver, hybrid driver array, consisting of a 10mm polymer dynamic driver handling the bass frequencies alongside a dedicated balanced armature unit designed to produce vocals with "exceptional clarity and detail".

A micro planar driver seeks to add a "smooth treble extension", while a 9.2mm multilayer ceramic driver rounds things off, dealing with "the finest high-frequency nuances".

Each earpiece is constructed using a handcrafted wooden faceplate, treated with resin to improve durability and, says Sivga, help reduce unwanted resonances for a cleaner, more refined audio signature.

The wooden faceplates combine with precision-machined aluminium alloy housings in further pursuit of an elegant yet durable aesthetic.

Included with the Lyrebird is a 4.4.mm balanced-ended cable combining silver-plated copper and gold-plated conductors, designed to help preserve the earbuds' "smooth, detailed presentation". The new in-ears also come with a leather carry case and a selection of silicone ear tips.

The Sivga Lyrebird are available now, priced at £149 / $149 / €167.

We reviewed another bird-themed pair of Sivga headphones – the over-ear SV021 Robin – back in 2024, and while their sound didn't quite take flight, there was enough evidence to suggest that Sivga's fledgling talents could one day see the brand soar.

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These are the best wired headphones you can buy

Sony has unveiled its latest pair of wired in-ear headphones, the IER-M500.

Developed in collaboration with monitoring engineers, Sony bills its latest in-ear headphones as being the perfect partner for musicians and performers who require "reliable and accurate in-ear monitoring" for both performance and practice.

The IEMs' fully sealed structure, combined with a large acoustic chamber, offers outstanding sound isolation, even in noisy live environments.

A set of 5mm dynamic drivers are complemented by a large acoustic chamber in pursuit of "deep, controlled bass", while the headphones' optimised internal structure has been designed to give a more refined high-frequency reproduction.

Designed to blend comfort and stability, the IER-M500 feature what Sony calls "fitting supporters".

This is a loop at the top of each earpiece which nestles under the inner ear ridge to anchor the IEMs in place. To further facilitate a better fit, four sizes of noise-isolating ear tips are included, as is a 1.6m detachable cable with a 3.5mm jack.

While they don't carry an official IP certification, Sony pledges that the IER-M500 are capable of handling moisture, such as splashes of water or human sweat, without too much trouble.

The IER-M500 will be available from August in a choice of Clear, Black and Red & Blue finishes, priced at £99 / $120 / €115.

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If recent rumours are to be believed, Samsung is about to jump on the clip-on trend with its latest pair of wireless earbuds.

We've not had official confirmation yet, but one rather sharp-eyed Twitter / X user noticed an update to Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app which, among other things, listed the term 'Galaxy Able' in reference to a new pair of earbuds.

This tallies with earlier reports that Samsung is set to debut an entirely new product line – separate from its Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds Pro ranges – this year.

According to Forbes via Android Authority, earlier leaks using the moniker "BUDSABLE" and the model number SM-U6000 had confirmed that a new pair of buds could be on the way. Leaked artwork then suggested that a clip-on design could be the direction in which Samsung was headed.

Dedicated Samsung site sammyguru.com, also alleges they might even use bone conduction technology, similar to the tech used in the sport-centric Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 from 2024.

It certainly wouldn't surprise us if Samsung ended up jumping on the ever-growing open and clip-on wireless earbud trend.

Recent clip-on offerings have included the likes of Huawei FreeClip 2 and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, as well as the open-style Sony LinkBuds Open and the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, all of which eschew traditional in-ear configurations in pursuit of a more comfortable, out-of-ear design.

Those rivals are all born from big-name brands, so it wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility if Samsung moved to match its competitors by offering an open alternative to keep its Galaxy-focused fans happy.

Samsung's recent Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are some of the best buds we've yet tested from the Korean giant, so it might be in the perfect position to start rivalling its competitors in this emerging corner of the market.

Samsung has its annual Unpacked event slated for the 22nd of July, so there's a good chance we might get a proper unveiling of the new buds – and its next-gen foldable phones – when we attend in a few weeks time.

Naturally, we'll let you know what we discover.

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These are the best cheap wireless earbuds on the market

Nothing is back with a brand new pair of affordable, colourful wireless earbuds, the Ear (3a).

The latest addition to the brand’s more affordable, fun-centric (a) series, the new buds blend “immersive listening” with a “playful design” at a price that won’t exactly break the bank. They also have a rather intriguing feature up their sleeve…

Before we get to that, the Nothing Ear (3a) use a set of 12mm dynamic drivers designed to deliver “deeper bass and greater detail” than their previous generation antecedents, while a lightweight PMI diaphragm aims for “clear, detailed highs”.

Bolstering the buds’ new hardware is support for LDAC, the Sony-developed codec which allows for hi-res audio transmission up to 24-bit/96 kHz from a compatible source.

Noise cancelling is also available, with the Ear (3a) using an improved acoustic mesh and a more advanced ANC algorithm to keep you even more shielded from the sounds of the outside world, with Nothing promising nearly 20 per cent better performance when compared with their predecessors.

The Ear (3a) deliver up to 10 hours of playback from the buds and up to 42 hours with the charging case when noise cancelling is switched off. With ANC enabled, they offer up to six hours from the earbuds and a total of around 25 hours in total with the case in play. When things get low, a quick five-minute charge provides around one hour of playback in a pinch.

What was that intriguing feature we mentioned earlier? The Ear (3a) offer ‘Audio Snapshot’ technology, letting users instantly clip media they are listening to, be it a an online lecture, a call or a voice note, by pinching both earbuds to create an “audio screenshot” for posterity.

Nothing’s ‘Static’ spatial audio tech is also in the mix, while a three-mic array on each earbud promises clear calls, even in busy environments.

The Nothing Ear (3a) are available now, priced at £99 / $99 / €99, in a choice of Black, White, Yellow or Pink finishes.

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These are the best cheap wireless earbuds on the market

No cap, wired earbuds are #themoment, so if you're looking to soundmaxx your life, get on the trend and slay.

Don't worry if you didn't understand a word of that. Wired earbuds might be coming back among Gen-Z listeners and celebrity influencers, but this is a trend that everyone should be a part of. Wired in-ear headphones are convenient, cool and, most importantly, sound far better than their wireless counterparts.

If you're keen to hear what all of the fuss is about, might we suggest the SoundMagic E11C as a great place to start. The E11C are £35 at Richer Sounds, dropping by £15 from their initial £50 test price, and at this level, not much comes close. As our current What Hi-Fi? Awards winners in their class, this is a bit of a no-brainer.

Best Prime Day SoundMagic E11C deal

The SoundMagic E11C are no-fuss budget wired headphones that punch well above their weight. If you're looking to get on board with the wired trend (and you should be, by the way), they're the perfect place to start.

Budget they may be, but the E11C are surprisingly well-made, with a solid, sleek design complemented by a choice of small, medium and large silicone tips and an in-line remote.

In case you need reminding, they have the standard 3.5mm headphone cable connection, so you’ll need a dreaded dongle for connecting to USB-C or Apple Lightning ports. That's part of the 'retro' charm, right?

In terms of sonic performance, the E11C are a delight. They're sparky and peppy headphones that go big on detail and clarity, offering an entertaining sound that really delivers when it comes to putting the pep into your music's step. At this kind of price, we can't think of much better, though the SoundMagic E80D are also worth considering if you want a USB-C-ended alternative.

As we concluded in our review: "The E11C in-ears continue the fine work of their predecessors and deliver an entertaining, upfront sound, complete with a remote control and mic".

Grab them at Richer Sounds and feel young again.

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My favourite headphones are now substantially cheaper than when I bought them – but I’m not bitter. Which, considering how tight I am, is a sign of just how good the Sony WF-C710N are.

They can be yours now for £65 at Amazon, which is £10 less than when I bought them in February. Still, considering the use I have had out of them since then, that extra tenner was money well spent.

Best-ever deal on the Sony WF-C710N earbuds

The C710N take everything we loved about their Award-winning predecessors, the C700N, and crank it up a notch: the battery life is an hour longer; the ANC has been beefed up with the addition of Dual Noise Sensor filters; the on-bud controls are now touch sensitive – and very intuitive to use.

They also have auto pause and wear detection, to help when having to interact with people.

But it’s the sound that’s the real highlight. “There’s a weight, solidity and fullness in the bass which makes the WF-C700N sound lightweight and a little top-heavy,” we note in our Sony WF-C710N review. “The new model fleshes things out better.”

They extract an enormous amount of detail from a track, lending notes plenty of texture. And they have Sony’s trademark musicality in spades.

From a personal point of view, the C710N are a great daily pair of earbuds. Their stacked feature-set makes them very versatile, and they have accompanied me on runs, walks, commutes, Zoom meetings and everything in between. If even a skinflint like me would pay more than their current price of £65 at Amazon, you know it’s a good deal.

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Sennheiser has expanded its wireless mid-range Accentum roster with a brand new pair of clip-on earbuds.

The new Accentum Clip are the company's first-ever clip-on wireless buds, joining the Accentum Open from last year. They aim to offer Sennheiser's "signature" sound with a more "user-aware" form factor.

The Accentum Clip house is a set of 12mm dynamic drivers tuned "for clarity and punchy bass", with a "smooth treble that is delightful to listen to in long stretches".

The new Sennheiser buds use 'Dynamic EQ' tech, which aims to let the buds maintain sonic balance and prevent distortion, regardless of the volume they're playing at.

Similar to the configuration of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or the Huawei FreeClip 2, a flexible silicone bridge connects the main bud body with the battery cylinder. Sennheiser promises a "secure, barely there" fit from the new Accentum Clip thanks to each earbud weighing a measly 6.8g. For runners, an IP54 rating protects against dust and sweat.

Despite their clip-on design, the new earbuds still feature textured touch controls for handling the likes of volume adjustment and voice calls.

The latest addition to the Accentum roster boasts nine hours of battery life from the earbuds and a total of 36 hours with the case. Rapid charge technology lets you enjoy two hours of listening from 10 minutes at the mains.

The new clip-on buds feature Bluetooth 6.0, with standard SBC and AAC sitting alongside the higher-quality LDAC codec for streaming high-res audio up to 32-bit/96kHz from a compatible source device.

For voice calls, each earbud features a dual-microphone system paired with an AI noise reduction algorithm to isolate the wearer’s voice from background noise.

According to Friederike Menking, Accentum Clip's Product Manager: “In creating Accentum Clip, we wanted to elevate the standard of acoustic performance that open earbuds have traditionally struggled with. Whether you are tackling productivity, out on your own adventures, or managing the transitions in between, its thoughtful design empowers you to navigate your world without sacrificing the essence of your music.”

The Accentum Clip are available from 23rd July in Black or Cream colourways, priced at £149 / €179 / AU$290.

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Beyerdynamic has revealed its latest pair of wired in-ear headphones.

The new DT 30 IE are billed as affordable in-ear monitors aimed at "musicians who want to get the most out of their performance", with a durable design that has been built "to meet the demands of modern live performances".

The DT 30 IE house a pair of 11mm dynamic drivers to deliver what Beyerdynamic describes as "a balanced sound signature", while the headphones themselves have been designed to offer excellent passive noise isolation to grant performers and casual listeners alike a greater focus on their music.

Each earpiece weighs in at a modest 2.7g to reduce wearer fatigue, while three pairs of silicone ear tips and three pairs of foam tips – both in small, medium and large sizes – are included.

To protect the in-ears from the elements during rainy live performances, the DT 30 IE offer an admirable IP54 certification, which means they should survive water splashes from any direction. A 3.5mm-ended detachable cable further adds to the new in-ears' durability credentials thanks to its robust, Kevlar-reinforced design.

According to Kevin Nietsch, Product Manager for Pro Audio at Beyerdynamic: "With in-ear monitors for live use in particular, we often see compromises between sound quality, isolation and durability. With DT 30 IE, we aim to change that – by consistently bringing this valuable balance to the stage."

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are available now, priced at £99 / €119.

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Apple has announced iOS 27 during its WWDC26 keynote, and it comes with a major upgrade for AirPods users.

The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system comes with a revamped interface for AirPods, with a more customisable EQ interface that will allow for greater sound customisation.

Apple briefly showed the new user interface screen during its presentation; included were "recommended" and "custom" options. Below is where you'll find a graph-style interface, which allows users to specifically tweak low, mid and high frequencies.

Apple has also included a note that reads: "AirPods are designed and engineered by Apple to faithfully represent music, TV shows, movies, and calls. If you prefer a different sound profile, you can customise how AirPods represent any audio played."

This signals to us that these EQs will be applied to anything played through your AirPods. Previously, Apple has offered custom EQ options through Apple Music, but these only apply to music played through the service.

Furthermore, Apple has buried a very small selection of pre-set EQ profiles within the accessibility section of the Settings app since iOS 14; but they're more rigid, pre-defined options, including "balanced tone", "vocal range", and "brightness".

While we'll need to wait until iOS 27 launches later this year, it will be interesting to see if this software update will make the five-star AirPods Pro 3 even better, or even improve the four-star AirPods Max 2.

iOS 27 is coming to all iPhones from the iPhone 11 onwards, including the Award-winning iPhone 17.

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After the OpenDots One, come the OpenDots 2. But while Shokz's naming convention might have changed, there are plenty of similarities between the two pairs.

The OpenDots 2 once again feature an open earbud design that don't feature eartips, so outside sounds are let in to keep you constantly aware of your surroundings. They also clip onto your ear for a more secure fit, which is handy if you're partaking in a vigorous sport like running.

But there are some improvements, which are welcome, especially given the OpenDots One only scored three out of five in our review.

Notably, they should sound better. Bassphere 2.0 promises sound that's clearer, louder and richer, and with less distortion. Shokz's MirrorPitch tech angles the sound into the ear, making it sound fuller, bassier and more focussed, while upgraded Dolby Audio "creates a more lifelike and spacious soundstage".

There's a dedicated bone-conduction microphone alongside dual air-conduction mics to focus on voices and make calls clearer. Adaptive beamforming and AI noise reduction should minimise background sounds.

There are new controls, too, in the form of force sensor buttons that let you tap, pinch or hold to control your music and calls. You can also switch the earbuds between ears, as the dynamic ear detection automatically adjusts the audio accordingly.

Battery life is impressive. You get 10 hours from a single charge and up to 40 hours with the charging case, though it's worth noting there's no active noise cancellation to sap the battery. That's the same battery life as their predecessors, and way longer than both the Sony LinkBuds Open and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

They also have Qi-certified wireless charging, and are rated IP57 (IP54 for the case).

They're joined by the OpenDots Air, which are slightly cheaper, more colourful and have fewer features. They lack the OneDots 2's JointArc structure with flexible nickel titanium plate, the bone conduction mic, have a more basic Bassphere acoustic technology (the OpenDots 2 have Bassphere 2.0), and a slightly shorter battery life.

They come in Daybreak Purple and Black and cost £129 / $129 (around AU$240), while the OpenDots 2 come in Pearl White, Grey and Black and cost £179 / $199 (around AU$340). Both pairs are out now.

We were impressed by the OpenDots One's bass performance, but the low end could have used more subtlety and nimbleness. Let's hope the sequel pairs fair rather better.

MORE:

Read our Shokz OpenDots One review

And our Sony LinkBuds Open review

Also consider the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Renowned for high-end in-ear headphones such as the Kronos, Noble Audio is bringing its boutique approach to a more widely accessible price point with the new Osprey wireless earbuds.

Despite not being as costly as the premium Fokus Amadeus, the Osprey has had no detail spared in its design. It sports a striking marbled aesthetic finish, keeping it in line with the glamour of other Noble offerings. The charging case, which is made of aluminium, further enhances the premium feel.

At the heart of the earbuds’ design is a hybrid dual-driver configuration, which pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with a custom balanced armature to achieve, says Noble, “confident, controlled bass, a natural and expressive midrange, and clean, extended highs”.

Supporting Bluetooth 5.4, featuring the high-quality LDAC alongside standard SBC and AAC codecs, the earbuds also offer multipoint connectivity and TrueWireless Mirroring to allow easy switching between connected devices. They can also be used in conjunction with the Noble Audio app, which offers EQ modes and firmware updates.

The earbuds come with Active Noise Cancellation to block out external sounds, while Hearing Through mode acts as an ambient or transparency mode to let outside sounds in. Integrated clear voice capture technology and dual microphones are used to ensure clearer voice calls.

The Osprey’s battery life is somewhat shorter than its premium counterparts’, offering seven hours of reliable playback with active noise cancellation disabled, and five with ANC on. The charging case extends this total listening time, allowing four additional full charges for 35 hours of playback. A 10-minute quick charge via USB-C will also provide two extra hours of playback.

The Noble Osprey will cost you £199 / €225 / $199, just shy of the five star Sony WF-1000XM6, which is our most highly recommended premium wireless earbuds.

If the Osprey’s ambitious design is enough to tempt you, pre-orders open on 4th June, with shipping expected by the end of the month. The earbuds will also be available to try at the High End Vienna 2026 showcase.

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In case you hadn't noticed, wired headphones are having a bit of a moment.

Our Editor-In-Chief, Alastair Stevenson, first questioned whether wired headphones were the new vinyl back in February, when a slew of publications reported that young people were embracing the now-retro technology, inspired by celebrities such as Harry Styles, Zendaya and Jacob Elordi.

Any fears that this was a one-off trend were seemingly quashed in May, when it was reported that wired headphone revenue was up 20 per cent in the first six weeks of 2026, and yet more articles flooded the web with images of wire-laden celebrities such as Zoë Kravitz and Lily-Rose Depp. Heck, there's even an Instagram account dedicated to the trend, with wireditgirls now boasting 20,000 followers.

It was enough to convince Lewis Empson (one of our senior staff writers) to trade his Award-winning wireless earbuds for a pair of wired earbuds for the first time in five years, where he wasn't quite converted but did discover some audio and quality-of-life upgrades.

Despite being a similar age to Lewis, this wasn't an experiment I could do – because, well, I never really stopped using wired earbuds.

I'm sure this won't be particularly big news to some in the audiophile community. But for my generation, to rock up to social events as a twenty-something with my wired earbuds plugged in was a bit of a social faux pas that would often lead to some bewildered comments.

Don't get me wrong, I have and continue to use Bluetooth earbuds. They continue to be my listening device of choice, and are invaluable for activities such as exercise or chores. But I've always had a cheap pair of wired earbuds on me too – and with a pair of Røde NTH-100 on my desk as well, I can't see myself ever truly cutting the cord.

The case for wired headphones

As you've probably seen championed here on What Hi-Fi?, one of the biggest advantages of wired headphones is audio quality.

Especially given the number of features expected these days, wireless headphones often have the cost split between several different parts – the drivers, amps, the Bluetooth receiver, the mics, the processor etc. All of which leaves little for manufacturers to spend on the actual sound quality.

Not with wired headphones. Sure, there are fewer features, but what you will get is a product more dedicated to sound reproduction. Gone is the lossy Bluetooth connection, and with a decent pair of wired headphones, you'll get a performance that will beat any similarly priced wireless offering.

And that's what I have with my Røde NTH-100. Sure, it's on the more budget end of the products we test, but the sound is far more revealing than the wireless sets I've owned, especially when plugged into my iFi Go Link Max too.

However, given that the Gen Z wired earbud of choice is £19 EarPods, it doesn't seem likely that audio quality is the main reason behind the recent revival. It seems that intentionally choosing a cheap, everyman, wired pair is part of the appeal, a rebellion against Big Tech and its ever-rising costs.

And I'm inclined to agree. While this may seem like heresy to admit in a hi-fi magazine, I have always had a sub-£10, somewhat disposable pair of wired earbuds as a backup, often the in-ear Blukar K9201. While they're certainly not going to trouble any of our current Award winners, they do actually sound surprisingly musical for their price, with an in-ear design that fits and performs far better than the EarPods in my opinion. And they've been a lifesaver more than once.

Several years ago, I accidentally left one of my beloved Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds on a train. I had to pay £130 for a new one, while also sending the remaining earbud and case to Sony for several weeks. Not really wanting to shell out much more for a temporary replacement, a wired pair was my cheapest option. And while they quite clearly did not have the musical chops of the premium XM3, having wallet-friendly access to any form of headphones was invaluable.

When an XM3 earbud inexplicably went missing yet again just over a year later, the temptation to give up on wireless altogether was there. For all their faults, losing my budget wired buds in all their tangled glory was proving to be a much harder affair.

In fact, there have been several times when having a wired pair on me has proved beneficial, however budget they were. Every time I've got on a flight, I've never had to use the truly awful complimentary earphones, instead being able to plug in my own and having no issues hearing the in-flight entertainment.

Every time my Bluetooth earbuds have run out of battery, refused to connect or I've forgotten how to pair them, I can quickly whip out my wired pair instead. And if there's been anywhere I've not wanted to risk taking my premium £250 earbuds, whether a night out or a remote backpacking holiday, I've got fewer qualms about taking my reliable budget pair.

They were also rather useful for the Nintendo Switch, which didn't support Bluetooth audio for over four years and even now is still rather laggy.

The case against wired headphones

I'm sure you don't need me to go in-depth on the drawbacks of wired headphones. The ever-tangling wires are restrictive as soon as you need to start moving anywhere, and they lack advanced features such as noise-cancelling and waterproofing.

It's also becoming increasingly hard to find devices with 3.5mm headphone jacks. Ever since Apple removed the audio port from the iPhone 7 in 2016, most smartphone manufacturers have followed suit, essentially forcing most consumers onto Bluetooth. My trusty Asus ZenFone 10 has a headphone jack, but otherwise I'd need to take an adapter with me and choose between charging or wired music.

So am I going back to fully wired? No. But I don't think I'll ever embrace wireless completely either. The beauty of switching between the two means I get the best of both worlds – including when one of them suddenly becomes trendy again.

MORE:

Check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds

As well as the best wired earbuds

And read our full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

Call quality is often overlooked in a pair of wireless earbuds, but not by us – we include it as part of our thorough testing process. And Soundcore's two new pairs could be some of the best performing yet, if the official accreditation is anything to go by.

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Max earbuds have been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world's clearest earbuds for calls.

This is made possible by parent company Anker's new Thus AI chip. This uses a 10-sensor matrix with eight mics for capturing noise and two bone conduction sensors to detect skull vibrations so that the voice can be captured and transmitted. This helps separate the caller's voice from background noise, making for "whisper-clear" calls even in noisy environments.

We're promised more advanced active noise cancellation, too. Both pairs offer "up to 2x deeper" noise cancellation than the Liberty 4 Pro. Soundcore claims that the 'buds process audio data up to 384,000 times per second to monitor for both external and in-ear sounds, against which they can adjust the noise cancellation curve accordingly. So as you pass from loud to quiet environments, the impact on your music listening should be minimal.

There's a transparency mode for hearing your surroundings, and an Easy Chat mode for brief interactions – ordering a drink, say – before resuming playback.

Of course, we're most interested in how these wireless earbuds sound, and here Soundcore offers a personalised listening profile courtesy of its HearID 5.0 tech. This gives you the same kind of hearing test that's common to wireless earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM6, and produces a personalised EQ profile based on the results.

The buds also support the higher-quality LDAC codec, and uses an AI Sound Enhancement system that fills in detail that's lost during Bluetooth compression.

Voice controls are onboard, letting you speak to adjust volume, skip tracks, take or hang up on calls and change the noise cancellation mode.

The cases are pretty smart, too. Both models have small screens for access to certain settings (similar to the JBL Live Beam 3), though the Liberty 5 Max's is slightly bigger and uses an OLED display rather than the TFT LCD of the Liberty 5 Pro. The Max buds can also take notes during meetings – it'll generate a transcription, identifying speakers and produce action items. Both models can translate using AI, too.

You'll get 6.5 hours of use out of each pair, and a total of 28 hours battery life using the charging case. They both have Bluetooth Multipoint too, for connecting to two devices at once and seamlessly switching between them.

Both new Soundcore earbuds are available now. The Liberty 5 Pro are £150 / $170 (around AU$280) and the Liberty 5 Max cost £200 / $230 (around 380). The Pro come in blue, white, black or pink finishes, while the Max are available in black or gold.

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Check out the best wireless earbuds

The best cheap wireless earbuds

I swapped my wireless earbuds for a wired pair – here's why

Portland-based brand Campfire Audio has announced its latest wired earbuds, the Chimera, and like the hybrid creature of Greek mythology, they certainly have quite a lot going on.

Campfire's flagship in-ear monitors bring together four distinct driver technologies – dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic and bone conduction – resulting in what the US brand describes as "a listening experience that is both vividly detailed and physically immersive".

Those four driver technologies equate to nine total drivers, with a 10mm glass dynamic driver handling the lower frequencies and a dual-diaphragm balanced armature taking care of the midrange.

Twin high-frequency balanced armatures seek to provide "clarity and articulation", while four electrostatic super-tweeters handle the highest highs with "air and precision". The Chimera even incorporates a bone-conduction driver, allowing for lower frequencies to land with "weight and impact".

Aiming to get the best out of this handsome array of drive units are an embedded pressure valve to regulate airflow behind the dynamic driver, as well as a final-stage tuning damper integrated into each nozzle.

The exterior shell of the Chimera is machined from magnesium and finished with a PVD coating. The faceplate features a carbon fibre-brass construction, wherein layers of brass are folded into carbon fibre and CNC-machined to form a patterned surface that is subtly distinct from unit to unit.

The new wired IEMs also include an ALO Audio Valence-6 cable, featuring four copper conductors alongside twin copper and silver-plated conductors, as well as three types of ear tips – traction silicone, standard silicone and marshmallow foam – in sizes small, medium and large.

According to Ken Ball, Campfire Audio's founder: “Chimera is the most advanced in-ear monitor we’ve developed so far. It reflects a new horizon in the performance of Campfire products and expands on what is possible from compact, portable audio systems. It brings together a range of technologies and engineering techniques to create an experience that truly deepens the listener’s connection to music.”

The Campfire Audio Chimera will be available around June 2026, at a suggested price of £6999 / $7500.

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JBL's wireless earbuds might not hold the same kind of sway as Sony or Bose's, but they usually perform well – our JBL Live Pro 2 review was five stars, and three years after launching, they still feature on our list of best wireless earbuds. So a new pair is big news.

The JBL Live 4 series promise improvements all round – a better case giving you more options, new drivers for better sound quality, and improved noise cancellation. You also get more colours to choose from. All of which sounds good to us.

The JBL Live 4 comes in three wearing styles: Buds, Beam and Flex. Buds are a standard wireless earbud design; Beam is a stem design with ear tips; and Flex is a stem design that sits in the outer ear for a more relaxed fit.

The new drivers promise clearer sound and deeper bass, while "new, enhanced algorithms" should enhance the active noise cancellation, though there's no word on by how much.

The Smart Charging Case from the JBL Live Beam 3 returns, and it has some improvements. The screen is bigger, with a new user interface, and it lets you swipe to check notifications, skip songs and change the equaliser (EQ) settings. You can also add your most used features to the home screen for easy access. And you can personalise it with background themes or a picture.

Calls should be clear thanks to the new AI-trained algorithm that should cancel out more background noise to prioritise voices.

Of course, it'll all hinge on how these earbuds sound, and here JBL has a strong track record.

All JBL Live 4 models are available now for £180 (around $245 / AU$340). The JBL Live Beam 4 and Live Flex 4 come in Black, Blue, Green, Silver, Orange, Purple and Sand finishes, while the JBL Live Buds 4 come in Black, Blue, Silver and Sand.

The JBL Live 780NC and Live 680NC that we covered previously are also out today, costing £180 (around $240 / AU$340) and £130 (around $175 / AU$240) respectively.

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Apple’s AirPods with built-in cameras have hit a major milestone, according to a new report.

The prototypes now “feature a near-final design and capabilities” according to Bloomberg. So they could launch very soon.

And what capabilities they might have! Each earbud is said to feature a camera, though sadly these won’t be used for any audio-related features. Instead, they are said to serve as AI assistant Siri’s eyes, similar to the Visual Intelligence feature on an iPhone.

So you could look at a series of ingredients and ask Siri to suggest a recipe. Or the earbuds could ‘see’ nearby landmarks to provide more accurate turn-by-turn directions.

Presumably the cameras would be forwards-facing. Otherwise they might be quite awkward to use.

Apparently these AirPods will have longer stems in order to accommodate the cameras. Otherwise they should look the same as current models such as the AirPods Pro 3.

Apple was reportedly hoping to launch the new AirPods in the first half of this year, but that has slipped due to delays to its next-gen Siri. This model has been in development for four years.

Adding cameras is an exciting development, and a major change to the AirPods and wireless earbuds in general. Hopefully Apple can find a way to use the technology to improve sound quality – maybe by detecting your surroundings and adjusting the active noise cancellation appropriately.

What features would you like to see from the next AirPods? Let us know in the comments.

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Chinese audio manufacturer Sivga has unveiled its latest pair of wired earbuds, the M260 HiFi.

Blending a retro-inspired aesthetic with modern drivers, the M260 promise to deliver “balanced, high-quality sound at an accessible price point”.

Central to that sound is a set of 14.2mm dynamic drivers, built to provide listeners with an “expansive soundstage and impressive clarity”. The drive units deploy a copper-ring composite diaphragm for better control, aiming to reduce sonic distortion and grant a “smooth, non-fatiguing sound and natural vocal presentation”.

These in-ears also use a lightweight copper-clad aluminium wire voice-coil in pursuit of a faster transient response and improved clarity, while a neodymium magnet promises “precise control across the frequency range”.

For compatibility with a greater range of devices, the M260 are available with either a 3.5mm plug, or with a USB-C plug with an integrated microphone and a DAC capable of handling hi-res files up to 32-bit/384kHz.

The wired in-ear headphones have a 1.2m cable and are supplied with four pairs of supplied ear tips, as well as a protective fabric carry case.

According to Sivga, the new wired in-ears draw design inspiration from the golden era of portable audio, with the M260 harking back to the earbuds and headphones associated with vintage cassette players and early portable CD systems, thanks to their metallic finish and exposed grille design.

We tested the Sivga SV021 Robin (149 / $149 / AU$299) in 2024, and while they earned only a three-star rating, we certainly detected hints of real potential from what remains a relatively young audio brand.

The Sivga M260 are available now, with prices as follows:

- 3.5mm ended: £40 / $40 / €45
- USB-C ended: £45 / $45 / €50

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We are hugely impressed with Technics’ EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds, which launched last year to five-star acclaim with a winning blend of comfortable design, wonderfully clear and refined sound, excellent ANC and features.

They nabbed a What Hi-Fi? Award win in 2025 for the best premium earbuds, too, and now they have a rather special partnership to give you an extra incentive if you’re looking for a new pair of in-ears.

A new Moonlight Lilac colour of the Technics AZ100 earbuds has been launched in partnership with UK charity Teenage Cancer Trust – and 10 per cent of the proceeds from each sale will go directly to the UK charity.

That's not all. Technics has also introduced a dedicated charity purchasing program, where an additional 10 per cent of sales from select Technics products – marked clearly online and in stores – will be donated to the same charity.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity to provide specialised nursing care and expert youth support for young people aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer, and for their loved ones.

Working closely with the NHS, the charity funds specialist nurses, youth workers and hospital units, allowing young people to have dedicated staff, care and facilities to support them throughout cancer treatment, along with helping them regain some independence through this critical life stage.

Sir Roger Daltrey of The Who is an Honorary Patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, and he says of this collaboration with Technics: “Teenage Cancer Trust exists to ensure that young people with cancer receive the specialist care and human support they deserve, partnerships like this help us continue that vital work and reach more young lives.

“Through this partnership with the Teenage Cancer Trust, Technics aims to help young people maintain identity, connection, and optimism during treatment. Through this collaboration and the charity donation scheme, we want every listening experience to contribute to something greater – helping young people feel supported when they need it most.”

It’s an excellent initiative that is worth checking out, and the new finish does look rather lovely from the photos.

In our five-star AZ100 review (which we had in the original silver finish), we praise their “wonderfully clear and open sound, with a superb amount of detail”, and say they are a “well-thought-out, friendly pair of premium wireless earbuds that deliver an impressive and likeable performance.”

The Technics EAH-AZ100 Moonlight Lilac finish will be available from May through Technics’ online site and authorised retailers across Europe, and is expected to cost the same £260 price as the standard model.

You can also donate directly to Teenage Cancer Trust.

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The world of open earbuds is ever growing, with EarFun Clip 2 launching with a host of advanced features at a competitive price.

Open-style earbuds – which don't feature eartips that burrow into your ear, so you can always aware of your surroundings – come in a variety of designs. The EarFun Clip 2 follows the design blueprint laid out by Huawei FreeClip 2: a clip-on style with a flexible band connecting the two main parts of each earbud.

One of these units houses the 12mm dual-magnetic titanium composite speaker driver; the other sits behind your ear for balance, and houses the controls and other features.

EarFun says the Clip 2 is based on extensive real-world testing, with the lightweight buds weighing 5.5g and designed to clip on various ear shapes for a comfortable fit. The design aims to “eliminate” fatigue and not apply undue pressure over long listening hours, which should allow “users to seamlessly integrate them into their daily routines”.

The titanium drivers are “expertly tuned” and, combined with the brand’s BassSurge tech, aim to deliver “deep, resonant bass and crystal-clear highs across a wide spectrum”.

Bluetooth 6.0 is on board, with the Clip 2 also supporting the hi-res LDAC codec. The earbuds’ Spatial Stage technology, Theater mode and low-latency mode aim to offer immersive listening experiences when you are watching movies or gaming.

While there is no active noise-cancellation in this open design, there are four mics onboard with an AI-powered environmental noise-cancellation system that ensures voice calls come through clearly.

Battery life is impressive, with 11 hours on a single charge; this extends to 40 hours in total with the USB-C charging case. In comparison, the Huawei FreeClip 2 offers nine and 38 hours respectively.

Other useful features include Google Fast Pair, multipoint connection for switching between two connected devices seamlessly, and an IP55 rating that means the buds should withstand a sweaty workout and rainy weather.

These open earbuds also offer a nifty AI-powered translation feature, which promises to translate over 100 languages in real time. You can access these language settings in the accompanying EarFun Audio App, through which you can also adjust the on-bud controls and fine-tune the EQ settings to your liking.

The EarFun Clip 2 are available now in black or white finishes for £70 / $80. That’s quite competitive for clip-on open earbuds, with the rival Huawei FreeClip 2 earning four stars for their comfortable and well-balanced sound at £180.

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US brand Revel has announced its new six-strong Performa4 range.

Billed as a "landmark new collection of high-performance loudspeakers", the new range comprises two floorstanders, two bookshelf models, a dedicated centre channel and a powered subwoofer.

Central to each new speaker is Revel’s seventh-generation 'Acoustic Lens Waveguide' technology, which mounts a 25mm dome tweeter for more seamless integration with the midrange driver and aims to deliver "improved dynamic range and reduced distortion" for a more "immersive and natural listening experience".

Further, every Performa4 speaker features Revel’s new 'Deep Ceramic Composite' (DCC) and 'Micro Ceramic Composite' (MCC) transducers, aiming to deliver exceptional rigidity and reduced sonic distortion.

All woofer and midrange drivers also feature aluminium frames for "optimal airflow, reduced weight, and improved resonance performance".

The flagship of the range are the F346 three-way floorstanders, which each house a trio of 16.5cm MCC woofers, a 16.5cm DCC midrange, and a single 25mm DCC dome tweeter. The speakers also feature rear ports alongside crystal brass binding posts, as well as solid aluminium feet with optional floor spikes depending on your space.

Next are the F235 three-way floorstanders, which aim to bring the same flagship performance of the F346 to a more compact speaker. The smaller towers house three 13cm MCC cone woofers and a 13cm DCC cone midrange, as well as the same 25mm DCC dome tweeter as found in the F346.

Again, the F235 are rear ported, feature crystal brass binding posts, and come with optional floor spikes.

If you're after something even more compact, the M146 are the larger of the two new Performa4 standmounts, complemented by the smaller M145 bookshelf speakers. Each M146 houses a 16.5cm MCC cone woofer and a 25mm DC dome tweeter, while the M145 feature a 13cm version of that MCC woofer and the same 25mm tweeter.

A pair of aluminium and steel stands are also sold as part of the range if you want to mount your M146 or M145.

For your home cinema system, the C25 centre channel loudspeaker promises "seamless matching" with its standmount and floorstanding siblings, packing dual 13cm MCC cone woofers and that 25mm DCC tweeter.

For a bit of added bass, meanwhile, the B140 subwoofer offers 1500 watts of peak Class D amplification for "deep, effortless bass".

According to Jim Garrett, senior director of product strategy and planning at Harman Audio: “The Performa4 series represents the culmination of thousands of hours of research, development, and real-world testing. With our new seventh-generation Acoustic Lens waveguide and advanced DCC and MCC transducers, we’ve raised the bar for what’s possible in this class."

The Revel Performa4 series will be available in April. All models are available in Natural Walnut or Black Walnut veneer finishes, with prices as follows:

- F346 floorstanders: $6999 per pair
- F345 floorstanders: $4999 per pair
- M146 standmounts: $2999 per pair
- M145 standmounts: $1999 per pair
- C245 centre channel: $1499
- B140 subwoofer: $2999
- MFS4 stands: $699 per pair

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It’s been a big month for our best wireless earbuds buying guide, the place where our team of reviewers hand-picks and highlights the top pairs you can buy for your money.

There’s something for everyone on the page, whether you want a top-value pair that works for a tight budget or something more premium that can take your listening experience to another level.

A new flagship pair has arrived in our test rooms and immediately gone about setting a new performance benchmark, blowing many of its close rivals out of the water.

You might not be surprised to know that the model we are talking about is Sony’s new flagship, the WF-1000XM6.

These wireless earbuds take top spot as our “best overall” recommendation. They sit at the more premium end of the price spectrum, but we feel they deliver a stunning performance for the money. If you experience only one pair of wireless earbuds this year, we urge you to make it the Sonys.

As we say in our Sony WF-1000XM6 review, the earbuds are “out of this world and put in an all-round performance good enough to worry every major rival at the money.”

They make the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) sound “overblown and lacking sophistication and refinement” and make the Technics EAH-AZ100 sound “like they’re holding back dynamically”.

This is no mean feat and just goes to show you how highly we rate them. The Sonys also excel when it comes to noise-cancelling and push the Bose extremely close.

There’s something about the way the XM6 deploy their ANC so naturally, which makes them so easy to get along with.

Call quality is excellent, and the Sonys have a very generous feature set too, which includes eight hours of battery life per charge (which rises to 24 when including the wireless charging case), Multipoint Bluetooth and a ten-band graphic equaliser.

The only area where we think there is some room for improvement is the eartips – it can be tricky getting a good seal the first time due to the firmness and thickness of the material used. We also think a larger tip option could help here.

That aside, the Sonys deliver such a wonderfully refined, natural and dynamic sound that it’s impossible not to be impressed. As we say in our review, “The Sonys make instruments and vocals sound believable, just as if you were standing in the room getting a private performance.” This is the new benchmark for sound quality at this level.

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I finally did it. After eyeing up the Sony WF-C710N for months, I decided a few weeks ago that it was time I owned a pair of Award-winning earbuds for myself. Of course it helped that the price had fallen to a then low of £75 (though they have since fallen to £69, not that I'm bitter).

And I've been getting on very well with them, now that I know they're not broken. See, I did have a slight issue – the earbuds seemed to be adjusting their listening mode without my say so.

But it turns out it's part of the feature set. Here's what it is, what it does, and how you can turn it off should you want to.

A fitting issue

As you probably know, the C710N have three listening modes – noise cancellation, ambient sound (which lets in some outside sound to keep you aware of your surroundings), and off (which just plays music with no processing or modes applied).

The issue I had was that the earbuds seemed to be switching between these modes without me telling them to.

At first, I thought this was a problem with the fit – my colleague Andy Madden has written extensively about how Sony earbuds don't fit as snugly as rivals like the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), and my left ear seems to sit somewhere between the small and medium sizes of the C710N's eartips.

I assumed the tip was working loose as I walked or ran, causing that sudden injection of environmental noise (a passing double-decker bus sounded like a jumbo jet). But when I twisted the eartip deeper into my shell-like, and the issue persisted, I knew it wasn't the fit.

That's when I assumed the earbuds were faulty and were switching modes seemingly on a whim. Turns out it's actually a feature, and quite a useful one at that.

Adapt to survive

The feature is Ambient Sound Control, and here's how it works. It detects what activity you're doing – staying still, walking, running or riding in a vehicle – and picks the optimum sound mode.

By default, noise cancellation is on when you're staying still or riding in a vehicle. But once you start moving on your own accord, Ambient Sound mode kicks in. Crucially, this is set to level 12 by default when you're walking, but once you start running, it goes to the maximum of 20. And herein lay my confusion.

Because it turns out there's quite a difference between level 12 and level 20. While I wouldn't normally go for a run with active noise cancellation activated (it's helpful to be aware of your surroundings), I was in the early days of using my Sony buds and was experimenting with all modes during different use cases.

Hence, the passing double decker sounding like a jumbo jet.

Once you know how it works and expect the changes in sound modes, it's a handy feature, as it means you can block out the outside world while waiting for and riding the bus, then become more aware of your surroundings once you're out for a walk or a run, without having to tinker with the settings.

Of course, you can tweak the feature if you want, or turn it off entirely.

To adjust it, open the Sound Connect mobile app, tap Adaptive Sound Control, and tap the settings cog next to Detect Actions. This will let you adjust which mode kicks in during which action, and tweak the level of ambient noise the earbuds allow in during different activities.

Want to turn the mode off altogether? In Sound Connect, tap Adaptive Sound Control and then adjust the toggle at the top of the screen from On to Off. Simple.

But if you have switched the mode off, I would urge you to give it another whirl. Either way, stay safe while out running – you don't want to get run over by any passing jumbo jets.

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Take one look around a crowded London Underground train carriage, and you’ll see an interesting revolution in the world of audio. Wired earbuds are back, and they’ve become a serious trend among my generation. Yes, I can hide it no longer; I am Gen Z.

Let’s not dwell on that and get back to the matter at hand. Wired earbuds were, once upon a time, the only discreet in-ear option for listening to music from your smartphone, and there was rarely a point where I didn’t have a pair hooked up to my iPhone 5 during my time at secondary school.

For my sake, I won't share what I was listening to through those earbuds.

Speaking of, remember when phones had headphone jacks? I do, and while I have to give Sony credit for being practically the only manufacturer to keep the socket on its smartphones, I have come to terms with the fact that the battle against wireless audio alternatives is more or less over.

I bought my first pair of AirPods in 2018, and I quickly upgraded them to the first-generation AirPods Pros in 2021 after realising that cutting the cord really was the future – and I haven’t really used a pair of wired earbuds since.

However, my TikTok For You Page informs me that 2026 is the new 2016, and I’m seeing a lot of trendy, well-dressed individuals online and IRL with wired earbud cords trailing from their ears and into pockets.

In a feeble attempt to be vaguely fashionable, I have decided to imitate them. I have banished my five-star Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 wireless earbuds and my Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones to a drawer, as my pocket is now occupied by a pair of wired USB-C earbuds.

And you'll never guess which earbuds I've picked...

The popular choice

I’ve decided to go with the most popular pair of wired buds, according to what I’ve seen online and in London: the Apple EarPods.

From what I gather, the main draw of these earbuds isn’t anything to do with their sonic credentials, but instead their features.

The wire is a huge asset for those who are prone to losing earbuds (a friend of mine is currently on his third or fourth pair of AirPods, I’ve lost count), as they naturally keep the buds attached to your phone.

Furthermore, the microphone on the Apple EarPods seems to be surprisingly good for a pair of £19 earphones. I put this to the test, speaking to one of my friends over the phone while exiting a busy London Underground station and the results, err, spoke for themselves – I didn’t have to repeat myself once.

I think this is a key reason that these earbuds are so popular, as I frequently see influencers on TikTok record voiceovers for their videos using the microphone built into the Apple EarPods. And of course, for calls or voice notes, for us mere mortals.

You also don’t have to worry about the battery running out. Plenty of times when using wireless earbuds, I’ve got comfortable in my seat for a long plane ride or coach journey, only for my earbuds (and the charging case) to be completely dead.

The plug-and-play guarantee, plus no pairing faff or battery anxiety, has been my biggest pro from making this swap. With wired earbuds, I know I’ll be able to enjoy my music on my morning commute without any complications.

Another bonus has been the physical controls. Using these has been an absolute treat after dealing with unreliable touch controls on many of the wireless audio peripherals I’ve used over the years. The tactile volume and play/pause buttons "just work", and I found myself using them more than I’d expect.

However, it’s not all rosy in Apple EarPods land. My biggest issue with these buds is the fit. Apple’s hard plastic earbuds have never agreed with my ear shape, and I’m reminded of many embarrassing instances in which I’d have to chase one of my AirPods as it tumbled down the road after leaping to freedom out of my ear.

The EarPods are, thankfully, a slightly better fit, and they didn’t fall out quite as much, but they didn’t feel very secure either. I struggled to get any sort of seal, and while I’m not expecting miraculous noise isolation without silicone ear tips (more on that momentarily), I found that my music was easily drowned out by the screeching of the Northern line.

I’ve had to turn the EarPods up to maximum volume to counteract this, whereas my Pi8 earbuds can happily sit at the middle volume point while remaining perfectly audible.

These downsides comprise the most important aspect of any earphones for me: audio quality. Which is why I don’t think I can make the EarPods my day-to-day earbuds.

The fact that I have to crank the volume up to compensate for a poor seal and lack of noise cancelling, and I've found that bass and dynamics leave a lot to be desired. That being said, I found the mids and highs to be clear and balanced, which also meant that vocals sounded pretty good.

Now, is it fair to compare a pair of £349 noise-cancelling wireless earbuds created by one of the most notable British hi-fi brands to a pair of £19 wired earbuds?

No, it is not, but considering I’ve seen plenty of people online supposedly drop their AirPods in favour of the wired alternatives, it’s also quite a relevant comparison.

This means that, unfortunately (but ultimately not surprisingly), I won’t be joining the trendiest echelon of London’s most fashionable individuals.

However, not all hope is lost…

The smart choice

Surprise! I haven’t just been using the Apple EarPods. I’ve also taken the five-star Sound Magic E80D buds for a test drive as part of this experiment, and these have yielded much better results.

These buds come with a selection of silicone eartips. Personally, the dual-layered eartips suited me, as I could burrow them into my ear holes for a more secure fit and better sound isolation.

Furthermore, these buds sound great and are a cut above Apple EarPods. They sound fuller and more dynamic, and the tighter seal against my ears does wonders for the bass.

It’s not all perfect. As expected, they don’t rival my Bowers & Wilkins buds in terms of volume or musicality.

I also found cable noise to be pretty problematic with these earbuds. The sound from the cable rubbing against my coat was irritating, although this may become less prominent in the warmer months when I can comfortably leave the house without layering up.

There's also the annoying “L” shape connector. It’s amazing for laptop use, but using them with a phone is another story – as someone who shifts their phone between hands fairly frequently, I found the palm of my hand often clashed with the wire.

And this is the one instance in which style counts (I’m testing “trendy” earbuds after all), so seeing “Made In China” staring at me as I plug them in is somewhat utilitarian.

My overall choice?

I won’t beat around the bush here – I’m going back to my wireless earbuds and headphones. I’m sorry.

That being said, there are some genuine audio and quality of life upgrades that I enjoyed while trialling these wired earbuds.

Not having to charge my earbuds, and the tactility of the physical controls, were both major bonus points, but the lack of noise cancelling proved to be the biggest hurdle in how I use my earbuds day-to-day. Having to crank these wired buds to their limit is far from ideal (and I’m being constantly nagged by my phone that the volume is too high).

For the sake of my music (and my ears), I’ll be crawling back to the imperfect, but ultimately preferable, world of wireless earbuds.

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Check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds

As well as the best wired earbuds

And read our full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 now come in a Nike special edition. The Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition come in the fitness brand's radioactive 'Volt' colourway, with the Nike swoosh on one earbud and the beats 'b' logo on the other.

They also come in a black, Volt-speckled charging case with Nike's "Just Do It" motto printed inside the lid.

In terms of sound quality and features, they're identical to the standard Powerbeats Pro 2.

For the uninitiated, the Powerbeats Pro 2 have the same Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode as the AirPods Pro 2, built-in heart rate monitoring that syncs with the Apple Fitness app and Nike Run Club, and up to 45 hours of battery life.

They're rated IPX4 water resistant, and have ear hooks to help them stay put during sports.

To celebrate the launch, Beats and Nike have produced a humorous ad featuring basketball legend and Beats ambassador LeBron James. It goes on a bit too long.

Beats is keen to stress this isn't just a new colour, but a "collision of two brands that define performance, culture, and sports." But it is a new colour.

We haven't reviewed the Powerbeats Pro 2, but the original Powerbeats Pro only scored three stars. Here's hoping the sequel fares better.

Nike has lent its name to headphones before (like 2009's Nike Aero Sport), but not for some time. It has also collaborated with Apple (Beats' owner) on a special edition Apple Watch.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition go on sale on 20th March for the same £250 / $250 / AU$399 as the standard pair.

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Affordable Astell & Kern sub-brand Activo has announced its latest pair of wired in-ear headphones.

The Activo Scoop employ a five-driver array, teasing levels of sonic sophistication "rarely seen at this price point". That array features a trio of dynamic drivers and two balanced armature drivers, teasing a "natural sound signature that spans from a rich, full-bodied low end to crisp and articulate highs".

A proprietary acoustic port structure, meanwhile, complements the five drivers performance in pursuit of a clear, clean audio signature.

On the outside, the in-ears' streamlined exterior is designed to represent the form of "a pebble shaped by flowing water", all while delivering a secure and comfortable fit across extended listening sessions.

The Activo Scoop aim to be a flexible pair of in-ear companions, offering USB-C, 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm connections for easy usage across a range of portable music players, laptops and smartphones.

The new wired earbuds also feature a braided cable, featuring silver-plated and oxygen-free copper wiring. The earphones themselves are furnished with two sets of ear tips – one set in silicone and the other made from memory foam – in small, medium and large sizes.

The Activo Scoop are available now, priced at £99 (further prices pending).

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Cleer Audio's latest pair of open wireless earbuds are certainly talking the talk.

The Arc 5 tease a "cinematic 3D audio experience" thanks to their implementation of Dolby Atmos spatial audio, with Cleer vowing that its latest buds set "a new standard for open-ear listening" at this level.

The Arc 5 promise "exceptional clarity, natural vocals, and punchy bass" thanks to backing from their THX audio certification and a redesigned acoustic structure optimised for better clarity and spatial imaging.

The open earbuds make use of THX's spatial audio with head tracking powers for a more three-dimensional listening experience, complimented by Dolby Atmos support for more immersive music and movies.

The ARC 5 promises ergonomic improvements over their predecessors, the Cleer Arc 3, in pursuit of a more secure, stable wearer experience, with thinner and lighter over-ear hooks designed to reduce pressure while maintaining stability.

The new buds come equipped with a screen-adorned smart case, similar to that which you might find accompanying the flagship JBL Tour Pro 3, with an AMOLED display showcasing the likes of playback controls, equaliser settings and battery life.

Speaking of battery life, the Clear Audio Arc 5 offer a hearty 60 hours of total playtime, while a quick charging facility grants up to 2 hours of playback from a 5 minute boost. An IPX7 waterproof rating, meanwhile, should provide ample protection from rain and sweat if you're using your buds for workouts or just daily use.

According to Hideaki Yamaguchi, CEO of Cleer Audio Americas: “By combining an THX Certification and THX spatial audio with improved ergonomic design...we’ve created earbuds that deliver immersive cinematic audio, unmatched comfort, and exceptional value—all while keeping users aware of their surroundings".

The Cleer Audio Arc 5 come in a choice of black or white finishes and are available now, priced at $220.

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Best budget wireless earbuds 2026: top affordable pairs tested by our experts

Sony and Apple are two of the biggest names in wireless earbuds. The former's XM series has won multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards over the years, and consistently feature in our list of best wireless earbuds as fantastic all-rounders.

While Apple's AirPods initially struggled to compete with the best rivals around, they have improved markedly in recent years – the last two generations of AirPods Pro have scored five stars thanks to their excellent sound quality and noise cancellation.

The current flagships are the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3. Both are five-star pairs, and if you're wondering which would be best for you, you've come to the right place.

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: price

On paper at least, there's not much to choose between the two prices, but in reality, it's a little more complex.

As the most recent buds to launch, the Sony WF-1000XM6 have stuck to their launch price of £250 / $330 / AU$500. The AirPods Pro 3 launched towards the end of 2025 for £219 / $249 / AU$429, but have since fallen – at time of writing, they sell for £204 in the UK, but we have seen it drop as low as £198.

These kinds of discounts, along with their lower launch price, gives the AirPods Pro 3 this round.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: build & comfort

The two pairs have very different designs – the Sony buds are much more rectangular while the AirPods stick with the buds-and-stem design that has served them well over the years.

The XM6's boxier shape helps accommodate an extra mic and creates space for the new ventilation structure, which increases airflow to reduce internal noise within the earbud. The case too is much boxier than the AirPods', and feels a little cheap next to Apple's slimmer bud holder.

Sony has slimmed the buds down to make them more comfortable, but they still pack an 8.4mm driver unit and 'soft edge' surround for a better bass response. The XM6 come in two finishes – black and platinum silver – compared to the AirPods' trademark white. The black finish is a little smoother, while the silver is more textured.

Sony's eartip material is a bit more fiddly to fit than Apple's, and the tips only come in four sizes to the AirPods' five. Both pairs have an ear fit test within their respective apps, which gives you a better chance of a secure fit.

The AirPods Pro 3 are a little smaller than their predecessors, and a little differently shaped to provide a better fit. They're also more lightweight than the Sonys, which will make a different for longer commutes and long listening sessions.

Overall, we found the AirPods Pro 3 a little easier to get on with on the whole – the XM6 make you work harder to get the right fit. The Pro 3 are also less bulky, and have more choices of eartip size. Still, we would recommend trying your desired pair before buying to make sure they fit you well.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: features

Both brands' flagship models are always bursting with features, and these two are no exception.

The XM6 pack Sony's new QN3e processor for everything from controlling noise cancellation to improving the DAC performance. The XM6 can handle 32-bit processing, while Sony's DSEE Extreme processing boosts the quality of low-quality sound files.

Sony's Sound Connect app gives you plenty of ways to tweak the sound. If you don't want to fiddle with the 10-band equaliser, you can pick from some presets to save time. You can also re-assign which button presses perform which functions, optimise the spatial audio and adjust the intensity of Sony’s Ambient Sound.

An IPX4 rating protects the XM6 from water splashes, but the AirPods outdo this with IP57, meaning they'll survive full immersion in water as well as having greater protection from dust ingress. Both pairs can wirelessly connect with two devices at once, though the AirPods do this using Apple's own tech (which only works with Apple devices) while the XM6 use the more commonly used Bluetooth Multipoint, making them more versatile.

The Pro 3 have all the features as their predecessors, but bear in mind that you will need an iOS device to benefit from the full raft. These include hearing health features, conversation mode (Sony's equivalent is Speak-to-Chat), various modes related to active noise cancellation (ANC), spatial audio with dynamic head-tracking, and head gesture controls.

They also benefit from a new heart rate sensor for tracking workouts and the Live Translation feature (though this is also available on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC).

In terms of Bluetooth codecs, the AirPods Pro 3 still only support the standard SBC and AAC codecs and there are no provisions for higher-quality codecs (though neither do Apple's iPhones). Sony XM6, however, support the firm's own LDAC hi-res codec in favour of aptX, and are compatible with a rising number of smartphones and portable hi-res music players that also support LDAC.

For battery life, it's a dead heat. Both pairs give you eight hours from the buds, and a total of 24 hours including the charging case. That's with ANC activated.

So which pair is better? It's a close one. Apple has a greater focus on health features, though that may be of less interest to audiophiles, who will prefer Sony's embrace of the hi-res LDAC codec. Sony's buds are also platform agnostic, giving you the same feature set whether you use an iOS or Android device. A lot of the ANC modes are the same, too.

In the end, the Sony just pips it forward.

**Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6**

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: noise cancellation

Noise cancellation is one of the key selling points of premium wireless earbuds. Sony's QN3e processor adds more computational power, and works alongside the Adaptive NC Optimiser which adapts the ANC algorithm to your fit and environment.

The result is certainly impressive. Testing them on both the London Underground and during a couple of short-haul flights, we were impressed by their "consistency and ability to extract both low-frequency rumbles of carriages and aeroplane engines, but also more high-pitched screeches and whistles that crept into our environment," we wrote in our Sony WF-1000XM6 review.

The result is particularly effective in the mid and upper frequencies.

Apple too has improved the noise cancelling on the AirPods Pro 3, through ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and the new foam-infused eartips.

Again, we put the AirPods through their paces on a flight, and found mid- and low-frequency noise was silence more effectively than with the previous-gen AirPods.

"The deep rumble of the airplane’s engine noise was damped down further than when listened to through the Pro 2, while the general chatter from people and announcements from the pilot were quieter through the new earbuds on full ANC mode," we wrote in our AirPods Pro 3 review.

The AirPods have a natural, airy way of cancelling noise, which is the opposite of the more intense, vacuum-like effects found on some rivals. It's a great performance, but when compared with the Sonys, we find the XM6 are just that little bit more effective across the board.

**Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6**

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: sound

No pair of headphones gets five stars from us without earning it in the sound department. And the WF-1000XM6 and AirPods Pro 3 have certainly done that.

The XM6 aim for a more natural sound, which is effectively Sony parking its tanks on Apple's lawn. Compared to Sony buds of old, the XM6 have a newfound sense of natural warmth, but still retain a healthy level of detail and insight.

Like previous Sony flagships, they're consummate all-rounders, boasting "a fantastic sense of timing, an expressive midrange, weighty yet well-defined bass and crisp, nicely controlled highs," we wrote in our review.

They're analytical, but never too much so, keeping a natural tone and great sense of integration. "Playing Tom Odell’s Black Friday, the Sonys give you a front row seat and reveal themselves as expert communicators. There’s delicacy and subtlety in spades, which helps the earbuds extract fantastic emotion and feeling from the track," we noted.

For the Pro 3, Apple revamped the multiport acoustic architecture to deliver more precise airflow control for more bass and a wider soundstage. It also updated the Adaptive EQ to better optimise the sound to your individual ear.

The improvements are obvious the minute you start listening. It's still the same natural, balanced presentation that's become Apple's trademark, but clearer and more detailed. There's more space within the presentation, and a greater sense of dynamism at play.

No frequencies stick out unduly, but neither are they too smoothed out. It's a tricky balance, but Apple pulls it off with aplomb.

As we wrote in our review: "There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster, while the basslines in Forgot About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish’s Blue."

Vocals are clean and textured, which really helps communicate the emotion of a track, while dynamic shifts are handled effortlessly. It's an enjoyable performance.

But they don't quite reach the sonic heights achieved by the Sonys. The XM6's textures are that bit more authentic, and the dynamic subtleties that bit more in evidence. The XM6 are simply able to dig deeper into details and reveal greater space and layers for music to flourish, along with better rhythmic precision and even more subtlety.

**Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6**

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: verdict

Both pairs excel in all the main areas we prioritise, with fantastic noise cancellation and sound quality, bags of features and great designs.

The designs are quite different though, which will affect fit and long-term comfort. A lot also depends on which mobile operating system you'll be using with your earbuds – Apple users will naturally benefit more with the AirPods Pro 3, while the Sonys will play nice with pretty much everyone.

Ultimately, it's the Sony WF-1000XM6's greater sound quality and noise-cancelling abilities that win this battle. The AirPods Pro 3 are talented earbuds and it's a close-run thing, but the Sonys are a step ahead with more authentic, more precise and revealing sound quality.

**Overall winner: Sony WF-1000XM6**

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Meze Audio has introduced the Astru, its premium wired in-ear monitors created "for listeners who demand true high-end performance without crossing into flagship pricing territory".

The new wired in-ears use a single drive unit in each headphone, delivering what their maker describes as a "visceral, full-bodied sound" that can still deliver the more layered, detail sound of conventional multi-driver designs.

At the heart of the Astru in-ears is a multilayer composite dynamic driver diaphragm, built to deliver "speed, control, and musical weight". The driver's diaphragm dome features more than 80 thin layers of gold bonded to a titanium layer and mounted on a PolyEther Ether Ketone (PEEK) base.

This arrangement, says Meze, helps to deliver a faster transient response, as well as a smooth and extended treble and a warm yet punchy signature.

Each earphone's housing shell is machined from a single block of titanium and then refined through a multi-stage electroplating process for a smooth exterior finish.

The new in-ear monitors come equipped with a premium anodized aluminium cable with a gold-plated 4.4 mm balanced termination alongside a 4.4 mm to 3.5 mm adapter. You're also furnished with five sizes of ear-tips ranging from extra small to extra large, as well as a protective pouch and a soft leather envelope for carrying your Astru around.

The Meze Astru will be available on 20th March, priced at £819 / $899 / €899.

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The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the best sign yet that Samsung can compete with Sony and Apple

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It’s great to see progress. Samsung isn’t anywhere near a young brand, and a long way from some plucky underdog trying to swim its way, Dory-like, through a sea of well-fed tech sharks. But in pure performance terms, it hasn't quite cracked the wireless earbuds market like its rivals have.

Samsung was actually pretty quick out of the traps to jump onto the wireless earbud trend, releasing its first-ever wire-free in-ears, the IconX, in 2016, a year before Sony unveiled the WF-1000X and two years before Bose revealed its Bose SoundSport Free.

The Korean tech giant has not, however, put as much emphasis on wireless audio as its competitors. Sony’s range of headphones and earbuds is extensive, as is Bose’s, whereas more dedicated audio brands such as JBL and Sennheiser have tended to pump out their own rivals at far higher rates and with far greater critical acclaim.

That all seems to be changing.

Over the past few years, Samsung’s efforts to make a pair of flagship wireless earbuds to match the likes of Sony, Bose and Apple have gathered serious momentum. The brand’s latest flagship buds – the impressive Galaxy Buds 4 Pro – show the clearest indication yet that this is a company taking audio seriously.

A short history lesson

‘Twas not ever thus. While the likes of Sony tended to take to this particular game like the proverbial mallard to the pond, Samsung’s attempts have tended to be middling at best.

We awarded the first standard Samsung Galaxy Buds a measly two stars when we reviewed them in 2019; and things didn’t exactly improve by leaps and bounds in the coming years. 2021’s flagship Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro? Three stars. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2? How about the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro? More three-star ratings.

Things really shifted, however, in 2023 with the launch of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. The third-generation flagships were a different proposition to what had come before – they looked different, offered new and different features, and crucially, they sounded different.

For different, of course, read ‘better’ – these four-star wireless earbuds were by far the best we had yet heard from Samsung, with a crisp, clear signature that really shone when using the company’s own 24-bit/96kHz SSC UHQ hi-res Bluetooth codec with a compatible Galaxy smartphone.

Taking sound seriously

Thankfully, Samsung has refused to rest on its laurels. Learning the lessons from the successes and failures of the third-generation Pro buds, it came back even stronger this year with the launch of its best effort yet: the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

What impressed us most about the Buds 4 Pro is how they seemed to take everything we liked about their predecessors and refined them all for a genuine step forward.

This wasn’t a reinvention, but more of a clear and conscious tinkering of something that had worked reasonably well the first time around.

Gone were those rather unnecessary stem ‘blade’ lights and Apple-inspired design, replaced by a more premium metallic housing, a new charging case and, most importantly, the best Samsung sound yet.

As we say in our review: “These might well be the best-sounding buds that Samsung has yet made, and certainly a clear step up in detail and clarity over their third-generation predecessors. The Buds 4 Pros’ outstanding levels of textural insight and clarity make a recording of Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca sound appropriately regal, before bringing out the lean, retro feeling of Elvis Costello’s Veronica with aplomb.”

Those improvements are no mere coincidence.

According to the engineers at Samsung, the fourth-gen model inherited many of the same design features from the Buds 3 Pro, such as two-way, dual-amp drivers, but with “refined tuning based on an enhanced woofer driver” for a more “rich and clear sound”.

That said, there is a clear openness to experiment to see what works best: "We do not have a specific preference for types or materials. We are continuously considering drivers to maximize various audio performances, including sound quality and noise control."

We’re not quite in five star territory yet – the competition is fierce in this category – but it really does feel as though Samsung is getting closer to that promised land. The class-leading Sony WF-1000XM6 are more musically refined and engaging, while the Apple AirPods Pro 3, while perhaps not quite as clear and crisp, have the edge in terms of dynamics and overall musicality.

Samsung's desire to improve and adapt has worked wonders, however. When you consider that the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offered “disappointing, unengaging dynamics” and a sound which we described as “lacking subtlety and precision”, the sparky, detail-rich audio of 2026’s flagship earbuds really feels as though it comes as the result of an audio team taking sound seriously.

Finding that fifth star

This all leads to the next logical question: where does Samsung go from here in order to hunt down its class-leading competitors?

According to the company itself: “The market's anticipation for the integration of audio devices with AI is steadily increasing. In this context, we possess the advantageous positions of the Galaxy Eco system and Galaxy AI. Moving forward, we aim to deliver an unparalleled experience through the synergy between Galaxy Buds and Galaxy AI, offering what other companies cannot provide.”

That’s all well and good, but what we urge Samsung to remember is the very reason it has made it to this point in the first place: sound. We have seen major strides from the thin, detail-light disappointment of the company’s early efforts in the current earbuds. While AI integration is all well and good (the Buds 4 Pro have live translation just like AirPods Pro 3, for example), it is those sonic strides that have taken the Galaxy line from rank outsiders to number one contenders.

Just look at Apple. A few years ago, we were awarding each iteration of AirPods a predictably mediocre three (or sometimes four) stars, before Apple upped its audio game with the five-star AirPods Pro 2 in 2023.

Since then, the superb AirPods Pro 3 and appealing AirPods 4 with ANC have taken things to new heights, proving that while fancy features and seamless user-integration are all well and good, sound quality remains king.

Technics also struggled to find that fifth star with its early efforts, but a constant drive to improve its sonic performance culminated in the excellence of the Award-winning EAH-AZ100 last year.

If Samsung can take those lessons and emulate a similar sort of success by focusing on sound first, then it might give Sony, Bose, Apple and co. something to really worry about in the wireless earbuds scene.

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Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: which flagship earbuds are better?

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See our pick of the best wireless earbuds for all budgets

Apple has gone from strength to strength with its wireless earbuds. Its recent flagship, the AirPods Pro 3, takes the performance of the five-star AirPods Pro 2 even further, indicating that the tech giant isn't happy merely selling the most wireless earbuds – it wants to produce the best, too.

Samsung, it seems, is on a similar trajectory. The brand's wireless earbuds have been steadily improving over the past five or so years, with Samsung looking to position itself as a major player in the audio world as well as that of smartphones, tablets and TVs.

That all makes for a really interesting comparison. What we have here are two pairs of flagship wireless buds – the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 – flying the flag for their respective tech giants. Both are on serious upward trajectories, but which brand has made the greatest strides in performance? Let's find out.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: price

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 launched at £219 / $249 / AU$429, although given that they've been out for a few months, discounts will occasionally chip away at those figures. At the time of writing, for instance, you can find a pair for £204 in the UK at some retailers.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are operating in very similar territory as the AirPods Pro 3. At £219 / $249 / AU$399, we're still at a premium level, but just below the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM6 (£250 / $330 / AU$500) and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) (currently £249 / $299 / AU$450).

Being the newer pair, discounts are less likely for Buds 4 Pro, so for now at least, Apple might be able to shade a victory.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: design and comfort

We might have mentioned that the outgoing Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro looked a little like a pair of Apple imitators when we reviewed them in 2024, but that's not a criticism we could lay at the door of the fourth-gen follow ups.

The new Buds 4 Pro look far more distinctive, and dare we say classy, than their predecessors, sporting a classic stem and bud design with a removable silicone eartip and a sleek metallic stem covering.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro sports a solid IP57 certification, offering protection against dust ingress and immersion in water up to a metre deep for around 30 minutes, the same rating as you'll find from their Apple rivals.

In terms of fit, we don't find there to be too many issues with the Samsung buds, although there are some caveats.

The removable ear-tips are angled in slightly to allow for a more secure seal, with the stems helping to add a counterweight and keep everything locked into place. While Samsung offers an ear-fit test via the companion Wearable app, we're still left frustrated that only three choices of tips are included in small, medium and large sizes.

We'd also mention that some of our testers struggled to keep the Samsung buds firmly in place during more strenuous activities such as gym workouts or running sessions, so they may be less suited to sports and strenuous workout sessions.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pros' touch controls come via a predominantly pinch-and-hold system, whereby you give the stems a squeeze to control operations such as playing and pausing tracks or switching noise cancelling modes, or else swipe up or down on the exterior of the stem to increase or decrease your music’s volume.

That's essentially the same system as you'll find with the AirPods Pro 3. There's not much to choose between the two pairs, here, with the AirPods’ touch controls on the stems remaining intuitive and responsive for managing tasks such as music playback, changing noise modes and controlling volume.

Away from touch controls, we're rather keen on the AirPods Pro 3's design. Yes, there are always subjective differences from person to person, but during our testing time, we found them to offer a secure fit which locks into position easily. Plus, you get two extra ear-tip options (XXS and XS) for a total of five, easily beating the meagre three offered by Samsung.

The buds are lightweight and easy to wear in daily use, and we feel the redesign actually is a bit more forgiving of the eartips you choose. If you can get the best fit for your ears, the AirPods Pro 3 are light, unobtrusive and easy to get along with in daily use.

It's a reasonably close-run thing, but for their well-honed design and provision of extra eartips, we're giving the win to Apple here.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: features

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are both premium buds (the Pro is the clue there), so in both cases you're furnished with all of the tricks and treats that you'd expect to find from each brand's respective wireless flagbearers.

The Samsung buds certainly aren't light in this regard, housing a healthy array of features to complement their sonic and noise cancelling capabilities.

You'll need Samsung's Wearable app to get the most out of your Samsung buds, although as you'll find with the AirPods when connected to an iPhone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are integrated within your Samsung device’s native operating system to grant access to many of their features without having to delve into the app at all. As you may have guessed, Apple users get no app support at all for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

For AirPods users, there's no standalone app for iOS or Android users, as is par for the course, with all settings integrated into your device's iOS operating system menus instead.

Both sets provide support for spatial audio in some form or another. The Samsung's offer '360 spatial audio' with head tracking, both of which require a Samsung device in order to work and can be toggled on or off via the accompanying app.

As we said in our review: "The tech works admirably, and unquestionably provides a more spacious and open experience than when listening in standard mode. Head tracking is also effective, even if it does suffer from the usual gripe of having a very slight delay whenever the sound moves from one earbud to the other."

The AirPods Pro 3 integrate spatial audio with dynamic headtracking with similarly capable results, working slickly and smoothly when paired with an iOS device. You won't be surprised to learn that if you want the best spatial experience, you'll want to have access to Apple Music and its catalogue of spatial audio tracks.

What about battery life? Samsung’s wireless flagbearers provide seven hours of charge time from the buds and a total of 30 with the case when ANC is turned off. Switch noise cancelling on, and those numbers drop to around six hours from the buds and a total of 26 hours with the case.

By comparison, the AirPods Pro 3 will manage eight hours in a single charge from the buds with ANC switched on, stretching to a total of 24 hours of overall battery life with the charging case in play. That's slightly better in-bud battery for the AirPods, but a total of 24 hours does seem a little light in comparison.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pros' key feature is the use of Samsung’s proprietary SSC UHQ hi-res codec, which grants transmission of up to 24-bit/96kHz file quality via Bluetooth with compatible Samsung Galaxy devices.

Conversely, there's still no higher-quality codec support from the likes of aptX or LDAC for the AirPods Pro 3, so you'll have to settle for the standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs – the general line we tend hear from Apple is that its AirPods simply don't require hi-res codec support to sound their best. No iPhone, iPad or MacBook support any other codecs either, so this is likely of no issue to iOS users.

Apple does have its own tricks up its sleeve, though. The AirPods Pro 3 come fitted with a new heart rate sensor to track health and workout stats, and they have hearing tests and hearing health-related features, too.

Live translation features are available on both models, but note you'll need to be on specific (usually the latest) software and compatible devices to make the feature work.

Strong showings from both sides, then, with Samsung's hi-res codec support countered by Apple's impressive health-based features. Both have features that work solely with its own devices in their own ecosystems. A draw seems like a fair result.

** Winner: Draw **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: noise cancelling and voice calls

With the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, calls are delivered clearly thanks to the buds' trio of microphones and a voice pick-up unit, while background intrusions are capably softened to stop them from interrupting your conversations.

Noise-cancelling is well implemented on the Samsung buds, capable of subduing busy traffic sounds and the general hubbub of the office so we can concentrate mostly on the music.

Samsung’s Adaptive sound feature, which automatically switches to ambient mode when it detects human speech, works well during testing, too. We're impressed by how effectively the setting clicks into gear whenever we engage in a conversation to test whether our buds are paying attention.

The similar "Conversation Mode" feature on AirPods Pro 3 also intelligently detects when you're speaking, which lowers the volume of the music so you can have a quick conversation.

Samsung's buds won't let you down then, but they're not quite good enough to overcome the best that Apple has to offer. Call quality is clear, detailed and sounds natural on the AirPods Pro 3, with no harshness or any of that over-processed quality to our voices that we often experience with many lesser earbuds.

Where the Apple buds really distinguish themselves is through their excellent ANC. We take our AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro to the gym to test their noise cancelling talents, and while the latter take the edge off the various intrusions we experience – background music, general chatter, the whir of an exercise bike – the AirPods Pro 3 simply suppress the general clamour more powerfully and more effectively.

They're also much better at dealing with sharp, loud noises than their Samsung rivals. The clank of weights dropping can threaten to intrude in on your best workout playlist, but with the Pro 3, those spikes of sound are impressively diminished to the point that we barely notice them when they occur.

Apple's noise cancelling capabilities really are mightily impressive, and earn them the win here.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: sound quality

We're convinced that the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the best wireless earbuds Samsung has made. They sound resplendently clear, clean, well-organised and peppy, offering an enthusiastic, precise and lively tone that is rarely a chore to listen to.

That tone feels similar in general flavour to their third-gen predecessors, but this is still a clear sonic step up from that which came before. As we said in our review, the Buds 4 Pros’ "outstanding levels of textural insight and clarity make a recording of Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca sound appropriately regal, before bringing out the lean, retro feeling of Elvis Costello’s Veronica with aplomb".

Listening to genres and tracks that really play to their strengths, the Samsung buds deliver a lovely balance between analysis and pure fun. We find that rock, hip-hop and dance numbers tend to fare particularly well, as evidenced by a powerful rendition of Slipknot’s pulsating Before I Forget and a sparky reproduction of Justice’s Phantom Pt. II.

If you want to get the best out of your Galaxy buds, it's definitely worth getting hold of an up-to-date Samsung device to take advantage of that fancy hi-res SSC UHQ codec.

We use a Samsung S25 smartphone to test out how the earbuds sound with hi-res SSC UHQ codec, and there's no question that the Buds 4 Pro move to the next level sonically when using this higher-quality codec. They retain their general flavour, but overall clarity and detail levels increase considerably when compared to playing via an iPhone or the standard Bluetooth codec on a Sony Xperia 1 VI smartphone.

How do the AirPods Pro 3 sound by comparison? This isn't the walkover for Apple that some might have been expecting, and if anything, we find that their Samsung rivals arguably offer greater clarity and textural detail than their rivals can muster. That's no mean feat, especially as we described the third-gen AirPods Pro as being clearer and more detailed than their antecedents.

Still, the AirPods are superbly clear, balanced and spacious-sounding, with a keen ear for midrange vocal authenticity. They're immensely easy to get along with, giving music ample room to breathe and allowing musical textures and vocal strands plenty of space to flourish.

Where Apple's flagships really excel, however, is in their superior feeling of musical engagement. As we said in our review: "Dynamically, they do a wonderful job of conveying the ebbs and flow of a track, and are adept at slowing things down where needed, as well as keeping more energetic compositions in check – all without losing any of the verve or emotional intent of a track."

They're also seriously impressive in how they dispatch rhythms, offering a snappy, propulsive sense of timing that keeps our attention from the outset. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro aren't poor in this regard, but they don't quite have that innate rhythmic understanding, especially with more nuanced fare, as their Apple rivals.

This is a close affair, and certainly an impressive effort from Samsung's pristine, detailed flagships. We find that the AirPods Pro 3's more dynamic and rhythmically engaging sound takes the cake here, as it just makes us feel more involved and invested in the music we play.

Samsung is closing the gap, but there's still some daylight between their latest flagships and their Apple rivals.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the best wireless earbuds the company has made thus far. They're packed with features and sound better than their predecessors, demonstrating a clear indication that Samsung has what it takes to close the gap on the market's biggest names.

That said, it isn't quite enough to beat the best that Apple has to offer. The Pro 3 are the finest performing AirPods yet, and while it's a close run thing, their impressive ANC talents and more engaging, dynamic sound quality sees them pip their Samsung rivals to the post.

Each pair is designed for a different audience – AirPods for iOS users, Galaxy buds for Samsung users – but all other things being equal, we'd still take the AirPods Pro 3 over their plucky rivals.

** Overall winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 **

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Does anyone have what it takes to knock Sony of its proud perch? The Sony WF-1000XM6 are the current cream of the premium wireless earbuds crop, laying down a marker to which all other rivals must now aspire.

They're quite possibly the best wireless earbuds that Sony has ever made, and when you think about some of the delights the Japanese company has produced in the past few years, that's quite the compliment.

Samsung is up for the challenge. The Korean brand showcased a real determination to compete in the premium wireless space with the previous Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and now hopes to go one further with its fourth-gen follow-up, the just-released Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 4. This is the most almighty of challenges for the flagship buds, but if they can trouble the class leaders, we'll know that Samsung has truly arrived on the premium wireless scene.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs WF-1000XM6: price

The Sony WF-1000XM6 cost £250 / $330 / AU$500 at launch, making them a little cheaper for UK buyers compared with the older WF-1000XM5 (£259 at launch) but more expensive if you happen to live in the US ($299) or Australia (AU$419).

They're not, however, cheaper than their Samsung rivals. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are very much a premium pair of earbuds, but their £219 / $249 / AU$399 tag sees them significantly undercut Sony's flagships. The fourth-gen model didn't see a price hike over their third-gen antecedents, either, which is a nice touch from Samsung.

** Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs WF-1000XM6: design and comfort

Samsung's fourth-gen flagship buds are a little different from those which preceded them.

The classic stem and bud design with a removable silicone ear tip returns, but it’s much harder to accuse the Buds 4 Pro of looking like a pair of Apple rip-offs this time around. The vertically placed ‘Blade Lights’ of the third-gen model have also gone, replaced by a sleek metallic stem covering which just gives the fourth-gen iteration a more premium aesthetic.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have had their IP rating boosted from IP53 to IP57, granting protection against dust ingress and immersion in water up to a metre deep for around 30 minutes. That's a more robust certification than the Sonys, which can only muster an IPX4 rating for general protection against splashes of water rather than full immersion.

Fit-wise, we generally find the Samsung earbuds comfortable and easy to get along with. The removable eartips are angled in slightly to allow for a more secure seal, with the stems helping to add a counterweight and keep everything locked into place. Samsung offers an ear-fit test via the companion Wearable app, confirming whether you’ve obtained an adequate seal with a quick scan of your ears.

Sadly, we feel let down that you only get three sizes of tip from which to choose, as the provision of small, medium and large options just seems so miserly for a pair of flagship wireless earbuds. We'd also note that some of our wearers struggled to keep the Samsung buds in place during more strenuous activities, so they may be less suited to running or sporting endeavours than more active-focused alternatives.

Touch controls on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are employed by a predominantly pinch-and-hold system, whereby you give the stems a squeeze to control operations such as playing and pausing tracks or switching noise cancelling modes, or swipe up or down on the exterior of the stem to increase or decrease your music’s volume.

Sony's WF-1000XM6 rivals are a similarly bold departure from what came before, and the design is certainly distinct from the more traditional bud and stem design of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

Open that rather chunky monolith of a charging case and you'll see that Sony has altered both the look and the feel of the earbuds when compared to the outgoing model, sporting a more rectangular, boxy aesthetic.

Aside from improving noise cancelling and call quality (more on that later), the XM6s' configuration is designed improve in-ear comfort, yet as we found during our testing, that might depend on who is using them.

That firm eartip material has returned for the sixth-gen iteration, and while it will suit some ears just fine, we still have multiple team members who simply cannot get to grips with how Sony's latest buds fit inside their ears.

Sony does offer a handy air pressure fit test in the Sound Connect app, as well as four eartip sizes (extra small, medium and large) over the three offered by Samsung. Still, an extra large option wouldn't have gone amiss for those users with larger ears, especially given how tricky the fit of the premium buds can be for some wearers.

Touch controls are on board for the XM6, and we're pleased to report that we find them responsive and well-integrated during our tests. As is the case with the Buds 4 Pro, you can customise their configuration via their respective companion apps.

Decent, if not perfect, performances on both sides. We imagine that most users will find the Buds 4 Pro to be easier to get along with fit-wise, and they are more robust in terms of their IP rating, but they do lose a point for their meagre array of tip sizes.

** Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro**

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs WF-1000XM6: features

We're in properly premium territory here, with each competing brand going all out on the features front, as befits two pairs of flagship wireless earbuds.

The Samsung Wearable app is the platform you'll need in order to get the most out of your flagship Samsung buds. As you’d find with a pair of AirPods when connected to an iPhone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are integrated within your Samsung device’s native operating system, so you can access many of their features without having to delve into the app at all. Naturally, you won't be surprised to learn that Apple iOS users get no app support at all.

For Sony users, you'll be operating your WF-1000XM6 via the Sound Connect app (available for both iOS and Android), a platform which plenty of settings when it comes to the number of customisation options and device metrics it provides – including a the handy speak-to-chat mode, which lowers music volume when it recognises you are speaking to someone.

The Samsung buds provide support for the brand's '360 spatial audio' with head tracking, both of which require a Samsung device in order to work and can be toggled on or off via the accompanying app.

The tech works admirably, and unquestionably provides a more spacious and open experience than when listening in standard mode. Head tracking is also effective, even if it does suffer from the usual gripe of having a very slight delay whenever the sound moves from one earbud to the other.

For the XM6, support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio is on the menu, aiming for a similar effect of granting a more immersive, three-dimensional soundfield. You will require a scan of your ears, as well as a compatible streaming service with these tracks (which are different from Dolby Atmos recorded tracks), such as Amazon Music Unlimited, to make use of the tech.

How about battery life? Samsung’s wireless flag-bearers grant seven hours from the buds and a total of 30 with the case when ANC is turned off. Switch noise cancelling on, and those numbers will drop to roughly six hours from the buds and a total of 26 hours with the case. By comparison, battery life for the WF-1000XM6 comes in at eight hours from the buds and a total of 24 hours with the case, with ANC on.

The Galaxy Buds Pro 4s' big trump card comes via their compatibility with Samsung’s exclusive proprietary SSC UHQ hi-res codec, granting transmission of up to 24-bit/96kHz music files over Bluetooth via newer Galaxy devices.

We used a Galaxy S25 smartphone to get the most out of our test buds’ sonic capabilities, though we're assured that the S24 and S23, as well as the newer generations of the Z Flip/Fold phones also offer compatibility with SSC UHQ.

Bluetooth support for the Sony WF-1000XM6 comes courtesy of standard SBC and AAC alongside Sony's own LDAC codec for hi-res transmission up to 32-bit/96kHz, and you'll also need a compatible source device in order to access it. Most Sony Xperia phones, such as the Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 1 VII, do offer LDAC support.

It's a a close run thing on the general features front, with both pairs tending to match each other blow for blow when digging into their admirably large bags of tricks.

** Winner: Draw **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs WF-1000XM6: noise cancelling and voice calls

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are admirable in their handling of both noise cancelling and voice calls.

Speech comes across as clear and reasonably expressive thanks to the buds' trio of microphones and a voice pick-up unit, while background noises are capably softened to lessen their intrusiveness during phone calls.

You get full noise-cancelling, transparent pass through and an Adaptive mode when it comes to the Buds 4 Pro's ANC flavours. Standard full ANC is effective enough, capable of subduing traffic noises and the general hubbub of a busy street when using the buds outdoors.

Samsung’s Adaptive mode monitors your environment and automatically switches to the more transparent ambient mode when it detects sounds such as human speech or the screech of nearby sirens. In our tests, it's impressive how effectively the setting clicks into gear whenever we engage in a conversation to test our buds' reflexes.

A very fine effort on both fronts from Samsung, but it isn't enough to win this particular shootout. We switch over to the slightly costlier Sony WF-1000XM6 when taking a phone call and they set the gold standard for clarity, isolation and the naturalness of vocal reproduction from both callers.

The addition of the new QN3e processor and a quad array of microphones in each earbud works to tremendous effect, isolating you from outside noise while putting speech to the forefront of any conversation. The Sonys also throw their Adaptive NC Optimiser into the mix, which automatically adapts the ANC algorithm to your fit and for the environment you’re listening in.

The resultant noise cancelling performance is exceptional. In full ANC mode, Sonys are superb at how naturally and subtly they isolate us from all kinds of exterior sounds, presenting us with a clean, rumble-free background through which our music can more easily shine when outdoors, on our commute or even on a plane.

Even when you sink to the noisy recesses of London's underground network, the XM6 are able to dim down the low-end and midrange noise so they are much less intrusive.

A good effort from Samsung, but Sony is the clear winner here on both counts.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs WF-1000XM6: sound quality

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are, to our ears, the best wireless earbuds Samsung has ever made. They're clear, well-organised and snappy performers, with an enthusiasm and sonic precision that we find hard to resist.

They boast a similar flavour to their third-gen predecessors, albeit with greater detail and clarity elevating their performance to new heights. As we said in our review, the Buds 4 Pros’ "outstanding levels of textural insight and clarity make a recording of Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca sound appropriately regal, before bringing out the lean, retro feeling of Elvis Costello’s Veronica with aplomb".

That crisp, agile approach means the Buds 4 Pro are natural entertainers, and with the right genres, they're capable of putting on a real show. We find that rock, hip-hop and dance numbers tend to fare particularly well, as evidenced by a powerful, crunchy rendition of Slipknot’s headbanging Before I Forget and a sharp, lively reproduction of Justice’s funky Phantom Pt. II.

If you really want to get the best out of the Galaxy buds, it is worth having an up-to-date Samsung Galaxy device in order to take advantage of the brand’s own hi-res SSC UHQ codec.

When paired with the Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphone and with that high quality codec switched on, the Buds 4 Pro take things to the next level, with overall clarity and detail levels increasing considerably when compared to playing via an iPhone or the standard Bluetooth codec on a Sony Xperia 1 VI smartphone.

Good as the Galaxy buds are, the Sony WF-1000XM6 remain the benchmark-setters. Pitched in an even battle, the XM6 are a clear improvement over their rivals, as well as pretty much any other earbuds you'll find at this level.

These are, by our measure, the best Sony buds yet. The WF-1000XM6 are as detailed and insightful as we'd expect, yet they also ooze a natural warmth and rich tonality which gives them immense appeal. If you found their predecessors just a touch analytical or dispassionate, that relative defect has been admirably rectified with the compellingly entertaining XM6.

Perhaps what we admire most about the WF-1000XM6 is their expressiveness and outstanding dynamic handling. The Sonys just sound so natural and believable as they tease out dynamic strands and fluctuations with remarkable insight and agility, giving music a three-dimensional, engrossing appeal that has us entranced no matter the tunes we play.

This is where the XM6 really distance themselves from their Samsung contemporaries, and while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are admirably spacious and clear, the Sony's hugely expressive, authentic delivery makes them a considerably more involving option. For getting you to feel the heart and soul of your music, it's the Sony buds every time.

The WF-1000XM6 are excellent across the frequency range, too. As we said in our review, they deliver "crisp highs all the way down to tightly controlled and textured lows", and have "a grasp of bass notes and deliver layers of texture which the old model can’t quite replicate. The Sonys exhibit all the bass power and weight you could ask for, but it’s the way the notes are controlled and defined which really sets them apart from their rivals".

Yes, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pros' performance when making use of their specific Samsung SSC UHQ codec does narrow the gap somewhat, but it's not enough to mask their relative limitations when put head-to-head with the best that Sony has to offer.

For sound performance, the WF-1000XM6 are in a class of their own.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs WF-1000XM6: verdict

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the best wireless earbuds we've heard from the brand. The fourth-generation in-ears are easily the strongest indication yet that Samsung has what it takes to compete in one of audio's toughest arenas.

Their crisp, precise and detailed sound will make rivals sit up and take notice, although it's worth noting that they sound (and perform) their best when paired with the latest Samsung Galaxy devices and using the proprietary hi-res codec.

Those improvements aren't, however, enough to topple one of the most dominant names in wireless audio. In terms of pure sound quality, Sony continues to lead the pack, with its WF-1000XM6 once again raising the bar so high that it'll take something truly remarkable for anyone to surpass them. And you don't need to have a specific device or codec to hear them at their best, either.

For their outstanding sonic talents, backed by some exceptional all-round credentials, the XM6 remain the buds to beat.

** Overall winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

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Huawei has a new flagship pair of wireless earbuds that promises significant enhancements to their audio performance, as well as an improved acoustic seal and increased comfort.

The FreeBuds Pro 5 take over from the outgoing FreeBuds Pro 4, whose design and comfort we praised, even if their dynamics, rhythmic precision and bass control trailed behind (cheaper) rivals.

The new Pro 5 flagships feature a traditional sealed eartip design (as opposed to the open configuration of Huawei's recent FreeClip 2), with the buds being 10 per cent smaller and 6 per cent lighter than before, according to Huawei.

The brand has analysed over 10,000 ear profiles to reshape the contours of the earbuds in a bid to provide greater comfort and offer a better seal, especially for wearers with smaller ears.

Inside, there is an all-new dual driver acoustic system, which combines a micro planar diaphragm tweeter with a dual magnet woofer driver. The ultra-thin 6mm planar tweeter has been designed to produce a brighter and clearer treble, while the woofer aims to deliver a cleaner and more precise bass performance, along with a claimed 45 per cent less distortion compared with the previous Pro 4 model.

Each driver is housed in its own acoustic chamber, with each unit featuring two DACs and two DSPs alongside rear air vents – all in a bid to improve sound and reduce interference.

Standard Bluetooth codecs are on board, while Huawei smartphone owners can take advantage of the brand's own L2HC hi-res codec that allows for 24-bit/48kHz lossless transmission between the Huawei models.

The Pro 5 have a "Dual-Engine ANC architecture", whereby the two drivers work independently together to more effectively target specific frequencies to diminish. With three HD mics on each bud combined with AI powers, Huawei claims that its noise-cancelling powers are "220 per cent" more effective than the previous model.

Call quality is similarly purported to be clearer thanks to a combination of the new mics, a bone-conduction mic and an AI noise-cancelling algorithm. An 'anti-wind' design further ensures all spoken words are heard clearly even with background noise present.

There are new tap controls on the stems, while the antennae are situated in a way to offer better Bluetooth range and coverage, as well as to increase resistance to interference.

Another new feature is conversation awareness, which, similar to the tech found on Sony and Apple earbuds, detects when you're speaking and lowers the volume of what you're listening to so you can have a quick chat. Other features such as adaptive volume (which adjusts the sound according to your surrounding noise levels) and spatial audio (which works regardless of device or streaming source) are also available.

The Pro 5 have nine hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC turned off, going down to six hours with ANC turned on. You get a total of 38 hours with the charging case in play (ANC off).

Elsewhere, the charging case features an updated hinge and an LED indicator, and the earbuds feature an IP57 dust and water-resistance rating.

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 are available in four finishes – white, grey, blue and sand – priced at £180 in the UK, the same as their FreeBuds Pro 4 predecessors we reviewed last year. Australian pricing is TBC.

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The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro represented something of a watershed moment. For perhaps the first time, these were Samsung buds which we could confidently recommend,and while they had their blind spots, the Buds 3 Pro were the clearest indication we’d seen, and indeed heard, that Samsung could chase down the major players in the wireless earbuds space.

The challenge now, then, is for the Korean giant to go one step further with its new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Their third generation predecessors earned an eminently respectable four star review when we put them through their paces in the summer of 2024, yet that won’t be enough to keep their makers happy.

Only the best of the best will cut it in this ruthless arena, especially when you’re competing against the might of Sony, Technics and Apple – can Samsung finally make that step up to the big leagues?

Price

We’re pleased to report that the Buds 4 Pro haven’t seen a price hike over their predecessors. Like the third-gen flagships, the newer model is once again priced at £219 / $249 / AU$399.

This puts them a little below the likes of the new Sony WF-1000XM6 (tested at £250 / $330 / AU$500) and the Technics EAH-AZ100 (tested at £259 / $299 / AU$499), while roughly matching the cost of the rival Apple AirPods Pro 3 (£219 / $249 / AU$429).

Build & comfort

We’d like to think that Samsung took heed of our gentle ribbing that its outgoing flagship buds reminded us, and many others, of a pair of rival AirPods, because this new iteration confidently sports an aesthetic which feels more unique and distinctive than that which came before.

No, they’re not particularly revolutionary in terms of their configuration – the classic stem and bud design with a removable silicone ear tip is well-worn territory – but it’s tougher to accuse the Buds 4 Pro of looking like Apple rip-offs this time around.

They’ve also had their IP rating boosted from IP53 to IP57, granting protection against dust ingress and immersion in water up to a metre deep for around 30 minutes – a quick dip in the sink confirms the Galaxy buds are up to code.

Buds aside, the case also looks more distinctive, sporting a clam shell design with a transparent lid so that you can admire your buds as they take a well-earned snooze, plus wireless charging if you have a compatible charger.

The vertically placed ‘blade lights’ of the outgoing model – which indicated key vitals such as battery life and connectivity status – have gone, replaced by a sleek metallic stem covering which just gives the fourth-gen buds a more premium aesthetic. Given we didn’t find much use of those blade lights when testing out the outgoing Samsung buds, it likely won’t be a huge miss.

Fit-wise, the Buds 4 Pro are generally easy to get along with. The removable eartips are angled in slightly to allow for a neat, secure seal, with the stems just helping to add a bit of counterweight to keep everything lodged in place, although we did occasionally feel that grip loosen when performing more strenuous gym workouts. Samsung has kindly offered an ear-fit test which you can access via the provided app, confirming whether you’ve obtained an adequate seal with a quick scan of your ears.

Sadly, we’re still left grumbling that you only get three sizes of tip from which to choose. The provision of small, medium and large options feels miserly for a pair of flagship wireless earbuds, especially when the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM6, Technics EAH-AZ100 and AirPods Pro 3 all furnish you with at least four, sometimes five, options to get the perfect fit.

Touch controls are employed by what is predominantly a pinch and hold system, whereby you give the stems a firm squeeze to control operations such as playing and pausing tracks or switching noise-cancelling modes, while swiping up or down on the exterior of the stem with your finger will increase or decrease your music’s volume.

It’s a reasonably intuitive system, albeit one that takes a little getting used to. We start out being far too gentle when giving the buds a feather-light pinch, realising that you need to go with a rather forceful squeeze to get them to respond to your wishes. That volume control is responsive and efficient, though, even if you might have to turn your head a little to get the buds in an adequate position for you to give them a swipe.

Features

You’ll need to download the Samsung Wearable app if you want to get the most out of your flagship Samsung buds. It’s a clean, clear and well-ordered platform that’s available on newer Samsung and Android devices. It won’t surprise you to learn, incidentally, that Apple users get no app support at all.

As you’d find with a pair of AirPods or Beats headphones hooked up to an iPhone, the Buds 4 Pro controls are integrated within your Samsung device’s native operating system, meaning you can access many of their features – including ANC adjustment and immediate pairing – without having to go fire up the app in the first place.

As before, the new buds offer support for Samsung’s take on spatial audio with head tracking, both of which require a Samsung device in order to work and can be toggled on or off via the companion app.

Spatial audio works well enough, and unquestionably provides a markedly more spacious and open experience than when listening in standard mode. Head tracking is also reasonably effective, even if it does suffer from the usual affliction of having a very slight delay whenever we move our head from one side to the other.

Do the Buds 4 Pro pack enough portable power to go the distance? Samsung’s wireless flagbearers boast seven hours from the buds and a total of 30 with the case when ANC is turned off. Switch noise cancelling on, and those numbers will drop to roughly six hours from the buds and a total of 26 hours with the case.

Those are solid numbers, and generally capable of keeping up with most of Samsung’s key rivals. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) tend to clock in at around 6 hours from the buds and 24 hours altogether, while the Sony WF-1000XM6 will give you 8 hours from the buds and 24 hours from the case. The AirPods Pro 3 will offer more in-bud battery life (8 hours), but their total of 24 hours is just beaten by Samsung’s flagship candidates.

If you’re seeking a reason to upgrade to Samsung’s more recent raft of Galaxy mobile devices, the Buds 4 Pro could be it. One of the unique powers of the outgoing Buds 3 Pro was their compatibility with Samsung’s exclusive proprietary SSC UHQ hi-res codec, providing transmission of up to 24-bit/96kHz music files over Bluetooth via newer devices. Those hi-res capabilities return for the fourth-gen flagship iteration, so we enlist the services of a Galaxy S25 smartphone to get the most out of our test sample’s sonic capabilities.

Noise cancelling & voice calls

Voice calls via the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are ably handled. Speech comes across as reasonably clear thanks to the buds’ trio of microphones and voice pick-up unit. During calls, background noises, such as the bluster of wind and the swoosh of a nearby motorway, are impressively diminished. The costlier Sony WF-1000XM6 sound clearer and more natural, but Samsung’s flagbearers get the job done just fine.

Noise cancelling, meanwhile, comes in a healthy variety of flavours, including a more transparent passthrough setting alongside full active noise cancelling. This full ANC mode is effective enough in daily use, and while the Sony WF-1000XM6 are more effective at blocking out higher highs and deeper lows, we certainly notice an appreciable softening of road traffic noise and the general hubbub of a busy street when we take our Samsung test pair out for a stroll.

You also get access to Samsung’s Adaptive mode, which monitors your environment and automatically switches to the more transparent ambient setting when it detects sounds such as human speech or the screech of nearby sirens.

That automatic mode switching works well, and it doesn’t take long for the Buds 4 Pro to move seamlessly into ambient mode after we’ve started an impromptu conversation in the office. Clever.

Sound

While the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will appeal predominantly to Samsung users, Samsung envisions its flagship buds as being compatible with a range of source devices. As such, we use a Samsung Galaxy S25 phone for much of our test time, as well as the five-star Sony Xperia 1 VI to assess the Buds 4 Pros’ general Android performance, and an iPhone 15 to see if they can play ball with Samsung’s arch rivals Apple.

The Buds 4 Pro feature a dual driver arrangement, with a larger 11mm woofer combined with a tweeter that aims to cover a wider range of frequencies (deeper bass, higher highs) and deliver greater dynamics than before.

However we listen, it doesn’t take long for us to develop something of a soft spot for the fourth-gen flagships. These are clear, well-organised and snappy performers, keenly and enthusiastically firing your music into your ears with the same tenacity as an eager labrador puppy desperately trying to retrieve a tennis ball from underneath the family sofa.

That crisp, nimble approach is hard to resist, and with the right genres, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are capable of putting on quite a show. Rock, hip-hop and dance numbers played via Tidal tend to fare particularly well, as evidenced by a powerful, crunchy rendition of Slipknot’s headbanging Before I Forget and a similarly eager, lively reproduction of Justice’s funky Phantom Pt. II.

These might well be the best-sounding buds that Samsung has yet made, and certainly a clear step up in detail and clarity over their third-generation predecessors. The Buds 4 Pros’ outstanding levels of textural insight and clarity make a recording of Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca sound appropriately regal, before bringing out the lean, retro feeling of Elvis Costello’s Veronica with aplomb.

If you really want to hear your earbuds firing on all cylinders, it pays to have an up-to-date Samsung device to hand in order to take advantage of the brand’s hi-res SSC UHQ codec. When paired with the Samsung S25 smartphone and with that high-quality codec switched on, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro take on their final and most fearsome form, like a chunky Charmeleon evolving into a mighty, fire-breathing Charizard.

Overall clarity and detail levels are increased considerably, giving Johnny Cash’s seminal cover of Hurt a welcome boost. Cash’s voice is rich and full of a gravelly, smoke-filled melancholy, while his guitar player sounds both meatier and more resonant yet simultaneously nimbler and more clearly defined than when using an iPhone or the standard Bluetooth codec on the Sony.

Everything, in fact, sounds tauter and more precise when playing through a compatible Samsung device. The bass is grippier and more responsive, while midrange textures, such as delicate guitar strums and human vocals, are more densely packed with detail than when playing on another Android or Apple device.

That hi-res codec doesn’t quite save the Buds 4 Pro from their relative limitations, though, especially when put up against the best in the business in the shape of the new Sony WF-1000XM6. Dig out Radiohead’s strange, entrancing Decks Dark, and you’ll notice the clear step up the five-star Sony buds provide as they tease out each instrumental strand with a near-obsessive attention to detail.

Dynamically, the XM6 are a cut above, granting a real sense of shape and expression to the track’s descending piano passages, all while giving the quiet drums beneath a more perceptible feeling of weight and intent. The Buds 4 Pro excel at making Decks Dark sound clear, spacious and nicely balanced, but the XM6s’ more musically involving rendition once again highlights why the Sony heavyweights are quite possibly the finest wireless earbuds we’ve heard at this level.

The AirPods Pro 3 are also just a shade more dynamically and rhythmically expressive than their Samsung counterparts, as evidenced by their engrossing delivery of Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting, but the Buds 4 Pro win back points by outshining the AirPods Pro 3 for clarity, spaciousness and overall levels of detail.

Verdict

Samsung is taking sound seriously, and it shows. The brand’s flagship Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are its best-sounding wireless earbuds yet, offering a clear, agile performance that’s backed by a whole host of slick features.

You’ll need a recent flagship Samsung smartphone to get them firing on all cylinders, but if you’ve got the kit to get them sounding their best, the Buds 4 Pro are a really solid pick, especially for devoted Samsung users.

Review published: 25th February 2026

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Features 5
• Comfort 4

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Samsung has announced its new Galaxy Buds 4 range. The Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro offer a revamped metal stem design that's more premium than their plasticky predecessors, upgraded controls, and a speaker driver that's nearly 20 per cent bigger than that on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

Samsung claims the wider woofer and tweeter in the new generation wireless earbuds will reproduce a more complete range across the frequencies, from high resonances to the low-end notes of a double bass.

• Our Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review is live – check out what we thought of Samsung's flagship buds

The Buds 4 pack an 11mm dynamic driver, and on the Buds 4 Pro this is joined by a 5mm x 4mm tweeter.

The new build might be the most eye-catching element of the design, but the fit for both earbuds has also been overhauled. This is based on millions of data points taking into account all kinds of ear shapes. Samsung claims the new buds are more comfortable and more secure in everyday use.

The control panel on the stems is now engraved to make it easier to discern by touch alone and the case has been slightly redesigned to show off the buds' overhauled design.

The step-up Buds 4 Pro have the same enhanced adaptive ANC and EQ that adjusts the sound depending on your surroundings. You also get the same 16kHz noise reduction during calls.

Users of Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets will get some extra benefits. They won't need to install the designated app, they can just connect the buds straight away (much like iOS users do with the best AirPods). They can optimise the settings through a shortcut menu in the quick panel, wake the buds using their voice for handsfree controls and use head gestures to accept or dismiss incoming calls. There's also an Interpreter mode for real-time translation (yes, just like you get with AirPods Pro 3).

The Buds 4 don't have eartips, whereas the flagship Buds 4 Pro have three sizes of silicon eartips with an eartip test within the app (much like the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM6).

The Buds 4 Pro are higher specced than the standard model, with a water-resistant and dust-proof rating of IP57, compared to IP54 for the Buds 4. Both have a battery life of six hours from the buds plus another 20 from the case with ANC on.

Like their predecessors, they support Samsung’s hi-res SSC UHQ codec, which allows streams of up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution, and is compatible with more recent Galaxy smartphones. They also have Bluetooth 6.0 onboard.

Both pairs have three mics and a voice pick-up unit to monitor jaw vibrations, and the Pros offer 360 Spatial audio with head tracking.

It's an impressive feature set, but a lot will hinge on the sound quality. Samsung's buds have never scored the full five stars from us (though the Buds 3 Pro notched up four stars in 2023). Can it finally secure that elusive fifth star? Our Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review reveals all.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 cost £159 / $180 / AU$TBC and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are £219 / $249 / AU$399. Both are available to pre-order now, with shipping starting on 11th March.

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Will the Buds 4 Pro be one of the best AirPods alternatives?

The best wireless earbuds we've tested across all budgets

I’ve been testing the Sony WF-1000X6 for a few weeks now, but from the moment I first unboxed them and saw what lay in store, I had a feeling this article could be the end result.

You see, I’ve been here before. Following the launch of Sony’s previous flagship wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, I wrote an article explaining how there was one thing I’d change, and it wasn’t the noise-cancelling.

Now you could click through to that article, or I could save you precious seconds and explain that it was written about the eartips that came with the XM5.

As much as I had time for their sound quality and ANC, I wasn’t finding the buds quite as comfy as some of their close rivals from around that time.

Now, when I heard that Sony had tweaked the design of the new WF-1000XM6 during their launch event earlier in February, I was excited to see if this might improve overall comfort levels. But my excitement was tempered when I saw that Sony was insisting on persisting with the same eartips as before.

If you haven’t been following Sony eartip developments over the past few years (and I’m sad to say I have), then please indulge me in a bit of scene setting.

Sony introduced this particular tip back with the WF-1000XM4 back in 2021. Explaining it in our WF-1000XM4 review, we said, “Made from polyurethane, which feels like a cross between silicone and foam, Sony claims they help secure a tighter, more stable fit. The thousands of tiny bubbles in the tips are also supposed to help reduce and dissipate noise.”

Back then, you had only three sizes of tip to choose from to help you get a seal (small, medium or large). For WF-1000XM5, Sony introduced an extra-small tip, presumably for people with small ear holes who found the other sizes uncomfortable.

For XM6, though, nothing has changed. An extra-large eartip might help, but I’m not sure it's the actual size that is the issue for me, more that choice of material.

You see, it’s neither proper memory foam, nor silicone. The hybrid that Sony has settled on just doesn’t feel pliable enough. I don’t think it’s related to the shape of the earbuds either – they seem to fit well in the curve of my inner ear – it’s more that I can feel the tips pushing against my ear, and that you sometimes have to move the tips around a bit more to get the seal right.

I don’t have to look far in the What Hi-Fi? stockroom to find pairs of wireless earbuds that immediately feel more consistently comfortable.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, have new “foam-infused eartips” with “a new layer of foam-infused microspheres” which feel slightly thicker and a bit more substantial. I’ve tried them and like them.

I also get on swimmingly with Bose’s slightly shallower, less domed silicone eartips, which don’t burrow as far as some rivals but still give you the feeling that they’re sealing the parts of your ear that they need to.

Also, the tips for the Award-winning Technics EAH-AZ100 are relatively bulbous, but the dome of each tip is relatively thin, which doesn’t seem to rub my ear up the wrong way either.

Having canvassed the opinion of other members of our review team, it appears I’m not the only one who is slightly unsure about this issue. And the law of averages suggests that there will be plenty of others out there who feel the same way.

Don’t get me wrong, when you do get the fit right with the Sonys, the results are great; and you do have to remember in all of this that no pair of ears is the same – fit is always about personal preference.

I just spend a bit too much time adjusting and readjusting the fit before every listening session and wondering, “is that right?”. It’s not a terrible fit; it’s just that I can get rival earbuds settled in my ears quicker.

It’s not enough to put me off buying a pair or to stop me recommending them. I do, however, think that, for its next flagship buds, Sony might want to revisit the material it uses.

Ironically, I haven’t had any of these issues with Sony’s cheaper wireless earbuds, none of which uses this kind of tip. Perhaps that could be a starting point?

MORE:

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

Check out the best wireless earbuds for all budgets

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which flagship wireless earbuds are better?

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which should you buy?

6 settings you should immediately tackle on the Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds

The wireless earbuds market is more competitive than ever. Sony may have dominated it for years, but the success of a new pair is by no means guaranteed – the Sony WF-1000XM6 are entering a crowded field, with recent pairs from Apple, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins to contend with.

And of course Technics. The turntable giant made waves in 2025 with the Award-winning EAH-AZ100, whose superb sound quality saw them beat all comers. Sony's earbuds are notorious all-rounders, so can the XM6 beat Technics overall? And which pair sounds better?

Let's find out.

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: price

The Technics EAH-AZ100 launched at £259 / $299 / AU$499, which is pretty close to the Sony WF-1000XM6's £250 / $330 / AU$500. But because the Technics have been available for a while, their price has fallen – at time of writing, they're going for £209 / $270 / AU$399. Which is cheaper than the Sonys in every territory.

The Sonys will come down in price – its earbuds always do. But they're so new that discounts could be a way off yet. This round goes to Technics.

** Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: design & comfort

The two pairs of buds certainly look different. The Technics have a rounded design, while the Sonys have gone much boxier for this iteration.

At 5.9g, the Technics are very slightly lighter than the Sonys, but you can't really feel the XM6's extra weight in your ears. Rather, how they feel will depend on your ear shape, and which earbud design fits them better.

We did find the Technics easier to get in place though. That's largely down to a greater choice of ear-tip sizes (five to the XM6's four), all of which are made of a softer material that's more pliable and hence sits more naturally in your ear.

The Sonys do have an air pressure fit test within the Sony Sound Connect app to help with fit, but it can take a few attempts to get right, whereas – for us, at least – the Technics just slipped in.

The Technics Audio Connect app didn't have a fit test when the earbuds launched, but it was added in a later version.

Both pairs give you plenty of ways to customise the touch controls, adjusting how you control playback, adjust the volume, activate ANC and so on. In terms of controls, there's nothing to separate them – both pairs are responsive and intuitive.

For our money, the Technics are that bit more eye-catching, thanks to their aluminium finish on the outer cap. The Sonys are pretty much all matt, though the Platinum Silver finish does have a bit more texture. But for the bolder design, the greater choice of ear-tip sizes and the ability to deliver a consistent fit, the Technics take it.

** Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: features

Being flagship pairs, both are absolutely stacked with features. Each has Bluetooth 5.3, supporting the standard AAC and SBC codecs as well as LE Audio, LC3 and Auracast. They also support Sony's LDAC codec as opposed to aptX (yes, even the Technics).

The XM6 have the edge in terms of immersive audio, supporting both Dolby Atmos and Sony's own 360 Reality Audio (the Technics are limited to Atmos only).

Sony's Sound Connect app is very good – it's easy to use and gives you loads of options. But Technics' app isn't short of features either, even letting you select which codec you're listening to.

In terms of battery life, Technics is the clear winner. The EAH-AZ100 boast 10 hours of use from the earbuds, and a total of 28 hours when using the charging case. Sony's equivalent figures are eight hours and 24 hours.

Technics also has the edge in terms of connecting multiple devices. Both pairs have Multipoint Bluetooth, but Technics has improved upon the industry standard of two connected devices at once by adding a third.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is par for the course for both pairs, as is a transparency mode which allows in outside sounds. Only the Technics allow you to alter the ANC intensity, while the Sonys allow you to alter the transparency intensity instead.

Both pairs' cases have wireless charging, and while Sony's is bulkier (being both taller and deeper), Technics' is slightly wider, and also more susceptible to scuffs.

As you can see, have some similar features in common. But because of their longer battery life, ability to tweak ANC and compatibility with three wireless devices at once instead of two, Technics takes this round.

** Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: ANC & call quality

Active noise cancellation is a key feature of earbuds at this end of the market. Of the two pairs, the Sonys feel like they're blocking out a wider range of frequencies than the Technics do. Their effect is also more intense (though never uncomfortably so like some rivals).

And despite their more finicky fit, the Sony eartips also do a better job of isolating you from noise before you activate the ANC.

Technics has chosen to focus on neutralising noise in the low and mid frequencies, and the EAH-AZ100 certainly do a good job. Sounds like engine rumbles, and general traffic and chatter are certainly reduced, and it's a comfortable experience, with none of the vacuum effect of some pairs.

But they are clearly trumped by the Sonys. The XM6 are more effective at damping down environmental noise, whereas the Technics feel like they're letting more frequencies slip through the net. For example, if you're wearing them while typing at a keyboard, the Sonys take a bit more of the clicking sound off each keystroke.

For calls, both deal with wind noise very well. The Technics have an AI-equipped chip which zeroes in on your voice to completely eliminate wind noise. But the downside is that it does render voices as rather unnatural and bordering on robotic.

With Voice Focus AI deactivated, voices sound much more natural and lifelike, and all the clearer for it (though wind noise does intrude much more).

The Sonys do let in a hint of wind noise with big gusts, but they're generally quicker to respond to block it out, and voices sound slightly more natural.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: sound

Both pairs earned five stars, and the Technics won an Award in 2025, and no pair can do either without sounding fantastic.

The Technics still sound very well balanced, with an even-sounding handle on tracks that makes them nice and clear and makes for a comfortable listen even over extended periods.

In our Technics EAH-AZ100 review, we described "a wonderfully clear and open sound, with a superb amount of detail. The plucking of strings in Agnes Obel’s The Curse is clearly defined and packed with tactility, while the layers of nuance in her strong but delicate voice are revealed effortlessly".

Highs are clear and have more than enough room to soar, and the bass is very impactful without being overbearing. For example, "The opening bassline in Massive Attack’s Angel has heft but it is also pulled taut with enough grip and agility to drive the brooding track."

It's an impressive performance, but the Sonys are on a different level.

They're punchier, more emphatic dynamically, even more agile, and a touch clearer with more detail and texture coaxed out of the music.

"The Sonys make instruments and vocals sound believable, just as if you were standing in the room getting a private performance," we wrote in our Sony WF-1000XM6 review.

"Playing Tom Odell’s Black Friday, the Sonys give you a front row seat and reveal themselves as expert communicators. There’s delicacy and subtlety in spades, which helps the earbuds extract fantastic emotion and feeling from the track."

Played side by side with the Sonys, the Technics sound a little polite and lacking in drive.

Which is an incredible feat by the Sonys. We're talking marginal improvements, but they do add up to make the Sonys the more rewarding listen.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: verdict

This is certainly a close one. Both pairs of earbuds boast all-round appeal and excel in certain areas.

For design and features, there's really not much to choose between them, although the Technics are that bit easier to get to grips with and have the edge when it comes to battery life.

However, the Sonys pip them for ANC and sound quality, which, for many, will be the most important areas.

The Technics will most likely be cheaper for the next few months at least, until we see the first discounts on the Sonys, but we would say the XM6 are still worth the extra.

MORE:

Read our Sony WF-1000XM6 review

And our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: which premium wireless earbuds are better?

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which ANC buds are best?

Sony has developed a habit of producing some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy.

It’s been particularly successful in the budget arena in the last year or two, but its premium flagship models have always consistently pushed the envelope for performance in this hugely competitive category.

This was the case nearly three years ago when Sony launched its flagship WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds. Fast forward to 2026, and we finally have a new model looking to pick up where that pair left off. Say hello to the WF-1000XM6.

The jump from Gen 5 to Gen 6 sees quite a few changes, and Sony claims improvements in sound, noise-cancelling and call quality.

So, how do they stack up? Are there still legs in the previous generation, or should you jump straight to the new model? We’ve spent hours comparing the two, so you don’t have to…

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: price

Pricing for the Sony WF-1000XM6 is £250 / $330 / AU$500. This actually makes them a little cheaper for UK buyers compared with the older WF-1000XM5 but more expensive if you live in the US or Australia.

The previous generation cost £259 / $299 / AU$419 at launch, but given their age, you can pick them up with a solid discount, which we think is only going to get better over time, thanks to the introduction of the new model.

I certainly wouldn’t be expecting any WF-1000XM6 deals in the first couple of months following their launch.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: design & comfort

The first thing you’ll notice before you get any of the buds out is that the charging cases look different. The WF-1000XM6 case is slightly taller and deeper than that of the XM5. The XM5 case remains slightly wider, but it’s just not as bulky. Both feel pretty robust if a little plasticky.

Flip open both tops, and you’ll see Sony has changed both the look and the feel of the earbuds in the jump from fifth to sixth generation.

While the WF-1000XM5 have a teardrop design, the WF-1000XM6 appear slightly more rectangular and boxy. They are 11 per cent slimmer than the previous model, which you can see when you hold both in profile, but they also appear slightly deeper and wider.

The redesign is for a few reasons. Firstly, Sony has included additional microphones in WF-1000XM6 to help with call quality and noise cancelling, so each bud now includes four mics as opposed to three per bud on the WF-1000XM5.

Secondly, the new earbud design accommodates Sony’s new ventilation structure (highlighted by rows of perforations under the bottom edge of each earbud), which aids the flow of air within each enclosure and also helps reduce any internal noise which can be triggered by things like chewing or walking.

Thirdly, the new design is supposed be more practical and fit your ear better to aid with comfort.

The 8.4mm driver Sony uses in the WF-1000XM5 returns for WF-1000XM6, but there have also been some design changes, which Sony claims improve performance. For example, the driver now boasts a new ‘soft edge’ which aids bass performance. It works with a lightweight, rigid dome for improved highs.

Also, the WF-1000XM6 earbuds don’t have the glossy finish of the XM5. Sony has gone for a more matte finish in both the black and platinum silver colourways.

The latter has a textured surface, which is down to the addition of “added metal flakes and glass beads”. The black pair are slightly smoother to the touch in comparison.

Sony has decided to stick with the same ear-tip material and size options it provided with the XM5 for the XM6. Now, we’re slightly disappointed that Sony hasn’t seen fit to add an extra-large set of ear-tips to the four sizes it already offers (extra small, small, medium and large), as some of our reviewers struggled to get the fit right out of the box with XM6, which was a similar issue we encountered with their predecessors.

** Winner: Draw **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: features

Unsurprisingly, both pairs of Sony earbuds share a lot of the same features, but there have been one or two significant changes.

We’ve already mentioned the mic count has gone up from three per bud to four, but another significant change is that the new generation of Sony earbuds comes with a new generation of HD Noise Cancelling processor – QN3e.

Sony claims this is three times faster than the QN2e processor found in the WF-1000XM5 and also claims it helps deliver 25 per cent better noise cancelling than the previous generation earbuds.

Both pairs share Sony’s integrated processor V2, but the version in the WF-1000XM6 now boasts 32-bit processing power compared to 24-bit on the old model.

The XM6 also get Sony’s Adaptive NC Optimiser, which introduces a new algorithm for the earbuds which alters the ANC from the buds in real time so they can react to how they're worn and the noise from your surroundings. Previously, the XM5 just had Sony’s Auto NC Optimiser.

Sony’s DSEE Extreme sound engine makes a return and is there to help boost the audio from low-quality digital files.

Both pairs are hi-res audio certified, boast LDAC, SBC and AAC codec support (neither are compatible with aptX), offer Bluetooth Multipoint for two devices, spatial audio and both are IPX4 rated.

Also crossing over from XM5 is a ten-band graphic equaliser for those who want to customise their own sound from the Sonys, and a more user-friendly Find Your Equaliser function, which helps guide you to your favourite flavour.

** Winner: Draw **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: battery life

If you were hoping for or expecting a small bump in battery life for the WF-1000XM6 over their predecessors, then you’ll be disappointed.

All that extra processing power required for the XM6 means Sony has been unable to improve on the eight hours of battery life you get in the WF-1000XM5, but that should be enough for most people most of the time.

You also get the same total battery life when you throw in the wireless recharging case, i.e. 24 hours.

** Winner: Draw **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: ANC & call quality

Sony claims there are improvements in both of these areas following the launch of the XM6, and this proves to be the case during testing in real-life scenarios.

The noise-cancelling effect is a bit more intense when you make the jump to the WF-100XM6, but it never feels uncomfortable.

It feels natural, and the WF-1000XM6 do a great job of subduing sound across the spectrum. It’s even more notable in the mids and highs, where it feels like the new model seems able to extract a bit more mid- and high-frequency information. It feels like they’re throwing a slightly thicker blanket of ANC over your environment.

The difference in call quality between the two is closer, but we still found a small difference between the two and a slight improvement, with the WF-1000XM6 sounding a tiny bit clearer compared with the WF-1000XM5. Both pairs use AI learning and include a bone conductor sensor to help pick up your voice.

Speaking of which, your voice sounds expressive and detailed using either pair and both models do a great job of isolating your voice, picking it out from background noise and also subduing wind noise too.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: sound quality

We’ll cut straight to it. The WF-1000XM6 are a clear improvement over their predecessors – and you can tell straight out of the box.

While the XM5 still sound clear and detailed and they're still a punch-sounding and dynamic pair of earbuds, the new model makes them sound lean, lightweight and, dare we say, lacking tonal balance.

By contrast, the WF-1000XM6 offer detail and insight, but also ooze natural warmth. It's a character missing from their predecessors, and its injection gives the XM6 huge appeal, whatever your musical taste.

The result is a sound that is not only more expressive and dynamic but one that sounds more natural and believable, too.

They uncover impressive levels of detail, but they never sound over-analytical and allow the emotional feeling of a track or vocal to shine through.

The WF-1000XM6 are excellent across the frequency range, delivering crisp highs all the way down to tightly controlled and textured lows – the newer Sonys have a grasp of bass notes and deliver layers of texture which the old model can’t quite replicate.

In our Sony WF-1000xM6 review, we said, "the Sonys exhibit all the bass power and weight you could ask for, but it’s the way the notes are controlled and defined which really sets the Sonys apart from some of their rivals."

We summed it all up by saying, "Everything that you expect to be present in a pair of flagship wireless earbuds is there (with XM6): a fantastic sense of timing, an expressive midrange, weighty yet well-defined bass and crisp, nicely controlled highs. The Sonys cover all the bases and then some."

The XM5 are still good earbuds, but it's impressive how much more capable the latest model sounds.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: verdict

You always wonder when a five-star favourite is replaced by a new iteration whether it will be able to build on what’s come before.

But that’s exactly what Sony has managed to do with the jump from the WF-1000XM5 to the WF-1000XM6.

It is a little disappointing that the new model still hasn’t perfected the feel and fit of the ear-tips Sony uses, but you can’t argue with the all-round ability of the WF-1000XM6 and the step up that you can hear in both noise-cancelling and sound quality.

We’d still consider the WF-1000XM5 to be solid performers, especially given the discounts you can find online right now, but the WF-1000XM6 is a new and improved model, which you can't ignore if you want the best sound quality at this level.

MORE:

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

And our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which should you buy?

See our pick of the best wireless earbuds for all budgets

Wired earbuds are back in fashion, haven't you heard? Japanese audio band Final could well be seeking to join in on the trend with its latest pair of well-priced in-ear headphones, the A2000.

Aiming to offer "exceptional clarity" and an "energetic low-end performance" at a price that won't leave you penniless, the new wired in-ears are built around Final’s own 6mm 'f-Core DU' dynamic driver, with each component selected and engineered to deliver a "balanced and engaging sound across all genres".

The A2000 are designed to produce a stable fit, aiming to reduce pressure on the ear while maintaining security, resulting in what the brand promises is a natural, custom-like feel across a range of ear shapes and sizes.

To achieve that ideal seal, the new in-ears are provided with five pairs of silicone eartips (SS/S/M/L/LL), and comes with a 3..5mm-ended 1.2m cable.

The buds' housing features a black and blue two-tone configuration, finished with a textured coating which has been designed to resist fingerprints and maintain a clean, natural appearance.

The Final A2000 are available now, priced at £80 / $80 / €75. Our editor recently wrote how wired headphones are gaining in popularity amongst younger generations – and the sub-£100/$100 price could prove attractive to Gen Z music fans seeking to emulate the rafts of celebs currently rocking a wired set of buds.

MORE:

These are the best headphones we’ve tested

I switched from the biggest streaming service to this niche platform for audiophiles: here's why I'm glad I made the change

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which should you buy?

So here we are again. Over the last few years, Sony and Bose have consistently made some of the best wireless earbuds money can buy. And now we're pitting their latest flagships head to head.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) launched in June 2025, and maintained the brand's prowess for active noise cancellation (ANC) and a comfortable fit, while improving the sound quality.

But Sony isn't one to sit back and watch the competition. The WF-1000XM6 launched in February 2026, following the Award-winning XM5, and they too have managed to improve on their predecessors’ sound, features and noise cancellation.

But which new model is best? That's what we're here to find out. We've put both through their paces during our exhaustive review process, and here we'll compare them side by side. Ready? Then let's begin.

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): price

When it comes to premium wireless earbuds, Bose's pairs are usually a little pricier than Sony's. But that's not always the case – a lot depends on which country you're in, and whether there's a sale on.

The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) launched at £299 / $299 / AU$450, and the Sony WF-1000XM6 at £250 / $330 / AU$500. While the Sonys are too new to have seen any discounts at time of writing, the Bose have fallen to £249 / $249 / AU$382. So if you're in the US or Australia, the Bose are significantly cheaper, while in the UK it's a tie.

Both brands usually feature in the sales, but given that the QC Ultras are a few months older, we would expect them to see the bigger discounts.

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): design & comfort

Bose has consistently excelled in this area – its buds are among the most comfortable around. And if you want a snug fit, the Bose buds are hard to fault.

This is as true as ever with the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). They're a more traditional stem design, which some might feel looks dated, but it's effective, and they are very comfortable and definitely stay put thanks to their stability bands.

They're good enough to compensate for the buds only coming with three sizes of eartips, and if you're looking for a pair to use during exercise, these should definitely make your shortlist.

Bose's touch controls are responsive, intuitive, and customisable – all in, it's a great design.

The XM6 are a slim, stemless, boxier design that fills your ear opening.

They offer great isolation when you get the fit right, but some may find the Bose sit a little more securely.

The buds come with four sizes of ear-tips, but they aren't as supple as Bose's. When the fit is good, it's very good, but achieving this is more finicky than we would like. We think a fifth, extra-large ear-tip would make a big difference here.

The Sony buds also have a new matte finish, while the Bose opt for a slightly glossier, smoother plastic.

The Sony case is surprisingly bulky and tall, and it does feel a little cheap. However, that's not to say the Bose is better. It also feels relatively cheap and is taller, deeper and just as bulky as the Sony offering, if not more.

The Bose buds come in more finishes than the Sony (five to two), with the Deep Plum being particularly eye-catching.

They might be the more traditional-looking wireless earbuds, but the Bose have plenty going for them and enough to win this round.

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): features

The XM6 boast Sony's new QN3e, the third generation of its HD Noise Cancelling processor.

This is the brains of the buds, and controls all sorts of operations from ANC to DAC performance. They also boast Sony's integrated processor V2 with 32-bit processing.

DSEE Extreme is Sony's sound engine, which boosts sound quality from lower quality music files. The Sony Sound Connect app lets you customise the sound, whether you use the 10-band equaliser or just choose a sonic signature to match your style.

By contrast, the Bose only have a three-band equaliser and a limited selection of presets to choose from.

The Sonys also have Ambient Sound, Quick Attention and Multipoint Bluetooth to connect two devices at once. They're rated IPX4 water-resistant.

The Bose have the same water resistance and Multipoint, as well as ambient sound features as the Sony (though they go by different names).

Their six-hour battery life is outgunned by the Sonys' eight hours, but they both offer a total of 24 hours of use when using the carry case to recharge on the go.

Both pairs support the standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, but the Bose boast aptX Adaptive, while the XM6 have Sony's own LDAC. Both codecs offer higher quality listening, but of the two, aptX is more commonly used.

Both pairs also offer spatial audio (Bose calls it Immersive Audio), which attempts to immerse the listener more in what they're listening to.

This round is close to call, but the Sonys with their superior battery life from a single charge just about take it.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): noise cancellation

Like comfort, noise cancellation is another area where Bose excels. The firm invented the technology (originally for use in headsets worn by pilots), so it's hardly surprising it continues to lead the field.

The QC Ultra 2 put in an excellent performance. Transitions are smooth when adjusting for sudden spikes of noise like sirens or car horns, softening both these and constant low-level rumbles very effectively.

The Quiet preset is the most powerful setting, casting a blanket of silence over pretty much every noise. There's no doubt it's very effective – but for some, it might be too intense, especially over longer listens. It's like it sucks all the air out of your ears.

If that's you, you can set your own level of ANC in the app, or choose Aware or Immersive (i.e. spatial audio) modes.

Sony has also upped its noise cancellation game. The Adaptive NC Optimiser (which automatically adjusts the ANC to your fit and environment) deals very effectively with both constant sounds and sudden, sharp noises.

It's not as intense as the Bose effect, but it's definitely more subtle and natural. Bose just takes this round, but Sony is definitely closing the gap.

With regards to call quality, both the Bose and Sony are on an even keel. They both deliver voices with clarity and do a good job of reducing environmental noise and effects such as wind.

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): sound

Now we come to the main event: which pair sounds better?

The QC Earbuds 2 have the same driver as their predecessors, but tweaked to improve bass response and smooth out high-end frequencies.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ Song For Bob shows the buds "sinking to impressive new depths while retaining the requisite tautness and agility of their lower-end reproduction", we wrote in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review.

Notes have a satisfying body and texture, and the performance is clearer than their predecessors', while also richer and more authentic.

The XM6 sound warm and natural but don't sacrifice any detail or insight.

Timing is on point, the midrange is expressive, the bass weighty and well-defined while the highs are kept under control.

"The Sonys make instruments and vocals sound believable, just as if you were standing in the room getting a private performance," we wrote in our review.

"Playing Tom Odell’s Black Friday, the Sonys give you a front row seat and reveal themselves as expert communicators. There’s delicacy and subtlety in spades, which helps the earbuds extract fantastic emotion and feeling from the track."

They're both talented pairs, but sonically, the Sonys are a clear step above.

Compared to the Sonys, the Bose sound overblown – the XM6 exhibit much better control, detail and texture in the bass, but the overall clarity and insight are much better, too.

They communicate the subtleties of the music you're playing better and make the Bose sound like they're lacking sophistication.

The XM6 are more revealing for detail and dynamics and are just more capable performers.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): verdict

The Bose have plenty going for them. They're among the most comfortable, stable earbuds around, they sound good, and their noise cancellation is as class-leading as ever.

But the XM6 are a formidable opponent. They're bursting with features, they have the more natural-sounding ANC, and the battery life from their buds is better. And in terms of sound quality, there's a clear gap between the two which the Bose can't bridge.

It's close, but pound-for-pound, we would opt for the Sonys. There's still plenty of life left in the Bose, but we can't ignore that gap in sound quality.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

MORE:

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

And our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review

Also, check out our list of the best wireless earbuds you can buy

Open wireless earbuds could be here to stay. The concept was still very much in its infancy when Sony unveiled its ring-shaped LinkBuds in 2022, with subsequent offerings in the shape of Bose’s Ultra Earbuds Open and Huawei’s FreeClip and Freeclip 2 all proving that the concept isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

It makes a lot of sense that a company such as Shokz – best known for its sporty and bone conduction headphones – would want to get in on the open earbud action.

Much of the appeal of this bold new alternative to traditional in-ears comes from their comfort and increased user awareness, so it’s no surprise to see a brand best known for its active headphones build a pair of earbuds that promise an unobtrusive, sport-ready fit that still keeps you tuned in to the outside world.

The bad news for Shokz, as we’ve already seen, is that competition is seriously hotting up.

We’re in the beginning of what could be an open earbuds goldrush, and if Shokz’s OpenDots One don’t have the performance to match up to their rivals, they could find themselves missing out on what could be audio’s next big thing.

Build & comfort

Shokz has billed the OpenDots One as both its “smallest” earbuds and its “most revolutionary”. We find that revolutionary claim a little hard to swallow, as the OpenDots’ appearance puts us firmly in mind of the admirably talented (but considerably more expensive) Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (£299 / $299 / AU$449).

The Shokz emulate those Bose buds by offering a battery cylinder alongside a rounded bud linked by a silicone band joining the two sections – pop the cylinder on the outer side of your ear, the earbud on the inner side, and hey presto, you’re away.

As this is an open design, there are no eartips and the acoustic enclosure sits outside the ear canal, so you’re not getting that in-ear seal associated with more traditional designs.

The OpenDots One are certainly small, we’ll give them that, with their lightweight, compact footprint and out-of-ear design combining nicely to provide the desired effect of making the buds all but disappear during use. That said, they’re bulkier and weightier than the Huawei FreeClip 2, clocking in at 6.5g per bud against 5.1g for the Huaweis.

An open earbud design is a big plus for anyone who finds traditional in-ears intrusive or too tricky to lock into place, though we would say that some users may find getting the ideal position of the buds a little challenging to establish right away.

A forty five degree angle works nicely for us, but we imagine it will vary from person to person, and occasionally we feel that the buds’ slightly soft clamping force can make the OpenDots feel as though they’re shifting ever so slightly during exercise. Part of that is down to a trick of the mind – if you’re used to the locked-in feeling of regular in-ear buds, you may find the on-ear Shokz a little disconcerting initially.

That said, if you can get them to fit properly, they should be up to the task of accompanying your toughest treks and challenges. Thanks to their IP54 water and dust resistance rating, the OpenDots One are happy handling sweat and light rain, and not once do we sense that our test pair are in any way bothered when they’re caught in a nasty downpour during a February dog walk.

The added awareness provided by a set of open earbuds also represents a significant boon for sporty adventurers. If you like to keep your wits about you as you weave in and out of urban traffic while jogging, say, the lack of isolation grants the buds significant appeal.

There are downsides to this, of course. As is part of the open earbuds deal, you will find that external noises naturally intrude upon your music listening to a much greater degree than with standard sealed buds with eartips.

That’s ideal for granting greater awareness of your surroundings, but if a more direct connection with your music is what you crave, an open design might not be for you.

Features

There’s no noise cancelling to be found with the OpenDots One, but they do offer support for Dolby Audio which aims for a more “realistic and engrossing sound experience”. In practice, switching to Dolby pulls the sound a little further away from your ears for what is a looser, freer and somewhat less focused audio profile.

The OpenDots One boast up to 10 hours of continuous listening time from the buds, rising to a total of 40 hours with the charging case – by comparison, the rival Huawei FreeClip 2 manage 9 hours from the earbuds and 38 hours with the case in play. A 10-minute quick boost of the Shokz will grant up to two hours of playback in a pinch, with the buds offering wireless charging if you have a compatible charger.

Customisable touch controls are on offer, and while there’s usually a short lag between making a command and the buds processing your request, it’s a reasonably well implemented system. Double tapping on the connecting silicone band will play or pause your current song, whereas long-pressing on the right and left earbuds adjusts the volume up or down respectively.

If you want to tweak your touch control settings, you can do so via the neat and well-ordered Shokz control app, from which you can check your buds’ battery, toggle Dolby Audio, access equaliser settings and use a handy ‘Find My Earbuds’ feature if you’ve misplaced your precious OpenDots One.

Bluetooth Multipoint is also on the menu, meaning you can connect your earbuds to twin sources simultaneously and switch between them without having to pair and re-pair them, while smart wear detection (which can be switched on and off via the app) means the Shokz will automatically pause your audio when the buds are removed and resume it once they’re returned to your ears.

Call quality

The OpenDots One house four noise cancelling mics in a bid to increase caller clarity, though as we’ve often found in the past, open earbuds can often struggle with voice calls.

It’s a similar story with the Shokz. Voices are slightly fuzzy and ill-defined as we conduct a conversation next to a busy road, with the sound of cars sloshing through recently fallen rain intruding easily into our dialogue.

Switching to our iPhone 15’s built-in microphone and speakers offers a clearer, more solid and more isolated experience, so if you have a choice, it might be better to ditch the buds and do things the old-fashioned way.

Sound

To compete in this ever-growing field, the OpenDots One tease a "rich, powerful sound" courtesy of their dual-driver system, with lower end reproduction bolstered by Shokz's own 'OpenBass 2.0' algorithm for more depth and greater texture in the bass.

Promises aside, we have to temper expectations at this point. We’re not anticipating the same sonic fidelity from the OpenDots One as their in-ear counterparts – a lack of seal is always going to hamper their performance – but they still need to keep up with the sonic standards set by their price-comparable open rivals.

A powerful sound is what we’re promised, and a powerful sound is just about what we receive. Nothing about their sonic signature comes across as anaemic or lacking in musical muscle. Quite the contrary: load up Liars’ Big Appetite and you’ll be impressed by just how much meat the open buds put on those musical bones.

There’s a fullness across the frequencies, with most of the power weighted from what is undeniably a fulsome lower end. The Shokz do make tracks sound powerful in the bass, and while it’s admirable for a pair of buds of this type to produce so much bass clout, we can’t help but wish there was more subtlety and agility at these all-important lower sonic reaches.

That lack of musical agility isn’t restricted to the OpenDots’ bass handling. A tune such as Justice’s Phantom Pt. II should skip along with a metronomic sharpness, yet through the Shokz, it sounds listless and flat.

Think less of a spritely John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, and more of a drunk uncle at a wedding trying to keep up with the twenty-somethings after six pints and too many servings of cake.

Clarity and precision are lacking, too. The OpenDots One are somewhat loose and muddy in the way they present the music they’re playing.

While a track such as Radiohead’s Burn The Witch just about hangs together, there’s little sharpness or leading edge definition to what should be sharp, angular violin strokes and light, crisp drums.

Switching to the rival Huawei FreeClip 2, which we still only awarded three stars for sound, shines a spotlight on these limitations.

The FreeClip 2 are clearer, offer more detail and are significantly more musically engaging, injecting far more life into Phantom Pt. II than the Shokz can muster.

Those little sprinkles of subtlety re-emerge when listening via the Huawei buds as they track the rise and decay of the track’s fuzzy electronic pulses in a far more convincing manner.

Verdict

The OpenDots One is Shokz attempting to break into the ever-growing open earbuds market with mixed results.

Their unobtrusive and robust design gives them both leisure and sporting credentials, yet their uninspiring sound lags behind that of their price-compatible rivals.

When you can get similar alternatives with superior performance, it makes the OpenDots One a tricky sell.

Review published: 16th February 2026

SCORES

• Sound 2
• Features 4
• Comfort 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Huawei FreeClip 2

Also consider the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Read our Sony LinkBuds Open review

Best wireless headphones reviewed and rated by our in-house experts

When I buy some new audio or video tech, I’m not afraid to admit I quite like to trawl through an instruction manual to see what nuggets of information I can find.

You never know, there might be something in there amongst the 20 different language versions that could make my experience that little bit better or run that little bit smoother.

There might even be a tip or trick that can actually improve the performance.

Now, Sony’s WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds don’t come with a manual. All the information is accessed through its Sound Connect companion app, where product information and features are all at your fingertips.

I’ve spent a couple of weeks getting to know Sony’s new flagship earbuds (check out our verdict in our Sony WF-1000XM6 review), playing with their settings, and here are the ones I’d recommend you make a beeline for when/if you buy a pair…

Bluetooth Connection Quality

Here you’re given the option to choose between ‘prioritise sound quality’ or ‘prioritise stable connection’. Some wireless earbuds don’t perform well when you wear them in built-up areas or crowded locations, such as a train or subway station. This can manifest itself in dropouts and a broken wireless signal, which can play havoc when you’re trying to listen to music.

Out of the box, the Sonys prioritise stability; but I’m a stickler for sound quality. Thankfully, even after I made the change to this setting, the WF-1000XM6 haven’t let me down, so do consider making the switch.

• Device Settings > Connection > Bluetooth Connection Quality

DSEE Extreme

Because I want the Sonys sounding their best, it’s not often I listen to low-quality audio files. All my Amazon Music playlists are downloaded onto my iPhone in the highest quality possible.

But, just in case something I play from another source is compromised, Sony’s DSEE Extreme engine does a good job of trying to boost the quality – you can actually hear an uplift in clarity and expression. I recommend having this set to ‘Auto’ so it’s ready to jump in should it be required.

• Device Settings > Sound Quality/Volume

Bluetooth Multipoint

I’m not sure where I’d be without Bluetooth Multipoint. Hence, it’s the first setting I try to track down with any pair of wireless earbuds I’m testing. Being able to have two sources paired to the Sonys at the same time means I’m confident I can switch from music streamed through my laptop to a call on my mobile seamlessly.

It’s not often I’ve had any major problems using this feature on wireless earbuds, and with the WF-1000XM6, I am pleased to report it’s a smooth and painless process. You can also add additional devices to the earbuds through the same menu.

• Device Settings > Connection > Connect to 2 devices simultaneously

Controls

One of the best things about the Sonys is that there are plenty of customisation options for controlling the buds. Using the menus, you can come up with pretty much any combination of taps and presses you want.

By default, you change volume on the buds by repeatedly tapping on the left or right earbuds. Now I’m not a fan of tapping on something that’s already wedged in my ear canal, so I switch to ‘continue pressing’, where you press and hold a finger on an earbud to turn the volume down (left) or turn it up (right).

• Device Settings > Controls > Change the touch sensor function

Auto Power Save

If you want to try to prolong battery life when you’re on the move, there’s a neat feature tucked away in the power menu on the app. Once enabled, ‘Auto Power Save’ will kick in when the battery of the headphones drops to 20% or below.

The feature changes the settings for a number of features on the earbuds: Equaliser, DSEE Extreme, Speak-to-Chat, Voice Control/Voice Assistant. None of these I consider really vital, however, especially when your priority is to squeeze a bit more listening time out of the earbuds.

• Device Settings > Power/Battery > Auto Power Save

Eartip fit test

The Sony WF-1000XM6 app includes not one but two ways of checking the fit and seal from the eartips. The first check involves taking a picture of your left and right ear, which you can then compare with Sony’s preferred positioning. It works fine, but the test I think you’ll find more useful is the one which helps you pick the right eartip size.

This test measures the airtightness of your tips. It sends an audio signal into your ears and, works out if there is any sound leakage. I have been testing earbuds long enough to tell if I don’t have an equally strong seal in both ears, but the feature is still worth using, even if it’s just to confirm your suspicions. Then you can try the other tip sizes when necessary.

• Device Settings > Wearing > Check wearing condition and earbud tips

MORE:

Read our full Sony WF-1000xM6 review

Our pick of the best wireless earbuds

What is Bluetooth Multipoint? What devices support it?

Some brands have trouble following up a successful product with an even better sequel, let alone doing it three or four times in a row, with each new model outperforming the previous one.

But that’s exactly what Sony’s achieved with multiple generations of flagship wireless earbuds as it now attempts to make it five in a row with the WF-1000XM6.

It’s a testament to the tech giant’s ability to evolve its earbuds over time, add new features, improve existing ones, and still keep improving where it matters most – sound quality – but in today’s market, there’s no shortage of competition for Sony to contend with.

Bose has always been there or thereabouts, Apple has upped its game in recent years and the recent emergence of Technics as best-in-class won’t make the job easy.

But if anyone can do it…

Price

The Sony WF-1000XM6 launched in February 2026 for £250 / $330 / AU$500. These figures are pretty much par for the course at this level, but given the older WF-1000XM5 cost £259 / $299 / AU$419 at launch, you’ll see it’s a mix of good and bad news depending on the territory.

It’s similarly mixed news when you see that the WF-1000XM6 are cheaper than the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) in the UK (£250 versus £299), but more expensive than the Bose in the US and Australia, where they cost $330 / AU$500 (versus $299 / AU$450).

The other big rival for the Sonys comes in the shape of the five-star and Award-winning Technics EAH-AZ100, which cost £259 / $299 / AU$499. The Technics dropped lower (£209) during Black Friday last year, and over Christmas, but at the time of writing, they are back to their normal price. We’d expect them to follow a similar pattern this year.

Will we see any discounts on the Sony WF-1000XM6? Given they’ve only just launched, we doubt there will be any immediate cuts. Potentially, during Prime Day or Black Friday you could see some money off, but any drops will only be temporary and won’t be huge.

Design & comfort

Sony has a habit of tweaking the design of its flagship earbuds with each iteration, and WF-1000XM6 is no different.

The first sign that things have changed is the wireless charging case, which is surprisingly bulkier and taller than the WF-1000XM5 case. Its rounded top and straight sides actually give us slight WF-1000XM3 vibes for those of you who remember Sony’s likeable third-generation earbuds.

The case does feel a little cheap, though, and we’re struggling to understand why it’s bigger than before. It's taller and wider than the slim case that comes with the Technics EAH-AZ100.

Flip the box open, and you’ll see the body of each earpiece is also a bit more, er, boxy, especially when you compare them to the more teardrop-shaped WF-1000XM5.

The rectangular shape is to accommodate an extra mic and help give room for the new ventilation structure (highlighted by the perforations on the underside of each earbud), which increases airflow within the device to reduce any internal noise you might hear generated from things like chewing or footsteps.

The WF-1000XM6 have also been designed to be more ergonomic and sit in the ear more comfortably – Sony claims this has partly been achieved by making them 11 per cent slimmer than the WF-1000XM5.

Inside each earbud, you’ll find an 8.4mm driver unit similar to the one used in the previous model, but the design has been tweaked so it now uses a ‘soft edge’ surround for greater bass performance, and also has a new fitting which makes it easier to squeeze into each earpiece.

The antenna used in the WF-1000XM6 is one-and-a-half times larger than the one used in XM5 and claims to allow for a more stable and solid connection.

During testing, we find this to be the case and don’t have any issues in crowded airports or train stations, where the headphones are competing with multiple wireless signals bouncing around.

WF-1000XM6 comes in two different finishes – black and platinum silver. Gone is the glossy, slightly slippery plastic of the older model, and instead, it’s been replaced by more of a matte feel.

We certainly find them easier to get to grips with, but it’s interesting to note that there are subtle differences between the new finishes too.

The black boasts a slightly smoother surface, while the platinum silver finish has more of a texture to it, which comes from, according to Sony, “added metal flakes and glass beads”.

Sony has chosen to stick with the same eartip material as the older model and the same sizes: extra small, small, medium and large.

We were hoping Sony might revisit the material or at least include an extra large eartip size to experiment with – a couple of members of our test team don’t feel quite as confident with the fit and seal as they do with rival models from Bose and Technics.

Sony does provide an air pressure fit test in its Sound Connect app, which gives you a tick if your fit/tip choice is isolating you properly.

After a few attempts, our fit gets the green light, and during long listening sessions, the WF-1000XM6 don’t feel uncomfortable, but everyone’s ears are different, so we always recommend trying them for yourself.

Features

Brand new for WF-1000XM6 is Sony’s third-gen HD Noise Cancelling processor QN3e. It’s the brains behind multiple elements of the earbud’s performance, from helping to control the mics and noise-cancelling to reducing the signal-to-noise ratio and improving the DAC performance.

The new model carries over the integrated processor V2 from the old model but it’s now capable of handling 32-bit processing, compared to 24-bit previously.

Sony’s DSEE Extreme processing is once again present and has been a mainstay for a couple of generations now. It helps improve the sound of low-quality music files, and if you do tend to listen to tracks that are compressed, even podcasts, we’d recommend having this switched on. In our experience, it does provide a subtle but audible uplift in sound quality.

The Sonys are IPX4 rated and also offer Multipoint Bluetooth so you can connect up to two devices simultaneously. Technics still has the edge here, though, as the EAH-AZ100 give you the option of hooking up to three devices at once.

Anyone who wants to tinker with the audio from their WF-1000XM6 earbuds can delve straight into Sony’s Sound Connect app. Here you’re given a wide range of customisation options, including a 10-band graphic equaliser which will help you fine-tune their performance.

Know the kind of sound you like, but don’t want to get your hands dirty playing with the manual EQ? You can use the Find Your Equaliser function, which takes you on a journey of different sonic signatures so you can settle on your favourite flavour.

The Sony app also give you other customisation options which include rearranging the functions of the touch controls (which, incidentally, work well and are responsive), optimising the earbuds for spatial audio, and altering the intensity of Sony’s Ambient Sound (transparency) mode when you’re out and about.

The mode gets a boost for the WF-1000XM6, and it’s impressive the amount of information the earbuds allow you to hear while they’re still in place, even if it does give voices a slightly processed edge when talking.

The same goes for the Quick Attention mode, which kicks in when you press and hold down on the left earbud. It lowers the volume so you can, say, hear an announcement that’s going on in the background.

• 6 settings you should immediately tackle on the Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds

Battery life

Battery life for the WF-1000XM6 comes in at eight hours, which we’d call solid but unspectacular for a flagship pair of earbuds. It’s longer than the six hours offered by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) but two hours short of the ten you get from Technics EAH-AZ100 with noise-cancelling turned on.

We’re a little disappointed Sony hasn’t been able to stretch it out to nine or more, but it appears the new processor requires a little extra juice, which has prevented Sony from going for longer from a single charge.

You do get two extra full charges out of the wireless charging case, which makes for a total battery life of 24 hours.

ANC & call quality

As we’ve alluded to further up this page, Sony’s taken several steps to get the best noise-cancelling and call quality possible out of WF-1000XM6.

The addition of the new QN3e processor ups the computational power, and you’ve got four mics in each earbud, which work to isolate you from outside noise.

You’ve also got Adaptive NC Optimiser, which automatically adapts the ANC algorithm to your fit and for the environment you’re listening in.

And during testing, it certainly feels like the quality of ANC has been given a bump compared to the XM5, especially in the midrange and higher frequencies.

We took the Sonys on the London tube and on a couple of short-haul flights, and they impressed us with their consistency and ability to extract both low-frequency rumbles of carriages and aeroplane engines, but also more high-pitched screeches and whistles that crept into our environment.

It still doesn’t quite feel as intense as Bose’s ANC and the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) might still have the edge in blocking out low frequencies, but the gap between Sony and Bose is now as small as it’s ever been.

Like their ANC performance, Sony’s recent premium earbuds have performed strongly with regard to call quality, and the WF-1000XM6 continue this trend.

The AI beamforming, mixed with the bone conduction sensors, the presence of the extra mics and the wind noise reduction design all combine to great effect.

During testing, we find the Sonys do a great job subduing and minimising background noise, including tricky-to-handle wind noise – voices come through loud and clear with a great level of detail.

Sound

It’s great to have ANC and call quality that’s up to scratch, but where do the Sonys stand sonically?

Speaking to Sony at a press briefing for the WF-1000XM6, representatives told us to expect a more natural sound than the WF-1000XM5.

And during testing, it doesn’t take longer than a minute or two to hear that the new buds are quite a different beast.

There’s a newfound sense of natural warmth throughout the frequency range. But before you start getting worried that this is achieved at the expense of detail and insight, don’t be.

Everything that you expect to be present in a pair of flagship wireless earbuds is there: a fantastic sense of timing, an expressive midrange, weighty yet well-defined bass and crisp, nicely controlled highs. The Sonys cover all the bases and then some.

The WF-1000XM6 make the WF-1000XM5 sound lean and lacking substance in comparison. They also show the Bose up as being overblown and lacking sophistication and refinement.

Listen to the two, one after the other, the Bose sound like a blunt instrument compared to the Sonys, which dispatch not just lows, but also highs and mids with accuracy and razor-sharp precision.

But don’t think the Sonys deliver analysis at the expense of emotion, which can sometimes be the case with earbuds that just want to deconstruct the music. This is where their natural tone and superb sense of integration come into play.

The Sonys make instruments and vocals sound believable, just as if you were standing in the room getting a private performance.

Playing Tom Odell’s Black Friday, the Sonys give you a front row seat and reveal themselves as expert communicators. There’s delicacy and subtlety in spades, which helps the earbuds extract fantastic emotion and feeling from the track.

As fingers slide up the neck of the acoustic guitar, you can explicitly hear the little shifts in dynamics and the fine details in the gentle piano play, both of which mix beautifully with the sweeping strings that flow alongside both instruments.

The WF-1000XM6 capture and express the sadness and raw emotion in Odell’s voice superbly. They drag you in even further than the Technics EAH-AZ100, and make the Award-winners sound like they’re holding back dynamically. The Technics are still sweet-sounding, smooth and refined, but the Sonys give you a bit more insight into the music.

We switch to Dead Inside by Muse and the Sonys exhibit all the bass power and weight you could ask for, but it’s the way the notes are controlled and defined which really sets the Sonys apart from some of their rivals. They make the lows dispatched from the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) sound unkempt and overcooked.

There’s great depth to the bass notes and drum thwacks, but there’s also great agility. Notes don’t hang around longer than they need to, but they’re packed with texture and information and never feel like they’re telling you only half the story.

Add the Sony's newfound naturalness, and it brings the whole presentation together – the track sounds like a complete performance with no element too prominent or hidden away.

We finish off with Sugarhigh by King Unique, a slice of noughties dance music with a great mix of drum beats and percussion, and the Sonys’ rhythmic abilities come to the fore. The tribalistic drum beat drives the track along, and the XM6 dispatch it effortlessly.

As layers of electronica, percussion and drum machine come in from all angles, the Sonys keep a fine grip on all the different elements – the XM6 slot straight into a groove and never sound in danger of veering away from it.

Verdict

The premium wireless earbuds market has never been healthier, and your choices have never been wider and more varied.

But just when you thought Sony might be pulled back into the chasing pack, the WF-1000XM6 push the brand ahead again with a breathtaking all-round performance.

Sony might have changed the flavour of sound, but it’s all for the better with a natural tone that just connects with the listener, whatever track you care to throw at them. Dare we say, it’s benchmark-setting at the money…

Add noise-cancelling that’s up there with the very best, brilliant call quality and broad customisation options, and you’re left in no doubt the WF-1000XM6 are serious contenders.

Review published: 12th February 2026

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Comfort 4
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Technics EAH-AZ100

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Wireless earbuds aficionados and Sony fans have been waiting for this launch for a while.

We’ve seen rumours and leaks about a WF-1000XM6 flagship pair ramp up in recent weeks, and Sony has finally revealed the new buds in all their glory.

And on paper, it appears the tech giant has been pretty busy behind the scenes trying to make XM6 its most capable noise-cancelling earbuds to date.

If you want to cut straight to the chase and find out if they’ve been worth the wait, you can head straight over to our Sony WF-1000XM6 review for the definitive verdict of our test team. Alternatively, carry on reading for the headline news on this new pair.

Sony has gone big on the benefits of the WF-1000XM6 compared to its predecessor, the five-star and What Hi-Fi? Award-winning WF-1000XM5, which launched back in 2023.

The tech giant promises a boost in performance across the board, including improved sound quality, which it says has been achieved with input from some of the world’s leading sound engineers, including Grammy-winning Michael Romanowski, who has worked with artists such as Alicia Keys and Prince.

Taking it from the top, the WF-1000XM6 boast a brand new design, one that claims to improve not only ergonomics and comfort but also noise-cancelling and call quality.

The new earbuds are 11 per cent slimmer than the XM5, but Sony has found space to include an extra mic to help with noise-cancelling and call quality.

The XM6 also boast a new ventilation structure which helps reduce the effects of occlusion, which is the amplified effect you can get in your ear from activities like chewing, due to having something sitting in your ear canal.

Powering the WF-1000XM6 is a new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e, which plays a role in everything from noise-cancelling to DAC performance. Working with Sony’s Adaptive Noise Cancelling Optimiser, which analyses external noise and reacts in real-time, Sony claims the ANC performance of WF-1000XM6 is 25 per cent better than the WF-1000XM5.

Sony’s Integrated Processor V2 comes over from the older model but now supports 32-bit processing, compared to 24-bit previously. Also making a reappearance is Sony’s DSEE Extreme engine, which can improve the quality of low-resolution music files.

The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 and use an antenna that’s 1.5 times bigger than the one found in the old model, which should help with the stability of your wireless connection in crowded areas.

Sony has introduced a new version of the 8.4mm driver used in the WF-1000XM5 – here it has been redesigned with a new “soft edge” and “lightweight, rigid dome” to deliver improved bass and treble performance.

The WF-1000XM6 also feature touch controls, Multipoint Bluetooth for two devices, an IPX4 rating, and a ten-band graphic equaliser which you can customise (among other things) through Sony’s Sound Connect companion app.

Call quality gets a boost through the buds’ AI beamforming mics and bone conduction sensors, which help isolate your voice and remove background noise.

Battery life for the earbuds comes in at eight hours per charge, with the wireless charging case adding another two full charges.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 go on sale this month in black and platinum silver finishes for £250 / €300 / $330 / AU$500.

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It’s hard not to be impressed by the Sony WF-1000XM5. Nor is it difficult to put them in the list of the best wireless earbuds I've ever heard. After all the speculation and leaks, when I finally saw them, I was particularly excited to see how different they looked compared with their predecessors, the WF-1000XM4.

You see, the more I have used the XM4 and compared them with rivals from the likes of Bose and Apple, the more I have found them a bit too bulky and a little too uncomfortable. So to see a new-look pair with a smaller, more streamlined design filled me with joy.

I've tested hundreds of pairs of wireless earbuds over the years and I've experienced a lot of good but also a lot of not-so-good designs. And, after using the Sonys for a few weeks, I’m pleased to say the new discreet design that blends in with your ears better is a big hit – and I know multiple members of our review team agree.

Another byproduct of the new design is that they are also much more comfortable. The old model used to exert more pressure on my (*Googles parts of the outer ear quickly*) Tragus, which the new version doesn’t do. I can listen to the XM5 for a train journey or two, or a whole day in the office without any aches or pains.

But more comfortable doesn’t mean most comfortable; nor does it necessarily mean they are automatically more stable. I still think Sony can do better. Here’s why.

Let’s twist again

During my time with the WF-1000XM5, it has felt like I have spent too much time trying to get the fit right. Too much time twisting and untwisting to get the earbuds in place. Too much time questioning the quality of the seal and whether the buds wouldn’t lose it at the first sign of any turbulence.

This slight lack of confidence has led to me second-guessing on more than one occasion. Sony’s fit test (available through its Headphones Connect app) has confirmed all is ok, but there is still some lingering doubt.

It feels like a small bump in the road, mainly because I don’t seem to have a similar problem with rival pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds, such as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. Their eartips don’t burrow. The way they are designed to interact with the opening of your ear means they are wide enough and pliable enough to create a seal without the need for any major manipulation. They are literally ‘plug ‘n play’.

New tips, please

So where do I think the source of my angst lies? It’s quite simple; I think the type of ear tips used in this model (and the WF-1000XM4 before them) just don’t suit me as much as more traditional designs. They are made from polyurethane and act in a similar way to memory foam in that you can squeeze the tip and slide it into place where it should expand, thus creating a better seal.

Perhaps it’s as simple as having a bigger ear tip option. The WF-1000XM4 offered only three different sizes of tip; S, M and L. With the WF-1000XM5 Sony has introduced a new smaller SS tip, which is good news for those of us with small ear openings.

But if Sony is going to stick with this material moving forward, I would argue that a larger XL tip might be useful too. Not everyone needs it, but I think my ears would appreciate it. Ironically, I feel like I get a better, more consistent seal with Sony’s cheaper WF-C700N earbuds which use more traditional silicone eartips. Here, the largest set of tips on offer works perfectly.

Also, the surface of the tips is quite smooth, which I don’t think is necessarily conducive to getting a good grip on the inner part of your ear. Perhaps a slightly more textured surface might give the earbuds a slightly better grip? It's just a thought.

Now I realise this is a bit of a first-world problem, that everyone’s ears are different and that the C700N don’t sound anywhere near as capable as the WF-1000XM5 across the board; I just find it interesting that out of all the premium wireless earbuds I have tested it’s the Sonys that require more manipulating than most.

Do you own a pair of XM5 (or XM4 for that matter)? How do you feel about fit and comfort in general when it comes to wireless earbuds? Let us know with a comment below.

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Is this our first official glimpse of Sony's next flagship wireless earbuds? The official Sony Electronics account posted this video to YouTube with no official description, but given the recent leaks, there's a very high chance it features the Sony WF-1000XM6.

"Next generation of earbuds. Coming soon," the tagline reads. Followed by exactly how soon: "Feb 12th, 2026 8:00AM PST." That's Thursday – just three days to go!

Sadly the video doesn't reveal much in the actual way of the earbuds' design, shrouded as they are in darkness. But last week's leak gave us a more detailed look – providing it's genuine, that is.

If it is on the money, the XM6 will have IPX4 water resistance, noise cancelling and ambient modes, all as expected. They also look slightly bigger than the XM5, with a more ovular design.

A leak last month touted the same 12th February launch date as this official video, so all signs point to a Thursday announcement for the XM6. They're said to cost a little more than the XM5 – one leak gives the price as $329 / €299, while a Thai retailer let slip the price as translating to £278 (around £20 more than the XM5).

Hopefully we'll know for sure on Thursday. 8am PST is 4pm GMT – we'll bring you the news as soon as it's official.

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This could be the most detailed look yet at the upcoming Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds. We say “could be” because we can’t verify whether this leak is genuine or not. But it certainly looks as though it is.

It comes via Thai retailer Power Buy, which accidentally set its XM6 page live early (it has since been taken down). This was linked to on Reddit, as spotted by The Walkman Blog.

For a retailer, the page is surprisingly bereft of concrete information, which does seem a bit suspicious. But it does reveal the earbuds’ IPX4 water resistance, as well as noise cancelling and ambient modes. The price translates to £278 – the Sony WF-1000XM5 launched at £259 / $299 / AU$419.

But, most excitingly, it includes pictures of the earbuds. Quite a few pictures.

These photos are revealing. The earbuds look slightly bigger than the XM5, with a more oval design. They are pictured in two colours – black and silver. The sandy pink of their predecessors is missing, though Sony often launches more finishes of the same headphones at a later date.

The photos also show three external mics for noise cancellation, which would match the XM5.

This is the second XM6 leak we have seen in recent weeks. At the start of January, we heard that the XM6 could be available to pre-order from 12th February, which is next Thursday. That leak put the price at $329 / €299 – that would be $30 more expensive than their predecessors in the US, but €20 cheaper in Europe.

The XM5 are some of the best wireless earbuds money can buy, so expectations are high for the XM6. We'll bring you more leaks and news as we get them.

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We were hoping for big things from Apple’s 3rd Gen flagship wireless earbuds when they entered our test room (and our ears). After all, the Pro 2 was the first pair of Apple buds that we’d ever deemed worthy of a five-star rating.

But just because the old version of a product was five stars doesn’t mean the result will be the same for the new model. There have been occasions in my almost two decades on What Hi-Fi? where our reaction has been one of disappointment rather than delight.

Thankfully, though the AirPods Pro 3 did enough to convince our review team that not only did they deserve five stars, they also deserve to go straight into our best wireless earbuds buying guide as the best AirPods you can currently buy.

Okay, so the AirPods Pro 3 don’t rewrite the rulebook when it comes to the category, but they do take what we loved about their predecessors and build on it in several ways.

One thing that does separate them from the outgoing Pro 2 model is that the design has been tweaked. When you read about the changes and see what has happened (the main body of each bud is slightly smaller and the nozzle now points more towards your ear canal), it doesn’t sound like much, but the AirPods Pro 3 do feel different.

Apple has also tweaked the design of its tips, which now feature a layer of 'foam-infused microspheres'. This isolates the user more, and we found that during testing, the added thickness might mean it's worth trying a smaller size of eartip.

The new Pro 3 design sticks out more, but some members of our review team found they actually fit more securely, while others preferred the shallower profile of Pro 2. As is the case with all wireless earbuds, only after you’ve tried them for yourself will you be able to tell if they’re for you.

Back to the Pro 3, and our review team was impressed with how Apple has managed to up the noise-cancelling ability. It was good before, but as we said in our AirPods Pro 3 review, we think they now “shave off a greater amount of mid and low frequency noise” (compared to the Pro 2 model).

You’re a bit more aware of the strength of the noise-cancelling, but its ability to block out environmental noise effectively is very impressive.

Sonically, the AirPods Pro 3 build on the wonderfully balanced, cohesive sound we were treated to in their predecessors, but the new model sounds even clearer and more detailed. Voices have a bit more body and texture to them, and highs sound purer, too.

Are they perfect? No pair of wireless earbuds is, and if there’s one thing to highlight is battery life. Eight hours per charge in itself is fine and par for the course at this price point, but the charging case only provides an additional two charges, which seems stingy by current standards.

Obviously, if you don’t own an iPhone, the lure of the AirPods Pro 3 won’t be particularly strong – thankfully, though, there’s no shortage of alternatives out there which we rate just as highly.

Our list includes the Award-winning Technics EAH-AZ100, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the older Sony WF-1000XM5, all of which you’ll find over on our best wireless earbuds buying guide.

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We’ve already covered new open earbud launches from the likes of JBL, Huawei, and Shockz in the last couple of months, and now it’s time for Sony to throw its hat into the ring with the launch of the LinkBuds Clip.

As you can probably tell from the model name, these wireless earbuds use a clip or ‘cuff’ design to secure themselves to your ear, with the main tip resting just outside your earhole and firing sound into it.

This open design allows outside noise in, so you’re less isolated compared to when using a conventional, burrowing in-ear design.

Sony has already had a couple of stabs at open earbuds before, first with the original LinkBuds, the WF-L900 and then the LinkBuds Open (WF-L910) in 2024. But this is the first time we've seen a clip design from the brand.

Interestingly, the LinkBuds Clip also come with what Sony calls ‘fitting cushions’, which claim to give the buds a more secure fit around the ear. The cushions attach to the connector band, which runs between the two parts of the earbud. It's an interesting design detail which we haven't come across before.

Inside each earbud, you’ll find two mics for taking calls, and the Sonys also use bone conduction tech to help isolate your voice on a call. They work with dedicated AI Noise Reduction processing, and the result should be that you come through loud and clear to the person on the other end of the line.

To help cope with the demands of different outdoor environments, Sony has included three sound modes to choose from: Standard, Voice Boost and Sound Leakage Reduction.

Standard does what it says on the tin, while Voice Boost claims to raise vocal clarity and volume for busier environments. Sound Leakage Reduction reduces the amount of audio that leaks out of the earbuds – think listening in quiet spaces such as an elevator.

According to Sony, this mode “removes some high frequencies”, so it wouldn’t be the recommended mode for normal listening. For that, you’d stick to the standard sound mode.

The headphones also feature Sony’s DSEE sound enhancement engine to boost low-quality music files, a ten-band EQ, and a more user-friendly ‘Find your equaliser’ setting, which you’ll find in the Sony Connect app.

Battery life is claimed to be nine hours per charge, with total battery life, including the case, topping out at 37 hours. The LinkBuds Clip also include touch controls for playback and switching sound modes, and they are also IPX4 splash-resistatnt, so they could be an option for the gym or running outdoors.

Sony’s claiming a “natural, expansive sound” from its new buds, and, given its recent form in the wireless earbuds market, we're hoping for big things. Could they be the first pair of open earbuds we've found worthy of five stars? You'll be the first to know.

The Sony LinkBuds Clip go on sale this month for £180/€200 and are available in four finishes: 'greige', black, lavender and green.

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When open earbuds first started emerging onto the scene, Huawei threw a wild curveball with its 2023 FreeClip design that clips around the ear. The bulbous, shiny, Jeff Koons-esque design may not have been to everyone’s tastes, but they were surprisingly light and comfortable – it’s just a shame their sound quality wasn’t up to scratch.

Two years later, Huawei has launched a sequel in the FreeClip 2, and aims to address those sound quality issues by wholly updating the acoustic technology. Along the way, the brand has also refined the design, added new features and kept the price the same as before at £180 in the UK (these aren't officially for sale in the US).

But does it all add up to an overall improved experience? We are pleased to say it does.

Build, design & comfort

The FreeClip 2’s design consists of three elements: the round ‘acoustic ball’ that holds the driver technology and rests in your ear’s concha; the larger ‘comfort bean’ that houses the touch controls and sits behind your ear to support the design; and the bendy connective wire (called a ‘C-bridge’) between the two sections that hold them in place.

Compared with the first-gen model, the new FreeClip 2 is smaller (by 11%) and lighter (5.1g compared with 5.6g), the comfort bean’s design is refined to suit more ear shapes, and Huawei claims the buds are more comfortable overall thanks to reduced pressure on the ear. The charging case is considerably more compact, too.

We slip the earbuds on like a pair of ear cuffs, and all it needs is a little bit of adjusting to ensure that the acoustic ball is pointed towards your ear canal. The truly open design means there is no need to worry about ear tip sizes, nor does the design ever intrude into your ear canal. The flexible C-bridge is made of a nickel-titanium memory shape alloy that keeps the earbuds clamped in place securely but without much undue pressure.

The aesthetic still divides opinion on our review team. The FreeClip 2 remain a bold design that will find a more natural fit with braver, more fashion-conscious souls, but we can’t complain about the buds’ comfort and feel when they’re in our ears.

These are surprisingly lightweight and comfortable earbuds, and we sometimes even forget we are wearing them when going about our day. The tip-less design means there is less fatigue on your ears compared with standard true wireless earbuds. For those that don’t like the feel of eartips burrowing into their ear canals, these open buds are a good alternative.

We do find ourselves adjusting the buds at times to ensure the ball is facing our ear canal for the most direct, substantial sound. Any movement, such as wearing a hat or taking off glasses, can dislodge the buds, but they are easy enough to nudge into the right position. While we wouldn’t call the FreeClip 2 secure enough for intense workout sessions, the buds do have improved IP57 protection from water, so wearing them out in the rain should cause no issues.

There are some clever design touches: the buds are identical and the left/right orientation isn’t fixed, so it doesn’t matter which bud you put into which ear, and the way they fit snugly into the redesigned, super-compact USB-C charging case is very clever. Both the earbuds and case are well built and finished to a high quality. The textured finish on our ‘denim blue’ review sample feels particularly nice in hand, and that texture is subtly mirrored in the outer material of the C-bridge, too.

Acoustically, Huawei has completely overhauled the driver technology inside the earbuds to improve sound quality. Each bud features a 10.8mm “turbo” drive unit, which consists of a dual diaphragm that is designed to deliver twice the amount of bass compared with the older model. The space inside the acoustic ball is also optimised, with a double-vented design that aims to push more air volume than before, helping achieve a better soundstage.

Since these earbuds are a fully open design, be prepared for a little bit of sound leakage. This means that those around you (for example, in a quiet office) will be able to hear some of what you’re listening to, especially at higher volumes. Huawei aims to reduce this leakage by employing a reverse soundfield technology that eliminates sound waves. This should also ensure voice calls are kept private, too.

Features

For controlling the earbuds, you can double-tap (or triple-tap) the areas around the ball and C-bridge to play, pause, and skip tracks. The responsiveness of this action is much better than before, although we still find we have to be quite deliberate and sometimes repeat the action to make it stick.

You can now change the volume on the earbuds by swiping up and down on the comfort bean’s surface. This works well in action and is responsive – it’s not far off the swiping action on the Apple AirPods Pro 3’s stem. We wish the volume steps were just a little subtler. New gesture controls in the form of nodding or shaking your head for accepting or rejecting a call, respectively, are also available.

You can customise these controls and other features in the Huawei Audio Connect app, which is available to download on Apple's App Store but not on Google Play Store – Android users will have to download it from the separate Huawei AppGallery application.

With no noise-cancelling modes in play, battery life is a massive 37 hours in total with the charging case, with 9 hours in the earbuds on a single charge – an hour's increase from the previous generation. And it lasts for ages. We used the buds continuously over two weeks, and the charging case just dropped to under 50 per cent.

It’s worth noting that there is no USB-C charging cable included in the box, but any USB-C cable you have around will do the job.

Pairing the FreeClip 2 to our smartphone (Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S22+) and laptop is straightforward and takes a matter of seconds, and they support multipoint connection, too. We do experience a couple of instances of connection dropout when wearing the buds outside, especially in high-traffic areas. But otherwise the FreeClip 2 are smooth in use, with standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs ensuring compatibility with all devices.

In the app, you’ll find four preset EQs, but we prefer to stick with the ‘default effect’ as it offers the most balanced sound. The other modes add more heft to the lower end, boost the high frequencies or push voices more forward, but we find these modes upset the Huawei’s balance too much for our liking. You can now also customise your own EQ settings using the 10-band equaliser – a feature missing from the original FreeClip.

We also try the AI-powered adaptive volume feature that adjusts the volume according to your surrounding noise. This technology works to a degree, with the music automatically enhanced as we walk through particularly heavy traffic. However, we’re not too fond of the processed edge that creeps into the sound when in this mode.

Call quality

Call quality has also been improved in this model, with less of the coarse, hard edges we heard on the original earbuds. On the FreeClip 2, our voices (on either end of the call) still sounded more electronic and mechanical rather than natural, with rivals such as the AirPods 4 and even using our smartphone directly offering a fuller, more detailed and natural-sounding call quality.

We’re able to hear each other better with fewer break-ups than the older model, while background noise was quiet even on a rainy, windy road, which is on par with rivals.

Sound

In our experience, open earbud designs are inherently compromised when it comes to outright sound quality, as the point here is to let the outside world in without any isolating seal of any kind.

Huawei’s FreeClip 2 keep you fully aware of your surroundings at all times, with the bark of a dog, the rush of traffic, people talking around you, train announcements and more all heard clearly while wearing the buds.

The good news is that this time we can hear the music more clearly, too. And there is considerably more substance, more solidity and more bass weight throughout the sound.

Huawei’s extensive tinkering with the acoustics has paid off, and we get far more body and punch throughout the frequencies so you can better hear – and even enjoy – what you’re listening to. It’s a world away from the unpleasant, tinny, one-dimensional sound of the original FreeClip.

The overall sound here is nicely balanced, with enough agility and energy as we play a variety of tracks from Apple Music. The top end is rounded out with any thinness a distant memory, while basslines aren’t flabby or overcooked. The slam of heavy guitars and drums to Def Leppard’s Rock Of Ages offers enough impact to satisfy, while the melodic guitars in Alt-J’s Breezeblocks flow well enough.

Voices in particular are better projected from the buds, with enough detail and richness in the midrange that, be it Waxahatchee’s lush vocals, Billie Eilish’s whispered ones, or Dr Dre’s more aggressive tones, we are able to follow along with the lyrics and find them more satisfying to listen to than before.

When listening to podcasts, voices are clearer and have more natural warmth, with enough personality coming through to keep your attention. Yes, the rumble of traffic will overshadow any music or podcast you’re listening to, but that is the consequence of this kind of open ear design that prioritises comfort and awareness over pure sound quality.

In absolute sonic terms, we find that the FreeClip 2’s dynamics are a little squashed, that the rhythmic ability could be better, and detail levels could be higher. More complex arrangements can sound muddled, too, but they are good enough for the kind of gentle background listening these earbuds will likely be used for. We tend to pinpoint these same issues in any open wireless earbuds design, due to the lack of an acoustic seal, but we think Huawei has achieved a nice balance of music and awareness with the second-gen FreeClip.

At this price range, rival open buds include the Sony LinkBuds Open (£129) and Apple AirPods 4 with ANC (£169), both of which offer more in the way of dynamic subtlety, rhythmic precision and detail than the Huawei – while also balancing environmental awareness. We find these rivals offer a more entertaining performance, but their open designs do differ wildly from each other and the FreeClip 2, so it is a matter of finding which design works best for you.

Verdict

Huawei’s leap in performance between the two generations of FreeClip open earbuds is commendable. While the very nature of this open design means that sound quality won’t be the absolute priority, the FreeClip 2 offer a far more satisfying, listenable experience when you want to dip in and out of your music while remaining aware of your surroundings at all times.

Regardless of how you feel about the design, the FreeClip 2 are easy to wear for long hours and, bar a few niggles, are a decent alternative for those who simply don’t like the feel of traditional earbuds with tips. They won’t be for everyone, but these earbuds fulfil their niche brief better than before and, as long as you are happy to live with the compromises to sound in favour of greater comfort, the FreeClip 2 are worth checking out.

Review published: 21st January 2026

SCORES

• Sound 3
• Comfort 5
• Features 4

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