We've been hearing leaks about new open earbuds from Samsung for months now, but I'm going to have to find a new rumored product to speculate about, because the brand has finally unveiled these new buds. Behold! The Samsung Galaxy Buds On.

This is the brand's long-awaited attempt to attack the best open earbuds market, and it's great timing, because recent figures show it's a booming sector. These are earbuds which don't block your ear canal, letting you hear your surroundings. Originally, they were targeted at outdoor runners and cyclists, but now I see them used all the time by couriers, drivers and commuters.

That said, the Samsung Galaxy Buds On can only be used by buyers in Korea right now, because the earbuds have only been confirmed for the sole market. According to the brand, they'll be released in other markets later, but there are no specific release dates just yet.

The buds will go on sale on October 27, for 299,000 won, which converts to around $220 / £170 / AU$320. For a little speculation mixed with a dash of context, that's roughly half-way between the Korean price of the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, so I'd expect them to land for somewhere around $200 / £190 / AU$350 if we're going half-way between the prices in each region.

Let's get (Samsung Galaxy Buds) On with it

Enough price guessing: what's going on with these earbuds? Well, from the outside, they come in a case very similar-looking to the Galaxy Buds 4 models, with a clear top, and I appreciate the shared design bone.

Otherwise, they look like pretty standard open earbuds, with a bud and counterweight joined by an arch. Unlike many other brands which release clip-style buds, Samsung hasn't spent ages waxing lyrical about the design of the arch, simply describing how it analysed different ear shapes to make sure the speaker and battery were balanced well.

Audio-wise? Again, we've got little, but apparently they'll use something called 'TwinBoost speakers' which sounds more like car technology you'd hear bragged about in F1. That implies there are dual drivers per bud, but we'll have to wait to see to find out.

What Samsung has described, in detail, is the range of features the Galaxy Buds On will get. There's an audio leakage avoidance tech, like in the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro, so people nearby won't hear that you're listening to the Runescape Soundfont cover of Pink Pony Club while you're on a run. There are touch controls on the counterweight but also head gestures and voice command functionality, as in the Galaxy Buds 4 models.

If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, you can use the buds with Galaxy AI, and enjoy a fast-pairing mode too. The battery life of the buds is said to be 9.5 hours, which is much better than the other recent Galaxy Bud models too.

Samsung has confirmed that it'll reveal more about the Galaxy Buds On when their Korean official release date lands on October 27, so we'll have a better idea then. We'll also let you know when we find out about an international release date.

At a glance, not much separates the Cambridge A100 SE true wireless in-ear headphones from their older A100 stablemates — and that’s because not much does.

The most obvious difference on first acquaintance is the addition of a (very attractive) deep blue finish — and when you glance at the spec-sheet, it’s only the (admittedly not inconsiderable) addition of Dolby Audio functionality that justifies the ‘SE’ in the model name.

Which means that the A100 SE are, at the asking price, a lavishly specified pair of wireless earbuds for the the best budget earbuds market. Class A/B amplification, aptX Lossless and LDAC codec compatibility, 10mm dynamic drivers featuring a lot of recycled Neodymium, adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation, and very nearly 40 hours of battery life from the ‘buds and their charging case are high up on the list of highlights.

And in practice, the way the A100 SE perform is almost all ‘gain’ and very little ‘pain’. They are spacious and organised, control a soundstage well, offer plenty of detail, balance their frequency response and tonality pretty well, and include voice, touch and app as control options.

A price-comparable alternative such as the JBL Live Beam 4 can go even further where battery life is concerned, and have a more naturalistic way with rhythmic expression — the A100 SE are just slightly lumpy in this regard — but ultimately they’re ‘different’ rather than obviously ‘better’. Because at this sort of money, finding something obviously ‘better’ than the Cambridge A100 SE is going to prove tricky.

Cambridge A100 SE review: Price and release date

• Released on October 2, 2026
• $149 / £129 / AU$249

They're hot off the press at the time of writing, friend! We're publishing this review to meet their embargo. What you need to know is, the A100 SE earbuds arrived on October 2, 2026. So, they're new — albeit very much built upon their older siblings.

And that's a big plus. The original Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 arrived in June 2025 (Cambridge has since dropped the 'Audio' from its moniker and, it seems, the 'Melomania' from its buds) to a resounding five-star review.

So while the price of these new earbuds is hardly huge, it does mean that the older set can now be found for around $99 / £79 — being superseded by newness can have this effect. So, there's plenty to consider…

Cambridge A100 SE review: Specs

Cambridge A100 SE review: Features

• Class A/B amplification2
• Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless and LDAC compatibility3
• 39 hours battery life (maximum)

There’s no need to offer any kind of ‘at the asking price’ qualification here — the Cambridge A100 SE have a very worthwhile feature set, full stop.

The use of the same Class A/B amplification that’s at the heart of the company’s well-regarded CX and EX full-size integrated amplifiers delivers a hit of hardcore hi-fi credibility. Compatibility with cutting-edge aptX Lossless and LDAC Bluetooth codecs means the biggest wireless streams possible are available from source devices that are capable of delivering it. Snapdragon Sound (complete with dual-core 240MHz Qualcomm Kalimba DSP) should mean ultra-low latency, and dual-point connectivity means content from two connected devices can be switched between seamlessly. Sound itself is delivered by a pair of 10mm full-range dynamic drivers, and they make liberal use of recycled Neodymium in their composition.

Three QualComm cVc mics per earbud handle voice assistant interaction, telephony, and the adaptive hybrid noise-cancellation system. With ANC engaged, the earbud and the charging case offer more than 21 hours of playback time between them, and if you switch ANC off this figure rises to closer to 39 hours. And you can spend these many hours in pretty much any realistic environment, thanks to the earbuds’ IPX5 rating.

• Features score: 5 / 5

Cambridge A100 SE review: Sound quality

• Open, detailed and controlled sound
• Good sense of dynamic variation
• Not the most naturalistic where rhythms are concerned

Some true wireless in-ear headphones are more in-ear than others when it comes to the sound they make — the sensation of music being inside your head can be strong with some designs, and quite oppressive it is too. That’s not the case with the A100 SE; even without their ‘Dolby Audio’ mode being engaged they’re a notably open and airy listen, and when it’s switched in they become even more spacious. It’s not like listening to loudspeakers, of course, but it’s a lot less stifling than some alternatives.

It doesn’t do any harm in this respect that the Cambridge are quite adept when it comes to creating and controlling a soundstage. They have outright scale on their side, especially when it comes to the width of the stage, and they have absolute authority over the elements on it. There’s appreciable space between instruments, but a commonality and unity to the sound at the same time — the sensation of space doesn’t compromise the idea of ‘performance’.

A listen to a big FLAC file of LCD Soundsystem’s Daft Punk is Playing at My House allows the A100 SE to demonstrate a very even-handed way with frequency response and tonality. Leave the EQ settings out of the equation and the top-to-bottom presentation of the frequency range is smooth and undramatic in the best way — there’s no sense that the earbuds want to meaningfully favour any particular area of information over any other, and the same is true of the fairly neutral tone the Cambridge adopt. In ultimate terms they hint at spotlighting and gently heating the lowest frequencies, but overall they’re significantly less coloured than quite a few price-comparable rivals.

The A100 SE handle detail retrieval well, and are alert to even quite minor variations in timbre and texture — events deep in the mix or at the outer edges of the soundstage are not overlooked, and they’re given an appropriate amount of weighting in every circumstance. Details around the dynamics of harmonics are attended to well, and the more overt dynamics of attack and intensity are made absolutely apparent.

Really, it’s only where rhythmic expression is concerned that the Cambridge are anything less than really quite assertive. They’re reasonably adept when it comes to the attack and decay of bass sounds, and they certainly don’t drag at tempos — but they’re not as straight-edged as they might be, and consequently they handle rhythms in a relatively stiff, upright manner. ‘Lurch’ is too strong a word, but ‘lumpy’ isn’t — the A100 SE are, in absolute terms, just a little lumpy in this regard.

• Sound quality: 4.5 / 5

Cambridge A100 SE review: Design

• Choice of three finishes
• App and touch control
• Dolby Audio functionality

You’ve a straight choice if you’re designing a pair of true wireless in-ear headphones: either the pebble-like ‘twist to fit’ shape, or the dangly stem alternative popularised by Apple. For the A100 SE, Cambridge has gone down the second route.

The earbuds, and the slender charging case they travel in, are made to a perfectly acceptable standard, mostly from plastic that’s unremarkable both in look and feel. My review sample is a new dark blue finish, but more usual black or white alternatives are available.

The outer section of the top of each earbud features a capacitive touch surface, and here it’s possible to control playback, to handle telephony, to cycle through your ANC options, and to summon your source device’s native voice assistant (should it have one). They’re not as reliable as they might be in operation, but patience brings its rewards. Eventually.

You can also control the A100 SE using Cambridge’s ‘Melomania Connect’ control app. It’s a fair bit more reliable than the touch controls, and as well as being where you can engage (or disengage) the earbuds’ new Dolby Audio feature (which has the very welcome knack of bring a little more space to the sound, and a little less of the ‘directly into your head’ sensation some IEMs can suffer from) it allows you to remap the touch controls to get the sequence on taps, presses and holds you prefer.

It also features a seven-band EQ — there are six presets and the option to save a few custom settings of your own. It’s also where you can switch the ‘wear detect’ function on or off, engage ‘game’ mode, check for firmware updates and, perhaps most importantly of all in this instance, select your preferred ‘audible feedback’.

Not for the first time where a pair of Cambridge wireless headphones are concerned, the usual options of ‘off’, ‘tone’ and quite a quantity of different languages are available, along with a ‘Southwark’ option which turns out to be Matt Berry really Matt Berry-ing it up. It’s a frivolous, profoundly funny option that I am nowhere near tiring of — and TechRadar's Audio Editor agrees wholeheartedly.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Cambridge A100 SE review: value

• Great specification
• Some proper performance highlights
• Matt Berry!

This is a very competitive area of the true wireless headphones market, and Cambridge has done a lot to ensure the A100 SE can be seen to represent good value for money.

The type of amplification that’s on board, the extensive Bluetooth codec compatibility, the spacious, detailed and dynamic nature of their presentation all point to a product that’s well worth the asking price, with only the slightly hit-and-miss touch-control implementation and slightly lumpy rhythmic expression counting against them.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Cambridge A100 SE?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Cambridge A100 SE review: Also consider

The JBL Live Beam 4, while slightly more expensive, are probably the most impressive price-comparable rival to the A100 SE right now — and it seems fair to say that they’re slightly different, rather than obviously better or worse, than the Cambridge model.

They struggle to match the noise-cancellation the A100 SE offer, for instance, and don’t have quite as pronounced a spatial audio effect — but they hit back with a more convincing way of describing rhythms and straightforwardly impressive battery life of as much as 48 hours between charges.

Any other products of note? Yes, Apple's new AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging are right at this level and if you own an iPhone, they certainly look competitive on paper — just not for codec support (see "if you own an iPhone", above) or stamina. Our full review of Apple's newest buds is incoming, but food for thought at any rate.

How I tested the Cambridge A100 SE

• With Apple and Android devices
• With file types from MP3 to DSD3
• Indoors and outdoors

I used the Cambridge A100 SE at my desk, while out walking and on public transport. I connected them to an Apple MacBook Pro, an Apple iPhone 15 Pro and a FiiO M15S hi-res player.

This allowed me to access Qobuz and Tidal music streaming services, internet radio via Airable, and hi-res content stored on the DAP’s internal memory. I listened to lots of different genres of music and plenty of spoken-word content — and I did so, on and off, for two weeks.

• First reviewed in September 2026

• Read TechRadar's review guarantee
• Learn more specifically about how we test earbuds at TechRadar

Apple products aren’t exactly known to be paragons of repairability, with many devices proving to be daunting work for even the most hardened of repair professionals. It probably won’t come as much of a surprise, then, to see that iFixit has given the new AirPods 5 a lowly score in its latest teardown — but there are still a few bright spots for Apple fans.

iFixit decided to dig into the AirPods 5 in a step-by-step article and an accompanying video. The video came with the teaser-heavy title “We’ve Given AirPods 0/10 for 10 Years. Until Now,” while the article dubbed the earphones “the most repairable AirPods earbuds ever.” But if you’re hopeful of a lofty 10/10 score, don’t hold your breath. No, the AirPods 5 came home with a lowly 2/10 score for repairability.

That’s mainly thanks to the charging case, which iFixit described as a “disaster.” In fact, the case was so tightly sealed that it had to be destroyed in order to get to the internal battery. Throw in a total absence of replacement parts and repair manuals on Apple’s part and the AirPods 5’s score took a nosedive.

That said, there were a few silver linings. One of the key improvements came to the batteries contained inside the earphones. Instead of being soldered in place, they are outfitted with a set of plug-in prongs, making them much simpler to replace.

As well as that, the AirPods could be opened up using a hairdryer and a clamp, meaning specialized tools aren’t required — significantly lowering the hurdles facing repairers.

A step towards repairability

As iFixit pointed out, Apple’s AirPods don’t necessarily need to be this hard to repair. Companies like Fairphone have released products (such as the Fairbuds) that make accessing the case battery far simpler, allowing a user to swap the component out and prolong the lifespan of their device. Likewise, Sennheiser’s excellent Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds are built with replaceable batteries and even come with a compatible screwdriver.

In the past, new Apple CEO John Ternus has said that Apple tries to balance durability and repairability, arguing that swinging too far towards repairability can compromise the durability of a device (such as its waterproofing). And it’s surely true that the majority of consumers would not be interested in opening up their Apple products and conducting repairs themselves.

But for those who do want to do that — or who don’t mind paying someone else to do it for them — a more repairable device is one that lasts longer and doesn’t need to be replaced so quickly.

Ultimately, iFixit said that “for the first time, we think skilled technicians and even intrepid DIYers will probably be able to replace AirPod batteries with a decent success rate.” The AirPods 5 are not the kind of product that your grandma will be keen to crack open, but for anyone with the experience and determination to perform their own repairs, they’re a step in the right direction from Apple.

For all their joys, there's something missing from many of the best earbuds: wires.

I'm serious: wires can be great for audio, which is why so many audiophile IEMs have them. So I'm intrigued by the latest earbuds from Bose, which are very definitely wired: they come with a 4.2-ft / 1.3m cable.

Wired earbuds don't need to compress audio to broadcast it over Bluetooth, they don't have batteries you'll forget to charge, and they don't lose features or sound quality if your phone doesn't have the right operating system.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds aren't so retro that you can plug them into your Walkman, though. There's no 3.5mm headphone plug of the kind that UK pop star Sir Cliff Richard would recognize; They're USB-C powered, with plug-and-play compatibility. And because they don't have to pick a lossy codec for transmitting audio, they deliver up to 24-bit/48kHz lossess — no pairing, no app, no charging, no fuss. Refreshing!

Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds: key features and pricing

The keen-eyed will have spotted something: ANC in wired earbuds isn't usually a thing. But make no mistake, there's active noise cancellation here and you can control it via the inline remote.

There are three levels of noise control: off, Aware and Quiet, with that last two taking advantage of Bose's four-mic QuietControl system to process and remove ambient audio. As they're USB-C buds, connection is instant and widely supported thanks to USB Audio Class 2, which enables lossless audio at up to 24-bit/48kHz. Bose says the connection is very low latency and keeps audio closely in sync with anything on screen, too.

The earbuds come with an inline remote for volume, playback, calls and noise cancellation modes, and the remote also contains a dedicated microphone for voice calls and voice control. They're IPX4 rated for water resistance and come in a choice of three colours (Black, White Smoke and Dewdrop Mint) with two sizes of wingtips and three sizes of ear tips included.

Pricing is keen: £99 in the UK and AU$169.95 in Australia (which is roughly $131). All three models will be available to buy from 15 October 2026.

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According to fresh data from global technology analyst Omdia, the open earbuds market has been booming, increasing in sales by 12% in the year leading up to the second quarter of 2026. That's despite the overall wireless earbuds market dropping by about 2% in that time, now making up 13.5% of all sales of true wireless stereo (TWS) products.

Clip-on buds such as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have proven more popular, making up 61% of the open-ear sales, with hook models like the Shokz OpenFit 2+ taking up that other 39%.

But the biggest winner was the cheap earbud market, with sub-$50 open buds like the Soundpeats Pop Clip2 surging in sales by over 320%.

I've been reviewing this kind of design since the early days (well, since about 2023, but it's a very new form factor) and its surging popularity makes sense; it's part of a tech-wide trend which promises to topple giants and bring back classics.

The best tech is no tech?

A growing trend we've been seeing in the tech gadget world is... well, a desire to not have tech gadgets. Or rather, avoidance of the everything-smart, everything-connected world which big companies have been pushing onto us.

Feature phones (or dumb phones) are growing in popularity, as people look for a digital detox device which can keep them connected without being at the behest of a deluge of notifications, endless social media walls, incessant group chats.

New gadgets are increasingly sold on their suite of AI features... and as a result, struggle to gain consumer interest, because smart agents and tools like this are increasingly proving to only have niche appeal.

In the audio (and entertainment) world, streaming sites are increasingly being ditched in favor of physical media ownership; we're constantly seeing the release of new turntables, CD players, cassette players, so people don't have to rely on digital releases and algorithms.

And when was the last time you heard about the 'Internet of Everything', or smart homes? Or blockchain and cryptocurrency? We keep being told that these are the future, and consumers keep roundly ignoring them.

Despite this, big brands insist on inundating us with unwanted gadgets, and it is drawing the ire of the general public. Just look at smart glasses: their super-techy nature has resulted in a massive backlash, so much so that they've been widely banned in courts, theaters and restaurants. And that's before I mention the public's new fruity moniker for them — something it'll be tough to bounce back from.

There are numerous reasons for our new-found preference for the 'dumb'; price hikes on gadgets and a plateau what gadgets can do both contribute. But there's another factor: being 'connected' in a tech sense often means being online, which can increasingly mean being a) having our data scraped and stored, and b) disconnected from the real world.

The ultimate digital detox headphones

And that last point is where open earbuds come in. These headphones are defined by the fact that you're not disconnected when you use them.

I love open earbuds because, when I'm wearing them, I'm still aurally connected to the world. If I'm wearing them on the road, I can hear traffic. If I'm at home and my flatmate speaks to me, I know what he's saying. If I'm on the train and hear an announcement, I get the information.

For years, the best noise-cancelling headphones have sold themselves on increasingly advanced ways of isolating you from the annoyingly noisy reality of a world filled with people. But that's clearly not what many buyers actually want; just look at the resurgence in wired earbuds, which have no noise cancellation to speak of.

It's not just the open nature of these buds, though. It's a rebellion against all the smart features brands think we want in our earbuds — think AI assistants, health features and real-time language translation.

Most open earbuds I've tested have been quite light on features, omitting many of the smart tools that in-ear buds sell themselves on. Partly, this could be because their actual earpieces are rather small, and they just don't have space for the hardware to support this kind of feature.

But in part, it's a key component of the sales pitch: these are supposed to be light, in weight and in feature set, so they can fit effortlessly on top of your life without shoving a plethora of features down your throat.

To me, digital detox devices give you the key thing you want from the gadget (in this case, music) without adding extraneous layers on top — a fact which often cuts their price. And that's why open earbuds are proving so popular: they offer the one thing you want, and relatively few dubious extras.

Solving non-tech user gripes

Aside from the dumb-tech trend, open earbuds also offer a tempting alternative to headphones, in that they solve some common gripes. They're also seen as a safer option when travelling solo, particularly at night — my audio editor tells me she's often been warned, in public, about wearing over-ear headphones when walking home alone.

The lack of noise cancellation or smart features in most open buds means that their battery lives are good; I'd say the average single-charge life span of most open earbuds I test sits at 10-12 hours, while standard noise-cancelling earbuds last for about 6-8 hours.

I personally love how well they fit, especially clip-style open earbuds. Early models were intended for fitness uses, and they've kept this a core part of their DNA. I frequently run, cycle or gym, and I have a massive problem with in-ear buds falling out of my ears when I'm exercising (or just walking, in some of the worst cases). Not so for open earbuds; other than a few exceptions, they can be relied on to have an impeccable fit.

Now, I'd be remiss not to bring up open earbuds' one longstanding problem: they don't sound quite as good through the bass as other earbuds. After all, the entire point is that the driver is some distance from your ear, to avoid blocking it. And while many brands are making great progress in this area, I can't pretend that, say, the Soundpeats Clip1 match the contemporary Soundpeats H3, for example.

But does anyone buy wireless earbuds because they care about music fidelity? Anyone who wants amazing sound will buy the best headphones, or wired earbuds / in-ear monitors. I maintain that wireless earbuds are gadgets of convenience first and foremost. Which is why I'm finding it increasingly easy to forgive open earbuds' sound quality.

It's not a fad, but is it a phase?

Open earbuds are a continuation of something that's been going on for years. Plenty of buds, like the standard AirPods, don't fully block up your ear canal (something referred to as 'open-fit earbuds', rather than fully 'open earbuds') letting you hear what's going on around you. But in those buds, that was a side-effect of the tip-free design, rather than the point.

Because of that, I don't see these being a fad. I think we'll continue to see open earbuds released for years to come. But we're seeing a huge spike in popularity, which isn't sustainable.

Many massive audio brands have, so far, sat out the open earbuds trend. Major names such as Apple, Samsung and Beats have so far sat out of this race (no, the Powerbeats Pro aren't open, despite the arm around the ear) even while releasing wireless earbuds (though Samsung is said to be working on some). Instead, plenty of the smaller brands — or dedicated sports tech specialists — are inundating the market with options.

I'm sure open earbuds will follow the noise cancellation trajectory: they'll boom for a few years, then see a lull in sales, and will slowly settle into a sustainable share of the market. After all, a defining trait of the 'dumb-tech' trend is that you don't frequently buy new gadgets. One pair will see you through for years.

So open earbuds aren't a fad; they're here to stay. But that doesn't mean the market share will keep increasing forever. Enjoy this period of weird experimentation and countless new models.

The good news is that now they’ve launched, it means their just-as-talented predecessor, the Momentum True Wireless 4, enjoys a significant discount, and have now plummeted to AU$249 in Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale.

• Follow our dedicated live coverage of the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026 sale for more deals and discounts

Sennheiser is no stranger to producing quality headphones, but I do feel the brand can go under the radar for many, being overshadowed by the likes of Apple and Sony. And that’s a shame, because when you consider pairs of earbuds such as the Momentum True Wireless 4, there’s an awful lot to like.

As we said in our Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review, “sound quality is where [they] shine”. These compact ‘buds serve up a neutral sound profile, and will reproduce any genre you want to throw at them with accuracy and packed with detail.

The new model also favours a neutral approach, and as we said in the review of that pair they "essentially sound about the same as Momentum True Wireless 4”, no doubt in part because they use the same 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers. That makes the huge price cut on the MTW4 all the more impressive and worth considering.

There are a few concessions compared with the newer model, of course. The MTW4 have Sennheiser’s older, slightly bulkier design, while the MTW5 sit lower in the ear and have been reshaped for a more comfortable fit. The newer buds also step up to Bluetooth 6.0, increase total battery life from 30 to 40 hours, add an improved eight-mic calling system and introduce user-replaceable batteries.

However, none of those upgrades fundamentally change the core listening experience — especially when the MTW4 is now half the price.

Sennheiser doesn’t rush its new products — especially within the best earbuds market. It’s been over two years since the launch of the Momentum True Wireless 4 and, even back then, I remember the brand saying at my product briefing that they were already at work planning ahead for potential EU regulations. Which regulations specifically? That the batteries within these tiny earpieces may well need to be user-replaceable in coming launches.

Those laws are still on the horizon… sort of. Other brands have had their complaints, saying the rules force tiny devices to be bulkier and less waterproof, so there are now various exceptions. Sennheiser, though, stuck to its plan. With the launch of the Momentum True Wireless 5, the company is proving that user-replaceable batteries are possible even in products as small as wireless earbuds.

Longevity is only one part of the story when it comes to these new buds though. Much like the new Momentum 5 over-ear headphones, they’re stuffed full of upgrades. They’ve now got a refreshed premium design, a different shape and fit, improved noise-cancelling and transparency, refined sound, and extra features, such as immersive Dolby Atmos audio and aptX Lossless high-res streaming. Spoiler alert for the rest of this review, but they’re the complete package.

After more than two weeks of use, the Momentum True Wireless 5 (or MTW5) have quickly become my new favorite wireless buds for just about anything and everything. They’re quite clearly the flagship to beat in 2026.

To my ears, they’re better-sounding than the top rivals from Technics and JBL, with an enjoyable, neutral, yet non-fatiguing sound that caters to critical listening. The improved ANC is now only a slight step behind Apple, Bose and Sony’s best, and that gap is close enough to barely matter for most of us.

Crucially, the Sennheiser buds are highly customizable with the Smart Control Plus app, an intuitive platform that I find to be one of the best companion apps in the business. Should you want to, you can adjust the sound, tap controls, ANC levels, codecs in use, battery preservation, and more.

The sustainability credentials and long-term usability make them easy to recommend. But once you add in their natural audio on a wide soundstage, high-end style, comfortable fit, and smart companion app features, the Momentum True Wireless 5 might just be the best buds out there for the money.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5: price & release date

• Launched in September 2026
• Sells for $300 / £250 / AU$499

How much money, though? For high-end earbuds, you expect a high cost, and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 are launching at the competitive price of $300 / £250 / AU$499.

Unsurprisingly, that puts the MTW5 pretty much in the mix with the rest of the flagships. Apple’s AirPods Pro are $50 cheaper at $249, but these directly compete with Sony’s WF-1000XM6 — costing $329 / £250 / AU$499.95 — and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) – for $299 / £299 / AU$450. And, of course, luxury or boutique pairs such as the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ($399 / £349 / AU$599) or Master & Dynamic MW09 ($349 / £319 / AU$599) will still cost a fair chunk of cash more.

No matter how you look at it though, these are pricey for most of us. But once you factor in the replaceable batteries, it’s easy to see how these could keep you going for longer than others on the market. And these are the first premium buds from an audio brand to have this repairability feature, with Fairphone's Fairbuds being essentially the only other rival even attempting it. So, kudos there.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review: specs

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review: Features

• User-replaceable batteries (for both the buds and the case)
• Bluetooth 6.0 with seamless multipoint switching
• Head-tracked Dolby Atmos spatial audio

The replaceable battery is the headline feature here, of course. It’s a big deal because the batteries are what's most likely to degrade first in your earphones. Until recently, the glued-in cells in wireless buds have meant that, one way or another, they’re destined to be e-waste in only a matter of years.

Sennheiser includes a battery replacement tool for the buds in the case, and you can access the case battery and the bud batteries with the help of a tiny screwdriver. Luckily, the required screwdriver is the one I have on hand to adjust my glasses. To do my due diligence for this review (even though these fresh buds would be a long way away from needing their batteries replaced) I’ve gone through the process of opening up both the case and buds, and can confirm it’s easy enough as long as you follow the instructions on how to use the included tool. Just be careful as you’re dealing with delicate, small parts.

I also spoke with Frank Foppe, the product manager for the MTW5, and I asked how long they’re made to last before a battery replacement might be needed. He confirmed that about 80-90% of the capacity should remain after 500 charge cycles. That’d mean you could use them every single day for two hours and get to four years of use before you notice much of a difference.

And, while Sennheiser isn’t yet able to confirm the cost of replacement batteries, once those are available, they should make a big difference to the longevity of the MTW5. You could realistically buy these earbuds, take care of them, replace the batteries and keep them working for well over five years or much more (as long as all other parts remain functional).

Right now, you should get 6 hours of playtime with ANC on, and up to 12 hours with it off. Sennheiser claims an ANC-off battery life totalling 40 hours once you factor in the charging case, which seems to be about right in my testing. I ran a test playing a Spotify playlist for three hours at 50% volume with ANC on, and had 60% remaining, which confirms a single-charge runtime of around 7.5 hours, a little better than Sennheiser’s estimate. Recharging is via the USB-C port on the case or wireless charging, and a quick charge of eight minutes gives you an hour of use.

Much like the MTW4, Sennheiser has also made these a “future-proof” pair of earbuds when it comes to the feature set. They include several abilities other current launches still lack, and they have the brand’s excellent battery protection feature (to slow down charging and limit the charge level to 80%), which is another way they’re designed for long-term use.

You’ve got Bluetooth 6.0 with Snapdragon sound, a low-latency mode, support for lossless audio and 24-bit/96kHz streaming, Dolby Atmos head-tracked immersive audio, reliable wear detection, excellent multipoint switching, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and upgraded microphones for better noise-cancelling and transparency, along with LE audio and Auracast (not at launch, but promised for a future firmware update).

While I’d found ANC on the MTW4 “effective”, I’d say the new version definitely takes things a step further. We’ve now got four microphones per earbud (plus bone-conduction voice sensors for calls), which is up from three per bud on the predecessor. In all the environments where I’ve used noise-cancelling – including coffee shops, city streets and the London Underground – I’ve found my music or podcasts still audible at reasonable volumes without needing to turn it up to overpower the noise.

The wind-noise reduction kicks in quickly and is also excellent, and I should know, as it’s been particularly windy on my walks lately! Noise-cancelling, overall, feels quite natural while still being capable enough to silence a great range of outside sounds, adapting well to changes in your environment.

But it still isn’t quite the “bubble of silence” ANC that you can get from the AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds! I don’t find that it’s a difference that matters that much anymore, but it’s worth knowing that there’s even more powerful ANC out there.

Transparency is brilliant, though, and up there with AirPod models for how natural its passthrough of the outside world is. I also love that turning on transparency pauses your audio. I listen to podcasts a lot, and having a one-tap way to pause and get awareness is fantastic for quickly saying hi to the cashier at my local corner shop. I also tested the microphones with calls and voice notes. They’re decent at isolating my voice when playing loud, busy cafe background noise, but with the occasional missed word or two. That said, they’re good for outdoor calls and great in a quiet room.

• Features score: 4 / 5

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review: Sound quality

• Neutral sound on a wide soundstage
• Excellent detail and warmth for a non-fatiguing listen
• Highly customizable in the app

Sennheiser markets these as “engineered for serious listeners” and I don't disagree. They’re not really made with bass-heads in mind, and have more of a neutral approach when compared to some consumer sound profiles. But they’re also not sterile, offering warmth, depth and smoothness. You get just enough weight and control to the bass, a natural midrange and crisp highs, plus a lot of flexibility to adjust the sound to your liking.

If you know much about the previous generations of these earbuds, all that I’ve just said won’t come as a big surprise. While there are slight refinements to the sound, these essentially sound about the same as the MTW4 and MTW3 before them. They use the same 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers from the predecessors, and one notable benefit over rivals is a greater width to the soundstage and a palpable sense of instrumental separation.

Billie Eilish’s Oxytocin is a fantastic test track for these buds — with effects zipping across the mix, perfectly centered lead vocals, and breathy backing vocals coming at you from all sides. I played the spatial mix from Apple Music and switched on Dolby Atmos, and it’s definitely a convincing implementation of the processing. As my playlist went on, I began to encounter tracks not mixed for spatial audio, though, and you’d need to manually turn off Atmos so those don’t sound a bit weird.

I far prefer Dolby Atmos over most proprietary spatial options, so I appreciate its presence here, but I’d make sure you only use it when listening to playlists or albums full of tracks optimized for Atmos. It works best with Atmos-certified content, and in those cases much of the processing will be done on the source device.

Head tracking works, but it’s still not essential. The fixed spatial audio is plenty, and I still recommend mostly using this mode with films and TV shows designed for immersion, rather than music, which can be a little more hit-and-miss. I tested it with Severance on Apple TV and found it enhanced the eeriness of the quiet sound design and the dialogue clarity.

I tested bass with my go-to low-end thump test, the slow-burn sub-bass of Massive Attack’s Angel. The MTW5 excel, not coming off as overly bloated or boomy, but instead clear and textured. Vocal and midrange realism is where Sennheiser’s natural tuning pays off most. Listening to Coldplay’s Clocks reveals more detail and subtleties I don’t usually hear. And I moved on to the busy mix of Muse's Supermassive Black Hole, where every element feels defined, without the smearing you so often hear from lesser drivers. The width of the soundstage makes for a more engaging listen and, when combined with the tightness of the bass and detail in vocals, I’d say they’re a pair that’s ideal for a relaxed listening experience.

They’re so non-fatiguing that I can keep listening for hours and hours. The most intense audiophiles may still have their nitpicks, as these are tuned more for musical enjoyment than they are for being analytical, but I really think there’s very little that can’t be solved with the 8-band EQ. A full parametric equaliser (as on the HDB630 over-ears) would’ve been a great customization feature, but it’s also one that many users wouldn’t find intuitive.

Sennheiser’s Sound Personalization is a companion to EQ, and is a blend between a preference test and hearing evaluation, where you tweak the volume of different instruments to your liking, and then use a slider to find the lowest level at which you can hear the sample track. The result still sounded great for me, but I ultimately found that I prefer the default “Neutral” after comparing the two.

My honest view on the codec support is that it’s very easy to get lost in the weeds with it all, and far more of this is marketing than most of us tend to admit. The high-res aptX Lossless codec is present, but only kicks in with compatible Android sources, so you may not be able to engage this mode anyway.

I tested it with the Fairphone 6 Plus, which supports the full aptX suite, but it wouldn’t shift out of Adaptive. But this isn’t surprising given that “Lossless” is more of a “mode” hiding inside aptX Adaptive. Basically, this can all get a bit confusing, and there isn’t a substantial difference. A competent codec like AAC will give you quality with virtually no audible difference from aptX, thanks to Sennheiser’s great tuning and driver design. If you have a phone supporting aptX Adaptive, you may hear a tiny difference, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

These sound superb, so you’re not losing anything by choosing “Robust connection” instead of the “Advanced sound quality” mode. You won’t be able to tell them apart, and you’ll get to use every feature (Atmos is unavailable if you turn on high-res, for example).

• Sound quality score: 5 / 5

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review: Design

• New, premium design with a shallow fit and slim case
• Comfortable to wear all day
• Screws for the user-replaceable batteries

Fans of the fabric-wrapped case may be disappointed to see how Sennheiser changed things up with the MTW5. The buds now live in a slim and lightweight, textured plastic casing with a shiny circular logo on top. This case has a sturdy metal hinge, one of the best I’ve tried, and the USB-C port is now at the bottom left (it used to be on the front of the older design). On the case and buds, you’ll see the screws needed for changing batteries, but the earphones are still IP54 dust- and splash-resistant.

The fabric case of the MTW4 I tested quickly picked up a big scuff, so I’m hardly mourning its departure. In fact, everything about the MTW5 feels significantly more premium to me. Another added benefit? This svelte approach is far more pocket-friendly.

The buds themselves are very shiny, which I quite like but may divide opinions, and they’ve got a different form factor, at a similar size and weight (7g per bud vs 6.2g for the MTW4). They’re on the chunkier side, so are harder to recommend for those with the smallest ears. They now fit in a totally different way from the predecessor, too, with a much shallower fit and no stability fins. Despite lacking the fins, they actually fit me slightly better.

Even more than with other buds I’ve tried, you absolutely must double-check your ear tip sizes with the four options in the box (I needed a larger tip size in my right ear than in my left). And try not to twist them too much, as I’ve found that can break the seal and introduce friction noise when you walk while ANC is on. A gentle turn is all you need to lock them in place, and with the new thicker silicone tip material Sennheiser uses, they shouldn’t budge. With a good fit, it’s a secure seal that offers great passive noise isolation.

Aside from being shiny, the buds have a more curved look (a bit reminiscent of the Sony WF-1000XM5) and an “anti-wind” design, with a visible grille covering the mics at the front. They’re still controlled with customizable tap gestures, but the touch target is now noticeably smaller, and it’s one of my few (minor) negative points. I find you have to be pretty intentional about where you tap, because it’s easy to miss and do a single tap when you intend to double-tap.

Overall, I’m a big fan of the rounded, stylish new design, and I love that it comes in a more expansive range of colors (Graphite, Copper, Denim, Lavender and the Cream shade reviewed here) than the likes of AirPods or Sony buds. But you might find these distractingly shiny and not suit the shallow fit or chunky body. How much you like them will come down to personal preference.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review: Value

• Competitive with other high-end buds
• Feature-packed and premium
• Loads of rivals, but very few offer replaceable batteries

Sennheiser is not short of competition. The key rivals are the AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), JBL Tour Pro 3 and Technics EAH-AZ100. In direct comparison, though, the MTW5 is packed full of features that some of these lack, and they deliver a natural and clear sound instead of the bass-forward sound of many other buds.

Ultimately, though, Sennheiser’s value argument comes down to how it offers user-replaceable batteries. Assuming these batteries are under $50, you won’t be forced to throw away your $300 pair when the cells naturally degrade in about three to four years or so. That’ll help if you consider them as a long-term investment.

With that said, the landscape won’t stay the same. New buds with replaceable batteries will eventually launch, and many will surely be cheaper than this too. For flagship quality in sound, design, comfort, and battery life, though, I’d bet Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 5 will remain some of the best buds you can buy for years to come.

• Value score: 5 / 5

Should I buy the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review: also consider

How I tested the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5

• Tested for over two weeks
• Paired with Android, iOS and macOS devices
• Used during multiple activities

I tested the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 for over two weeks, pairing them with my iPhone 17 Pro, MacBook Air, Fairphone 6 Plus and Activo P1 music player, all of which allowed me to thoroughly test different codecs and multipoint connectivity.

I took them with me everywhere and I used the earbuds while on the London Underground, at coffee shops and while walking on city streets to test the active noise-cancelling capabilities, and I used them for long listening sessions while working to evaluate battery life. I tested calls and microphone recordings, and ran a controlled battery test to see how much they drained over the course of three hours. While testing, I listened to podcasts and music from a wide variety of genres, mostly streamed from Apple Music but also on Spotify and Deezer.

I've been testing gadgets since 2020, and I've reviewed countless headphones and earbuds, including several flagship earbuds including those from Bose, Apple, Technics, JBL and Sennheiser, and I previously tested out the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 and Momentum True Wireless 4.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: September 2026

The JBL Live Flex 4 might be the perfect option for you if you want earbuds that put comfort first. Their lightweight, relaxed fit is perfect for listening on the go, meaning that, unlike some earbuds with a tight in-ear seal, they won't get tiresome or irritating after a while. And yet you can use them with ANC or transparency modes, giving you the option to shut the outside world out, or stay aware of your surroundings to impressive effect.

But perhaps the real draw of the JBL Live Flex 4 is their smart charging case. It has a touchscreen equipped, enabling you to adjust ANC, EQ, playback and more, all without having to whip out your source device. If your phone or music streamer is in your bag or if you don’t want to go to the hassle of opening up the JBL Headphones app, this is pretty convenient.

Is the smart case gimmicky? Maybe a bit, but I like a good gimmick from time to time. And it's super-responsive, with a massive quantity of features onboard. Other than those I mentioned above, the Flex 4 case lets you alter speech for calling, toggle spatial audio, switch audio source, and even use tools such as a timer and flashlight. As a result, these earbuds easily rival the very best wireless earbuds when it comes to features and usability.

The JBL Headphones app does offer a bit more functionality, though. For example, it gives you the ability to set a custom wallpaper for your earbuds case, and activate the higher-resolution codec, LDAC, which can provide better quality playback if your source device is compatible. Most Android phones support LDAC, though iPhone users won’t be able to make use of it.

I’ve mentioned ANC a few times, and I have to say, it’s surprisingly effective here. You see, the JBL Live Buds 4 and JBL Live Beam 4 offer an in-ear seal, so I expected a lot from them in terms of noise-cancelling — but they ended up being fairly middling in this area for me. Compared to the competition, however, I found the Live Flex 4 to be pretty adept at muffling my surroundings.

Sure, the open architecture means that harsher sounds will seep in, but when on walks and working in the office, sounds like cars passing by and colleagues typing were subdued to decent effect. Again, the open design has its limitations, but the improved ‘True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0’ on the Flex 4 proved to be a hit on this model.

The six-microphone system of the Flex 4 also means that calls are clear — and although my voice wasn’t always the most defined against background noise, I found my speech to be perfectly comprehensible, especially when making a recording and listening back to my voice.

What’s more, these buds offer pretty solid battery life. You get seven hours from the Flex 4 with ANC on, up to 10 hours with ANC off, and a maximum of 48 hours with the case. That’s a lot better than the new AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging, which sits at a similar price-point (although Apple's offering is just slightly cheaper). The Flex 4 also support wireless charging, which is always nice to have.

But here comes the crucial question: do the JBL Live Flex 4 sound any good? Well, let me begin by saying that the Live Buds 4 and Live Beam 4 perform better than these — and this comes down solely to the more relaxed fit, which means that sound is less concentrated in your ear canals, and low frequencies especially are less impactful.

This is why I typically steer clear of open-fit earbuds like the non-pro variants of the AirPods, for example. But actually, the Flex 4 ended up performing admirably, despite the limitations of the design.

They conjure up a relatively wide, spacious soundstage and, despite being open-fit earbuds, have pretty impactful bass too. With the default Studio EQ, the Flex 4 offer decent balance across the frequency range, although I did find that they were a little lacking in the low-end, but that was nothing that a swift EQ tweak in the 32-250Hz range couldn’t fix.

When tuning into Take Five by Dave Brubeck, I was treated to an expansive listen. Drums in the treble range sounded beautifully weighted and expressive, keys and lead saxophone were separated neatly, and double bass came through with a rich, full-bodied quality. Making use of LDAC took the experience to the next level too, with some added intricacies in the mid-range and finer detailing in percussion.

With Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley, guitar in the opening and vocals didn’t quite have the texture or resolution that more premium earbuds can supply, but still sounded clear and well-defined in the mix, even at the highest volumes.

And the earbuds performed well with just about every genre I threw at them. Even with the tech house track, Fascinator by Max Dean, pumping bass hit with phenomenal impact, and never seemed lethargic or overbearing. Vocal chops came through with clarity, and sub-bass — though not the most regimented or powerful I’ve heard — was prominent and didn’t muddy sounds elsewhere in the frequency range.

One thing I wasn’t so keen on, though, was the spatial audio mode. You have to switch LDAC off to access this (which is normal), but it doesn’t sound anywhere near as clean or precise as the standard tuning, so I decided to leave it off the vast majority of the time.

I also want to touch on the look and design of the JBL Live Flex 4. Again, the buds are very comfortable in use, and although they offer a relaxed fit, I never felt as if they would fall out of my ears or leak excessive amounts of sound. The buds are also IP54-rated, meaning they’re protected against dust ingress and splashes of water, so it was never an issue if I wanted to use them on a rainy day.

Are the Flex 4 the most premium looking earbuds around? Perhaps not. They have a bit of a plasticky look, and don’t feel particularly luxurious. But their curved design is fairly attractive, and the case itself is finished to a high standard. The Flex 4 are also available in a wide range of colors, with plenty of vibrant options to choose from for those seeking a stand-out aesthetic.

Let’s conclude, then, by discussing price. The JBL Live Flex 4 come in at £179.99 (about $240 / AU$340), which means they cost about the same as their predecessors, the JBL Live Flex 3. Are they worth it? Well, for me, the answer is yes. They provide very solid sound quality, a fun and feature-rich smart case, genuinely good ANC for open-fit earbuds, and decent battery life to boot.

As a result, I consider the JBL Live Flex 4 to be a great pair of wireless earbuds that are more than worthy of my recommendation. They’re not perfect, and the open design comes with its ups and downs, but for the cost you’re getting great all-rounders that feel like a great alternative to the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging — especially for Android users who want advanced features and higher-res Bluetooth streaming.

JBL Live Flex 4 review: price & release date

• £179.99 (about $240 / AU$340)
• Revealed in May 2026

The JBL Live Flex 4 were revealed in May 2026, alongside their siblings, the JBL Live Beam 4 and JBL Live Buds 4. They arrived on the market about two years after their predecessor, the JBL Live Flex 3, was released.

JBL’s new open-fit earbuds come in at £179.99 (about $240 / AU$340), about the same as their predecessors cost when they launched (in the UK, that is). I’ve seen some limited availability in Australia, but there’s no news of a release date or pricing for the US just yet — we’ll update this review if and when further details emerge, though.

In terms of competition, the Live Flex 4 have one clear rival: the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging. This model comes in at $149 / £149 / AU$219. And while we've yet to finalise our full review there, AirPods are stylish, offer impressive sound, a range of perks for iPhone owners and surprisingly effective ANC — but, of course, they don’t have the Flex 4’s nifty smart charging case.

JBL Live Flex 4 review: specs

Should I buy the JBL Live Flex 4?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

JBL Live Flex 4 review: also consider

How I tested the JBL Live Flex 4

• Spent two weeks testing
• Used in the office and while out and about
• Mainly streamed music over Tidal

I spent two weeks testing the JBL Live Flex 4, testing them out at home, in an office environment, and while out on walks. This enabled me to get a strong grasp of their ANC capabilities, and understand what it’s like to live with them over a sustained period.

When listening to music, I typically streamed tracks over Tidal on my Xiaomi 17 phone, which supports LDAC, enabling me to get the highest quality listen out of the Flex 4 that I could. As always, I sifted through the TechRadar reference playlist to begin with, but I also bumped a bunch of tracks from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve put all sorts of audio tech to the test, be that premium wireless headphones like the Sony 1000X The Collexion or party speakers such as the Marshall Bromley 450. I’ve also reviewed a wide range of earbuds, including open-ear models like the Anker Soundcore AeroClip and the Edifier LolliClip.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: September 2026

As Qualcomm’s “first premium audio platform purpose-built for personal AI,” the Sound Elite Gen 2 aims to transform headphones and earbuds into “intelligent companions that can understand, assist, and adapt throughout the day” — and the American silicon giant considers camera-equipped earbuds to be among those “companions.”

Qualcomm flew TechRadar out to Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii to hear more (no pun intended) about its vision for the AI-assisted future of audio, and the company was bullish about the positive effect AI will have on both sound quality and virtual assistance.

“This isn’t about putting a chatbot in your ear; it’s about creating devices that understand what’s happening around you,” Sarah McMurray, Staff Manager for Product Marketing at Qualcomm, explained in a briefing attended by TechRadar, noting that the Sound Elite Gen 2 will use AI to make earbuds more responsive to environmental changes.

“At the core of the platform is an advanced AI-adaptive ANC system designed for consistent, real-world performance, not just ideal conditions,” added Grace Bramwell, Qualcomm PR. “The system continuously responds to changes in fit, movement, and environmental noise, maintaining reliable noise cancellation without the need for manual adjustment.

“Powered by flexible, programmable processing and up to 2x greater AI capability than the previous generation, Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 can intelligently steer ANC filters in real time, optimizing noise reduction across different acoustic conditions and device types. This enables stronger performance in challenging scenarios, including low-frequency noise, dynamic environments, and open-ear designs, while giving OEMs greater flexibility across a wide range of form factors.”

In other words, the Sound Elite Gen 2 could make your next earbuds or headphones better at automatically switching between ANC and transparency modes, and deliver improved audio quality in both states (“stronger performance with low-frequency noise,” for instance, might mean upcoming earbuds can more effectively drown out the mechanical hum of your fridge or the drone of a passing truck).

It’s worth noting that Qualcomm itself is not a consumer product manufacturer. It licenses its audio technologies to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) such as Bose and Bowers & Wilkins, so it will be up to those brands to take up and implement the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform in a way that fulfills the potential Qualcomm is describing here.

Welcome to the age of in-ear assistance

Of course, Qualcomm’s plans for the future of audio are bigger than improved ANC. AI-powered audible assistance is the hottest topic in town right now, and apparently, consumers are as keen on the thought of AI-powered assistance as Silicon Valley investors:

“Our research tells us that up to 70% of users want advanced AI capabilities in their wearable devices,” says Ziad Asghar, Qualcomm’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of XR, Wearables, and Personal AI. “As AI becomes a core capability, users will increasingly expect more natural ways to interact with it.

“Those interactions won't always happen through a screen. They will happen through natural conversations, where users can simply speak to an AI assistant and receive help in real time. With Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, we're heralding intelligent audio wearables that enable experiences such as real-time translation, contextual assistance, personalized hearing, and multimodal interactions that combine audio, vision, and AI."

No current wearables effectively combine those three elements (except perhaps smart glasses, but have you ever tried listening to your favorite album on a pair of Meta Ray-Bans? Don’t. Ever). That’s why OEMs are developing camera-equipped earbuds — they’re truly hands-free and, crucially, more socially acceptable (visually speaking) than Austin Powers-style specs.

But if, as a society, we haven’t yet cracked the social code on smart glasses (and as our deep-dive on the so-called great privacy revolt reveals, we most definitely haven’t), are camera-equipped earbuds something we’re ready for? Qualcomm is cautiously optimistic.

“The privacy concern is not new,” Asghar explained to TechRadar in a roundtable at Snapdragon Summit. “We at Qualcomm and Snapdragon have been managing it for a long time in multiple different areas. And our concept is very clear: we want to be able to give the consumer the ability to choose how much information they want to share.

“For instance, we can obfuscate faces. We have the capability on our chipsets to detect a face very easily — not recognize a face, but detect a face. To do multi-modality, I don’t need to send a face for AI processing; I need to be able to send the context [of my environment]. For that, I can detect the face and cover it up. That technology is something we have integrated into our products and that we’re sharing with our partners.

“Another thing we’ve been driving is on-device AI. As you do more processing on the device, you basically take away the concern of that image leaving the device [...] We are targeting this problem at every different level. Of course, we enable our customers and partners [to use these tools], and with the pressure and concern that’s coming through, we will of course work with them.

“I also want to say something,” Asghar added. “Today, you carry a device with multiple cameras on it: it’s called a phone. I was talking to a group of students in San Diego, and this [privacy] issue is not top of their mind. Different age groups are thinking about it in different ways. Younger people are so used to blogging and vlogging. I think some of the concern, in my opinion, is just because this is a new form factor. But we want to provide all the tools [to manufacturers] such that consumers feel comfortable.”

Again, it will be up to brands such as Bose and Bowers & Wilkins to implement the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform in an effective and ethical way, but it's clear that Qualcomm is aware of the increasingly negative public sentiment around camera-equipped wearables.

If, however, these OEMs can convince consumers that on-device processing really is as private as Qualcomm claims, perhaps the age of Minority Report-style glasses and earbuds will arrive sooner than we thought.

For a long time, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds took pride of place as the 'best premium open earbuds' in our round-up of the absolute best open earbuds. Even if the Shokz OpenDots 2 hadn't stolen that spot recently, it's likely a new competitor would have — this category is growing like you wouldn't believe.

And Bose is back too, with upgraded flagship open earbuds called, as you might have guessed, the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen), which bring some refinements over the first-gen clip-style buds. They're set to sell from October 1, for £299.95 (about $400, AU$600, but we're waiting on international pricing).

This offering doesn't come alone. Likely taking inspiration from rival Shokz and the OpenDots Air, Bose has unveiled a cheaper alternative and called it the Sport Open Earbuds. These buds cut some of the features, use a different design, and will start selling on October 15, for £179.95 (roughly $240, AU$360). That makes them Bose's first affordable open earbuds.

Naturally, we'll be grabbing these buds as soon as possible to see how well they work, so prepare for reviews in the near future. Perhaps Bose will claw its ranking spots back from Shokz sooner than expected...

Lay me down on a bed of Boses

Let's start by looking at the sequel set: the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen). These mostly retain the angular look of the originals, but with a slightly revised look for a better hold, and a charging case that's easier to open and close (and has little feet so it can stay upright).

Under the hood, there have been a number of small refinements like a higher volume, extended battery life and improved bass response. They also feature Bose's TrueSpatial audio, improving on Bose Immersive Audio, to provide better spatial audio while you're exercising.

Like the previous Ultras, these are a premium product, and I see most people skipping them for the price tag alone. That's where the other buds come in.

The Bose Sport Open Earbuds ditch the angular look of the Ultras, for a more standard curvy clip-style design. That is to say, despite being new, I've been seeing these puppies for years.

Bose hasn't detailed the audio specs of these buds — it rarely does for its headphones, frustratingly for coverage — but reading between the lines, the Sport Open won't have quite the same bass response as the Ultras. I'm sure they won't sound bad, but you're not getting Ultra sound.

I'm pleased to see that the Sport Open have an IP54 rating, which makes them better-protected than the IPX4 Ultras, even if their battery life is slightly worse at 7 hours. However most features, specifically Bose ones, are likely missing here. There's no mention of TrueSpatial Audio, for example.

With the Bose Sport Open Earbuds, you'll likely miss some of the fancy tools of the Ultra. But just as in the Shokz rivals mentioned before, many users might not mind, if they're getting a more affordable product for it. I see the Sport Open being the more popular of the two here.

A note, before you get too excited for the new buds. While researching this article, I noticed that the original Bose Ultra are enjoying quite a solid discount in the US, perhaps to clear stock. You can get them for just $200 at Amazon, which is a $100 saving, effectively making them a better pair of 'budget' buds than the Sport Open. Just food for thought.

I’ve said Apple could be the only company capable of releasing camera glasses without major backlash thanks to privacy-first approach, celebrated its approach to AI as possibly genius if the bubble does pop, and most recently said the iPhone Duo looks great and that the visible crease in some shots should be ignored — as if it’s like the Z Fold 8 Ultra you’ll never see it while you’re using it.

But in our most recent episode, I saw something that I couldn’t believe in the new AirPods 5 specs. I had to actually message our Audio Editor because I thought I must be wrong.

How are on-bud volume controls only now coming to AirPods? And how are they reserved for the pricier model?

Take back (volume) control

I brought this up in the podcast, but my Apple-wielding colleagues — Axel Metz and Matt Evans — argued the feature isn’t that useful anyway. Those with Pro-level AirPods that boast volume controls noted that they rarely use them

Folks, that’s beside the point.

Volume controls are one of the most basic earbuds functions. Take a minute to scroll through Amazon, and you can find dozens of wireless earbuds under $20 that offer volume controls. This shouldn’t be something reserved for the fifth generation of a premium earbuds brand like AirPods. It’s absurd!

Oh, and I think volume controls on the buds are useful, for what it’s worth. If I’ve set my phone up to watch a YouTube video and the volume spikes, I want to be able to quickly swipe down without reaching over; or I might want to change the volume of my workout tunes mid-session without pulling my phone out and risking getting distracted.

Sure, it’s not a game changer, but as I said already, it’s a basic feature we should expect. It would be like if your iPhone didn’t have an email app — there are ways around it, but why cut off the root of the problem?

What really grinds my gears, however, is that volume controls still aren’t truly standard. If you get the base $129 / £119 / AU$219 AirPods, you’ll be out of luck — you need to pay extra for the $149 / £139 / AU$249 model with a wireless charging case.

This isn’t anywhere near as egregious as those ridiculously expensive Mac Pro wheels from early 2020 — back when we could worry about such trivialities in the ‘before times’ — but it feels like a remnant of Apple’s arrogance, and the quality that has put me off the company’s tech for all these years.

People can get the earbuds they want, and I’m sure the AirPods 5 will be just as solid as the previous generation. But when there are so many excellent audio options out there, my philosophy is to get a pair that respects you, offers genuine value for money, and won’t nickel-and-dime you for features that should have been added back in the first-generation model — not as an upcharge on the fifth-generation iteration.

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If you didn't think ultra-portable hi-fi tech like the iFi Go Link 2 was small enough, then the British audio company's newest release in its lightweight Go series might be enough to placate you.

iFi has just unveiled its new Go Cable: a DAC and headphone jack which is literally built into an audio cable for in-ear monitors. It's available to pre-order for just $79 / £79 (about AU$160), ahead of a September 21 release.

The wire connects from a USB-C port in one end, through the DAC and headphone amp, to two 0.78mm 2-pin connectors for your favorite in-ear IEMs, though you'll have to provide those yourself. Basically, in combination, they're an active affordable audiophile alternative to the best wired earbuds with more customization.

Naturally, you might think that the iFi Go Cable could be designed for smartphones or laptops, but the brand also describes them as suitable for gaming, such as on the Switch 2. It supports microphone functionality too, so you can plug it into your controller or handheld to enjoy voice calls.

Making portable audio a little easier

Specs-wise, the Go Cable seems quite similar to the aforementioned Go Link 2. It supports 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, and outputs power at 70mW at 32 ohms. Its selling point isn't in the specs; nor is it in the on-cable microphone, playback and volume controls, though they're a neat touch.

No. The benefit is that unlike the Go Link 2, it's an all-in-one solution. The best headphone DAC/amp combos for portable devices generally require an entire set of headphones or earbuds to be separately plugged in. You have to bring your source device, your DAC/amp device and your headphones.

By acting as those latter two gadgets all in one, the Go Cable makes on-the-go hi-fi audio a little easier to achieve. That's fewer things to remember on a trip, fewer items to pack into your bag while going through airport security.

Many of iFi's technologies are used in the Go Cable. THD Compensation reduces distortion, while the ESS Sabre DAC chip provides dynamic range enhancement to improve sound by up to 6dB.

As mentioned before, you'll need to provide your own IEMs to enjoy the Go Cable, so it's not for everyone. However the brand is also selling a starter kit, which throws in a pair of AIRO Astra buds, for only $20 / £20 (about AU$40) more.

That means you're getting them for about half the price they usually cost, and then you've got plenty of time to mull on whether to get something more premium in the future — and you can just swap them onto the same cable.

For a few months earlier in 2026, it really sounded like Samsung's debut clip-style earbuds were set to debut; even the Galaxy Wearable app leaked the Galaxy Buds Able. There's been silence for a few months… but it's starting to sound like the buds are still coming, albeit with a different name.

A new report from Samsung fan site SammyGuru has surfaced new information about the buds, now called the Galaxy Buds On, apparently. The site claims to have found information in Samsung's Buds Manager app that gives us another glimpse into the earbuds and their features.

Now, before you get excited for this new audio venture by Samsung, it's worth bearing in mind that the old question still stands: when will these come out? Some leaks are pointing to an October release for some new Samsung tablets, so the Buds On could come then.

But it's also possible that the brand will wait until 2027, when it's also rumored that we'll see some over-ear headphones from the company.

So under 'release date' we're putting an all-caps 'TBC', underlined several times in red pen. But the leak makes it sound like Samsung is finalizing some assets on the buds.

A range of Galaxy Buds 4 features

At the start of 2026, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (shown at the top of the post) and one of the big new features was head-tracking control. This lets you nod or shake your head to reject or accept an incoming call, among other functions, and it sounds like the Galaxy Buds On will also get this tool.

SammyGuru's leak also details a Volume Boost feature, which could be how Samsung plans to deal with the innate open earbud problem: having the drivers away from your earbud means the buds don't always sound great.

Another tool promises a second way to address the same problem: an Auto Volume feature could temporarily increase volume while you're somewhere loud, to compensate for the lack of noise cancellation.

Of course it's 2026, so there's also AI features: Gemini or Bixby can be activated by your saying a key phrase or tapping the buds. A potentially more-useful function is the ability to instantly record a voice memo by doing a certain touch gesture, something some rival earbuds already offer.

To summarize this leak, it reiterates the existence of the buds and runs through some features. But I've tested dozens of similar buds: the best open-ears live and die by their design, and the ways they overcome the form factor's innate issues to deliver decent-sounding music. So features aren't as important as the elements we've yet to hear about.

There's a version of this Soundpeats Pop Clip2 that you'll never read. After several weeks with the Soundpeats Clip1's cheaper successor, I was half-way through writing a five-star review which declared them the best open earbuds you could buy. That version is, as you can already tell, not this version of the review.

You see, the longer I used the Soundpeats Pop Clip2, the more I had to contend with some annoying issues; the kind of problem which often emerge after months or years of use, especially in cheaper tech, but shouldn't be affecting the buds after just a few weeks.

For example, I had an issue with the charging case, where it wouldn't reliably power up the buds. Sometimes I'd take them out, only to find them drained. My biggest problem, though, was with connectivity: they'd often fail to connect to my phone, or repeatedly drop out while I was running. A few times, when I needed some buds for a cycle or run, I'd just use the recently-reviewed Baseus Bowie MC2 rather than try and fight with the Pop Clip 2.

It's a shame, because aside from these common cheap-bud problems, the Soundpeats Pop Clip 2 are genuinely fantastic earbuds. Or is it the Soundpeats UU2? Depending on where you live, they're called one or the other, but in many countries the brand is using both names. Confusing. I’m going to be using the former name, because it simply makes more sense.

The Soundpeats Pop Clip2 have to be some of the best-sounding clip-style earbuds I’ve heard: they have a nice simple V-shaped sound, offering bass with ‘oomph’ but tone, and clear crisp treble. They don’t re-invent the wheel, but nimbly avoid all the issues that come with audio in buds of this form factor.

They tick loads of other boxes too: they last longer than most rivals, fit really well, and offer a solid list of features like spatial audio, sound leak prevention and water drainage.

Perhaps most importantly, Soundpeats has defied our price-hike current state of living by dropping the price of the Pop Clip2 (compared to the predecessor). And not by a few pennies either: $20 in the US, £15 in the UK, $9.99 in Australia (okay, that one’s not a dramatic drop). The brand already had some of the best value open-ears on the market, and it’s really pressing its advantage here.

But because of the connection problems, they're a write-off, right? Uh, I'm not so sure. These problems were persistent, but not consistent. I frequently went for hours without a connection drop or problem, and found ways to cater for some of the quirks. As I write this mini-review, I've been seated at my desk and listening for three hours straight, without any problem. But I know if I went outdoors, they'd be less reliable.

I wish I could recommend the Soundpeats whole-heartedly, and the issues make that impossible. But it's possible that your mileage will vary, or that the brand will fix some of the connection issues through software patches.

Soundpeats Pop Clip2 review: Price and release date

• Launched in August 2026
• Sells for $49.99 / £59.99 / AU$70
• Cheaper than predecessors and other rivals

The Soundpeats Pop Clip2 were unveiled on August 10, 2026, just nine months after the unveiling of their predecessors, the Soundpeats Clip1. That’s not a long time to wait for them to… pop out.

At launch, the buds were tapped for a $49.99 / £59.99 / AU$70 asking price, which is cheaper than the $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$79.99 asking price of the last model. But just two weeks after release, I’m finding them available for £36 in the UK, so they may be even cheaper than reported. Let me be clear: this is rock-bottom prices territory from a trusted brand.

OK, they’re not technically the cheapest open earbuds around — there are options in the backrooms of Amazon and AliExpress that are much cheaper — but they’re the cheapest from a known, respected name in audio (notwithstanding sales on Soundcore, Baseus and Earfun products, which see them dip below Soundpeats’ cost).

The thing is, value only comes into effect if the performance is worth even the nominal outlay you'll have to part with to own them. So let's dig into that.

Soundpeats Pop Clip2 review: Specs

Soundpeats Pop Clip2 review: Features

• Solid 10h/42h battery life
• App offers loads of features
• Connectivity problems plague experience

The Soundpeats Pop Clip2 offer a 10-hour battery life per bud, and in testing they lasted that long regularly. According to the brand, the case offers a total of up to 42 hours. Both of those sums are a little above average, and I'd say they're enough for most uses.

There's no ANC here, but the Soundpeats app offers basically every other feature under the sun. There's spatial audio, find my earbuds, a low-latency gaming mode, a privacy mode to reduce sound leakage, a drainage function to shake water droplets out if the buds get wet, a dynamic EQ tool which adjusts your sound on the fly, and of course an equalizer.

This latter lets you choose between a range of presets based on genre, though it turns off dynamic EQ and spatial audio. There's an adaptive and custom mode too, but for some reason, you can only use these if you create a free Soundpeats account. Locking an essential tool unless someone hands you their email? Thumbs down from me.

In the Soundpeats app, you can also toggle LDAC and set up multi-point connection, as well as change what the gesture controls do.

Now, it's time to get to the elephant in the room, the one I mentioned in the review introduction. I had a bad time with the Soundpeats Pop Clip2's connectivity (or lack thereof).

Frequently, I'd remove the buds from the case, only for one to fail to connect. I never figured out a solution to this issue, though sometimes holding the 'on' button kicked it into gear, and it often prompted me to just pick up a rival pair of buds which actually connected.

Even when the Clip2 did connect, I'd sometimes have to contend with drop outs or a stuttery connection, particularly on whichever of the buds was furthest from the phone. And I wasn't using the buds at the extreme of their connection range; my phone could literally be in one hand, and the bud on the other side of my face would keep dropping out.

So, despite the use of Bluetooth 6.0 (and, of course, my attempts to fix the problem by changing phones and updating the firmware), connection is a real issue here. Depending on the root cause, it could be fixable with a software patch, but it might be an intrinsic problem with the buds.

• Features score: 3.5/5

Soundpeats Pop Clip2 review: Design

• Few differences from predecessor
• Case is small, but with problems
• Earbuds fit reliably and comfortably

The big Soundpeats Pop Clip2 difference from its predecessor is the case, which is smaller and more convenient to tote around. It's a small pebble, weighing 47.7g, which fits in a pocket with no problem.

There is a problem, but it's inside. Like in some other cheap earbuds I've tested, the charging pins in the Clip2 case can often get stuck down. These are those shiny needles which touch the connectors on an earbud, in order to power it up while it's in the case, depressing as they do. In some cases, they can fail to spring back up, sometimes stopping working entirely.

I often managed to free the charging pins by pressing them down and wiggling, but often I only knew to do this when a bud had failed to charge. That is to say, there's a manual solution, but I would've preferred earbuds that just worked.

Charging issues aside, the buds work great, which is no surprise given that they're almost identical from the wonderful previous-generation Clips. they're light, at roughly 5g per unit, and you can easily forget you're wearing them.

The fit is solid, and I never found any issues with them shaking or falling out of place while I was on a run. When it comes to the Pop Clip2's actual earpieces, I have no notes.

This extends to the on-bud controls. Instead of relying on a large and vague tap control, Soundpeats has placed a physical button on each bud, which is easiest to press by pinching the body of the device. This is easy to trigger, even when you're active, and a satisfying 'click' lets you know your gesture has been accepted.

A note to buyers: head to the app and customize what single, double-, triple-tap and long-held functions do. I didn't love the default options, but luckily it's easy to change.

• Design score: 4/5

Soundpeats Pop Clip2 review: Sound quality

• These are the best open earbuds I've heard
• Lovely balanced sound with plenty of customization
• 12mm drivers, LDAC and Hi-Res Audio Wireless

Several open earbuds makers have experimented with different multi-driver set-ups in order to solve the core problem with the form factor – getting good sound is incredibly tricky when the bud is far from your ear – and yet somehow Soundpeats has made the biggest leaps with a single driver.

Put simply, the Pop Clip 2 are the best-sounding open earbuds I’ve used to date, a compliment that’s a little limited in its reach but no less earnest for it. Each bud has a 12mm dual-magnetic driver, which according to Soundpeats has been tuned for “deep bass”, and seems on paper at least to match the Clip1’s driver. In practice, though, it performs a lot better.

By default, the earbuds have a fairly neutral sound profile, not favoring bass, mids or treble too heavily, and that’s pretty rare for exercise buds. In Handle With Care by Traveling Wilburys, I was surprised to hear the various rhythmic and harmonic instruments alongside the vocals and bass, and in Cinnamon by The Long Winters, it was easy to pick out the various simultaneous guitar lines which, in worse earbuds, blur together.

Despite this neutral focus, treble and bass are both handled well: the latter is bright, clear and crisp, the latter well-defined and energetic. And, thankfully, my Clip1 gripe about the max volume being too low has been fixed.

The buds’ sound can be pulled six ways from Sunday if you’ll let them too. In the dynamic mode, the bass and treble were boosted for a lovely V-shaped audio which gave Two Door Cinema Club’s Sleep Alone a lovely, bouncing energy.

Contributing to the sound is the Bluetooth codec support which Soundpeats has added — at least the connection works in one way. The buds support LDAC, and are certified for Hi-Res Audio Wireless, which isn’t something you can say about every set of open earbuds.

Of course, much of your enjoyment will depend on how you listen. No matter how good open-ears sound in the comfort of your home, the sound quality will plummet when you step outdoors into the busy word. But that’s the nature of the beast with these buds, and the dynamic equalizer went further than most in balancing for these issues.

• Sound quality: 5/5

Soundpeats Pop Clip2 review: Value

• Should be top-value earbuds
• Unfortunately, longevity isn't guaranteed

The Soundpeats Pop Clip2 sound fantastic and offer a solid range of features, despite being some of the cheapest open earbuds worth buying. They should be five-star buys.

Unfortunately, that appraisal would be forgetting the connection and case issues, two problems which sadly aren't uncommon in low-cost earbuds.

With that in mind, you're basically getting what you pay for, matching the promise of other same-price rivals: these are buds which work very well, but may stop working well before their time.

• Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Soundpeats Pop Clip2?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Soundpeats Pop Clip2 review: Also consider

Looking for other affordable clip-style earbuds? Here are a few we've tested and would recommend.

How I tested the Soundpeats Pop Clip2

• Tested for roughly four weeks
• Paired with two different Android phones for music, podcasts, movies and games
• Used on runs, at gym, at desk and during travels

To write this full review, I used the Soundpeats Pop Clip2 for the best part of one month. In that time, I used it paired to two different Android smartphones: the Fairphone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.

To test the earbuds, I used them for various fitness activities including walks, runs, cycles and trips to the gym. I also used them while working at my desk, on the train and on a flight. Mostly, my listening was done on Spotify, but I also used Tidal and several video streaming services, played games and conducted calls with them.

I've been reviewing for TechRadar since early 2019, and over the last few years, that's included plenty of open earbuds, including the stablemates of the product here, the Soundpeats Clip1. I've also used various other Soundpeats headphones and earbuds.

• First reviewed in September 2026

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Few audio brands have made as much noise on social media as Heavys. In the best headphones arena, the company made heavy music (sound)waves with its Heavys H1H headphones, a couple of years ago, and now it has attempted to translate that sound to the wireless earbuds format.

And largely, the H1E True Wireless Earbuds achieve the low-end sound and punchy prominence needed for a specialised listening experience within this music genre, although sadly, it makes them a poor choice for listening to any other kind of music.

Carrying an MSRP of $209 / £185 / AU$321, the Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds are far from the cheapest set of in-ears around, although we have seen them discounted to $169 in the US and down to £150 in the UK recently. They're priced to rival mid-range heavy-hitters such as the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 (and arguably even the flagship, hugely popular Apple AirPods Pro 3) rather than the truly elite end of the spectrum — think Technics EAH-AZ100 or Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.

But where those brands aim to provide a broader, more general listening experience, the H1Es are more specialist; instead of an everyday pair, these earbuds are more situational. You're spending around the $200 / £200 / AU$300 range for something that's purpose-built, for better or worse.

In the words of Gojira: Born for one thing. And listening to heavy metal music does sound solid through the Heavys H1E earbuds for the most part, with the vast majority of sub-genres within this spectrum accurately represented. What's particularly noticeable is just how good the dynamic drivers can be. The company promises a "concert-like experience," and even with what are (presumably) 10-14mm drivers (the size hasn't been publicly disclosed), under the right conditions, this has been delivered.

I can praise the Heavy's H1E earbuds' build quality too. A tactile case which can be customized with shells is neat, but the real advantage here is the multiple silicon and memory foam ear tips provided, which make them genuinely really comfortable over time. There's a wealth of sizes available, so you can find the right fit.

This helps to elevate the H1E's otherwise decidedly middling user experience though: a so-so seven hours of playback (24 hours from the case), and some of the most mediocre active noise-cancelling I've seen from earbuds at this price point.

A similar frustration can be levied at the connectivity options of the Heavys H1E earbuds. Low-latency Bluetooth 5.4 multi-connectivity is great when it works, but it doesn't always work. Countless times in my months with the earbuds, I was caught in a loop: the earbuds 'forgot' my phone, forcing me to re-pair and even to re-connect between charges as they don't seem to be intelligent enough to remember my Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. That's to say nothing of times when only one earbud would work, with the other refusing to connect, which meant restarting the whole process over again. To be clear, this is something I've never experienced with any other earbuds or headphones.

The Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds are niche and not without issues, but the listening experience ultimately helps them stand out from the crowd. If you're someone who exclusively listens to heavy metal music, then they could be of value. As a metal musician myself, and someone who has seen thousands of metal bands play live over the last 15 years, I found them to be worthwhile, even if they won't rival what the best wireless earbuds and best earbuds overall can do outside of their specialism. Continue reading my full Heavys H1E review further down the page to find out why.

Heavys H1E review: Price & release date

• Officially unveiled on September 22, 2025, via social media
• Available now, shipping worldwide for $209 / £185 / AU$321

After being revealed on social media late last year, with pre-orders being fulfilled throughout early 2026, you can now get your hands on the Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds for $209 / £185 / AU$321, depending on your region. With that said, it isn't uncommon for these wireless earbuds to be available at a reduced rate through the deals the company runs on its store page, knocking anywhere from 10-20% off, depending on the season. Keep an eye out for the green banner around a peak sales time, and you could save some cash.

The price tag positions the Heavys H1E earbuds against the mid-range and higher-end competition. Chiefly, that means more well-known consumer models such as the aforementioned Galaxy Buds4 and the Apple AirPods Pro lineup. It also means a comparable price tag to "enthusiast" class earbuds, as can be seen from the Technics AZ100, and the Noble Audio Osprey. Both of these earbuds (and many more) hover around the $200 / £200 / AU$300 mark, so it's a fairly crowded space. For the audio performance on display, they're priced a little high. More on that further down the page, though.

Heavys H1E review: Specs

Heavys H1E review: Design & features

• "Hellblocker" ANC
• Dual microphone setup
• Excellent range of comfortable, changable tips for comfortable use

The Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds excel from a design perspective. They're made of a matte molded plastic which feels both premium and incredibly durable; there's IPX5 water and sweat resistance, meaning they can handle a splash of liquid as well. What impresses me most are the multi-sized ear tips that are shipped in the box, as you get a variety of sizes in different materials: memory foam and silicon, for a comfortable fit to suit most (if not all) ear sizes.

I'm someone who struggles with earbuds for long stretches of time, having previously ditched the likes of the Razer Hammerheads because they were too uncomfortable for long periods of use. Having multiple ear tips in various sizes meant I could find the fit that was right for me; whether I was out walking my Belgian Malinois, on a plane, commuting via train, or just working in the house. Once I found the right fit for me, I was away. Hours would go by, and I'd forget I was even wearing them; that's good ergonomic design right there.

A key design element present in the H1H headphones has been applied to the H1E earbuds too. However, instead of interchangeable ear cup shells, decorated to represent your favorite bands, the customization options apply to the case. There's a fair amount of official designs available, including Currents, Testament, Carnifex, Dream Theater, Opeth, and Whitelabel. Additionally, there are some original designs, including profanity-laden options or purple smoke to add a splash of color and personality. The case itself charges via USB-C and takes around two hours to juice up to full, giving you around 24 hours of total use, or around three full recharges of the earbuds' playback time. It's OK rather than great, as those numbers go.

Also so-so in the world of wireless earbuds in 2026 is Heavys' claim of up to seven hours of playback from the H1E earbuds, although your mileage may vary depending on your reliance on that "Hellblocker" ANC, as well as how you dial your EQ settings.

I've used dozens of wireless earbuds and headphones that feature great ANC over the years, and Heavys' Hellblocker solution just isn't it. The feature was also present on the H1H headphones with a dedicated switch to enable it, and worked well enough thanks (almost certainly) to the far larger drivers and mic array on the large ear cups. However, given the small size of the H1E earbuds, any real noise cancellation is pretty poor.

I tend to go out and walk my dog with the H1Es in, and even after hearing the gruff man on voice prompts announce "Hellblocker activated", I was still hearing other dogs barking, passing cars, wind noise, and all other background noise that should have been filtered out. All it really did was make the audio quality a little more muffled.

A good companion application can really elevate a pair of wireless earphones, giving you smart and reactive EQ options, helping you get the best listening experience possible. We've seen this before with Bowers & Wilkins' excellent Music App, to support its lineup of earbuds.

Unfortunately, the official Heavys app is nowhere near as good. Aside from updating the firmware, all it gives you is a basic EQ settings slider, and you're better off leaving it at the default, as it's hard to gear it towards one genre or another. My partner also experienced issues with having the H1Es connect to her Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra via the app, as it wasn't as user-intuitive as you would hope for from earbuds released in 2026.

• Design & Features score: 3.5 / 5

Heavys H1E review: Sound quality

• Prominent bass and good overall low-end presence
• Depending on the mixing, you get decent mids
• 'Hellblocker' ANC changes the listening experience for the worse

The Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds are good for metal music most of the time. It's situational and circumstantial, though. As touched upon above, they can sound incredible for metal music, with the major caveat being the trappings of the genre itself. Metal is the most diverse genre of music on the planet, separated into dozens of sub-genres with niches within them. For example, if we look at black metal, you have your classic first and second waves (Venom and Celtic Frost to Mayhem and Emperor) to the likes of atmospheric black, black/death, symphonic black, melodic black, black 'n roll, blackgaze, and the list goes on.

There's no true way to be geared towards all metal music, just as you can't fine-tune an EQ between bands within the same sub-genre of a sub-genre. It can get as granular as different audio balancing for the likes of Archgoat, Belphegor, Behexen, and Behemoth, and that's just scratching the surface. In blanket terms, the Heavy H1E earbuds excel with anything forcing the low-end, particularly with sub-genres such as death metal, grindcore, deathcore, and anything that benefits most from a down-tuned guitar, five-string bass, and percussion cutting through the mix.

In my months with the Heavys H1Es, I've listened to hundreds of metal records, and the best listening experiences I can recall most come from streaming Vomitory, Batushka, Blood Red Throne, Korpse, Vulvodynia, Death, Conan, Kanonenfieber, Mgła, and Imperial Triumphant. The drivers are incredibly punchy, differentiating harsh vocals against bass and lower-tuned guitars, or guitars tuned to E standard that are soaked in distortion; there's good distinction, with no muddiness or fizziness that we see when heavier music genres are played from more general earbuds.

Other metal sub-genres don't really benefit from the low-end tuning of the audio drivers though. I'm nearly 30, and nowadays just as likely to put on some Black Sabbath, Clutch, or Green Lung as anything recorded from the frostbitten valleys of Scandinavia, and it's when listening to clean-sung vocals, or any metal music with more traditional production that the H1Es feel just... okay. Solstafir, Zeal & Ardor, Katatonia, Candlemass, Sleep, Metallica, Slayer, and Acid Bath sounded fine, but the listening experience was about on par with just about any (cheaper) wireless earbuds I've used over the last 10 years.

I really would recommend listening to music without the Hellblocker ANC active, as enabling it via touch controls can drastically impact the overall listening quality. Depending on the mix, things can go from a little muffled to quite tinny. It's not a unique complaint against the H1E earbuds, as ANC can do that, but it's particularly disappointing when the passive noise isolation doesn't filter the outside world out, and you end up having worse-sounding music when trying to fix it. It's not sophisticated enough to do its job, and it really just annoyed me rather than being all too useful.

• Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

Heavys H1E review: Value

• Expensive for what they are
• Poor overall ANC when compared to the competition
• Stellar situationally, for certain genres of metal music

I've been critical of the Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds in this review. Considering the fact that I enjoy using the H1H over-ear headphones so much, I was expecting more of that sound quality and feature set to be carried over, but it hasn't translated as smoothly as I expected.

For the asking price of $209 / £185 / AU$321, there's no getting around the fact that you can get a far superior listening experience from a competitor. USP aside, unless you're really into death metal (or its offshoots), the cons may outweigh the pros here.

The Heavys H1Es are well-designed and comfortable for extended periods of time, and the case is well-made and holds a respectable charge, allowing for 24 hours of total use.

However, the ANC is poor, the Bluetooth connectivity can be spotty, the companion app is mediocre, and they're priced a little too high for what is (essentially) a marketing ploy. Under the right set of circumstances, these earbuds can be exceptional, but with a higher mid-market asking price and stiff competition, they're a hard sell in 2026.

• Value score: 3 / 5

Should I buy the Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Heavys H1E review: Also consider

How I tested the Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds

• Tested for a period of three months while comparing them to other wireless earbuds, headphones, and gaming headsets around my office.
• Primarily used when outside walking my dog, commuting via plane or train, and running errands.
• Throughout my listening experience, I mostly used Apple Music's Loseless tracks, Spotify, Bandcamp, and YouTube Music depending on the artist's availability.

I've been using the Heavys H1E True Wireless Earbuds over the last few months when I've been out and about, heading somewhere for work, walking the dog, or doing chores. They've lived in the case in the pocket of my jacket or my shoulder bag, and were actively used during commuting. For testing purposes, I did actively switch between them and the Heavys H1H over-ear headphones to compare sound quality and features.

Most of my time using the Heavys H1Es was spent with the earbuds connected to my iPhone 15 Pro Max. Although I did try them out on several occasions with my partner's Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, as well as my MacBook Air M1 (2020), to gauge how well the Bluetooth connection would be.

I am a metal musician (guitarist and vocalist) who has been recording and playing music for over 10 years. I have mixed and mastered many different metal albums, and have seen literally thousands of metal bands play live over the years at gigs and metal festivals, such as Damnation, Incineration, Bloodstock, Snuff Fest, Download, Brutal Assault, and countless others.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed September 2026.

Apple’s non-Pro series of earbuds are once again available in two flavours, with a few, admittedly useful, features separating the two. Perhaps the biggest shock, however, is that both the AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (that name will eventually become annoying to type out) cost less than the previous AirPods 4 with ANC.

The two-year-old model launched at AU$299. The new AirPods 5 models can be yours for AU$219 and AU$249. Given the fact that Apple has been no stranger to price hikes in recent times, it’s quite remarkable that the popular AirPods got a price cut.

More impressive still, both models introduce notable upgrades over their predecessors. Apple is claiming industry-leading ANC for an open-ear design, alongside a richer, more detailed sound, with support for Personalised Spatial Audio. Apple also claims they’re more durable than before, and you also gain access to Live Translation (previously a Pro-only feature), Adaptive EQ and up to five hours of playtime with ANC on.

The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case not only get a wireless charging case (shock) but also on-stem volume control. Take it from me as an AirPods Pro 3 user, this feature alone is worth its weight in gold — it’s so intuitive to use!

The Apple AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (yep, still annoying to type) will be available from September 18, and you can preorder them today from the following retailers. Amazon would be my top choice, as you can save a couple of dollars on RRP.

AirPods 5 deals in Australia

• Amazon: preorder for AU$217
• The Good Guys: preorder for AU$219
• JB Hi-Fi: preorder for AU$219
• Apple: preorder for AU$219 with free engraving

AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case deals in Australia

• Amazon: preorder for AU$247
• The Good Guys: preorder for AU$249
• JB Hi-Fi: preorder for AU$249
• Apple: preorder for AU$249 with free engraving

While the pricing of the AirPods 5 is commendable, I also have to bring your attention to the AirPods Pro 3, which are available for AU$347 at the time of writing at Amazon.

If you watched our Apple event coverage, you'll know that Apple's decided to double up on its non-Pro AirPods rollout as it did before, and each model within the new AirPods 5 duo features ANC, whether you really felt you wanted it or not.

And Apple definitely wants you to want it, because along with an "all-new multiport acoustic architecture" in this open-fit style, the company claims the new onboard ANC will remove up to 50% more external noise compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.

One of the key upgrades here is Live Translation inclusion in both sets (previously the sole preserve of the Pro lineup) as well as Personalised Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ. And the new battery now offers up to 20 hours in total with ANC (up to five hours from the buds themselves, which is an hour more than their older siblings, or four with ANC) or up to 22 hours if listening without ANC.

True, it's still not great in the stamina stakes. But this really is Apple's entry-level AirPods offering and for some, cash (not battery life) is king.

Also, it's worth pointing out while Live Translation and Adaptive EQ is here, there are none of those rumored cameras, low-res or otherwise — even in the top-tier option. We didn't expect them 'til 2027 and it turns out we were right to stick to that.

Although Audio Intelligence and Siri Recap did launch at the event, these are software upgrades meant to help enhance what you hear (and in some cases, transcribe it, although the promise is that Apple will neither record, nor store said information). Anyway, no, Apple eyes in your ears are still a way off yet.

It's been nearly two years since AirPods 5's predecessors launched (where does the time go?) but the original AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation were priced at $179 / £179 / AU$299 when they landed on September 20, 2024. And no such pricing exists now. That's right, both models are cheaper.

The company knows that change isn't always good when it comes to the delicate topic of coin, so it hasn't troubled us with new figures in the standard set, which will sell for the original basic model's $129 / £129 / AU$219 asking fee.

And the step-up model? That will cost $149 / £149 / AU$249, so less than the original AirPods 4 with ANC.

Apple's 'pay for what you want (and enjoy what you buy)' is refreshing

OK, no cameras, no hearing health suite and of course no heart-rate monitoring, but you have to hand it to Apple. It's like someone at an Apple Park board meeting stood up and said, "Why don't we just let fans of AirPods pick their perks?" You love to see it.

Want on-volume stem swiping? It has been added it to the step-up model! A case that supports wireless charging? That's also in the $20 / £20 / AU$30 more expensive option. In isolation these upgrades don't feel too significant, but for me these choices are bang on — every little win adds a little value, no?

I'd plump for the set with the on-volume stems for sure. I know that for me, this is a perk worth paying for, and it's the first time Apple's added it to its open-fit earbuds design. For clarity, this design sits in your concha (or ear well) and does not require the ear-tips of the AirPods Pro lineup to create a secure seal within your ear canal.

I've lost count of the number of times I've knocked cheap earbuds — and even pricier ones — for making me dig out my phone when I need to lower the volume, and for me this is a key perk. Thanks, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging!

This left me (and probably a lot of other people) fearing the worst about the prices of the new stuff coming at Apple's September 2026 event.

But as we watched new products being announced that were the same price, or actually better value, than their predecessors, I felt like I was watching Neo dodging RAM-ageddon bullets… even though the iPhone 18 Pro price rose (check out our full list of iPhone price hikes), it felt reasonable.

But then, just like Neo, we got clipped and dropped to the ground by the fact that Apple quietly increased the price sof all its older phones following the event. Here's the new pricing for those models:

Let's run through how well we did in different areas in the US and UK prices (it may differ elsewhere, of course).

Apple Watch

A nice easy win here — we got new features across both the new regular model and the new Ultra, and we got them for the same price as the previous model. That's pretty great given the levels of inflation we're dealing with.

The only potentially offputting thing is Apple's slightly new always-listening Siri Recap option, now — but not the price, mercifully.

AirPods 5

These were the big win on value, in my opinion. When reporting on the AirPods 5 rumors, we said that we really wanted to see Apple improve what you got for the money specifically, because its entry-level were behind the best budget earbuds from competitors.

Well, that's exactly what we got. The basic AirPods 5 now have active noise cancellation, and along with other improvements this should make them competitive again at the same price. And the mid-range AirPods 5 model get on-ear volume controls and a few other small quality-of-life upgrades, which makes them cheaper than last year's mid-range model. It's a win all around — and you can pre-order them today.

iPhone 18 Pro

This is where things get rockier — but both models have a relatively modest $100 price increase in the US, which is under 10%, and in the world of 2026, I'll take that.

Of course, they've also improved compared to the previous model, and from what Apple's saying the new variable aperture camera system and the much longer battery life provided by the (somehow also super-powerful) A20 Pro chip might be well worth the extra cash.

iPhone Duo

Look, do I think $1,999 is an appealing price for a phone? It's not what I'd choose to pay. I wasn't happy about the rumors of it being that high, but it was kind of inevitable. However, the iPhone Duo folding phone needs to be assessed in context — and that context is: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra costs more in the US (in the UK, Samsung has the edge).

It only costs $100 more, I'll grant you, but a win is a win — and again, given the price rises elsewhere in Apple's range earlier this year, I think it was far from a given that its fancy folder was going to actually undercut the competition.

It's not all roses

Will we be as lucky with future releases? Perhaps not. It's notable that these product categories are some of the few that didn't get price rises in the hikes earlier this year.

We're expecting the Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini to get new versions soon, for example, and these will probably arrive with the same price the current models do… which were just jacked up significantly. Same for the rumored new entry-level iPad.

And then there's the small matter of Apple having raised the prices of all its existing iPhone models. Unlike the iPhone 18 Pro, those increases don't come with any hardware or performance upgrades — they're just more expensive.

And I assume this means we're not getting a base iPhone 18 at all, if all these phones are sticking around with higher prices.

Where to find the best AirPods 5 preorder deals

Below, you'll find the best AirPods 5 preorder deals available online in the US and UK.

AirPods 5 deals in the US

• Apple: preorder for $129, plus free engraving
• Amazon: in stock for $129
• Best Buy: in stock for $129
• Walmart: free Apple TV and Apple Music trials

AirPods 5 deals in the UK

• Apple: preorder for £119, plus free engraving
• Amazon: check retailer
• Argos: in stock for £119
• Currys: check retailer

How much do the AirPods 5 cost?

The AirPods 5 start at just $129/£119, which is an incredible value for Apple earbuds with ANC.

The AirPods 5 with a Wireless Charging Case and on-stem volume control are $149/£139.

What AirPods deals can you expect?

The AirPods 5 are officially available on Friday, September 18, and that's when we might see small discounts from third-party retailers like Amazon. If you want the best AirPods 5 deals, you'll have to wait for the next big holiday sales: Amazon's October Prime Day and November's Black Friday shopping event.

More of today's best AirPods deals

Apple's hotly anticipated ‘Surprise and Shine’ event has been and gone, leaving a foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, and many more new products in its wake.

The iPhone Duo is, of course, the biggest talking point — it's Apple's first foldable iPhone, and will "redefine what an iPhone can do, while still feeling natural and familiar," according to the Cupertino tech giant.

Elsewhere, Apple refreshed its wearable lineup with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4; the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max got a variable aperture feature; and AirPods 5 are bringing new Audio Intelligence features to the table.

We've picked out the key points of every new product announcement below.

iPhone Duo

It's finally official — Apple's first foldable phone is here. The iPhone Duo (yes, not the iPhone Ultra) is its answer to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, combining a 5.4-inch outer screen with a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR inner display and lots of neat software tricks.

Powered by the "desktop-class" A20 Pro chip, the iPhone Duo has a titanium frame that's apparently been strengthened by ceramic fibers, and it'll be available in two colors: 'star white' and 'night sky' (a dark blue).

Interestingly, the iPhone Duo also lacks a few key iPhone features, including Face ID, but it was undoubtedly the star of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro launch — and we'll be bringing you our hands-on first impressions very soon.

• 5.4-inch cover display, 7.6-inch foldable display
• A20 Pro chipset with C2 modem
• 48MP Fusion main camera, 48MP ultra-wide
• Starts at $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,499

iPhone 18 Pro

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are, of course, being billed as the best iPhones yet. They both use Apple's new A20 Pro chip, which boasts a 20% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU, but performance improvements are just the beginning.

For budding cinematographers, the biggest upgrade for both phones is the variable aperture in their 48MP main cameras. You'll be able to widen the lens to let in more light for nightography, or make the aperture smaller for greater depth of field to capture more details in a single shot.

The battery life has been upgraded on both phones, too. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro has the same battery life as the iPhone 17 Pro Max — that’s 36 hours of video playback. The iPhone 18 Pro Max's endurance is up to 45 hours.

The only catch? Both phones will cost you a little more than last year. The base model starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099 rather than $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,999, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,299 rather than $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch on September 18, and you can snag them in Silver, Black, Glacier (a sort of lilac), or Burgundy.

For a breakdown of how the iPhone 18 Pro compares to the iPhone 17 Pro, check out our iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro comparison.

• Variable aperture in 48MP fusion main camera
• iPhone 18 has a 36-hour battery life, the same as iPhone 17 Pro Max
• A20 Pro chipset: 20% faster CPU, 40% faster GPU
• Price starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099 for 256GB; launches September 18
• Comes in Silver, Black, Glacier, or Burgundy colors

Apple Watch Series 12

The Apple Watch Series 12 brings a few new design tweaks, including a new color — dark bronze — alongside space grey, black, and light gold, all in 100% recycled aluminum. A new Ceramic Shield 2 lens is 60% tougher than the previous generation, while the biggest performance change is in the sensor.

The new Health Sensing System offers better skin contact thanks to an increased electrode surface area. Heart rate readings are now being read up to every five seconds, with heart rate variability (a measure of recovery) being read up to every five minutes. All this enables features like the new Readiness Score (it's about time, as every other wearable has one), an improved Vitals app, and an incoming redesigned Health app on iPhone to match, which allows you to measure your VO2 Max using a guided workout on your iPhone's camera. Health Age behaves like similar features you'll find on a Whoop or Garmin, comparing your fitness to the averages in your age bracket.

However, it's Audio Intelligence that's proving the most interesting (and most controversial) feature, as Siri Recap and Live Rewind listen throughout the day to provide summaries of your day and instantly recall conversations, respectively.

• Aluminum / ceramic body, Ceramic Shield 2 lens
• 24-hour battery life
• Starts at $399 / £369 / AU$649
• S11 chipset
• Redesigned Health Sensing System, Readiness, Audio Intelligence

Apple Watch Ultra 4

Apple's big beast returns with all the upgrades of the Series 12 above: a redesigned Health Sensing System for better heart rate accuracy (the most accurate of any wearable, according to Apple), Readiness Score, improved Vitals app, Health Age, and so on. It also gets all the Audio Intelligence features previously mentioned, which, along with Live Rewind and Siri Recap, offer sound recognition (doorbells, sirens, and so on) and Shazam on-wrist.

Ultra-specific improvements are thin on the ground. The battery now stretches from last year's 42 hours to a full two days. In GPS mode, you get 18 hours, enough for all but the toughest ultramarathons. Very little else has changed, design-wise: there are no new colors or dramatic upsets. The Ultra 4 does, however, get the new Ceramic Shield 2 protection in addition to a super-hard titanium case.

• Titanium body,
• Ceramic Shield 2 lens
• 48-hour battery life
• Starts at $799 / £749 / AU$1,349
• S11 chipset
• Redesigned Health Sensing System, Readiness, Audio Intelligence

AirPods 5

You've got two new AirPods to choose from: the AirPods 5, and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case and Volume Swipe.

Key upgrades for both models include Live Translation, next-generation Adaptive EQ, and 50% more noise reduction over the AirPods 4. Battery life is also up to 22 hours (if you carry the case with you).

And no, there are no cameras here, low-res or otherwise — even in the top-tier set. We didn't expect that particular feature in AirPods 'til 2027, and we were right to stay firm on it — it seems Apple eyes in your ears are still a way off.

As well as the Wireless Charging Case, the pricier AirPods 5 also boast the volume swipe feature of the latest AirPods Pro. They'll cost you $149 / £149 / AU$249 — so less than the original AirPods 4 with ANC, but more than the standard AirPods 5 at $129 / £129 / AU$219.

• 50% better ANC than the previous generation, plus Adaptive Audio
• $129 / £129 / AU$219 for the AirPods 5
• $149 / £149 / AU$249 for the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
• Personalized Spatial Audio, Live Translation, Adaptive EQ
• Volume swipe functionality, longer battery life (up to 22 hours using the case), plus wireless charging in the step-up model

Apple Event 2026 — reactions

• iPhone price hikes — here's the full list of every price increase from the iPhone 18 Pro to a 21% rise for one iPhone Air model
• 15 things we learned from Apple's big iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro launch — from its first-ever foldable to new AirPods
• The iPhone Duo lacks Face ID, a telephoto camera, and the Action Button, but I still want it more than every Android foldable I've ever tested — here's why
• iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: 5 key differences between Apple's newest and previous best smartphones
• I'm a pro photographer — here’s why the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture is its biggest camera upgrade
• Apple Watch Ultra 4 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: what's changed, and should you upgrade?
• Apple Watch Series 12 vs Series 11 — new Ceramic model, Health Sensing System, Audio Intelligence and all the key upgrades
• Apple iPhone 18 Pro & Apple iPhone Duo preorders: everything you need to know, including start times, deals, and pricing
• Apple continually teased the idea of a 'personal hub' at its recent event, but then didn't launch a HomePod mini 2, and I'm mad about it
• Thanks to Siri Recaps, your Apple Watch is always listening as you go about your day — but Apple may be risking a Meta Glasses-style backlash
• Good news: Apple almost totally dodged inflation on the new iPhones, AirPods and Watches — bad news: the price of all other iPhones just got jacked up

Apple Event 2026 — how to rewatch

You can rewatch Apple's ‘Surprise and Shine’ keynote via Apple’s YouTube page or via the embedded video above.

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The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE have sprung into the affordable IEM arena. One that, as of late, has provided some incredible quality, with brands such as Sennheiser, Meze Audio, and Activo bringing some serious sound-for-pound value.

While the DT 30 IE don’t try anything outwardly fancy, they’re still a very attractive proposition. They have 11mm dynamic drivers intended to supply a “neutral and balanced tuning,” passive noise cancellation up to “-39dB,” and even have an IP54 dust and water resistance rating.

But can they compete with some of the best wired earbuds around? I spent a couple of weeks using them as one of my main listening devices — here’s what I thought.

Let’s start with the area that matters most: sound quality. As you may expect at this price-point, sound quality is good rather than excellent — though there are a lot of positives to discuss.

In Can’t Let Go by Earth, Wind & Fire, overall audio was clear and balanced relatively well. I felt that vocals in the mid-range were a bit lacking in texture and detail, but still had good presence in the mix. More subtle percussive elements came through nicely, though, and funky bass was well-weighted.

Although I felt that the DT 30 IE perhaps lacked the openness and nuance of pricier options, they still sound strong for the price.

And perhaps the main thing that grabs you about the DT 30 IE is their bass output. It’s meaty and dynamic, which is ideal for gigging situations or if you want to enjoy hard-hitting tunes to the max in a more casual capacity. In Kickin’ In The Beat by Lewis Taylor, I was struck by pumping low-end output, which didn’t obscure vocals or drums in the treble range — it's punchy and fairly agile, making for an exciting listen.

Treble is clear and fairly controlled, though it could be more articulate and expressive. In Sing To Me by Ned Doheny, percussion in the treble range didn’t have the precise, bright quality that I was listening out for, with a slightly muted take. This wasn’t the case when I switched over to the Sennheiser IE 200, which offered better top-end clarity, and also provided a more natural interpretation of lead vocals.

So, it’s certainly a positive start overall for the DT 30 IE, but how do they compete elsewhere? In terms of features, there’s not a lot to run through. There’s no in-line controller with volume controls, which is more of a nice-to-have rather than an expectation for IEMs in my view. They also skip on interchangeable connectors, as seen on models such as the Activo Volcano, so you’re stuck with a 3.5mm option unless you purchase an adapter of some kind. But what I did like was the range of ear tips packed in, allowing you to find the ideal seal, no matter your ear size.

And when I got the right seal, I found that the DT 30 IE offered pretty solid passive noise isolation. Is it the best I’ve experienced? No — models with foam ear tips, such as the Shure Aonic 3 take the prize there. But I did find that sounds like typing and office chatter were dulled to a pretty commendable degree, and that’s going to be key for gigging musicians, for example. I also found that, with the right seal, the DT 30 IE were supremely comfortable and secure, making them ideal for longer listening sessions. They’re also nice and small, which I prefer over the chunky approach some rivals go for.

It’s also worth noting that the cable for the DT 30 IE is detachable, so you can swap this out for an aftermarket MMCX cable if you’d prefer. The cable itself is built to a really nice standard, though, and it produced next to no cable noise when I tried taking the buds on the go.

The IEMs themselves, however, don’t quite exude the same sense of premium build quality. They have a translucent look, enabling you to make out the drivers inside, but the casing feels a bit overly plasticky. I’m not expecting ultra-premium materials at this price point, but I do think some rivals in this price-range look a bit more luxurious — the Meze Audio Alba spring to mind.

So are the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE worth the money? Overall, I’d say yes. They provide good sound quality with impressive bass and solid clarity across the frequency range, as well as a lightweight and comfortable build, and decent passive noise isolation. All of that for $149.99 / £99 / AU$199 isn’t half bad.

What I would argue, however, is that you can get slightly more detailed, nuanced sound — and slightly better build quality — in this general price range. The Sennheiser IE 200 and Meze Audio Alba, in my opinion, offer superior performance at a very similar cost, and I’d suggest checking those out before pulling the trigger on the DT 30 IE, as good as they are.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: price & release date

• List price of $149.99 / £99 / AU$199
• Released in June 2026

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are priced at $149.99 / £99 / AU$199, meaning they’re certainly sitting in the affordable domain within the IEMs world.

I’ve personally reviewed a number of competitors in this range, including the Sennheiser IE 200, Meze Audio Alba, Activo Scoop, and Shure SE215.

The DT 30 IE were released in June 2026, and are available in a single white colorway.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: specs

Should I buy the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: also consider

How I tested the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE

• Tested over the course of two weeks
• Mainly tested using Tidal
• Paired with Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000

I spent a couple of weeks using the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE, and hours upon hours listening to music. Typically, I had the DT 30 IE hooked up to the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 media player, though I did also try them out with my Windows laptop.

To begin with, I sifted through tracks in the TechRadar reference playlist, which features tunes from a wide variety of genres, but I also bumped a bunch of songs from my personal library. I also made sure to compare the DT 30 IE to affordable IEM rivals like the Sennheiser IE 200.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as an in-house Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve covered everything from portable DACs through to premium wireless headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM6, and have reviewed a number of IEMs, meaning I know exactly what it takes for a model to stand out in a competitive market.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: September 2026

Which is why I felt compelled to put together this list of five pairs that promise that excellent experience, with prices ranging from AU$70 up to AU$349. Two of the pairs — from Technics and Bose — do actually already feature in my guide to the best ‘buds, and now they’re currently on the receiving end of discounts at Amazon — making them even easier to recommend.

I’ll list my five top pairs for all budgets in price-ascending order, and of course, to check out more headphone deals, including those on over-ear models, head to Amazon.

Ever wondered what life would be like if your earbuds had a touchscreen case? OK, you probably haven’t, but stick with me here. The JBL Live Buds 4 are the new generation of the audio specialist’s in-ears that pair with a smart charging case, enabling you to adjust sound settings, adapt ANC, and more — all without having to download a companion app.

They’re a standout model in a congested market. The Live Buds 4 also sit within JBL's wider Live range, which is itself fairly congested in that it also includes the stemmed JBL Live Beam, plus the open-fit JBL Live Flex. This specific model, though — the Live Buds 4 — comes with a number of claimed upgrades over its predecessor, including enhanced ANC, new “fidelity drivers,” and boosted call quality. But are they worth the money and can they compete with options in our best earbuds roundup? Here’s what I think after three weeks of testing.

We’ve got to start with the smart charging case, which has a revamped UI for a smoother, more complete user experience. The touchscreen is undoubtedly small, but it's highly responsive, and there are clear menus to access EQ tweaking, ANC modes, appearance options, and even tools like a flashlight and timer. I sometimes preferred using the JBL Headphones app for the ease of a larger screen, and the ability to set a custom wallpaper from my photo gallery, but for on-the-go tweaks, the charging case is a neat option — even if it is arguably a little bit gimmicky. But hey, I like a good gimmick now and then.

Beyond what I’ve already mentioned, the case features a lot of fun features, like a smart-talk option, which picks up voices if you want to have a conversation while keeping your buds in. There are also customizable touch controls for the buds themselves (which I found to be reactive and convenient), and settings for how your voice sounds on a call, including a bright, natural, and powerful option.

Speaking of calls, JBL has included 6 mics in these earbuds, as well as its new Perfect Calls 2.0 tech, which makes use of AI to keep your voice clear, even in noisier environments. As I mentioned in my JBL Live Beam 4 review (I know, it's easy to get confused with names), I did find my voice to be relatively clear on calls and when taking a recording, but unfortunately I didn’t get the premium clarity I was expecting. There was some noticeable sibilance in my recording, and I also found that some background noises remained more prominent than anticipated.

I also want to talk about active noise cancellation, which has been improved for the Live 4 series. Overall, ANC is decent, but it’s still not up to the standards offered by buds from Apple and Bose. When out and about or on public transport, I could still make out background chatter, and in the office, typing sounds and doors closing were still audible. Sounds are still dulled effectively, and ANC is by no means bad — but if you’re expecting a curtain of silence when using the Live Buds 4, you may be left wanting more.

One area that the Buds 4 totally excel in, though, is sound quality. For earbuds in this price-range, the Buds 4 are excellent, dishing out impactful bass, clean mids, and expressive highs, impressive handling of dynamics, and good attention to detail.

When tuning into Labor of Love by Ned Doheny, I was struck by the beautifully textured and weighted acoustic guitars, which were well separated from clear, tonally accurate vocals. Subtle percussive details also came through beautifully, and funky bass sounded impactful without drowning out other sounds across the frequency range. What’s more, by activating the higher-res Bluetooth codec, LDAC, I could make out some more intricacies in the mid-range, with almost life-like guitars taking the listening experience to the next level.

The Live Buds 4 proved to cope brilliantly with any genre, though. With a deeper, more energetic track, such as Don’t Compare Yourself by Kolter, the pumping deep bass hit phenomenally hard, and reached down to tremendous depths for this level. Bassy synths sounded textured and controlled, lively drums sounded articulate and precise, and emotive vocals, while impactful, never overwhelmed the mix.

I have very few complaints about the sound, and it’s super-simple to customize it to your liking with the EQ settings on the charging case or JBL headphones app. But one thing that could’ve been better was the spatial audio setting, which just lacked the clarity and openness of the standard tuning. I’d also argue that the soundstage is relatively broad on the Live Buds 4 anyway, so you should just keep this mode off if you ask me.

Let’s also talk design, as this is the main area where the Live Buds 4 differentiate themselves from the Beam and Flex. They take up a small, snug in-ear feel, which is ideal for those who prefer earbuds without the stems. I found the buds to be incredibly comfortable, and had no issue keeping them in for multiple hours at a time. They’re also highly secure, never feeling as if they’ll fall out of your ears.

The buds also have a good standard of build, the case has an attractive, textured finish, and the model can be purchased in a wide range of colors. The buds are also IP55-rated, making them splashproof. Some rivals offer superior IP57 protection, but IP55 is enough to keep your buds safe on a rainy day.

One more difference the Buds 4 have, is that they offer the least amount of battery life in the Live 4 lineup, with 8 hours of playtime with the buds when ANC is on, and up to 40 hours with the case. That’s still a good amount of playtime, and competes well with major rivals.

So, are the JBL Live Buds 4 worth their £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240) asking price? For me, it’s an emphatic yes. Of course, they’re not the cheapest buds on the market, but they’re also a fair bit cheaper than big-name rivals like the AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2. They also sound fantastic for the money, with the nifty charging case only adding more value. Sure, they could do better in the call quality and ANC department, but ultimately, they still offer decent enough quality in those areas.

JBL Live Buds 4 review: price & release date

• List price of £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240)
• Revealed in May 2026

The JBL Live Buds 4 were revealed in May 2026, alongside their siblings, the JBL Live Beam 4 and the JBL Live Flex 4. They released about two years after their predecessor, the JBL Live Buds 3.

They come in at £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240), which is the same as their predecessors cost at the point of launch (in the UK). We’re yet to catch wind of a release date and pricing for the US, but we’ll update this review accordingly if and when further details emerge.

These buds are available at a relatively affordable price for the quality on offer, coming in at a lower cost than rivals such as the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2.

Our top pick for wireless earbuds whatever your budget is the Technics EAH-AZ100, at $299 / £259 (around AU$478). So at quite a bit less than those figures, the JBL Live Buds 4 can be yours for a shade under flagship money — and that's a very good thing in terms of value.

That said, the Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 are our current 'best mid-range' pick in that detailed guide, and those excellent buds retail for the same £179.99 fee as the JBL option. They don't have a smart charging case, but still, food for thought…

JBL Live Buds 4 review: specs

Should I buy the JBL Live Buds 4?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

JBL Live Buds 4 review: also consider

How I tested the JBL Live Buds 4

• Tested over the course of three weeks
• Used in the office, on walks, and on public transport
• Mainly streamed tunes over Tidal, but tapped into Spotify too

I spent three weeks putting the JBL Live Buds 4 through their paces. During this time, I listened to countless hours of music, messed around with everything the smart charging case had to offer, and exhausted their various features.

As always, I made sure to use these buds in a range of environments — including at home or at the office, but also when out on walks near busy roads, and when on public transport like buses and trains. When listening to tunes, I predominantly streamed music over Tidal on my Xiaomi 17 phone, but I also jumped into Spotify now and then. I made sure to soft through the multi-genre TechRadar reference playlist, but also bumped a bunch of tunes from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed everything from premium wireless headphones like the Sony 1000X The Collexion to hulking party speakers like the Marshall Bromley 750. Of course, I’ve also tested many pairs of wireless earbuds, so I know exactly what it takes for a model to stand out in a highly competitive market.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: August 2026