Earbuds wireless best: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review: noise cancellation domination

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review: noise cancellation domination

Bose has built its entire brand and reputation on noise cancellation technology. The company has been in this game for decades, so I probably shouldn’t have been surprised by how soundly the new QuietComfort Earbuds II outperform the competition in the ANC department. But after several days of testing them, that’s exactly where I find myself. 

Until now, the original QuietComfort Earbuds, Sony’s WF-1000XM4, and Apple’s AirPods Pro were all within a stone’s throw of each other — and all very good. But Bose’s new $299 earbuds have raised the bar again — substantially. In various everyday situations, these are as good or better than over-ear noise-canceling headphones, and they’re obviously far more compact and portable. 

The QuietComfort Earbuds II are still missing some increasingly important amenities like multipoint, and even wireless charging is absent. These oversights can make the high price harder to rationalize. But sound quality is excellent, and in addition to class-leading noise cancellation, Bose has managed to equal the natural, lifelike transparency mode of Apple’s AirPods Pro.

8Verge Score

The Good

• A new milestone for noise cancellation in earbuds
• Dependable performance with great dynamic sound
• Superb transparency mode

The Bad

• No wireless charging despite $299 price
• Not capable of multipoint
• More expensive than original QC Earbuds

$299 at Amazon$299 at Best Buy$299 at Bose

How we rate and review products

How we review and rate products

Upon unboxing them, it’s immediately noticeable how much smaller these earbuds are compared to the prior generation. Bose product manager Jason Brisbois told me that they’re 30 percent smaller by volume; they also wear closer to your ears and head than before. The charging case has also been shaved down by 40 percent. It’s more pocketable but still the sort of size where I don’t understand why Bose didn’t include wireless charging.  

The earbuds are 30 percent smaller and now more in line with competitors.

Fitting the QuietComfort Earbuds II to your ears is a much different experience than past Bose buds. The company has ditched its signature StayHear winged ear tips in favor of a two-piece system. You get three sizes of ear tips (S, M, L) and three sets of stability bands that use your ear concha to keep the earbuds securely in place. This means there are nine total combinations when mixing tips and stability bands, and like other earbud makers, Bose notes that your left and right ears might be different enough to warrant different configurations in each. I ended up using large ear tips but a medium-sized stability band in one ear and a large in the other.

Bose’s goal with this change was to prevent any fatigue or discomfort while also making the new earbuds fit a wider variety of ear shapes and sizes — and there’s even a separate fit kit you can order from customer support with XS and XL attachments if none of the bundled options do the job. I’ve read some initial concern from fans of the one-piece StayHear tips that the new approach won’t work as well for them, but I wouldn’t be worried. It’s admittedly more of a process having to experiment with two pieces in each ear, but it’s a worthwhile use of those extra minutes to find the best fit.

The charging case is 40 percent smaller.

It’s now similar in size to the competition.

Whenever you begin a listening session by plucking the earbuds from their case and putting them into your ears, you’ll hear a short tone in each ear. It’s the same orchestral thwomp sound effect that Bose has used for years in its headphones and earbuds. But now, it’s got a new very intentional purpose: CustomTune. Bose uses the brief tone to analyze the acoustic properties of your ear canal. And then the QuietComfort Earbuds II adjust the noise cancellation and audio profile based on the data that comes back. This happens once each time you use the earbuds.

Getting the right fit? It’s a process

Tech companies have been putting much greater emphasis on tailoring the sound of earbuds or headphones just for you. With iOS 16, Apple can now scan your ears for personalized spatial audio. And Sony claims it’s able to optimize 360 Reality Audio with pictures of your ears. Bose is essentially using CustomTune as its own answer for personalized audio. 

Goodbye, StayHear tips; hello, two-part fitting process.GIF: Bose

The drivers and underlying components in the QuietComfort Earbuds II haven’t drastically changed from the original pair. But sound from these buds does seem more nuanced, dynamic, and shaped than before, and Brisbois said that all boils down to CustomTune. Bose research scientist John Rule said the system takes hundreds of measurements and then makes the resulting audio adjustments and applies filters “in less than a second.” The QuietComfort Earbuds II sound better to my ears than the AirPods Pro or Sony’s WF-1000XM4 buds.

They produce dynamic, textured music with plenty of bass kick and a wide soundstage. I’d say Bose is only eked out by something like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds, but those are proving more buggy and unreliable the more I use them. And there’s no comparison when it comes to ANC: Bose wins. But it’s how the company made such headway this time that’s more interesting. 

The smaller QC Earbuds II are fairly inconspicuous in my large-ish ears.

They also wear close to your head this time.

“When you’re flying on an airplane, you can cancel the airplane pretty well,” Rule said of most noise-canceling headphones and earbuds on the market today. “But you can now hear the people talking three rows behind you, because you’ve canceled the plane more than you’ve canceled the voices. You’ve unmasked things you didn’t want to hear.”

“So in order to really perceive that you’re getting more noise canceling, there’s no real value in making the airplane any more quiet. There’s only value in filling in that hole in the middle,” said Rule. With its new earbuds, Bose specifically focused on bringing down those middle frequencies — things like nearby voices or crying babies — and the improvements are significant. I can still hear a trace of nearby chatter in the office. But I’ve never worn earbuds that come so close to totally erasing the voices around me. Play music at practically any volume and you’ll feel as though you’re in a private, blissful cocoon. 

The QC Earbuds II have a transparency mode that sounds natural and lifelike.

“We measure them internally as better than the QuietComfort 45s, as having more noise canceling than the [over-ear] QC45s or anything else that we’ve measured,” Rule told me. Some minor asterisks remain: over-ear headphones fare better at hushing higher frequencies (clanking plates and silverware, etc.) because of their ear cup cushions. “We will always work on making both of them better, but right now these are the winners,” Rule said of the QC Earbuds II. It’s impressive, especially when Bose is still using silicone ear tips that don’t have the same isolation benefits as the expanding foam on Sony’s WF-1000XM4. 

“I would say it’s true that the future looks like personalization,” Rule said. “And we believe that this is, right now, this [CustomTune] is the best way based on our measurement of competitive products to go after that.” CustomTune also benefits transparency mode, which to my ears comes across just as natural as what you’d hear from Apple’s AirPods Pro. That lifelike passthrough has been very difficult for other earbud makers to top, but Bose is right there neck and neck with Apple. 

The lack of multipoint is unfortunate, but you can’t beat this noise cancellation

But the QuietComfort Earbuds II aren’t without weaknesses. They don’t include Bluetooth multipoint, a feature that lets you pair with two audio sources simultaneously for easier multitasking. Google just brought multipoint to the Pixel Buds Pro, and Jabra has included it for many years. Bose’s own headphones offer multipoint, but the company claims it was unable to bring the same convenience to these earbuds while also maintaining high performance.

You won’t have to reach for over-ear headphones on flights anymore.

“When we were defining the program and really scoping out what matters most, single point is really where you get the most reliable connection and audio performance,” Bose’s Brisbois told me. “And so that meant we had to call the ball and just say, all right, no multipoint, because we don’t want to give up on that.” Multipoint can occasionally be glitchy, sure, but I’d prefer having it there regardless. 

For their premium price, the QC Earbuds II really don’t include many frills. The Bose Music app for Android and iOS lets you set up four different “modes,” with each blending the levels of noise cancellation and transparency to your preference. You can also make basic EQ adjustments to bass, mids, and treble. And the touch-and-hold gesture is customizable on each earbud: it can either toggle between ANC modes or trigger a voice assistant. The earbuds automatically pause audio when you remove one of them, and they activate transparency mode when this happens. There’s also an “ActiveSense” setting that will quickly reenable noise cancellation if loud noises are detected when the earbuds are in transparency mode. 

That’s about where the software tricks end. No fancy head-tracking spatial audio like you get from AirPods or Galaxy Buds. No location-based sound profiles like Sony’s earbuds can provide. Bose supports the bare minimum AAC and SBC codecs. There’s something to be said for focusing on what matters, but don’t expect much in the way of extras. 

Bose focused on quieting nearby voices with the QC Earbuds II.

Battery life for the QC Earbuds II is estimated at six hours with ANC on, with the case holding three additional charges for a total of 24 hours. The buds are rated IPX4 for water resistance. Those are all par for the course numbers in 2022. Mic performance has been satisfactory in my voice calls so far, but I haven’t had much time for head-to-head testing. Be on the lookout for our next Vergecast microphone test for that. 

AGREE TO CONTINUE: BOSE QUIETCOMFORT EARBUDS II

Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.

Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds II can be used by pairing over Bluetooth without agreeing to any software terms. But the Bose Music app, available on Android and iOS, is required for accessing some settings and updating firmware. By using that, you’re agreeing to:

• Bose privacy policy
• Bose terms of use

Bose Music collects diagnostic and usage data, but you can opt out of this in the app’s settings menu. Thankfully, Bose no longer requires you to create an account just to use the mobile app.

Final tally: two mandatory agreements and one optional agreement on data collection.

The QuietComfort Earbuds II are objectively the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy. Bose has successfully fended off Sony, Apple, Google, and Samsung and made meaningful progress with ANC in this form factor. They certainly don’t come cheap, and I can’t predict how long the QC Earbuds II will remain at the top; Apple is about to release its second-generation AirPods Pro and promises its own noise-canceling advancements. But these sound fantastic, fit comfortably, and do an unmatched job at silencing the outside world — especially voices. Reputation vindicated once again.

Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge

UE Fits review: a fit that’s lit

Not everyone has an easy time getting wireless earbuds to fit comfortably. It seems like tech companies all size their silicone ear tips differently, and foam tips, as good as they can be, don’t always solve the problem. So there was a lot of excitement earlier this month when Ultimate Ears announced the $250 UE Fits, a pair of earbuds that can mold to the shape of your ear for unmatched comfort. 

The earbuds use a 60-second molding process that doesn’t require a visit to your local audiologist or taking an impression of each ear with an at-home kit that needs to be mailed in. This approach is an evolution of technology that parent company Logitech picked up through its acquisition of Revols. Ultimate Ears doesn’t quite match the perfect, unique-to-you results that you get with expensive custom ear tips that professional musicians use. But the UE Fits come close enough that they’re more comfortable than any regular earbud tip I’ve ever tried. The molding process is something special, but the earbuds themselves trail similarly priced competitors in a few disappointing ways. 

7.5Verge Score

UE Fits

$249

The Good

• Unique, one-of-a-kind fit
• Good sound quality
• Lengthy eight-hour battery life
• Compact charging case

The Bad

• Limited controls
• No transparency / passthrough mode
• Lackluster sweat resistance
• No auto-pause or wireless charging

$249 at Ultimate Ears

How we rate and review products

But first, let’s cover that fitting process. The UE Fits come with large ear tips — if you can still call these that — with an outer layer of soft silicone. Underneath the silicone, there’s gel containing a photopolymer that reacts to light. When you unbox the Fits, there’s a warning that they’re light-sensitive, and you’re encouraged to have the mobile app downloaded and ready to go before you take them out of the packaging. (Don’t sweat this too much. The sensitivity isn’t so extreme that you’ll mess them up if they sit out for a while.) 

The UE Fits packaging warns that the ear tips are sensitive to UV light.

It’s not your typical earbuds unboxing experience.

Each earbud has bright purple LEDs that cure the gel during the minute-long molding session and harden it to the shape of your ear. The UE Fits app guides you through the entire thing. It starts by instructing you to put the earbuds in until they’re comfortable and the bass from the sound test is to your liking. 

The UE Fits with their ear tips before the molding process.

After that, you’re told to firmly hold each earbud in place — you’ll have to put your phone down — and the process begins. During molding, the tips warm up, which is an unusual sensation for something in your ears. It never gets uncomfortable (Ultimate Ears likens it to the temperature of a warm bath), but it’ll definitely grab your attention. So the app reminds you to stay calm and keep your jaw relaxed to avoid messing up the fit.

My first molding attempt actually “failed,” according to the app; I saw an error message after about 40 seconds saying that the process had been interrupted. (This wasn’t really true. The app only tells the LEDs to turn on, and the rest is science, so there’s not much that can go wrong.) 

The secret to the mold process is science. And these built-in LEDs.

As the gel reacts to the LEDs, the ear tips warm up.

Afterward, I could definitely tell a difference between the finished mold and how the Fits felt out of the box. The end result doesn’t have the same obvious contours of a truly custom earbud tip and doesn’t sink as deep into your ear canal. With this approach, the shape adjustments and bumps are more subtle. But I found that the finished Fits were able to glide into my ear with fantastic comfort and stayed reassuringly planted once in. Even after the process is done, the tips remain soft to the touch and flexible. 

The first set I tried were the default tips that Ultimate Ears says should work for 95 percent of customers. But since I almost always veer toward large-sized tips, the company also gave me a bigger pair. Sure enough, I found that those worked even better when it came to noise isolation. (The Fits lack active noise cancellation, so this is important.) Both sizes provided a steady fit and the kind of comfort where I could wear them for hours without thinking about it. Ultimate Ears says the Fits come with a satisfaction guarantee on how they fit, and the company will send customers a second set of tips if they botch the first one or need a different starting size.

The UE Fits definitely nail the “fits” part of their name. And now that I’ve got them, I find myself wishing I could use these tips on other earbuds — like slipping them onto my Powerbeats Pro for workouts. I think this personalized fit concept gives Ultimate Ears a lot of runway for where it can take future products. 

The molding process adds subtle curves and bumps to match your ear shape.

Thankfully, your $250 isn’t just going toward that fit: these earbuds also sound quite good. Each bud houses a single driver (unlike professional IEMs that often have two or more), but that’s still enough for respectable bass response and excellent, detailed music reproduction. The UE Fits app lets you apply custom EQ settings and save your favorites, but I stuck with the “signature” profile since that’s what sounded best most often. Listening through the new Tom Petty Wildflowers & All The Rest compilation, the Fits were able to span remasters, at-home demo sessions, and live recordings and made them all shine with depth and excellent instrument separation. These earbuds can sound big when songs like HAIM’s “Don’t Wanna” warrant it but also handle the more raw, acoustic tracks of Ruston Kelly’s Shape and Destroy. The Fits support AptX, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs. 

Ultimate Ears says the Fits can last for up to eight hours of continuous playback, which is in the upper tier for battery life on true wireless earbuds. The compact, pebble-shaped carrying case, which lacks wireless charging but thankfully uses USB-C, packs another 12 hours. During my time testing the earbuds, I encountered some bugs when they were seated in the case. The UE logo on the earbud would slowly pulsate to indicate charging (as expected), but the other earbud would quickly flash and seemed to think it was in pairing mode. The company tells me it’s aware of this bug, and it’ll be fixed in a firmware update. As a side effect of this issue, I also occasionally heard a sonar ping sound effect in the left earbud — even when it was paired and music was playing. The Fits frustratingly use bleep and bloop sounds for audio feedback, and I much prefer straightforward voice prompts for a clearer idea of what’s happening. 

AGREE TO CONTINUE: ULTIMATE EARS UE FITS

Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we’re going to start counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.

As with other Bluetooth products, the UE Fits can technically be paired and used without agreeing to anything in software — but that would mean you’d completely skip the molding process, which is activated in the UE Fits app. By using that app, you’re agreeing to:

• Logitech (Ultimate Ears’ parent company) privacy policy

Optionally, you can also agree to share analytics data to “help Ultimate Ears improve its products and services. ” This is disabled by default in the pre-release beta app I’ve been testing during the review.

Final tally: one mandatory agreement and one optional agreement.

The UE Fits also stumble when it comes to onboard controls. You can double tap the stem of either earbud and choose what you want that to do (play / pause, skip tracks, volume, voice assistant, etc.), but the double-tap is the only gesture that the Fits support. That’s limiting compared to most other earbuds and means you’ll be pulling out your phone regularly. Still, I’m a fan of the overall form factor; the elongated pill shape makes it unmistakable that you’re wearing earbuds, but also allows for easy handling. 

The elongated pill shape makes the Fits easy to handle and put in your ears.

The UE Fits are only rated IPX3 for sweat resistance, and it’s not hard to see why.

Water resistance is another downside. The Fits are rated IPX3, which should make them semi-sweatproof. But I’m a heavy sweater, and since these lack the IPX6 or IPX7 ratings of fitness-focused buds, I’d be a little anxious using them while working out. Ultimate Ears also skipped features that are becoming status quo — like auto-pause when an earbud is removed. And the Fits offer no transparency mode whatsoever, which some people might consider a deal-breaker. You can still make out what’s happening around you when music is paused, but a hear-through feature would’ve been nice for this price. 

So as you can see, you’re trading a few notable things for that unrivaled comfort that the Fits provide through their molding process. But I can at least say that they’ve been stable when it comes to audio playback, with no noticeable bouts of cutouts or Bluetooth interference. Microphone performance is decent, as the Fits are outfitted with dual microphones on each earbud to block out wind noise. Some callers said my voice came through a little thin, but everyone could understand me just fine. 

The charging case is nicely compact, but it lacks wireless charging.

I think I’d recommend the UE Fits to people who are never fully satisfied with how the AirPods or Galaxy Buds of the world feel in their ears. $250 is pricey; it’s right up there with the AirPods Pro and not far off from Bose’s new QuietComfort Earbuds. And you’re missing out on some of what those products offer — namely noise cancellation. If you’re perfectly fine with regular ear tips, I can’t say the sound quality of the Fits dramatically outperforms other premium earbuds at their price range (or even slightly below it). But the UE Fits are proof positive that this 60-second mold concept works and works extraordinarily well. They’re a fascinating middle ground between everyday ear tips and cost-prohibitive, professional IEMs. I’m excited to see where Ultimate Ears takes it from here. 

Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge

Best Wireless TWS Earphones: Top 10 Models in 2023 – Reviews and Articles

Dozens and hundreds of brands compete for consumer attention in the TWS earphone segment, offering ever more advanced wireless solutions at a nice price. We have selected 10 interesting models that are definitely worthy of attention in 2023.

Skullcandy Sesh Evo TWS

Founded in 2003 and based in Utah, Skullcandy focuses on personal audio for active lifestyles and extreme sports enthusiasts. Among the popular models of the manufacturer are the affordable Sesh In Ear True Wireless headphones: they attract with their recognizable design and the presence of moisture protection according to the IP55 standard, which allows you not to worry at all about the safety of the electronic device in inclement weather. The sound is also in order, and thanks to a secure fit in the ears, you can count on a decent level of passive noise isolation. In place and control keys that you can switch tracks, answer calls and adjust the volume. Well, customization through presets “Music”, “Movie”, “Podcast” makes it possible to adjust playback depending on the type of content.

Behringer TRUE BUDS

Behringer has always been famous for surprisingly affordable prices for its products, which are often not inferior in quality to much more expensive counterparts. This statement fully applies to TRUE BUDS wireless headphones: they captivate not only with excellent sound with deep bass and transparent high frequencies, but also with an ergonomic design, as well as reliable protection against unwanted external noise. Headphones can work up to 16 hours paired with a charging case, and the aptX codec with low audio signal latency and clear voice transmission in headset mode are additional weighty arguments in favor of this model.

Yamaha TW-E3B

Apparently, Yamaha decided to seriously join the race for the attention of buyers in the portable audio segment and attract the public with new technologies. As an example – inexpensive, but very interesting wireless headphones TW-E3B. Firstly, it’s beautiful: a pleasant design with a recognizable logo and several bright colors attract attention. Secondly, the ergonomic shape of the earbuds: the headphones guarantee comfort even during prolonged listening and provide the proper level of passive noise isolation. In addition, energy-intensive batteries provide up to 6 hours of listening, and in tandem with a branded charging case, battery life increases to an impressive 24 hours.

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS

Top-notch TWS headphones don’t have to be prohibitively expensive. This statement is proved by JBL and its popular Live Free NC + TWS model. Our attention is an active noise reduction system and Smart Ambient transparent hearing technology, moisture protection according to the IPX7 standard, wireless charging and signature sound in the best traditions of a famous brand. The options “TalkThru” and “Ambient Aware” allow you to comfortably communicate and hear the surrounding sounds well without removing the headphones, and the ergonomic shape of the case and convenient touch controls are also important arguments in favor of this model.

Gravastar Sirius Pro

Many of you are already familiar with Gravastar wireless speakers: these are surprisingly strange and attractive audio gadgets for lovers of something unusual. But it turns out that the company also produces completely unique headphones – such as the Sirius Pro model. What do we see when we open the treasured box? First of all, an unusual design: a charging case made of metal can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as an opener, and the earbuds themselves are stuffed with the latest technologies. The combination of Knowles balanced armatures and 7.2mm dynamic drivers ensures a detailed and powerful sound, while IPX5 dust and water resistance allows you to not worry too much about the vagaries of the weather. In addition, there are 3 sound modes to choose from, and the ultra-low signal transmission delay is definitely useful when watching videos and playing games. So, we have before us not just a stylish toy with an unusual appearance, but an excellent sounding solution for gamers, music lovers and supporters of an active lifestyle.

Technics EAH-AZ40

Most audiophiles associate the Technics brand with legendary turntables, as well as mini-systems and, of course, arrowhead amplifiers. On the other hand, modern realities are largely about portability and mobility, and the Japanese company does not stay away from new trends, presenting its own vision of what ideal TWS headphones should be. We would like to draw your attention to a thoughtful design that suits both business style and active pastime. At the same time, the developers have focused not only on the quality of audio playback, but also on working in headset mode: thanks to 6 built-in microphones and a wind noise reduction system, communication will be a pleasure. By the way, active noise reduction and natural environment sound transmission mode will be useful both in a big city and while traveling. You can adjust playback settings using the Technics Audio Connect branded mobile application, and long battery life (up to 25 hours in tandem with a charging case) allows you not to worry about autonomy.

FiiO FW5

FiiO has made significant progress in the development of its own line of portable devices: the brand’s products have earned the trust of quality sound lovers around the world. As for the latest developments, the FiiO FW5 compact headphones are a very unusual model that will surely appeal to connoisseurs of uncompromising sound quality. First of all, we pay attention to the carefully thought-out shape of the earbuds, which provides a comfortable and comfortable fit in the ears. At the same time, the hybrid driver system, developed jointly by FiiO and Knowles, includes two armatures and one 10mm dynamic driver, thanks to which the engineers managed to achieve amazingly detailed and large-scale sound. In addition, support for LHDC and aptX Adaptive codecs contributes to positive impressions, and the battery life of the headphones paired with the charging case reaches 22 hours.

Denon AH-C830NCW

Denon is a legend in the Hi-Fi audio market, and it makes perfect sense that the brand decided to introduce its own TWS headphones called the AH-C830NCW. This is a good choice for those who prefer a balanced audiophile-grade sound even outside the usual home environment. Comfortable listening to audio is facilitated by the active noise reduction system, which uses 4 microphones to capture and then neutralize unwanted sounds from the outside. At the same time, a couple more microphones provide intelligible speech transmission in headset mode, and proprietary Denon Sound Master technology allows you to achieve high detail and dynamics of sound even in such a tiny form factor.

Klipsch T5 II TW

Few audio manufacturers can combine tradition and innovation as well as Klipsch. A typical example is the T5 II TW ANC wireless headphones, which have a charismatic design and offer the most up-to-date features. First of all, we note 5.8 mm drivers with proprietary dynamic sound, an active noise reduction system and a “transparent hearing” Transparency Mode. In addition, Klipsch offers an interesting control option: for example, you can answer a call by nodding your head, and reject a call or switch tracks by turning your head to the side. This will come in handy when, for example, you are walking from the store, and your hands are full of shopping bags. Another interesting feature of the model is the Dirac HD Sound technology, which enhances detail and improves bass reproduction. As for autonomy, T5 II True Wireless ANC will work up to 7 hours on a single charge and up to 21 hours when paired with a branded case.

Mackie MP-20TWS

Until recently, it seemed that TWS wireless headphones had reached the peak of their technology, but Mackie raises the quality bar a step higher with the introduction of its compact model MP-20TWS. First of all, the double hybrid technology is interesting, which is a tandem of a Knowles reinforcing radiator and a custom dynamic driver. As a result, the detail and scale of the sound reaches a new level. In addition, the proprietary hybrid noise reduction system, as well as Bluetooth 5.2 with minimal signal transmission delay and convenient touch control, contribute to comfortable listening. IPX4 moisture protection allows you to listen to music regardless of changeable weather, and impressive autonomy (up to 13 hours on a single charge and more than 40 hours paired with a charging case) is also a weighty argument in favor of these headphones.

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Best headphones in 2023 | rating Versus

9005 5 ✔

9005 5 ✖

9005 5 ✔

900 55 ✔

900 55 ✔

9005 5 50h

900 55 ✖

900 55 ✔

900 55 Wireless

900 55 ✖

9005 5 ✔

900 55 ✔

900 55 ✔

9005 5 ✔

	Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless	JBL Tour One M2	Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2	Sony WH-1000XM3	Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal	KEF Mu7	Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX	Technics EAH-A800	1More SonoFlow	Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Image						9005 6
Best price
Best price			9 0054
Design
Fit Headphone shape.
	Full size	Overhead	Full size	Full size	Full size	Full size	Full size	Full size	Full size	Full size
Has a detachable cableName detachable cable, the device allows you to use an alternative cable, and if you pull the cable, it will just pop out of the device instead of breaking.
Has a detachable cable Name detachable cable, the device allows you to use an alternative cable, and if you pull the cable, it will simply pop out of the device instead of breaking.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Dustproof and waterproofThe device is dustproof and waterproof. Water-resistant devices are protected against the ingress of water, such as powerful water jets, but not when immersed in water.
Dust and waterproof The device is dust and waterproof. Water-resistant devices are protected against the ingress of water, such as powerful water jets, but not when immersed in water.	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖
Sweat resistant Sweat resistant makes it ideal for use during sports.
Sweat resistant Sweat resistant makes it ideal for use during sports.	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖	✖
Has built-in stereo speakers Units with stereo speakers provide sound from different channels on the left and right side, and create a richer sound and better listening experience.
Has built-in stereo speakersDevices with stereo speakers provide sound from different channels on the left and right side for a richer sound and better listening experience.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Total score for “Design”
Total score for “Design”
Sound quality
Active Sound suppression /noise insulation (ANC) This type of device allows you to listen to lower volume levels, which leads to a decrease in ears fatigue because you do not need to burn out the maximum of the sound of the sound drown out background noise. Ideal for use on airplanes and morning transport.
Active Noise Cancellation/Noise Isolation (ANC) This type of device allows you to listen at lower volume levels, resulting in less ear fatigue because you don’t have to crank up the volume to drown out background noise. Ideal for use on airplanes and morning transport.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Lowest frequency The lowest frequency at which the device produces sound. The lower the low frequencies are set, the stronger and richer the bass.
Lowest frequency The lowest frequency at which the device produces sound. The lower the low frequencies are set, the stronger and richer the bass.	6Hz	10Hz	N.A.	4Hz	20Hz	20Hz	20Hz	4Hz	20Hz
Highest frequency The highest frequency at which the device produces sound. The higher the high frequencies are tuned, the cleaner and more collected the treble.
Highest frequency The highest frequency at which the device produces sound. The higher the high frequencies are tuned, the cleaner and more collected the treble.	22000Hz	40000Hz	N.A.	40000Hz	22000Hz	20000Hz	22000Hz	40000Hz	40000Hz	N.A.
Sound pressure level Devices with higher sound pressure levels tend to be louder.
Sound pressure level Devices with higher sound pressure levels tend to be louder.	106dB/mW	N.A.	N.A.	104.5dB/mW	95dB/mW	N.A.	95dB/mW	105dB/mW	N.A.	N.A.
Passive Noise CancellationThe sealed device acoustically isolates your ears from the environment and the sound is not heard by those around you.
Passive Noise CancellationThe sealed device acoustically isolates your ears from the environment and the sound is not heard by those around you.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Total Sound Quality score
Total Sound Quality score									90 054
Power
Battery lifeBattery life (when in use), specified by the manufacturer. With a longer battery life, you will charge your device less frequently.
Battery lifeBattery life (when used) as specified by the manufacturer. With a longer battery life, you will charge your device less frequently.	60h	50h	30h	30h	24h	40h	40h	70h	30h
Charging timeThe time required to fully charge the battery.
Charging time The time required to fully charge the battery.	2h	N.A.	2h	3h	3h	2h	3h	3h	1.3h .
Has a battery level indicatorThe indicator indicates that the battery level is low.
Has a battery level indicatorThe indicator shows that the battery level is low.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖	✔	✔	✔	✔
Battery capacity Battery charge, or battery capacity, is the amount of electrical energy stored in battery. The higher the battery charge, the longer the battery life.
Battery capacity The battery charge, or battery capacity, is the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery. The higher the battery charge, the longer the battery life.	700mAh	N.A.	N.A.	1000mAh	1200mAh	1100mAh	1200mAh	N.A.	720mAh	N.A.
Has a rechargeable batteryThe device’s battery can be charged and used again.
Has a rechargeable batteryThe device’s battery can be charged and used again.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Food total score
Food total score
Connection
Connection Type of headphone connection.	Wireless	Wireless	Wireless	Wireless	Wireless, Wireless & Wired	Wireless	Wireless	Wireless	Wireless
Bluetooth VersionBluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows you to transfer data between devices located in close proximity using shortwave ultra-high frequency radio waves. Newer versions provide faster data transfer.
Bluetooth VersionBluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows you to transfer data between devices in close proximity using shortwave radio waves. Newer versions provide faster data transfer.	5.2	5.3	5.2	4.2	N.A.	5.1	5.1	5.2	5	5.2
AptXaptX is a codec used for wireless audio transmission via Bluetooth. It is developed by Qualcomm and supports 16-bit audio at 384 kbps.
AptXaptX is a codec used for Bluetooth wireless audio transmission. It is developed by Qualcomm and supports 16-bit audio at 384 kbps.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖	✔
LDACLDAC is a codec developed by Sony for Bluetooth audio. It supports a very high bit rate of 990 kbps, which provides high resolution audio. It can also automatically adjust the lower bitrate of 330Kbps or 660Kbps to improve stability.
LDACLDAC is a codec developed by Sony for Bluetooth audio. It supports a very high bit rate of 990 kbps, which provides high resolution audio. It can also automatically adjust the lower bitrate of 330Kbps or 660Kbps to improve stability.	✖	✔	✖	✔	✖	✖	✖	✔	✖
Maximum range (Bluetooth) Bluetooth/IR radiation.
Maximum Range (Bluetooth) BluetoothThe device can connect to another device over a long distance using Bluetooth/IR.	10m	10m	10m	10m	12m	10m	10m	10m
Connected total score
Connected total score
Features remove the noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.
Includes noise canceling microphoneThese microphones are designed to filter out noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖	✔	✔
Ambient Sound Mode When in Ambient Sound Mode, the microphones transmit ambient noise just enough to could still be heard. This comes in handy when you want to listen to music but be aware of what’s going on around you, such as when you’re running but still want to hear cars passing by.
Ambient Sound Mode When in Ambient Sound Mode, the microphones will let ambient noise through just enough to still be heard. This comes in handy when you want to listen to music but be aware of what’s going on around you, such as when you’re running but still want to hear cars passing by.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✖	✔	✔	✔	✔
Number of microphones The more microphones a device has, the better it filters out background noise and improves the overall sound recording quality.
Number of microphones The more microphones a device has, the better it filters out background noise and improves the overall sound quality.	4	4	6	3	4	N. A.	4	8	5	6
Control panel built into the device The control panel is located on the device so you can easily access and control the volume control without interacting with the cable or other device connected to it.
The control panel is built into the device The control panel is located on the device so you can easily access and control the volume control without interacting with the cable or other device connected to it.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Can be used as a headset The headset is a single earpiece or a pair with a built-in microphone . Can be used for applications that require communication, i.e. Skype, voice chat games, mobile phones, etc.
Can be used as a headset The headset is a single earpiece or a pair with a built-in microphone.