No way, HUAWEI

The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5 are one of the company’s more accomplished open-ear buds.

HUAWEI is a relatively young company in the grand scheme of things. Established in 1987 after Ren Zhengfei was discharged from China’s People’s Liberation Army, Zhengfei’s military history helped HUAWEI secure some of its first major contracts. However, HUAWEI has since faced consistent international scrutiny for allegedly stealing intellectual property from other companies. Yet despite this, HUAWEI entered the consumer electronics arena in 2016 with great success. For example, its smartphones were immediately popular for their pleasing designs and reasonable price tags.

At the time, HUAWEI boasted it would become the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer within five years. By 2018, it had taken second place ahead of Apple and was closely trailing Samsung. By all accounts, it was widely expected to make good on its promise by the end of 2019. This would have overthrown Samsung as the leading player for the first time since 2011.

HUAWEI smartphone sales overtook Apple in 2018. But in 2024, the company is no longer among the top ten global smartphone manufacturers.

However, everything stalled in May 2019 when then-US president Donald Trump signed an executive order banning telecommunications equipment from foreign firms deemed national security risks. While the ban only affects products released after May 15, 2019, it remains in perpetuity and has faced little resistance from the Biden administration. This has forced HUAWEI to pivot its business practices. It also encouraged Google to bar HUAWEI from using its suite of digital products. Subsequently, fans can no longer access Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, or the Google Play Store from newer HUAWEI smartphones. Other US-based companies have followed suit. From Qualcomm, Intel, Arm, and Microsoft, HUAWEI is increasingly isolated from Western technology companies.

In recent years though, the US government has enacted a licensing system for US firms that want to work with HUAWEI. In particular, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Sony can sell specific manufacturing parts to HUAWEI. However, the company launched its own Harmony OS NEXT in August 2023. This removes the Android layer and strips HUAWEI devices of Android-based applications. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this has led to a downfall in international sales.

My way or the HUAWEI

The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i have excellent noise canceling and cost significantly less than the competition.

Apple is still the player to beat regarding headphones. AirPods frequently top international sales. Apple’s Wearables, Home, and Accessories category also consistently outstrips its Mac and iPad segment. This is shown by the listing profiting $7.9 billion in Q2 of 2024. However, this marked a roughly 10% fall on the previous quarter’s earnings of $8.8 billion. Tim Cook (Apple’s CEO) attributes this to a difficult comparison on Apple Watch and AirPods.

In another show of strength, HUAWEI’s Harmony OS exceeded Apple’s iOS market share in China in Q1 of 2024, selling 900 million consumer devices. Domestically, HUAWEI smartphone sales increased from 9.3% to roughly 16% in 2023 — a roughly 70% improvement. Conversely, Apple’s share in China fell to 15.7% in Q1 of 2024 from 19.7% a year earlier, splitting the market virtually evenly with HUAWEI. Apple has since cut prices for Chinese customers to stay in the race.

If HUAWEI's climbing smartphone sales are anything to go by, the once-dominant AirPods Pro could be in trouble in China.

Other Western consumer electronics manufacturers fare worse than Apple. For example, Samsung recorded a $2.3 billion turnover for its Harman category in Q1 of 2024. Preliminary data from Sony’s recent Consolidated Financial Results shows that its Audio and Visual sales for Q1 of 2024 hit just over $0.5 billion. This seems markedly low. We must wait for more details when the company unveils its Q1 Earnings Announcements on August 7, 2024.

While HUAWEI’s geographical revenue stream has struggled since the US ban took effect in 2019, its domestic sales remain resilient. For example, the company earned $97 billion at home in 2023, with $35 billion generated specifically from its consumer business segment. This is up roughly 9.6% overall and 17% in its consumer category from a year earlier. Abroad, HUAWEI enjoyed an income of $6.6 billion across the Americas in 2018. This was even higher in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA,) reaching $28 billion. This fell sharply in 2020 though, hitting just $5.5 billion in the US and $25 billion across the EMEA respectively. In its most recent yearly accounting, HUAWEI raised just $4.9 billion in the States and just over $20 billion across the EMEA.

Time to Free(the)Buds?

The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5 offer an extremely comfortable fit.

It’s much more difficult to purchase HUAWEI products in the US than it used to be. However, fans outside the US and those who find a workaround may be pleased with what’s on offer. For example, HUAWEI’s latest FreeBuds 6i () have 11mm dynamic drivers and support the SBC, AAC, LDAC, and L2HC Bluetooth codecs. The last is HUAWEI’s proprietary connection and profits up to 960kbps, 44.1kHz/ 24-bit audio sampling. The buds also benefit from powerful noise canceling that attenuate an average of 27dB between 50Hz and 20kHz. They are also IP54-rated to protect against omnidirectional water splashes and small solid objects. The FreeBuds 6i last five hours with ANC enabled and benefit an extra 20 hours from the charging case. They also work with the HUAWEI AI Life app (Android/ iOS) to conduct firmware updates, edit the EQ, and customize controls.

It isn’t just in-ear buds that HUAWEI has to offer, though. The company’s recent FreeClip () open-ear buds are a spherical take on the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Wearing a similar clip-on design, the HUAWEI FreeClip leave your ears unoccluded to maintain situational awareness. This build is often more popular among athletes and cyclists than open-fit buds like the AirPods (3rd Generation) and HUAWEI FreeBuds 5. The FreeClip wear an IP54 water- and dust-resistant rating and weigh just 5.6g. The buds last eight hours on a single charge and the case profits an extra 24 hours of playtime. Those who frequently find themselves on Zoom calls will enjoy the buds’ ability to block out distracting environmental noises. Android and iOS fans can also download the HUAWEI AI Life app to install vital firmware updates and utilize other flagship features. Unfortunately, the buds do not support active noise canceling.

HUAWEI has many other offerings, including the FreeBuds Pro 3 () and FreeBuds SE 2 (.) The former adorn an AirPods Pro aesthetic and offer a list of pleasantries including powerful noise canceling, adaptive EQ, and four ear tip sizes. The latter are the company’s affordable alternative and profit an IP54 resistance rating, Bluetooth 5.3, nine hours of battery life, and compatibility with the HUAWEI AI Life app.

But what do you think? Is HUAWEI’s recent resurgence at home indicative of the company again emerging as an international contender in the headphone arena, or is it doomed until the US lifts its sanctions? Let us know in the poll below.

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My view basically boils down to the fact that I’m not comfortable choosing convenience over reliability and quality — ever. Bluetooth headphones are often the disposable point-and-shoot of audio, the K-cup machine, the IKEA living room set. Sure, all those things appear to get the job done conveniently, but well? Not often.

I’m the dinosaur that still shoots with a full-frame DSLR. I roast my own coffee because I refuse to pay more for burnt beans. And if I need furniture: I build it out of mahogany, oak, or birch. Maybe you don’t have a lot in common with my worldview, but I think it’s pretty clear that the older, wired designs are still superior to wireless. At least, for now.

Editor’s note: this article was updated on July 31, 2024 to update links and language.

1) Wired headphones perform better than Bluetooth headphones

Bluetooth simply doesn’t have the bandwidth or the performance ceiling to keep up with the best wired headphones. That’s not to say that all wired headphones are better than all Bluetooth headphones. Oh no. But Bluetooth’s “lossless” options are still a few years out, or reliant on a very specific constellation of hardware to achieve. If you have an iPhone or older Android phone, you’re currently outta luck.

Pictured: headphones that will blow any pair of Bluetooth cans away with their audio quality.

Even if you do meet the above requirements, you’re going to struggle to find anything that competes with, say, a Sennheiser HD800. And you’d need a very loose definition of “competing.” Even though there are some really awesome Bluetooth headphones out there (see: Apple AirPods Max): those are the exception, not the rule.

Bluetooth does a really great job at transmitting “good enough” music for commuters, and that’s great — but it’s a pretty low bar to clear. Though most people can’t really tell the difference between a FLAC file and an MP3 file at 320kbps, the point here is that Bluetooth’s ceiling isn’t quite at CD quality just yet. MP3 compression may be able to maximize quality by deleting out sound we can’t hear, but you can definitely tell when you lose quality after a certain point.

In the future, wireless audio will easily beat the crap out of our current wired headphones where audio quality is concerned via digital audio transmission. However, that day isn’t today: and if you really want the best of digital audio, you need a cable — be it USB-C, Lightning, XLR, or preferably your standard 3.5mm. While there are codecs like aptX Lossless and LDAC that bear the “Hi-res certified” branding, the truth is they’re not actually lossless, however adamant that press material is on the point. Bluetooth just isn’t there yet.

2) Batteries are inconvenient and wasteful

Which will last longer, the latte or the battery?

Having yet another battery to charge is, in my professional opinion, an unacceptable pain in the ass. It’s also very bad for the environment!

Why on earth would you limit yourself that way, especially with the main instrument you use in situations like an airplane trip? You might find yourself without access to power, and welp: you’re outta luck. Sorry about that! While battery tech is getting better, there’s always that point where a cell will stop charging. When that happens, you need to be able to change out the battery — but unless you have a product like the Fairphone Fairbuds, you really can’t do that. At this point, your headphones are dead. If you could change out the battery easily this wouldn’t be an issue, but nope: the whole thing is garbage now.

That doesn’t even touch upon the issue that true wireless earphones in particular are strong drivers of e-waste. If you’ve ever had a set of true wireless earphones break on you, did you do the research to find the proper recycling facility, or did you just throw them away? Yeah, that’s what I thought. If you’re feeling bad about considering tossing your wireless earbuds, I suggest reaching out to a recycling service like Call2Recycle.

3) You’re paying extra when you don’t need to

Flickr user: reynermedia Don’t blow your cash when you don’t have to.

Bluetooth headphones in general are undeniably convenient when you discount the headaches associated with having to charge the damn thing. However, when you’re paying $50-100 more for the same set of headphones — and the wired version works just as well — you may want to just save the money to spend on better things.

Better things include:

• A good number of café trips
• Putting it into a Roth IRA
• Spring for a better streaming service
• Investing in a better phone
• Buying new music
• Showing that special someone you care
• A good bottle of whiskey

Everyone has that point where the extra cash is worth it for the convenience, but truthfully not everyone can throw around cash willy-nilly. Students, for example, should really be doing whatever they can to maximize their “textbook” budget — and $50 buys a lot of really cheap beer. While it’s tempting to really tee off on Apple right about now, I’m going to hold back because luxury products aren’t something you buy when you’re looking to save money. If you’re seriously considering the AirPods Max, cost is not really something I imagine you care too much about.

4) “Wireless” isn’t always a durability feature

In theory, the ability to ditch the wire — the most delicate and oft-broken part of any headphone anywhere — is a positive for durability and safety. And Bluetooth headphones seem to be the logical fulfillment of that idea. However, this problem can be side-stepped if headphone manufacturers use a removable cable. To wit, V-Moda, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Beats, Bose… and pretty much all of the major headphone companies use a removable cable on many of their non-Bluetooth headphones.

Removable cables are a lot more common nowadays.

But that doesn’t even address the other part of this issue: adding a battery and other sensitive electronics adds another point of failure. Ever drop a set of headphones or knock it off a table? I sure have. Ever stuff them in a bag and subsequently toss the bag onto a hard surface? Guilty. Banging around your Bluetooth headphones probably won’t kill them, but there’s more to break inside. If one of the solder points shatters, if the electronics break, or if — God forbid — the battery pulls a Note 7 on you: your headphones will die.

Wired headphones aren’t impervious to breakage, but they’re definitely much simpler (and cheaper) to fix with the right design.

5) Reliability

Bluetooth just isn’t as reliable as a directly wired connection, and that’s a big deal.

As with most machines, adding a link in the chain will often introduce potential points of failure, and Bluetooth headphones, in particular, add a point where the connection is subject to external factors not applicable to wired ones. Lots of things can affect whether your headphones will work the way you’ve come to expect them to, and the crappier Bluetooth headphones seem to consult a pantheon of frustration gods to decide how they’re going to tick you off on any given day.

Being in a room with too many other Bluetooth devices can affect your headphones, as can bad software. Maybe your phone is too old and your new headphones will only use an SBC profile instead of the A2DP or aptX you were promised. Maybe you’ll suffer packet loss for no discernible reason, and your music skips. There’s lots that can go wrong with a wireless connection.

Wired headphones don’t skip occasionally, nor are they hard to use with your source (assuming it has a jack). They don’t have trouble when there’s lots of other Bluetooth devices around, and they won’t default to a lower-quality standard of connection if your source is 2-3 years old. They may not be glamorous, but wired headphones are extremely reliable. They don’t have lots of points of failure, they’re cheap to fix, and they work.

For the above reasons and many more: wired headphones will always be king in my eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you listen to music?

Workout buds should block out the noise around you and fit securely.

As they say in real estate: location, location, location. Where you listen to your music, podcasts, and audiobooks determines what kind of earbuds you should buy. Those who plan to listen to music while commuting by train or bus will want to prioritize active noise canceling (ANC). Likewise, gymgoers will enjoy noise canceling too.

Sitting on the opposite end of the spectrum, bike commuters and people who live in urban areas can safely navigate the world with open earbuds like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and rumored AirPods (4th generation). If you’re a proud homebody, you may not have a use for noise canceling and dislike the fit of open earbuds. In that case, the world is your oyster.

Your conference call attendees will appreciate you for buying earbuds with a high-quality mic.

Anyone who spends time in virtual meetings will want to invest in earbuds with a good microphone, which often cost at least $100. Of course, spending more than that doesn’t guarantee a good pair of buds, but spending less than that typically yields unimpressive microphone quality.

Where you listen to your music may also influence how often you use your earbuds. If you don’t plan to use your buds more than once a week, keep it simple. Get something cheap and effective like the Jlab JBuds Mini. You can probably spend less than $100. However, if you use your earbuds every day, multiple times a day, you may want to get a pricier pair.

No matter where you listen, you’ll have to consider many features before clicking a buy button.

What features do you want from your earbuds?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise canceling earbuds feature wraparound fins help keep the buds in place during exercise.

Noise canceling is one of the hottest audio features, and expensive and cheap earbuds alike share this feature. A good pair of ANC earbuds can unplug you from outside distractions, allowing you to focus on your music. The Sony WF-1000X5, for instance, can reduce the loudness of low frequencies like the rumble of your train car up by about 88%. Of course, commuters, especially those who fly often, will want to get something comfortable. Comfort is notably more subjective than ANC. However, for the most comfortable fit, we recommend earbuds with memory foam ear tips. Some earbuds, like the WF-1000XM5, come with foam tips, but you can always buy a pair from Comply to fit whatever buds you’d like.

Typically, the more features you want out of your earbuds, the more expensive the price tag.

Similarly, if you listen in the gym, noise canceling may help block out background noise. I find ANC earbuds to be particularly good at hushing the low, unending groan of a treadmill. A good fit will also quiet the metallic “clang” that inevitably happens from people dropping weights.

The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 are a durable pair of earbuds and sadly, Jabra’s last pair of consumer buds.

Beyond ANC, gym rats and athletes at large will need to invest in durable earbuds. Fortunately, there’s an objective rating system that informs you of what conditions you can subject your earbuds to. A pair of durable earbuds will have an “Ingress Protection” (aka IP) rating. You can almost always find a pair of IPX4-rated earbuds in any price range. An IPX4 rating means your buds will resist water sprays from all directions. If you rock-climb or run on the beach, you may want to opt for earbuds with a dust-resistant rating too. A great example of durable earbuds are the IP57-rated Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2.

You should know that most wireless earbuds include a companion app for your phone. Nine times out of 10, you’ll need app access to enjoy 100% of your earbuds’ features. Once you get set up in the app, you can usually customize the sound, change the onboard controls, and more. Some of our favorite mobile earbud apps come from Sony, Jabra, and Nothing. All of these apps give you granular control over the multi-band custom EQ.

The Samsung Wearables app has a 9-band equalizer for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

Nearly all applications work equally well on iPhones as they do on Android phones. However, if you’re interested in the AirPods Pro or AirPods series, you’ll need an iPhone to access almost all the features. Apple reserves it’s (limited) customization options for its own hardware. Through the iOS or iPadOS Settings apps, you can personalize the Spatial Audio effect, customize the onboard controls, toggle auto-ear detection on/off, and more. Plus, Apple hides some of its best AirPods features in the Accessibility menu within the Settings app.

Do you have an iPhone or Android phone?

Android phones have more Blueooth codecs to choose from than iPhones.

Not only does smartphone compatibility determine app features and access, but it also affects Bluetooth audio quality. Different smartphones support different Bluetooth codes. The better the codec, the better your wireless audio quality. LHDC is one of the best Bluetooth codecs you can use regarding sound quality and lag (or lack thereof), but relatively few devices support it compared to other high-end Bluetooth codecs like aptX and LDAC. Android supports a variety of Bluetooth codecs, while Apple only supports two (SBC and AAC). All Bluetooth-enabled devices must support SBC, so it’s no boon for Apple, and AAC is quite good, but its transfer rates can’t hold a candle to LHDC.

Investing in earbuds that can make use of high-quality Bluetooth codecs is worthwhile for anyone. We especially recommend high-quality codec support to listeners who want the best audio quality from their earbuds. Gamers can also benefit from the virtually imperceptible lag that comes from high-quality Bluetooth codecs.

How much do earbuds normally cost?

The cost of earbuds and headphones can ramp up quickly, but just breathe. You don’t have to overspend to get good buds for your needs.

Once you’ve narrowed down the factors above, you can start to narrow down the price range. Budget earbuds usually cost less than $100; mid-range buds are between $100 and $200; and top-tier earbuds will run you more than $200.

Budget earbuds will usually have okay sound and call quality. You might find noise canceling on budget buds, but more often than not, it will do very little to quiet the sounds of your environment. The fit can be hit or miss because ergonomics often take a backseat to other features. Buds at the lower end of this price range often won’t have an app. A great budget option are the Moondrop Space Travel ().

You can toy with the smart case to control your earbuds in your phone’s stead.

Midrange earbuds are my favorite, because they cover all bases, bringing a whole lot of value to the table. You’ll start to find better build quality, very good sound quality, solid mic quality, and useful mobile applications. Examples of excellent midrange earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro () and JBL Live Beam 3 ().

Last but not least, you have the best earbuds money can buy at $200 and up. At this price point, expect advanced ANC, very comfortable designs, wireless charging, and other premium features like multipoint connectivity. Premium earbuds are for listeners who want cutting-edge tech, price be damned. For this category, we recommend the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) () for iPhone owners, and Sony WF-1000XM5 () for Android users.

By listing out your needs and being true to them, you can find the perfect buds without breaking the bank.

Frequently asked questions about the cost of earbuds

Define “best”

If I could put my finger on why the question is so tough to answer, it’s like asking someone what the best car or power tool is; there’s so much information that’s missing from the question that it becomes hard to answer. What are the best headphones? Is it what sounds the best? What about features? Do you have the right phone? Must the best headphones have a certain feature? The list goes on.

There’s no such thing as best, and it’s time to stop pretending that there is.

There should be no greater clue to the lack of the “best” headphones out there than the constant bickering and user reviews on YouTube. If there were a set of “best” headphones, it would not be so difficult to figure it out. There are a fair number of experienced journalists, engineers, and enthusiasts all chasing that dragon — so there would be a lot less confusion around the issue if such a thing existed. The simple truth is there isn’t a “best” set of headphones, there’s only a “best” set for your needs at any given time.

Normally, I try to answer this question by starting a conversation, but in my experience, people generally want an immediate answer. The sheer number of people treating our FAQ submission tool as a search engine is a testament to that. Sometimes, they simply want confirmation that the popular headphones du jour are what they should buy (Beats, AirPods, etc.), or hope you know about a product that doesn’t exist offering ANC, stellar audio, and impossible features that only costs $10. Everybody wants a unicorn, but sadly, they don’t exist.

Are the most expensive headphones not the best? Why spend so much money on them, then?

It may sound as if I’m being unfair, but it’s worth considering that asking someone out of the clear blue sky, “What’s the best ice cream flavor?” or “What’s the best Rush album?” is a bit of a tall ask. So, in a product category with as much diversity as personal audio has, how is asking “What are the best headphones?” any different?

It’s not.

To ask the right questions, you should be asking yourself first:

1. How do you want to use your headphones? Working out? Travel? Critical listening?
2. What headphones have you tried that sounded great to you?
3. Is there something you absolutely need your headphones or earbuds to do?

After you’ve answered those questions, think to yourself: is everyone on this planet going to use their headphones or earbuds in exactly the same way? If not, you’ve discovered why there’s no such thing as the “best headphones.”

It’s a matter of taste

Now that headphones are used in many more contexts by many more people than simply listening to music, so too have the demands on earbuds and headphones. Over the last twenty years, headphones went from a wired-only affair with very few models requiring any sort of advanced processing power to where we are now. Most of the earbuds that cross my desk are wireless ANC models with new features like spatial audio with head tracking, or adaptive ANC, or even some that measure your ear canal and adjust their sound that way. The days of simple headphones that do one thing are gone.

I miss when headphones simply needed a wire to connect.

So when you’re faced with the idea that headphones need to do lots of different things, get ready to understand that not every product out there is going to do what you want it to. In a world where there’s so much to choose from, paradoxically, there’s less that will suit your demands as those demands get increasingly granular. Our recommendations can change depending on what kind of phone you have, where you listen to your music, or even what you do at work. These can all affect what we tell you to look for in a personal audio product.

You’d be surprised how often something like “not having adequate water resistance” or having the right flavor of spatial audio has swayed my personal recommendations. Even having the wrong phone processor is swaying my recommendations now. It’s exhausting!

Some people like less bass, others people want their inner ear bones rattled into powder — what people like varies.

Even if it was just down to sound quality, that, too, is a loaded subject. Even though there’s a certain kind of sound that we prefer, that’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, one of the things we learned from independent listening tests is that lots of people prefer very different sounds, even if they can largely agree on a preference curve that is a bit different than what they like the most. Some people like less bass, and other people want their inner ear bones rattled into powder. While most tuning preferences will center around some identifiable characteristics, what people like varies. We routinely review headphones that score well on the best approximation we have for measuring sound quality at present, but our reviewers are looking for something else.

Preference curves are very different, and what you prefer might not align with any.

What about a standard response? A preference curve like the Harman Target describes what most people will rate positively — but meeting a preference curve isn’t going to guarantee that every person out there would prefer that kind of sound to any others. It may even be a moving target (if you’ll excuse the pun). If you dig into the scores different preference curves earn from large groups of listeners, you’ll see that none really approach a perfect 100; even the best-rated preference curves bounce around 60-70 percent listener preference. Though it’s true that these preference curves can help us contextualize how headphones sound, meeting them is no guarantee that you, personally, will like the sound.

Big tech has skin in the game

One of the more frustrating developments in personal audio was the entrance of big tech into the category. Sure, these megacorps have added a lot of really cool features and produced many of the most beloved personal audio products out there — but the development has also introduced the concept of walled gardens to a segment that used to be more or less universally compatible.

These things changed the course of audio, whether you like it or not.

Though large companies have guided the development of personal audio since the very beginning, the market has never been more fractured than it is now. When Apple bought Beats, it shifted the landscape of headphones and earbuds forever. Though heavyweights like Sony and Panasonic had long since been major players in audio, a computing company that popularized the smartphone was now turning the segment into an extension of a larger one. We’re starting to see more and more personal audio products locked to source hardware than ever before. For example: AirPods simply don’t have the same features unless you use them with an iOS device, and Samsung earbuds have lots of cool AI features — but only if you have a new Samsung phone.

Live translation is cool, but you’ll need to choose your earbuds based on the platform that supports it.

The profit motive does bad things to a market, especially when there’s money to be made by shutting the door on interoperability or user maintenance. I’m not saying that headphones are getting enshittified, just that there’s little motivation to spend the extra money required to make sure your products don’t generate sales for your other wares. It’s not surprising that earbuds and headphones are more “disposable” than ever, because that’s just the most efficient way to make money from them. This is fundamentally at odds with someone looking to make a smart and savvy purchase.

Since the market dominance of true wireless earbuds, headphone and earbud designs have become nearly impossible for normal people to fix themselves. It used to be that you could swap out batteries to ANC headphones, or order replacement drivers for headphones that gave up the ghost, but no more. It’s much less profitable for a company to allow maintenance of their products when forcing consumers to buy a whole new one would be better for the bottom line. There’s a reason why we’ve only seen one set of earbuds with a removable battery housing, and it’s not one of the top manufacturers out there.

Stop worrying about the best headphones: what’s going to make you happy?

Listen to your media, not your headphones.

It should come as no surprise, then, that what people consider to be the “best” is now going to be a much more loaded question. There’s not an easy answer out there, but there are potentially hundreds of products that fit the bill. Instead of chasing what’s best, try to figure out what’s best for you, or at least realize that pure satisfaction may never come. You know that old saying “perfect is the enemy of good?” That’s what you should be keeping in mind while searching for headphones. Remember, buying headphones isn’t going to make you happy for the long haul, but it is a great tool to help you experience art.

Being happy with what you have will allow you to do more meaningful things like find new music, enjoy your gaming, or have a better workout. The goal shouldn’t be to buy a status symbol or what other people think you should have, but to get the right tool for the job. Only when you look at buying headphones through that lens does the way forward get clearer. If you’re able to narrow down what you want, we have more than a few recommendations for you to explore.

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 26th, 2024, and is the first version. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Beats Pill compared to the Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 are competent but different portable Bluetooth speakers. The Pill is a bit larger, weighing 680g, while Roam 2 is much lighter at 430g. Both speakers feature a relatively sleek and packable design and an IP67 protection rating, making them dust and waterproof.

Of course, the big difference lies in the tech. While the bigger Beats Pill is a beach party starter with straightforward operation, the Sono Roam 2 is a smart speaker capable of starting or integrating into an entire Sonos ecosystem. It also offers voice commands via Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa, and its slender size makes it easy to move from room to room around the house.

With its updated Bluetooth connectivity, the Roam 2 can function as a dead simple stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without relying on the Sonos app. A welcome update, but if you’re shelling out for a smart speaker, you’ll likely want to take advantage of the available tech.

How do you control the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

Both units feature tactile controls that offer a satisfying click when pushed. The Beats Pill has recessed buttons along the top, and the Roam 2 has a control panel integrated into one of its rubberized end caps. Of course, you can also control some of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app or voice commands.

Should you use the apps of either the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill only offers an app for Android users and doesn’t even contain an equalizer. If you’re an iPhone user, the software is conveniently baked into the Setting app on iOS, but you still don’t get an equalizer.

While the new Sonos Roam 2 can be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker without the app, you will need to download and install it to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, configure your voice control, and integration into an existing Sonos setup. You can also take advantage of and personalize your sound a bit with the better-than-nothing Bass and Treble sliders.

How do the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 connect?

The Beats Pill connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.3 and is SBC and AAC, but supports lossless listening over USB-C connection. It’s a cool feature, but portable Bluetooth speakers aren’t exactly ideal for critical listening.

The Sonos Roam 2 connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.2 and is also SBC and AAC only. However, as a smart speaker, it also offers a Wi-Fi connection for higher-quality audio streams and supports Apple Airplay 2.

Does the Beats Pill sound better than the Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill puts out an impressive amount of bass for a portable speaker.

Getting down to the brass tacks, if you’re looking for a party speaker for the backyard or the beach, the Beats Pill annihilates the Roam 2 when it comes to low-end bass response. Listening to Night Train by Code Elektro, there is clearly no contest. The Pill provides a steady pulse of the synthesized bass on this track, even at lower volumes. It has enough output to keep a medium-sized gathering going, but you’ll start hearing some distortion past 80% volume. If your friends are known to get a little rowdy, consider buying a second Pill and running them in stereo for more party-filling power.

While the Pill wins regarding bass response, the Roam 2 does a much better job reproducing mid-range frequencies. This is apparent when changing the genre and listening to Sun Goddess by Ramsay Lewis. While the groove is there, the percussive strumming of the rhythm guitar cuts through with better clarity, not to mention the vocals sound much more present in the mix. If you’re not concerned with a thumping bass response while casually listening to music in the kitchen while making dinner, the Roam 2 is still a decent-sounding speaker with good instrument separation.

Should you get the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

The larger size of the Beats Pill gives it an advantage in performance.

If you’re an existing Sonos user, snagging a Roam 2 is a no-brainer. It will easily integrate into your home system, and you’ll have a decent-sounding speaker to extend its reach around the house or into your backyard. If you’re considering getting into the world of smart speakers, the Sonos Roam 2 makes a great choice to get your toes wet without going overboard.

However, the Beats Pill is an undeniable choice if you’re looking to start your party. It’s durable, has excellent battery life, and has tons of bass. What else do you need? You won’t have to deal with a buggy companion app either, so you can focus on having a good time with your pals.

What should you get instead of the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

If you like the size and packability of the Roam 2 but aren’t interested in its smart features, consider the JBL Flip 6 () and save a few bucks. It’s IP67, has a robust build, and has a decent bass response. That said, the Beats Pill puts out way more low-end than the Flip 6.

If you like the Beats Pill’s more prominent size and sound, you’ll want to size up and look at the JBL Charge 5 (). It also features an IP67 protection rating and is closer in battery life to the Pill, advertising 20 hours of playback. It also features a courtesy outlet for charging any devices in the field.

Frequently asked questions

Results

On our website, 682 readers participated in the poll. A staggering 72% of respondents said they were crushed by Jabra closing up shop. This strong emotional response underscores Jabra’s impact on its loyal customer base. An additional 22% acknowledged that Jabra’s products were pretty good, bringing the total positive sentiment to 94%.

Our YouTube poll, which garnered 668 votes, showed a more diverse range of opinions but still demonstrated significant support for the brand. Here, 18% of voters expressed being crushed by the news, while 35% agreed that Jabra’s products were pretty good. Combined, 53% of YouTube respondents showed a positive attitude towards the brand.

Interestingly, the YouTube poll revealed a higher percentage of users who were less affected by Jabra’s exit. 28% said they wouldn’t really miss the brand, while 19% weren’t familiar with Jabra at all. This difference could be attributed to the broader audience on YouTube compared to our website’s more audio-focused readership.

When we combine the results from both polls, the overall sentiment becomes clear:

Most of you will miss Jabra, too.

• Strong emotional attachment: 45% of all respondents (across both platforms) expressed being deeply affected by Jabra’s departure.
• Positive brand perception: An additional 28.5% acknowledged Jabra’s quality, even if they weren’t as emotionally invested.
• Limited impact: 16% of total respondents won’t miss the brand significantly.
• Brand awareness: 10.5% were unfamiliar with Jabra, highlighting the challenges the company faced in achieving widespread recognition.

While the Jabra may not have achieved the household name status of giants like Apple or Sony, it clearly cultivated a dedicated fan base who appreciated its innovation, quality, and value for money. From pioneering early models to pushing the popularity of features like Bluetooth Multipoint and workout-friendly designs, Jabra has cemented a legacy in portable audio.

As Jabra exits the consumer earbuds market with its final offerings—the Elite 10 Gen 2 and Elite 8 Active Gen 2—many audio enthusiasts will feel the loss. As the audio world moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the gap left by Jabra will be filled.

Comments

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 26, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 offer distinctly different form factors and user experiences.

Removable ear tips mean do hard plastic bits getting jammed into your ear canal.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro features a sleek, blade-shaped stem design reminiscent of a futuristic take on Apple’s AirPods. This design also houses aesthetic lights along the stem and utilizes swipe and pinch controls. The earbuds are relatively small and lightweight at 5.4g each, making them comfortable for extended wear. However, their unique shape may not suit all ear types, and some users might find them less secure than traditional in-ear designs.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 is definitely made for fashion-forward folks.

In contrast, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 sports a more classic true wireless earbud design, with a circular touch panel on each bud. These earbuds are slightly heavier at 6.2g each and have a larger housing that protrudes more from the ear. Sennheiser has included three sizes of concha fins to help secure the fit, but users with smaller ears might find them a bit bulky.

Both earbuds offer strong durability ratings, with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro boasting an impressive IP57 rating for water and dust resistance, while the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 carries a respectable IP54 rating. This makes both suitable for workouts and light rain, though the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have a slight edge in this department.

In terms of case design, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro comes with a compact plastic case featuring a clear window lid. The Sennheiser case is larger and fabric-covered. Both offer USB-C and Qi wireless charging.

How do you control the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

The control schemes of these two earbuds differ significantly, each offering unique advantages. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro utilize a series of pinches and swipes on the stem for control. The touch-sensitive area is located near the bottom of the stem, which can be a bit unintuitive at first. Users can adjust volume, play/pause music, skip tracks, and toggle between ANC and ambient sound modes using various combinations of pinches and swipes. Additionally, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer voice command functionality, although this feature can be hit-or-miss in noisy environments or with background conversations.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, on the other hand, employ a more traditional touch panel on the outer surface of each earbud. The default control scheme is straightforward: single taps control transparency mode and play/pause, double taps skip tracks, triple taps toggle ANC and activate voice assistants, while long presses adjust volume. This layout may be more intuitive for users familiar with other true wireless earbuds, and the larger touch surface can make inputs more reliable.

Should you use the apps of either Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 come with companion apps that enhance their functionality, making app usage highly recommended for both devices.

The Samsung Wearables app has a 9-band equalizer for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro uses the Samsung Wearable app, which is essential for accessing many of the earbuds’ advanced features, especially for Samsung phone users. The app allows for customization of touch controls, enables voice commands, and provides access to features like 360 audio, adaptive noise control, and AI translation services. It also includes a 9-band equalizer for sound customization and a “Find My” feature for locating lost earbuds. Users with Android phones other than Samsung or iPhones may find some features limited or unavailable.

The default control layout may not be 100% to your liking, but you can customize it using the Sennheiser app.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 pairs with the Sennheiser Smart Control app, which offers a comprehensive suite of features. It includes a fit test to ensure optimal seal and sound quality, a 5-band equalizer for audio tweaking, and the ability to set geofenced behaviors for ANC strength. The app also facilitates firmware updates and offers a unique Sound Check feature that creates a personalized listening profile, though this requires creating a Sennheiser account. The Sennheiser app also includes a “Battery Protection Mode” that optimizes charging to preserve long-term battery health.

How do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 connect?

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro utilizes Bluetooth 5.4 and supports a range of codecs, including SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, and Samsung Seamless Codecc, which are only available on newer Samsung devices. Likewise, they offer instant pairing and easy switching between Samsung devices.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 also employs Bluetooth 5.4 but offers a wider array of codec support. They’re compatible with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and after a firmware update, LC3 and LE Audio. This broader codec support makes the Sennheiser earbuds more versatile across different devices and potentially future-proof.

Both earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing users to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. They also both feature Auracast support, a new Bluetooth capability that enables public audio sharing and improved broadcasting features.

Is battery life better on the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

When it comes to battery life, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 clearly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. In standardized battery tests, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 delivered an impressive 7 hours and 45 minutes of continuous playback at a safe listening volume. This performance puts them well ahead of many competitors in the true wireless earbud market.

In contrast, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro fell short in battery longevity, managing only 4 hours and 31 minutes under similar test conditions. This significant difference in battery life could be a crucial factor for users who require extended listening sessions without needing to recharge, such as on flights or road trips.

In terms of fast charging capabilities, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 can provide about 1 hour of listening time from just 8 minutes of charging. Samsung does not list fast charging on the product page, but given the relatively small size, we expect the earbuds to charge pretty quickly.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 block noise better?

When it comes to noise cancelation, both the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 offer strong performance but with some notable differences. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 demonstrates superior overall noise attenuation, achieving an impressive 83% average noise attenuation in laboratory tests. This performance puts them in the upper echelon of noise canceling earbuds.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro, while still competent in noise cancelation, falls slightly short of the Sennheiser’s performance. They manage to attenuate about 76% of outside noise with ANC enabled, which is good but not exceptional for their price point. However, it’s worth noting that the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers strong passive isolation, blocking out almost 57% of external noise even without ANC activated. Still, the Sennheiser could also physically block up to 50dB in some frequency ranges.

One unique feature of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is their adaptive noise control, which can automatically adjust ANC levels based on your environment. They also offer a siren detection feature, though the reviewer noted that given the overall ANC performance, this feature might not be as necessary as Samsung suggests. Both earbuds offer transparency or ambient sound modes to allow external sounds in when needed.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

When it comes to sound quality, both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 deliver impressive performance, but with distinct characteristics that cater to different listening preferences.

In real-world listening tests, we praised the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 for their handling of various genres, particularly excelling with funk, psych rock, and 70s-80s era music. We noted the Galaxy Buds3 Pro for their full and detailed sound, though some listeners might find the treble emphasis fatiguing over long listening sessions.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 showcases Sennheiser’s renowned audio expertise. It received high marks in the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) assessment, with particularly high ratings in Timbre (4.9) and less Distortion, as indicated by the lower score. They did score slightly lower in Immersion, however.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro also performed admirably in their MDAQS results. They received the same score for Timbre score of 4.9, matching the Sennheiser, but scored higher in Distortion (3.3), indicating there is more.

Objective Measurements

In terms of frequency repsonse, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a slightly V-shaped response, with emphasized bass and treble. This tuning can make certain genres like pop and electronic music sound more exciting, but it may not be ideal for listeners seeking a more neutral sound. The Sennheiser earbuds, on the other hand, follow our house curve a little more closely, offering a more balanced sound profile out of the box, with a slight bass emphasis that doesn’t overpower the mids and highs.

Both earbuds offer customizable EQ settings through their respective apps, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preferences. The Sennheiser app provides a 5-band EQ, while the Samsung app offers a more detailed 9-band EQ.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 have a better microphone?

When it comes to microphone performance, neither the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro nor the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 particularly excel.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphones offer decent performance in ideal conditions, with clear voice reproduction. However, they struggle significantly with noise rejection. In office environments, louder noises tend to come through while quieter ones are attenuated, leading to inconsistent call quality. The earbuds particularly struggle in windy conditions, with wind noise severely impacting speech intelligibility.

For the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, we found the speech quality to be highly variable, and environmental noise suppression was noted as poor and inconsistent. Like the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, the Sennheiser earbuds also struggled significantly with rejecting wind noise.

Those prioritizing call quality in their true wireless earbuds might want to consider other options on the market that specialize in this area.

Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are both positioned as premium true wireless earbuds, reflected in their pricing. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are priced at , while the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 come in at a slightly higher price point of . This $50 difference puts both earbuds in the upper tier of the true wireless market, competing with other high-end offerings from brands like Apple, Sony, and Bose.

Both earbuds are widely available through their respective manufacturer’s websites, major electronics retailers, and online marketplaces. However, Samsung has temporarily paused shipments of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro due to quality control issues with early production units. This may affect short-term availability, with some pre-orders potentially delayed until late August 2024.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 ultimately depends on your personal preferences, device ecosystem, and specific needs. Both are among the best earbuds, offering future-proof features and high-quality audio experiences, but they cater to slightly different audiences.

Though they look a bit like a Cybertruck and AirPods had a baby, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are 2024 tech chic.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are an excellent choice for users deeply integrated into the Samsung ecosystem. They offer seamless pairing with Samsung devices, access to Samsung-specific high-quality audio codecs, and AI-powered features that work best within the Samsung environment. Their sleek design with Blade Lights make them a fashion-forward option. However, their shorter battery life and some limitations in ANC performance are notable drawbacks.

Three sizes of concha fin, four ear tip sizes, and a USB-C cable are included with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, on the other hand, offer a more universal appeal. They boast superior sound quality with excellent clarity and soundstage, longer battery life, and support for a wider range of high-quality audio codecs, including aptX Lossless.

For most Android users, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are likely the better choice. They offer superior sound quality, more effective noise cancelation, and longer battery life. However, Samsung phone owners might find more value in the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. While they don’t match the Sennheiser’s audio quality or ANC performance, their seamless integration with Samsung’s ecosystem unlocks exclusive features like real-time translation and adaptive sound control.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 25, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Roam 2 compared to the JBL Flip 6?

While the Sonos Roam 2 and the JBL Flip 6 are similar in size and share some of the same features, they are very different speakers. The Roam 2 is a smart speaker that can be integrated into an existing Sonos home system and offers features like voice control, while the Flip 6 is a dead simple portable Bluetooth speaker designed to take on the great outdoors.

That said, the Roam 2 can now be used as a stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without using the Sonos app, just like the Flip 6. However, while both these speakers are IP67 rated, making them dustproof and waterproof, the Flip 6 has the more robust build if you’re not in the habit of babying your gear.

The Roam 2 has the task of looking good at home with the rest of your Sonos speakers while remaining portable; you can’t help but notice its sleek and minimalist design. The Flip 6 has the advantage of being the rough and ready adventure speaker. It sports some hearty silicon bumpers to protect its passive radiators, and the entire unit is wrapped in a durable fabric.

How do you control the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

The Roam 2’s tactile buttons are located on the side of the unit, and its power and Bluetooth buttons are on the back. The Flip 6 contains some raised playback buttons along the top of the enclosure, and like the Roam 2, its power and Bluetooth buttons are also on the back.

You can also control a variety of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app.

Should you use the apps of either Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

You’ll need to download and install the Sonos app to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, integration with other Sonos speakers, and voice command settings. The Roam 2 supports both Sonos Voice Command and Amazon Alexa. While you can also use it to pair a second Rome speaker for stereo performance when connected over Wi-Fi, the app doesn’t offer many EQ options. You’re only supplied with Bass and Treble sliders.

Regarding the Flip 6, you can easily get away without using the JBL Portable app. Still, it offers some advantages: a 3-band EQ, pairing a second Flip 6 for stereo performance, and easily linking up to any other PartyBoost-supported JBL speakers.

How do the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6 connect?

The Roam 2 takes the clear win when it comes to connection. You can connect over Wi-Fi, which allows you to stream higher-quality audio, or via Apple Airplay 2. It also can connect to your device via the slightly outdated Bluetooth 5.2 and offers SBC and AAC codec support.

The Flip 6, showing its age, connects to your device via the even older Bluetooth 5.1 and is SBC only. It does not offer any options for higher bitrate listening. Neither speaker offers a 3.5mm wired connection.

Does the Sonos Roam 2 sound better than the JBL Flip 6?

The Flip 6 features dual passive radiators, whereas the Roam 2 does not.

Regarding sound, there are some hardware differences between these two speakers. The Flip 6’s main advantage over the Roam 2 is its dual passive radiators. Cueing up On The Run by TimeCop1983 and listening to these speakers side by side, the Flip 6 produces much more low-end than the Roam 2, which only contains a tweeter and a mid-woofer. It also gets significantly louder than the Roam 2.

However, the Roam 2 still offers decent clarity in the mid and treble frequencies, especially on acoustic guitar-heavy tracks like Ventura Highway by America. It makes for a great speaker for personal listening around the house or a small Sunday picnic, but it’s not the get-up out of your-chair party starter the Flip 6 is.

If you plan on using your speaker in a group setting, especially outdoors, you and your guests will appreciate the extra output and low-end provided by the Flip 6.

Should you get the Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of smart speakers or extend the reach of your existing home Sonos setup a little further, the Roam 2 is the ideal choice. It has decent sound, good connectivity options, and a sleek yet durable design.

Both the Roam 2 and Flip 6 can easily fit into a backpack.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend time messing around with an app and want a straight-ahead, rugged Bluetooth speaker with a hearty bass response you can toss in your backpack for your next weekend getaway, you can save yourself a few bucks, and snag the JBL Flip 6.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

If you’re after something a little larger for your next outdoor gathering, you can go up a step and check out the JBL Charge 5 (). It can provide more output than the Roam 2 or the Flip 6 while remaining reasonably portable and offering an IP67 protection rating. It even has a courtesy USB-A outlet for charging your device in the field.

If budget is a concern, consider the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. () This speaker provides stereo playback, a solid companion app with EQ options, and is designed to perform in 3 different positions. Standing, laying, and hanging. Changing the speaker’s orientation will trigger an EQ change for an optimal listening experience no matter where it ends up around camp.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 24, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are top-tier earbuds from some of the most popular audio companies out there. Both products offer the latest features and best performance of each companies’ product lines. Picking one over the other isn’t so much an exercise in figuring out which product is the “best,” but which one suits your needs more.

Though it’s a little on the chunky side, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ charging case should still be able to fit into your pocket without much fuss.

While the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro look a lot like the Apple AirPods Pro with a similar style of ear tips and lollipop-style design, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds use a shorter protrusion to serve as its control interface, and a small fin to hold the earbud in your ear. Though there are design advantages to each style, the former earbuds are a little more comfortable than the latter, and the latter are much easier to fit than the former.

Exercise enthusiasts will probably be better suited by the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, as those earbuds boast an IP57 ingress protection rating. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds only offer an IPX4 rating — more than enough for workouts — but it does mean that there’s an increased likelihood that a splash or dunk would be a bit too much to handle. For activities that would put you in the presence of a lot of water, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are more likely to survive.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro definitely look the part of flagship earbuds.

Both charging cases are small enough to fit in just about any pocket, and both charging cases are more than adequate for the job. However, only the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro’s case can be topped up wirelessly, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds only support traditional charging. Though it’s not a huge deal unless you have a wireless charging pad, it is undeniably convenient.

Should you use the apps of either Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

In order to make the most of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, you’re going to need to use the apps of each to get the most out of them. While you can technically scrape by without tinkering, in the case of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro we think you’ll want to install the Samsung Wearable app in order to unlock the equalizer, EQ presets, and AI features. Said AI features are pretty useful, even if it’s a bit limited currently. For example, the real-time translation tool is a creative tool that allows you to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak your language, and the results are pretty decent.

The Samsung Wearable app unlocks more than just an EQ.

Bose’s Music App is required for timely updates, and that means it’s definitely a good idea to install every now and again. The app itself isn’t super useful outside of that, as the EQ presets and the three-band equalizer aren’t all that incredible. However, you will need it if you’d like to use Bose’s version of spatial audio: Immersive sound. I wasn’t a fan because it simply made the audio sound like you were listening to a single speaker in front of you, and then used the head tracking to place that in 3D space. But if you are hoping for that sort of thing, Bose’s implementation nails that illusion.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds connect?

The pairing button lives next to the USB-C port.

Though the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are able to make use of SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless Codecs, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds use a much more cross-platform friendly aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless). If you have a Samsung phone, this likely will not matter to you, but if you have a current Android phone from any other manufacturer, you’re probably going to want to pick up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if your device uses a Qualcomm chip that supports Snapdragon Sound.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ pairing button is located at the back of the charging case.

However, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are the only model between the two that supports Auracast — if you’re angling to use that feature in the future. Though it’s not a big fixture of Bluetooth headphones just yet, it does enable some useful features like allowing venues to pipe their audio feeds directly to your earbuds, or provide a translated audio stream that only you can hear.

Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

According to our standardized tests, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro last 4 hours and 31 minutes, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds can go for 6 hours and 11 minutes. This mainly matters on long trips, or if you plan to listen to music for many hours in one go. If you’re looking for a commuter buddy, you’re going to be placing these back in the charging case anyways after an hour or so — so the battery life isn’t a huge deal. Still, if you’re flying often, or taking extended bus trips: you might want to pick up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

I will point out too, that more charging cycles can place additional strain on tiny batteries. So if you’re hoping to maximize the operational life of your earbuds, you might want to pick the ones with the better single-charge duration. But given that this is on the span of a couple years, it’s not an immediate concern.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds block noise better?

Though there isn’t a clear winner in some of the other comparisons, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a stellar performer when it comes to ANC, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are merely “pretty good.” There’s no bad option here, but there is a clear winner. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have excellent isolation and ANC.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer fair ANC performance, though it’s not going to make you forget the other top-tier options out there. There’s an argument to be made that this is a positive for those of you who go running or biking and need to be able to hear louder sounds, but if you’re around a bunch of engine noise: you might hear it.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, on the other hand, have some of the best ANC we’ve seen come through our labs, and should offer you a pretty noise-free listening experience. It’s not perfect, but it’s the choice you want to make for a flight or higher-noise environment.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Though the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are among the top of their class, there is a clear winner when it comes to sound quality. Both are good, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers a more crowd-pleasing sound than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. To illustrate this point, we took each through our labs and collected the following data to share with you.

As we can gather from the chart above, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro’s sound is characterized by strong bass, a slight dip at 400Hz, and some highs emphasis. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, on the other hand, have slightly stronger sub-bass, and much more high-mids emphasis. Though neither set of earbuds is exactly what we look for, both exhibit pretty typical features for consumer earphones.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a clear winner over Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

That said, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have distortion that you may or may not be able to hear. Because of this, along with a somewhat lower Immersiveness score, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds fall behind the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro in terms of perceived sound quality.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have a better microphone?

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have excellent microphones, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is better at rejecting noise. You can hear for yourself in the selected clips below.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds microphone demo (Windy conditions):

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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Price and availability

Because both Bose and Samsung are among the most popular manufacturers of earbuds on the planet, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that you can find both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds on the websites of just about any big-box retailer out there. However, a recent move by Samsung to re-check much of its stock after manufacturing issues became apparent means that the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro won’t be available until the end of August at the soonest.

Though the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro comes in at $249.99, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($299.99) have been on the market for quite a while, so you might be able to find them on sale at the usual times of year. The prices being this close means that at any given time one might not be more expensive than the other, and it’s important to identify these products as competitors in price in addition to market status.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Until the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro returns to the marketplace, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are your best bet. However, there’s reason enough to wait for the Samsung earbuds, especially when it comes to sound quality and features. Sure, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are nothing to sniff at, and those earbuds may be a great fit for a lot of people, but they do have their shortcomings.

Though they look a bit like a Cybertruck and AirPods had a baby, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are 2024 tech chic.

However, frequent international travelers shouldn’t think twice: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the better fit with far superior ANC and battery life. These are the main advantages the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have over the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 24, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

Samsung has clearly taken some design inspiration from Apple.

We’re not the first to say it and we won’t be the last – Samsung copied the design of Apple’s earbuds. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro take a lot of design inspiration from the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), while the regular Galaxy Buds3 take some cues from the regular Apple AirPods (3rd generation). Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and we aren’t complaining about the stem design of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, as it is a tried and true form factor. That said, Samsung didn’t quite master the design, given the fact they had to suspend shipments of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro due to quality control issues.

Assuming you don’t get a defunct unit, you will likely enjoy the design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. We found the earbuds are comfortable to wear, and stay in place well. Similarly, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are very comfortable. Each Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbud weighs 5.4g, while each AirPods Pro earbud weighs 5.3g.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro take a lot of design inspiration from the AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

When it comes to durability, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have the edge. They are IP57 dust and water-resistant, superior to the IPX4 rating of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). That said, the AirPods are still sweat-resistant enough to take with you to the gym.

Samsung took another page out of Apple’s playbook when it comes to controls. Just like with the AirPods, you can pinch the stem of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro to control music playback. You can also use voice controls for both the Samsung and Apple earbuds.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have more features?

The Samsung Wearable app enables a 9-band EQ, along with presets.

As expected, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro work best with Samsung phones, whereas the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) work best with iPhones. Both have a very comprehensive set of features, as long as you stay within the ecosystem.

You can adjust basic functions for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro right from within the Settings on your Galaxy device. With the addition of the Samsung Wearable app, you can access voice commands, adaptive noise control, AI translation services, 360 audio, Find My, and more. The app also provides an equalizer to adjust the sound of the earbuds, a feature you won’t find native to the AirPods.

The iPhone Settings app and Control Center are where you go to customize the listening experience.

There’s no separate app for the AirPods, as Apple bakes all the software functionality into the operating system. In the Settings app you’ll find an ear tip fit test, listening mode adjustments, and control customization. Open the Control Center on your device and you can access features like audio sharing and spatial audio. To find a lost AirPods earbud, head to the Find My app on your Apple device.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) connect?

The earbuds share a very similar form factor.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, and Samsung Seamless Codec. While you can pair the Galaxy Buds3 Pro to any device, you’ll need a relatively new Samsung device to take full advantage of the earbuds connectivity tech that is capable of streaming at up to 24bit/96kHz.

Similarly, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) work best with Apple devices. They have Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC, the latter of which works well with iOS devices. While Android supports AAC, its performance is historically variable on Android. The H2 chip inside the earbuds supports what Apple calls “high bandwidth connectivity,” suggesting that the sound quality is getting closer to lossless but isn’t quite there yet.

Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

The charging port is located on the bottom of both.

According to our battery testing, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro last 4 hours and 31 minutes, whereas the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) last 5 hours and 43 minutes. We conduct our testing with noise canceling turned on, so you may experience longer battery life in different listening modes and with different volume levels. The shorter battery life of the Samsung earbuds means more frequent charge cycles, which shortens the life expectancy of the product. The case of both earbuds provides a few extra full charges.

You can charge the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro wirelessly or with a USB-C cable. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) support both of those charging methods, as well as the proprietary MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) block noise better?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have active noise canceling to block out external noise. According to our testing, both do a good job blocking out noise, but the AirPods have a slight edge. The ANC of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro struggles to block out low-frequency noise below 100Hz, as well as mid-range noise around 500Hz. This is disappointing considering how good the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro were at blocking out noise.

If you are interested in staying aware of your surroundings, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) each have a very capable transparency mode. Both sets of earbuds are also intelligent enough to listen for sounds like a passing siren.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

Most people will enjoy the sound quality of both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Out of the box, the Galaxy Buds  3 Pro have a strong emphasis on bass, but you can tame this down with the Clear EQ preset. While the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) don’t have a custom equalizer, they do have Adaptive EQ, which tailors the sound quality to the shape of your ears. This makes the AirPods the ideal choice for people who don’t want to tinker.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

Both earbuds are projected to be crowd pleasers.

On a scale from 1-5, both earbuds score a 4.8 Overall. This is a very high score, and it means that most people will enjoy the default sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation).

Objective Measurements

As you can see in the chart above, the default frequency response of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro emphasizes low and high frequencies more than the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The AirPods have a more neutral sound that closely follows our headphone preference curve. That said, you can easily customize the sound quality of the Samsung earbuds using the equalizer in the Samsung Wearables app.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have a better microphone?

You can use both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) for taking calls on the go. In quiet environments, both earbuds are equipped with microphones that reproduce the voice clearly. In our simulated noise tests, we found the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro do not reject background noise as well as the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). That said, performance will vary depending on what device you are connected to and what app you are using.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Office conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Office conditions):

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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation): Price and availability

Similar design, similar price.

In yet a final statement of imitation, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have the same starting price of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) of $250 USD. That said, since it has been a while since Apple updated it’s AirPods lineup, you are more likely to find the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) on sale than the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

As of writing, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are on hold due to quality control issues, with the earbuds now set to hit shelves in late 2024.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

I’m sure you saw this coming, but your decision here should come down to the logo on the back of your smartphone. If you are tied to the Apple ecosystem, buy the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). If you are allegiant to Samsung, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are a good option. If you have neither a Samsung or Apple smartphone, you should look at alternative options.

In terms of pure performance, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are very evenly matched. No matter which earbuds you go with, you will enjoy great sound quality, good noise canceling, and a plethora of intelligent features.

Frequently asked questions