Here's a thing very few of the best wired earbuds offer, at least in the mass-produced consumer space: specialized tuning for each member of your band – yes, even the bass player. But that's what Beyerdynamic did at the very start of the year, releasing not one but four sets of IEMs tuned just slightly differently, in a bid to give each of your musician friends what they need.
The set I have under review here is the DT 72 IE, "for guitarists and singers". These IEMs boast a "subtly tuned bass" so as not to overwhelm during performance. The optimized frequency response here is also listed as between 200-500 Hz to compensate for the occlusion effect. This is a known issue wherein the perception one's own voice is too loud, hollow, or even boomy due to the ear canal's obstruction (with said IEMs, funnily enough) and the trapping of sonic vibrations within.
What of the rest of the range? DT 70 IE is billed as the set "for mixing and critical listening". DT 71 IE is "for drummers and bassists"with asound signature that Beyerdynamic says "enhances low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones". DT 73 IE is the pair for the orchestral musician, pianist or keyboard player, with extra care taken on treble overtones (there's a subtle boost from 5kHz upwards).
I think it's fair to say that given the asking fee of whichever set you pick (which is $499, or anywhere from £431 to £479 in the UK, so around AU$900) these are IEMs for the successful musician – something emphasized by acclaimed jazz pianist, gospel artist and producer Cory Henry and Gina Miles (winner of The Voice Season 23) who both agreed to help showcase the new products in January of this year.
(Image credit: Future)
Am I qualified to give these singer-specific buds a thorough appraisal? I'd say so. It's been a while, granted, but I've performed in several big musicals, films, and a fair few gigs over the years, often with a trusty pair of cheap and cheerful Shure SE215 in (or hanging out of) my ears. Hey, I sang solo and covered leads, y'know…
The Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not like my old Shure workhorses, though, reader. This is what I would have bought myself if I'd been making something other than a lowly performer's wage, and/or had the promise of work engagements lasting for more than six months at a time. The latter is something not even the best of us regularly gets… and I was far from the best.
But let's put the delicate topics of coin and talent to one side. The DT 72 IE are very well made. The case is fabric but pocketable and holds its shape – the 1.4m cable will not tangle, is near-silent and comes with a 3.5mm termination and 6.35 mm adapter. The headshells are beautifully small. Your accessories are also resoundingly high-end: alongside the five pairs of silicone ear tips, you also get three in Comply memory foam (which I'll always go for, if they're offered). You even get a spare set of earwax guards and detailed instructions on how to switch them out, if and when the need arises.
You'll need to shape the ear hooks yourself, but once you take a moment to get it right, I found them very comfortable and also hardly noticeable (from a visual perspective) once in my ear. So far, so successful.
What about for sound? I fired up my FiiO M23 and a few of my old audition standards. Now, I had no access to the pro mixer, mic or gain stages I used to enjoy, back in the day – so full disclosure: I couldn't set any of that up. What follows is my analysis of the DT 72 IE as listening devices to analyze my own recorded vocals and also to record a quick demo – en route to a last-minute audition, say.
And, good grief, did I hear extra detail and even a bit of vib to be proud of in my own rendition of The Show Must Go On from 2018, sung as an aerialist/singer in a German Queen tribute show called We Are the Champions. All true, I promise.
It's as if guitar riffs and my voice has been plucked from the soundstage and held above the mix in a surgical layering system, like items to be admired (or admonished) aside from all else. It's exactly what your lead vocalist of axe man needs, to hone their craft and I wish I'd had them when performing every day. If I'd had the DT 72 IE, I might've realized I was just a touch flat when trying to reach "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer" on that cruise ship gig…
Any drawbacks to the DT 72 IE sonically? This is an analytical listen, rather than an exciting one. From a listener's perspective, things can feel just a little flat on occasion. This is because the bass injection has been pulled back and so, dynamically, tracks can feel just a touch uneventful. Beyerdynamic has expressed as much and offers another model for critical listening and/or mixing, but it's still worth stating for those who want something to lay down tracks with and to listen purely for the pleasure of doing so.
Personally, I love them. If your favorite aspect of recorded music is the lead singer and/or the guitar solos, you may have found the set of IEMs for you. No, they're not neutral – that's the whole point.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Price and release date
Released on January 23, 2025
Priced $499 / from £431 (around AU$900)
It's important to state that the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not unique – IEMs pitched squarely at vocalists exist (from companies such as Moondrop, 64 Audio and even Sennheiser) and the 64 Audio U12t, for example, costs four times as much as the Beyer product you're reading about.
The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, however, (a popular choice among the musicians I know) cost around a fifth of the DT 72 IE's asking fee. So it really is a mixed bag…
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Specs
Drivers
Dynamic (closed)
Weight
3g per earpiece (without ear tip)
Frequency range
5Hz - 40kHz
Waterproof rating
None
Other features
No in-line mic, plenty of accessories
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
What these earbuds are designed for has been beautifully achieved – no more, no less
5/5
Sound quality
If picking out the vocal or guitar is what you need, they deliver. If you want to listen casually, too, they may not be for you – but that's hardly fair
4.5/5
Design
Beautifully svelte earpieces and cable, only let down by the need to bend (and re-bend) the ear hooks yourself
4.5/5
Value
To call them 'mid-range' feels unfathomable, but the prices you can pay in this niche sector of the market are variable, to say the least
4/5
Buy them if...
You're a pro singer or guitarist – and you're good Done OK for gigs recently and want to level up your art? I think these are a great professional product.
You have a smaller ear I may well put these into our best earbuds for small ears guide, because they slip so happily into my smaller tragus and present no issues to my bijou ear canal.
Don't buy them if...
You want an all-round listen These are not that product, despite their considerably gifted performance when it comes to vocals and midrange instruments.
Gigs haven't been plentiful lately These are either a treat for the end of a lucrative run of shows or something for the muso not short of work in general. Those of us who don't know where (or from whom) the next paycheck is coming may sadly have to look elsewhere.
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Also consider
This particular product is a tad niche for TechRadar (we're not a dedicated musician or performer site, as you'll know) but personal experience has taught me that Shure's 215 SE are often the entry-level option here, as are the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro – both of which are a lot cheaper than the model listed above.
Are they as good? No, that wouldn't be fair given the dearth in price – and that's the point I want make here: if you have the money, the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are very, very good for singers and guitarists.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: How I tested
Tested across two weeks
Used at home, listening to my vocal recordings and regular testing tracks
Predominantly tested using my iPhone (and hi-res Flac files on my laptop)
I had to go back to 2018 (the last time I sang professionally, and the year before I became a full-time audio journalist) in the name of testing the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE.
I revisited a time when money was tight but professional fulfilment was plentiful. I had work! Lots of it – and I also had a post-grad degree to pay for. I listened to both my own vocals (even the ones recorded quickly as voice memos on my iPhone, to learn a tricksy harmony line in rehearsal) and then to everything from Melissa Etheridge to Ginuwine – both of whom I love for what they've given to music.
And know this: the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE were never uncomfortable and always enlightening during my testing.
Here's a thing very few of the best wired earbuds offer, at least in the mass-produced consumer space: specialized tuning for each member of your band – yes, even the bass player. But that's what Beyerdynamic did at the very start of the year, releasing not one but four sets of IEMs tuned just slightly differently, in a bid to give each of your musician friends what they need.
The set I have under review here is the DT 72 IE, "for guitarists and singers". These IEMs boast a "subtly tuned bass" so as not to overwhelm during performance. The optimized frequency response here is also listed as between 200-500 Hz to compensate for the occlusion effect. This is a known issue wherein the perception one's own voice is too loud, hollow, or even boomy due to the ear canal's obstruction (with said IEMs, funnily enough) and the trapping of sonic vibrations within.
What of the rest of the range? DT 70 IE is billed as the set "for mixing and critical listening". DT 71 IE is "for drummers and bassists"with asound signature that Beyerdynamic says "enhances low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones". DT 73 IE is the pair for the orchestral musician, pianist or keyboard player, with extra care taken on treble overtones (there's a subtle boost from 5kHz upwards).
I think it's fair to say that given the asking fee of whichever set you pick (which is $499, or anywhere from £431 to £479 in the UK, so around AU$900) these are IEMs for the successful musician – something emphasized by acclaimed jazz pianist, gospel artist and producer Cory Henry and Gina Miles (winner of The Voice Season 23) who both agreed to help showcase the new products in January of this year.
(Image credit: Future)
Am I qualified to give these singer-specific buds a thorough appraisal? I'd say so. It's been a while, granted, but I've performed in several big musicals, films, and a fair few gigs over the years, often with a trusty pair of cheap and cheerful Shure SE215 in (or hanging out of) my ears. Hey, I sang solo and covered leads, y'know…
The Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not like my old Shure workhorses, though, reader. This is what I would have bought myself if I'd been making something other than a lowly performer's wage, and/or had the promise of work engagements lasting for more than six months at a time. The latter is something not even the best of us regularly gets… and I was far from the best.
But let's put the delicate topics of coin and talent to one side. The DT 72 IE are very well made. The case is fabric but pocketable and holds its shape – the 1.4m cable will not tangle, is near-silent and comes with a 3.5mm termination and 6.35 mm adapter. The headshells are beautifully small. Your accessories are also resoundingly high-end: alongside the five pairs of silicone ear tips, you also get three in Comply memory foam (which I'll always go for, if they're offered). You even get a spare set of earwax guards and detailed instructions on how to switch them out, if and when the need arises.
You'll need to shape the ear hooks yourself, but once you take a moment to get it right, I found them very comfortable and also hardly noticeable (from a visual perspective) once in my ear. So far, so successful.
What about for sound? I fired up my FiiO M23 and a few of my old audition standards. Now, I had no access to the pro mixer, mic or gain stages I used to enjoy, back in the day – so full disclosure: I couldn't set any of that up. What follows is my analysis of the DT 72 IE as listening devices to analyze my own recorded vocals and also to record a quick demo – en route to a last-minute audition, say.
And, good grief, did I hear extra detail and even a bit of vib to be proud of in my own rendition of The Show Must Go On from 2018, sung as an aerialist/singer in a German Queen tribute show called We Are the Champions. All true, I promise.
It's as if guitar riffs and my voice has been plucked from the soundstage and held above the mix in a surgical layering system, like items to be admired (or admonished) aside from all else. It's exactly what your lead vocalist of axe man needs, to hone their craft and I wish I'd had them when performing every day. If I'd had the DT 72 IE, I might've realized I was just a touch flat when trying to reach "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer" on that cruise ship gig…
Any drawbacks to the DT 72 IE sonically? This is an analytical listen, rather than an exciting one. From a listener's perspective, things can feel just a little flat on occasion. This is because the bass injection has been pulled back and so, dynamically, tracks can feel just a touch uneventful. Beyerdynamic has expressed as much and offers another model for critical listening and/or mixing, but it's still worth stating for those who want something to lay down tracks with and to listen purely for the pleasure of doing so.
Personally, I love them. If your favorite aspect of recorded music is the lead singer and/or the guitar solos, you may have found the set of IEMs for you. No, they're not neutral – that's the whole point.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Price and release date
Released on January 23, 2025
Priced $499 / from £431 (around AU$900)
It's important to state that the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not unique – IEMs pitched squarely at vocalists exist (from companies such as Moondrop, 64 Audio and even Sennheiser) and the 64 Audio U12t, for example, costs four times as much as the Beyer product you're reading about.
The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, however, (a popular choice among the musicians I know) cost around a fifth of the DT 72 IE's asking fee. So it really is a mixed bag…
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Specs
Drivers
Dynamic (closed)
Weight
3g per earpiece (without ear tip)
Frequency range
5Hz - 40kHz
Waterproof rating
None
Other features
No in-line mic, plenty of accessories
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
What these earbuds are designed for has been beautifully achieved – no more, no less
5/5
Sound quality
If picking out the vocal or guitar is what you need, they deliver. If you want to listen casually, too, they may not be for you – but that's hardly fair
4.5/5
Design
Beautifully svelte earpieces and cable, only let down by the need to bend (and re-bend) the ear hooks yourself
4.5/5
Value
To call them 'mid-range' feels unfathomable, but the prices you can pay in this niche sector of the market are variable, to say the least
4/5
Buy them if...
You're a pro singer or guitarist – and you're good Done OK for gigs recently and want to level up your art? I think these are a great professional product.
You have a smaller ear I may well put these into our best earbuds for small ears guide, because they slip so happily into my smaller tragus and present no issues to my bijou ear canal.
Don't buy them if...
You want an all-round listen These are not that product, despite their considerably gifted performance when it comes to vocals and midrange instruments.
Gigs haven't been plentiful lately These are either a treat for the end of a lucrative run of shows or something for the muso not short of work in general. Those of us who don't know where (or from whom) the next paycheck is coming may sadly have to look elsewhere.
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Also consider
This particular product is a tad niche for TechRadar (we're not a dedicated musician or performer site, as you'll know) but personal experience has taught me that Shure's 215 SE are often the entry-level option here, as are the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro – both of which are a lot cheaper than the model listed above.
Are they as good? No, that wouldn't be fair given the dearth in price – and that's the point I want make here: if you have the money, the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are very, very good for singers and guitarists.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: How I tested
Tested across two weeks
Used at home, listening to my vocal recordings and regular testing tracks
Predominantly tested using my iPhone (and hi-res Flac files on my laptop)
I had to go back to 2018 (the last time I sang professionally, and the year before I became a full-time audio journalist) in the name of testing the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE.
I revisited a time when money was tight but professional fulfilment was plentiful. I had work! Lots of it – and I also had a post-grad degree to pay for. I listened to both my own vocals (even the ones recorded quickly as voice memos on my iPhone, to learn a tricksy harmony line in rehearsal) and then to everything from Melissa Etheridge to Ginuwine – both of whom I love for what they've given to music.
And know this: the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE were never uncomfortable and always enlightening during my testing.
I’ll admit that it was with reticence that I agreed to test earbuds clearly angling for the title of ‘cheapest ANC buds’ but let me dispel any similar cynicism you may have: the JLab Go Pods ANC are, for their price, excellent.
Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, because these new cheap earbuds come from esteemed affordable audio brand JLab, which has a lot of experience with affordable audio options. But anyone who’s tried to save a buck by buying lower-cost tech knows that you can’t take anything for granted, even with legacy brands.
Let’s first address the selling point in the headline: are these the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market? No, but if you add 'cheap' to that question, quite possibly. They are cheap, they do have noise cancellation, and they certainly are earbuds. Plus, they’re really good at what they do, and so I can give them a tick there. But are they the cheapest buds with ANC?
I was expecting to be able to find plenty of cheap Amazon rivals with ANC, but I was wrong; one or two ANC-toting options from unnamed brands sit at the same price as the JLabs here, but there’s not much on offer for less that also has ANC. So from the right angle, the Go Pods ANC tick that box too.
What same-price rivals probably don’t offer is decent audio quality. For budget earbuds these sound really good, with (depending on how you set up the equalizer) crystal-clear treble, hearty mids or scooping bass, and a broad soundstage that you don’t often get in buds twice the price.
The ANC itself also works well, plastering over background sounds with little tact but with heart. That said, the transparency mode is a nightmare which will cause you to hear every little thing going on around you with frightening accuracy.
Like all good earbuds, the JLabs are also nice and lightweight, so you can wear them for ages without getting earache. Similar can be said of the tiny plastic carry case, which completely disappears into a trouser pocket.
I can’t pretend that these earbuds are perfect, and they do have a few things which annoyed me during testing. For one, JLab has replaced a charging port with a charging cable, so you plug the case into something, rather than plugging something into the case, to power it up. Good in theory, but functionally I found it less useful than the standard option which every other company uses, of simply letting you plug a cable into the case.
The in-box ear tips also didn’t offer much in the way of grip, so when I walked or ran in the buds they had a habit of falling out pretty quickly. This is a problem you can solve with the added expense of third-party eartips (or using ones you have left over from your last earbuds).
But even as earbud shortcomings go those aren’t the biggest I’ve ever faced, or even a huge issue at all in the case of the first one. Know this: these are fantastic-value earbuds.
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released in summer 2025
Costs $36.99 / £29.99 (roughly AU$60)
The JLab Go Pods ANC were announced in May 2025 and put on sale in the months after. It took them barely any time to go on offer, but more on that in a moment.
The default retail price for these buds is $36.99 / £29.99 (roughly AU$60), so they’re some of the most affordable noise cancelling earbuds you can find, and the few alternatives I can find at this price tag almost all come from unknown brands on Amazon.
I say ‘default price’ because only a few months after release, the Go Pods ANC can easily be found for a discount. In the US I found them for $29.99 and in the UK they’re at £24.99, making these super-cheap buds even cheaper. And that’s before Black Friday.
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Specs
Drivers
10mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life (ANC off)
7.5 hours (buds) 26 hours (case)
Weight
4.2g (buds) 27.6g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4
Waterproofing
IP55
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Battery life of just 5 hours with ANC on
Good ANC but iffy transparency
JLab app brings a few useful extras
During my testing time, I didn’t once have any kind of connection issue with the JLab Go Pods ANC, so you don’t need to worry about them having an unreliable Bluetooth link.
The buds have some extra features via the JLab app, though it’s mostly just some customization and tweaks rather than anything truly novel.
It took my while to get my head around the Noise Control Modes tool, which lists ANC on, off and Be Aware mode, but with toggles by all of them, so it’s easy to turn two or all three of them on at the same time… right? That’s what I thought, until I realized that toggling these selects whether you can switch to them via the buds via touch controls. The real way to switch ANC modes is to physically select the mode you want, not toggle its slider.
Another option via the app is an equalizer, which comes with three unnamed presets and a custom mode. It’s a 10-band equalizer so it’s pretty advanced, and audiophiles will be able to get a lot of depth in how they customize their tunes.
(Image credit: Future)
Running down its list, the app also lets you set a max volume limit for safety, change what touch controls do, switch between a Music Mode and Movie Mode (which seems to increase the sound spread but decrease quality) and… set up a workout interval timer? That’s not exactly a standard headphone feature but it might prove useful to a few people.
The battery life of the Go Pods sits at 7.5 hours, according to JLab – that’s with ANC turned off and, from my testing, you’re looking at about 7.5 hours with it turned off which isn’t exactly a competitive figure. The company puts the extended play time offered by the charging case at 26 hours.
One final thing we probably need to touch on is the ANC itself – is it any good in these cheap buds? Surprisingly, it really is. It hushes your surroundings pretty substantially, and while it obviously doesn’t reach the heights of rivals in the market – a light background hum always got through, and sharper noises weren’t dimmed as much – it’s a lot better than JLab could have got away with for the money.
I wasn’t as impressed, though, with Be Aware mode (JLab’s take on Transparency). While using it I was too aware – not only did it not cancel noise, it seemed to amplify every little thing that occurred around me in a jarring experience overall.
Features score: 4/5
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Both buds and case are super lightweight
Case has a built-in charging cable
Ear tips don't offer much grip
The JLab Go Pods ANC have one small design difference that sets them apart from the vast majority of other samey wireless earbuds, and it’s built into the case.
The buds’ charging case is a 4.52 x 6 x 2.61cm pebble which opens lengthwise along the side; it’s made of plastic so it only weighs 27.6g (for context, most buds I test have cases double that weight). This is all to say that it’s quite small and very light.
While most charging cases are nondescript save for perhaps a logo and a USB-C charging port, JLab does away with the latter and replaces it with its own USB-C cable; you can plug this into a port to easily power up the buds.
In theory I get why JLab would use this instead of a simple port: it means you can power it up via your phone or laptop without needing an extra cable. In practice though I found it annoying, as it meant I couldn’t use the standard USB-C charger I bring for my other gadgets. I couldn’t power up the case from my phone if I was also charging said phone, and I couldn’t plug it into wall outlets on public transport or adaptors at my home (all of which use standard USB).
Onto the buds: these weigh 4.2g each so they continue the Go Pods style of being lighter than the competition. They’re stem-style buds, consisting of a large body, tips angled slightly downwards and a flat stem bearing JLab’s logo.
(Image credit: Future)
There are touch controls on each of said logos, which worked reasonably well although there were a few mis-touches when I was readjusting the buds or times when one press would be picked up as two. Also the default controls are a little odd so I’d recommend jumping into the app to customize them yourself.
I really appreciate low-weight buds like the Go Pods as they were easy to use for long periods of time without feeling any ache or wear. That was only the case if I was sitting still though.
The in-box eartips seem to offer so little friction that they may as well be made out of WD40: as soon as I went for a walk, or heaven forbid a run, the earbuds began slipping from my ears (yes, I tried all three options included in the box). Even putting in or removing the buds normally, you can feel how little they’re inclined to stay in the ear – not great for active people.
While the case doesn’t have any official protection, the buds have an IP55. This means they’re mostly protected against dust ingress and can withstand low-press jets of water (including rain and sweat) but aren’t suitable for swimming.
The JLab Go Pods ANC come in three color versions: black, lilac and green, and as you can tell I tested the former.
Design score: 3.5/5
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Sound quality
Single 10mm driver
Can handle regimented bass and clear treble
High max volume
(Image credit: Future)
I’m going to wager that your expectations for the JLab Go Pods ANC’s audio chops probably match what mine were going into the testing: you see the price and shudder at the thought of those cheap buds you bought on Amazon once and know what to expect. But banish the thought.
The JLab Go Pods ANC actually sound pretty good; I’m not sure I’d pick them over something like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro but for the price, they’re surprisingly capable.
By default (that is, with the JLab Signature equalizer mode), music sounds bright with defined treble and mids, and a laudable breadth of soundstage so you can hear different passages and harmonies in the music surrounding you.
There’s clearly a little distortion crackling away when too many different instruments are playing at once, or when the hi-hat gets going, but only in mixes that can trouble much pricer buds too.
I’ll admit that I largely listened with some heavy equalizer tweaks, but I was surprised by how much bass the Go Pods were capable of when asked. There’s scope for hearty, scooping bass with the right song and right EQ set-up. But even without this set-up, lower-register lines felt well-defined.
The buds’ max volume is really high – higher than you’d ever normally need, unless you accidentally held down the ‘volume up’ button on your phone like me – and doesn’t distort as much at louder settings as many other buds do.
Sound quality: 4/5
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
The JLab Go Pods ANC are basically the cheapest noise-cancelling earbuds that are actually worth buying.
Because of their feature set and audio quality, these aren’t just ‘good for the price’; they’re good full stop. JLab didn’t need to offer them for such a low price but in doing so, it’s made them a fearsome value proposition.
Value: 4.5/5
Should I buy the JLab Go Pods ANC?
JLab Go Pods ANC score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
The ANC is good, as is the general feature set, though the battery life is poor.
4/5
Design
The buds are lovely and lightweight, but the eartips don't stick well and I'd have preferred a charging port.
3.5/5
Sound quality
For the price, the JLabs sound really good: cheap and cheerful.
4/5
Value
These offer fantastic value for money given how cheap they are.
4.5/5
Buy them if…
You're on a (low) budget If you've set yourself a budget for earbuds and it isn't a big one, then there are going to be very few alternatives to the Go Pods ANC.
You want noise cancellation Noise cancellation is a feature which is common on expensive earbuds but not so much on cheap ones. That's not the case with the JLabs though.
You want to charge from your phone The charging case's cable attachment lets you power up your buds from your phone, great if you rarely have access to a power point.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You're not willing to provide your own eartips I didn't rate the in-box ear tips, so I'd recommend the buds mostly to people who would be willing to buy their own (or, more likely, have leftovers from your last buds).
You need a long-lasting battery If you're listening with noise cancellation, you're only getting five hours of listening time, which isn't a competitive figure.
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Also consider
JLab Go Pods ANC
JLab Go Pop ANC
Earfun Air 2
JBL Wave Beam
Drivers
10mm
10mm
10mm
8mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
No
No
Battery life
7.5 hours (buds); 26 hours (case)
7 hours (buds); 24 hours (case)
9 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
8 hours (buds) 24 hours (case)
Weight
4.2g (buds) 27.6g (case)
4.1g (buds); 22g (case)
4.5g (buds) 45g (case)
8.8g (buds) 39.5g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.2
Waterproofing
IP55
IP55
IPX7
IP54
JLab Go Pop ANC
Forgive the incredibly similar name. These buds cost just less than, or the same as, the Pods depending on where you live, and have a similar feature set with the design being the biggest difference.
Another low-cost option that has a similar stem-toting design is the JBL Wave Beam. This has a smaller driver and no noise cancellation but it won't break the bank and has a fairly good battery life.View Deal
How I tested the JLab Go Pods ANC
Tested for four weeks
Tested at home, in the office, working out and on walks
I tested the JLab Go Pods ANC for about four weeks, which is longer than the standard TechRadar testing process, but is a testament to their audio chops.
I used the buds while they were connected to my Android phone, mainly for Spotify but also for streaming movies, games and listening to voice notes. I used them while at home, at the gym, on runs and on walks around my neighborhood.
I've been testing gadgets for TechRadar for over five years now and in that time have used other JLab products as well as some of their biggest competitions.
Can earbuds make you feel like royalty? Well, Noble Audio are here to give it a good old college try with their Noble FoKus Amadeus earbuds; the latest and cheapest in the FoKus series, but which benefit from some posh new engineering in both soft- and hardware. Specs-wise, these true wireless ‘buds knock it out of the park with LDAC and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth connectivity (other codecs are available), customizable sound profiles and an extensive battery capacity I actively struggled to exhaust during review.
Sound is the primary reason to buy something like the FoKus Amadeus – and these do sound great, with a cushy low-end and plucky transient response that makes for a playful listening experience straight out of the box. But these earbuds’ ergonomics are almost more noteworthy than their fidelity. Noble’s expertise in custom IEMs shows, with an asymmetrical design that follows the contours of the average ear canal better than any other generic-fit ear-thing I’ve tried. A glut of spare and swappable ear tips seals the deal with a thoughtful kiss.
These earbuds are only really let down by a lacklustre ANC, which is far from best-in-class – though their stock sound profile could be a little divisive, too, depending on your taste. That said, this writer found them to auditorily succeed exactly where they promise to, and even exceed expectations in other areas. If you’re looking to put some serious money behind a serious set of the best high-fidelity earbuds out there, these are very likely the earbuds you seek.
Noble FoKus Amadeus: Price and release date
Release date: June, 2025
Price: $320 / £299.99 / approx. AU$615
Noble sits pretty at the cutting edge of the in-ear monitor (IEM) market, with a suite of four-figure products that are as much to look at as they are to listen to. Noble’s custom IEMs are rightfully lauded for the incredible attention to detail they possess in practically every sense. With the recent FoKus series, Noble offers that rarefied approach to quality audio at a (slightly) more palatable price.
Indeed, the Noble FoKus Amadeus (the brand's latest offering) are clearly designed to evoke a different form of rarefied quality, often ascribed to classical music. If the presence of “Amadeus” in the name (for Falco Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, no less) wasn’t enough, look instead to that regal red finish on the earbuds. It's at once a refined finish in its own right, as well as a subtler nod to the firebrand composer via his oft-painted tailcoat. These surface-level signifiers are here to guide your thinking on the Noble FoKus Amadeus’ guts, too, where Noble has aimed to “[blend] classical artistry with contemporary engineering”. Rich stuff indeed.
The FoKus Amadeus wireless earbuds retail for $320 / £299.99 / approx. AU$615, putting them firmly above the peloton as far as the average earbud is concerned. That retail price does, however, make these the cheaper earbuds in Noble’s FoKus range, and hence the most accessible in Noble’s entire premium-quality oeuvre. Still, for your money, you’re buying a rarefied piece of portable kit, with multiple modes of Bluetooth connectivity, 42 hours of out-and-about-iness and a considered approach to conveying your faves ear-ward.
Given the highly competitive entry-level price band some dozens of dollars below, this price could be a bit rich for some consumers’ blood – but Noble Audio does an excellent job of justifying their expense, in theory and in execution.
Noble FoKus Amadeus: Specs
Type:
True wireless ANC in-ear
Dimensions:
17 x 25 x 25mm (WHD)
Weight:
8.6g (earbuds); 55.5g (charging case)
Drivers:
8.3mm, triple-layer
Frequency range:
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Battery life:
Up to 12 hours (earbuds, ANC off); 42 hours (charging case)
Control:
Capacitive touch controls; native voice assistant; Noble FoKus control app
Bluetooth:
5.4 with SBC, AAC, LDAC and aptX Adaptive compatibility, USB-C charging
Noble FoKus Amadeus: Features
(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)
Excellent Bluetooth connectivity
Exceedingly decent battery life
Shame the ANC isn’t great
The key audiophilic selling point for Noble’s latest buds is the new driver design. The Amadeus sport a single triple-layer diaphragm driver per earbud, utilizing three skins of different materials – ceramic, titanium and PEEK – for enhanced frequency control. This commitment to single-driver superiority is backed-up by a holistic approach to audio excellence; there’s multifarious Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, with support for SBC, AAC, LDAC and aptX Adaptive codecs.
While this driver's sound profile is great out of the box (more on which later), there are extensive EQ-fiddling opportunities in the Noble FoKus app, which is a pretty sweet one-stop shop for controls and customization. As well as graphic EQ bands, curves and presets, you’ll find a nifty Personal EQ algorithm, courtesy of algorithmic boffins Audiodo. Complete a short hearing calibration process, and you get a fully personalized sound profile with which to enjoy your investment all the more.
The Amadeus purport to provide three different listening modes: standard listening, ANC, and an Ambient mode which boosts the sound of the outside world for safer public groovin’. These features can be accessed and toggled via the aforementioned Noble FoKus app, or more readily via the Amadeus’ dual-bud capacitive-touch control capabilities.
Unfortunately, the latter two modes leave a little to be desired. I was willing to make concessions for the ANC mode when testing it on a loud rush-hour bus, but even in my quiet living room, it did little to quell incidental sounds from elsewhere. The Ambient mode possesses quite a high noise floor, too, which naturally proved a little distracting at times.
All that said, these earbuds do an excellent job of passive sound isolation anyway, so I didn’t really feel additional noise cancellation to be necessary. For the Ambient mode, sharp and loud sounds cut through any music with remarkable fidelity – fundamentally, I’d rather suffer a hissy soundtrack and not get hit by a car, than the opposite.
Lastly but no less importantly, the Amadeus offer up to 12 hours' continuous battery life in one sitting – and up to 42 hours using the charging case (thus outliving mayflies, but that's only part of the story, as I'll explain). It’s never easy to estimate what on-paper battery-life specs mean for real-life usage, so let me say this: outside of early days review-related stress-testing, these earbuds made it through six weeks of casual everyday usage on a single full carry-case charge. If that’s not enough for you, a 10-minute charge will gift you two hours of playback. You’ll never be caught short with these.
Feature quality score: 4.5/5
Noble FoKus Amadeus: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)
Broad, comfy, forgiving low-end
Transients and dynamics handled marvellously
Customizable sound profiles
For the majority of my time with the Noble FoKus Amadeus, I elected to listen at their stock, undoctored best, reserving the ‘calibrated’ experience for after I’d gotten a feel for what exactly they’re aiming for. In a nutshell, I can describe what they aim for as ‘presence’.
They lean warm and cushy, giving you a real solid base of bass to lean on; that warmth is a great foil for the pluckier high-end, which shines when handling percussive brilliance. Gelli Haha’s Bounce House is a catchy piece of slant-pop ear candy and all the more, er, moreish for the combination of speedy transient response and supple low-end on display. It's a great primer for these earbuds' capabilities out of the box.
The Amadeus landed on my desk around the same time I discovered the discography of 1970s American soul underdog Leroy Hutson, who replaced Curtis Mayfield in The Impressions. As such, quintessential DJ-fodder albums like the eponymous Hutson were frequent listens through the Amadeus’ smoooth-with-three-‘o’s drivers. Standout fave and stone-cold banger Lucky Fellow is resplendent in its tactile width. Hard-panned percussive guitars, leaping dynamic drums and fulsome, reedy vocals-in-harmony are all presented at their level best
Moving on to less-novel territory, one of my more common tester albums is Queens of the Stone Age’s Songs for the Deaf. This is a record I have known inside-out and back-to-front since its 2002 release, and which hasn’t lost a speck of luster in all 13 intervening years (because it is absolutely 2015 right now, Bowie’s absolutely still alive, and I am absolutely NOT an ancient fossil of a tech reviewer).
I’m pleased as punch to report that, through the FoKus Amadeus earbuds, this benchmark album still very much punches me in the face with urgent snares, sausage-fat guitars, growling bass and Mark Lanegan’s gruesome gravel-words. Again, the Amadeus' transient capabilities shine – spiky but not sharp, sudden but controlled, and in possession of a unique tactile clarity. It’s actually a bit addictive.
Nevertheless, there are some minor criticisms to be made –sometimes, energy can be a little misplaced. That plush, supple low-end can allow kick drums to take up a little too much real estate on occasion and, otherwise, can serve to cover for an occasional lack of width in the upper ranges.
Also, I did briefly test Audiodo’s sound profile calibration via the Noble FoKus app, and will say that I’m personally not a fan. The test is fun, using different volumes of tones at different pitches in each ear to develop a picture of your hearing sensitivity across the spectrum, but I found the results a little disarming first time round.
I won’t be knocking the Amadeus for featuring this algorithmic tech. I do think it’s a great thing to have – particularly as a way for people with gig-battered ears to improve the audibility of spoken voices in podcasts or phone calls. For music, though, my personalized EQ curve only served to put an uncanny mid-scooped sheen over sounds I was already familiar with and mentally compensating for. The great thing about these EQ options is exactly that: they’re optional.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
Noble FoKus Amadeus: Design
(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)
Satisfying satin-red carry case
Absurdly comfortable in-ear fit
Touch controls are great, but finicky to start
You don’t design a set of wireless earbuds to look like this without wanting someone to talk about it. The FoKus Amadeus are waggling their figurative eyebrows at you, and trying not to drop a monocle in the process – an image befitting something non-ironically named for a classical composer.
There’s the glossy red finish on each earbud that recalls at once a luxury guitar plectrum and a Rover 800 dashboard (a lesser-spotted Sterling 800 if you're in the U.S.) – it serves to turn your head into an oddly proportioned executive sandwich accordingly. There’s also the delicious satin-red charging case lid, which incidentally possesses one of the more satisfying clasps I ever did feel. I could open and close this little box all day long.
The Amadeus earbuds are presented so lushly that you daren’t simply drop the case in your tote bag, among your keys and other scratchy effects – and Noble thought of that too. To prevent the marring of that pleasing finish, you can slip the case into a tiny velour drawstring pouch, and feel delightfully dainty in retrieving your earbuds from within.
Striking as these are as objects d’art, it’s my view that comfort is really where these buds stand above the rest. It’s not an easy job to make something relatively substantial fit so comfortably, and yet Noble’s achieved it with more success than any other brand I’ve tried.
For one, I’m a big fan of the different eartip options, handily provided by Noble in a little plastic case for your perusal. There are three sizes of single- and double-flanged eartips respectively; I personally got on best with the mid-sized double-flanged eartips, which delivered a security of fit hitherto unexperienced in other wireless earbuds.
This level of security is aided all the more by some clever topology. These earbuds share the same design principles as moulded in-ears, with angled drivers that seek to nestle close by the second bend in your ear canal. This, coupled with a clever balance of weight above the drivers, makes for a supremely snug and happy fit.
The capacitive touch functionality on the Noble FoKus Amadeus earbuds is great, by virtue of being very difficult to engage accidentally. The control scheme, though, is a little difficult for the sheer amount of functionality there is.
Noble has tried to make this as intuitive as possible, dividing tasks between earbuds – double- and triple-tapping the left earbud controls volume, while the same actions on the right move between tracks – but this isn’t the easiest to internalize without frequent revision. Even after a month of daily use, it’s still 50-50 whether I switch ANC mode on or activate my phone’s voice assistant.
Mercifully, the Noble FoKus app enables you to customize these controls to your own liking; a small but crucial gesture, that soothes the old-man-yelling-at-cloud in me. That something so insignificant (and readily rectified) commands so much of my attention is, in fact, proof that these earbuds are probably doing something right.
Design quality score: 5/5
Noble FoKus Amadeus: Value
(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)
Great feature-set
Outstrips competition
Worth it if you’ve got it
That $320 / £299.99 / approx. AU$615 price point isn’t one to be sniffed at. The vast majority of wireless earbuds come in well below this price, as do the vast majority of soundbars, consumer-grade monitor speakers and even integrated hi-fi systems. If you’re willing to spend this much, you obviously care a great deal about your mobile listening experience and understand that spending a little over the odds is the only way to get clear of that entry-level quality trap.
With an extensive battery life and some excellent Bluetooth connectivity, the FoKus Amadeus meet the basics well. With a great build quality and reassuring carry case, there are no qualms to be had about their design either. With an incredible set of newly engineered drivers, capable of providing all the oomph and splat you could ever want on the move, their sound fidelity is quite simply excellent.
All together, these facts make for a very compelling argument as to the Noble FoKus Amadeus’ value. Still, it’s a lot to drop on some earbuds. Which is exactly why you might have noticed some heightened scrutiny, with respect to the miniature frustrations I experienced during my testing.
This higher standard is an unfortunate function of pricing something in that difficult “middle” range (which looks indistinguishable to the top shelf, from the point of view of the average, budget-conscious buyer). Such frustrations would be somewhat forgiven in cheaper earbuds, and absolutely unforgivable in a set that dared to ask for more.
Even with this nitpicky frame of review, the Noble FoKus Amadeus earbuds absolutely pass muster. And that’s without noting the various ways in which Noble have outstripped the competition at this same price range – with longer battery life, better sound and better connectivity besides. If you’re spending this much on earbuds, you’re buying these, their twee, reverential branding notwithstanding.
Value score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Noble FoKus Amadeus?
Features
Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC and aptX Adaptive; extensive battery capacity; lots of EQs and listening modes; but ANC not up to scratch.
4.5 / 5
Sound quality
Truly excellent warmth and pluck from single-driver earbuds, but a little overwarm sometimes.
4.5 / 5
Design
Visually arresting, ergonomically delightful and highly customizable inside and out.
5 / 5
Value
Competitive features and addictive sound profile justify the inflated price point.
4.5 / 5
Buy them if...
You need earbuds that go the distance These are the least-fatiguing in-ears I’ve ever tested, thanks to both their excellent fidelity and impeccable ergonomic design. Throw in some astonishing battery longevity, and you’ve a pair of quality wireless earbuds built for endurance – be it a long-haul flight, or a long and drudging week.
Tech-bro earbuds bore you Everything’s a soulless white, grey or greige nowadays – and this includes earbuds, which often fall prey to the grosser minimalist instincts of their manufacturers’ head honchos. Look upon these deep-red, wood-finished wonderbuds, and rejoice in the return of romantic design!
Don't buy them if...
You can’t afford them A pithy suggestion, sure, but one that bears repeating; if you have to stretch to reach the asking price, you probably shouldn’t invest in them. Outside of their incredible comfort and unique sound profile, there’s nothing here you can’t find in some form at a cheaper price (albeit, with some concessions).
You’re looking for peerless ANC It’s a small shame that the Noble FoKus Amadeus don’t sport especially effective ANC, though I do think ANC and earbuds are a difficult marriage. The Amadeus’ passive attenuation is more-than good enough by itself. Still, if you want the blissful silence only technology can provide, you may be better off with a pair of ANC-equipped headphones.
Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, LDAC and aptX Adaptive compatibility, USB-C charging
Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, Sony 360 Reality Audio, DSEE Extreme upscaling
Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, aptX Adaptive, Snapdragon Sound
Frequency range
20Hz - 20kHz
Not stated
Not stated
Other features
Noble FoKus app, capacitive touch, ambient sound
Sony Headphones Connect companion app, ambient sound, wind-reduction bone conduction mics
Immersive Audio, sound 'modes'
Sony WF-1000XM5 Sony’s a popular name for all things head- and ear-phone-y. These earbuds take after their over-ear siblings with some sweet design and a decent tackling of noise-cancelling tech. They might be a little more clinical than Noble’s FoKus Amadeus in some senses, but they could be more practical in others. Read our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Bose’s top-flight QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are pretty darn solid, with aptX Adaptive compatibility and some fun head-tracking capabilities. They sound pretty nifty, too. Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review.
How I tested the Noble FoKus Amadeus
(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)
Tested for six weeks
Used at home and on the go
Predominantly tested using streaming services Bandcamp and Spotify, on a Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone
The Noble FoKus Amadeus became my daily-driver earbuds, taking up a permanent space in my tote bag for daily usage on public transport and while gallivanting about town. I streamed music from Spotify and Bandcamp mostly, via my Samsung Galaxy S23; I occasionally used them at home, too, using my HP Pavilion laptop and the same services.
Shokz is one of the best-known names in the fitness headphone space and finally it has turned its attention to a burgeoning new market and thus challenge a big rival: clip-on open earbuds (and Bose).
Clip-ons are a kind of the best open earbuds that don’t loop all the way around your ear, but ‘clip’ onto your auricle to take up less space and hold the sound drivers further into your ear itself. Companies haven’t taken to the design quite as readily as the now-standard sports loop open-ears (production of that design is through the roof in 2025), but perhaps Shokz’ attention is about to change that.
So meet the Shokz OpenDots One, new clip-style (cuff style?) headphones which are here to challenge the big name on the market, the Bose Ultra Open. They’re Shokz’ first readily-available bud in this form factor, not counting a limited-run beta product. And due to a few smart decisions, they are a big success.
The OpenDots aren’t cheap headphones but they do undercut the Bose by a significant margin, releasing at a competitive price point that sees them match Shokz’ sports-loop and bone conduction options. In fact they also beat the recent Shokz OpenFit 2+ which may push some prospective buyers of those open-ears into the clip instead.
Shokz has given the OpenDots a more natural curved, ergonomic look than certain rivals, both ensuring that they look a little more understated and classy, and helping them fit the shape of an ear for a reliable hook and comfortable fit. And it totally works, with these Shokz some of the most pleasant open-ears I’ve ever used. I could easily forget I was wearing them when I wasn’t listening to music.
The sound profile is pleasing too, which may sound like a muted word if not for how low expectations for open earbuds can be. Shokz has fine-tuned the sound to ensure there’s hearty but well-defined bass, which sits in harmony with treble instead of blowing it out. Audiophiles who need open-ears will find these some of the best picks on the market.
Even when you’re not using the Shokz OpenDots One, you’ll find them easy to tote around with a tiny carry case that totally disappears in pockets. Banish the thought of the giant carry cases sports-loop open-ears come in.
I’ve avoided prolific comparisons to the Bose in this intro because you may come to the Shokz without having ever heard of their competition; and the OpenDots One stand apart for being significantly cheaper than the Ultra Open. They ask you why you need to pay extra, even if Bose offers some advanced audio modes.
The OpenDots One might be a harder sell for people who’ve not used a clip-on earbud before, especially with many other options on the market that are a cheaper option to experiment with. But if you’re going to try a new form factor, why not buy an option that nails it?
Shokz OpenDots One review: Specifications
Component
Value
Water resistant
IP54
Battery life
10 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.4
Weight
5.6g / Charging case: 52g
Driver
2x 11.8mm
Shokz OpenDots One review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Announced in May 2025 (available in many markets August 2025)
Priced at $199 / £179 / AU$339
Undercuts Bose, but pricier than many other rivals
The Shokz OpenDots One were announced in May 2025 and went on sale in the US immediately, though they took a few months to release globally (the UK is only just seeing them now, at the time of writing: August 21, 2025).
You can pick up the OpenDots for $199 / £179 / AU$339. While they’re more expensive than many other types of clip-on earbud like the Huawei FreeClip, JLab Flex Open or Soundcore C40i, they undercut their big rivals.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds sell for $299 / £299 / AU$449 so the Shokz aren’t just a hair cheaper, but a fair way more affordable.
Shokz OpenDots One review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Small charging case which is easy to use
Lightweight buds that cling to the ear well
Handy touch controls
The Shokz OpenDots One come in two color options: Black or the curiously-named Gray, which is actually beige with silver highlights. The latter is what my tester units were.
The case is pretty small and lightweight, as you’d imagine for micro-headphones like these, tipping the scales to 52g. It’s rather featureless, bearing only a small pairing button and USB-C charging port, but there’s elegance in simplicity. It opens with a horizontal divide; in a neat twist you can put either earbud in either gap, cutting down on all the faff headphone users can face (or, at least, I can face) when trying to work out which bud to put on which side.
Now onto the buds. They consist of a cylindrical counterweight and spherical bud which sits in your ear, all joined by a band made of titanium alloy according to Shokz. This middle is lovely and flexible and I never felt at risk of accidentally snapping it or bending it too far.
It’s hard to believe for any open earbuds, especially clip-style ones, but the OpenDots fit like a dream. I barely felt them during many hours of testing and, although I ran, cycled, rowed and did various gym workouts with them in, they never fell out or moved around enough to affect my listening experience.
Evidence of how easily-bendable the hook is. (Image credit: Future)
Another benefit over Bose’s alternatives is that they don’t look like a cyborg accoutrement, with the nice flowing design making them appear more like jewelry than a piece of robotic equipment.
Following on from my praise about the versatile any-bud-in-any-case-side compliment, you can actually also put either bud in either ear with no issue. The Shokz will automatically detect which ear they’re in to deliver music.
Like most earbuds, the OpenDots One have touch controls: you can double- or triple-tap the connective band, double-pinch the spherical counterweight or pinch and hold, for four triggers in all (it doesn’t matter which side you use, both do the same). You can customize what each control does and I found each relatively easy to trigger (which isn’t saying much compared to the competition) though I did take a while to remember that single-tapping or single-pressing didn’t do anything: double or nothing!
Shokz has certified the OpenDots One at an IP54 rating, which means the buds are protected from dust and limited water splashes but not full immersion or even beams of water. Basically, don’t take them swimming.
Design score: 4.5/5
Shokz OpenDots One review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Battery life is 10 hours, 40 hours with case
App brings EQ but not that much else
No connectivity problems in testing
If you thought it was time to start finding something to criticize the Shokz OpenDots One about, it’s not yet. The battery life is above average and you can even charge the case via wireless powering.
According to Shokz, the OpenDots last for 10 hours of listening on a single charge, and while I didn’t listen for that long in one burst, the power drain for the periods I did listen for suggests it’d hit that figure almost dead on. The charging case brings three extra charges, for a full listening total of 40 hours, which is better than lots of open-ear options on the market.
You won’t get noise cancelling here, though surprisingly some open earbuds do offer that (see the Honor Earbuds Open, although granted, they're not the cuff-style type). Throughout my testing period I had no connectivity issues to speak of.
(Image credit: Future)
As with any good headphone, there’s an app you can download to get extra features. In this case it’s just called Shokz, with the company using one platform for all its earbuds.
Perhaps the main reason to download the Shokz app, beyond customizing the touch controls, is for the equalizer it provides access to. There are four modes: Standard, Vocal, Bass and Private (designed to reduce audio bleed, although that basically just muffles your music), but you can also create a custom mode via a five-band equalizer.
A few other features available via the app include the ability to toggle wear detection, find your lost earbuds, customize multipoint pairing and enable Dolby Atmos (though toggling this just seemed to boost the treble when playing music). It’s not the biggest feature-set I’ve ever seen at earbuds at this price, but it offers everything you need or would expect.
Features score: 4/5
Shokz OpenDots One review: Sound performance
(Image credit: Future)
Two 11.8mm drivers per bud
Decent sound, though lack of spacing
Lots of bass
You’re totally right to assume that an open-ear headphone would sound poor, because that’s generally the case, but the Shokz OpenDots One buck the trend: they’re the rare case that sound good.
A highlight of the buds, which Shokz leans into in its marketing and promotion, is the bass. This is something oft lost by open-ears, but the OpenDots enjoy a well-defined lower-register, giving your music a meaty tone but without ever blowing it out with overwrought thumping or booming. I opted to listen in the bass enhancement mode when working out for that little extra kick, but you’ll enjoy loads of bass even if you don’t.
Unlike some super-bass earbuds, the treble still holds its head high, offering crisp and clear vocal lines and letting you hear the spacing between instruments a little. As sound gets towards the mids they do lose some detail and clarity, but you can still enjoy tunes beyond their bassline.
(Image credit: Future)
Fixing another open-ear problem, the OpenDots have a nice high max volume so they can fight against noisy traffic if you want to hear your tunes.
Shokz uses a lot of home-brewed tech in the OpenDots One. Highlights include Bassphere, which has the effect we’ve already discussed, and DirectPitch designed to stop sound leaking from the buds and everyone around you having to hear your embarrassing music choice.
These are some of the better open earbuds I've used for audio quality, and they compare to your average in-ear headphone, but it's important to be clear: audiophile-grade favorites shouldn't feel any heat from the Shokz.
Sound performance score: 4.5/5
Shokz OpenDots One review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Despite not being that expensive in the grand scheme of things (and in a crowded market), it’s still worth considering the Shokz OpenDots One are some of the more premium open or clip-on earbuds out there, simply due to how cheap the rivals are.
With that in mind, the OpenDots have a lot to prove – but they largely succeed. They provide great sound and a flawless design and cost a hearty amount less than their big-name rivals.
Of course you’re paying for their quality with many other similar-form-factor options available for a fraction of the price, so if you want clip-ons and quality doesn’t matter, you can get better value for money with cheaper options. It's just a question of whether you should.
Value score: 4/5
Shokz OpenDots One review: scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Value
They're solid earbuds which give you decent value for money, but you're paying for what you get.
4/5
Design
Lightweight, a reliable fit and a slender carry case: what's not to love?
4.5/5
Features
The battery life is good and the existing features are useful, though rivals offer more.
4/5
Sound
The sound may fall short of truly great, but it's very good, especially compared to other open earbuds.
4.5/5
Shokz OpenDots One: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy them if...
You want a lightweight earbud
Banish the thought of having to work out with a large earbud; the Shokz OpenDots One are nice and small, and I could barely feel that I was wearing them while out and about.
You need a small charging case
I loved how the Shokz' small charging case could easily fit in my running shorts' pocket or a small compartment of my bag, with most open-ears having much larger cases.
You wear glasses
Sports-hook earbuds are hard to wear for glasses users due to their hook needing to go where your glasses are. Clip-ons are a great alternative as there's no issue.
Don't buy them if...
You want in-depth equalization
If you’re the kind of person who likes to spend ages tweaking the sound of their headphones, the Shokz’ five-band equalizer might not offer you the versatility you’re looking for.
You're a cyclist
I tried using the buds quite a bit while cycling and, more so than sports-loop buds, their design caught on my helmet's strap. I could see the buds being knocked out by said strap, so perhaps cyclists should avoid.
Also consider
Component
Shokz OpenDots One
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Huawei FreeClip
Water resistant
IP54
IPX4
IP54
Battery life
10 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
7.5 hours (earbuds), 27 hours (total)
8 hours (earbuds), 36 hours (total)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Weight
5.6g / Charging case: 52g
6g / Charging case: 43g
5.6g / Charging case: 44.5g
Driver
2x 11.8mm
12mm
10.8mm
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
These pricier clip-on options have some audio chops that the Shokz OpenDot One doesn’t. However the battery life is worse, the IP rating isn’t as high and, at least if you ask me, they don’t look as natural.
Now a more affordable option: Huawei is a company I trust to make decent-sounding open earbuds due to past attempts, and the FreeClip use a slender-body bud to take up even less space on your ear. The battery life isn’t as good as the Shokz though.
How I tested
(Image credit: Future)
My testing period for the Shokz OpenDots One cover just over two weeks of use, which is our standard review period for headphones.
The buds were paired to an Android phone for the entirety of the testing. I used them at home at work and also on runs, at the gym and while cycling, and I also tried to use them while playing tennis like promotional images show but this felt incredibly rude to my fellow players.
I've been testing products for TechRadar since 2019 and this has included plenty of other workout headphones.
The Final Audio ZE3000 SV arrive in a very competitive sector of the best budget earbud market equipped to compete. A combination of app and touch control, very decent battery life, some swanky new 10mm dynamic drivers (that word in conjunction with a port to keep pressure levels within the earbuds acceptable), and a light, comfortable design all bode very well.
Then you realize the app and the touch controls don’t really do as much as you’d like. And that Final Audio has deliberately tuned the active noise-cancellation to impact as little as possible on sound quality rather than to impact as much as possible on external sounds. As a result, you start to wonder if perhaps spending $99 on a pair of ZE3000 SV might not be as good an idea as spending it on, say, a pair of Sony’s excellent WF-C710N.
Fortunately, the Final Audio reassert themselves, to an extent, when it comes to audio performance. No, the ZE3000 SV aren’t the most exciting listen you’ve ever experienced, and for some people this lack of audio energy will be enough to rule them out of the best earbuds race, irrespective of budget. But they are balanced, detailed, fairly dynamic and very revealing of the minutiae of a recording. Their midrange reproduction, in particular, is naturalistic and convincing, while low-frequency presence is impressive too. Or, at least, it is provided you’ve made sure the earbuds fit just so.
Final Audio ZE3000 SV review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Released on February 27, 2025
Priced $99 / £89 / AU$169
The Final Audio ZE3000 SV have been on sale since the very end of February this year, and in every territory in which they’re on sale, they’re aggressively priced. That’s not the same as saying they have a clear shot, of course – very similar money to this buys well-regarded alternatives from the likes of JBL, Nothing and Sony, to name just three…
Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC codec compatibility
28 hours of battery life (including charging case) with ANC on
The Final Audio ZE3000 SV use Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity, and have multipoint connectivity if you need to connect them to two devices at once. They’re compatible with the LDAC codec as well as the bog-standard SBC and AAC alternatives, so an appropriate source player will be able to stream at half-decent quality.
Once audio information is on board, it’s delivered to your ears by a couple of newly developed 10mm ‘F-Core SV’ dynamic drivers. Final Audio is claiming a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz from this new design, and they work in conjunction with ‘F-Link’ port technology in an effort to optimize acoustic pressure within the body of the earbud.
Active noise-cancellation is a four-stage system: ‘off’, ‘on’, ‘wind-cut’ and ‘ambient sound’. With ANC on, you can expect around seven hours of action from the earbuds, and there are a further three full charges stored in the case. Ten minutes charging via the case’s USB-C slot should be good for around an hour's listening.
You can use the capacitive touch surface on the left earbud to toggle between ‘on’ and ‘ambient sound’. The left earbud also takes care of ‘skip backwards’ and ‘volume down’, while the right earbud is in charge of ‘play/pause’, ‘skip forwards’ and ‘volume up’.
The Final Connect control app is similarly brief – there are no playback controls here, and no ability to embed a streaming service. All you get, in fact, is the ability to check for firmware updates, an indication of remaining battery life, full ANC control, and access to a seven-band equaliser with storage space for one custom setting. You can also switch ‘gaming mode’ on or off. Final reckons latency is down below 60m/s when it’s engaged.
Features score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Final Audio ZE3000 SV review: Sound quality
Balanced, detailed and quite direct sound
Decent dynamism and good low-end presence…
Provided you’ve got the fit just right
Some earbuds at the more affordable end of the market like to make things as exciting as possible, a sort of sonic grabbing by the lapels that seems designed to make you ignore their shortcomings in favor of marveling at their vigor. The Final Audio ZE3000 SV are not those earbuds.
They have plenty going for them in terms of sound quality, of course. A listen to Ty Segall’s version of Hot Chocolate’s Every 1’s a Winner reveals them to be a nicely balanced and quite informative listen, able to extract and present even quite fine details buried in the mix. They control their low frequency presence well, so bass sounds hit respectably hard but don’t overstay their welcome or drag at the rhythm. The midrange is open and natural-sounding, so voices get to reveal a lot of their character as well as their tone. And the top of the frequency range is, again, open and detailed, and has just about enough substance to balance out its shine – there’s a reasonable amount of crispness to the way the earbuds attack treble sounds, even if they’re just slightly rolled off in absolute terms.
Frequency integration is smooth, and the tonal balance is quite neutral too. There’s a decent amount of dynamism on display too, both where the big shifts in volume and the more subtle harmonic variations are concerned. And the ZE3000 SV can lay out a soundstage in a clear and easy-to-understand manner, keeping plenty of elbow room between every competing element of a recording but at the same time delivering it as a whole.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
All the above depends very much on your achieving a correct fit with the earbuds, though. Every true wireless or wired in-ear monitors require a decent fit in order to sound its best, but the Final Audio ZE3000 SV are more fit-dependent than any other earbuds I’ve heard in a long time. It’s just as well the company provides so many pair of eartips – you're gonna need them.
Still, at least you can take active measures to ensure the ZE3000 SV sound as good as they can. What you can’t do is mitigate their fundamental sonic attitude, which is rather matter-of-fact and undemonstrative. It’s one thing to not be one of those ‘eyes out on stalks’, ‘excitement at all costs’ listens, but it’s quite another to go too far the other way. With a little more energy and animation to their presentation, the ZE3000 SV would be an even more competitive proposition.
Mind you, if their active noise-cancellation got anywhere close to ‘cancellation’ they’d be more attractive, still. Yes, it’s true that Final Audio’s decision to ensure its ANC algorithms don’t impact on sound quality means the ZE3000 SV sound exactly the same whether it’s switched on or off, but it’s so light-touch in its effectiveness that it almost seems worth some sonic disruption for ANC that does what it’s supposed to do.
Sound quality: 4/5
Note the stabilizer fins and separate tips (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Final Audio ZE3000 SV review: Design
4g per earbud
‘Shibo’ textured finish
Five sizes of eartip included
What do you want from your true wireless in-ear headphones' design? If you’re anything like me, you want them to be small, light and comfortable, and ideally with a good range of eartip sizes to help with the fit. If that sounds familiar, you’ll be very pleased indeed with the design of the ZE3000 SV.
The little pebble-shaped earbuds themselves are a nicely ergonomic shape, and at 4g each are no kind of burden. A choice of five differently sized pairs of eartips helps to achieve a secure and comfortable fit, and the ‘Shibo’ finish that Final Audio has been so keen on lately not only makes them look mildly distinctive but also helps when taking them out (either of the charging case or of your ears).
The charging case itself is similarly compact, similarly light and, thanks to that aforementioned ‘Shibo’ finish, is less likely to show any marks or scuffs than is usual. A single tiny LED on its front face lets you know what the state of play is.
The standard of build and finish is very acceptable indeed. The ZE3000 SV may be necessarily lightweight, but that doesn’t translate to a feeling of flimsiness. The earbuds’ IPX4 rating lets you know that things have been properly screwed together.
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Final Audio ZE3000 SV review: value
Good specification, build and finish
Lots to like in audio terms
Need greater sonic liveliness
‘Nice’ is not automatically faint praise, and the Final Audio ZE3000 SV are a nice product. They're well-made, properly finished, competitively specified, comfortable to wear, and quite pleasant to listen to in any number of ways. Judged against their obvious rivals from the likes of the Sony WF-C710N and Nothing Ear (3), the ZE3000 SV are an interesting option and represent, I suppose, the path less traveled.
Unless you’re easily overstimulated, though, the earbuds’ lack of sonic animation has to count as a negative when you're talking about outright value for money.
Value: 4/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Should I buy the Final Audio ZE3000 SV?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Four ANC options, solid capacitive touch possibilities and good battery life, but limited app functionality
4/5
Sound quality
Balanced and detailed, natural-sounding midrange, but only if the fitting is spot-on
4/5
Design
Comfortable, with excellent standard of build and finish, lots of (necessary) eartips
5/5
Value
A solid product, nicely finished, but lacks sonic liveliness
4/5
Buy them if…
You like a long listening session The Final Audio ZE3000 SV have the battery life and the comfort to keep you listening for hour after hour.
You have a decently specified source of music LDAC codec compatibility means access to one of the better forms of Bluetooth streaming.
You value understatement Between their compact dimensions and the ‘Shibo’ finish, the ZE3000 SV manage to look unusual and subtle at the same time.
Don’t buy them if…
You crave sonic stimulation ‘Grown up’ is a perfectly valid audio attitude, ‘slightly dull’ not so much.
You like full control Both the touch controls and the app give partial, rather than complete, control over the ZE3000 SV.
Your ears are of peculiar dimensions The Final Audio rely even more than most earbuds on the fit being exactly right if they’re to sound their best
8.5hrs (ANC on) 12hrs (ANC off); plus 30 hours in the case
Weight
4g per bud
5g per bud
4.62g (buds); 51.9g (case)
5.2g (per bud)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC, AAC, LDAC)
Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, USB-C
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (SBC, AAC)
Waterproofing
IPX4
IP55
IP54
IPX4
JBL Live Beam 3 Solid audio quality and great battery life add to the appeal of the JBL's remote screen control, but the standard of ANC detracts from it more than somewhat. Read more in our JBL Live Beam 3 review.
Nothing Ear They score over the Final Audio where low-end heft and excitement are concerned, and they’re attractive lookers in a kind of ‘try hard’ way. Meager battery life is an obvious down-side, though. Get the full picture in our Nothing Ear review.
Sony WF-C710N Now routinely available for less than £100, these junior Sonys have the beating of the Final Audio where noise-cancellation and energy of sound are concerned. No LDAC, though, and they’re not as visually sophisticated as the ZE3000 SV, either. Get the full picture in our Sony WF-C710N review.
How I tested the Final Audio ZE3000 SV
Connected to a FiiO M15S and Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Used indoors and outdoors
With a range of music and of file types
I made the Final Audio ZE3000 SV my default true wireless earbuds for well over a week during the course of this review.
When listening outdoors I almost always used my iPhone 14 Pro as a source (using the AAC codec) – it’s loaded with Presto, Spotify and Tidal apps, so there’s plenty of accessible music.
Indoors, I tended to link it to my FiiO M15S DAP using LDAC. The player has a lot of very hi-res music stored locally, so I was able to listen to everything from DSD128 and 24bit/192kHz FLAC down to 128kbps stuff.
Sometimes when testing some of the best earbuds (and sets that don't make it into that group), it feels like products can easily be broken down into three categories: buds trying to rival AirPods, buds trying to rival the AirPods Pro, and buds which are clearly doing their own thing. The Denon AH-C840NCW can easily be filed into the middle category.
These are the siblings to the Denon AH-C500W, buds listed straight in the former category, but the set you're reading about here come with a key difference: these buds come with silicon ear tips, and noise cancellation to boot. That’s what gets them bumped from the first category to the second.
Denon is a high-end audio company based in Japan that has made a respectable name for itself with home audio, AV systems and speakers, and while it’s also no stranger to personal audio (like headphones and earbuds – see also the PerL Pro), this clearly also isn’t its bread-and-butter diet. Case in point: the AH-C840NCW are perfectly fine earbuds that certainly are a viable option given Apple’s expensive earbuds… but they don’t quite match all the other AirPods Pro alternatives on the market.
The Denon AH-C840NCW hark a lot closer to Apple’s options than most rivals, and that’s most obvious in the design department. There’s no denying that these are doppelgangers – Denongangers if you will – and there’s nothing wrong with that. Denon has aped the well-respected build and these lightweight buds are easy on the ear, even if the tips let the side down a bit.
In audio quality too, these buds are inoffensive. The audio mix is fairly neutral-sounding, skewing slightly towards bass but otherwise offering an easy-to-like (though hard to truly love) quality to songs.
So far, so AirPods Pro, and that isn’t necessarily a flaw – the buds undercut Apple’s premium buds by a meaty margin. But Denon isn’t the only company trying to offer prospective earbuds buyers a Pro option on a non-Pro budget, with so many alternatives at this price point that my word count forbids me from listing even a fraction of them.
It’s the feature set that lets the AH-C840NCW down. Despite some impressive active noise cancellation there’s an overall dearth of extra functionality, and a few stumbles within what’s actually there. This is the area that most often than not defines the best earbuds you can buy, and so I struggle to find a unique selling point for the Denon.
I generally enjoyed listening to the Denon AH-C840NCW during my testing, but that’s not the same as recommending them to buy with your own money. Their myriad rivals typically have a lot more to offer, so they’re only worth buying if you’re looking for buds that match the AirPods Pro exactly, instead of beating them in any way.
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Unveiled and released in April 2025
Costs £149 (roughly $200, AU$300)
The Denon AH-C840NCW were announced in released in April, alongside the AH-C500W which are similar but slightly cheaper and miss ANC.
You can buy the AH-C840NCW for £149 (around $200, AU$300) so they’re mid-ranged in price. I couldn’t find them on sale in Australia or the US, but Denon does offer earbuds in those countries (especially in the US, which saw the AH-C500W and AH-C830NCW) so a launch in those regions is possible.
Judging at least by the UK price, that’s about an 8% price hike on the last-gen model but a 50% higher price than the non-ANC siblings.
I have to point out that, writing three months after the buds’ release, it’s pretty easy to find them discounted. Not by a huge amount, but by 10%-15% depending on which color you want, which is still worth bearing in mind.
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Specs
Drivers
12mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life (ANC off)
10 hours (buds) 35 hours (case)
Weight
5.1g (buds) 54g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing
IPX4
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Solid noise cancellation
7-hour battery life with ANC on
Relative lack of extra features
Unlike their siblings, the Denon AH-C840NCW offer ANC, which I think is what the ‘NC’ in the name refers to. I wasn’t expecting much – why would the company skip ANC on that other product if it had anything worthwhile up its sleeves – but was pleasantly surprised by what this model offered.
The AH-C840NCW’s noise cancellation is meaty, wiping out annoying background noises without a trace. The app also offers you a Transparency mode which seemed to work slightly differently from others: instead of scanning for important noises to filter in to your ears (such as voices and important, twig-snapping-in-the-woods treble sounds), I got the impression it was just a weaker ANC. I could be wrong about this, but things felt quieter in Denon’s Transparency mode than in equivalents I’ve tested.
Talking about the app, it’s simply called 'Headphones', but you can find it in the Play Store or App Store by searching Denon’s name. As well as changing ANC modes, it lets you customize the touch controls, monitor the buds’ connections (multi-point pairing allows for two concurrent pairs), turn on LE Audio, change the wear detect to only apply for one earbud and monitor battery levels.
Finally, there’s an equalizer, which is only a 5-band one and doesn’t offer presets. If you’re used to customizing your own earbuds' sound, you might find this one just a little restrictive.
Battery life hits 7 hours with ANC turned on or 10 hours with it off, figures which can go up to 24 or 35 respectively when you factor in the case. The battery life is ever so slightly above average and my own testing roughly matched Denon’s stats provided.
This might be one of the shortest ‘Features’ sections I’ve ever written in a review, because the Denon don’t offer much in the way of useful features beyond the basics. That’s a shame because it’s in the feature set that (headphone) boys become (headphone) men, and with rivals offering plenty of extra modes and functions, it affects the competitiveness of the AH-C840NCW.
Features score: 3.5/5
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Small pebble carry case
AirPods Pro lookalikes
Sensitive touch controls
By referring to the Denon AH-C840NCW as ‘AirPods Pro lookalikes’, I’ve probably conjured certain images of stem-toting earbuds with silicon tips and slight tilts. This description doesn’t necessarily denote AirPods – the world of wireless earbuds is much more varied than that, with buds of different shapes and sizes – but in this case it’s totally right. You’ve seen the pictures, you knew where this sentence was going.
The buds weigh 5.1g so they’re nice and light, and as that description suggests, they’re made up fo a stem that says ‘Denon’, a round body and a tip which protrudes at a slight angle. You can buy the buds in black or white (which also applies to the case) but the design is identical.
Hidden somewhere is a touch control, which you can customize in the app to change volume, play or pause music, and so on. I say ‘somewhere’ because I never quite figured out where to tap to trigger it – usually tapping the top of the stem worked but occasionally I’d accidentally press it while readjusting the buds in my ear, when my fingers were nowhere near the top.
On that topic, I did have to readjust the buds quite frequently in my ear; never when sitting around at home, but when running with the buds (ill advised; these aren’t running earbuds), when walking with them, or when working out at the gym (sit ups is the ultimate fit test!). I even tested different tip sizes in the box (there are four, not counting the ones on the buds by default) and this didn’t help – I’m going to point the finger at the material used in the tip, for not offering enough friction.
If you’re not going on walks and constantly having to readjust the earbuds, they’re pleasant to wear, with the light build ensuring you never get earache from long periods of listening. The buds also have an IPX4 rating which protects them from splashes of water, but not a serious drenching.
Equally lightweight and portable is the AH-C840NCW’s case, which is nice and small at 58 x 21.3 x 25.4mm and light at 54g. Something bijou like this is easy to slip into trouser pockets without it bulging out, or hide it on your desk when you’re charging it up via its USB-C port.
Design score: 3.5/5
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Sound quality
Single 12mm driver
Ever-so-slightly warm audio profile
Max volume is too low
(Image credit: Future)
Denon has fit the AH-C840NCW with a 12mm driver. That’s the same piece of kit that its sibling saw but with the eartips ensuring surrounding sound doesn’t leak in, the buds sound a lot better.
The AH-C840NCW have a gently warm sound profile that emphasizes bass just a little, but it's so slight that it won’t put off people who prefer a more neutral sound. Bass is scooping and well-defined, but treble is also is also crystal-clear and sharp.
I’d have liked to see a more pronounced, expansive and layered soundstage, as the buds seemed to lose instruments and harmonies that weren’t prominent, but they’re fairly detailed where it counts in vocals, drums and keys.
The maximum volume isn’t too high though. It’s fine for everyday listening when you’re at home or in an office, but if I wanted to hear music well over traffic, or get some extra oomph for an energetic song on a run, I found myself continually pressing my phone’s volume up button – and it didn't really help.
Sound quality: 4/5
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Decent value compared to AirPods...
...not so much compared to other rivals
Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro, I’m willing to say that the Denon AH-C840NCW offer decent value for money. They undercut the big name buds without cutting down on the quality too much.
However, when you consider some of the other options on the market at this price, you realize you could still be getting a lot more for your money. Rivals within a similar $/£/AU$ range offer hardier designs, wider feature sets or better audio quality, and usually a combination of all three.
Value: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Denon AH-C840NCW?
(Image credit: Future)
Denon AH-C840NCW score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Above-average ANC and slightly above-average battery life compensate for a basic feature set.
3.5/5
Design
They're light but not wholly reliable in the ear.
3.5/5
Sound quality
Music sounds detailed and a tad warm but it's still not perfect, and lacks energy.
4/5
Value
They don't pull in front of rivals enough to offer a genuine value proposition.
3.5/5
Buy them if…
You want AirPods-similar design If you’ve seen the AirPods and want a similar-looking pair of earbuds, these certainly are options, as they’re some of the closest Doppelgangers we’ve seen so far.
You need decent noise cancellation While it’s not the tippy-top bubble-of-silence performance I’ve ever heard, the active noise cancellation offered by the AH-C840NCW is robust, removing all but the most persistent background sounds.
You need a slender carry case Some earbuds carry cases can sit in your pocket like a boulder. Denon wouldn’t be seen with anything like that, though, and the AH-C840NCW’s holder is lovely and slender.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You like customizing your audio While the Denon does have a 5-band equalizer, that’s not much control over your music for audiophiles. There aren’t any presets, and no option for toggling higher-resolution audio should you want to stream it.
You rely on transparency mode If you like toggling this and thus hearing what’s going on around you, I wouldn’t recommend the Denons. The transparency mode here sounded to me like weaker noise cancellation (yes, odd), and doesn’t let in much surrounding sound.
You’re sporty Some eartip-toting buds are reliable for gym workouts, cycling or running. Not the Denon, as I found they’d slip out of my ears even on walks.View Deal
Denon AH-C840NCW review: Also consider
Denon AH-C840NCW
OnePlus Buds 4
Skullcandy Method 360
Nothing Ear
Drivers
12mm
11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter
12mm
11mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life
10 hours (buds) 35 hours (case)
11 hours (buds); 45 hours (case)
11 hours (earbuds), 29 hours (total)
5.2 hours (buds) 24 hours (case)
Weight
5.1g (buds) 54g (case)
4.73g (buds); 40g (case)
11g (buds) 77g (case)
4.62g (buds) 51.9g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing
IPX4
IP55
IPX4
IP54
OnePlus Buds 4
A very recent competitor, the OnePlus Buds 4 have the best noise cancellation I’ve tested in earbuds at this price point. They sell at the same price as the Denon and offer a much more bass-heavy sound profile.
Another bassy option is the Skullcandy Method 360. Ignore the ludicrous case size; these have solid in-ear design, a fun and funky sound profile and a long-lasting battery. Again, these go for roughly the same price as the Denon. Our review is incoming…
Nothing Ear
Finally – and yes, for the same price as the AH-C840NCW, although they’re a bit older and more prone to price cuts – we’ve got Nothing’s most recent top-end earbuds. These have a really impressive feature set and I loved the sound profile, but be warned for an awful battery life.
Tested at home, in the office, working out and on walks
My testing period for the AH-C840NCW earbuds was two weeks long, and it came straight after I wrote the Denon AH-C500W review, so I got to test the siblings back-to-back.
I paired the Denon with my Android smartphone for the whole testing period and tested apps like Spotify, YouTube, Netflix and certain games. Testing was done at home, around my neighborhood (on runs and on walks), on public transport, at my office and at the gym.
I've been reviewing audio products for TechRadar for years now, including products made by many of Denon's rivals and all three competitors mentioned above.
I've been wanting Bose to lighten up a bit for years where its earbuds are concerned and with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen, the usually oh-so-serious audio heavyweight got the memo. Would you look at that 'Deep Plum' hue?
When setting up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen (try saying that three times in quick succession after 5:30pm) you're prompted to rename them if you'd like – and someone on Bose's payroll clearly had a jolly old time coming up with cheeky suggestions such as "Cherry Wine", "Burgundy Buds" or "Sonic Sangria". You love to see it. (They're also available in black and white, naturally.)
But that's far from the end of the fun times where this particular Bose vintage is concerned. These buds are the most sonically exuberant listen I've heard to date in this type of form factor, a fact only enhanced by their rock-solid, near-impenetrable active noise cancellation (ANC), which you can usefully tweak on a slider when creating Bose's hugely successful 'Modes' (more on that later).
This time around, you also get wireless charging from the box and multi-point connectivity that works seamlessly, something the original Ultras bizarrely lacked on their release. Some of the best earbuds on the market then? Oh absolutely.
But not everyone will be wholly happy with the update. If you were expecting a complete design overhaul from the inaugural late-2023 Ultras (which were not too dissimilar in design to the September 2022-issue QuietComfort Earbuds 2), you're still not getting that.
My colleague in Australia, Sharmishta Sarkar has been waiting for a rework there for some time now – and to be clear, she means an alternative to wedging the buds in with stability bands because these silicone accessories eventually wear out (even though a total of three, in different sizes and separate from the interchangeable tips, has been provided in the box). Anyone who wanted Bose to take its smaller QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 design and Ultra-fy it for 2025 (are you out there?) will also be disappointed.
I am not disappointed. The ovoid nozzle actually slips happily into my bijou ear canal and serves up exciting, expansive audio that nixes more low-level constant noise than anything else I've tested on the market. And with the (admittedly incremental, but still welcome) upgrades Bose has given me in the QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra 2nd Gen, I'll be thoroughly recommending them to anyone who'll let me for some time.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released on June 12, 2025
Priced $299 / £299 / AU$450
Available in black, off-white and 'deep plum' (pictured)
Key things to note here: they're newe,r and while they're not cheaper, they're also not more expensive than what's gone before them. Bose has generously carried over the original Ultra Earbuds' 2023 launch price (which was the same as the prices listed above) to 2025 and ignored inflation, although you can now find the older set for nearer $220 / £199 / AU$399.
Why mention this? Because if the deep plum limited colorway and wireless charging as standard don't matter to you, you might think the smart money goes on the older set. I actually disagree, as you'll see, but there's definitely a case to be made for it…
In terms of direct competition, your rivals at the level are of course AirPods Pro 2 which can be yours for around $50 / £70 less than the Bose (though often drop to being much cheaper), the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 (which are pricier, at $399 / £349 / AU$599), or the Technics EAH-AZ100 which are virtually the same price as the Bose depending on where you live, at $299 / £259 / AU$478.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen review: Specs
Drivers
9.3mm dynamic
Active noise cancellation
Yes, plus Immersive audio and 'Modes'
Battery life
6 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (total)
Weight
7.7g per bud
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing
IPX4
(Image credit: Future)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen review: Features
Up to 24 hours of battery (up to 6 from the buds)
Excellent and useful Modes options
Option to switch off on-ear controls
Via a few clicks within the Bose companion app, Bose has added (drumroll)… the ability to switch off on-ear controls with this iteration. Why you'd want to switch off the capacity to scroll through your listening modes (you can customize the long-press function too, if you'd rather use it to switch source devices manually, access your voice assistant or deploy a hotline to Spotify), stroke the stem to alter volume or tap to pause and play your tracks is strange to me – but if you want to, you can now. And you couldn't before.
Now: Modes. It's not new, but I was a huge fan of the feature in the original Ultra Earbuds and I still love it now. What are these Modes? Essentially, you can combine however much of Bose's excellent ANC or ambient passthrough you want on a slider – although take note, the solo slider starts at full transparency or awareness and goes through to maximum ANC – along with Immersive Audio.
You can pick whether you want Immersive Audio on or off, 'Still' (so you can move your head around your source device and feel the different sounds being piped into each ear accordingly) or in 'Motion' (which means that whichever way you turn your head, the three-dimensional immersive soundstage will not change).
There are three presets from the box: Quiet (max ANC, Immersive Audio off); Aware (max Ambient passthrough, Immersive Audio off); and Immersion (max ANC, Immersive Audio set to 'Motion'). I created a fourth preset: Work. Here, I set ANC to 75% and select 'Still' under Immersive Audio. This way, all but the most important noises are gone at my desk, and said desk is my fixed audio source – so I'm less tempted to leave it!
The thing is, if these profiles didn't do exactly what they promised to do, you'd say they were surplus to requirements. But because they genuinely enhance the listening experience better than any similar solutions currently offered by rivals (for me, it's better than JBL Spatial Sound, for example), they're emphatically worth using and celebrating.
On the ANC, Bose says there are new AI algorithms included this time, for better filtering of sudden noise spikes via its ActiveSense system. What I can tell you is that I've never heard more effective ANC in a set of noise-cancelling earbuds. Better than the outgoing model? Yes. I even missed my own doorbell while testing (which meant an extra journey to collect my next review product) – and my music was not loud.
Image 1 of 4
Not to hammer the point home, but from a design perspective, there's a new wax guard and… not much else, to differentiate the original QCUE (left) from the QCUE 2 (right) (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 4
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 4
(Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 4
(Image credit: Future)
It's not all great news: your Bluetooth version is still 5.3 (when 6.0 now exists) and although you get Snapdragon Sound again, which means aptX Adaptive is on the menu as well as aptX Lossless, you've still got to be using an Android non-Samsung device with a compatible Qualcomm chip (see our aptX explainer for more on that tricky business).
None of that is Bose's fault, of course, but it is a roundabout way of saying that LDAC would've been a great addition this time around – especially when cheaper options such as the Nothing Ear (a) proudly offer it.
Also, the three-tab EQ graph is relatively basic compared to some flagship options and there are no listening tests to augment certain frequencies to create your own 'Personi-Fi' type profile – which is a feature of the JBL Live Beam 3, for example.
However, that doesn't mean there's no sonic tailoring whatsoever in the QCUE 2 – just that you might not be aware of it. CustomTune is a feature that actually made its debut in the QuietComfort Earbuds 2, but it's worth noting nonetheless, because I think it's a big part of what makes the sound and ANC so effective.
Basically, that thwomph sound in each ear when you put them on? It's not performative. What's happening is that this test sound travels through your ear's unique canals, bounces back to the buds nestled within them and is picked up by the microphones.
Then, Bose's CustomTune tech gets to work, potentially amplifying some frequencies while pulling back a touch others, depending on the architecture of your auricles. It's just that you don't take an active part in this test, in the way you do with lengthier tests offered by the Nothing Ear, for example.
Battery life? It's fine, but not exceptional. In my tests, I managed to get the promised six hours from them with my 'Work' mode deployed, but not a minute more – and that's largely because I found (unlike many rivals) they're able to play relatively loud and I was able to listen at just under 45% volume at my desk.
Features score: 4.5/5
Note the stabilizer fins and separate tips (Image credit: Future)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen review: Sound quality
Loud, zealous, crisp and expansive audio
Excellent across the whole frequency range
Immersive Audio is beautifully handled
Let's take the excellent ANC performance as read (scroll back if you missed that). Sonically, the QCUE 2nd Gen are also a rare treat across the frequencies, with a layered and expansive soundstage that allows bass registers ample space to rumble and clack, midrange vocals and instruments to sound textured and fully realized, and treble trills to soar unaffected above it all.
If you love a considered hip-hop album (and I really do) you'll find much to celebrate here. I cue up OutKast's Stankonia and through the Bose buds Gasoline Dreams is an emotive romp filled with guitar kerrangs, drum fills and sonic articles lesser earbuds cannot unearth. Big Boi sounds extra indignant; Andre 3000's playful Georgian twang is just that bit more noticeable.
Switching to Ozzy Osbourne's Bark at the Moon (thank you, Ozzy), the complex layers of laughter, driving guitars and bass are faithfully captured and held dutifully in a cohesive but energetic mix – and when that guitar glances from left to right through the soundstages, it whooshes past each ear like a Tokyo bullet train.
For detail, they're also very good, and while there will always be that old argument about integrated, neutral hi-fi sound versus fun and excitement, for me, Bose has absolutely aced the sonic treatment here.
For detail and neutrality, you'll get just a little more from the aforementioned Technics EAH-AZ100, but for bass impact and zeal, the Bose buds take it. And there's so little in it this time around, I cannot dock any stars.
Sound quality: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen review: Design
Excellent mics for call-handling
On-ear touch controls work very well
Winning 'deep plum' finish
As mentioned (and pictured), the earbuds and case are extremely similar to the older model in terms of size, shape and driver array. What I didn't mention before is that there is a small difference to the build, and it's the addition of something Bose calls an embedded ear wax guard, to prevent any of the stuff produced naturally by our ears (let's not be weird; a healthy body creates ear wax) finding its way beyond the casework and into the driver housings.
I cannot say I had this issue with the older set, but having seen a few Reddit threads that mention it, it's a sensible addition from Bose.
Bose also promises improved voice pickup from the four mics per bud and thus improved call quality this time around, and I think the company has made good on that claim. It was a sore point in the older set, and this time callers felt I sounded much clearer and more present.
You can also tweak how much of your own voice you'd like to hear in the app (something rival Technics calls 'Sidetone') and it is beneficial if you prefer to hear a little more of your dulcet tones in calls, to avoid shouting at your recipient.
In the Bose app, there's a fit test to work out whether you've got the correct tips and fins fitted, and although it's quick and relatively rudimentary (I passed first time with the pre-fitted options, no issue) I did find the buds secure and comfortable during my testing.
Basically, if you've liked the fit of Bose's flagship earbuds to date, it's more of the same here. OK, in today's money the charging case could be considered a touch on the large side. For me it's no biggie, since its flat underside means it sits happily in my hand and in my bag without issue.
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Bose)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen review: value
Simply the best ANC earbuds on the market
…but not the cheapest
Value is an odd thing to quantify here, since it really is horses for courses. I keep coming back to this: there will be those out there who simply want the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market, that also do great things with their music. This is that pair of earbuds.
No, they're possibly not the absolute best earbuds for small ears (although to clarify: I had no issue with fallouts and I have bijou ears, but they do protrude more than rivals) nor do they ask you various questions about what you're hearing and when you stop hearing certain frequencies to create sound profiles.
If you want to take an active part in augmentation, you'll be better served by AirPods Pro 2 or Nothing Ear. That said, not everyone wants this – and for me, the overall sound quality here is so good I wouldn't touch it anyway.
Value: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Excellent ANC and now, wireless charging. Every perk is class-leading
4.5/5
Sound quality
Immersive audio is wildly fun and engaging but even with all profiles off, the sound is zealous and powerful
5/5
Design
A case of 'it wasn't broken, so we didn't fix it' but the added wax guard is a nice touch
4.5/5
Value
Simply the best earbuds for ANC on the market – and that's worth paying for
5/5
Buy them if…
You need class-leading ANC in earbuds I've never heard bubble-of-silence noise cancellation in earbuds quite like it – no, not even in the older set.
You like immersive, head-tracked audio With Bose's earbuds, you get to choose whether you want your own personal surround-sound performance fixed or moving, and in conjunction with whatever level of ANC you want.
You like vivacious, dynamic, pro-active audio Want your grime tracks with a thumping bassline? Bose can give it to you and then some. If I had to use just one word to describe the audio performance here, I'd go with 'powerful'.
Don’t buy them if…
You've already got the Ultras If wireless charging doesn't matter to you, you're not fully sold on the new color, the incremental upgrade in the inaugural set's very good ANC isn't a deal-breaker and, er, wax buildup has never been an issue for you, you might give this update a miss.
You prioritise stamina The battery life here isn't terrible exactly, but compared to certain rivals, it can certainly be bettered – the Technics EAH-AZ100 lasted a lot longer on a single charge, for example.
You want LDAC No dice here, friend. If you need Sony's higher-resolution Bluetooth audio codec, look to the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen review: Also consider
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Technics EAH-AZ100
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Drivers
10mm
10mm free-edge dynamic
10mm Neodymium dynamic
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life
6 hours (earbuds, ANC off; 4 hours with it on) case not specified
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 Cambridge Audio also offers an excellent listen in its latest earbuds with good ANC.No immersive audio profiles (Cambridge doesn't believe in tinkering with recorded music in that way) but if it's an integrated hi-fi listen you seek, add them to your list – and they'll last longer than the Bose option. Read more in our Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 review.
Technics EAH-AZ100 Another option with better stamina that also offers excellent sound quality and decent noise cancellation. Here, you even get multi-point to three devices (rather than the standard two) though, and the classy finish makes them nothing short of a joy to own. Get the full picture in our Technics EAH-AZ100 review.
How I tested the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen
Tested for two weeks
Tested at home, walking along a crowded beach and on a packed train
I used the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen for two weeks when writing this review, and my testing involved listening to music, podcasts and watching streamed movies from various devices – including Android and Apple sources.
I listened at home when working and taking calls, during several beach-combing walks and on a busy commuter train – and let me tell you, with these as my musical companion, it was no hardship.
I've been testing audio products full-time since 2019, firstly over at our sister publication What Hi-Fi? as a staff writer (locked in our hi-fi testing facility for two years, I was), then as senior writer at TechRadar and, since early 2024, audio editor. My background as a professional dancer is what drives me to search for faithful timing, precision, clarity and good old fashioned fun in recorded music.
It’s something of a cliche among tech writers and audio fans to refer to any stem earbuds as a ‘cheap AirPods alternative’, before heaping upon it praise for being just as passable a pair of headphones as Apple’s are, or superior in some arbitrary way. I was almost ready to trot out that same, somewhat tired comparison with the new Denon AH-C500W to be perfectly honest. That was until I realised it was actually incorrect.
Not the part about them being AirPods rivals – you’ve seen the picture at the top of this review, even AirPods’ mom wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between her child and the Denon. And not about them being cheaper either; the AH-C500W do undercut Apple’s options.
No, I’m talking about the new Denon earbuds being superior. The Denon don’t have any unique selling point to beat the AirPods, no untouchable audio quality to keep them competitive, and a price that isn’t actually that cheap, in the grand scheme of things. If you’ve got an Android phone and so can’t use AirPods to anywhere near their full potential, here’s Denon, but if not they’re harder to recommend – and that's coming from me, an AirPods naysayer.
If you’ve not heard of Denon (not to be confused with Danone of yogurt fame), it's a celebrated Japanese audio company mainly focused on larger speakers, soundbars and AV set-ups, but also selling choice premium headphones and earbuds too. In this gilded array the AH-C500W are the odd duck, coming at a much more affordable price point than basically everything else on Denon’s website.
A blast from the past, the C500W use an open-fit ear design. No, not the fullyopen earbuds that’ve been launching left, right and center throughout 2025, but like AirPods: they sit in your ear but without any tip to wedge it in there. Instead, you cross your fingers and pray to whomever you believe in that they don’t fall out. In my testing the Denon never actually did, but they’d often move around in my outer ear slightly, which would affect music quality – and when I tried to fix it, the oversensitive touch controls would think I’d pressed ‘pause’ and stop my music. Not very handy.
Audio quality is actually fair, at least when you’re at home, but step outdoors into the noisy world and the lack of any kind of noise cancellation will have an audible effect on your listening. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) isn’t mandatory in earbuds, but open designs block virtually no noise, and I found myself wishing for ear tips to offer some relief from background noise.
Something else missing from the Denon AH-C500W is an app… that does anything truly meaningful. That is to say there is an app, but its only functions are to turn off touch controls or adjust your listening using the most barebones EQ I’ve ever seen.
If there’s anything resoundingly positive to be said for the Denon, it’s the design. AirPods comparisons aside these are sleek-looking, lightweight when in your ear and easy to tote around thanks to the tiny carry case. The latter in particular was a source of joy when going out with the earbuds – sometimes I test buds with huge containers that are a pain to put in my pocket, but not the Denons.
Denon AH-C500W review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Unveiled and released in April 2025
Costs $99 / £99 (roughly AU$209)
Already available cheaper
The Denon AH-C500W earbuds were announced in April 2025 and went on sale shortly afterwards. They were joined in this release by the AH-C840NCW, a slightly more expensive alternative which comes with ear tips and noise cancellation.
When announced, the buds were given the price of $99 / £99 (roughly AU$209) but three months later at the time of writing this review, the UK price is already down by £10 on Denon’s official website (and not via a sale, but as the default price) so you can pick them up for below RRP very easily.
I’ll save you clicking over to its review; the also-devoid-of-ANC Apple AirPods 4 cost $129 / £129 / AU$219 so they’re only slightly more expensive. That’s not the only competitor at this price point though and the splendid Nothing Ear (a), the Skullcandy Method 360 and Sony WF-C710N all match the Denon (in at least one country each, although in some others they're a hair pricier).
While the Denon AH-C500W are cheaper than the AirPods 4, it wouldn’t be right to refer to them as ‘cheap’ earbuds, and they’d need to cost at least 30% less to be considered budget alternatives.
Denon AH-C500W review: Specs
Drivers
12mm
Active noise cancellation
No
Battery life (ANC off)
7 hours (buds) 25 hours (case)
Weight
4.5g (buds) 50g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing
IPX4
Denon AH-C500W review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
7-hour battery life, 25 with case
No noise cancellation of any kind
App has few features
Pick up the Denon AH-C500W if you think the AirPods 4’s 5-hour battery life is awful – the Denon doesn’t do an awful lot better, but at least it’s not so noticeably below the class-leaders.
According to Denon’s stats – which I’d back, from my experience – the earbuds will last for 7 hours on a full battery. That’s roughly in line with industry standards, but remember that anything that’s average is worse than literally half of all other options. The charging case brings the full figure up to 24 hours which isn’t amazing either, and actually falls short of Apple, possibly because Denon opted to add wireless charging support instead of a bigger battery.
In the ‘Features’ section of our reviews, we generally talk about earbuds’ noise cancellation. The C500W doesn’t have any, something I bring up just in case anyone skipped the introduction to this review (no judgement, I sometimes do the same thing). If you use these, expect to hear what’s going on around you.
For the vast majority of my testing time, I used the Denon without a tie-in app, finding that searching ‘Denon’ in the Play Store brought up an AVR remote, and the buds work just fine without an app. Towards the end of the review period I realised that had I simply scrolled down I would have discovered that there actually is an app, called Denon Headphones, which I missed below myriad other apps from the company.
(Image credit: Future)
Downloading the app didn’t actually make much of a difference to my user experience though, and that’s because it doesn’t really add too many perks and features.
Nowhere is that exemplified more than in the equalizer, a feature which many would argue is all but necessary in earbuds these days. It’s the most barebones music customizer I’ve seen, offering a 5-band EQ and no presents, and I needed to slide each band to its extreme to hear even a noticeable difference.
Beyond that you’ve got a way to turn off and on touch controls, and to change some of the triggers (but not all of them), monitor which devices are connected to the buds and turn on LE Audio. Regarding the middle point, the buds offer Multi-point connection so you can use the Denon alongside two phones, tablets or computers at once, which is useful and becoming an industry standard now. Also, they're Auracast ready, another (hopefully) soon-to-be industry standard perk.
The AH-C500W do have one feature I really liked though. There’s wearer detection which you can customize by bud, so you can set up music to pause if you remove, say, the left earbud but not the right one, or only if you remove both buds. As someone who likes the idea of auto-pausing music but finds it annoying that songs stop if I remove one bud just to readjust it or as a polite gesture, this was a wonderful fix.
Features score: 3.5/5
Denon AH-C500W review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Light, compact case and buds
Unreliable fit due to lack of tip
Black or white color options
I loved how small the Denon AH-C500W case is, definitely one of the teeniest carry cases I’ve seen in the wireless earbuds realm. It measures 58 x 48 x 28mm, and weighs 50g.
In a rare diversion from the AirPods playbook it’s a short and wide pebble-style case that opens to reveal the whole bud, not just the top, and I find this kind of design makes it easier to remove the bud. The only feature of note is a USB-C charging port on the back.
You can pick up the Denon in either white or black, and both the buds and case come in your chosen hue.
The earbuds weigh 4.5g and they’re dead ringers for AirPods, from their open design which means they hang (relatively) loose in your ear, to the stem which dangles down from your ear, and even down to the fact that the bud is angled slightly along your cheek.
(Image credit: Future)
Copying is largely accepted in the tech world, but I wish Denon had copied from another design playbook than the AirPods’, because the AH-C500W carries over all of the design's shortcomings. With that comment I’m largely looking at the open design, which means the body of the bud is wedged in your ear without a silicon tip or sports loop to keep it in place. A replaceable ear tip can offer some insulation from outside sound and keep an earbud from jostling around in your ear. The lack of it also means that the Denon is susceptible to sound leakage (both from outside to the listener, and from the buds to people nearby) and doesn’t sit particularly still in your ear.
The latter point isn’t horrible, and I’ve tested earbuds (even tip-bearing ones) that are worse, but almost every time I took the C500W for a walk I’d find myself fiddling with them to ensure they were sitting in my ear right – and after 10 minutes of walking they’d have shifted, and I’d have to repeat this process all over again.
The Denon have a touch control that you can press several times or hold for different controls, and the lack of a visual or touch indicator as to where this haptic button is means that you have to get used to the design yourself. And do you remember me saying I had to constantly fiddle with the earbuds in the last paragraph? Yeah – good luck doing so without accidentally pressing the enigmatic ‘pause’ button.
The buds have an IPX4 resistance to water, which makes them sweat-proof but not ready to survive jets of water.
Design score: 3.5/5
Denon AH-C500W review: Sound quality
Sole 12mm driver
Detailed sound, if you can even hear it
Lots of distortion in certain genres
(Image credit: Future)
The Denon pack 12mm drivers and 2 microphones each. A more intriguing feature present is called Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology or Masimo AAT, which Denon previously used in some other of its wireless earbuds. This is mentioned only on Denon’s website right at the bottom, and not in its app or marketing materials, so it’s hard to know what it actually does. Masimo’s own website suggests that it’s a listening test to create a personal listening profile, but no such feature is present in the app.
The audio quality of the AH-C500W is mixed, but that’s a mix of highs and lows. There’s a lot of quality and detail in music – you can hear the timbre and individual strings of a guitar strum, the bowing of a violin – but then there’s also quite a bit of peaking on instruments like hi-hats, acoustic guitars and percussions.
Your mileage with the buds will vary dramatically based on what kind of music you listen to. Certain genres will feed you a cacophony of hisses and hums, with instruments that the Denon distorts too easily, but when listening to other genres I could go for multiple songs without hearing an issue, and while enjoying top-quality music.
The sound profile of the buds is largely neutral, though there’s a more emphatic and pronounced bass than I was expecting given the form factor. That form factor is, at the end of the day, the biggest issue with the AH-C500W’s music quality. However songs sound in a vacuum (or at home), they sound a lot worse when outside noise is leaking in, or when your buds are constantly slipping in your ear to change position.
Sound quality: 3.5/5
Denon AH-C500W review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Not amazing value by default
Wait for sales to pick up
When I first saw the Denon AH-C500W – and indeed, for the fortnight of testing before I started writing this review – I thought the buds cost about half as much as they actually do.
That’s because I made an assumption based on the feature set, sound quality and design, comparing it to similar traits in other buds on the market, and I presumed that these would cost about £50 / $70 / AU$100. The fact that they actually cost a lot more probably tells you all you need to about their value as a proposition in a hugely congested market.
If you can find them discounted further, the AH-C500W might be worth buying – you don’t have to wait for them to get as low as my presumed price – but at the original retail price, my verdict is that they don’t offer great value for money.
Value: 3/5
Should I buy the Denon AH-C500W?
(Image credit: Future)
Denon AH-C500W score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Passable battery life but not many other features to talk about.
3/5
Design
The buds are lovely and lightweight, though they're just not secure in your ear.
3.5/5
Sound quality
Sound is textured and detailed but it peaks often, and that's only when you can hear it in the first place.
3.5/5
Value
You're not getting amazing bang for your buck when you consider other budget options.
3/5
Buy them if…
You have an Android phone Apple users can buy AirPods which are better for you, but Android owners need alternatives like the Denon.
You only listen in one spot Bobbing up and down while you walk risks dislodging the Denons, but if you're only ever going to listen while seated at your desk, you'll appreciate the music quality.
You want a slender carry case I've seen some monster charging cases in my time, ones that'll weigh your trouser pockets like rocks. Not here though.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You're not sold on the open design I found the lack of ear tips infuriating, both for allowing in sound and for letting the buds wobble and move so much..
You need noise cancellation Very few earbuds nowadays outside of true budget options lack active noise cancellation – just AirPods 4 (and even they have an ANC version nowadays).
Denon AH-C500W review: Also consider
Denon AH-C500W
Nothing Ear (a)
Sony WF-C710N
Denon AH-C840NCW
Drivers
12mm
11mm
5mm
12mm
Active noise cancellation
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life
7 hours (buds) 25 hours (case)
5.5 hours (buds); 24.5 hours (case)
12 hours (buds) 30 hours total (with case)
10 hours (buds) 35 hours (case)
Weight
4.5g (buds) 50g (case)
4.8g (buds); 40g (case)
5.2g (buds); 38g (case)
5.1g (buds) 54g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Waterproofing
IPX4
IP54
IPX4
IPX4
Nothing Ear (a) Released at the same price as the Denons, these buds may have a worse battery life but they have a solid feature set, energetic sound and reliable design. There's a reason we gave them a five-star review.
Denon AH-C840NCW The AH-C500W's contemporary may cost a little more, but it fixes all of the problems of the cheaper buds. The battery life is better, there's noise cancellation and the buds have tips to stick into your ear well. Our review is incoming – watch this space!
How I tested the Denon AH-C500W
Tested for at least three weeks
Tested at home, in the office and on walks
I used the Denon AH-C500W for at least three weeks before writing this review, and possibly for a month (I didn't keep track religiously). I tested them alongside their contemporary siblings, the AH-C840NCW.
The buds were paired with my Android smartphone for testing and I used them on apps like Spotify, YouTube, Netflix and certain games during the testing period. Spotify was the main one though. Testing was done at home, around my neighborhood and at the gym.
I've been reviewing audio products for TechRadar for years now, including products made by many of Denon's rivals.
The budget headphones market is becoming increasingly competitive. As more manufacturers cut the cost of their cans, it’s now relatively easy to snag yourself a decent pair of over-ears for well under $100. And the Happy Plugs Play Pro definitely fit into this savings-conscious category.
These cans may not quite compete with the very best cheap headphones out there, but they still provide relatively strong audio and okay(ish) ANC (active noise cancellation). The Play Pro also rock an unfussy yet attractive design that looks classier than you’d expect at such a reasonable price. As for comfort, these are some of the most comfy headphones I’ve ever worn. Really.
Despite housing five internal mics to assist with the ANC, the Play Pro aren’t great at shielding your ears from external sounds. Getting any noise-cancelling features in a cheap pair of cans is obviously welcome, no question. Still, there’s no disguising that there are far better options out there – like the superb Earfun Wave Pro, which are actually a little cheaper than Happy Plugs’ headphones.
Battery life with the Play Pro is borderline stellar. Switch off ANC and you can squeeze 50 hours of juice out of these cans, which is more than respectable. It’s just a pity there’s no idle mode on show here, meaning you have to remember to switch them off manually or they’ll stay paired to your smartphone/tablet.
Whatever device you’re planning to pair the Play Pro with over Bluetooth, you should know Happy Plugs hasn’t provided any software to let you tweak or set custom audio profiles. With no app available, you’re stuck with the default audio experience the company has created. To the Swedish firm’s credit, the Play Pro actually sound pretty good, with these over-ears’ potent bass being a particular highlight.
I spent the better part of a month with these cheap – but, crucially, not “cheap-feeling” – cans and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed listening to them. If nothing else, I’ll always remember them for being the headphones I was wearing during the last walk I took my beloved husky on before I had to reluctantly rehome him.
The Play Pro’s reasonably well-balanced audio brought tears to my eyes as I was listening to my all-time favorite song – Sonnet by The Verve – thanks to their loud, fairly punchy soundscape. Here come the waterworks again.
Moving past my doggo sadness, I’ll also give props to the Play Pro for being excellent for hands-free calls. Happy Plugs claims its headphones have a radius of around 50ft, and I experienced no distortion or break up when talking on calls even when I was several rooms away from my phone.
If you don’t want to break the bank on your next set of headphones, the Happy Plugs Play Pro are a solid option that are well worth a look. There’s no denying the likes of the fantastic 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are superior, though, while the Panasonic RB-M600 are also worth considering, along with the best over-ear headphones on the market.
Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Specifications
Drivers
40mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life (quoted)
50 hours (ANC off) 35 hours (ANC on)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.4
Weight
253g
Waterproofing
IPX4
Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)
Released in March 2025
RRP of $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$120 (approx.)
The Happy Plugs Play Pro currently retail for $59 / $59 / AU$120 (approx.) – though at the time of writing, availability is limited on the Happy Plugs store. They first launched after CES 2025, and are available in either no-nonsense White or Black colorways.
Be warned: they’re not all that easy to find. Currently, they’re unavailable on Amazon US or UK, though I did find them in stock from retailers like B&Q and Very here in my native Blighty. Seeing as the Play Pro haven’t been out for long, it’s hardly surprising they haven’t dropped below that initial price tag just yet.
Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Features
(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)
Long-lasting battery life
Middling ANC
IPX4 waterproof rating
Look up “no frills” in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of the Happy Plugs Play Pro. Not literally, of course, but when it comes to features, it's safe to say these headphones are lacking.
Considering there’s no software or app support, these budget cans' biggest selling point has to be their excellent battery life. Once you juice these pups up, you won’t have to give your charger as much as a glance for days at a time.
With ANC turned off, I found the Happy Plugs’ claim that the Play Pro will last for 50 hours pretty much bang on the money. That’s some impressive sonic stamina for a pair of over-ears that cost less than $60. A word of caution, though – the review sample I’ve been testing wouldn’t enter idle mode when I accidentally left them connected to my iPhone 14 Pro.
Instead, you have to manually hold down the power button to send these cans to sleep. This is a flaw I discovered when I forgot my phone while going to see Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning recently, only to be greeted by a blue power light on the Play Pro once I got back to my apartment after 2 hours and 49 minutes of death-defying Tiny Tom stunts. The lack of a sleep mode is a missing feature that could prove annoying if you mistakenly leave them paired with a device overnight.
As for ANC, Happy Plugs’ cans are obviously no match for the best noise-cancelling headphones at such a change purse-friendly price point. They cost just $59, so I’m simply happy ANC makes the cut at all… even if the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Do these cheap-and-cheerful over-ears keep out distracting indoor sounds? More or less. Once I clicked the noise-cancelling button – which allows you to switch between ANC and Transparency mode – and ramped the volume up to around 50%, my lobes were mercifully spared the din of my upstairs neighbor’s daily attempts to butcher ever last note of Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street on his saxophone.
The Play Pro’s ANC isn’t anywhere near as effective in outdoor surroundings. During many walks with these over-ears, I was constantly distracted by the rumbling of passing cars and screeches of vexed children, even when my favorite tunes were playing at 100% volume. I appreciate that Happy Plugs has managed to squeeze ANC into these aggressively priced cans, but the end results aren’t impressive.
While I’m giving the firm a pat on the back (albeit not a hearty one), kudos to Happy Plugs for making the Play Pro IPX4 waterproof rated. Granted, it’s been uncommonly warm and dry in my homeland of Scotland recently. Yet the one time I was caught in a brief downpour while wearing these headphones, the passing shower happily didn’t cause any audio distortion.
Features score: 2.5/5
Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Design
(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)
Pleasingly lightweight
Supremely comfortable to wear
Fold up design allows for easy storage
Wearing the Happy Plugs Play Pro is akin to giving your cranium a cuddle. These over-ears are light, breathable and come with foam cushions that are oh-so-kind on the lobes.
I’ve worn these affordable ANC cans for dozens of hours and I’m struggling to recall a more comfortable set of headphones I’ve either owned or tested. As much as I love my Apple AirPods Max, I usually find the cups start to irritate my ears after 90 minutes or so. By contrast, I can cheerily wear the Play Pro for hours on end and forget I still have these budget offerings clamped around my ears.
With a minimalist-yet-sturdy design constructed from matte plastics, these cans definitely feel like they should cost more than $59. The foam used on the cups and the middle of the Play Pro’s adjustable headband may attract a little sweat, but I can handle my ears getting a tad moist when the materials feel this comforting wrapped around my dome. I also dig the silver brushed metal that appears on the band should you extend it.
While it might be a slight stretch to describe the Play Pro as “premium”, they certainly don’t feel cheap. Tipping the scales at a svelte 253g, these cans are easy to carry around, and they’re made even more portable thanks to their fold-up design.
Design score: 4/5
Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Sound quality
(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)
Resonant, ear-rumbling bass output
Vocals can get drowned out
A lack of software means no EQ tweaks
Unlike Goldilocks, that porridge-stealing scoundrel who had her pick of breakfast options, you’re stuck with the Play Pro’s out-of-the-box audio serving. As there’s no available app, fiddling with EQ settings is off the table. OK, I’ll drop the stupid Three Bears analogy.
At this price, I won’t overly slam Happy Plugs for not providing software options for its sub-$100 over-ears. That’s not just due to the price of the Play Pro; it’s also because these headphones actually sound pretty good even though you can’t tweak their audio profile.
Naturally, the soundscape these cans offer can’t rival the best headphones out there. Yet if funds are tight, you could do way worse than the Play Pro. Bass feels relatively weighty, mostly avoiding that dreaded tinniness often associated with budget headphones, while also stopping short of dominating tracks that rock deeper melodies.
My musical tastes normally run the gamut of old to, well… older. While testing the Play Pro, I forced myself to listen to tracks that were at least semi-contemporary to complement the ageing bangers that prop up my iPhone’s various playlists.
Enter Alex Warren’s Ordinary. The chamber pop mega hit feels like it has dominated the charts for a veritable ice age, even if it was only released this past February.
The stirring percussion of this love song’s chorus is the audio equivalent of the T-Rex’s approaching footsteps in Jurassic Park. And that’s before you get to the singer himself, who has a baritone so deep, it makes the late, great James Earl Jones sound like Alvin or one of his chipmunk bros. I love a lower register and the Play Pro’s bass performance instantly impresses.
Alas, vocals can occasionally get a little drowned out during songs with a lot of instruments. A recent playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077 on my gaming PC inspired me to fire up snappy synthpop melody I Really Want to Stay at Your House by Rosa Walton & Hallie Coggins. Like Ordinary, the Play Pro handle the bass-heavy chorus sections with aplomb, however the song's flatter mid-sections come across as rather flat and muddled.
Not that vocal clarity is something these headphones are incapable of delivering. As someone who obsessively listens to podcasts on a daily basis, I found the Play Pro produced precise audio that was rarely difficult to pick out as long as the voices in question weren’t having to speak over background music.
And no, you spent three hours listening to a movie podcast about surprise ‘80s baby blockbuster, Look Who’s Talking. Don’t ask.
Generally speaking, the Play Pro sound loud and decently punchy. Mid-range audio doesn’t always come across as hugely accurate or detailed, but at this price I’m fairly content with the soundscape Happy Plugs has landed upon with these cans.
Sound quality score: 3.5/5
Happy Plugs Play Pro: Value
(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)
Quality cups and sturdy plastic
Travel pouch is appreciated
Like to make a saving without massively compromizing on quality? The Happy Plugs Play Pro hit a pretty good sweet spot between price and performance. Sure, there are better sub-$100 cans out there – the aforementioned Earfun Wave Pro say hello – yet these perfectly decent headphones remain attractive at an alluring $59.
Well-built and with a carry pouch thrown in for good measure, the Play Pro are exactly the sort of affordable, commute-friendly cans you can throw in a bag and not worry about thanks to their price tag.
Sound is solid, their design assured without being garish, and battery performance above and beyond for a cheap pair of headphones. Yes, ANC could perform better, but it can just about get the ambient sound-slaying job done in the right circumstances.
Though I wish Happy Plugs had designed a companion app to allow me to create custom audio profiles, if a lack of such support was necessary to get the Play Pro in at $59 / £59 / AU$120 (approx.), then so be it. On the value front, the Swedish company has done a commendable job with these cheap yet reasonably classy over-ears.
Value score: 4/5
Happy Plugs Play Pro review: scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Features
Impressive battery life, but zero software support and subpar ANC drag the score down.
2.5/5
Design
Fairly stylish, extremely comfortable and easy to reach media controls.
4/5
Sound quality
Punchy without hitting premium territory, big bass makes up for muddled mid-range performance.
3.5/5
Value
Sound is decent, materials don’t feel cheap, ANC makes the cut, and battery life excels.
4/5
Happy Plugs Play Pro: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)
Buy them if...
You want quality and comfort Well-built, with foam ear cups that practically feel like cushions once you slip them around your head, these cheap headphones feel like they’ve been made with love. If you frequently go on long trips, you’ll love how comfortable these cans are.
You dig big bass The Play Pro bring the bass… and then some. If you listen to a lot of R&B or like musicians with a Darth Vader-esque register, you’ll appreciate the audio output of these over-ears, which do a top notch job of emphasizing lower end tones.
Don't buy them if...
Quality ANC is crucial to you There are so many headphones out there that do noise cancelling more effectively than the Play Pro. While ANC is reasonably effective in quieter indoor situations, go for a walk in a crowded area with these cans and you’ll hear every last bellow, laugh and tire screech.
You like to tweak EQ settings As someone who constantly fiddles with the settings of his Sony Inzone H9, the lack of an app for the Play Pro really bugs me. If the default audio isn’t to your liking when you first unbox these over-ears, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Also consider
Happy Plugs Play Pro
1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
Earfun Wave Life
Drivers
40mm
400m dynamic
40mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life
50 hours (ANC off); 35 hours (ANC on)
100 hours (ANC off); 65 hours (ANC on)
60 hours (ANC off); 37 house (ANC on)
Weight
253g
246g
264g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.2; 3.5mm
Bluetooth 5.4; USB-C
Waterproofing
IPX4
N/A
N/A
1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 The overlord of cheap over-ears sport super-strong sound quality, top-tier ANC for the price and exceptional battery life. For less than $100, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more durable, better-sounding pair of budget headphones. Bravo, 1More. See our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review
Earfun Wave Life At around $10 / £10 cheaper than the Play Pro, the Earfun Wave Life offer better ANC and longer-lasting battery life than Happy Plugs’ cans. Audio quality between the two is generally on par, though the winning Earfun app gives these over-ears the edge. See our full Earfun Wave Life review
How I tested
(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)
Tested for three weeks
Used at home, outdoors and during commutes
I tested the Happy Plugs Play Pro over a three-week period. During that time I used these over-ears in different environments, spanning my ground-floor apartment, on walks through the center of my city and on public buses. I primarily connected the headphones to my iPhone 14 Pro – and to a lesser extent my iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) – to listen to my favorite tunes and various podcasts.
While listening to music, I ensured I covered a variety of genres, as outlined in the TechRadar testing playlist. I also tried to connect Happy Plugs’ cans to my Windows 11 laptop via a USB-C cable, but this only charges the headphones – you can’t listen to them over a wired connection.
