Huawei earbuds take the top spots in MyChooz ratings — for sound or for features. Their flagship models lead in both categories, and the microphone quality is particularly noteworthy. In this roundup, we’ve identified the 10 best wireless Huawei earbuds across three main styles: TWS (in-ear), open-fit, and clip-on.
How to get LDAC and enable L2HC?
Learn MoreIf your earbuds support the codec you want but your phone, tablet, or PC doesn’t, you can use a USB adapter. This adapter, about the size of a Bluetooth dongle, plugs into your phone’s or PC’s port. Your earbuds then connect to the adapter, receiving the signal with the correct codec.
Which adapter to choose?
- QCC Dongle Pro2 – if you need everything at once. The adapter supports: LHDC 5.0, LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Lossless; LE Audio and Auracast are claimed.
- FiiO Air Link – a universal adapter, but cheaper. Codec support: SBC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and aptX Lossless.
Check out our ranking of the best Bluetooth adapters for computers and earbuds for more details on USB adapters.
The latest Huawei earbuds utilize the proprietary audio codec L2HC. To enable this codec, you’ll need a phone or tablet running HarmonyOS. The Freebuds Pro and Freebuds series also support the most common LDAC audio codec, while the FreeClip series sticks to basic codecs.
You can enable the L2HC codec within the proprietary HUAWEI AI Life app. For other codec settings, you can use the Bluetooth Codec Changer app.
The top Huawei wireless earbuds work with the proprietary HUAWEI AI Life app. You can download it for Android from Huawei’s official site, and for iOS from the App Store.
EMMA — Experts + Methodology + MyChoozers + Algorithm.
Every model goes through identical tests; the score is calculated automatically with fixed weights — a spot in the rating cannot be bought.
Best Huawei Wireless Earbuds (2026) – TOP 10:
1. HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 8.52Best Wireless Earbuds 2026 – for Sound Quality and Features
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Huawei Freebuds Pro 4 – These are the best wireless in-ear earbuds under $200, according to MyChooz’s 32 testing parameters. They offer a great balance of sound, features, and build quality, plus a reference-grade microphone. The main drawback is that some features, like the L2HC codec, spatial audio, translator, and voice assistant, are exclusive to proprietary HarmonyOS devices.
- Top-tier sound
- Reference microphone
- Top-tier controls
- Proprietary L2HC codec, translator, assistant, and other features only work on devices running HarmonyOS
- Non-critical: soundstage lacks width rendering, highs have grain in places
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 8.46 The wireless earbuds feature excellent mids and transparent vocals. Moderately natural voice and instrument sound without distortion and artificial timbre. And detail retrieval is enough to enjoy live instruments. Cons include a minor bass deficit and a somewhat narrow soundstage.Read more.
Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.75 In quiet environments: 9.5 In noisy environments: 10Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.52 A strong point of the model and the manufacturer in general. Noise cancellation and transparency are sufficient for work. Playback time in our tests up to 6.5 hours taking the codec into account. Convenient touch controls, swipes, and head gestures. And the proprietary app is not overloaded with extra functions. Only on Android you have to install the app manually after downloading it from the Huawei website.Read more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.67 The wireless earbuds have a comfortable fit without noticeable discomfort. No complaints about build or materials. Only the wireless earbuds body is a fingerprint magnet, and scratches are visible on the case after a week of use. The wireless earbuds look good, but the gilding and brand name look excessive. 3 colors to choose from.Read more.
2. Huawei Freebuds 5 Pro 8.21Wireless TWS Earbuds with a Reference Microphone, Top Features, and Good Sound
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
These earbuds deliver good, inoffensive sound and a reference-level microphone, along with convenient controls. They also boast good noise cancellation and a top-tier transparency mode. The sound quality is above average, but most features, including the translator, voice recorder, and voice assistant, are tied to HarmonyOS firmware.
- Nothing in the sound is off-putting.
- Reference-level microphone.
- Good noise cancellation and an excellent transparency mode.
- Comfortable build, pleasant design.
- Third-league sound (7-8 points) at a first-league price of $200.
- Voice assistant, translator, voice recorder, hearing protection, and other proprietary features are only available on HarmonyOS devices.
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 7.21 Huawei FreeBuds 5 Pro — bass is a bit lacking, highs too, mids are pushed back, and none of these issues are critical. Listening to music is generally enjoyable, and you only start noticing flaws in the sound when doing a direct comparison with the 4 Pro or reference models like the Technics EAH-AZ100 or Noble FoKus Rex 5. The strong point of this model is probably that nothing in the sound strains you, but nothing excites you either. At $200, you expect first-league performance (9-10 points), or at least second-league (8-9). But here we get the third bronze league (7-8 points), the level of $50-100 models. If this model cost $50 — take my money, but more for the features than the sound. But $150-200… No, thanks. And yes, compared to the Huawei FreeBuds 4 Pro, this is unfortunately a step backward in sound quality.Read more.
Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.75 Quiet 9.5 Noisy 10 Microphone quality has not changed at all, top-tier level.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 9.13 Noise cancellation is good, becoming slightly better compared to the 4 Pro. Transparency mode got 1 point better, making conversations comfortable. Battery life increased to up to 9 hours of playback and up to 38 hours with the charging case. Controls are reference-grade, featuring touch and pinch gestures. The app is good, and inside it I recommend choosing the LDAC codec and setting up the EQ using my example.Read more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 9.33 The model is comfortable, allowing 2-3 hours of use without discomfort, and durability is excellent. The design is unique, with the case now resembling the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro and looking worse in my opinion than the 4 Pro. The earbuds themselves have become slightly nicer and more compact.Read more.
3. Huawei Freebuds 6 8.06Best Open-Fit Earbuds 2026 – For Sound
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Huawei FreeBuds 6 – These are the best sports open-fit earbuds. They offer the best sound among open-fit models, a reference microphone for TWS earbuds, and a unique, comfortable design that you’ll barely notice. Only after two hours does slight fatigue appear of use. Using the LDAC codec can improve sound quality by up to 20%. Some features, like the L2HC codec, translator, and voice assistant, are only available on Huawei phones with HarmonyOS.
- Best sound among open-fit earbuds.
- Reference-quality microphone.
- Good noise cancellation for open-fit earbuds.
- Overly bright sound in certain tracks.
- Non-critical: No transparency mode, L2HC 4.0 codec, and many proprietary features are available only on HarmonyOS 4.3+ Huawei devices.
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 7.98 Top-tier level like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 — just here it’s different, bright, narrow, precise. Great out-of-the-box sound. Using the LDAC codec grants a sound-quality boost of up to 20%. The main sound strengths are excellent naturalness and detail retrieval, alongside pleasant bass. Instruments and vocals sound clean, with practically no artificial sheen or coloration. The main sound flaw is a lack of soundstage size; the presentation is quite congested and narrow, leaving you wanting more space. In tracks rich in percussion or highs, the sound is harsh and frequently fatiguing. EQ tweaking is required.Read more.
Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.75 In quiet environments: 10 In noisy environments: 9.5 Reference-quality microphone among TWS models.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.11 Noise cancellation is at a solid level for an open-fit design. There is no transparency mode, but even without it, you can freely chat with someone without taking off the earbuds. Battery life is excellent, reaching up to 6 hours of playback and up to 36 hours with the case. Touch controls are convenient, but take some getting used to. The app is great; I recommend selecting the LDAC codec and tuning the EQ inside it.Read more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.17 The earbuds are barely noticeable in your ears from the first minutes of use. Only after 2 hours does mild fatigue set in. Durability is fantastic; after a year, the model looks like new. The design is quirky, but in person, it looks better than in photos.Read more.
4. Huawei Freebuds Pro 3 8.03Best Wireless earbuds for Phone — by Functionality
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Huawei Freebuds Pro 3 — These are the best wireless earbuds with a great microphone, matching the excellent recording quality of the Huawei Freebuds Pro 4. They have no major flaws: superb low-frequency sound, excellent noise cancellation, and transparency. They’re the best alternative to AirPods Pro 2 for Android.
- Pleasant low-frequency and bright sound
- Microphone on par with reference standards
- Comfortable, attractive, and sturdy build
- Huawei Freebuds Pro 4 and Pro 5 released
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 8 The sound offers engaging low frequencies, bright highs, and a slightly veiled midrange. You get a wide soundstage, excellent detail, and natural timbre, making for a purely positive listening experience. With LDAC, the sound is harmonious and full, with balanced bass, mids, and soft, natural highs.Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.50 In quiet conditions: 9 In noisy conditions: 10Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.05 Noise cancellation and transparency are average. Battery life is up to 6.5 hours on the earbuds alone, and up to 31 hours with the charging case, depending on the codec used. The touch controls are convenient. The proprietary app is straightforward, offering sound, control, and environmental customization without unnecessary clutter. Manual installation is required for Android.Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.07 The fit is comfortable, with only minor fatigue setting in after a couple of hours. Build quality and materials are solid, though the plastic is prone to fingerprints. The design looks decent and modern.5. Huawei Freebuds 5 7.90Best Open-Fit Earbuds for Android
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Huawei Freebuds 5 – These are the best open-fit earbuds for Android users. With the LDAC codec, you can expect up to a 30% improvement in sound quality. Released in 2023, they are still relevant. The sound and microphone quality are near reference level, and they remain comfortable for hours of use.
- Top-tier sound among open-fit earbuds
- Microphone on par with the reference model
- Unique design and 2 hours of use without discomfort
- Boxy sound out of the box.
- Slight white noise with noise cancellation enabled.
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 8.01 With the LDAC codec, sound improves by up to 30%. The earbuds feature a bass-heavy sound profile, slightly recessed mids, and subdued highs. I did not notice any blatant artificial timbre, and grain is kept to a minimum. The sound is spacious and full-bodied, with good instrument separation across the soundstage. Detail retrieval is good, though parsing instrument textures is harder compared to top models. It lacks sonic expressiveness, a bit of brightness, and airiness, without which this kind of sound gets old fast. EQ tuning compensates for some of these shortcomings.Read more.
Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.75 In quiet conditions: 9.5 In noisy conditions: 8 Clean and detailed recording without external noise. In noisy conditions, speech remains highly resolved, and noise cancellation does not suppress noise instantly.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.00 Active noise cancellation reduces PC or laptop background noise. Transparency mode is absent. Playback time in our tests differs slightly from the manufacturer’s specs. The control sensor on the earbuds responds everywhere, and the volume is changed by swiping up and down. The companion app is convenient and well-thought-out.Read more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 9.00 The earbuds feature a comfortable fit, with minor fatigue setting in after a couple of hours of use. No complaints about build quality and materials. The earbud design is unique, with 3 colors to choose from.Read more.
6. Huawei FreeClip 2 7.62Best Clip-On Earbuds
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Huawei FreeClip 2 – These are the best clip-on earbuds among the open-fit models we tested on MyChooz. They offer the best sound quality for OWS earbuds, a comfortable fit, and a natural-sounding transparency mode. They are the best alternative to in-ear, other open-fit, and behind-the-ear earbuds. Minor downsides include a slight lack of bass, no active noise cancellation, and a design that might not appeal to everyone.
- Best sound among clip-on earbuds
- Detailed microphone
- Comfortable fit among clip-on earbuds
- Open-fit design without active noise cancellation
- The form factor might not appeal to everyone
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 7.46 The earbuds are a bit light on bass, which is standard for open-fit models, shifting the focus more toward the mids. Even so, the sound stays dynamic enough for hip-hop and electronic music, keeping things full-bodied and spacious. You get reliable audio without obvious artificial timbre, and resolution is high when using basic codecs. Busy mixes do tend to trip things up, though, causing detail retrieval to drop and the sound to get congested.Read more.
Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.00 In quiet conditions: 9 In noisy conditions: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.16 Active noise cancellation and transparency modes are missing in action. Not that you really need transparency with an open-fit design like this, since the earbuds never block you from having a normal conversation. Battery life clocked in during testing at 9 hours for the earbuds themselves and 40 hours total with the charging case. Touch controls feel convenient and responsive, and the app runs stably, packing an EQ, a low-latency mode, and control customization.Read more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.73 The earbuds FEel lightweight and comfortable, though your ears will start feeling tired after about 2 hours of wear. Build quality feels solid with no visible defects, and you get IP57 dust and water resistance. They look sharp and come in 3 different color options.Read more.
7. HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i 7.23Top budget sound and features
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
These earbuds are a good buy due to their pleasant, engaging sound, solid functionality, and build quality. The main downside is grainy treble. Additionally, the model is a bit dated, and competitors like Realme offer more at the same price.
- Good engaging sound
- Good set of features
- Grainy highs
- These earbuds are becoming less relevant compared to offerings from brands like Realme.
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 7 The sound profile features moderate bass, clear mids, and slightly synthetic, grainy highs. With the LDAC codec, the sound is decently detailed, moderately spacious, and natural. It’s an engaging sound that holds your attention, making them a good choice for everyday background listening.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.29 Active noise cancellation only filters out light background noise. The transparency mode is barely adequate for conversations; you’re better off removing the earbuds. Battery life is up to 7.5 hours on the earbuds and 28 hours with the charging case. Touch controls are quite convenient. The app is user-friendly and uncluttered, with all functions easily accessible on one screen.Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.73 The earbuds are comfortable, and the included ear tips provide a good fit. Build quality for both the earbuds and the charging case draws no complaints, with no issues regarding materials. They have a pleasant appearance and are available in three colors.8. Huawei FreeClip 7.15Best OWS Earbuds – for Ergonomics
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Huawei FreeClip — These are the best OWS earbuds for ergonomics. Their clip-on design means they don’t press on your ears, and you’ll barely feel them after a few minutes. The Smart Wear Detection feature automatically adjusts for proper earbud placement, even if you accidentally put the left one in the right ear. The microphone quality on the Huawei Freeclip earbuds is impressive, a signature strength for Huawei. Downsides include the lack of active noise cancellation and the L2HC codec not working with non-Huawei phones.
- Comfortable Build
- Top-tier Microphone
- Top sound among clip-on earbuds
- Second generation released
- Only basic codecs
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 7.22 The earbuds offer clean, detailed mids and good highs. However, they lack low-frequency response, and the bass will need an EQ boost. The soundstage is pleasant with good instrument separation. Detail retrieval is above average with basic codecs, offering natural sound.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 6.5 There’s no active noise cancellation, but the transparency mode sounds natural. The open design doesn’t impede communication. Claimed battery life is 8 hours for the earbuds and 36 hours with the charging case. Touch controls are convenient. The app is user-friendly and functional, allowing you to customize sound via the equalizer or controls.Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.97 The earbuds offer a comfortable fit. Build quality and materials are top-notch. They look good, but aren’t particularly striking. Available in four colors.9. HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i 7.00Top-tier microphone with voice isolation and mediocre sound
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
These earbuds stand out for their top-tier functionality: a microphone with voice isolation, battery life that exceeds claims, convenient controls, and a solid app. The build is sturdy and reliable. The main drawback is that the sound quality is comparable to models costing around $30. Noise cancellation is average, and the transparency mode is poor.
- Top-tier microphone
- Quality active noise cancellation (ANC) and a good transparency mode
- Functional app
- Great battery life
- Comfortable fit
- Mediocre sound quality
- Useless Spatial Audio
- Minor cons: battery life with the LDAC codec varies, with a 1-2 hour difference
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 5.88 Budget sound for background listening, nothing more.First impressions were better. The sound is only good on the surface. Once you listen closely or compare it to reference models, everything falls into place. The main flaws in sound: soundstage, naturalness, and detail retrieval. The sound is inside your head, synthetic, and lacking clarity. The main pro: mid frequencies. Vocals are clear and recognizable, yet not entirely natural or detailed, and they lack transparency.
Learn more.
Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.00 In quiet conditions: 9 In noisy conditions: 9 Speech in quiet environments is detailed and clear, with slight clicking sounds audible.In noisy environments, mini-vacuum cleaner noise is inaudible. Speech remains distinct, with lower detail.
Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.08 Active noise cancellation blocks out light background noise. Transparency mode is uncomfortable, feeding your own voice straight into your head. In our tests, the earbuds lasted longer than claimed – up to 9 hours and 46 hours with the case. Controls are convenient—touch-based for taps and slides, alongside head gestures. The app is convenient and uncluttered, putting all features on a single screen.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.17 The model is comfortable, and with the included ear tips, slight discomfort sets in after a couple of hours. The build quality of the wireless earbuds and charging case is solid, with no complaints about the materials. The wireless earbuds look nice and neat. Available in 3 colors.Learn more.
10. HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i 6.72Sound for $30, features for $150
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and fast response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
aptX – Qualcomm standard, good quality, low latency.
LC3/LC3plus – new Bluetooth LE Audio codecs, efficient compression.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with the AAC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i – These earbuds offer sound quality typical of $30 models but features found in $150 ones. Their overall score is boosted by general capabilities rather than audio fidelity. They feature an excellent microphone for both quiet and noisy environments, along with superb noise cancellation and transparency, ensuring comfortable listening in various conditions. However, the sound was disappointing and left an unpleasant aftertaste.
- Top-tier microphone
- Convenient controls
- Sturdy and reliable build quality
- Sound quality on par with models up to $30
- The previous generation sounds better
The final sound score is calculated using this formula:
Frequency balance + Detail retrieval + Soundstage + Natural timbre / 4 = Final Sound Score.
. 5.50 Sound quality is at best worth $30, and that is even with the LDAC codec. Lows and mids are decent. There is bass, and vocals are clear and distinct. However, highs are disappointing: lots of grain and artificial timbre, lacking brightness and airiness. Detail retrieval, natural timbre, and soundstage are average.Learn more.
Microphone – We assess speech transmission quality by testing the microphone in two main scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment – This involves recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment – This means recording outdoors near a six-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.50 In quiet conditions: 8 In noisy conditions: 9Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.00 Active noise cancellation (ANC) blocks light background noise. Transparency mode is barely adequate for conversation. Claimed battery life is up to 8 hours and 35 hours with the charging case. Controls are convenient — touch-based with taps and swipes. The app is handy and not cluttered, with all features on a single screen.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.87 The wireless earbuds are comfortable and lightweight, allowing for a couple of hours of use without fatigue. Build quality and materials are solid, though the finish is a fingerprint magnet. The wireless earbuds look nice, available in 3 colors.