► ALSO READ: Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Sports Earbuds Review

With wireless earbuds on the rise, it’s exciting to see all these new brands’ releases as they attempt to leave their mark on the market. Today, we are going to be looking at the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW (there’s got to be a better way of naming these) and ultimately – what they’re made of. We’re going to find out if these are worth your money or if it’s time to listen to a different direction.

Audio-Technica is definitely not a newcomer to the audio industry, having been founded in 1962. They have numerous products under their belt such as just about any type of headphones you can think of and even some vinyl accessories. This means that they have a lot to live up to with this model and frankly, we’re excited to see what they were able to deliver this time around.

Starting off on a positive note, let’s look at the good things that we found out about the ATH-CKS50TW (its name isn’t on our list; they should really reconsider what to call these).

Pros

• Great Battery Life. This is a heavy duty pair in terms of battery life with 15 hours of “real-world” playtime and an additional 30 hours on the case. All in all, you get a massive 45 hours of playback time which is great battery life across the market. This means that you can potentially go two full days off the grid (go camping, fishing, hiking, etc.) and have these last you the whole trip.
• Amazing Sound Quality. Even though this model doesn’t really have Audio-Technica’s usual neutral sound, they still perform greatly with an enhanced bass and dynamic sound. It’s able to give you a punch without overdoing it which is great for those who are looking to use this as a pair to workout with or listen to louder genres with (like pop, rap, or EDM). Passive noise isolation is also great which means that listening to podcasts on your daily commute will surely be a pleasant experience.
• Decent Value for Money. For a pair less than $200, the amount of features and power that you get with these buds are great. With battery life and sound quality taking the center stage, the ATH-CKS50TW really delivers as a solid daily option for many different types of people. A lot of users can definitely enjoy this heavy duty pair and you’re surely getting your value for money should you decide to pick it up.

Cons

• Strange Fit. These earbuds are in-ear meaning that they’re meant to be pushed in the ears and are meant to be held in place with ear tips. They have ear wings as well that help stabilize them but taking those out is actually more comfortable than having them in. These buds are a bit fiddly to “lock in” which means that they can be a bit awkward to use during workouts or even in the day-to-day depending on the kind of person you are.

• Heavy Form Factor. Being the powerhouse that they are, it’s no surprise that Audio-Technica had to sacrifice some things in order to deliver the features that they were able to incorporate in this pair. One of these things is its heavy form factor, making it not the most portable pair. Its charging case is bulky and if you’re someone who likes to bring micro-bags or someone who wants to be able to slip these buds in your pocket and go – this might not be the perfect pair for you.

All in all, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW is a great daily option especially for those always on-the-go. With their great battery life and amazing sound quality, they’re the perfect companion no matter where you want to go. Being capable of a total of 45 hours of playback time and a bass-rich sound, these are definitely hard to beat.

Its strange fit and heavy form factor though stops it from being the perfect pair of true wireless earbuds especially for those particular with portability and comfort. It’s fiddly and bulky which can be frustrating for those who plan on wearing this while working out or for those who want to be able to bring these with them without worrying about a bag or a too-small pocket.

Overall, the ATH-CKS50TW is a great option for those who don’t mind a bit of bulk. With the features that you end up getting, this is a great bargain – you are sure to get your money’s worth. That being said, we hope to have helped you with this review and we hope you enjoy your pair should you decide to get it. Happy listening!

The Microsoft Surface Earbuds were announced back in October of last year and were made available around May of this year. With stiff competition, they released their buds at a price point of $199.99 which is a lower amount of what was initially planned for this pair. In saying that, many have great expectations for this pair and we’re going to be finding out if they were able to meet that. Read on for our full review of this model.

Starting off on a positive note, we’re going to be looking at the good things that we found out about this pair. Here are the Pros for the Microsoft Surface Earbuds.

Pros

IPX4 Water Resistant. One of the better things that we’ve seen in this pair is the IPX4-rating that it has. This means that it can withstand splashes from any direction; it has the potential to be a good pair for working out since it can handle sweat or a sudden drizzle while you’re out for a run. For a premium pair, this is definitely a good feature to have.

Very Portable. With the charging/carrying case measuring less than an inch tall and around 3 inches wide, this pair can easily fit in your pocket. It doesn’t take up much space at all so you can definitely bring this around even if you’re someone who prefers to carry mini or micro bags. This makes it very travel-friendly since you can literally take it wherever you go; perfect for those always on-the-go.

Now with those Pros unfortunately come some Cons. And spoiler alert, we found a number for this pair. To know what you should keep in mind before taking the plunge with the Microsoft Surface Earbuds, read on for the Cons that we have uncovered.

Cons

Strange Design. We’ve come across some unique pairs in the market but this pair takes that on a whole other level. At first glance, it looks kind of like a pop socket or a very large earring… if earrings were to go in ears. Now, it’s the kind of design that you either absolutely love or absolutely hate – and this time, we’re leaning on the “hate” part (though that’s kind of a strong word). With it’s pop socket-esque top, we can foresee many issues with its tap function – unless Microsoft is able to deliver an amazing just-the-right amount of sensitivity on this pair. But even with other pairs we’ve reviewed though, that’s usually not the case. Because of how it’s built, it also falls out easily which is a hassle especially for those who live more active lifestyles.

Buggy Touch Functions. Just as we feared, the tap functions on this pair are buggy and are more of a hassle rather than a convenience. There were issues specifically with the left bud which is annoying especially if you’re not in a position to keep taking out your phone to configure your music or podcast situation. To save yourself the stress, you’d be better off disabling this feature – or let’s be real, getting a different pair of earbuds.

Software Issues. This pair attempts to replicate the Airpods/Apple ecosystem to its products but it’s not quite there yet. There are a lot of things to be refined for it to be on par with its competitors. While on paper, what they’re trying to achieve makes them seem like the perfect Office accessory – in reality, there’s only a few things you can do with this such as using it as a mic to dictate what you want to say to a Word document. Other than that, this just falls flat on their promise.

Bad Value for Money. This pair costs roughly $200 which is on the high-end price point. For the features that it has, this insane price is simply not justifiable. With the Cons that we’ve outlined in this review, there are simply too many inconveniences for anyone to drop $200 on this pair.

All in all, while the Microsoft Surface Earbuds have some good qualities about them that make them a promising pair – being IPX4-rated and very portable, it’s not quite there yet. While it does have the potential to be a great pair for working out and for on-the-go in general with these features, there’s too many loose ends that Microsoft should tie up.

Overall, we hope to have helped you with this review and with your earbud hunting journey in general. To find out some good alternatives for this pair, feel free to check out our other articles in the True Wireless Earbuds and Reviews category. Happy listening!

Even though SoundMagic is a fairly young brand (they haven’t reached their 20th birthday yet), they have loads of excellent products such as in-ear headphones and portable headphones under their belt which is very telling of their workmanship and ability to maneuver in the audio market. As we have seen in previous reviews (which you can check out here on our website under the Reviews category), brands that have been around the audio industry for a while tend to produce pretty decent true wireless pairs. Rest assured though that we will be as transparent as possible to make sure that you will be able to get the perfect pair for you.

Starting off with the good things that we found out about this pair, here are the Pros that we saw for the SoundMagic TWS50.

Pros

Lightweight. The buds themselves weigh only 4g apiece which makes them beautifully light. This means that they sit very comfortably in your ears and they feature a tap function as well instead of a physical button so you wouldn’t need to be pushing them further in for you to control – pause, play, or skip – what you’re listening to. This makes them a great daily option as you will not likely experience ear fatigue no matter how long you wear these for.

Unique Design. This pair definitely does not look like any other in the market – both in terms of the charging case and the buds themselves. The buds are teardrop-shaped with an interesting top – it almost looks like a fingerprint is engraved on them. In saying that, they’re compact and small so they don’t stick out from your ears which is great for those who want a lowkey pair. Additionally, the charging case is also very interesting – not at all like the traditional flip-top/flip-open top style that most models have. To open it, you would have to hold the bottom and rotate the top like you’re opening a water bottle which makes for a very secure carrying case for the buds. If you ever drop your pair, the buds will surely be secured inside and won’t go flying out.

IPX7-Rated. The SoundMagic TWS50 is IPX7-rated which is a pretty big deal since it means that it can be submerged in up to 1m of water for around half an hour without it getting damaged. This means that it’s a great pair for working out and travelling since you wouldn’t have to worry about it deteriorating when exposed to sweat or really rainy weather.

Now with all those great features that we mentioned above, we’re going to stay true to our promise of transparency and also lay out the not-so-good things that we encountered with this pair. Read on for the Cons of the SoundMagic TWS50.

Cons

Inferior Battery Life. While the battery life that this pair offers isn’t that bad, – for reference, SoundMagic offers 30 hours for this model – it’s not as good as their direct competitors and not as amazing as it sounds in real life. It offers 6-7 hours of playtime before needing to be charged in the case which is pretty standard but not amazing which leaves us definitely wanting more.

Weak Microphone. This pair is not good at all for calls with a weak microphone that is not able to filter out background noise nor have any advanced features that make taking calls a smooth process. In a time wherein online meetings are becoming more and more prevalent, this is a letdown and is something to keep in mind should you foresee yourself using this pair for this purpose a lot.

Sound Quality can be Improved. Since sound quality should be the star of any pair, we’re sad to see this aspect end up in our Cons list. While the sound quality of this pair isn’t awful at all, it has issues with dynamic details and lower frequencies so audiophiles should keep that in mind. There’s no way to customize EQ as well with no app to accompany these earbuds.

Overall, the SoundMagic TWS50 is a great daily option for those who intend to use this for light listening. It’s unique, lightweight, and durable which is everything we can ask for for true wireless earbuds. It’s great for working out and it’s a refreshing sight against the basic designed pairs we see so much in the market. You likely won’t suffer any ear fatigue at all with its lightweight form factor, making it a breeze to bring and use anywhere.

But in saying that, we did find some Cons for you to look into before taking the plunge with this pair. Its inferior battery life and sound quality plus weak microphone are something those with busier lifestyles should consider if this is their intended purpose for this pair.

All things considered, we hope to have helped you with your decision with this review. We wish you the best with your earbud hunting journey and we wish you a happy listening.

Now while we’ve seen and heard some great things about this pair, we wanted to see if what it says on paper holds up in reality. Since Lypertek is a fairly new name in the wireless earbuds market, we wanted to see for ourselves just what they’re capable of doing. Because even though they’re new to the world of Airpods, they seem to know their way around well with the features that the Tevi offers.

Going into our review proper, we’re going to be starting off with the positives that we saw for this pair. Here are the Pros that we found about the Lypertek Tevi.

Pros

Great Sound Quality. As most of you are probably wondering about the sound quality of this pair, frankly – it’s great. Sound is level and clear with a really neutral audio that fits whatever track you might want to listen to. They have almost the same audio quality as wired earphones do which is a big thumbs to this pair. If you’re someone who listens to a lot of different genres, this is a great option for you.

Amazing Battery Life. The Tevi claims to have 70 hours of battery life which is massive playtime compared to most pairs in the wireless earbuds market. It has 10 hours of real-world playtime which is pretty impressive in and of itself, but they take it one step further by making the charging case capable of holding six full charges! For a compact and lightweight pair, you definitely wouldn’t expect that much juice but they truly went above and beyond with this component.

Great Value for Money. With its great sound quality rivalling the more popular Sony buds and Airpods, you would expect the price of the Lypertek Tevi to be sky-high. They exceed our expectations once again though as they are budget-friendly currently retailing at $90 on Amazon. With their quality being comparable to the pairs released by established Audio brands like Sony, Bose, and Bang & Olufsen, their price point is truly a bargain for a pair of solid true wireless earbuds.

As we want to be as transparent as possible though, we are also going to be presenting the not-so good things we found out about this pair. In saying that, here are the Cons that we found for the Lypertek Tevi.

Cons

Plain Design. Like many other models in the wireless earbuds market, the Tevi comes in a plain non-descript dark gray and ivory that could have been designed better. There are too many pairs that look similar to it that it can easily be forgotten or set aside especially when looking through many pairs. If you’re someone who likes to make a statement or wants a unique looking pair, then this doesn’t do that for you. You would be better off with a more colorful Beats or Bose pair.

Uncomfortable Fit. Because of its built, this pair has the tendency to get quite uncomfortable. It’s an in-ear pair with a panel on the outside of the buds that’s controlled by a click or a physical button. That being said, it will be quite uncomfortable to control since you’d have to essentially push the buds further in your ear to get the command that you want. This can be especially bothersome on long-haul flights or long commutes since you’d definitely be experiencing some ear fatigue from this.

All in all, the Lypertek Tevi is an amazing daily option with its great sound quality and amazing battery life. It’s on par with the likes of Sony and Bose with a clear and neutral audio that’s actually similar to the sound of wired earbuds. Considering that these are a true wireless pair, that’s a pretty big deal. They also have amazing battery life, being capable of a total of 70 hours of playtime which means that this pair will essentially last you forever. Coupled with its affordable price, this is truly such a steal.

Some things to keep in mind about this pair though is its plain design that also leads to its uncomfortable fit which is something people who travel a lot or who can foresee themselves using this pair for hours on end should keep in mind. Even though it is pretty lightweight and compact, you would still get ear fatigue from pushing it further in your ears whenever you would have to use the physical buttons for controls.

Overall though, we recommend getting this pair especially if you’re looking for something affordable, durable, and portable. We hope you would like this pair as much as we did (should you decide to take the plunge), and we hope to have helped you with this review and with your earbud hunting journey in general. Happy listening!

The Momentum True Wireless 2 is the successor of the OG Momentum True Wireless earbuds that Sennheiser released a while back. That being said, we expect it to have more features and for it to ultimately perform better – to be able to justify its hefty price of $299.95 as well. Today, we are going to be looking at what exactly this pair is capable of and frankly – if it’s worth your money.

Starting off with the positives, here are the good things that we found out about this model. Read on for the Pros:

Pros

Compact. These earbuds are 2mm smaller than their predecessor which contributes a lot to their portability and to their lightweight feel. This makes them very comfortable to wear since they don’t feel heavy on the ears even if they do give you a tight and secure seal. This is definitely a pair you wouldn’t mind wearing for hours on end during long-haul flights or long daily commutes.

Great Design. The Momentum True Wireless 2 is a sight for sore eyes with its cloth-covered charging case which is a breath of fresh air compared to the scratchy plastic cases that most true wireless earbuds cases have. The earbuds themselves have a classic feel to them as well sporting a black body with a silver top that showcases Sennheiser’s logo. You’ll definitely feel cool strolling around wearing this pair.

Noise Cancellation Technology. This pair has active noise cancellation (ANC) technology which is pretty much a requirement for the modern wireless earbuds of today. Even though you do get passive noise cancellation from just the tight seal of this model, its ANC is still very effective at muffling ambient noise. This is great if you live in busier towns like New York City or if you’re someone who travels a lot for business or for leisure as this could potentially block out unnecessary sounds on planes.

Unfortunately, with the good things do indeed come the bad so we will be presenting to you now the negatives that we found about this pair. Here are the Cons you should keep in mind before taking the plunge with this one:

Cons

Poor Waterproofing. The Momentum True Wireless 2 is only IPX4-rated which is pretty inferior compared to other wireless earbuds in the market – some are even IPX7-rated which is very telling of the possibilities in the case of waterproofing. In saying this though, even if it can withstand some moisture or sweat, this makes it a poor choice for working out or going on runs since its durability may be affected in the future.

Falls Out Easily. Building up on it only being IPX4-rated, it has the tendency to fall out because of moisture which is definitely an inconvenience if you’re in the middle of a strenuous activity. Moreover, this means that it can fall out during rainy days which is a bit problematic if you’re someone who lives in or constantly travels to places with a wet climate. You would have to worry about these falling off and you possibly losing them.

Mediocre Battery Life. This pair is capable of seven hours of playtime with the charging case providing an extra three charges which totals to up to 21 hours of overall battery life. In saying this though, things like turning up your volume and using the ANC feature depletes your battery more and will result in you not likely maximizing the stated seven hours of playtime.

Overall, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds is a strong pair in the wireless earbuds market. Its different eye-catching design, compact form factor, and ANC makes it a very appealing pair for the modern individuals always on-the-go. It’s able to provide a tight seal and is such a portable pair that there’s no question about it being a great daily option for a lot of different consumers.

However, it comes with its fair share of Cons such as inferior waterproofing which makes it fall out easily and a battery life that leaves users wanting more. This means that those who live more active lifestyles or those who are based in places with wetter climates will likely be better off with another pair. Because while this is a good one to get, you should make sure that it will ultimately fit in with your lifestyle and with your non-negotiables. In saying that, we hope to have helped you with this review and with your earbud hunting journey in general.

This isn’t Bose’s first rodeo in the wireless market, having numerous products catering to different needs. Including this pair, they have three offerings of true wireless earbuds which have different areas of focus. For example, the Bose Sport Earbuds were made for fitness enthusiasts while this one, the Bose QuietComfort were made for those who want premium noise cancellation – which is pretty much everyone at this point.

That being said, we’re going to probe deeper into the QuietComfort and lay out the factors that we think can either influence or sway you away from taking the plunge with this pair. Starting off with the good things that we saw in this model, here are the Pros of the Bose QuietComfort.

Pros

Premium Active Noise Cancellation. With noise cancelling being at the forefront of this pair, it’s no surprise that these have beat out the Airpods Pro with their active noise cancellation technology. Aside from offering noise cancellation and transparency, they took it a step further and made it possible for you to customize your experience with ambient noise from full active noise cancellation to full transparency to everything in between.

Great Mic Quality. This pair has great mic quality, making it a viable daily option especially for those who need to take a lot of calls while being on the go. Mic signal is strong and the only distortion you may hear is from Bluetooth – which is normal and very minimal. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth off the QuiteComfort if you’re someone who plans to utilize this pair for this reason.

Excellent Sound Quality. As one would expect, Bose is able to deliver tremendously with the sound quality of this pair. Bass translates well and sound comes through well-sculpted which is perfect for those who love listening to different genres. There’s also no distortion at louder volumes which some pairs struggle with but with this one, you certainly won’t have that problem. Overall, it will definitely give justice to your favorite tracks and playlists as expected from a well-established brand like Bose.

Now with those good points about the Bose QuietComfort, we’re going to be looking at some factors that you should consider before pushing through with this pair. We want to be as transparent as possible so we’re going to show you the flip side – the Cons that you may encounter should you go ahead and get this.

Cons

Bulky. This model is definitely on the bulkier side compared to other pairs – such as the Airpods Pro which is one of their major competitors – so it’s definitely a Con for those who plan on using this to work out. While you can still use these for the gym, it might be quite bothersome especially if you’re doing more rigorous workouts. We imagine that going on runs would also be quite awkward with the form factor of this one.

High Price Point. While the price on this is justifiable, it is priced a bit above the market for a top brand. Although the features that it has are commendable – such as the ones that we mentioned above, bringing the price down a bit would make it have better value for money. It is a premium brand but it’s on the verge of having too high of a price point which might be a dealbreaker for others.

After all that we’ve seen and said, we can definitely conclude that the Bose QuietComfort is a great pair of earbuds with premium active noise cancelling abilities, great mic quality, and top-notch sound quality. It’s a great daily option that can cater to many different kinds of people from those who want to use this pair as a travel or commute companion to those who want to utilize this as a solid earbuds option for calls. It can definitely deliver all of that – and more – with the features that you do ultimately get.

In saying that, the only thing that you should consider before taking the plunge with this is its bulky form factor which can be a pain for those with more active lifestyles. It’s way bulkier than other pairs in the market and if that’s a dealbreaker for you, we would recommend you to consider getting another option instead. Because this pair retails for roughly $280, you have to make sure that it will work out with your lifestyle or else you won’t be getting your value for money.

With that being said, this concludes our review of the Bose QuietComfort. We hope to have helped you out today with your decision and with your earbud hunting journey. Let us know what you think!

That being said, we’ve compiled a list of the best wireless headphones and earbuds options for your iPhone 12 – though our picks can work out with your Android phones as well.

Sony WH-1000XM4

It’s no surprise that an entry from Sony makes this list as they have a pretty solid reputation in the audio market – including the wireless headphone niche. In saying that, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a great pair with features for a better experience with calls. It works better than the previous WH-1000XM3 model in noisier environments and has a multipoint Bluetooth pairing feature wherein you can connect to two devices at the same time. This is very convenient because if a call were to come in on your smartphone while you’re using your computer, audio will automatically switch to your phone once you pick it up. This also means that you wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of pairing and unpairing your headphones to multiple devices.

Beats Flex

This pair is the successor of the BeatsX – Beats’ neckband-style wireless earbuds. It retails for much cheaper compared to its predecessor and has a better performance, being great for calls and having a better battery life. It’s also available in fun colors including a striking yellow and a cool light blue (arriving early 2026).

Mpow X3

These earbuds have great value for money with a price tag of $70 despite being chock full of features. Firstly, it’s IPX7-rated which means that it’s fully waterproof which is perfect for the gym and on-the-go. Next, you get 7 hours of playtime with moderate volume levels with USB-C charging. Call quality is good as well with a sidetone feature that lets you hear your voice during calls in the earbuds. The only downside to this pair though is that the controls can be a little tricky to figure out – but a quick search online should do the trick for you. Other than that, this is a great option overall with superb value for money.

Apple Airpods Pro

As we are talking about the best wireless earbuds in relation to the iPhone 12, we won’t forget the Airpods Pro by Apple. They’re great to use with the Apple ecosystem of products with even more features available now that iOS 14 is available. Aside from that, they’re premium noise cancelling earbuds with transparency mode which is practically a must with the modern wireless pairs of today. It has improved bass and spatial audio as well which is a new virtual-sound mode for watching movies and TV shows; though this would only work on Apple devices running iOS 14. They’re also good for calls and working out so people with active lifestyles and those always on-the-go would really be able to appreciate this pair.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

These earbuds have great sound quality and noise cancellation – even being better than the Airpods Pro in this category. They also feature great design with their ear wings so you wouldn’t be worried at all about these falling out while working out or doing other strenuous activities. They have a bigger form factor though so if that’s something you’re particular about, it could be a slight Con for you.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

We know that we’re talking about wireless headphones and earbuds for the iPhone 12 but this Samsung pair should do the trick for you. This pair is the same as the original Galaxy Buds but their battery life is rated at 11 hours of playtime (compared to the original’s 6 hours) with better drivers for sound and an additional microphone in each bud for external noise reduction when taking calls. It has great sound quality and an improved app for iOS users so you wouldn’t have to worry about this pair’s compatibility with your iPhone 12 or other Apple devices.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

This pair has a small form factor for maximum comfort, making sure you have no ear fatigue when you wear them for hours on end. It also has great sound quality and amazing active noise cancellation technology which rivals many pairs in the market. It comes in a classic black but will be available in a bright white as the year goes by. It uses Bluetooth 5.1 and supports both Apple and android devices with no problem.

Apple Airpods

Like the Airpods Pro, these obviously work well with the Apple ecosystem of products being manufactured by Apple themselves. They’re a great pair with crisp sound quality and features such as always-on voice recognition which is great for hands-free listening. They’re also great for calls which are becoming increasingly important at a time where online meetings are prevalent.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

These headphones offer better sound quality, call, and noise cancelling features compared to its predecessor, the Quiet Comfort 35 II. Aside from this, it gives you 20 hours of listening time which is perfect for long haul flights or commutes since it will last through your playlists, movies, and podcasts. Like we’ve mentioned above, it’s also great for calls and works as an amazing headset so your value for money is definitely guaranteed if you’re someone who’s going to need that feature a lot.

Jabra Elite 75t

These earbuds are the successor of the Jabra 65t with many improvements done. It’s 20% smaller than the 65t which means that it’s more portable and comfortable to wear for hours on end. It has better battery life as well and USB-C charging which is the standard charging protocol that many phones and other devices use. One of the major upgrades though is a firmware update that gives you noise cancellation. It also has an IP55 rating which means that it can withstand heavy sprays of water.

Beats Powerbeats Pro

One of the main attractions of this pair is all the fun colors it’s available in – you’re not stuck with the usual black, white, and beige colorways that a lot of wireless earbuds come in. With this one, you can expect bright yellows and cool pinks which are sure to add a pop of color to your looks. Since Beats are owned by Apple, the Powerbeats Pro offers the same features as the Airpods and Airpods Pro. They offer more bass though and a water-resistant sport design alluding to their target audience of more athletic crowds. They’re definitely perfect for those who are very sporty and for those who love going on adventures.

Jaybird Vista

This pair is on the smaller side which makes them perfect for those who are looking for a more discreet pair. They’re made for those with more active lifestyles, being IPX7-rated meaning that they’re fully sweat and waterproof. They have good sound quality, battery life, and overall performance as well receiving tweaks to make them better than the other pairs that Jaybird has released.

Beats Solo Pro

The Solo Pro is a more compact headphone pair by Beats but it doesn’t fall short of amazing features that would be great for your iPhone 12. It’s the first on-ear pair by Beats to feature active noise cancellation. It also has transparency mode which you can access with a tap of a button to be able to hear the outside world and ambient noise while listening to music. Additionally, it has six microphones working for you – two of which are designed to hone in your voice for calls or voice assistants. As for sound quality, it’s smooth and well-balanced with a punchy bass that fortunately doesn’t make the music sound booming.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

This pair is on the affordable side with it regularly being on sale. For its price though, you get good value for money with its good sound quality and decent noise cancelling. Sound is clear with a good level of bass and bass boost (or BassUp Mode) is available if you want more punch. It’s very comfortable to wear as well with 40 hours of battery life which makes it a perfect companion for travelling. Its capabilities for taking calls also impresses which makes it our number one pick for affordable wireless headphones.

Now, with that wraps up our list of the best wireless headphones and earbuds for the iPhone 12. This is the perfect opportunity to not only upgrade your phone but your earbuds as well. With all of our picks above, we can guarantee you satisfaction and a happy listening. We hope to have helped you with this article and with your earbud hunting journey in general.

► ALSO READ: Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Sports Earbuds Review

With Airpods being a household name in the wireless earbuds market, it is no surprise that many of their competitors are trying to be on par with them (or even surpass them) as a great daily option. The Bose QuiteComfort Earbuds is one of those competitors. That is why today, we will be comparing the two wireless earbuds – the Airpods Pro and the Bose QuietComfort to see which pair can be hailed as the best true wireless earbuds.

For our comparison today, we will be looking at both the hardware and software of these pairs. While sound quality and the features they come with should be the star of the show, their portability and overall look is also very important. In saying that, we will start by comparing these two strong contenders in terms of Design.

Design

The biggest difference that the Airpods Pro and the Bose QuietComfort has is their size. The Bose QuietComfort is significantly larger than the Airpods Pro – both in terms of case and the earbuds themselves. Looking at them side by side, the Bose Quietcomfort’s case is around three times larger which is a big factor in its portability. As for the earbuds themselves, while the Airpods Pro has their signature look (with the stem and in-ear tips), the Bose QuietComfort has a more traditional appearance with a pretty large form factor, ear wings, and an oval tip to go in your ears.

Going more in depth regarding the earbuds case, both have a flip-open top but unlike the Airpods Pro – the Bose QuietComfort has a physical button you would need to push before the case opens. This would ensure that even if you drop your Bose pair, your earbuds will be secure. Unfortunately for the Airpods Pro’s case – if you drop it, there’s a big chance that your buds will go flying out.

Fit and Controls

Both have great fit, but in different ways because of their design. Starting off with the Airpods Pro, they fit perfectly but due to their stem and overall design, they have the tendency to come off more easily. Meanwhile, the QuietComfort is more secure with their wide size and ear wings that make sure you get a secure fit. Also because of their wider form factor, weight is distributed equally with the QuietComfort making it feel more comfortable – resulting in no ear fatigue – and bearable to wear for hours on end.

As for controls, the Airpods Pro uses Force Stems which is a physical click function. On the other hand, Bose uses tap function which is always a little confusing to do. Both are definitely tedious but we do prefer using the Force Stems of the Airpods Pro as they proved to be easier.

Battery Life

Overall, the Airpods Pro has better total time usage being capable of 24 hours of playtime (made possible by the extra 19 hours in the case). Meanwhile, the Bose QuietComfort only has a total time usage of 18 hours of playtime (made possible by the extra 12 hours in the case).

However, the QuietComfort has better time for a single-charge use or “real-time use” with six hours of playtime. The Airpods Pro only gets four and a half hours with active noise cancelling on or five hours with noise cancelling off. Thankfully, both have a quick charge feature with the Airpods Pro being able to deliver an hour of use after only five minutes of charging and the QuietComfort being able to provide two hours of additional playtime after fifteen minutes of charging.

Connectivity

The Bose QuietComfort uses Bluetooth 5.1 which is the second most-recent Bluetooth standard. As for the Airpods Pro, it still uses Bluetooth 5 but it has a big advantage since Apple is using its H1 wireless chip which brings with it many great features.

Aside from being able to create a great ecosystem for your Apple devices, the Airpods Pro’s H1 chip uses Bluetooth Class 1 audio which creates a stronger signal than the usual Class 2 used in the audio industry. Additionally, the H1 chip allows the Airpods Pro to have a massive 100-foot range compared to the industry-grade 30 feet that the QuietComfort is limited to.

Sound Quality

With regards to audio quality, Bose wins over Apple offering a punchier bass with a bolder and more solid sound. A factor of this could be because Apple has the Beats line which is where they lay on the heavy bass which resulted in a more neutral sound for the Airpods and the Airpods Pro. In saying that though, the Airpods Pro still has great sound quality with a crisp sound and clear mids.

Although overall, the QuietComfort dominates with a larger soundstage and stronger bass – which is very important for a lot of different people with different lifestyles.

Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)

Having 11 levels of active noise cancellation (ANC), Bose has the upper hand in this category. You can configure the levels to your liking and can even save your favorite settings for easier access. This means that Bose does a superb job in cancelling out ambient noise with the highest level sealing off your surroundings completely.

While the Airpods Pro also has great active noise cancelling, it does let in some background noise slip in which isn’t as ideal in settings like long-haul flights or if you’re someone who prefers/needs complete silence to work.

Distinct Features

Before deciding which pair of earbuds wins overall, let us present some unique features that each model has.

Airpods Pro

Since they’re made by Apple, using them within the Apple ecosystem of products is an amazing experience. It’s a breeze to connect them to your devices and so easy to customize your experience with them. Now with iOS 14, there are also new features offered such as auto-switching between devices without having to pair and unpair. They included spatial audio as well which recreates a Dolby Atmos-like 3D sound experience. It also innovated Audio Share which allows multiple pairs of Airpods Pro to connect to a single Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad, and even Apple TV.

Other than that, Apple also has a unique fit test to determine which seal fits you best. It also uses the inward-facing microphone to adjust Audio EQ for the best sound for your ears.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Aside from the amazing 11 levels of ANC, Bose offers other unique features as well. It has a dedicated app where you can adjust many features and where you can see the status of your earbuds in terms of battery, volume, and even firmware to name a few.

It also has a pretty cool setting that allows you to automatically answer a phone call whenever an earbud is inserted. This means that if a call is coming through, you wouldn’t need to touch your phone as you can just simply insert your earbud in to answer it.

The Verdict

All things considered, we think that it’s only fair to say that the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is the winner. With its excellent noise cancellation abilities, great sound quality, and functional design, they truly deserve to be hailed as the best true wireless earbuds over the Airpods Pro.

Because while the Airpods Pro are well-loved all over the earbud market scene and are a great pair as well, the Bose QuietComfort proved to deliver above and beyond both in terms of hardware and software.

Where to Buy

You can get the Bose Quiet Earbuds on Amazon for $279.00 and the Airpods Pro here at various prices starting at $199.99.

Soundpeats was founded in 2010 and has been actively releasing products in the wireless audio market. Other than true wireless earbuds, they also sell some wireless neck bands and a watch which is very telling of who they are as a brand. Their coverage has reached 20 countries with the primary ones being the United States and Japan. As for their new addition – the H1 – it’s only available for pre-order right now so while waiting, we’re going to go ahead and discover what it’s made of.

Starting off with the positives, let’s look at the good things to look forward to with this pair. Here are the Pros that we found for the Soundpeats H1.

Pros

Functional Design. The H1 has a small form factor, making it seem quite stealthy or quite subtle on the ears. With its smaller size, this means that it has a smaller charging case as well. Both the earbuds themselves and the case come in a matte black. This is great for those who are looking for something a little more subdued design wise and for those who love a classic black pair.

Customizable Fit. Like many wireless earbuds, the H1 is set to come with three pairs of different sized silicon tips to help you get a tight and secure fit. If the standard tips it comes with proves to be too tight for comfort or too loose for security, you can easily swap them out for a different size. This will ensure that you have a good seal which is great since that means that this can definitely be a daily option or a pair for those always on-the-go.

Clear Voice Communication Technology. This pair provides CVC 8.0 noise cancellation which means that it’s able to filter out background noise when you’re speaking so your voice would be clearer to whoever is on the line with you. With this feature, even if you’re in a noisy environment, the person on the other end should be able to hear you better. This is perfect for those who have to take a lot of calls – whether business or personal – and in a time where virtual interactions are becoming more and more rampant.

Now with all the Pros we’ve laid so far come some things for you to consider before going ahead and pre-ordering this pair. Here are the less desirable things that we’ve found – the Cons for the Soundpeats H1.

Cons

No Water Resistance. This model does not have any sort of water resistance which is pretty disappointing. This means that you would have to be extra careful using this in inclement weather or new environments. Also, it likely won’t hold up well in workout sessions in the gym which is something people with active lifestyles should consider before getting this pair.

Mediocre Sound Quality. While mids, highs, and lows sound pleasant which means that it’s generally okay sounding, it stops there. It’s nothing amazing or special which is pretty disappointing since even if it’s not a high-end pair, sound quality should still be the main star of the show. Bass is also weak which is something people who like listening to EDM – or even pop – should consider. This also makes it less ideal to use in the gym – or even for people who like to listen to different genres – since it will likely not deliver the punch that you want.

Too Expensive. It’s too expensive for what it is – a low-cost wireless earbuds option. However, it doesn’t have enough features to be in a fair price range for the midrange market as well. This puts it at an awkward place regarding its value for money especially since the wireless earbuds market keeps growing day by day. So far, we haven’t seen anything that would really make it stand out or that would make it worth its price point of $69.99.

Overall, the Soundpeats H1 seems to be a very promising entry to the wireless earbuds market. Its functional design, customizable fit, and CVC 8.0 noise cancelling technology are good features to have in order for it to be a good daily option for different types of people.

However, with the Cons that we’ve outlined, we think that you may be better off with another pair. Aside from the fact that there is a waiting element since these are only currently available for pre-order, there are still some features that are lacking in order for them to have a justifiable price. The fact that the sound quality that they offer is quite poor or mediocre is something to look into as well because even if it’s affordable, you still want to get your value for money. In saying that, you’d definitely be able to find many models with similar designs or similar feature sets – even on Soundpeats websites as some of their previous releases share the same characteristics – since this style of wireless earbuds have been done over and over again.

All in all, we hope you consider our review before going ahead and getting this pair. We want to help you with your decision and with your earbud hunting journey in general. Hopefully, we’ve accomplished that today.

As mentioned, the Sony WF-SP800N is meant for fitness enthusiasts with the features that it offers such as active noise cancellation, IP55 certification for water and dust protection, and an extended battery life. It retails for $199.99 on Amazon which is how most premium earbuds are priced. While all that sounds fairly reasonable, we’re going to be looking at the Pros and Cons of this pair to ultimately determine if what they say on paper holds up to reality.

Starting off with the positives, here are the good things that we found out about this pair. Read on for the Pros.

Pros

IP55 Certified. Because this pair is catered for those who have more active lifestyles, this is great news. Being IP55 certified entails that it’s dust resistant and that it can take a sustained spray of water. Sony even mentioned that you can rinse them under a faucet after your workouts which is pretty cool as not many pairs can do this. This also means that you shouldn’t have to worry at all about getting sweaty in them or going in the rain with them as they are very water resistant.

Solid Active Noise Cancellation. For being a workout pair, this model has great active noise cancelling technology with both noise cancelling abilities and transparency mode. This means that if you really want to get in the zone at the gym, you can toggle on active noise cancellation to block out ambient noise. Meanwhile, if you’re commuting home or just want to be aware of your surroundings you can easily switch to transparency mode which is very handy as well.

Great Battery Life. This pair offers up to 13 hours of real world battery life (without noise cancellation; 9 hours with noise cancelling on). You also get an additional 13 hours in the case which is very impressive as well. This is one of the best battery lives we’ve seen thus far and we can definitely say that Sony did such a great job in this aspect.

Unique Design. Apart from the classic colorways, the WF-SP800N comes in unique tones like a cool blue and a bright red orange which is refreshing compared to the usual black, white, and beige colors that we often see. It will definitely spice up your gym outfits or will be a great statement piece even if you’re just on your daily commute.

Now with all these premium features, it’s definitely a solid pair but we’re also going to be looking at the Cons or limitations of this model. For transparency’s sake and to be able to make an objective judgment on this one, here are the not-so-good things that we found.

Cons 

Large Form Factor. Compared to other pairs in the market, the form factor of this one is definitely on the larger side. This is something to keep in mind if you’re looking for something more subtle size-wise as it is pretty big. The charging case that it comes with is also pretty bulky so you wouldn’t be able to comfortably fit it in your pocket unlike many out there in the market.

Loose Fit. Unfortunately, this pair doesn’t have a secure fit even with the twist to lock instructions that Sony recommends for a good seal and even with the different silicon tip options that come with it. It falls out easily which is a shame since this could impede your workout which is an inconvenience. This is definitely something to consider since it has the tendency to fall out and get lost or damaged while on runs or hikes.

Confusing Controls. Like many other models, this pair has tap function which means that you can control different types of settings through the touch sensitive panel on each earbud. That being said, the tap function on this pair is very confusing to use as there are moments wherein it’s faulty or doesn’t work which is pretty frustrating especially if you would have to stop your workout to configure your earbuds or your music through your phone. While it doesn’t seem like a big of a deal, it is pretty inconvenient and is definitely a hassle.

Overall, the Sony WF-SP800N is a great daily option not just for those with active lifestyles but also for those who are looking for a solid noise cancelling pair. Its many great features definitely justifies the price point at which it’s at and we can comfortably recommend this pair to those who are looking for something very durable with noise cancellation and a great battery life.

Although before you take the plunge, we advise you to look over the Cons and figure out if it’s something that you can look over should you get this pair. Make sure that it meets your non-negotiables and that you’re aware of any issues that might arise with it. All in all, we hope to have helped you with your decision and with your earbud hunting in general. Let us know what you think!