True wireless earphones have flooded the market, and sorting through this abundance is sometimes difficult. We have collected top models of TWS headphones that are relevant this year. They are distinguished by both high-quality sound and support for modern technologies.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Apple has updated its TWS noise canceling headphones this year. Their design has practically not changed: short legs, oval case. The case now has an eyelet for a cord and a speaker that helps you find your headphones through the Locator . It would seem, trifles, but they make operation much more convenient.
The sound was improved due to the new H2 chip , in addition, the headphones support the Bluetooth 5.3 protocol – with it, the sound transmission delay is minimal. Controls have also been updated: now it is enough to slide your hand up or down along the earpiece to adjust the volume of the music (no need to press the leg).
Noise cancellation works great: users claim that external sounds are almost inaudible in the subway. The transparency mode was made “smart”: the system itself can turn on the noise reduction if a sharp sound can deafen the user. Autopause still works only for owners of Apple technology .
Airpods Pro 2nd generation also received improved autonomy: 6 hours instead of 4.5 with ANC turned off, and up to 30 hours with a case. The standard set of ear pads complements the XS size set.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro released this year have slightly changed ergonomics compared to the previous version, and the case has become completely matte. There are three color schemes: there is graphite, white and lilac.
Inside, the Buds 2 Pro have dual dynamic drivers, as well as three microphones each for better noise-cancelling performance. The manufacturer calls the latter intelligent : the device automatically switches to transparency mode when it recognizes a voice nearby.
If you use Buds 2 Pro with Samsung gadgets, they are capable of playing 24-bit Hi-Fi audio. In addition, the heapdhones supports Audio 360 spatial sound. The Bluetooth 5.3 protocol allows minimizing audio delay.
Autonomy has become higher: on a single charge without a case, the headphones will live up to 8 hours without ANC, and with a case – up to 29 hours. At the same time, the case supports wireless charging, and 5 minutes in the case gives up to an hour of music playback. Finally, the case is IPX7 water-resistant, which means you can even swim (but not dive) for a short time while wearing the headphones.
Marshall M otif ANC
Marshall’s first TWS headphones with active noise cancellation are made in a recognizable corporate style: both the headset and the case are covered with plastic imitating black leather, engraved with the brand logo.
Dynamic 6 mm drivers are responsible for the sound here, for noise reduction and voice quality – three microphones in each earbud. In terms of sound, users praise the “signature Marshall sound”, which has proven itself well over the years of the brand’s existence.
Autonomy is average: with ANC, the headphones will work for 4.5 hours, without it – 6 hours. The case gives 20 and 26 hours of work, respectively, and 15 minutes of charging in it provides the headphones with 1 hour of work in playback mode. The case also supports Qi wireless charging .
The control functions and the equalizer can be configured individually in the proprietary application.
Sony LinkBuds S
Unlike the flagship WF-1000MX4, the new LinkBuds S are very small and light. One earphone weighs only 4.8 g. Of course, the new product also has active noise reduction and a transparency mode that allows you to better hear what is happening around you. The Sony Headphones Connect app offers 20 levels of customization for this mode, an equalizer, and headphone touch button settings.
High- quality sound is provided by the V1 processor (as in the WF-1000XM4) and the DSEE Extreme co-processor – with the help of AI, it improves compressed audio files to a quality close to Hi-Res. We also note the conversation recognition function: the headphones turn off when they “hear” that you are talking to someone.
The battery holds up to 6 hours with ANC and up to 9 hours without it, the case gives another 14 hours of operation. The model is offered in white, black and beige.
Realme Buds Air 3
These affordable headphones provide decent sound quality and support a number of flagship features. Dynamic drivers with a diameter of 10 mm are responsible for the sound, dual microphones are responsible for noise reduction . There is also a sound transparency mode.
In order to get the minimum audio delay, users are prompted to turn on the game mode. Touch control, and thanks to the removal sensors, the headset activates auto-pause if you remove the earpiece from your ear.
Water protection is implemented according to the IPX5 standard – neither sweat nor rain is terrible for the gadget . As for autonomy, the model lasts up to 7 hours on a single charge, up to 30 hours with a case. And fast charging allows you to replenish the battery in 10 minutes for 100 minutes of music playback.
Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro
The Xiaomi headphones looks impressive: a streamlined case and the headphones themselves , black or golden colors. The manufacturer promises that inside the case there is an antibacterial coating .
The “stuffing” here is flagship. The headphones are equipped with 11mm dynamic drivers and triple microphones for noise cancellation . The bone conduction sensor helps to clearly transmit voice during calls. The noise reduction has six levels of adjustment, the transparency mode has three.
Like many top models, it supports gesture control , autopause, spatial audio, auto-talk recognition (Smart Free Pick-up function). Headphones support the new Bluetooth 5.3 protocol and can connect to two devices at once.
The battery life of the Buds 4 Pro is impressive: without ANC, they will last up to 9 hours, and the case will extend the work up to 38 hours.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
The new generation of “music” True Wireless comes in a case with a fabric cover. The case is still large, but the headphones themselves have become more ergonomic. Noise cancellation is now adaptive, and the case has support for Qi wireless charging.
The sound quality of this model is traditionally at its best, and aptX and AAC codecs are used for its transmission. All settings are made in the Smart Control application: there is a three-band equalizer , a function for sound testing, transparency mode adjustment, control settings and an interesting feature – sound zones. Thanks to geolocation, you can set the sound and noise reduction settings in places that you often visit. For example, at home, you can turn off ANC and make the music quieter, and turn on noise reduction when you go out onto a busy street.
The model is presented in gray, black and white colors. And the headphones themselves and the case are protected from water according to the IPX4 standard, that is, they are suitable for active training.
Honor Earbuds 3 Pro
Introduced at the beginning of 2022, the model received an unusual function for headphones – the measurement of the user’s body temperature. Sensors measure the temperature during sports and in everyday life. Based on this information, Earbuds 3 Pro predict health problems.
Users praise the detailed and clear sound – for this, the manufacturer uses an original design with an 11 mm dynamic driver and a ceramic tweeter. The touch volume control is now on the earpiece.
Triple microphones and bone conduction sensors are responsible for noise reduction and speech transmission . The noise canceler has four modes, including ” intelligent “. There is also a transparency mode.
Headphones work with iPhone and Android smartphones, but you can only configure their functions on an Android gadget through the AI Life app.
HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2
The FreeBuds Pro 2 was developed in collaboration with the French audio manufacturer Devialet . Accordingly, the emphasis in it is on sound quality. Each earbud has two speakers. One emitter is responsible for bass, and the second – for high and medium frequencies. The device also received Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification.
The AI Life application is used for tuning: it has an adaptive equalizer with adjustment for each ear separately. The All-Scenario Seamless AI Life function is also interesting – it allows you to quickly switch between sound sources.
As for ANC, the user can choose one of three modes. Without noise reduction, the headphones work for about 6.5 hours, when charging from the case – up to 30 hours.
Externally, the device is indistinguishable from previous generations and is presented in blue, white and silver.
JBL Live Pro 2
The headphones of the past year is JBL Live Pro 2. The noise reduction in it has become “smart”, that is, it can adapt to external sounds. It is accompanied by Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes. The first is actually a transparency mode, the second is to reduce the volume of the music so that you can talk without removing the headphones from your ears.
Users note that this model has a powerful and clear sound, which is provided thanks to 11 mm dynamic drivers. The nuances of the sound are adjusted using the equalizer in the proprietary application. Also, with its help, you can accurately select ear pads, set up a voice assistant and prompts, see the battery level and much more. By the way, autonomy is at its best here: the headphones offer 10 hours of operation on a single charge and another 30 with a case, that is, a total of about 40 hours.
The design of the Live Pro 2 is minimalistic, the legs of the headphones have a mirror finish, there are four color options: silver, pink, blue and black. The device is IPX5 protected from water.