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I started working with and testing wireless headphones in 2006, and over the years I’ve actually tried more than 300 different models. In recent years alone, I’ve personally used and thoroughly reviewed more than 100 audio products.

New products are being released almost every month, and competition between brands is becoming increasingly fierce. In some ways, this is actually a good thing. Compared to a few years ago, many headphones now offer very good sound quality, noise cancellation, and battery life, even at a lower price.

The problem now is that there are too many choices. Buying headphones these days is no longer as simple as just looking at “which one is the most expensive.” Some products have exceptional sound quality, some are better suited for sports, and others perform better in noise cancellation, wearing comfort, or switching between multiple devices. Therefore, in this recommendation, I’m more concerned with the actual long-term experience than with a single parameter.

Technics EAH-AZ100: The Best Wireless Headphones Balancing Sound Quality and Functionality

If you’re looking for a pair of wireless earbuds with sound quality that truly makes you want to stop and listen to music, the Technics EAH-AZ100 is likely to be one of the most surprising options available right now. It gives me a very mature and enjoyable listening experience. The layering between vocals and instruments, in particular, is noticeably more natural than many ordinary TWS earbuds.

What’s truly remarkable about the AZ100 is its minimal “wireless” feel. Many Bluetooth headphones, no matter how powerful, still feel wireless, but the AZ100 sometimes makes you forget that. The sound density, dynamics, and spatial sense are all exceptionally well-executed.

Technics has further reduced the size of the earphones this time, making them significantly lighter and more comfortable to wear than the previous generation EAH-AZ80, so you won’t feel particularly tired even after listening to music for a long time. In addition, features such as three-device multi-point connection, LDAC, and Bluetooth 5.3 make for a very complete daily user experience.

Noise cancellation isn’t its most impressive feature. Its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is already quite strong, but what truly makes people want to wear it all the time is the sound itself. I would even recommend keeping Active Noise Cancellation on, because its low-frequency performance is more complete and the sound atmosphere is better when ANC is on.

To be honest, many flagship wireless headphones are now competing on features, but the Technics EAH-AZ100 is one of the few products that “will make you listen to music seriously again”.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5: Best Mid-Range Earphones

My impression of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 is that it’s a pair of headphones that “don’t reach the top-tier price, but offer a near-flagship experience.” Many mid-range headphones emphasize cost-effectiveness, but very few can truly excel in sound quality, noise cancellation, build quality, and wearing comfort all at the same time. The FreeBuds Pro 5 is one of the rare exceptions.

Its most captivating feature is the low frequencies. The depth and impact of the bass are more pronounced than many headphones in its class, yet it avoids the problem of “muddled bass.” Even with the bass boost mode enabled, the overall sound remains relatively clean, and the layering of vocals and instruments is not suppressed.

Moreover, its active noise cancellation is indeed quite strong. Especially in subway, shopping mall, or commuting environments, the suppression of low-frequency external noise is very obvious. In addition, the fit is quite good, and the actual isolation is more comfortable than many headphones that seem to have stronger specifications.

Huawei has paid a lot of attention to detail in terms of build quality this time. The matte finish of the charging case feels very comfortable, and the earbuds themselves have a noticeably high-end feel. Plus, with IP57 water resistance, they’re perfectly safe for use during workouts or in the rain. Of course, it’s not without its flaws. For example, the lossless audio function is currently more dependent on Huawei’s ecosystem of devices.

In terms of battery life, the earbuds perform at an above-average level on a single charge, but with the charging case, the overall battery life is actually sufficient for long-term daily use. To be honest, the most impressive thing about the FreeBuds Pro 5 is not that any one aspect is particularly outstanding, but that it is very well-balanced overall.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Best High-End Headphones

If there’s one type of wireless earphone where you can immediately feel the difference in sound the moment you put them on, then the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is definitely one of them.

Its greatest strength isn’t simply its high resolution, but rather the natural and sophisticated listening experience. Whether it’s vocals, instruments, or low frequencies, it doesn’t deliberately emphasize any particular part, yet the overall sound is exceptionally comfortable, and the more you listen, the more you immerse yourself in it.

Many headphones only perform well with high-resolution audio sources, but the Pi8 is the kind that “sounds great with any kind of music.” Even with ordinary streaming media, it can still reproduce the layering and atmosphere of the sound very well.

The noise cancellation is also very strong, and it has a particularly comfortable feel—it doesn’t have the noticeable ear pressure that many ANC headphones have. After wearing them, the outside noise becomes much quieter, but it doesn’t make you dizzy or feel stuffy in your ears.

Another interesting feature of the Pi8 is its charging case. It can be used as a wireless audio transmitter, allowing you to connect directly to the in-flight entertainment system and wirelessly transmit audio to your headphones while on a plane. This feature might sound niche, but it’s incredibly convenient for long-haul flights.

The wearing comfort is another aspect of the Pi8 that impressed me deeply. B&W has clearly readjusted the internal weight distribution of the earphones this time, so they are very stable when worn in the ear, and there is no feeling of “always wanting to readjust the position”. To be honest, this level of comfort is not common even in high-end TWS earphones.

Of course, it’s not without its compromises. Battery life is only average, not among the extravagantly long battery life options currently available. But if you prioritize sound quality, comfort, and overall premium feel, the Pi8 is truly a headphone that you won’t want to switch back to regular headphones after listening to it.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Generation: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

If your only concern is “the noise cancellation must be powerful enough,” then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd generation is still one of the most reliable choices right now.

Its active noise cancellation goes beyond simply “lowering the volume”; it genuinely gives you the feeling of suddenly entering a quiet space. Most importantly, it doesn’t feel particularly pressure on your ears. Many powerful noise-canceling headphones, while offering excellent sound isolation, can cause headaches or ear pressure after prolonged wear, but this generation from Bose controls this much more naturally.

In terms of sound quality, it doesn’t take a particularly cool, monitor-like approach, but rather leans towards emotion and atmosphere. The bass is plentiful, and the sound has a sense of immersion, making it easy to get lost when listening to pop, vocals, or movie scores. Bose’s spatial audio is also much more mature than before. With head tracking enabled, the sound directionality becomes more obvious, and it allows you to choose between a fixed mode and a dynamic mode, which is quite practical.

In addition, this generation finally adds wireless charging, while retaining approximately 6 hours of single-charge battery life and 24 hours of combined battery life, which is generally sufficient for daily use. In terms of fit, it’s still considered “slightly large” earphones, but the stability is indeed excellent. I actually wore them during exercise, running, and even vigorous movement, and they didn’t easily loosen.

Furthermore, Bose has now added a new anti-earwax structure and a fit-to-tightness test function. However, it still does not support LDAC. But if your core need is “as much isolation as possible from the outside world,” then Bose’s “silent bubble” experience is still difficult to truly replace.

Apple AirPods Pro 3: The perfect headphone choice, a must-have for Apple fans.

If you already use an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 is still almost the safest choice. Its strength isn’t in any one particular specification being exceptionally impressive, but rather in the truly seamless experience. From connection speed and device switching to spatial audio, noise cancellation, and integration with your iPhone, many features are so intuitive that you practically don’t need to think about them.

The most obvious upgrade in this generation is active noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro 2 was already very powerful, but the Pro 3 makes the quietness even more noticeable in environments like subways and airplanes. Moreover, Apple has once again managed to control ear pressure very well. Many noise-canceling headphones, while quiet, can cause a feeling of pressure on the ears after prolonged use, while the AirPods Pro 3 feels significantly more natural.

Apple has also added heart rate monitoring and real-time translation based on Apple Intelligence. The real-time translation, in particular, is more practical and responsive than many people expected when used with the new iPhone. However, it remains very “Apple”—many advanced features are deeply integrated into the iPhone ecosystem, meaning that if you’re using an Android phone, the experience will be significantly diminished.

In terms of sound quality, the AirPods Pro 3 continues Apple’s consistent style. The sound is very comfortable, with particularly pleasing spatial awareness and vocal ambiance. Apple is one of the brands with the most mature head-tracking sound technology, resulting in a truly immersive experience. Regarding battery life, while it’s not yet “monster-level,” it’s more stable than the previous generation. Both the earbuds and charging case now support IP57 protection.

Ultimately, the greatest strength of the AirPods Pro 3 is its “seamless” feel. It may not have the most extreme specifications in every aspect, but if you’ve been using an iPhone for a long time, the experience of it being almost integrated into the system is something that’s hard to go back to.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: The best earphones for Samsung users

If you already use a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is practically the most convenient pair of wireless earbuds to use. Its integration with the Samsung ecosystem is increasingly resembling the relationship between AirPods and iPhones. Many features can only be fully experienced when paired with a Galaxy phone.

For example, more refined noise cancellation adjustment, high-resolution audio, head-tracking spatial audio, and AI and voice interaction functions that Samsung is increasingly emphasizing are all deeply integrated into the Galaxy ecosystem.

Moreover, the sound performance of this generation has indeed improved significantly. Samsung has equipped both the tweeter and woofer with independent amplifiers this time, so the overall sound is more layered than before. The bass is ample but not muddy, and the mid-high frequencies, including vocals and instruments, are noticeably clearer.

It has a style that’s particularly enjoyable to listen to when listening to pop, electronic music, or movie soundtracks. In terms of noise cancellation, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro doesn’t take the extreme “silent bubble” approach like Bose, it’s still in the top tier overall, perfectly adequate for daily commutes, offices, or subway environments.

The wearing design has also been redesigned; the earphones themselves are lighter and thinner than before, making them much more comfortable to wear for extended periods. However, they also have a notable feature—they are more suitable for daily commutes and static use.

While its fit is comfortable, it’s not as “locked in” as some sports headphones. It’s fine for normal walking, but it can feel a little loose occasionally during running or strenuous exercise.

Furthermore, if you’re not a Samsung phone user, its appeal is significantly reduced. Therefore, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is essentially a pair of earphones “built for the Samsung ecosystem.” Conversely, if you’re already using a Samsung flagship phone, it’s certainly the most complete and convenient pairing currently available.

Gabrielle S19 Bone Conduction Headphones: Comfortable and Durable Open-Type Bone Conduction Headphones

If you don’t like the occlusive feeling of in-ear headphones, the Gabrielle S19 bone conduction headphones are more suitable for everyday wear. They use an open-back bone conduction design, so your ears don’t feel blocked, making them more reassuring to use.

The most important aspect of these headphones is their fit. The Gabrielle S19 bone conduction headphones feature an arc-shaped ear hook structure, combined with an Air-Fit diaphragm and an ergonomic three-point support design, resulting in a more stable fit than ordinary ear hook headphones. The ear hooks are approximately 2.88mm in diameter, making them thinner and reducing pressure during extended wear.

In terms of sound quality, it features a 16.2mm ultra-large dynamic diaphragm, along with low-frequency enhancement algorithms and an ACA acoustic cavity. Open-back headphones often suffer from diffused bass, but the Gabrielle S19 bone conduction headphones clearly aim for a thicker sound, preventing it from sounding too thin when listening to pop music, vocals, or short videos. It’s not the kind of headphone that strives for a hardcore audiophile sound, but it offers a full and enjoyable listening experience for everyday use.

In terms of connectivity, the Gabrielle S19 bone conduction headphones utilize the new generation of dual Bluetooth 6.0, and support AI intelligent noise reduction, CVC 8.0 algorithm, and directional sound transmission technology. This minimizes background noise in outdoor or noisy environments, making voices clearer. For battery life, the Gabrielle S19 bone conduction headphones have a built-in 300mAh battery, providing approximately 10 hours of playback on a single charge, and support Type-C charging and an LED digital battery level display. Furthermore, with IPX5 water and sweat resistance, they can handle sweaty workouts and light rain.

Overall, the Gabrielle S19’s strength lies not in piling on complex features, but in capturing the essential qualities of open-back headphones: comfortable fit, stable connection, sufficient sound quality, clear calls, and long battery life. For daily commutes, exercise, and extended wear, it will be a worry-free open-back bone conduction headphone.

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