(checked 2026-10-10)
Wirecutter's top pick for both everyday and noise-cancelling earbuds, with the best call mics it has tested. But battery life is short (about 6.5 hours with ANC), and the bass-heavy default sound needs EQ work.
Top complaints
- Battery shorter than rivals
Wirecutter got about 6.5 hours with ANC, and 4.5 hours with Dolby, ANC and voice commands all on. Amazon's summary says some owners find battery life 'horrible' while others call it amazing.
- Bass-heavy default sound
SoundGuys lists the bass-heavy default tuning as a con, and Wirecutter found the bass and highs 'too hyped' out of the box until EQ'd. What Hi-Fi?'s review headline calls the sound mediocre.
- Fussy touch and voice controls
Wirecutter says single-tap is off by default to prevent misfires; with it on, she paused music while tucking her hair. The voice commands have no wake word, so they can trigger by accident.
Source: Wirecutter - Reliability and Bluetooth hiccups
Amazon's review summary reports mixed experiences with reliability and Bluetooth connectivity.
What owners love
- Best call mics tested
Wirecutter says it has the best noise-reducing microphones it has ever tested, removing even short, high-pitched noises. Amazon shoppers praise its call clarity in noisy places.
- Excellent ANC
Wirecutter measured 26 dB of airplane-band reduction, among the best it has measured in earbuds. SoundGuys measured nearly 84%.
- Secure fit and a useful touchscreen case
Three wing sizes and five tip sizes give a stable fit (Wirecutter, SoundGuys). The case screen shows battery and switches modes.
Source: Wirecutter, SoundGuys review
- You need all-day battery without the case
- You want great sound with no EQ tweaking
- You dislike touch controls
- Lots of phone calls in noisy places
- Strong ANC for well under flagship prices
- People who want a secure fit with wings
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for best wireless earbuds and best noise-cancelling earbuds (updated 2026-09-11). Its flaws are short battery life and fussy tap controls.
- SoundGuys: 8.1/10, a strong pick under $200. The cons are the bass-heavy default tuning and ANC effects some listeners may notice.
- Tom's Guide: Only the Pro Max sibling (same buds, fancier case) is listed under 'Also tested', where Tom's Guide says the AirPods and WF-1000XM6 are still a better bet.