The 5 best true wireless earbuds to buy now
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The 5 best true wireless earbuds to buy now
Note: This feature was first published on 14 October 2022.
True wireless earbuds have revolutionised music listening mostly because of their convenience and portability. They fit easily into pockets and bags, and there are no wires to get tangled up in when you put them on. This unique combination makes them attractive options, particularly for readers who have to commute daily.
Because of their popularity, there is no shortage of options available in the market right now. It seems every brand has a lineup of true wireless earbuds (you might be familiar with our long voting list when it comes to our Readers' Choice Awards) and that can make picking one a daunting task. Paralysis by analysis is very real. Luckily for you, we have put together a handy buying guide.
Here are five of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy right now based on our experiences, tests and reviews.
Sony WF-1000XM4 - Best Overall
Good buds don’t come cheap, and the Sony WF-1000XM4 is a testament to getting what you pay for. Between this and its predecessor (WF-1000XM3), Sony put in a new Integrated Processor V1 chip to improve upon its already impressive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and sound quality. The WF-1000XM4’s case is also more compact than before, making it easier to carry in your pocket or bag.
Sony’s newest flagship earbuds also went on to be a winner for our true wireless earbuds category in Tech Awards 2022, beating out 12 other contenders that also offer quality audio.
You can find the Sony-WF1000XM4 on Sony’s official online store at S$379, and that’s before its frequent discounts and promotions for these winners. You can also check it out on Amazon Singapore.
For more intricate details, check out our full review here.
Apple AirPods Pro (2022) - Best for iOS users
With over a billion transistors on Apple’s H2 silicon and a bunch of new algorithms, the ANC feature of the new Apple AirPods Pro (2022) is even better than before and is easily one of the best in its class. Transparency mode remains peerless, and there's even a new mode that suppresses sudden loud noises like sirens and construction work.
Sound quality remains good, and bassheads will be happy to know that bass is even stronger and punchier than ever. And readers who love listening to music or watching movies in spatial audio can look forward to the new personalised spatial feature, which takes photos of your ears to create your very own spatial audio profile. There are also more ways to charge your AirPods Pro because it now works with MagSafe.
Apple AirPods Pro (2022) can be found at Apple’s official online store for S$359. It is also available on Amazon Singapore.
Oppo Enco Air2 Pro - Best Value
Not many know that Oppo has roots in consumer audiophile products. That’s not to say that the Oppo Enco Air2 Pro by the Chinese phone brand blows everyone else on this list out of the water, but you're at least guaranteed good audio quality with them, even at a third of the price of other options here.
Its ANC can cut out traffic and pedestrian noise, with added sound clarity to voice calls. For safety reasons, there’s also Transparency Mode if you need to hear your environment. Another eye-popping feature is its 12.4mm titanium diaphragm drivers. Not only are these drivers large, but the use of titanium, which is light and stiff, is also an excellent choice for a speaker diaphragm.
Overall, it's a great pick because it has decent ANC, call, and sound quality from our usage experience, and it comes at an attractive price to boot.
The Oppo Enco Air2 Pro retails at just S$119 on its official platforms (Shopee, Lazada, Qoo 10, and TikTok stores), and authorised sellers.
Alternative option: Should you be keen on a more premium build and better performance, Oppo's Enco X faired very well when we stacked it against other TWS options for our respective Tech Awards 2022 segment, and it's still less expensive than other options on this list at S$259.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 - Best for Audiophiles
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 was launched recently to replace its almost-perfect predecessor (review). It packs Adaptive Noise Cancellation, IPX4 splash resistance, customizable touch controls, three beam-forming microphones for calls, 7mm dynamic drivers that are made in Germany, independent earbud usage, fantastic audio performance with low latency and strong Bluetooth connectivity that hardly falters. It’s undoubtedly flagship-class. Not to mention, it's also one of the few to support Qualcomm aptX adaptive BT audio codec for HD-quality audio at an adaptive bit rate to suit the connectivity environment and deliver it at reduced latency.
It’s now 16% smaller than its predecessor with no change in battery uptime, plus it retains the unique cloth finish on its charging case – something that’s hard to come by with all the plastic alternatives out there.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 officially retails at S$399 through authorised retailers like its online store, as well as Amazon Singapore, Shopee, and Lazada.
Technics EAH-AZ60 - Best for Tinkerers
Technics (the Hi-Fi business unit of Panasonic) has the Technics EAH-AZ60 true wireless earbuds that use 8mm drivers with an acoustic chamber design. The bio-cellulose diaphragm it has provides a natural sound that reproduces lows and highs clearly. It did very well when we stacked it against other TWS options for our respective Tech Awards 2022 segment.
ANC performance was good, and battery life is quite decent at up to 7 hours on a single charge. However, what makes these earbuds a cut above the rest are their customisation options. Through the app, you customise the sound signature, touch controls, the amount of ANC in its ambient mode, and more. It's also one of the few earbuds to support multipoint pairing and the higher resolution LDAC wireless codec.
Technics EAH-AZ60 retail at an official price of S$379, and you can find it at various authorised resellers and over at its official Lazada and Shopee storefronts or on Amazon Singapore.
