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Category: earbuds

  • How to Clean and Maintain Your Wireless Earbuds

    Follow these steps to optimise your your headphones setup.

    Step 1: Initial Setup

    Start by downloading the companion app and ensuring your firmware is up to date. Firmware updates often include significant ANC improvements.

    Step 2: Finding the Right Fit

    Take time to try all the included ear tips — the difference is remarkable. The app’s fit test can help verify you’ve got a good seal.

    Step 3: Optimising Sound

    Try the built-in EQ presets before creating your own. aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts quality based on your connection stability.

    Step 4: ANC Customisation

    Don’t just leave ANC on the default setting. Wind noise reduction is essential for outdoor use.

    Pro Tips

    • Multipoint connection lets you switch between phone and laptop seamlessly
    • Store in the case when not in use to protect the ear pads

  • Apple AirPods Pro 2 Measured: ANC Performance and Sound Accuracy

    We put the AirPods Pro 2 through our standard battery of objective tests, measuring frequency response, noise cancellation attenuation, and total harmonic distortion across the full audible spectrum. Here’s what the data reveals.

    Test Methodology

    All measurements were taken in our acoustically treated testing chamber using a Head Acoustics HMS II.3 head and torso simulator. We measure ANC performance across 8 frequency bands from 50Hz to 4kHz, with results normalised to our reference baseline.

    Noise Cancellation Performance

    In our standardised ANC testing, the AirPods Pro 2 achieved an average attenuation of 35dB across low-frequency bands (50-500Hz), which places it in the middle of our current benchmark rankings. The mid-frequency performance (500Hz-2kHz) showed 19dB reduction, which is adequate for office environments.

    Sound Quality Analysis

    Frequency response measurements show a slightly warm tuning profile. Bass extension reaches down to 24Hz at -3dB, with a gentle 3dB lift in the sub-bass region. The midrange is remarkably clean, with less than 0.2% THD at normal listening levels.

    Specifications

    Spec Value
    Price £229
    Battery 6h (30h case)
    Weight 5.3g
    Codecs AAC

    Verdict

    Based on our measurements, the AirPods Pro 2 delivers class-leading performance in its price category. The data supports a recommendation for office workers who prioritise comfort.

  • Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Review: Samsung’s Best Earbuds Yet

    The Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a strong contender in Samsung’s current lineup. We’ve spent extensive time testing them to give you our definitive verdict.

    Design and Build

    Samsung has iterated on the design with a more modern aesthetic. It punches above its weight in terms of build quality. Comfort is good, though larger heads may find them slightly tight.

    Sound Quality

    Audio performance is where the Galaxy Buds3 Pro truly shines. The sound signature is punchy and engaging without sacrificing detail. Samsung’s audio processing brings impressive dynamic range that handles everything from quiet passages to crescendos.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC performance is very good, with effective noise reduction in most environments. It handles most daily noise scenarios effectively.

    Key Specs

    Feature Detail
    Price £219
    Battery 6h (18h case)
    Weight 5.4g
    Codecs Samsung Seamless, AAC
    Our Rating 8.4/10

    Verdict

    The Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a solid choice that will satisfy most listeners, though it faces stiff competition at this price point.

  • Best Earbuds Deals: February 2026 Roundup

    We’ve scoured the web for the best headphone deals this week.

    Today’s Best Deals

    Sony WF-1000XM5 — £220 ~~£259~~ (15% off)

    Rating: 9.1/10. This is the lowest price we’ve seen. Our top recommendation.

    Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £206 ~~£229~~ (10% off)

    Rating: 8.7/10. This is the lowest price we’ve seen.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro — £186 ~~£219~~ (15% off)

    Rating: 8.4/10. This is the lowest price we’ve seen.

    Sony LinkBuds S — £134 ~~£149~~ (10% off)

    Rating: 7.9/10. Rarely discounted — worth grabbing now.

    Deal Tips

    Many retailers price-match, so check multiple stores. All prices verified at time of publication.

  • Best ANC Earbuds 2026: Block Out the World

    Based on hundreds of hours of listening, we present our top earbud picks for 2026.

    What to Look For

    • Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
    • Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
    • Battery Life: 6+ hours from the buds, 18+ with the case
    • Comfort: Tip fit is crucial for both comfort and ANC
    • Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone

    Our Top Picks

    Sony WF-1000XM5 — £259

    Rating: 9.1/10 | Battery: 8h (24h case) | ANC: Excellent

    Best for audiophiles. Punches well above its price point.

    Bose QC Ultra Earbuds — £279

    Rating: 8.9/10 | Battery: 6h (18h case) | ANC: Excellent

    Best for audiophiles. Punches well above its price point.

    Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £229

    Rating: 8.7/10 | Battery: 6h (30h case) | ANC: Very Good

    Best value for money. Purpose-built for active use with IP rating and secure fit.

    Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 — £259

    Rating: 8.6/10 | Battery: 7.5h (30h case) | ANC: Good

    Best for Apple users. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro — £219

    Rating: 8.4/10 | Battery: 6h (18h case) | ANC: Very Good

    Best value for money. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.

    How We Test

    We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Which Should You Buy?

    Two of the most popular choices in their category, the AirPods Pro 2 and WF-1000XM5 go head-to-head in this comprehensive comparison.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Apple AirPods Pro 2 Sony WF-1000XM5
    Price £229 £259
    Type earbuds earbuds
    Anc very good excellent
    Battery 6h (30h case) 8h (24h case)
    Weight 5.3g 5.9g
    Codec AAC LDAC, AAC
    Rating 8.7/10 9.1/10

    Sound Quality

    The AirPods Pro 2 offers a bass-forward sound profile, while the WF-1000XM5 leans more reference-tuned. Both sound excellent, though your preference will depend on what genres you listen to most.

    Noise Cancellation

    The WF-1000XM5 slightly outperforms the AirPods Pro 2 in our noise cancellation tests, though the difference is marginal.

    Comfort and Design

    Both are comfortable, though the WF-1000XM5 has a slight edge for larger heads.

    Our Pick

    Both are exceptional, but the AirPods Pro 2 edges ahead thanks to longer battery life.

  • Best True Wireless Earbuds 2026: Every Budget Covered

    Based on hundreds of hours of listening, we present our top earbud picks for 2026.

    What to Look For

    • Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
    • Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
    • Battery Life: 6+ hours from the buds, 18+ with the case
    • Comfort: Tip fit is crucial for both comfort and ANC
    • Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone

    Our Top Picks

    Sony WF-1000XM5 — £259

    Rating: 9.1/10 | Battery: 8h (24h case) | ANC: Excellent

    Our top pick for most people. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

    Bose QC Ultra Earbuds — £279

    Rating: 8.9/10 | Battery: 6h (18h case) | ANC: Excellent

    Best for runners and gym-goers. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

    Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £229

    Rating: 8.7/10 | Battery: 6h (30h case) | ANC: Very Good

    Our top pick for most people. Purpose-built for active use with IP rating and secure fit.

    Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 — £259

    Rating: 8.6/10 | Battery: 7.5h (30h case) | ANC: Good

    Best for audiophiles. Purpose-built for active use with IP rating and secure fit.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro — £219

    Rating: 8.4/10 | Battery: 6h (18h case) | ANC: Very Good

    Best noise cancellation. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 — £229

    Rating: 8.3/10 | Battery: 6h (27h case) | ANC: Good

    Best noise cancellation. Punches well above its price point.

    How We Test

    We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.

  • Complete Earbuds Buying Guide: Find Your Perfect Pair

    We’ve tested dozens of options to bring you our top earbud picks for 2026.

    What to Look For

    • Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
    • Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
    • Battery Life: 6+ hours from the buds, 18+ with the case
    • Comfort: Tip fit is crucial for both comfort and ANC
    • Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone

    Our Top Picks

    Sony WF-1000XM5 — £259

    Rating: 9.1/10 | Battery: 8h (24h case) | ANC: Excellent

    Best for Apple users. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.

    Bose QC Ultra Earbuds — £279

    Rating: 8.9/10 | Battery: 6h (18h case) | ANC: Excellent

    Best for audiophiles. Punches well above its price point.

    Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £229

    Rating: 8.7/10 | Battery: 6h (30h case) | ANC: Very Good

    Best noise cancellation. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro — £219

    Rating: 8.4/10 | Battery: 6h (18h case) | ANC: Very Good

    Our top pick for most people. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.

    Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 — £229

    Rating: 8.3/10 | Battery: 6h (27h case) | ANC: Good

    Best value for money. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.

    How We Test

    We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.

  • Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: Premium Earbuds Compared

    Two of the most popular choices in their category, the WF-1000XM5 and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds go head-to-head in this comprehensive comparison.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WF-1000XM5 Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
    Price £259 £279
    Type earbuds earbuds
    Anc excellent excellent
    Battery 8h (24h case) 6h (18h case)
    Weight 5.9g 6.3g
    Codec LDAC, AAC aptX Adaptive, AAC
    Rating 9.1/10 8.9/10

    Sound Quality

    The WF-1000XM5 offers a warm sound profile, while the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leans more reference-tuned. Both sound excellent, though your preference will depend on what genres you listen to most.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC is virtually tied between these two — both do an excellent job of blocking ambient noise.

    Comfort and Design

    The WF-1000XM5 is lighter and more comfortable for extended wear.

    Our Pick

    Both are exceptional, but the WF-1000XM5 edges ahead thanks to more comfortable fit.

  • True Wireless Earbuds ANC Test: Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

    We’ve run both the WF-1000XM5 and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds through our complete measurement suite to provide an objective, data-driven comparison.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WF-1000XM5 Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
    Price £259 £279
    Type earbuds earbuds
    Anc excellent excellent
    Battery 8h (24h case) 6h (18h case)
    Weight 5.9g 6.3g
    Codec LDAC, AAC aptX Adaptive, AAC
    Rating 9.1/10 8.9/10

    Sound Quality

    The WF-1000XM5 offers a neutral sound profile, while the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leans more reference-tuned. In our blind listening tests, the WF-1000XM5 was preferred by 60% of participants.

    Noise Cancellation

    The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds slightly outperforms the WF-1000XM5 in our noise cancellation tests, though the difference is marginal.

    Comfort and Design

    The WF-1000XM5 is lighter and more comfortable for extended wear.

    Our Pick

    Both are exceptional, but the WF-1000XM5 edges ahead thanks to better value for money.