Once you’re connected, audio has a decent breadth to it, with plenty of detail on offer to aid instrument separation and the articulation of more nuanced vocal elements. The Dynamic tuning was our favourite, but you’re free to create your own EQ via a four-band graphic equaliser in the Edifier Connect app. Also in the app are the ANC settings; while this isn’t the most effective noise cancelling we’ve experienced, it’s fine for the money and puts a decent dent in ambient sounds when you’re out and about. Their ability in the latter department is aided by the inclusion of active noise cancellation, of which there are six levels, an IPX4 rating certifies them water resistant and a fleshed-out companion app lets you customise your experience to a pleasing degree. On the audio front, the Tune Flex offer a warm, engaging sound signature that lends itself well to mainstream pop music, while call quality is another of their strong suits.

best wireless earbuds 2023 | TechRadar The best wireless earbuds 2023 | TechRadar

Our keen-eared reviewers listen to a huge variety of musical genres from a range of sources during testing, including Spotify, Tidal and locally stored audio files. We’ll also put earbuds through their paces across whichever Bluetooth codecs they support using a compatible device and feed them high-resolution content if they have Hi-res capabilities. As with anything that is periodically updated, newer tends to mean better. The latest version of Bluetooth will offer the strongest, most stable connection possible, and have the furthest wireless range and widest bandwidth – the rate at which data is transferred over the connection. The latest iteration, Bluetooth 5.2, is therefore preferable, but earbuds that support it are still relatively scarce. For casual listening, anything from Bluetooth 4.2 and up should serve you just fine. Does it matter which Bluetooth codecs are supported?There are two distinct styles of true wireless earbuds. One-size-fits-all buds like the Apple AirPods give you no flexibility in terms of fit – their earpieces either sit snuggly in your ears or feel loose when worn. They’re the best choice if you want to leave your ear canals free but they provide little, if any, sound isolation. The other style of earbuds use eartips (often made of silicone) to secure themselves in your ears. These tips seal off your ear canal, simultaneously offering a more secure fit and providing passive noise cancellation. You will find that most manufacturers include a range of different-sized tips to help ensure you get the best fit possible. Can I use them for phone/video calls?

noise-cancelling earbuds 2023: top ANC earphones The best noise-cancelling earbuds 2023: top ANC earphones

They’re a solid buy for those without a Huawei handset too, you’ll just be missing out on a few Huawei-exclusive bonuses like “identify song” – a Shazam-like feature for finding out the name of unrecognisable tunes – and the ability to use double taps on the buds to take photos. Key specs – Built-in microphone and music control buttons: Yes; Battery life: 36 hours; Connections: Bluetooth 5.1; Weight: Not specified; IP rating: IP55 Elsewhere, the AZ80 – along with their AZ60M2 stablemates – are the first earbuds to support Bluetooth Multipoint across three devices, which is a big bonus if you find yourself frequently switching between input sources. Touch controls are well-implemented and customisable, while the engaging default audio tuning can also be easily altered via the accompanying Technics Audio Connect app.

Sound quality is highly impressive, too. The Fit Pro have a weightier bass response than their stablemates the Studio Buds and there’s less harshness in the treble frequencies. Like most Beats headphones, the Fit Pro play particularly nicely with Apple devices. They house the company’s H1 chip and this enables a range of useful features, including shared listening with other Beats users, hands-free Siri and full spatial audio support. Despite those minor grumbles, the QC Earbuds II are a superb pair of wireless earbuds, and class-leading when it comes to their ability to reduce the impact of external distractions.