True wireless earbuds had become one of hi-fi’s most crowded categories by 2021–2022. As analogue headphone sockets disappeared from many premium smartphones, Bluetooth earbuds moved from a convenience purchase to the default portable listening solution for a growing number of music fans.
That shift brought serious competition. Established audio names were applying more sophisticated driver designs, higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, active noise cancellation and companion-app control to genuinely cable-free models. Battery life, moisture protection and charging-case features were becoming just as important as sound quality.
This period roundup brings together eight notable TWS designs, arranged from eight to one. Prices are those listed at the time of publication, so should be treated as a historical guide rather than current retail pricing.
8. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+
Price: $130
Cambridge Audio’s Melomania 1+ builds on the original model’s compact, bullet-shaped form factor with a considerably more useful software proposition. Its companion app provides control over the earbuds and, crucially, allows the listener to tailor the presentation through a manual equaliser. Cambridge Audio’s High Performance Audio mode is also included.
The acoustic section uses 5.8mm full-range drivers with graphene-treated diaphragms, while aptX support gives compatible sources a higher-quality Bluetooth option than the basic SBC codec. IPX5 protection makes the earbuds better suited to sweat and rain exposure than unprotected alternatives.
Battery life is a particular strength on paper: the earbuds are specified for nine hours of playback, with the charging case taking total system autonomy to 45 hours.
Why they stand out: Compact, music-first earbuds with app-based sound adjustment, aptX support and unusually generous total battery life for their size.
7. Sennheiser CX True Wireless
Price: $130
Sennheiser’s CX True Wireless sits at an accessible $130 price point and brings the brand’s established headphone pedigree to the fully wireless category. In a market where feature lists can quickly become overwhelming, it is a straightforward option for listeners seeking Sennheiser’s familiar sound character without stepping up to a more expensive flagship model.
Why they stand out: A sensibly priced entry into Sennheiser’s true wireless range, aimed at buyers who prioritise the company’s signature sound.
6. LG TONE Free HBS-FN7
Price: $135
LG took a notably broad approach with the TONE Free HBS-FN7. Sound tuning was developed with Meridian, the British audio company, with the intention of maintaining a balanced presentation across a wide range of music. The earbuds also offer sufficient output for use in relatively noisy environments, while active noise cancellation is designed to work without becoming an intrusive part of the listening experience.
The more unusual feature is in the charging case. LG’s UVnano function is designed to kill 99% of bacteria accumulating on the earbuds, addressing a practical hygiene concern that is particularly relevant to in-ear products carried and used every day.
Why they stand out: An affordable all-rounder combining Meridian tuning, active noise cancellation and a UVnano-equipped charging case.
5. Sony WF-1000XM4
Price: $310
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 continued the company’s premium true wireless line with a redesigned form factor, active noise cancellation and support for Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth codec. For compressed material, DSEE Extreme is intended to improve perceived audio quality by compensating for some of the information lost during compression.
Practical details are well considered. Battery life is rated at up to eight hours with noise cancellation enabled and up to 12 hours with it switched off; the case extends total autonomy to as much as 36 hours. The earbuds also support Qi wireless charging and carry an IPX4 moisture-resistance rating.
Sony’s Speak-to-Chat mode automatically pauses playback when the wearer begins a conversation. It is the kind of feature that makes sense in day-to-day use, avoiding the need to find a touch control or remove an earbud before speaking.
Why they stand out: A feature-rich flagship with LDAC, DSEE Extreme, long battery life and thoughtful everyday conveniences.
4. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ
Price: $500
The Beoplay EQ combines adaptive active noise cancellation with passive isolation, giving its ANC system a solid foundation before electronic processing enters the equation. Bang & Olufsen calls its tuning approach Signature Sound, and the aim here is a refined, realistic and fatigue-free listen rather than a purely feature-led specification.
Bluetooth 5.2 handles the wireless connection and supports aptX. The earbuds are rated for a little more than six hours of listening on their own, rising to up to 27 hours with the charging case. Their IP54 rating provides protection against sweat and splashing water, an important reassurance for earbuds intended for regular portable use.
Why they stand out: A premium, design-conscious pair that balances adaptive ANC, aptX connectivity, passive isolation and IP54 protection.
3. B&W PI7
Price: $400
Bowers & Wilkins’ PI7 was the company’s first true wireless design, and its engineering was clearly aimed at listeners who wanted more than a conventional single-driver earbud. Each earpiece combines a 9.2mm dynamic driver for bass with a balanced-armature driver for high frequencies, with each driver powered by its own amplifier.
The PI7 supports aptX Adaptive, which is capable of carrying a 24-bit uncompressed signal. Rather than using Bluetooth for the link between the two earbuds, the model uses magnetic induction. Adaptive noise cancellation continuously adjusts to the environment in real time.
Its Smartcase is the standout convenience feature. Beyond charging the earbuds, it can function as a wireless audio relay: connect the case to an in-flight entertainment system and it can stream that audio directly to the earbuds. For frequent travellers facing a 3.5mm airline socket, that is a genuinely distinctive solution.
Why they stand out: A sophisticated dual-driver, dual-amplification architecture, aptX Adaptive and an unusually versatile audio-relay charging case.
2. Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC
Price: $420
The T5 II True Wireless ANC added active noise cancellation to Klipsch’s range while introducing Dirac HD Sound to the fully wireless category. The system is intended to improve impulse response, with the goal of a more controlled, rhythmically coherent sound.
Klipsch also incorporated Bragi AI for gesture control. One particularly thoughtful safety-oriented feature concerns transparency mode: it can be switched off when a sudden nearby sound substantially exceeds the normal background level. That is a more considered implementation than simply treating ambient sound as an always-on convenience mode.
Why they stand out: A premium TWS design that pairs active noise cancellation with Dirac HD Sound and intelligent gesture-led controls.
1. Devialet Gemini
Price: $540
Devialet entered the true wireless sector with an ambitious first model. Each Gemini earpiece uses a single long-excursion 10mm dynamic driver. It is loaded by a series of sequential acoustic chambers, lined internally with sound-absorbing material, to progressively absorb the driver diaphragm’s rear radiation.
That attention to the acoustic loading is notable in a compact Bluetooth earbud, where enclosure volume is inherently limited. The Gemini also combines a healthy volume reserve with active noise cancellation designed to operate cleanly and unobtrusively in noisy surroundings.
Battery life is specified at six hours per charge, with the case adding three further full charging cycles for a total of 24 hours. Qualcomm Bluetooth hardware provides aptX support, while IPX4 certification offers resistance to moisture and dust.
Why they stand out: An uncompromising debut from Devialet, with a carefully engineered acoustic chamber system, aptX support and discreet active noise cancellation.
Choosing between these TWS earbuds
These models illustrate how varied the true wireless market had become by 2021–2022. Cambridge Audio and Sennheiser offered accessible routes to established hi-fi brands; Sony focused on a deep feature set and long endurance; LG added a practical hygiene feature; and the premium end pursued distinctive engineering solutions.
For prospective buyers, the useful priorities remain sound tuning, fit, codec compatibility with the intended source, noise-cancellation needs and the role the earbuds will play. A traveller may value the PI7’s audio-relay case, for example, while a listener using a compatible Sony source may place greater emphasis on LDAC. The best choice is the one whose strengths match the way you actually listen.
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