OpenRun Pro is the new top model from Shokz (formerly Aftershokz). They boast enhanced bass reproduction, a boosted battery life of up to ten hours, reworked microphones and better ergonomics. All of this looks good on paper, but how does it work in practice?
Sony is breaking new, thoroughly exciting ground with the LinkBuds WF-L900: smart True-Wireless headphones that aim to integrate themselves deeply into our everyday lives.
With the WF-C500, Sony offers True Wireless in-ears that, with a recommended price of 79 euros, see themselves as a classic consumer device and are available in several fashionable colours.
The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 raise the bar in the category of true-wireless headphones priced between 100 and 150 euros. In addition to convincing sound performance, these headphones scored points for their cutting-edge technical features which include effective noise cancelling and a user interface that should be an inspiration to the competition.
The Apple AirPods Pro are without question very good True Wireless in-ears. But if you want to enjoy the full functionality of these headphones, you have to use Apple hardware. Apple subsidiary Beats is now entering the race with the Beats Fit Pro headphones, which are supposed to be equally suitable for both iOS and Android. So are Beats Fit Pro a better version of Apple AirPods Pro?
A comprehensive update to this third-generation provides the Creative Outlier Air V3 with an app for customising sound and operation. The adjustable attenuation and amplification of outside noise are also new, and this makes the price of these wireless in-ears seem very attractive.
The new Jabra Elite 4 Active aim to offer a lot for a price of just under 120 euros: IP57 certification, active noise cancelling, transparency mode, good sound as well as an app connection. We'll find out how well they work in this test.
With the ComfoBuds 2, Chinese manufacturer 1more maintains its product profile. These Bluetooth earbuds, available in matt black or white, are aimed at users who are looking for affordable headphones for everyday use. It's not just about the highest sound quality, but also about the other tasks that such a device fulfils in everyday life with a smartphone: Phone calls or the use of voice assistants. This results in a well-rounded package at an attractive price.
With the OnePlus Buds Z2, the smartphone manufacturer offers a price-conscious alternative to the Buds Pro, which features both two-stage noise-cancelling for attenuation and ambient mode for amplifying outside noise. These cable-free in-ears are also characterized by good speech intelligibility during telephone calls and support a high-quality audio codec with the AAC format.
The SoundPEATS Air3 come in the typical AirPods design, offer contemporary technology such as Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive Codec with a dynamic bitrate and a gaming mode with reduced latency. This comes at a reasonable price with decent sound as well as good remote functionality, which is, however, far too sensitive.