Tool Reviews

Today, wireless headphones are our constant companion. We use them at home, on runs, in public transport, in business and everyday conversations. The main thing is to choose a model successfully. To make it easier to choose, we made a material in which we collected 10 compact wireless headphones of 2022. There is no clear hierarchy in this list, models from different price ranges and for different user tasks are presented.

Anker SoundCore Liberty 3 Pro

Let’s start with the representative of the Anker company, or rather its music sub-brand SoundCore. Currently, Anker SoundCore Liberty 3 Pro is the company’s flagship in the category of compact in-ear headphones.

This is the third generation of the model, which, together with the case, has become much more compact than its predecessors Liberty 2 Pro. But the slider mechanism for opening the case cover has been preserved.

The headphones have a sufficiently detailed sound in all ranges with a stage above average in width. We remind you that the sound source here is an ordinary dynamic driver.

The device is controlled by taps on the touch panel, so you can even adjust the volume. The headphones have an active noise cancellation mode with several variations and a transparency mode. But there is no game mode, instead there is a multi-device connection.

The quality of the microphones is mediocre, depending on the surrounding conditions. The case supports wireless charging, the device has many different colors.

Pluses: a wide variety of silicone ear tips, LDAC, support for regular software updates and apps for detailed customization of SoundCore functions.

Cons: slippery cover of the case, significant backlash of the case cover, which can only get worse over time, no aptX codec.

Anker SoundCore Sport X10

The very name – Anker SoundCore Sport X10 – indicates the special format of using these headphones. This model is designed for active sports and has non-removable silicone ear tips.

The headphones have a balanced sound, the frequency range is dominated by bass, but everything is perfectly adjusted by the equalizer in the proprietary SoundCore application. There are also active noise reduction and transparency modes.

The headphones have mechanical buttons for control, which is very convenient for sports activities. Microphones work well, there is a software mode for protection against wind noise. Also, the manufacturer claims protection against moisture, but only the headphones have it, the case is not protected.

Pluses: IPX7, high-quality assembly, autonomy on one charge of about 7 hours, support for regular software updates and applications for detailed configuration of functions from SoundCore.

Cons: no proximity sensors, no multi-connection.

HUAWEI FreeLace Pro

HUAWEI FreeLace Pro is the only representative of the type of wireless headphones with a neck rim in our top.

Doing sports in such headphones is safe, because it is almost impossible to lose one of the pair, which is what often happens with ordinary TWS.

The sound source of the model is a single dynamic driver of 14.2 mm. It gives high-quality, three-dimensional, detailed and balanced sound. The device also has a multi-connection function, and for control there are mechanical keys on the rim.

On the outside, the headphones have magnets that pause the music when they are closed, and the headphones are portable in the same way.

There is a function of transparency and active noise reduction, as evidenced by the “Pro” prefix in the name. Microphones work well.

Pluses: quality materials, autonomy up to 24 hours.

Cons: non-standard charging connector, specific form factor.

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation

AirPods Pro 2nd generation is a long-awaited novelty of the end of 2022 for fans of the Apple brand. In fact, the design of the model has not changed, the main innovations concern the software and hardware part.

In the second generation, the sound has changed, but it has not become better, it is simply configured differently. The lower frequencies have become more expressive and deeper, the middle and high frequencies are accordingly more neutrally balanced, and the soundstage has become wider and more voluminous.

The long-awaited swipes have been added to the control gestures – this volume control is the most convenient in compact devices.

The novelties have impressive noise reduction, which is currently the benchmark in the TWS form factor, and the same applies to the transparency mode.

Microphones are traditionally high-quality and clear without parasitic noise. The case received a search speaker, a loop for a carrying strap and support for MagSafe wireless charging.

Pluses: high-quality active noise cancellation, native integration with Apple devices.

Cons: Lightning charging connector.

Beats by Dr. Dre Fit Pro

Beats Fit Pro is one of the few compact wireless headphones with native support for Android and iOS. They are the most comfortable to use for those who have devices on both operating systems.

The model has a sporty design, which emphasizes the silicone ergonomic horn for fixation in the auricle, and mechanical buttons.

Recently, the brand added new colors to the line in collaboration with Kim Kardashian, so it’s quite easy to pick something nice to your taste.

The headphones have the signature sound from Beats with an emphasis on lower frequencies, support for active noise cancellation and transparency mode.

The microphones are of average quality, the charging case is slightly larger, but it is surprising why the manufacturer did not include wireless charging, it would be useful here.

Pluses: USB Type-C charging port, native integration with Apple devices and a full-featured Android app.

Cons: no wireless charging, slippery case.

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Lite

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Lite gained their popularity thanks to a good price-quality ratio. These are the most budget-friendly devices in our selection, so if you’re new to these gadgets, this is a great place to start.

The model has a dark sound color with a corresponding emphasis on the bass, high frequencies are not pronounced, the sound is moderately voluminous.

The headphones have good microphones, but there is no active noise cancellation, but considering the price, this is not surprising. The controls are touch panels with impractical glossy plastic.

Pluses: price, ergonomics, good microphones.

Cons: impractical glossy elements in headphones.

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro

The next representative of the Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi Buds 4 Pro is the flagship in the current line of devices from Redmi. These are really quite good headphones at a reasonable price for everyday use.

The model sounds balanced, has volume with a large margin. You can also use these headphones for games, their delay is negligible.

The sensors for control work accurately, with minimal misses when pressing, but with some difficulties when setting up through the application.

I would like to note that multi-connection is a nice addition to the functionality of the model.

Active noise cancellation also works, although not as well as I would like, but it is there. In addition, there are several variations of the transparency mode. The case does not support wireless charging.

Pluses: ergonomics, autonomy, multi-connection.

Cons: missing proximity sensor, poorly optimized app.

1More PistonBuds Pro

1More is a sub-brand of the Xiaomi concern, which produces only audio devices. PistonBuds Pro headphones combine high sound quality and functionality at a good price.

The model has a game mode that really works and significantly reduces audio lag. The sound itself is balanced, the lower frequencies are emphasized, they have impact, but enter the middle. High frequencies are not ideal, but can play in detail, the scene is average in width and depth.

The device can be controlled using touch panels, and they are configured in the 1More Music application.

The model has an active noise reduction mode, but it does not cope well with loud sounds in public transport, but there are no questions about the transparency mode. Microphones are standard.

Pluses: good functionality, sound quality, proximity sensors.

Cons: the shape of the headphones may not suit everyone, the case is not of the best quality.

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro is a novelty of the end of summer 2022, the flagship of the line of TWS headphones from Samsung, which replaced its predecessors.

The model is designed and configured in cooperation with the well-known audio company AKG. The main focus of the sound manufacturer is the support of a 24-bit signal and the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard.

Two dynamic radiators are placed in each earpiece. The sound is neutral, without any accents in the extreme ranges, it is possible to note a three-dimensional scene and sufficient detail, but a little lack of “weight” in the bass area.

The model has maximum integration with Samsung devices, they can be controlled using touch panels.

There is noise reduction, but it does not always work stably, it all depends on the environment, the same applies to the transparency mode. Microphones are standard for a similar form factor.

Pluses: autonomy, integration with Samsung devices.

Cons: price, questions about noise reduction.

Nothing Ear (1)

The product of a relatively young company for true techno-geeks – Nothing Ear (1) – completes our list. The first thing that catches the eye is the modern and bold design. The headphones have a transparent case made of high-quality materials, it looks really impressive, although it is not very practical.

The sound in the headphones is balanced across the entire frequency range, the scene is mediocre, the detail is sufficient. The volume is sufficient with a margin, when the special game mode is turned on, there is almost no delay, which will definitely please gamers.

To control the headphones, there are touch panels with the ability to adjust the volume. Active noise cancellation works but with flaws, transparent mode works better. Microphones are mediocre. The case supports wireless charging.

Pluses: unusual design, own application.

Cons case with poor ergonomics, no multi-connection and aptX codec.

We hope that our material will help you choose headphones, and we wish you successful shopping with Hotline!

Author: Roman Gumen