Buyer’s Guide
Ah yes, “wireless”. A word that sends shivers down the spine of any self-proclaimed audiophile and the catalyst for many an internet argument. And yet its popularity grows, unfettered by claims of inferior audio and further bolstered by the success of Apple’s Airpods.
But you know, given its appeal to what is mainly the mainstream consumer market, there doesn’t seem to be anyone doing a proper comparison of these true wireless buds solely on the metric of “sound quality”. And so here I am, bringing to you my perspectives on these little things ranked in the order of worst to best.
Here is when I remind everyone again that this is my opinion on the best sounding TWS earphones. Let the other tech review sites talk about the build, the usability, the UI etc. whatever. I’ll FOCUS on what I’m good at and what most readers skip to in the first place.
Master list of reviewed TWS IEMs
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.
In-Ear Fidelity is supported by the following:
The list below is specially curated as a showcase of all the TWS IEMs that I would recommend at different price points. For IEMs not shown below, refer to the master list of links above.
This list is arranged by grading (lowest first), followed by MSRP for those within the same grade (highest first).
“Local Hype
MSRP: 120SGD (~90)
Here’s an interesting one from a brand that many of you probably haven’t heard of yet: Nuarl.
It’s a Japanese brand that’s more known well in my hometown of Singapore for reasons still unknown to me. The NT100 is one of the cheaper TWS models in this list and is pretty much the kind of sound that you would expect for a sub-100 IEM. Pretty standard and almost generic V-shaped signature that should appeal to many, but ultimately doesn’t really stand out from the crowd in any technical way.
Safe buy I guess. You get what you pay for.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“The Expected
It’s cheap. It sounds average. And it’s probably Edifier’s zero effort cash-in on the TWS boom.
The average stuff are the hardest to talk about because there’s nothing to praise nor to roast. The TWS1 has decent bass but with issues in the upper midrange, making things sound overly harsh and/or forward. Other than that, it’s more or less a case of “you get what you pay for”.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“The Beater
Driver configuration: 1DD 1BA
The name of the S2’s game seems to be “adequate performance for bottom-dollar price”, and to that I think KZ has done it. The S2’s sound quality does not impress and neither does its plasticky build quality, but for 50 you don’t have much grounds for complaining.
The S2 has a mainstream house; elevated bass and treble for an exciting V-shaped response, though the shape of the V is slightly biased towards the treble. Unfortunately the S2 strays into sibilance, a flaw that is arguably its biggest sonic dealbreaker, but overall there’s nothing too offensive about the S2’s sound, tonally or technically.
Unfortunately the existence of the S2 in KZ’s lineup seems like a mystery, especially when you can get their very own E10 for just 10 more.
Now the ergonomics are different between the two of course; the E10 has those odd ear hooks that some have complained about, while the S2 is a more traditional “bud”-type fit that should work for more people. But in terms of sound, the E10 has a better tonal balance and does not come with the sibilance that the S2 has.
But if you absolutely have to spend 50 on a TWS set (possibly cheaper on the street), the S2 is an adequate pick. Just don’t expect too much.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“Combo Breaker
And so Audio Technica breaks out of the D ranks and into the high Cs.
The SPORT7TW has a more unique tuning, sporting (heh) a U-shaped signature that emphasises the sub-bass and upper treble regions. Unfortunately, there is also rather bad sub-bass rolloff so the SPORT7TW can’t quite dig deep when the track calls for it. The treble boost also unfortunately strays into the sibilance regions, resulting is potential harshness and stridency for many ears.
In general, the SPORT7TW earns the award of being “above average” having clean bass lines and tonally correct (if a little shouty) midrange, which is already more than what I can say for many wireless earphones here.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“That Linus TWS
Driver configuration: 1BA 1DD hybrid
If you’re like me, you probably first heard of the Liberty 2 Pro when LinusTechTips shilled talked about them on his YouTube channel.
I didn’t have much hope in them in the beginning since it was my belief that most general-tech-reviewer-sponsored headphones usually doesn’t live up to the expectations of the average audiophile, and instead are targeted towards the mainstream consumer. So imagine my surprise when I actually liked the Liberty 2 Pro.
Yes, it has its fair share of problems. The bass quantity is probably too much for a lot of people, the midrange is shouty and I detect the treble straying into sibilance at times. But the Liberty 2 Pro really is my “guilty pleasure” listen in the sense that I absolutely love the bass presentation. It’s rumbly, it’s impactful and yet retains a sense of cleanliness not normally heard of in IEMs with this level of bass quantity.
If they had reined in the midrange tonality a little better, I probably would’ve purchased one myself. Alas, that’s my personal dealbreaker.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“Excellence in Theory
I’ve told this to a few others IRL: the TWS5’s FR response is basically a screwed up version of my neutral target curve with my desired bass response of a sub-300Hz boost.
By all accounts I should be absolutely gushing over the TWS5’s sound, but it sounds pretty normal and unexceptional to me. Yeah, the bass response is pretty nice with the nice and low controlled boost, the midrange isn’t overly forward and screaming in your face, but there’s still a little bit of that TWS1 harshness creeping into the TWS5’s signature.
Overall, pretty good still. Not the worst you can do with your cash and can still service most audiophiles well.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“Mould Breaker
Driver configuration: 1DD 4BA hybrid
This E10 was kindly provided by Linsoul.
Colour me surprised, KZ made a pretty good pair of IEMs. And it’s TWS!
The E10 has its fair share of flaws, for instance the overly-shouty midrange that pushes vocals straight in your face, or perhaps the slightly thinness in the midrange that isn’t as satisfying as the other lower-midrange heavy stuff on the guide. But apart from all those, the E10 does the whole neutral Diffuse Field-y signature very well.
It’s definitely the most un-KZ sounding IEM in KZ’s lineup, so diehard fans of the brand should stay away. It’s not going to have KZ’s traditionally massive bass boost nor its liberally-tuned treble response, and it’s for that reason that I really believe that the E10 is the best KZ IEM you can get.
As a TWS IEM though? (Almost) no contest. At 60 bones max, it outshines many of the mainstream competitors and establishes itself as a unicorn in the TWS market: a neutrally-tuned option.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“The Threat
Yeah, you saw the price right. A sub-50 TWS IEM that can dip below 20 if you’re lucky. And, it’s not utter trash.
Even calling the T5 “not garbage” would be doing it a massive disservice. The T5 is good, not just in the realm of the highly-priced TWS market but even in the highly competitive budget IEM market.
You’re obviously going to have to make concessions in terms of build, usability and unit QC, but you all know that I’m not here to talk about all those. In terms of sound and tuning, the T5 is tasteful. Inoffensive yet competent, exciting yet clean.
Everyone else should treat the T5 as a massive threat to the status quo of highly-priced, average-sounding TWS buds. You don’t have a place in the market anymore.
Grade: C
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“The Mainstream
The Airpods Pro needs no introduction but I’ll do one anyways: it is Apple’s first true wireless in-ear and their third IEM overall (shoutouts to the legendary Addiem and the less-legendary iPod in-ears in case anybody remembers these relics).
Now I know what you’re thinking: this is Apple we’re talking about. There is no way that an audiophile would ever like something so mainstream. And in terms of the EarPods and the original Airpods, you would be right. They aren’t bad, but they certainly don’t do anything to distinguish themselves in terms of tuning or raw “sound quality”.
But the Airpods Pro is a little different. It is, and I can’t believe I’m saying it, pretty dang good. Yeah sure, it’s pricey and you can probably still do better with other models on this list. Yeah, it’s probably not going to be better than other established wired IEMs in the same price bracket. But you can certainly do a lot worse.
The Airpods Pro is tuned to be somewhat reminscient of the Diffuse Field target but with that last-octave sub-bass boost, with a smooth and natural midrange tonality that many IEM companies tend to get wrong. My only real gripe with it is that it probably could use some extra midtreble presence, but overall this is a surprisingly good entry by Apple that shouldn’t be overlooked in the audiophile community simply for being mainstream.
Grade: B-
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“The Open
Yeah, I know. Buy Other Sound Equipment, No Highs No Lows etc. etc. and all that. We audiophiles all know that Bose has a reputation of churning out subpar products and masquerading them as “hifi” as part of their marketing. I too, had low expectations going into the SoundSport Free and had no qualms bansishing them into the depths of the lowest ranks if required.
But alas, the SoundSport Free… impressed me. The tonal balance is almost spot on, with minor niggles regarding the upper midrange/treble presentation being a tad too subdued. The bass boost is beautifully done, and the fact that it extends as low as it does despite the open-backed construction is a grand feat by itself.
Yeah, the SoundSport Free kind of cheats in soundstage size by virtue of essentially open, but the benefits in stereoimaging performance is undeniable. It may not be the most detailed, but its combination of great tuning and imaging certainly warrants its high placing on this list.
Grade: B
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“The Popular
I’ve never held Jabra to a high regard before. They seemed to cater to an audience that were more interested in making handsfree calls than actually listening to music; or at the very least, they gave off that impression.
The Active 65t is… balanced. Very balanced. There is clearly an emphasised bass response but I’d struggle to call it V-shaped; it doesn’t quite have the upper end sparkle for that classification. There are its faults of course, extensions on both ends are mediocre though nothing that really constitutes as a dealbreaker IMO. But as a whole, as one big coherent package, the Active 65t is a damn fine IEM, even in the realm of wired gear.
In a way, they’re a dark horse in that I expected almost nothing yet got served with a nice, ice-cold bucket of reality. A solid product that should deserve its popularity, if there weren’t a thousand posts a week on r/headphones asking for technical support about it.
Grade: B-
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“The Acclaimed
I have read many great reviews on the Tevi. I also get asked to review them very often, so this is me finally running out of excuses not to do so.
I must admit, the Tevi didn’t blow me away when I first heard it. My reaction was more “hm, this is pretty alright” as opposed to the “oh my god how does this sound so good” response that you’d probably expect for a TWS set that’s priced as it is and placed at this rank position.
And that’s the thing, as I pondered it over and gave it a little more reflection and analysis, I realised that the Tevi… didn’t do anything particularly excellent, but in the same vein it didn’t do anything wrong either. It was instead rather focused on being a general all-rounder, hence my initial lack of enthusiasm. Sure you could say that the midrange is a little too emphasised, but it’s not like the tonality is out of whack or even just mildly off. Everything was more or less on point, from the control of the bass emphasis to the delicate balance of treble…
Now if you liked the Etymotic house sound, and I’m not saying that you automatically will (it is kind of an acquired taste), the Tevi is probably the closest you can get to a TWS, bass-boosted Etymotic.
The TWS industry is getting scary. Wired world better step up.
Grade: B
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“Second Dog
While the average person would be splitting hairs between the sound of the XM3 and the XM4 (assuming they aren’t being biased by “newer = better”), for my money I’d rather spring for the XM3.
This doesn’t mean that the XM3 is a worse TWS overall, oh no. While I hesitate to bring in non-audio qualities into this list, the XM4 is far more ergonomic than the comparatively-bulky XM3 with improvements in QoL features across the board. Most would pick the XM4 over the XM3, and I don’t blame them.
But sound-wise, the warmer tuning is a little jarring in an A/B comparison. It’s not a bad tuning by any means, but the XM4 comes off as almost veiled next to the XM3 by virtue of its downsloping sound signature. But hey, maybe the extra warmth and heft in the notes might just be right up your alley.
Grade: B
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“Top Dog
The WF-1000XM3 was mainly tested with noise-cancelling on due to slightly better sound quality.
Technically, I think the Galaxy Buds are just as good as the WF-1000XM3, but for my own money I’d pick the Sonys. A more mainstream sound, better bass response, noise cancelling… sorry, I caught myself straying away from audio for a moment there.
And yet, I don’t have a lot to say about the WF-1000XM3 without getting pretentious and technical with my words. It’s just… good. Or as James Pumphrey would put it, a new level of new good. They called it… great.
You’re pretty much getting “the works” with the WF-100XM3: boosted yet clean bass, correct tonality, treble that sparkles but doesn’t pierce, good definition and actually good imaging (this one is a rarity for me, I don’t mention this often). Similar to the Galaxy Buds, this is a great sounding set of in-ears regardless of technology, wires or not.
Grade: B
All awarded grades are in reference to the IEM ranking list.For more information on the grading system, click here
“Objectivist’s Dream
Driver configuration: 2DD
The biggest question I think is on everybody’s mind right now is whether or not the Buds is a true upgrade to the original. And in my opinion, I think the Buds is a case of Samsung giveth and Samsung taketh away, improving on certain aspects but performing questionably on others.
While I wanted with all my heart for the Buds to be the undisputed upgrade to the Buds (and by extension, the rest of the TWS market), I found myself nitpicking far too much to consider the Buds truly superior. The midrange got even shoutier and intense compared to the original Buds, and the timbre of the treble (i.e. hi-hats and cymbals) sound a tad too odd for me (either being a bandwidth issue or one relating to its frequency response). On top of that, the Buds is an IEM I’d consider “fatiguing” and I honestly struggle to listen to them for long listening sessions.
However to end things on a high note, the bass response of the Buds is immaculate. Virtually perfect, even in the context of other wired IEMs. The bass is very clearly emphasised with satisfying impact and deep downward extension, yet remaining free from smearing or masking of the midrange frequencies. The bass response is probably the saving grace that prevents me from saying that the Buds is worse than the original.
Perhaps you could say that my problems with the Buds is less about the Buds itself and more about my issues with the Harman IE target. But regardless, it’s still a solid product that can still be considered as one of the best sounding TWS IEMs you can buy today.
Bose SoundSport Free earbuds sound better than Airpods, but they’re still lacking
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Bose’s SoundSport Free wireless earbuds sound better than Airpods, but the design, poorer battery life, and higher price translate into a poor Airpods substitute.
- Have volume buttons on right earbud
- Great sound quality with good bass
- Water-repellent
- Fit very snugly in ears
- Audio lag makes them unusable for video
- Large size
- Bulky charging case
- Charging case uses Micro USB
- Only last up to 5 hours on one charge
- Quick charging is slower than competitors
If you think Apple’s Airpods look goofy in your ears, you’re not going to like Bose‘s SoundSport Free (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) wireless earbuds. They’re arguably a bigger fashion blunder.
But if you can get over their bulbous size and middling battery life, you’ll find a pair of true wireless earbuds that sound very good — better than Airpods, in my opinion — whether you’re at your desk, running, or working out.
At 200, Bose’s wireless earbuds cost 40 more than the 160 Airpods. So, are they worth spending the extra dough?
Design and comfort
Look, I was the first to give Apple hell for making Airpods look so dorky. They still look ridiculous with their stems sticking out, but I’ve stopped caring about how they look. (Though I still chuckle whenever I see how terribly they fit in other people’s ears.)
The same mentality applies for the SoundSport Frees. They’re much larger than Airpods and look silly in your ears. It helps a little that they come in black (also in “midnight blue” with yellow accents and “bright orange” with blue accents) and don’t draw as much attention as the blinding white Airpods, but they’re still abnormally bulbous. Anyway, forget how they look.
Their larger size means they have one thing Airpods don’t: physical buttons. On the left earbud is a power/pairing button; on the right are buttons for volume and a middle button for play/pause/skipping tracks, accessing Siri, and accepting or ending phone calls. By contrast, Airpods have just a touch-sensitive button on the right bud, but it only lets you tap to play/pause or double-tap to call up Siri, which I find very limiting.
These buttons all work, but they’re a little stiff. I felt like I was going to accidentally yank the right earbud off when pressing them. This was especially noticeable during runs, as it’s a little more challenging to press them while in motion.
Otherwise, the SoundSport Frees fit pretty well in my ears. They come with three different “StayHear Sport Tips” — an all-in-one ear tip design with the “fin” or “ear hook.” Not gonna lie: I expected the big-sized earbuds to fall out, but they never did.
They’re also water-repellent, so they’ll survive a splash from the rain or a thorough sweating. Just don’t wear them in the shower or in the pool.
Pairing and using the Bose Connect app
Pairing the earbuds to your phone is easy once you’ve downloaded the app. You can also pair them through your device’s regular Bluetooth settings, but I had mixed reliability with it. For whatever reason, my iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL had trouble discovering the earbuds through the Settings apps.
Once the app detects the wireless earbuds, it simply asks you to slide down on the screen, and they’ll connect.
Unlike other headphone apps that usually come with features for adjusting a volume equalizer, the Bose Connect app doesn’t. It’s comparatively spartan.
On both the iOS and Android versions, you can use the “Find My Buds” feature to locate them. Like the similar Find My Airpods feature, the app only shows an approximation of where they were last; it doesn’t show you exactly where you left them. And you still need to play a sound or music to pinpoint them.
The iOS app also connects with Apple Music and shows your music, but I’m not sure why you’d ever do that, since the Apple Music app is right there. The Android app has no such integration with Apple Music.
Bose claims the SoundSport Frees have a 30-foot range from the paired audio source. I was able to get an even longer range than that, maintaining a solid connection between 40 and 50 feet away from my work desk. than that and the connection would drop out. Mind you, the Bluetooth connection connects through the right earbud, so if you lose that one, you’re screwed. Unlike Airpods, you can’t buy a single one of Bose’s earbuds separately. You’ll need to get brand new pair.
I also would have liked to see more detailed battery info in the app. It only shows the battery percentage for both earbuds total, but not for each individual earbud the way an iOS device does for Airpods.
Sound quality
Wireless earbuds aren’t usually known for sensational audio quality. As much as I love my Airpods, they’re average at best, barely better-sounding than EarPods.
The SoundSport Frees are a small step better than Airpods. There’s much clearer separation between the left and right earbuds. It’s especially noticeable on acoustic songs like “Real Friends” by Camila Cabello. The plucking of the guitar strings sounded more distinct and less muddled, even with noisy subway rails grinding in the real world background.
The wireless earbuds also pack just a little more oomph when it comes to bass. Listening to LOGIC — in particular, a track like “Wrist” where the bass pulses — I could really hear the low-end bellow through, even as Pusha T’s spitting his lyrics.
Daft Punk’s Random Access Memory sounded warmer to my ears, with with clearer mids and highs compared to on Airpods. One of my favorite tracks on the album, “Instant Crush,” sounded lighter, probably because of the wider sound stage.
Overall, I was quite pleased with the SoundSport Frees’ sound. They’re no substitute for a great pair of wired earbuds, but as far as true earbuds go, they’re great if sound quality is a top priority. That said, the better sound can be lost if you’re using them during a physical activity like running. It’s hard to hear a difference when you’re focused on pounding the pavement.
The only shortcoming I noticed with the SoundSport Free’s was playback for video. The wireless audio just can’t stay in sync with video at all. Many forum users have complained (opens in a new tab) about this, but Bose’s FAQ page (opens in a new tab) lists it as an issue that customers should be aware of, which pretty much rules out any firmware update from fixing it.
I tried watching YouTube and Netflix on my iPhone, iPad, Pixel 2 XL, MacBook Pro, MateBook Pro X, pretty much every platform available. The audio was always a second or two behind the video.
That’s annoying, and it sucks. If you’re thinking of buying these wireless earbuds and using them to watch video, you should consider a different pair, like Airpods. I’ve never experienced any latency issues using Airpods for video.
Battery life
Airpods last up to 8 hours on a single charge. Samsung’s Galaxy IconX 2018 earbuds last up to 5 hours, same as the SoundSport Free’s. Credit: BRIAN WONG/MASHABLE
There’s always a tradeoff when you decide to choose a pair of wireless headphones, and it’s all the more important to pay attention to that when looking for true wireless earbuds.
Because they’re more compact than over- or on-ear wireless headphones and don’t have a cable to attach a battery to — you know the ones I’m talking about, like the BeatsX, or OnePlus Bullets Wireless, or the many “neck buds” designs — the batteries are usually smaller and therefore don’t last as long.
Bose says the SoundSport Frees last up to 5 hours on a single charge, and that’s more or less what I got. Five hours of listening time is the same as what you get from Samsung’s Gear IconX 2018 true wireless earbuds, but it’s nowhere near the Airpods’ 8 hours of continuous battery life.
The charging case provides two additional charges, good for another 10 hours, so the wireless earbuds should be able to last up to a full work week if you’re only using them for a 1-hour commute like I did. But that still pales in comparison to the four extra full charges the Airpods case affords.
The SoundSport Free charging case (center) is HUGE compared to the Gear IconX 2018 (left) and Airpods (right). Credit: BRIAN WONG/MASHABLE
One thing Bose could have improved is quick charging. With Airpods, a 15-minute drop in its charging case gives you 3 hours of battery life; a 15-minute charge gets the Gear IconX an hour of battery life; and a 10-minute charge on the OnePlus Bullets Wireless gets you 5 hours of power.
On the SoundSport Free, a 15-minute charge is only good for 45 minutes of listening time. That’s way below its competition and kind of embarrassing when they’re also more expensive.
Good wireless earbuds, but no Airpods
The Bose SoundSport Free wireless earbuds released last fall for 250. At the time, there was no way I would’ve recommended them over 160 Airpods or 200 Gear IconX 2018.
Since then, they’ve dropped down to 200, and you can find them even cheaper online. They’re a better buy now than before, and a good value, considering the sound quality.
It’s been a year and a half since Airpods launched. Hundreds of true wireless earbuds have followed with the goal of toppling them, with myriad designs and price points. Even so, Airpods remain the gold standard if you ask me. They cost less than the SoundSport Free’s, are super compact, have a longer battery life, and work the best with iOS devices.
The reason to choose the SoundSport Free (opens in a new tab) ‘s over Airpods is if you really care for what is, in my opinion, audio that’s only marginally better. Or if you prefer earbuds that aren’t white, or really, really love Bose. None of these are compelling enough reasons for me, but your math may differ.
Bose SoundSport Free earbuds sound better than Airpods, but they’re still lacking
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Bose’s SoundSport Free wireless earbuds sound better than Airpods, but the design, poorer battery life, and higher price translate into a poor Airpods substitute.
- Have volume buttons on right earbud
- Great sound quality with good bass
- Water-repellent
- Fit very snugly in ears
- Audio lag makes them unusable for video
- Large size
- Bulky charging case
- Charging case uses Micro USB
- Only last up to 5 hours on one charge
- Quick charging is slower than competitors
If you think Apple’s Airpods look goofy in your ears, you’re not going to like Bose’s SoundSport Free (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) wireless earbuds. They’re arguably a bigger fashion blunder.
But if you can get over their bulbous size and middling battery life, you’ll find a pair of true wireless earbuds that sound very good — better than Airpods, in my opinion — whether you’re at your desk, running, or working out.
At 200, Bose‘s wireless earbuds cost 40 more than the 160 Airpods. So, are they worth spending the extra dough?
Design and comfort
Look, I was the first to give Apple hell for making Airpods look so dorky. They still look ridiculous with their stems sticking out, but I’ve stopped caring about how they look. (Though I still chuckle whenever I see how terribly they fit in other people’s ears.)
The same mentality applies for the SoundSport Frees. They’re much larger than Airpods and look silly in your ears. It helps a little that they come in black (also in “midnight blue” with yellow accents and “bright orange” with blue accents) and don’t draw as much attention as the blinding white Airpods, but they’re still abnormally bulbous. Anyway, forget how they look.
Their larger size means they have one thing Airpods don’t: physical buttons. On the left earbud is a power/pairing button; on the right are buttons for volume and a middle button for play/pause/skipping tracks, accessing Siri, and accepting or ending phone calls. By contrast, Airpods have just a touch-sensitive button on the right bud, but it only lets you tap to play/pause or double-tap to call up Siri, which I find very limiting.
These buttons all work, but they’re a little stiff. I felt like I was going to accidentally yank the right earbud off when pressing them. This was especially noticeable during runs, as it’s a little more challenging to press them while in motion.
Otherwise, the SoundSport Frees fit pretty well in my ears. They come with three different “StayHear Sport Tips” — an all-in-one ear tip design with the “fin” or “ear hook.” Not gonna lie: I expected the big-sized earbuds to fall out, but they never did.
They’re also water-repellent, so they’ll survive a splash from the rain or a thorough sweating. Just don’t wear them in the shower or in the pool.
Pairing and using the Bose Connect app
Pairing the earbuds to your phone is easy once you’ve downloaded the app. You can also pair them through your device’s regular Bluetooth settings, but I had mixed reliability with it. For whatever reason, my iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL had trouble discovering the earbuds through the Settings apps.
Once the app detects the wireless earbuds, it simply asks you to slide down on the screen, and they’ll connect.
Unlike other headphone apps that usually come with features for adjusting a volume equalizer, the Bose Connect app doesn’t. It’s comparatively spartan.
On both the iOS and Android versions, you can use the “Find My Buds” feature to locate them. Like the similar Find My Airpods feature, the app only shows an approximation of where they were last; it doesn’t show you exactly where you left them. And you still need to play a sound or music to pinpoint them.
The iOS app also connects with Apple Music and shows your music, but I’m not sure why you’d ever do that, since the Apple Music app is right there. The Android app has no such integration with Apple Music.
Bose claims the SoundSport Frees have a 30-foot range from the paired audio source. I was able to get an even longer range than that, maintaining a solid connection between 40 and 50 feet away from my work desk. than that and the connection would drop out. Mind you, the Bluetooth connection connects through the right earbud, so if you lose that one, you’re screwed. Unlike Airpods, you can’t buy a single one of Bose’s earbuds separately. You’ll need to get brand new pair.
I also would have liked to see more detailed battery info in the app. It only shows the battery percentage for both earbuds total, but not for each individual earbud the way an iOS device does for Airpods.
Sound quality
Wireless earbuds aren’t usually known for sensational audio quality. As much as I love my Airpods, they’re average at best, barely better-sounding than EarPods.
The SoundSport Frees are a small step better than Airpods. There’s much clearer separation between the left and right earbuds. It’s especially noticeable on acoustic songs like “Real Friends” by Camila Cabello. The plucking of the guitar strings sounded more distinct and less muddled, even with noisy subway rails grinding in the real world background.
The wireless earbuds also pack just a little more oomph when it comes to bass. Listening to LOGIC — in particular, a track like “Wrist” where the bass pulses — I could really hear the low-end bellow through, even as Pusha T’s spitting his lyrics.
Daft Punk’s Random Access Memory sounded warmer to my ears, with with clearer mids and highs compared to on Airpods. One of my favorite tracks on the album, “Instant Crush,” sounded lighter, probably because of the wider sound stage.
Overall, I was quite pleased with the SoundSport Frees’ sound. They’re no substitute for a great pair of wired earbuds, but as far as true earbuds go, they’re great if sound quality is a top priority. That said, the better sound can be lost if you’re using them during a physical activity like running. It’s hard to hear a difference when you’re focused on pounding the pavement.
The only shortcoming I noticed with the SoundSport Free’s was playback for video. The wireless audio just can’t stay in sync with video at all. Many forum users have complained (opens in a new tab) about this, but Bose’s FAQ page (opens in a new tab) lists it as an issue that customers should be aware of, which pretty much rules out any firmware update from fixing it.
I tried watching YouTube and Netflix on my iPhone, iPad, Pixel 2 XL, MacBook Pro, MateBook Pro X, pretty much every platform available. The audio was always a second or two behind the video.
That’s annoying, and it sucks. If you’re thinking of buying these wireless earbuds and using them to watch video, you should consider a different pair, like Airpods. I’ve never experienced any latency issues using Airpods for video.
Battery life
Airpods last up to 8 hours on a single charge. Samsung’s Galaxy IconX 2018 earbuds last up to 5 hours, same as the SoundSport Free’s. Credit: BRIAN WONG/MASHABLE
There’s always a tradeoff when you decide to choose a pair of wireless headphones, and it’s all the more important to pay attention to that when looking for true wireless earbuds.
Because they’re more compact than over- or on-ear wireless headphones and don’t have a cable to attach a battery to — you know the ones I’m talking about, like the BeatsX, or OnePlus Bullets Wireless, or the many “neck buds” designs — the batteries are usually smaller and therefore don’t last as long.
Bose says the SoundSport Frees last up to 5 hours on a single charge, and that’s more or less what I got. Five hours of listening time is the same as what you get from Samsung’s Gear IconX 2018 true wireless earbuds, but it’s nowhere near the Airpods’ 8 hours of continuous battery life.
The charging case provides two additional charges, good for another 10 hours, so the wireless earbuds should be able to last up to a full work week if you’re only using them for a 1-hour commute like I did. But that still pales in comparison to the four extra full charges the Airpods case affords.
The SoundSport Free charging case (center) is HUGE compared to the Gear IconX 2018 (left) and Airpods (right). Credit: BRIAN WONG/MASHABLE
One thing Bose could have improved is quick charging. With Airpods, a 15-minute drop in its charging case gives you 3 hours of battery life; a 15-minute charge gets the Gear IconX an hour of battery life; and a 10-minute charge on the OnePlus Bullets Wireless gets you 5 hours of power.
On the SoundSport Free, a 15-minute charge is only good for 45 minutes of listening time. That’s way below its competition and kind of embarrassing when they’re also more expensive.
Good wireless earbuds, but no Airpods
The Bose SoundSport Free wireless earbuds released last fall for 250. At the time, there was no way I would’ve recommended them over 160 Airpods or 200 Gear IconX 2018.
Since then, they’ve dropped down to 200, and you can find them even cheaper online. They’re a better buy now than before, and a good value, considering the sound quality.
It’s been a year and a half since Airpods launched. Hundreds of true wireless earbuds have followed with the goal of toppling them, with myriad designs and price points. Even so, Airpods remain the gold standard if you ask me. They cost less than the SoundSport Free’s, are super compact, have a longer battery life, and work the best with iOS devices.
The reason to choose the SoundSport Free (opens in a new tab) ‘s over Airpods is if you really care for what is, in my opinion, audio that’s only marginally better. Or if you prefer earbuds that aren’t white, or really, really love Bose. None of these are compelling enough reasons for me, but your math may differ.
Bose cuts the wires and dials up the bass with its SoundSport Free
“With good battery life and sweatproofing, Bose’s SoundSport Free are a solid first entry into the fully wireless headphone market.”
- 5 hours of battery life
- IPX4-rated waterproofing
- Good bass response
- Comfortable
As the industry leader in active noise-cancelation and a longtime pioneer in the world of digital signal processing, Bose has a history of incorporating the latest and greatest audio technology while still offering products with a high ease of use that appeals to even the most tech-petrified shoppers. You typically pay a premium for products with the Bose logo on them, but anyone who has spent time with the company’s offerings knows that, while better values exist, Bose simply doesn’t sell anything bad. Whatever you get will set up quickly, sound good, and function exactly as advertised — and that equates to peace of mind.
The company’s first ever fully wireless headphones, the SoundSport Free, follow this template. With five hours of battery life, IPX4-rated waterproofing, and impressive bass, they are a solid first foray into this exploding segment. In typical Bose form, there are better options on the market for less money — the SoundSport Free debuted at 250, and have since been dropped to 200, but that’s still 40 over Apple’s Airpods and 15 over Jabra’s more compact, better waterproofed, and superior sounding Elite Active 65t.
That said, though they offer a bit less performance for a bit more money, the SoundSport Free easily rise above most fully wireless options, and we absolutely wouldn’t balk at a friend or family member if they told us they’d copped a pair.
It takes about two hours to charge the headphones in the case, granting around five hours of playback before needing to be returned to their plastic home. The case will get you two more full charges on the go, for a total of 15 hours of juice. For comparison, Apple’s industry-leading Airpods offer the same five hours of playback time and 24 hours of charging time from the case.
The SoundSport Free are sweatproof enough for even the stickiest summer workouts.
One of the SoundSport Free’s cooler features is their voice-prompted battery check which tells you how much battery level you have left each time you pull the earphones from the case and put them in. The charging case itself is an unassuming clamshell with a micro-USB port and the Bose logo on top. It’s a bit larger than cases from the likes of Apple and Jabra, likely owing to the sheer size of the headphones that need to fit inside.
Workout enthusiasts and fellow Pacific Northwest natives will love that the SoundSport offer an IPX4 rating, meaning they’re certified against water splashes for five minutes — and sweatproof enough for even the stickiest summer workouts.
Setup/Connection
Pairing the headphone is simple and easy. Thanks to included voice prompts and the Bose Connect App, your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device will quickly latch onto the earbuds, and the earphones always quickly re-paired when we popped them out of the charging case.
Audio Performance
Bose has never been known as a company that offers truly flat or transparent sound signatures, instead tending towards the kind of boosted low end and sparkling treble that tend to make songs seem more vibrant and energetic — if occasionally a bit muddy. While we typically prefer the more clinical performance of competitors’ over-ear headphones when compared to Bose over-ears like the QC25, we actually quite enjoyed the SoundSport Free earbuds, which easily keep up with their competitors in the fully wireless space.
When put up against tamer sound signatures like that of the Jabra Elite Active 65t, the SoundSport Free bring a more robust punch in the bass that really makes classic hip-hop and soul music pop. On the other end, the sound profile doesn’t seem quite as sharply sculpted as we typically hear from the company’s products.
We great enjoyed that punchier low-end during workouts, when we often listen to more beat-driven music. Jamming out to AC/DC, Chance The Rapper, and other workout favorites was always enjoyable.
That said, we did wish for more midrange clarity when listening to favorites like Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, a stalwart favorite in our testing library. We just didn’t get the same depth in the acoustic guitars offered by Jabra’s Elite 65t (our favorite fully wireless earbuds).
Still, the SoundSport Free hold their own; as with other leading examples, they sound comparable to banded Bluetooth headphones that run about half the price, and at this point, that makes their sonic talents pretty competitive.
Warranty information
Bose offers a one-year warranty for U.S. buyers (two years in the EU) that covers manufacturer defects.
Our Take
With five hours of battery life, limited waterproofing, and good sound, the Bose SoundSport Free are a well-made entry into the fully wireless headphone market – especially if you’re a bass lover. Still, you can get better fully wireless headphones for cheaper.
Is there a better alternative?
Yes. For our money, the Jabra Elite Active 65t — which offer identical battery life, more robust waterproofing, and a cleaner form factor, all for less money than the Bose SoundSport Free — are a better value.
For those who don’t mind slightly worse audio performance, Apple’s industry leading Airpods are also worth considering, offering solid connectivity, ease of use, and better battery life from their charging case.
How long will it last?
Bose is a well-known brand with a reputation for quality products, and the SoundSport Free fully adhere to that legacy. We expect you’ll get years of use out of them before any issues arise.
Should you buy it?
For most listeners, probably not. While we like the Bose SoundSport Free enough not to knock anyone who we see wearing them, we simply prefer the more affordable and better-looking Jabra Elite Active 65t. Unless you’re a huge bass-head, we suspect you will, too.
Editors’ Recommendations
Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin…
Lindsay has a research paper on the laws of thermodynamics due at 1:00 p.m. sharp the next day so she’s holed up at the school library because, by all accounts, it should be the quietest place on campus to get her work done. Unfortunately, Chad and Karen are two tables over giggling at memes on Reddit and the noise is driving her crazy. She pops in her aging Apple Airpods, but the battery is trash and, besides, they don’t do squat to shield Lindsay from Karen’s high-pitched giggles.
If only Lindsay’s folks had known that noise-canceling headphones are the single most important tool for a good education, then perhaps they would have opted to get her a set of Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 or Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones as a back-to-school gift instead of an ergonomic laptop backpack, which is doing a great job of preventing Lindsay from experiencing premature sciatica, but doing absolutely zero to help her get her work turned in on time.
Master Dynamic (MD) has just released the 349 MW08 Sport, an almost identical set of true wireless earbuds to the company’s MW08, which it debuted earlier this year for 299. So what makes the MW08 Sport so er, sporty? And why do they cost 50 more than the regular MW08? It pretty much comes down to weight and wireless charging.
The original MW08 are a stellar set of active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds, with fantastic sound quality, battery life, and ergonomics. But their slick-looking all-metal charging case, at 2.8 ounces, weighs considerably more than most charging cases and it doesn’t support wireless charging.
Bose has just taken the wraps off its latest true wireless earbuds, the 200 Sport Open Earbuds, which feature a non-ear-obstructing design that lets in outside sounds instead of sealing off the ear canal. Pre-orders start today at Bose.com and BestBuy.com, and shipping begins mid-January.
The Sport Open Earbuds use Bose’s OpenAudio technology, the same engineering the company used to create the Bose Frames Sunglasses, which let you hear music without the use of earbuds. Bose claims that the Sport Open Earbud enclosures contain a tiny dipole transducer that can deliver clear audio for the wearer, but that “cancels” out everywhere else.
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