20 models tested
In-ear headphones in Warentest: The most expensive ends up in last place
Apple’s Airpods have had a lot of competition in recent years
© Apple / PR
Good in-ear headphones without cables are not only available from Apple, according to the Stiftung Warentest. Even if the new Airpods should not be missing in the current test. The noble models from Bang & Olufsen landed in last place.
When Apple introduced the first Airpods in 2016, there was great malice. And the success even greater. A lot has happened in the market since then. And true wireless headphones – i.e. earplugs that are not connected to each other with a cable – have long been established by all kinds of manufacturers. In a current comparison test by Stiftung Warentest, however, there are clear differences. And the price is only of limited use as a quality feature.
In the current comparison test, Warentest brought 20 current models into the laboratory last fall. Older headphones like the Airpods Pro are not considered. In addition to the sound, the use in everyday life, the wearing comfort, the setup and the running time are also included in the overall rating. If a couple also brings noise canceling, that will also be scored. Last but not least, the stability of the headphones is also taken into account in the overall rating. The level of pollution is also examined, but only has an effect on the grade if it is particularly bad.
The best: JBL Reflect Flow Pro
Test winners are the Reflect Flow Pro by JBL. They combine the best sound in the test with great everyday use. They also have one of the longest runtimes in the test field at 10.5 hours. Warentest only mentions the inadequate instructions for use as a shortcoming. The overall grade is accordingly “good” (2.0). With a price starting at 160 euros, they are among the more expensive models.
The most comfortable: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
If you place particular value on a good seat, you should Galaxy Buds 2 by Samsung try out. As the only ones in the test, they nestle perfectly in the ear both in everyday life and when moving. Since they also perform well in other respects, they end up in shared third place with “good” (2.1). The price is rather cheap at 80 euros in view of this.
The most successful: Apple Airpods 3
Even if Apple has slightly lost market share in recent years: No headphone manufacturer can even come close to the gigantic success of the Airpods. In the third generation Apple has fine-tuned the details and refined the recipe (you can find out more in our test). This is also confirmed by the Stiftung Warentest. The sound is one of the best in the test, the battery life is good at 6:45. Apple only does poorly with the product testers in everyday use. But that is neither a seat nor the operation: the foundation simply misses a manual for Android smartphones – and mercilessly devalues it. Otherwise probably more than the shared third place with the overall grade “good” (2.1) would have been possible. The price of the new models is still quite high at around 170 euros.
The cheapest: Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3
When it comes to value for money, nobody beats Xiaomi. the Redmi Buds 3 are only in the solid midfield with “good” (2.5). If you look at the price, however, this is quickly put into perspective: some of the plugs are available for less than 35 euros. Because they still score mediocre to good in every sub-category and don’t make any real mistakes, they are a clear buy tip for small budgets.
The most disappointing: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ
The most expensive headphones in the test land in last place – that is the harsh judgment of the product testers. You have to pay at least 370 euros for them Beoplay EQ from the designer brand Bang & Olufsen. However, neither the good sound nor the at least mediocre everyday use are to blame. Because the enclosed foam plugs are contaminated with the pollutant benzo(ghi)perylene, Warentest gives a harsh rating for the pollutant rating. The Beoplay thus slipped to the overall grade “satisfactory” (3.0). By the way, anyone who prefers to wear silicone in their ears can strike with peace of mind: Warentest did not find any strain on the plugs that are also included.
You can find the full test for a fee at test.de.
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