Edifier NeoBuds Planar

The Edifier NeoBuds Planar deliver the best sound quality we've ever measured in true wireless earbuds, thanks to their 12mm planar magnetic drivers and extensive codec support. ANC and call quality are also excellent. But comfort is the worst we've tested, and battery life is below average, so they're not for everyone.

Sound is where these things shine. The planar drivers deliver detail that most dynamic driver earbuds can't touch. Bass is tight and controlled, mids are clear, and the treble has that airy quality planar fans love. The 2nd gen EqualMass wiring seems to do its job, keeping the diaphragm motion uniform across frequencies. We measured sound quality at the top of our charts, and it's not close.

ANC is also strong, landing in the 90th percentile. The 3rd-gen Qualcomm Adaptive ANC does a solid job blocking out low-end rumble and office chatter. Call quality is even better, with the 6-mic setup hitting the 98th percentile. If you take a lot of calls, these are genuinely excellent. Gaming performance is more middle of the pack at 52.8 out of 100, so don't expect competitive-grade latency. Music is the main event here, and it delivers.

Against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the NeoBuds Planar win on pure sound detail but lose badly on comfort and battery. Sony's earbuds are lighter and fit more people. The Technics EAH-AZ100 are closer in spirit, with excellent sound and strong ANC, but they cost more and don't have planar drivers. If you want the planar sound specifically, Edifier is the budget play.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation are the obvious choice for iPhone users, with seamless integration and better comfort. But they can't match the NeoBuds Planar for raw audio fidelity or codec flexibility. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ are much cheaper and more comfortable, but their sound quality isn't in the same league. It really comes down to what you value more: comfort and convenience, or absolute sound quality.

At $170 USD, the NeoBuds Planar are priced below the Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6, but above budget options like the Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+. You're paying for the planar drivers and the codec support. If sound quality is your top priority and you don't mind the fit issues, the value is solid. But if you want an all-rounder, the comfort and battery compromises make this a tougher sell. The 30-hour total battery life with the case sounds fine on paper, but it's actually in the 20th percentile for this category. Competitors at similar prices often push 40+ hours.

The Edifier NeoBuds Planar sit in a weird spot. You're getting planar magnetic drivers in a true wireless earbud, which is still pretty rare, and the codec support is absolutely stacked. LDAC, LHDC, aptX Lossless, Snapdragon Sound, the works. At around $170 USD, they undercut a lot of flagship earbuds while promising flagship-level sound. But the spec sheet hides some real compromises.

If you're searching for earbuds with planar magnetic drivers, these are one of the few options that don't cost a fortune. The 12mm planar drivers use a 2μm diaphragm, which Edifier claims eliminates harmonic distortion. In practice, the sound is genuinely impressive. Our database puts these at the 100th percentile for sound quality among all earbuds we've tracked. That's not marketing fluff, that's the best score we've recorded.

But here's the thing. The comfort score is dead last. 1st percentile. That's not a typo. These are heavy earbuds, and the fit doesn't work for a lot of people. We'll get into that, but if you're wondering whether the NeoBuds Planar are good for all-day listening, the answer is complicated.

Skip these if comfort is a priority. The 1st percentile comfort score means they're not for people with smaller ears, anyone who wears earbuds for hours at a time, or fitness enthusiasts. The fitness score is just 20 out of 100, so runners and gym-goers should look at the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation instead. If you need long battery life for travel, the 30-hour total is also a weak point. And if you're not picky about sound quality, cheaper options like the EarFun Air Pro 4+ will serve you better.

Should you buy the Edifier NeoBuds Planar? If you're an audio nerd who wants planar magnetic sound in a true wireless form factor without spending a fortune, yes. The sound quality is genuinely best-in-class, and the mic and ANC performance are excellent. You'll need to accept that the fit might not work for you, and the battery life is mediocre.

But if you want earbuds you can wear for hours without thinking about them, look elsewhere. The comfort score is the worst we've recorded, and that's a dealbreaker for a lot of people. Try them from a retailer with a good return policy. If they fit your ears, you're getting flagship sound for mid-range money. If they don't, you'll know within an hour.