Sony
WF-1000XM6
Apex ANC earbuds
They aren't the prettiest, but it's what's inside that makes them superstars.
My time with Sony's latest made it abundantly clear to me that the model name “WF-1000…” should stand for “Works For 1000 different uses,” so I highly recommend the Sony WF-1000XM6 if you’re in the market for a pair of “do-it-all” buds with nearly non-existent compromises.
Pros
- Clarity, nuanced sound
- LDAC hi-res audio
- Beautiful bass
- Smart geo-location features
- Excellent offline voice controls
- Superior isolation and ANC
Cons
- Price
- IPX4 rated
- Eartip selection
Samsung
Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Samsung's best got better!
Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro produced noteworthy sonics, but this time it’s even better, leaving me nodding my head to the beat, a gesture that can now answer your incoming calls. They have better ANC, and have fixed a potential charging flaw, making the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro the best buds on the market for those in the Samsung ecosystem.
Pros
- Great sound with SSC UHQ codec
- Great clarity and detail retrieval
- Cost vs market leaders
- Onboard voice/gesture controls
Cons
- Limited ear tips sizes
- No true multipoint
- A newer Samsung device is needed for full functionality
