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I wanted earbuds that could keep up with work and workouts, but some handled the job better than others

I've shortlisted five TWS earbuds for calls, commutes and workouts, comparing their sound, ANC, comfort, battery life, connectivity and durability.

Updated on: Sep 16, 2026, 14:19:47 IST
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Our Picks

FAQs

Our Picks

ProductRatingPrice

Sony WF-C710N | Dual Noise Cancellation Wireless Bluetooth in Ear Earbuds | AI Call Quality | 40Hrs Battery W/O ANC | 30Hrs Battery with ANC - BlueView Details...

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Noise Master Buds 2 with Sound by Bose (2026),51dB Adaptive ANC, Hi-Res LHDC Audio,360° Spatial Audio with Head Tracking, 6-mic ENC, Dual Pairing, Fast Charge & BT v6.1 (Carbon)View Details...

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realme Buds Air 8 Pro TWS Earbuds with 11mm+6mm Dual DAC Drivers| 55dB ANC| 6-Mic VPU| 3D Spatial Audio |50H Playtime| IP55 Rating (Master White)View Details...

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Oppo Enco Air5 Pro True Wireless in-Ear Earbuds with 12mm Dynamic Driver and 55dB ANC with Hi-Res Audio with LHDC 5.0, 54Hrs Playtime,Low Latency,Fast Charging.(Matte Black)View Details...

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OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro E518A Raven Black inView Details...

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Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research.

I looked at five TWS earbuds from Sony, Noise, Realme, Oppo and OnePlus to see how well they handle calls, travel, workouts and everyday listening. (Amit Rahi-HT)
I looked at five TWS earbuds from Sony, Noise, Realme, Oppo and OnePlus to see how well they handle calls, travel, workouts and everyday listening. (Amit Rahi-HT)

I wanted earbuds that could do more than sound good while playing music. For me, a useful pair needs to handle a noisy commute, keep calls clear during work and stay comfortable when I am moving around. That is why I shortlisted these five TWS earbuds from Sony, Noise, Realme, Oppo and OnePlus. They sit in the affordable to mid-range segment, but their approaches are pretty different. Some put more emphasis on noise cancellation, others focus on bass and battery life, while a few bring features such as dual-device connectivity and high-resolution audio. I have compared their specifications alongside Amazon customer feedback to see where each pair makes the most sense for everyday use.

The Sony WF-C710N is the most straightforward option here, with a focus on balanced sound, noise cancellation and everyday comfort. Its 5mm drivers work with Sony's DSEE processing, while dual microphones support noise cancellation and Ambient Sound mode. Multipoint connectivity is useful when moving between a phone and laptop. Sony rates the earbuds for up to 8.5 hours with noise cancellation enabled, with the case taking total listening time to 30 hours. IPX4 protection also makes them suitable for everyday workouts and light exposure to sweat.

Specifications

Driver
5 mm
Noise cancellation
Noise Cancelling
Battery
Max. 8.5 hrs with NC ON
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Water resistance
IPX4

Reasons to buy

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Balanced Sony sound with DSEE processing

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Multipoint connectivity for work and personal devices

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Good battery endurance with ANC enabled

Reason to avoid

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Customer feedback on ANC, comfort and reliability is mixed

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Customers generally praise the sound quality and Sony's signature audio presentation. However, feedback on battery life, noise cancellation, connectivity, comfort, fit, reliability and build quality is mixed, with some buyers reporting excellent performance while others have encountered issues in these areas.

Why should you choose this product?

The WF-C710N is a sensible pick if sound quality and everyday usability matter more than having an extensive list of headline features. Multipoint support also makes it particularly useful for people balancing work and personal devices.

2. Noise Master Buds 2 with Sound by Bose (2026),51dB Adaptive ANC, Hi-Res LHDC Audio,360° Spatial Audio with Head Tracking, 6-mic ENC, Dual Pairing, Fast Charge & BT v6.1 (Carbon)

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The Master Buds 2 takes a more feature-heavy route, combining Sound by Bose tuning with adaptive ANC and 360-degree spatial audio with head tracking. The earbuds use 10mm drivers and six microphones for calls, while dual-device pairing makes them useful across work and personal devices. Noise also gives them IPX5 protection, which is handy for workouts. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours, while the earbuds support LHDC 5.0 and Bluetooth 6.1. The feature list is impressive for the price, although the Amazon feedback suggests fit and battery performance can be less consistent.

Specifications

Driver
10 mm PU + PEEK
Noise cancellation
Adaptive ANC up to 51dB
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 6.1
Battery
Up to 30 hours
Water resistance
IPX5

Reasons to buy

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Sound tuned by Bose

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360-degree spatial audio with head tracking

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Six-mic ENC and dual-device pairing

Reason to avoid

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Fit and single-charge battery performance receive mixed feedback

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Customers praise the earbuds' EQ performance and say they work particularly well with Android phones. However, battery life receives criticism, with some reporting around two hours per charge. Comfort is also divided, with some finding them comfortable and others experiencing ear pain or difficulty handling the earbuds.

Why should you choose this product?

The Bose-tuned audio is the key differentiator here. It suits buyers who want a feature-rich pair with spatial audio, adaptive ANC and dual pairing, particularly if they use Android and want more control over their sound.

The Realme Buds Air 8 Pro is built around a dual-driver setup, combining 11mm and 6mm drivers with dual DACs. It supports up to 55dB noise cancellation, 3D spatial audio and Bluetooth 6.1 with three-device connectivity. The six-mic system is designed for clearer calls, while a 45ms low-latency mode targets gaming. Battery life reaches up to 50 hours, and a 10-minute charge can provide up to 11 hours of playback. IP55 protection also gives the earbuds some breathing room during workouts and outdoor use.

Specifications

Drivers
11mm + 6mm dual DAC drivers
Noise cancellation
Up to 55dB
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 6.1
Battery
Up to 50 hours
Water resistance
IP55

Reasons to buy

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Dual-driver setup for a more detailed sound profile

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Long battery life and fast charging

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Three-device connectivity is useful for multitasking

Reason to avoid

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Amazon buyers report mixed reliability, particularly with microphones

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Amazon customers praise the audio quality, call performance and noise cancellation, with some saying the ANC effectively blocks background noise. Battery life, appearance and connectivity also receive positive feedback. However, value opinions are mixed, and several customers report microphone problems during calls.

Why should you choose this product?

The dual-driver architecture and three-device connectivity give the Buds Air 8 Pro a useful combination of audio flexibility and multitasking. It is particularly suited to buyers who move between multiple devices during work and entertainment.

The Oppo Enco Air5 Pro puts a lot of emphasis on commuting and calls. Its 12mm titanium-coated driver is paired with 55dB ANC, while the triple-microphone system is designed to suppress background noise during calls. The earbuds also support LHDC 5.0, 360-degree immersive audio and dual-device connectivity across Android, iOS and Windows. Battery life reaches up to 54 hours with ANC off, while IP55 protection makes the earbuds suitable for workouts and light exposure to water. They weigh 4.4g each, keeping the design relatively light for extended sessions.

Specifications

Driver
12mm titanium-coated driver
Noise cancellation
Up to 55dB
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 6.0
Battery
Up to 54 hours
Water resistance
IP55

Reasons to buy

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Strong combination of ANC and call-focused features

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Dual-device connectivity across different platforms

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Long battery life for frequent travellers

Reason to avoid

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LHDC Hi-Res Audio is not supported on iOS devices

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Customers generally praise the sound, bass and noise cancellation, with some highlighting how effectively the ANC reduces background fan noise. The glossy appearance also receives positive feedback. Fit and comfort are mixed, while battery life, connectivity and call quality generate both positive and negative reports.

Why should you choose this product?

The Enco Air5 Pro is especially useful for people who split their time between commuting and work calls. Its combination of strong ANC, triple-mic call processing, dual-device connectivity and long battery life makes it a versatile everyday option.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro focuses on three areas that matter for daily use: noise cancellation, bass and battery life. It has 12mm titanium-coated drivers and up to 55dB real-time ANC, while six microphones handle AI-assisted call noise cancellation. The earbuds offer up to 54 hours of playback with the case when ANC is off, and a 10-minute charge can add up to 13 hours of playback. Bluetooth 6.0 and dual-device connectivity are useful for work, while IP55 protection gives them some resistance to dust and water.

Specifications

Driver
12 mm titanium-coated dynamic driver
Noise cancellation
55dB real-time ANC
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 6.0
Battery
Up to 54 hours
Water resistance
IP55

Reasons to buy

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Strong ANC and six-mic call setup

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Long battery life with fast charging

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Dual-device connectivity for work and personal use

Reason to avoid

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Amazon feedback on ANC, comfort and connectivity is mixed

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Customers consider the earbuds good value and praise their battery life, with some reporting up to six hours of playback on a single charge. ANC feedback is mixed, while fit, comfort and Bluetooth connectivity also receive divided opinions, including reports of ear pain and connection problems.

Why should you choose this product?

Battery life is the biggest attraction here. The Nord Buds 4 Pro also combines 55dB ANC, six-mic call processing and dual-device connectivity, making it a practical option for people who spend long hours away from a charger.

Top 3 features of the best TWS earbuds

TWS earbuds

Noise cancellation

Battery

Connectivity

Sony WF-C710N

Noise Cancelling

Max. 8.5 hrs with NC ON

Multipoint

Noise Master Buds 2

Up to 51dB Adaptive ANC

Up to 30 hours

Dual pairing

realme Buds Air 8 Pro

Up to 55dB ANC

Up to 50 hours

3-device connection

OPPO Enco Air5 Pro

Up to 55dB ANC

Up to 54 hours

Dual connection

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro

55dB real-time ANC

Up to 54 hours

Dual-device connection

Factors to consider when buying TWS earbuds

  • Call quality: Look for multiple microphones and effective voice noise cancellation if you regularly take calls outdoors or from busy offices.
  • ANC performance: Strong ANC can make a major difference during commutes, flights and workouts in noisy environments, but fit also affects how effective it feels.
  • Fit and comfort: Earbuds need to remain secure without creating pressure or pain, especially if you plan to wear them for several hours.
  • Battery life: Check both the earbuds' single-charge figure and total case endurance, particularly if you spend long periods away from a charger.

Also Read:

I wore a smartwatch for 10 days, and it changed the way I move, work, check my phone and notice my surroundings

I wanted earbuds that sounded good and looked stylish; these are the ones that stood out

I reviewed 5 laptops for office work to see which ones are actually worth carrying every day

FAQs
Focus on sound quality, ANC, microphone performance, comfort, battery life and connectivity based on how you plan to use the earbuds.
Yes, but check the IP rating before using them during exercise. A secure fit is equally important for preventing the earbuds from moving or falling out.
ANC is particularly useful for commuting, travel and noisy workplaces. It is less essential if you mostly listen in quiet surroundings.
Several hours of playback is common, while the charging case provides additional battery life. Actual endurance varies with ANC, volume and other features.
Some models support dual-device or multipoint connectivity. This can be useful when switching between a phone and laptop without manually reconnecting each time.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

HT Tech Power List Awards 2026
  • Sparsh Sharma
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sparsh Sharma

    Sparsh Sharma is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he covers consumer technology, gadgets, artificial intelligence and the latest trends shaping the digital world. His work focuses on creating research-driven, accessible digital content that helps readers make informed buying decisions and understand how technology is changing their everyday lives. Before joining Hindustan Times, Sparsh spent over two and a half years at Times Network, where he worked across Times Now Tech and covered a wide range of technology stories, from features, news and product reviews to smartphones, gadgets, apps, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and emerging tech trends. During his time there, he closely followed the fast-moving consumer technology landscape and worked on making the latest developments easy to understand for everyday users. Over the years, Sparsh has tested and reviewed multiple smartphones, televisions, audio products, wearables and a wide range of consumer gadgets. His approach to technology coverage goes beyond specifications and benchmark numbers. He is particularly interested in how products perform in real-world situations, how useful they actually are and whether they deliver on the promises made by manufacturers. He is also fascinated by the growing world of artificial intelligence and loves experimenting with the latest AI tools to find new ways of making technology content more engaging. From creating visuals and charts to building diagrams and experimenting with new formats, he enjoys using AI to add a little more fun and context to his stories while keeping the information accurate and useful. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sparsh believes good technology journalism should make complicated things feel simple, relatable and useful. Beyond the newsroom, Sparsh is a massive cricket fan and has been a Virat Kohli fanboy since his childhood. Got an exciting technology story idea, product tip, or something you think deserves attention? Reach out to Sparsh at sparsh.sharma@htdigital.in.Read More

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