Huawei does a great job with its accessories; the Check out Ultimate 2 It’s an ideal upgrade if you’re using a Samsung smartwatch and the brand’s watches brand new mesh router doubles as decor lighting. But it’s the sound where Huawei really stands out, and I realized that as soon as I started using the FreeBuds Pro 5.
I used Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones for most of the last six months, and that’s because of compatibility and sound quality. These are areas where Huawei aims to outdo Bose, and after using the FreeBuds Pro 5 for the better part of a month, I think Huawei has pulled it back.
Article continues below
Image 1 of 4
Huawei says it has extensively tested the buds on more than 10,000 in-ear samples, and this is evident when you put the buds on. They are comfortable enough that I didn’t feel any fatigue and I could sit safely. To that end, you get four sets of tips in the box, which is a good thing. You also get IP57 ingress protection, making the buds a good choice for workouts.
There’s no doubt that the FreeBuds Pro 5 fit better than the QC Ultra Gen 2, and the case itself is noticeably smaller and more portable. It’s a shame I didn’t get the blue model of the case; this variant has a leather stuffing box and looks elegant and while the Sand color looks decent on its own, it doesn’t have the same presence. I would have preferred a matte texture as I don’t like the glossy finish on the buds, but that’s the case with most products these days, including Bose.
Image 1 of 4
Where the FreeBuds Pro 5 really shine is the noise isolation; thanks to the new dual-engine ANC system, the buds adjust volume to a higher degree than most products in this category, and it’s immediately noticeable. If you’re out and about wearing the headphones and you can meaningfully block out ambient noise, that’s a big deal. I used these on a recent flight and the buds did an amazing job of stopping the engine whine.
The notification mode is also pretty good and automatically switches to it if you start talking to someone without having to remove the buds. Although I didn’t make many calls, the buds did a decent job in this regard.
Most audio brands tend to stick with dual drivers in their buds – like Status Audio Pro X – and Huawei is no different. The FreeBuds Pro 5 have a standard speaker driver alongside three planar drivers that handle sound, and the combination of drivers and tuning gives these buds a distinct edge.
The bottom line is that the FreeBuds Pro 5 sound phenomenal and they hold their own against the best in this category – no doubt about it. The bass is lively and has a satisfying thump, the mids are clean and detailed, the vocals come through with a natural timbre and the treble is airy without a hint of sibilance. Overall, the buds have a delicious sound that fits any genre and are fun to listen to.
One problem in this area is the lack of AptX codecs, so if you have a phone that uses Qualcomm’s high-quality codecs, you’re missing out on this mode. It has LDAC and L2HC, but like most phones I’ve tested Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Find the X9 Pro — come with AptX instead, so it’s a loophole. However, Huawei’s surround sound is pretty good on its own and gives you a sense of immersion when listening to music.
Each bud has a 60mAh battery, and battery life is strictly average, lasting five hours between charges. The QC Ultra Gen 2 runs an hour longer and Huawei really needs to do better in this area.
It comes Priced at £179 ($240) in the UK and $229 at Amazon US (via seller) The FreeBuds Pro 5 significantly undercut the latest buds from Bose and Sony. While battery life could be better, that’s the only real downside to these buds, and if you want an alternative to the QC Ultra Gen 2 with a better fit, you should consider giving the FreeBuds Pro 5 a try.
