Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ EQ

The Beoplay EQ's ANC and mics both hit the 97th percentile, meaning they're about as good as it gets for blocking noise and taking calls. Sound quality is a standout, but the real-world experience is dragged down by buggy software and Bluetooth dropouts—our user sentiment ranks a lowly 31st percentile. Unless you're getting it for an extreme bargain, the connectivity headaches make it hard to recommend over more polished rivals.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ lands in the 97th percentile for both active noise cancelling and microphone performance in our database, putting it among the absolute best for blocking out the world and taking crystal-clear calls. Its sound quality isn't far behind, sitting in the 90th percentile with a rich, detailed signature you can tweak via the Beosonic EQ. But look past the specs, and the picture gets messy. A user sentiment score in the 31st percentile tells the real story: a lot of owners are frustrated, and it's not about the audio hardware.

ANC here is best-in-class, with adaptive tech that pairs active cancellation with a solid passive seal. In our noise-floor tests, it squares up to the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra without flinching. Call quality is equally impressive thanks to six beam-forming microphones, and our mic benchmarking puts these earbuds right at the peak. Sound is a standout too, with finely tuned drivers delivering a broad soundstage that's a step above most true wireless buds. The 6.5-hour battery life (7.5 without ANC) is decent but not remarkable, ranking around the 69th percentile. The fast charge is handy: 20 minutes in the case gets you 2 hours of playback. Wireless charging and a slim aluminium case add polish, but connectivity is where things slip. Our database gives Bluetooth 5.0 and Multipoint a strong 88th percentile score, yet real-world feedback paints a picture of dropouts and glitchy pairing. It's a frustrating gap between lab numbers and what you'll likely experience.

Pricing for the Beoplay EQ is all over the map. We've seen it as low as $100 from some retailers, which makes the sound and ANC an absolute steal, but it's also listed at an eye-watering $37,613 elsewhere—likely a data error, but it tells you to shop carefully. At the low end, you're getting top-tier noise cancelling and mic performance that rivals earbuds costing three times as much. If you find it for $150 or less, the hardware alone might justify the quirks. Anything higher, and the unreliable app and connectivity make it a tougher sell against polished competitors like Sony.

Sony's WF-1000XM5 matches the Beoplay EQ on ANC and brings a more stable app, better comfort, and superior all-day wearability. Bose QuietComfort Ultra edges ahead in noise cancelling smoothness and fit, though the B&O's call quality is a cut above. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 delivers comparable sound with fewer software headaches, and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a smarter feature set for Android users. The Technics EAH-AZ100-K is a dark horse with excellent sound and multipoint that actually works. The Beoplay EQ still wins on mic performance, but it's the only flagship that feels like a beta product in daily use.

Skip these if you value a hassle-free wireless experience. Our database shows a strong 88th percentile for connectivity specs, but user feedback paints the opposite picture—Bluetooth dropouts and a clunky app are deal-breakers for most people. The bulky design and 33rd percentile build ranking also mean fit problems are common. If you're buying earbuds for daily Zoom calls, commuting, or just want something that works every time, the Sony or Bose alternatives will save your sanity. Only consider the Beoplay EQ if you're a die-hard B&O fan who can tinker with settings and doesn't mind the occasional hiccup.

If you need the absolute best call quality and ANC in a true wireless bud, the Beoplay EQ delivers hardware that's right up there with the leaders. But the software experience and connectivity reliability are major stumbling blocks that drag the overall package down. Our data shows stellar lab results and a 90th percentile sound score, yet user sentiment sits in the 31st percentile—that's one of the biggest gaps we've ever recorded. At a steep discount, it's a specialty buy for audio-first users who can live with the bugs. For everyone else, a Sony or Bose is the safer bet.