Devialet Devialet Gemini II True Wireless ANC Earbuds Review
The Devialet Gemini II offer arguably the best sound quality in wireless earbuds, but their $499 price tag is a massive hurdle. We compare them to Sony and Bose to see who should actually buy them.
The 30-Second Version
The Devialet Gemini II deliver arguably the best sound in a wireless earbud, with killer mics to match. But at $499, you're paying a huge premium for that privilege when great alternatives cost much less.
Overview
The Devialet Gemini II are the earbuds you buy when you're tired of compromises and have the budget to prove it. They're not just good, they're exceptional in the areas that matter most for daily use: sound, ANC, and call quality. The one thing you need to know is that these are arguably the best-sounding true wireless earbuds you can get for music, full stop, but you pay a premium for that privilege.
Performance
Looking at our database, the numbers back up the hype. They land in the 88th percentile for sound quality, which is no small feat. The 10mm titanium-coated drivers deliver a rich, detailed, and surprisingly powerful audio experience that genuinely stands out. What surprised us, though, is the microphone performance. Sitting in the 87th percentile, multiple users report it's shockingly clear, even beating out heavyweights like the Bose QC Earbuds and AirPods Pro for call quality. That's a rare win for a true wireless pair.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong connectivity (92th percentile) 92th
- Strong sound (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong build (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong mic (87th percentile) 87th
Cons
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Wearing Style | Dual Ear True Wireless Earbud |
| Weight | 0.0 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 10 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 5 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Max SPL | 120 |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Range | 20 |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 5 |
| Charge Time | 1.5 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 17 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 2 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
Value & Pricing
Worth it? Only if sound and call quality are your absolute top priorities and money is a secondary concern. For $499, you're paying a steep premium for that Devialet audio engineering. If you just want great ANC and good sound, there are much cheaper options that get you 90% of the way there.
vs Competition
This is a fight with the giants. The Sony WF-1000XM5 has slightly better ANC and longer battery life for about $100 less, but the Gemini II smokes it in pure sound quality and microphone performance. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is more comfortable for some and has that iconic Bose ANC, but again, can't touch the Devialet's audio fidelity. The Apple AirPods Pro are the seamless ecosystem choice for iPhone users, but they're in a different league sound-wise. The Gemini II is for the audiophile who also needs to take Zoom calls.
| Spec | Devialet Devialet Gemini II True Wireless ANC Earbuds | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Apple Airpods Pro 3 Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless MagSafe Charging | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A UC Earbuds with USB-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: How's the battery life really?
It's fine, not great. You'll get about 5 hours with ANC on, and the case holds about 17 more. That's below average for premium earbuds in 2024.
Q: Are they good for the gym?
The IPX4 rating means they're sweat and splash-proof, so light workouts are fine. The fit is secure for most, but they're not the smallest buds if you have tiny ears.
Q: Do they work well with iPhones and Android?
Yes, Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint support means they'll connect to two devices at once, and they support AAC and aptX for solid codec compatibility on both platforms.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for the absolute best noise cancellation or the longest battery life, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead. And if you're on any kind of budget, just walk away. There are too many fantastic $250-$300 earbuds that make the Gemini II's price hard to justify.
Verdict
We recommend the Devialet Gemini II, but with a big asterisk. If you're an audio enthusiast who uses earbuds for critical listening and professional calls, and you can stomach the price, these are a phenomenal choice. For everyone else, the value proposition gets shaky fast when you consider the excellent and cheaper competition from Sony and Bose.