I did not anticipate these Android earbuds to problem AirPods Professional 3, however right here we’re

Apple AirPods 3 are sometimes thought of the gold normal relating to wi-fi earbuds, and for good cause. AirPods provide a cohesive expertise that few different earbuds handle to duplicate. Whereas they might not ship the very best sound high quality available on the market, the general ease of use and ecosystem integration are what proceed to enchantment to the customers.

I have been in search of one thing much like complement my Android ecosystem for the previous few months. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 got here near changing into my fundamental pair of earbuds, however they do not work effectively with an iPhone. I’m additionally not an enormous fan of Galaxy Buds.

After testing the Huawei FreeBuds Professional 5 for the previous couple of weeks, although, I feel I’ll have lastly discovered Android earbuds that may rival my AirPods Professional.

These earbuds sound much better than I anticipated

Crucial factor about any pair of earbuds is audio high quality. Not everybody loves the sound signature of the AirPods Pro 3, however I personally benefit from the barely deeper, bass-heavy tuning they provide.

The Huawei FreeBuds Professional 5 go a step additional with a dual-driver setup that mixes a dynamic driver with a planar diaphragm tweeter. The result’s a full, detailed sound with clear vocals and robust low-end response that’s genuinely pleasurable. Instrument separation is great, and the audio stays clear with out distortion even at greater volumes.

When it comes to design, the Huawei FreeBuds Professional 5 feel and look fairly similar to the AirPods Pro 3. They function the identical small stem-style in-ear design with silicone ear suggestions. The earbuds really feel sturdy and well-built the second you are taking them out of the field.

One factor I particularly like in regards to the design is that Huawei presents each contact and swipe controls. You’ll be able to faucet to manage playback or quantity, however you may also swipe alongside the stem to set off totally different actions.

Associated

This app makes AirPods work great on Android – but there’s a serious catch

LibrePods is a free and open-source utility for Android and Linux that goals to liberate AirPods from Apple’s iron-clad ecosystem grip.

ANC plus good options seal the deal

One of many fundamental causes I’ve all the time appreciated the Apple AirPods Professional 3 is their ANC. The noise cancellation on the AirPods Professional 3 is well among the many finest I’ve used throughout any earbuds. I’ve been trying to find a pair that works simply as effectively with Android, and the Huawei FreeBuds Professional 5 come very shut.

These earbuds use a dual-engine lively noise cancellation system, that means two separate techniques work collectively to dam several types of noise. They independently measure the encircling sound and alter accordingly. In follow, the efficiency is great.

There’s a transient second the place the earbuds analyze the surroundings earlier than making use of noise cancellation, however as soon as it kicks in, the suppression is spectacular. It’s also possible to alter ANC ranges within the app, although I saved it on the default dual-engine mode and was very happy with the outcomes.

As well as, you additionally get a number of good options much like these discovered on AirPods. For instance, the earbuds assist head gestures for answering calls or dismissing notifications. There may be additionally assist for the Discover function that emits a sound that can assist you find the earbuds in the event that they get misplaced below a sofa cushion or someplace close by.

And so they do not crumble outdoors the Huawei ecosystem

Certainly one of my largest points with the AirPods Professional 3 is how dependent they’re on Apple’s ecosystem. They work completely with an iPhone or Mac, however accessing options on different gadgets typically requires third-party apps simply to test battery ranges or alter settings.

The Huawei FreeBuds Professional 5, nevertheless, work effectively throughout a number of platforms, together with Android, iOS, Home windows, and even good TVs.

You’ll be able to pair the earbuds immediately via normal Bluetooth settings, they usually additionally assist multipoint connectivity. On a current flight to Barcelona, I switched between my iPhone 16 Professional and Galaxy S26 Ultra without having to disconnect or re-pair the earbuds. Most options stay accessible throughout platforms via Huawei’s companion app.

General, I’ve actually loved utilizing the FreeBuds Professional 5 as my fundamental earbuds over the previous couple of weeks. I will most likely change again to my AirPods Professional 3 when I’m utilizing my iPhone, however every time I return to Android, these will possible be my go-to pair.

The Huawei FreeBuds Professional 5 retail for £180, although they’re at present out there for round £150 because of a restricted provide, which makes them a reasonably compelling various to the AirPods Professional 3.