Best True Wireless Earbuds Comparison 2020
Updated: Aug 20, 2021
Written by Cheryl Tan
We’re past the halfway mark of 2020, and we’ve done plenty of reviews on true wireless earbuds, so we thought why not come up with another comparison for earbuds that we’ve seen so far this year? We already did one for 2019, and some of those earbuds we spoke about there are still somewhat relevant now, but we think that the options we have here are a definite upgrade.
1. Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus
We were quite impressed with the first generation MW07 when it came out, except for the short battery life, and the MW07 Plus is definitely a big improvement over the first. With added battery life, Master & Dynamic have even managed to squeeze in active noise cancellation while keeping the same sound quality we loved in the first.
For people looking to get a pair of stylish earbuds with great fit and excellent sound, this is definitely the pair to consider.
Here’s our full review.
2. Jabra Elite Active 75t
Need something that will stay in your ear whether you’re sweating, jumping around playing basketball or HIIT exercises? The Jabra Elite Active 75t is rated IP57 so you can use these basically everywhere without having to worry about them.
The rubber coating also works fantastically to keep the earbuds nice and snug in your ear so they won’t drop out even if you’re sweating. There’s no active noise cancellation, but the passive seal on these are great, and once music is playing, you won’t be able to hear external noises. If you’re worried about cars and bicycles while running outdoors though, there’s a HearThrough feature for safety.
Here’s our full review.
3. 1MORE EHD9001TA
I know, it’s a troublesome name to remember, but these are the world’s first-ever dual-driver true wireless earphones with active noise cancelling, so they definitely deserve a spot on this list. Combining a dynamic driver with a balanced armature driver, you get the best of both worlds with responsive bass and very clear treble.
More than that, you also get active noise cancellation at a killer price. S$349 for dual-driver true wireless earbuds that also has ANC and touch controls? It’s definitely priced competitively.
Here’s our full review.
4. Apple AirPods Pro
These aren’t quite new, but we didn’t cover them previously in our last feature, so let’s talk about them. The Apple AirPods Pro are undeniably, a great pair of earbuds. These now come with silicone tips so they fit better in the ear and are more comfortable.
The best part though is the sound. The noise cancellation is an excellent balance between being too strong and not removing enough noise. People who are more prone to feeling pressure build-up from earbuds and headphones that have strong ANC would definitely benefit from this. The Transparency mode is something that also can’t be left out of any review. It sounds effortlessly natural, with voices sounding exactly as they should and not boosted.
For people using Apple products or iPhones, these are a no-brainer. There’s little else that will work as seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, and that’s the real selling point of Apple devices.
Here’s our full review.
5. Jade Audio EW1
A lot of people won’t even have heard of this brand, and that won’t be a surprise since it’s really new. But coming from FiiO, a brand with years of audio expertise, it’s little wonder Jade Audio has managed to put out something as impressive as the EW1 at just S$89.
You get a warm, fun sound signature that emphasises the bass while keeping the impact on the treble to a minimum. Battery life is also decent on these, with a total of 21 hours. These definitely won’t stand up to the rest of the earphones we’ve mentioned in this article, but for S$89, they really can’t be expected to.
The EW1 is a fun, compact pair of earbuds that punch well above its weight at this price point.
Here’s our full review.
6. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
We weren’t really all that impressed with the first generation of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, but the MTW 2 is actually packing a lot more features at just a bit of a higher price.
First off, there’s ANC added in now, and it works pretty well. Luckily, turning it on doesn’t even degrade the sound quality much. And the sound quality is once again, top-notch. You get excellent separation, a wide soundstage and a bright, airy treble without any colouration from the lower end.
Battery life is also improved, although it’s still in the middle of the pack at 7 hours in the earbuds and a total of 28 hours. But for people who weren’t satisfied with the first ones, these definitely are a feasible option now.
Here’s our full review.
7. Samsung Galaxy Buds+
The original Galaxy Buds from Samsung weren’t bad, but now they’ve gone above and beyond with the new Galaxy Buds+. The earbuds are super small and comfortable in the ear, and they pack 11 hours in the earbuds and an additional 11 hours in the case.
With wireless reverse charging available on these, they really are a great choice for people using Samsung phones. While the sound quality isn’t the best, you do get good microphones on these and they really are some of the most comfortable true wireless earbuds I’ve experienced.
Here’s our full review.
There has definitely been big improvements from the technology we’ve seen in TWS earbuds since mid-2019, and it’s definitely exciting as we move into the second half of 2020 where more brands will start to announce their new earbuds.