- Similar: microphone quality The reviewer rates mic pickup in the same class as Sony WF-1000XM5.
- Compared: market competition The reviewer cites Sony’s WF-1000XM5 as tough competition for the NeoBuds Planar.
- Better: active noise cancellation PCMag says the NeoBuds Planar ANC trails the Sony WF-1000XM5.
Edifier NeoBuds Planar Earbuds Review
Bottom Line
Choose these for detailed, airy sound, broad codec support, comfort, and solid ANC. Skip them if you need heavy bass, top-tier battery life, natural transparency, or obvious value at $300.
Best for
Best for detail-focused listeners who value separation, treble clarity, high-resolution codec support, and a planar-style presentation over mainstream bass impact. They also suit users who want comfort, app customization, and solid everyday ANC.
Not for
Not for bassheads, bargain hunters, or shoppers who want the strongest battery life, most natural transparency, or simplest all-round flagship experience. They are also a risky pick if low-end punch matters more than detail.
Verdict
The Edifier NeoBuds Planar earn their strongest praise for precision, separation, treble detail, codec support, comfort, and a capable app. Reviewers often describe them as unusually revealing and audiophile-leaning for true wireless earbuds, with ANC that is good enough for daily use and sometimes genuinely impressive. The tradeoff is that the same planar character can feel light in bass weight or unforgiving with some tracks, and the EQ does not always fix that. Battery life, transparency, call noise reduction, and price also keep them from being an easy all-round recommendation.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
AirPods Pro 2
- Better: transparency mode The reviewer says the best transparency benchmark is AirPods Pro 2, not the NeoBuds Planar.
- Similar: active noise cancellation The reviewer felt the ANC was about as capable as AirPods Pro 2.
- Cheaper: price The reviewer says the NeoBuds Planar cost more than AirPods Pro 2 in the U.S.
Denon PERL Pro
- Similar: microphone quality The reviewer rates mic pickup in the same class as Denon PERL Pro.
- Similar: microphone quality The reviewer ranked the mic quality alongside Denon PERL Pro.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
50 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 34% 17 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 44% 22 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 20% 10 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 0% 0 features
- Very negative below 1.5 2% 1 feature
Pros
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Codec support is a major strength, repeatedly praised as exhaustive or unusually complete for high-resolution listening.
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Instrument separation is one of the clearest consensus wins, with reviewers repeatedly praising clean layering, precise reproduction, and strong detail retrieval.
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aptX support is treated as part of the product’s unusually broad high-resolution codec package, including aptX Adaptive and lossless-related support.
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LDAC support is repeatedly included in reviewers’ praise for the broad high-resolution codec package.
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Lossless audio support is a strength within the broader codec package, with reviewers treating the support as unusually complete.
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Hi-res playback and audiophile-grade sound receive strong praise in the available evidence.
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Fit is highly important and mostly positive; reviewers found better bass and stability once the right tips or seal were achieved.
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Reviewers strongly agree the NeoBuds Planar are detail-first earbuds with unusually precise, clean sound, though a few found the tuning inconsistent or easier to admire than love.
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Android compatibility is positive, with easy Android pairing and Android-only hi-res codec benefits noted.
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Latency and gaming support are viewed positively, with reviewers noting strong gaming performance and premium audio use beyond music.
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Ear tip size options are praised for helping users find the right fit and bass seal.
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Weight comfort is positive in the limited evidence, with reviewers describing the buds as lightweight or far from heavy.
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Bluetooth performance has limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer praising range after staying connected across an office.
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Multi-platform compatibility is positive in limited evidence, with codec support framed as useful across Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Google Tensor phones.
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RGB/light customization has limited but positive evidence, with the case light colors treated as fun customization.
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Smudge resistance has limited positive evidence, with the matte case finish praised for helping prevent fingerprints.
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Voice assistant use has limited but positive evidence, with voice commands described as swift.
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Midrange and vocals are usually praised as clear, detailed, and natural, with one reviewer noting vocal volume could dip in the mix.
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Several reviewers heard an open, airy, expansive soundstage, with soundstage width treated as one of the planar driver strengths.
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Reviewers describe the frequency balance as generally accurate and controlled, with strong detail and tonality, though the bass region is less consistently weighted.
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Long-use comfort is generally strong, with several reviewers wearing them for hours or all day, though one review found comfort only medium over time.
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Treble detail is a major strength, often described as crisp, clean, or precise, but some reviewers found the highs bright, toasty, or potentially fatiguing.
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Charging is a positive convenience point, especially wireless charging and quick top-ups.
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Stability is mostly good for regular use and exercise, though some reviewers experienced shifting during runs or workouts.
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The app is mostly praised as useful, stable, and customizable, although one reviewer found its look ugly and another noted missing device-list convenience.
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ANC is broadly seen as good to impressive for everyday noise, though several reviewers note it is not the strongest at this price or for deep low-frequency rumble.
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The water and dust rating is viewed as practical for rain, sweat, dust, and realistic everyday conditions.
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The squeeze or pinch controls are usually considered reliable and customizable, though a few reviewers found them delayed or weaker than top competitors.
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Preset EQ profiles are generally useful, especially Dynamic, which reviewers said improved balance or impact.
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Included accessories get positive limited evidence, especially the multiple tips and protective pouch/case cover.
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Portability has limited positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the charging case compact.
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Build quality is mostly positive, with reviewers praising finish and construction, though one noted cheap-looking plastic.
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Multipoint is useful and sometimes seamless, but not consistently reliable; one reviewer had to switch manually while others reported smooth pause-and-play behavior.
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Bass is the most divisive sound attribute: some reviewers heard deep or strong bass with the right fit or preset, while others found it light, thin, or lacking punch.
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Call quality ranges from excellent to merely okay, with most reviewers finding voices intelligible but not always natural, loud, or class-leading.
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Touch/tap responsiveness is mixed: one reviewer found the controls pretty good, while others said the tap system needs adjustment or works only most of the time.
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Design is subjective and split, with reviewers admiring its distinctive modern look while others called it unattractive, retro, or an acquired taste.
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Soundstage depth is mixed: one reviewer heard no depth, another praised immersion, and another felt the presentation was pushed forward.
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Passive isolation was described as decent with a proper fit, but the review evidence mainly focuses on ANC rather than unpowered isolation.
Cons
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Carry case impressions are mixed: reviewers liked its secure magnets or compact/pocketable feel, but others criticized its size, looks, or chunkiness.
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EQ customization is polarizing: reviewers like the depth and flexibility, but many criticize limited bands, poor bass impact, or weak responsiveness.
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Setup and software simplicity are mixed: pairing can be simple, but mode switching and Edifier-style configuration can feel sluggish or finicky.
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Battery life is average to mediocre overall; some reviewers found it acceptable, but many expected more from a premium-priced earbud.
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Transparency mode is functional but not a standout; reviewers praised voice-focused tools in one case but often found it muffled, unnatural, or merely adequate.
-
Value for money is heavily split by region and priorities: sound-focused reviewers can justify it, but many think the price is too high versus competitors.
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Microphone noise reduction is mixed: some reviewers heard good wind or background reduction, while others found ambient noise pickup and noisy conditions problematic.
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The integrated microphone setup is adequate in limited evidence, but not a leading strength.
-
Sensors are mixed: one reviewer found wear detection unreliable, while another said it worked well.
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Volume output drew mild criticism: reviewers generally found it usable, but noted it was on the lower side and not ideal for listeners who want maximum loudness.
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Spatial audio is a clear missing-feature complaint from the available evidence.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbud Headphones, this product is above average in aptX, LDAC, Lossless audio support, below average in Spatial audio, Value for money, Volume output.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 63% 5 features
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 38% 3 features
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| aptX | 5.0 | 2.2 | +2.8 |
| Spatial audio | 1.0 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
| LDAC | 5.0 | 3.0 | +2.0 |
| Lossless audio support | 5.0 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| Codec support | 5.0 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
| Value for money | 3.1 | 4.1 | -1.0 |
| Volume output | 2.7 | 3.9 | -1.2 |
| Smudge resistance | 4.5 | 3.2 | +1.3 |
FAQ
Do the Edifier NeoBuds Planar sound good?
Yes, reviewers mostly praise their detailed, precise, and spacious sound. The main caveat is bass: some heard strong bass with the right fit, while others found the low end lacking punch.
Are they good for bass-heavy music?
They are not the safest choice for bass-first listeners. Several reviewers liked the bass after adjusting fit or using Dynamic EQ, but many said the planar drivers lack low-end weight or wallop.
How good is the noise cancellation?
ANC is generally good to impressive for everyday environments such as cafes, commuting, and office noise. It is less consistently praised for airplane-style low-frequency rumble or versus Bose, Apple, and Sony flagships.
Is the battery life a weakness?
Battery life is one of the more common complaints. Reviewers often described it as average, mediocre, or disappointing for the price, even though a few found it acceptable.
Are the controls and app easy to use?
The app is usually praised for customization, but the EQ and mode switching can feel more complicated than necessary. Squeeze controls are often reliable, though some reviewers noticed delay or weaker responsiveness.
Who are these earbuds best for?
They fit listeners who care most about detail retrieval, instrument separation, high-resolution codec support, and an uncommon planar sound. They are less suited to casual shoppers who want a simple all-rounder.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Picky Audio
- Review score
- 3.6/5
YouTube - Aaron X Loud and Wireless
- Review score
- 3.5/5
Article Reviews
howtogeek.com
- Review score
- 4.0/5
expertreviews.co.uk
- Review score
- 4.5/5
forums.appleinsider.com
- Review score
- 3.9/5
hometheaterreview.com
- Review score
- 4.6/5
Consider This Instead
If you want better Volume output
Choose Technics EAH-AZ100 Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 2.7 for Volume output, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Value for money
Choose Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Earbuds. It scores 4.7 vs 3.1 for Value for money, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Battery
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 3.1 for Battery, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Sensors
Choose Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds. It scores 4.8 vs 2.8 for Sensors, with a 4.2 overall score.
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