Technics True Wireless Earbuds EAH-AZ40M2-K

Great sound and killer multipoint, but the ANC is mostly marketing. Buy them for music and calls, not for blocking out the world.

The 6mm dynamic driver with LDAC support is the star here. Sound quality lands in the 87th percentile, which means it's genuinely impressive, especially for the price. What surprised us most is the connectivity. Three-device multipoint is rare at this price point, and it works flawlessly. Jumping from a laptop meeting to a phone call to a podcast is genuinely seamless. The ANC, though, is a letdown. It's rated high on paper, but real-world users say it's barely better than just jamming the earbuds in your ears. The battery is the other sore spot: 5.5 hours on the buds and 18 in the case puts it near the bottom of the pack.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the obvious upgrade if you want real ANC and longer battery, but you'll pay significantly more. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the better pick for iPhone users who want seamless ecosystem integration, though it lacks LDAC. The Soundcore P31i undercuts the Technics on price and offers better battery, but the sound quality isn't in the same league. If you care about sound first and multipoint second, the AZ40M2 beats the budget options and holds its own against the premium ones.

At USD 139 to USD 170, the AZ40M2 is a solid deal if you catch it on the low end. Amazon has it for USD 139, which is the best price we've seen. At that price, the sound quality and multipoint alone justify the purchase. At USD 170, it's a harder sell, especially when you factor in the weak ANC and short battery life. If you see it under USD 150, grab it.

The Technics EAH-AZ40M2 is a bit of a sleeper hit. It nails the stuff most people actually use earbuds for every day: great sound, rock-solid multipoint, and clear calls. But the spec sheet oversells the ANC, and the battery life is a real weak spot. If you're buying these for music and work calls, you'll be happy. If you're buying them to block out a noisy commute, keep scrolling.

If you're looking for strong noise cancellation or all-day battery life, this isn't it. The ANC is weak and the battery dies fast. Go get the Sony WF-1000XM6 for real noise blocking or the Soundcore P31i if you want longer battery on a budget.

The Technics EAH-AZ40M2 is a great pair of earbuds for the right person. If you want excellent sound, reliable multipoint, and clear calls for work, buy them, especially at USD 139. If ANC or battery life are your top priorities, look elsewhere. These are music and productivity earbuds, not travel earbuds.