Apple Between Status Between 3ANC

Call quality and noise cancelling that punch way above their weight, but the music tuning is a total snoozefest. Buy them for your ears on a call, not for your ears on a playlist.

The call quality on these things is absurd. We're talking 97th percentile in our database, which puts them right at the top of the charts for any true wireless earbud. Voices come through crystal clear, and the six-mic setup does a fantastic job of isolating your voice from background chaos. The ANC is also a standout, landing in the 88th percentile and effectively hushing a noisy commute. The real surprise, though, is the music score. With a hybrid triple-driver system, you'd expect a rich, detailed soundstage. Instead, we measured a music score of just 59.3, which is mediocre. The tuning is flat and a bit lifeless for music, lacking the energy and depth you get from competitors. It's a head-scratcher.

The obvious fight is with the Sony WF-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The Status buds beat both on call quality, hands down. But Sony and Bose absolutely crush it for music and have a more polished, comfortable fit. The Bose are the kings of comfort, while the Sony offer a richer, more customizable sound. If you're also considering the Technics EAH-AZ100, those deliver a more balanced experience with excellent sound and good calls, but they don't match the Status ANC. Pick the Status if calls are your priority. Pick anything else here if music matters more.

Pricing is all over the map, with a wild spread from $99 to $29,700 across vendors. Obviously, ignore the crazy high outlier. At the low end, around $99, these are a fantastic value for call quality and ANC alone. You're getting performance that rivals earbuds costing twice as much. Just know you're trading off music enjoyment and a bit of comfort to get there. For the right user, it's a no-brainer deal.

The Status Between 3ANC is a weird, wonderful little set of earbuds. It's a pair of true wireless buds from a smaller company that somehow packs in a triple-driver setup, best-in-class call quality, and ANC that hangs with the big boys. The one thing to know? If you care about pure music enjoyment, these are a bit of a letdown. But if you live on phone calls and need to block out the world, they're a hidden gem. The sound signature is clearly tuned for voices, not for kicking back with your favorite album. That's a strange choice for a product with three drivers, but it's the reality. For the right person, these are an absolute steal. For everyone else, they're a pass.

If you're looking for a rich, immersive music experience, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WF-1000XM6 or the Technics EAH-AZ100 instead. Also, if you have smaller ears or prioritize all-day comfort, the bulky design and poor comfort score make these a risky choice. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the undisputed champs for that.

The Status Between 3ANC is a specialist, not an all-rounder. If you're a remote worker, a road warrior, or anyone who spends hours on calls and needs reliable ANC, buy these without hesitation. They're phenomenal for that. But if your primary use case is drowning out the world with your favorite playlist, you'll be disappointed. The flat music tuning and below-average comfort hold them back from being a universal recommendation. Know what you're signing up for, and you'll be thrilled.