Devialet Gemini II

The Devialet Gemini II true wireless earbuds deliver best-in-class adaptive ANC and rich, detailed sound, but call quality and comfort hold them back. At $499, they're a premium option that makes sense for sound-first listeners who don't need great mic performance. Most people will get more value from the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra.

The Gemini II's ANC is the real standout here. Our testing puts it in the 97th percentile, which means it's among the absolute best right now for blocking out the world. The adaptive system adjusts to your ear shape and environment, and Devialet claims it reduces audio artifacts and white noise compared to the first-gen model. In practice, it's the kind of ANC that makes a plane cabin feel almost library-quiet, though you'll still hear the occasional crying baby because physics is undefeated.

Sound quality is also impressive, landing in the 89th percentile. The 10mm titanium-coated driver delivers a punchy, detailed sound that leans slightly warm without losing clarity in the highs. The Ear Active Matching feature is interesting on paper, and while we can't verify the 10,000-times-per-second claim without a lab and a lot of patience, the end result is a sound signature that feels more personalized than most earbuds at this price. Connectivity is another bright spot at the 93rd percentile, with Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint support that lets you switch between two devices without much fuss. Battery life is solid at 22 hours total with the case, which puts it in the 84th percentile, though the earbuds themselves only manage around 5-6 hours per charge with ANC on.

Stacked against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Gemini II wins on raw ANC performance but loses on call quality and comfort. Sony's earbuds are lighter, fit more securely in most ears, and handle voice calls far better. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the closest competitor in terms of noise cancellation, and Bose's fit is more universally comfortable, though the Devialet edges it out in sound character if you prefer a warmer, more dynamic presentation. The Technics EAH-AZ100 offers a more neutral tuning and better battery life per charge, making it a smarter pick for long listening sessions. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 remains the default choice for iPhone users thanks to seamless integration, even if its sound quality doesn't quite match the Devialet's depth. And the Soundcore P31i is a budget option that makes the Gemini II's price tag look almost comical, though it's not in the same league for ANC or build quality.

At $499 USD, the Gemini II is asking a lot. The Sony WF-1000XM6 typically sells for less and offers better call quality, more refined comfort, and ANC that's nearly as good. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is another strong alternative with a more comfortable fit and comparable noise cancellation. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is worth a look too, especially if you want a more balanced sound signature. Devialet's brand cachet and the genuinely excellent ANC help justify some of the premium, but when the overall score is 68.8 and the weakest area is calls at 60.8, it's hard to argue these are the best value in the category.

The Devialet Gemini II sits in that awkward price bracket where you're paying flagship money for a pair of true wireless earbuds, but the spec sheet reads more like a mid-tier option. At $499 USD, these are competing directly with the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, both of which bring serious ANC chops to the table. Devialet's pitch is simple: a custom 10mm titanium-coated driver, adaptive noise cancellation, and an Ear Active Matching system that tunes the sound to your specific ear canal up to 10,000 times per second. That's a lot of tech talk, but the question is whether it translates into something you'll actually notice when you're on a commute or at the gym.

We've spent time with the Gemini II in our database, and the numbers tell an interesting story. The ANC performance is genuinely top-tier, landing in the 97th percentile among all earbuds we track. Sound quality is also strong at the 89th percentile, which makes sense given Devialet's background in high-end speakers. But the overall score of 68.8 out of 100 suggests there are some rough edges that keep these from being an easy recommendation.

For people searching "are Devialet Gemini II worth it," the short answer is: it depends on what you value. If sound quality and noise cancellation are your top priorities, these deliver. If you're looking for the best all-around package for calls, comfort, and battery life, there are cheaper options that do more.

If you take a lot of phone calls or video meetings, skip the Gemini II. The mic performance is mediocre, and you'll sound noticeably worse than you would on the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Pro 3. If comfort is your top priority, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra has a more universally accommodating fit. And if you're on a budget, the Soundcore P31i delivers decent ANC and sound for a fraction of the price. The Gemini II is for people who prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation above everything else, and are willing to pay a premium for those two things.

The Devialet Gemini II is a frustrating product. The ANC is genuinely among the best we've tested, and the sound quality is rich and engaging in a way that few true wireless earbuds manage. But the call quality is a real weak spot, the comfort is just okay, and the battery life per charge is nothing special. For $499, you're paying a premium for the Devialet name and the adaptive ANC tech, and that's a tough sell when Sony and Bose offer more complete packages for less money.

Should you buy these? If you're a sound-first listener who wants top-tier noise cancellation and doesn't care much about phone calls, the Gemini II is worth considering. If you need a reliable all-rounder for work calls, long flights, and daily commutes, the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra are safer bets. The Gemini II is a niche product that excels at two things and falls short on the rest.