Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
Adaptive active noise cancellation and IP57 waterproofing make these true wireless earbuds dependable for windy commutes and rainy workouts, backed by 20 hours of total playtime and six beamforming microphones for clear calls. The Bang & Olufsen tuning delivers finely balanced acoustics, while the premium build and transparent mode add everyday practicality beyond the spec sheet. Best for travelers and outdoor exercisers who prioritize call clarity and weather resistance over pure music fidelity, which scores lowest here.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Beoplay EX has best-in-class build quality and top-tier ANC, but comfort is a real weak spot. At $460, you're paying for craftsmanship and the B&O name. Worth it if the fit works for you, risky if it doesn't.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Build quality is best-in-class, feels like jewelry for your ears 99th
- ANC is top-tier, especially in windy conditions 98th
- Mic quality is a standout for calls 97th
- IP57 rating means you can sweat or get rained on without worry 75th
Cons
- Comfort is mediocre, fit is hit or miss
- Sound quality is solid but not exceptional for the price
- Social proof is thin, not many people are buying these
- No listed price in our data, but B&O gear is never cheap
The proof
Performance
The ANC is top-tier, sitting in the 97th percentile, and adaptive mode handles wind better than most. The six-mic array is a genuine highlight, with beamforming that cuts background noise for calls. Sound quality is solid at 72nd percentile, but not the best-in-class you'd expect at this price. Battery life lands at 76th percentile with 20 hours total, which is fine but not exciting. The real weak spot is comfort, at 29th percentile, which drags down the whole experience if the fit doesn't work for your ears.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | s |
Audio
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
| Codecs | Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX - Wireless Bluetooth Earphones with Microphone and Active Noise Cancelling, Waterproof, 20 Hours of Playtime - Anthracite Oxygen |
| Surround | Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX - Wireless Bluetooth Earphones with Microphone and Active Noise Cancelling, Waterproof, 20 Hours of Playtime - Anthracite Oxygen | Earbud | Blue | October 28, 2023 | LOSE YOU |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | adaptive |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 20 |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 20 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 6 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| App | Bang & Olufsen App |
| Gaming Mode | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IP57 |
vs Competition
Against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Beoplay EX wins on build quality and mic performance, but Sony likely beats it on comfort and sound. The Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation will be more comfortable and integrate better with iPhones, though the B&O has a more premium feel. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a strong alternative if you want great sound without the B&O price tag. The Nothing Ear (3) and Soundcore P31i are much cheaper options that sacrifice build quality but might actually fit better.
| Spec | Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation | Nothing Buds 2 | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Soundcore P31i |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | 20 | 8 | 8 | 13.5 | 6 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | 20 | 24 | 24 | 55 | 26 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | IP57 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP55 | IP57 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX | 97.3 | 97.5 | 98.8 | 71.5 | 75 | 28.4 | 72.3 | 33.5 |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 Compare | 97.3 | 99.8 | 79.4 | 88.5 | 75 | 72.4 | 99.1 | 81.4 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation Compare | 97.3 | 81.9 | 98.8 | 90.7 | 75 | 94.8 | 99.6 | 99.3 |
| Nothing Buds 2 Compare | 93.1 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 81.8 | 95.1 | 72.4 | 97.1 | 81.4 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.3 | 97.5 | 98.8 | 92.8 | 72.5 | 94.8 | 99.6 | 90.2 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 89.7 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 96.8 | 92.5 | 72.4 | 86.5 | 90.2 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $460 USD, these are expensive earbuds. The build and ANC justify some premium, but the comfort issues and just-okay sound make it hard to call these a good value. You're paying for the B&O name and the craftsmanship, not for the best audio experience on the market.
Read more
Overview
The Beoplay EX is Bang & Olufsen doing what they do best: making something that feels absurdly premium and sounds pretty great, then charging a small fortune for it. The build quality is the best we've seen in this category, and the mic setup is a standout. But the comfort score is rough, and that's a problem for earbuds you're supposed to wear for hours.
Common Questions
Q: How is the fit and comfort on the Beoplay EX?
Comfort is the weakest area for these earbuds, ranking in the 29th percentile. The fit is hit or miss depending on your ear shape, so try different tip sizes or buy from a retailer with a good return policy.
Q: Are these good for phone calls?
Yes, the six-mic array with beamforming is one of the best we've seen, ranking in the 98th percentile. Background noise gets cut out effectively, so callers should hear you clearly.
Q: Can I use these for working out?
Yes, the IP57 rating means they're waterproof and sweat-resistant. Just be aware that comfort is not their strong suit, so they might not stay put during intense movement for everyone.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you have smaller or sensitive ears, since comfort is a real weak spot. Also skip if you want the best possible sound quality for your money, the Technics EAH-AZ100 or Sony WF-1000XM6 will likely sound better and cost less.
Verdict
Buy these if you want the best-built true wireless earbuds on the market and you're willing to gamble on fit. The ANC and mic quality are genuinely impressive. But if comfort is your top priority, or you want the absolute best sound for your money, look elsewhere.
