Sennheiser CX Plus

The Sennheiser CX Plus delivers some of the best sound quality you'll find in true wireless earbuds at this price, sitting at the 98th percentile in our database. But the ANC is underwhelming and the app needs work. Worth buying if audio quality is your top priority, skip it if you need strong noise cancellation.

The 7mm dynamic drivers are the star of the show. Sound sits at the 98th percentile in our database, which puts these in the absolute best right now territory for audio quality. You get aptX Adaptive support, which is nice for Android users who want better Bluetooth codec performance. Battery life is solid at 8 hours per charge with 24 total from the case, landing at 78th percentile, which is above average but not class-leading. The weak spot is calls at 66.5/100, which is middle of the pack at best. The dual mics with beamforming help, but don't expect crystal clear voice pickup in noisy environments.

Against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the CX Plus wins on pure sound quality but loses badly on ANC and app polish. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra has better noise cancellation and a more comfortable fit for most people, but the Sennheiser's audio tuning is more engaging. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers better call quality and a more refined app experience, though the sound signature is less neutral. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the closest competitor on audio quality, and it has better ANC to boot, but it's also more expensive. If you're an audio purist on a budget, the CX Plus makes sense. Everyone else should look at Sony or Bose.

At $180 USD, the CX Plus sits in a weird spot. You're paying flagship-adjacent money for flagship-level sound but getting mid-tier ANC and a clunky app. The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra both cost more but deliver meaningfully better noise cancellation. If sound quality is your only priority, these are a bargain. If you want the full package, you're better off saving up or waiting for a sale.

The Sennheiser CX Plus is a classic case of getting the important stuff right and fumbling some of the extras. The sound is genuinely excellent, with the 7mm TrueResponse drivers delivering the kind of crisp highs and deep bass that makes you remember why Sennheiser has the reputation it does. At 98th percentile for sound in our database, these are some of the best-sounding true wireless earbuds you can buy without jumping to a flagship price.

But the ANC is a letdown. Users consistently call it underwhelming compared to Sony or Bose, and the companion app feels like an afterthought. If you're buying these for the noise cancellation, you'll be disappointed. If you're buying them for the audio quality and can live with mediocre ANC, there's a lot to like here.

Skip these if you need strong ANC for commuting or travel. The noise cancellation is the biggest letdown here, and you'll notice the difference immediately if you've tried Sony or Bose. Also skip if you make frequent phone calls, since the mic performance is mediocre at best. And if you're the type who wants a polished companion app experience, the Sennheiser Smart Control app will frustrate you.

Buy these if you care about sound quality above everything else and can live with mediocre ANC. The audio performance is genuinely best-in-class for this price range, and the comfort is excellent once you get the fit dialed in. But if you need strong noise cancellation for commuting or office use, or if you make a lot of phone calls, look elsewhere. The CX Plus is a specialist, not an all-rounder.