Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2

The best sound in any true wireless bud, ruined by janky connectivity and a shockingly bad app. You have to really, really love music to put up with them.

What surprised us most is the disconnect between our data and real-world feedback. These measure in the 97th percentile for ANC in our database, yet owners consistently call it mediocre. That tells you everything about how buggy the overall experience can be. On the other hand, the sound is absolutely gorgeous—98th percentile isn't just a number, it's the best you can get in true wireless earbuds right now. Musical detail and staging are jaw-dropping. But you'll need to put up with the jank to enjoy it.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the obvious rivals. Sony delivers a polished all-around experience, class-leading ANC, and a solid app, with sound that's maybe 90% as good. Bose's ANC is the best in the business, period. Both are far more reliable day-to-day. The Pi7 S2 wins on pure audio fidelity alone—if you're that person who can hear the difference and is willing to live with the headache, you might still choose them. But for anyone else, the Sony or Bose are smarter buys.

At $399 to $499, these are a very tough sell. The Sony WF-1000XM5 costs less, gives you better ANC, a more reliable app, longer battery life, and still excellent audio. Unless that final fraction of sound quality is absolutely non-negotiable, save your money.

Here's the short version: the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 sound incredible—like, best-in-class incredible—but they're held back by a mess of connectivity problems, a clunky app, and battery life that feels a generation behind. If you're willing to wrestle with those trade-offs for that pristine audio, they're a unique treat. Most people will find the experience too frustrating to justify the price.

If reliable wireless, strong ANC, or a polished app matter to you, look elsewhere. The Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra are far better companions for daily life.

We can't recommend the Pi7 S2 for most people. The sound is exceptional, no question, but the package is heavily compromised by unreliability and a poor app experience. You'll find better all-arounders for less money. Only consider these if you're a hardcore audio purist who values sonic bliss above a smooth user experience.