WIRELESS IN-EAR BUDS

Our round-up of the best true-wireless in-ear headphones between £100 and £150

If you’re still using wired in-ear headphones, might we respectfully suggest that you consider an upgrade. First off, wires are a pain. They get twisted, tangled up and in the way. Any over-exuberant, microphone-toting lead singer will tell you that, when you’re in full gyratory mode on stage, they can also cause considerable embarrassment.

Secondly, true wireless in-ear buds have, of late, become truly desirable – and within reach. If your budget covers the £100-£150 price bracket, you now have a wide range of capable devices to choose from.

Among the newest to join their number are the Studio Buds from Beats, the brand formed by American rapper Dr Dre. They do a fine job, but have found themselves on the retail stage alongside a cluster of first-rate rival performers, the pick of which we feature here. Together they make up our very own Magnificent Seven. This is a golden time for true wireless buds. Only a few years ago they existed solely in the minds of electronics engineers, and up until a year or two ago they could only be had for premium money. But intense competition and tech advances have combined to bring reliable, quality sound into this modest price bracket.

Today’s best buds aren’t just affordable and sweet-sounding though, they’re also laden with cleverly applied features. Most of the models we cover in this round-up, for example, have active noise-cancelling – formerly only the preserve of their bulkier cousin, the on-ear headphone.

Remember, though, that your buds and your ears really need to hit it off. An imperfect fit won’t just compromise the bass and produce a thin, bright sound, it will also mess with any noise-cancelling technology; so make sure you choose a model that comes with plenty of different-sized tips. With luck, they’ll be ‘perfick’.