Edifier NeoBuds Planar Earbuds

Edifier NeoBuds Planar Earbuds Review

Brand: Edifier
Released: February 20, 2025
Updated: 5 months ago
4.0
Overall review score
237
Review insights
50
Scored features
14
Expert reviews

Bottom Line

Choose these for detailed, airy sound, broad codec support, comfort, and solid ANC. Skip them if you need heavy bass, top-tier battery life, natural transparency, or obvious value at $300.

Best for

Best for detail-focused listeners who value separation, treble clarity, high-resolution codec support, and a planar-style presentation over mainstream bass impact. They also suit users who want comfort, app customization, and solid everyday ANC.

Not for

Not for bassheads, bargain hunters, or shoppers who want the strongest battery life, most natural transparency, or simplest all-round flagship experience. They are also a risky pick if low-end punch matters more than detail.

Verdict

The Edifier NeoBuds Planar earn their strongest praise for precision, separation, treble detail, codec support, comfort, and a capable app. Reviewers often describe them as unusually revealing and audiophile-leaning for true wireless earbuds, with ANC that is good enough for daily use and sometimes genuinely impressive. The tradeoff is that the same planar character can feel light in bass weight or unforgiving with some tracks, and the EQ does not always fix that. Battery life, transparency, call noise reduction, and price also keep them from being an easy all-round recommendation.

Feature Scorecards

Summary

50 reviewed features
  • Very positive 4.5-5.0
    17 (34%)
  • Positive 3.5-4.4
    22 (44%)
  • Neutral 2.5-3.4
    10 (20%)
  • Very negative below 1.5
    1 (2%)

Pros highlights

  • 4.5
    14 reviews strong consensus
    Sound quality: 4.5, 14 reviews, strong consensus
    Reviewers strongly agree the NeoBuds Planar are detail-first earbuds with unusually precise, clean sound, though a few found the tuning inconsistent or easier to admire than love.
  • 3.8
    14 reviews low consensus
    Bass performance: 3.8, 14 reviews, low consensus
    Bass is the most divisive sound attribute: some reviewers heard deep or strong bass with the right fit or preset, while others found it light, thin, or lacking punch.
  • 4.1
    12 reviews strong consensus
    Active noise cancellation: 4.1, 12 reviews, strong consensus
    ANC is broadly seen as good to impressive for everyday noise, though several reviewers note it is not the strongest at this price or for deep low-frequency rumble.
  • 3.8
    10 reviews strong consensus
    Microphone quality for calls: 3.8, 10 reviews, strong consensus
    Call quality ranges from excellent to merely okay, with most reviewers finding voices intelligible but not always natural, loud, or class-leading.
  • 4.3
    8 reviews moderate consensus
    Treble clarity: 4.3, 8 reviews, moderate consensus
    Treble detail is a major strength, often described as crisp, clean, or precise, but some reviewers found the highs bright, toasty, or potentially fatiguing.
  • App
    4.2
    8 reviews moderate consensus
    App: 4.2, 8 reviews, moderate consensus
    The app is mostly praised as useful, stable, and customizable, although one reviewer found its look ugly and another noted missing device-list convenience.

Cons highlights

  • 3.1
    13 reviews low consensus
    Value for money: 3.1, 13 reviews, low consensus
    Value for money is heavily split by region and priorities: sound-focused reviewers can justify it, but many think the price is too high versus competitors.
  • 3.4
    11 reviews low consensus
    Equalizer customization: 3.4, 11 reviews, low consensus
    EQ customization is polarizing: reviewers like the depth and flexibility, but many criticize limited bands, poor bass impact, or weak responsiveness.
  • 3.1
    7 reviews moderate consensus
    Battery: 3.1, 7 reviews, moderate consensus
    Battery life is average to mediocre overall; some reviewers found it acceptable, but many expected more from a premium-priced earbud.
  • 3.1
    6 reviews moderate consensus
    Microphone noise reduction: 3.1, 6 reviews, moderate consensus
    Microphone noise reduction is mixed: some reviewers heard good wind or background reduction, while others found ambient noise pickup and noisy conditions problematic.
  • 3.1
    5 reviews strong consensus
    Transparency mode quality: 3.1, 5 reviews, strong consensus
    Transparency mode is functional but not a standout; reviewers praised voice-focused tools in one case but often found it muffled, unnatural, or merely adequate.
  • 3.4
    5 reviews low consensus
    Carry case quality: 3.4, 5 reviews, low consensus
    Carry case impressions are mixed: reviewers liked its secure magnets or compact/pocketable feel, but others criticized its size, looks, or chunkiness.

Compared With Category Average

Compared with other Earbuds, this product is above average in aptX, LDAC, Codec support, near average in Sound quality, Bass performance, below average in Spatial audio, Volume output, Value for money.

Comparison summary

49 compared features
  • Above average 0.4+ pts higher
    18 (37%)
  • Same as average within 0.3 pts
    19 (39%)
  • Below average 0.4+ pts lower
    12 (24%)

Largest category differences

Attribute This product Category average Difference
aptX 5.0 2.6 +2.4
Spatial audio 1.0 3.3 -2.3
LDAC 5.0 3.2 +1.8
Codec support 5.0 3.6 +1.4
Lossless audio support 5.0 3.6 +1.4
Smudge resistance 4.5 3.1 +1.4
Volume output 2.7 3.9 -1.3
Value for money 3.1 4.1 -1.0

Consider This Instead

If you want better Value for money

Choose Sony WF-C510 Earbuds. It scores 4.7 vs 3.1 for Value for money, with a 3.9 overall score.

Compare

Compared in Reviews

Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.

  • Similar: microphone quality The reviewer rates mic pickup in the same class as Sony WF-1000XM5.
  • Compared: market competition The reviewer cites Sony’s WF-1000XM5 as tough competition for the NeoBuds Planar.
  • Better: active noise cancellation PCMag says the NeoBuds Planar ANC trails the Sony WF-1000XM5.

AirPods Pro 2

  • Better: transparency mode The reviewer says the best transparency benchmark is AirPods Pro 2, not the NeoBuds Planar.
  • Similar: active noise cancellation The reviewer felt the ANC was about as capable as AirPods Pro 2.
  • Cheaper: price The reviewer says the NeoBuds Planar cost more than AirPods Pro 2 in the U.S.

Denon PERL Pro

  • Similar: microphone quality The reviewer rates mic pickup in the same class as Denon PERL Pro.
  • Similar: microphone quality The reviewer ranked the mic quality alongside Denon PERL Pro.

FAQ

Do the Edifier NeoBuds Planar sound good?

Yes, reviewers mostly praise their detailed, precise, and spacious sound. The main caveat is bass: some heard strong bass with the right fit, while others found the low end lacking punch.

Are they good for bass-heavy music?

They are not the safest choice for bass-first listeners. Several reviewers liked the bass after adjusting fit or using Dynamic EQ, but many said the planar drivers lack low-end weight or wallop.

How good is the noise cancellation?

ANC is generally good to impressive for everyday environments such as cafes, commuting, and office noise. It is less consistently praised for airplane-style low-frequency rumble or versus Bose, Apple, and Sony flagships.

Is the battery life a weakness?

Battery life is one of the more common complaints. Reviewers often described it as average, mediocre, or disappointing for the price, even though a few found it acceptable.

Are the controls and app easy to use?

The app is usually praised for customization, but the EQ and mode switching can feel more complicated than necessary. Squeeze controls are often reliable, though some reviewers noticed delay or weaker responsiveness.

Who are these earbuds best for?

They fit listeners who care most about detail retrieval, instrument separation, high-resolution codec support, and an uncommon planar sound. They are less suited to casual shoppers who want a simple all-rounder.

Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed

These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.

Video Reviews

Article Reviews

Top Earbuds to Consider

#1 Activo Scoop
4.7

Best for detailed, natural wired sound, three connector options, and standout value around $99. Skip it if you need wireless features, stronger bass, softer treble, or a compact fit for...

Pros: Value for money, Multi-platform compatibility

#2 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5
4.5

Choose these for excellent, balanced sound, a comfortable redesign, deep EQ tools and uniquely replaceable batteries. Skip them if you need class-leading ANC, consistently great calls or the smoothest treble...

Pros: User-replaceable batteries, Overall satisfaction

Cons: Auracast support, Sensors

#3 Apple AirPods 5
4.4

Choose the AirPods 5 for strong open-ear ANC, clearer sound, easy Apple-device switching, and excellent value. Skip them if you need all-day battery, a very secure workout fit, or full...

Pros: Overall satisfaction, Sound quality

Cons: Battery, Eartips fit

#4 JBL Tour Pro 3 Earbuds
4.4

Choose the JBL Tour Pro 3 if you want feature-packed earbuds with strong sound, ANC, LDAC and a genuinely useful smart case. Skip them if you have smaller ears, want...

Pros: Sound quality, Carry case quality

Cons: Portability/foldability, Button control usability