Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT vs Earfun Wave Pro X: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Earfun Wave Pro X comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Earfun Wave Pro X - Outstanding overall at around $130.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Earfun Wave Pro X leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT
Earfun Wave Pro X

HearWiki score

Sound

6.6

8.3

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

5.4

9.5

Calls

4.3

7.7

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$110

$130

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Earfun Wave Pro X (2026) against Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT (2020). The Earfun Wave Pro X is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 4.1, Top codec aptX Lossless against aptX, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C.

ATH-AR5BT2020
Wave Pro X20266 yr newer

What differsATH-AR5BTWave Pro X

Bluetooth: 4.1; 6.0
Top codec: aptX; aptX Lossless
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes

Specifications

ATH-AR5BTWave Pro X

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $110; $130
HearWiki score: 53; 85
Released: 2020; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 2× 45 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 45 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 2; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 40 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 39 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 4.1; 6.0
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX; SBC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; -
Battery life: 30 h; 90 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 50 h
Full charge time: 300 min; 120 min
Wireless charging: No; -
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: -; hybrid
Transparency mode: -; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: buttons; buttons
Weight: 242 g; 259 g
Water resistance: none; -
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: No; Yes
Connector: 3.5 mm; -
Microphones: 1; 8
Microphone type: condenser; -
Mic sensitivity: -44 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; noise-cancelling mic

Specification comparison of Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT vs Earfun Wave Pro X
Spec	Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT	Earfun Wave Pro X
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$110	$130
HearWiki score	53 / 100 Average	85 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2020	2026
Audio
Driver	2× 45 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	45 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	2	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 40 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	39 Ω	-
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	4.1	6.0
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX	SBC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	-
Battery
Battery life	30 h	90 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	50 h
Full charge time	300 min	120 min
Wireless charging	No	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	-	hybrid
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	buttons	buttons
Design
Weight	242 g	259 g
Water resistance	none	-
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	No	Yes
Connector	3.5 mm	-
Calls
Microphones	1	8
Microphone type	condenser	-
Mic sensitivity	-44 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	noise-cancelling mic

What reviewers said

Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT

The Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT is a wireless over-ear headphone that balances a wide, clear soundstage with a forward upper-midrange for added vocal clarity, though it can fatigue at higher volumes. It offers a generous 30-hour battery life and reliable Bluetooth connectivity, making it a solid choice for long listening sessions. Its passive isolation is decent, but it lacks active noise cancellation and water resistance.

Pro:Long 30-hour battery life
Pro:Wide and spacious soundstage
Pro:Clear, detailed upper mids

Con:Forward upper mids can sound harsh
Con:Vocals may come across as cold
Con:No active noise cancellation

Earfun Wave Pro X

The Earfun Wave Pro X is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that pairs hybrid active noise cancellation with an impressively long battery life. It supports a wide range of high-quality Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC and aptX Lossless, and offers multipoint connectivity for seamless device switching. With its 40mm dynamic drivers and customizable EQ, it aims to deliver a versatile and immersive listening experience at a competitive price point.

Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
Pro:Exceptional battery life, especially with ANC off
Pro:Supports high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless

Con:Plastic build may not feel as premium as pricier rivals
Con:Controls are limited to physical buttons
Con:Frequency response is somewhat narrow for an over-ear model

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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