Huawei FreeBuds 3 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Technics EAH-AZ100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Technics EAH-AZ100 - Outstanding overall at around $250.

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Technics EAH-AZ100 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Huawei FreeBuds 3
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

6.6

9.2

Noise cancelling

3.5

8.6

Battery

3.4

8.7

Calls

6.6

7.8

Value

2.2

8.1

Price (USD)

$210

$250

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?

Mixed generations

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against Huawei FreeBuds 3 (2020). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Huawei FreeBuds 3 brings ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the Technics EAH-AZ100 answers with Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.1, Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). The Technics EAH-AZ100 answers on convenience features: it adds Multipoint pairing, Transparency mode, Custom EQ and Companion app.

FreeBuds 32020
EAH-AZ10020255 yr newer

What differsFreeBuds 3EAH-AZ100

Bluetooth: 5.1; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes

Level on: Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Water resistance.

Specifications

FreeBuds 3EAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $210; $250
HearWiki score: 47; 86
Released: 2020; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 14.2 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 14.2 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: -; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.1; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Latency: 190 ms; -
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 4 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 4 h; 10 h
Battery incl. case: 20 h; 28 h
Full charge time: 60 min; 120 min
Quick charge: -; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 4.5 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 48 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: -; 2
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of Huawei FreeBuds 3 vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	Huawei FreeBuds 3	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$210	$250
HearWiki score	47 / 100 Weak	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2020	2025
Audio
Driver	14.2 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	14.2 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	-	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.1	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Latency	190 ms	-
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	4 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	4 h	10 h
Battery incl. case	20 h	28 h
Full charge time	60 min	120 min
Quick charge	-	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	4.5 g	11.8 g
Case weight	48 g	42 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	-	2
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds 3

The Huawei FreeBuds 3 are open-fit wireless earbuds that deliver surprisingly clear audio with deep bass, backed by a large dynamic driver and a compact case with fast charging. They feature adaptive active noise cancellation, though its real-world performance can be inconsistent and less effective in some environments. With a lightweight design and IPX4 rating, they offer solid value for their price point, especially for those prioritizing sound over top-tier noise isolation.

Pro:Clear, bass-rich sound quality
Pro:Compact case with fast charging and wireless support
Pro:Lightweight, comfortable open-fit design

Con:ANC is weak and inconsistent in many situations
Con:No transparency mode or app support
Con:Battery life is limited without the case

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver rich, detailed sound through a 10mm dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They combine effective hybrid active noise cancellation with a comfortable, IPX4-rated design, plus smart features like multipoint pairing and wireless charging for versatile daily use. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, they are built to last through long listening sessions.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
Pro:Strong hybrid ANC and transparency modes
Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case

Con:Premium price point
Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
Con:No aptX codec support

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

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