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; -
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

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	-
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

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds 3

The Huawei FreeBuds 3 are open-fit wireless earbuds that pair a sizeable dynamic driver with adaptive noise cancellation, aiming to deliver solid audio in a compact package. They offer a comfortable fit, decent battery life with a wireless-charging case, and good value for their price, though the ANC performance can be inconsistent and weaker than some rivals. Overall, they strike a balance between sound quality and features, but may not satisfy those seeking top-tier noise isolation.

Pro:Clear audio with notably deep bass
Pro:Compact case with wireless charging support
Pro:Respectable battery life with quick top-ups

Con:ANC effectiveness varies and can be weak
Con:No transparency mode or multipoint connectivity
Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are high-end true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive noise cancellation with a 10mm dynamic driver for rich sound, supporting LDAC and AAC codecs. They deliver up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge (10 with ANC), extend to 28 hours with the case, and offer multipoint pairing for up to three devices. With IPX4 sweat resistance, wireless charging, and touch controls, they're a versatile premium option.

Pro:Excellent battery life, even with ANC engaged
Pro:Multipoint connectivity for up to three devices
Pro:Supports high-resolution LDAC audio

Con:Premium price point
Con:No ear tips included in the box
Con:Touch controls may take time to master

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

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Huawei FreeBuds 3 Technics EAH-AZ100