Huawei FreeBuds 4 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

Huawei FreeBuds 4

52Average

$190

Full review data

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 4
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

5.7

9.2

Noise cancelling

3.0

8.6

Battery

3.1

8.7

Calls

5.4

7.8

Value

8.1

Price (USD)

$190

$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?

New platform

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against Huawei FreeBuds 4 (2021). The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Custom EQ.

FreeBuds 42021
EAH-AZ10020254 yr newer

What differsFreeBuds 4EAH-AZ100

Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes

Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

FreeBuds 4EAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $190; $250
HearWiki score: 52; 86
Released: 2021; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 14.3 mm driver; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: -; dynamic
Driver size: 14.3 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: 90 ms; -
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 4 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 2.5 h; 10 h
Battery incl. case: 22 h; 28 h
Full charge time: 60 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 15 min → 2.5 h; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 4.1 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 38 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: USB-C; -
Microphones: 2; 2
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Huawei FreeBuds 4 vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	Huawei FreeBuds 4	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$190	$250
HearWiki score	52 / 100 Average	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2025
Audio
Driver	14.3 mm driver	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	-	dynamic
Driver size	14.3 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 40 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.2	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	90 ms	-
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	4 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	2.5 h	10 h
Battery incl. case	22 h	28 h
Full charge time	60 min	120 min
Quick charge	15 min → 2.5 h	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	4.1 g	11.8 g
Case weight	38 g	42 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	USB-C	-
Calls
Microphones	2	2
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds 4

The Huawei FreeBuds 4 are open-fit true wireless earbuds that prioritize comfort and a lightweight feel over strong noise isolation. They offer a solid feature set including hybrid ANC, Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint, and wireless charging, but their battery life is notably short, especially with ANC active. They are best suited for those who value an airy, non-sealing fit and are willing to accept trade-offs in endurance and noise cancellation.

Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable open-fit design
Pro:Hybrid active noise cancellation and transparency mode included
Pro:Supports multipoint connection and wireless charging

Con:Battery life is modest, especially with ANC on (2.5 hours)
Con:Noise cancellation is weaker than in-ear alternatives
Con:No custom EQ options

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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