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Huawei FreeBuds Neo vs QCY HT05: which should you buy?

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

Our pick: Huawei FreeBuds Neo - Outstanding overall at around $109.

Score breakdown

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

Huawei FreeBuds Neo leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Huawei FreeBuds Neo
  • QCY HT05
HearWiki score
85
71
Sound
8.0
6.7
Noise cancelling
8.0
6.3
Battery
8.0
6.3
Calls
8.0
5.4
Value
9.0
7.6
Price (USD)
$110
$55

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

Huawei FreeBuds Neo (2026) against QCY HT05 (2023). The Huawei FreeBuds Neo is the newer platform here: Top codec LDAC against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Water resistance IP55 against IPX5.

  • FreeBuds Neo20263 yr newer
  • HT052023
What differsFreeBuds NeoHT05

Platform

Top codec
LDAC
AAC
ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP55
IPX5

Level on: Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

FreeBuds NeoHT05
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$110
$55
HearWiki score
85
71
Released
2026
2023
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
dynamic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
-
10 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
10 Hz - 48 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
32 Ω
Sensitivity
-
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.2
Codecs
LDAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
10 h
8 h
Battery life (ANC on)
6.5 h
6 h
Battery incl. case
40 h
32 h
Full charge time
-
90 min
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
hybrid
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
4.8 g
4.8 g
Case weight
-
47.8 g
Water resistance
IP55
IPX5
USB-C
-
Yes
Microphones
4
6
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
ENC

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds Neo

The Huawei FreeBuds Neo are lightweight, comfortable true wireless earbuds with adaptive active noise cancellation and a robust feature set for their price. They offer solid call quality, a lively sound signature, and practical extras like transparency mode and app support, making them a versatile mid-range option for travel and daily use.

  • Pro:Comfortable and lightweight fit
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC
  • Pro:Good call quality with 4 mics
  • Con:Battery life with ANC is modest
  • Con:May not satisfy audiophiles seeking specialized tuning
  • Con:Touch controls may require adjustment

QCY HT05

The QCY HT05 Melobuds deliver standout hybrid active noise cancellation for their modest price, making them a strong pick for budget-conscious listeners. While their sound signature and call quality aren't class-leading, they offer solid battery life, IPX5 protection, and a comfortable fit, with a unique appeal for those with hearing difficulties.

  • Pro:Excellent hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Comfortable and lightweight design
  • Pro:Good battery life with case
  • Con:Sound quality is not the most refined
  • Con:Call clarity could be better
  • Con:No wireless charging

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

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