True Wireless
Huawei FreeBuds Neo
85Outstanding
$110
Full review dataHuawei FreeBuds Neo vs Sabbat E16: 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.
True Wireless
Sabbat E16
60Average
$85
Full review dataScore 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
- Sabbat E16
HearWiki score
85
60
Sound
8.0
6.8
Noise cancelling
8.0
-
Battery
8.0
5.6
Calls
8.0
5.4
Value
9.0
6.1
Price (USD)
$110
$85
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 Sabbat E16 (2021). The Huawei FreeBuds Neo is the newer platform here: Top codec LDAC against aptX and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Companion app and Water resistance IP55 against IPX5.
- FreeBuds Neo20265 yr newer
- E162021
What differsFreeBuds NeoE16
- Top codec
- LDAC
- aptX
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP55
- IPX5
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Transparency mode.
Specifications
FreeBuds NeoE16
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $110
- $85
- HearWiki score
- 85
- 60
- Released
- 2026
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- dynamic
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- -
- 2
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 48 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 93 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.2
- Codecs
- LDAC
- SBC, AAC, aptX
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- No
- Latency
- -
- 45 ms
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 10 h
- 6 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 6.5 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- 40 h
- 24 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 60 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 2 h
- Wireless charging
- -
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 4.8 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IP55
- IPX5
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Microphones
- 4
- 2
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- cVc 8.1
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
Sabbat E16
The Sabbat E16 is a hybrid dual-driver TWS earbud that stands out for its clear, natural, and balanced sound at a reasonable price. While it impresses sonically, a finicky fit and noticeable hiss when paused hold it back from being a top pick. It offers solid basics like aptX support, IPX5 water resistance, and wireless charging for everyday convenience.
- Pro:Clear, natural, and balanced sound signature
- Pro:Strong value for the price
- Pro:Supports aptX for better wireless audio
- Con:Tricky, insecure fit for some ears
- Con:Audible white noise when playback is paused
- Con:No active noise cancellation or app 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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