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Huawei FreeBuds Neo vs Technics EAH-AZ80: 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 5 of 7 measures.

  • Huawei FreeBuds Neo
  • Technics EAH-AZ80
HearWiki score
85
79
Sound
8.0
8.6
Noise cancelling
8.0
7.8
Battery
8.0
6.9
Calls
8.0
7.1
Value
9.0
9.0
Price (USD)
$110
$200

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?

Half a step newer

Huawei FreeBuds Neo (2026) against Technics EAH-AZ80 (2023). The Huawei FreeBuds Neo edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Water resistance IP55 against IPX4.

  • FreeBuds Neo20263 yr newer
  • EAH-AZ802023
What differsFreeBuds NeoEAH-AZ80

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP55
IPX4

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

Specifications

FreeBuds NeoEAH-AZ80
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$110
$200
HearWiki score
85
79
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 - 40 kHz
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
LDAC
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
10 h
7.5 h
Battery life (ANC on)
6.5 h
7 h
Battery incl. case
40 h
24 h
Full charge time
-
120 min
Quick charge
-
15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging
-
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
hybrid
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
4.8 g
7 g
Case weight
-
50 g
Water resistance
IP55
IPX4
USB-C
-
Yes
Microphones
4
8
Microphone type
-
MEMS

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

Technics EAH-AZ80

The Technics EAH-AZ80 are premium wireless earbuds that deliver high-fidelity audio with support for LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs, alongside hybrid active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. They feature an 8-microphone array for clear calls and Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity for up to three devices, all in a comfortable, IPX4-rated design with wireless charging. With a 10 mm dynamic driver and a 20 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, these earbuds aim for a rich, detailed listening experience.

  • Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
  • Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode for versatile listening
  • Pro:Multipoint connection for up to three devices
  • Con:Battery life is modest at 7 hours with ANC
  • Con:Touch controls may require adjustment
  • Con:Price is on the higher side for the feature set

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

Compare something else

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New comparisonHuawei FreeBuds NeoTechnics EAH-AZ80