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Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 vs OnePlus Buds Z: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 - Great overall at around $199.

Score breakdown

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

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5
  • OnePlus Buds Z
HearWiki score
83
64
Sound
8.6
6.0
Noise cancelling
8.7
-
Battery
8.2
6.5
Calls
8.7
6.0
Value
8.3
7.5
Price (USD)
$200
$50

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 Pro 5 (2026) against OnePlus Buds Z (2020). The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.0 and Top codec LDAC against AAC. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, Wear detection and Transparency mode.

  • FreeBuds Pro 520266 yr newer
  • Buds Z2020
What differsFreeBuds Pro 5Buds Z

Platform

Bluetooth
6.0
5.0
Top codec
LDAC
AAC

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP57
IP55

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

FreeBuds Pro 5Buds Z
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$200
$50
HearWiki score
83
64
Released
2026
2020
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
2-driver hybrid
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
hybrid
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
10 mm
Drivers per side
2
1
Frequency response
10 Hz - 48 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity
-
97 dB/mW
Bluetooth
6.0
5.0
Codecs
LDAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wireless range
12 m
10 m
Battery life
9 h
5 h
Battery life (ANC on)
5 h
-
Battery incl. case
33 h
20 h
Full charge time
40 min
-
Quick charge
3 min → 1 h
10 min → 3 h
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
-
none
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
5.5 g
4.3 g
Case weight
43 g
40 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP55
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Pad material
silicone
-
Microphones
3
2
Microphone type
MEMS
-
Call noise reduction
Yes
-

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 are high-end true wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation and a robust IP57 rating for water and dust resistance. They deliver a wide frequency response up to 48 kHz, support Bluetooth 6, and offer strong battery life with quick charging, making them a solid pick for those seeking premium features and connectivity.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Strong IP57 water resistance for earbuds
  • Pro:Wide 10 Hz–48 kHz frequency range
  • Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC on (6 hours)
  • Con:Requires compatible devices for L2HC codec full quality
  • Con:Price is on the higher side for TWS earbuds

OnePlus Buds Z

The OnePlus Buds Z are an affordable pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver a decent, bass-leaning sound for the price. They offer a straightforward feature set with IP55 water resistance, touch controls, and a comfortable fit, making them a practical choice for budget-minded listeners. However, their battery life is average, and they lack extras like ANC, app support, or multi-device pairing.

  • Pro:Good value for the price
  • Pro:Comfortable and secure fit
  • Pro:IP55 water and sweat resistance
  • Con:Average battery life
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Limited touch control customization

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

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