True Wireless
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5
85Outstanding
$240
Full review dataHuawei FreeBuds Pro 5 vs Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 - Outstanding overall at around $240.
True Wireless
Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless
76Great
$190
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery6.0
Calls6.0
Value5.0
Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery7.0
Calls6.5
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 | Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $240 | $190 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 76 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2026 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | hybrid | Sennheiser’s TrueResponse transducer |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 7 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz - 48 kHz | 5 Hz - 21 kHz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 114 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, L2HC 4.0 | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Wireless range | 12 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 9 h | 8 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h | - |
| Battery incl. case | 38 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 90 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 3 min = ~1 h | 10 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | feedback |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | Yes | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 5.5 g | 6 g |
| Case weight | 43 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Model code | HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 4 |
| Call noise reduction | - | 2 mic beamforming per earbud |
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
Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless
The Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless earbuds deliver a well-rounded package with solid sound, effective noise cancellation, and broad codec support, making them a strong mid-range option. They offer practical features like quick charging and splash resistance, though some trade-offs exist in fit and app stability. Overall, they strike a good balance for everyday use, especially for commuters.
- Pro:Natural, well-balanced sound
- Pro:Strong ANC for the price
- Pro:Wide codec support including aptX Adaptive
- Con:Battery life varies with volume and ANC use
- Con:App can be frustrating to use
- Con:Occasional connectivity quirks
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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