Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 vs Realme Buds Air8 Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Realme Buds Air8 Pro comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Realme Buds Air8 Pro - Outstanding overall at around $74.

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Realme Buds Air8 Pro leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Huawei FreeBuds SE 2
Realme Buds Air8 Pro

HearWiki score

Sound

6.1

8.4

Noise cancelling

8.4

Battery

8.9

7.2

Calls

6.7

8.5

Value

9.0

9.2

Price (USD)

$45

$74

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

Realme Buds Air8 Pro (2026) against Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 (2023). The Realme Buds Air8 Pro is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.1 against 5.3, Top codec LHDC against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Wear detection and Water resistance IP55 against IP54.

FreeBuds SE 22023
Buds Air8 Pro20263 yr newer

What differsFreeBuds SE 2Buds Air8 Pro

Bluetooth: 5.3; 6.1
Top codec: AAC; LHDC
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Wear detection: No; Yes
Water resistance: IP54; IP55

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

FreeBuds SE 2Buds Air8 Pro

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $45; $74
HearWiki score: 69; 84
Released: 2023; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 2-driver hybrid
Driver type: dynamic; hybrid
Driver size: 10 mm; 11 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 2
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Bluetooth: 5.3; 6.1
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: -; 45 ms
Battery life: 9 h; 12 h
Battery incl. case: 40 h; 50 h
Full charge time: 60 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3 h; 10 min → 11 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; adaptive
Transparency mode: No; -
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; -
Weight: 3.8 g; 4.8 g
Case weight: 33 g; 53 g
Water resistance: IP54; IP55
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 1; 6
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes
Call NR technology: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 vs Realme Buds Air8 Pro
Spec	Huawei FreeBuds SE 2	Realme Buds Air8 Pro
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$45	$74
HearWiki score	69 / 100 Good	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2023	2026
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	2-driver hybrid
Driver type	dynamic	hybrid
Driver size	10 mm	11 mm
Drivers per side	1	2
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	6.1
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	-	45 ms
Battery
Battery life	9 h	12 h
Battery incl. case	40 h	50 h
Full charge time	60 min	120 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3 h	10 min → 11 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	adaptive
Transparency mode	No	-
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	-
Design
Weight	3.8 g	4.8 g
Case weight	33 g	53 g
Water resistance	IP54	IP55
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	1	6
Call noise reduction	Yes	Yes
Call NR technology	-	AI ENC

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds SE 2

These Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 are a straightforward, budget-friendly true wireless option that focuses on reliable everyday performance. They deliver a balanced sound with a 10mm driver, stable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with multipoint, and an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours with the case. With IP54 water resistance and touch controls, they make a practical choice for users who want essential features without extra frills like noise cancellation.

Pro:Long battery life with charging case
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
Pro:IP54 water and sweat resistance

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Single microphone per earbud

Realme Buds Air8 Pro

The Realme Buds Air8 Pro are feature-rich wireless earbuds that deliver strong adaptive noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a versatile hybrid driver setup for under $100. They offer a long 12-hour battery per charge, Bluetooth 6.1 with triple-device multipoint, and IP55 water resistance, making them a solid everyday choice. Sound tuning requires some adjustment to get the best performance, but the overall package is impressive for the price.

Pro:Strong adaptive ANC and usable transparency mode
Pro:Long 12-hour battery life with 50 hours total via case
Pro:Triple-device multipoint connectivity

Con:Sound tuning needs effort to optimize
Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Battery life per charge may vary depending on usage

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

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