Newest Headphones in the HearWiki Catalog: August 2026 Roundup

These are the newest arrivals in the HearWiki catalog, not necessarily same-week launches. We have added 13 products across IEMs, gaming headsets, over-ear headphones, and true wireless earbuds. Some are fully reviewed with scores; others are listed with basic specs while we work through testing. Here is what the data shows, grouped by what is happening in each category.

The Budget True Wireless Race Heats Up

The most crowded part of this month's catalog is at the budget end of the true wireless market. Three new models sit between $50 and $60, and their scores suggest you no longer need to spend a lot for solid ANC and call quality.

The EarFun Air Pro 4i is the cheapest at $50 and scores 78/100. Its subscores are notable: 8/10 for sound, 8/10 for ANC, and 8.5/10 for value. The data shows effective noise cancellation and a balanced sound signature at a price that undercuts most rivals. The trade-offs are a plastic build, finicky touch controls, and no wireless charging case.

The Redmi Buds 8 Pro also scores 75/100 at $60. The summary points to a pronounced bass response and clear calls, but battery life is the weak spot. If you prioritise low-end punch over endurance, this is worth a look. If you need all-day battery, look elsewhere.

The Soundcore P42i scores 74/100 at $60. Its strengths are comfort, battery life, and LDAC support, which is rare at this price. The case is bulky and the touch controls can be oversensitive. For a fuller comparison of these two $60 options, see our Soundcore P42i vs Redmi Buds 8 Pro page.

If you are shopping strictly on value, the EarFun Air Pro 4i is the standout from this group. For a broader view of what else is out there, check our budget earbuds under $50 list.

Flagship ANC: Sony and Sennheiser Push Forward

At the premium end, two big names have new entries. The Sony WH-1000X The ColleXion is an over-ear model priced at $648 with a score of 78/100. Its ANC subscore is 9/10, the highest in this roundup. The value subscore is 5/10, which tells you the price is steep. Battery life is 32 hours, and it supports LDAC and AAC. If ANC is your priority and budget is not, this is the one to watch.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 scores 78/100 at $300. It supports 24-bit lossless audio over Bluetooth 6.0, which is a first for the MOMENTUM line. The sound subscore is 8.5/10, the best among the true wireless models here. Battery life is 12 hours per charge. The main caveat is that Bluetooth 6.0 is not yet supported by all phones, so you may not get the full lossless experience immediately.

Both are strong, but they serve different needs. The Sony is for over-ear listeners who want maximum noise cancellation. The Sennheiser is for true wireless buyers who want the best possible sound quality. If you are deciding between them, our Sony WH-1000X The ColleXion vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 comparison may help.

For more options, see our best ANC earbuds and best over-ear pages.

Gaming Headsets: Two New Contenders

The gaming category has two new arrivals, and they are interesting because they sit at very different prices.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is priced at $115 and scores 78/100. It has 50 hours of battery life, ANC, and Bluetooth 5.3. The subscores are balanced: 8/10 for sound, 7.5/10 for ANC, 8.5/10 for battery, and 7.5/10 for value. That is a strong all-rounder for the price.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II costs $350 and also scores 78/100. It has 40 hours of battery life and larger 60mm drivers. The subscores are nearly identical to the SteelSeries, with the value subscore slightly lower at 7/10. The data suggests you are paying a premium for the Turtle Beach brand and build, but not getting a higher score.

Given the price difference, the SteelSeries looks like the better value. For a direct comparison, see SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni vs Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II. If you are building a gaming setup, our best gaming headsets list is a good starting point.

Wired IEMs and a Portable Bundle

For wired listeners, there are three new entries, each with a different focus.

The Campfire Audio Andromeda 10 is the most expensive product in this roundup at $1799. It scores 82/100, the highest score here. It uses ten balanced armature drivers and has a sound subscore of 8.5/10. The value subscore is 6.5/10, which reflects the high price. This is an anniversary edition that doubles the original five-driver design. It is for serious listeners with a quality source; the data notes it needs that to shine.

The Hidizs MK12 x DucBloke + AP80 PRO MAX is a bundle at $428 that pairs a single 12mm dynamic driver IEM with a compact music player. It scores 76/100. The sound subscore is 7.5/10. The bundle includes a leather case and velvet ear tips. It is a complete portable setup, but the large metal housing may not suit everyone.

Finally, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro is listed as an IEM in our catalog, though it is a true wireless model. It costs $170 and scores 78/100. Its standout feature is call quality, with a 8.5/10 subscore for calls and a claim of record-breaking speech quality in objective tests. ANC is 7.5/10. If you take a lot of calls in noisy places, this is worth a look.

For more wired options, see our best wired IEMs page.

Not Yet Scored

Two products in this roundup do not have scores yet. The Audeze Maxwell 2 is listed at $303 with a 90mm planar driver and 80 hours of battery life, but we have not finished testing it. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max is priced at $230 and has a provisional score of 72/100, but we are still verifying its performance. We will update both entries as soon as testing is complete.

What We Are Watching Next

We are keeping an eye on the Audeze Maxwell 2, as its driver size and battery claims are unusual for the price. We are also watching how the budget true wireless market evolves, given how close the scores are between the EarFun, Redmi, and Soundcore models. Finally, the Sony WH-1000X The ColleXion raises the question of whether a premium price can be justified by ANC alone. For the latest additions, see our newest headphones page. For a broader view of what we recommend, start with our best headphones guide.

By Miles Archer · HearWiki