When Huawei launched the FreeBuds Pro almost two years ago, the headphones were among the best in-ear models on the market. We were just as surprised by the powerful sound as by the noise cancellation. Now Huawei has relaunched the headphones and is sending the FreeBuds Pro into the 2nd generation. The price: around 180 euros. But can Huawei keep up with sound specialists like Sony, Yamaha or Grell and their excellent in-ear headphones? After all, a lot has happened in the past two years and new models like the Sony LinkBuds S deliver outstanding sound and a great ANC for just 160 euros.
The FreeBuds Pro 2 is available on special offer (until July 26th) with the free addition of a fitness tracker (Huawei Band 7) for 199 euros. Find out more about the Huawei offers here.
Fit and comfort of the Huawei headphones
In our test of the first generation, we already praised the high wearing comfort. Since the design has hardly changed compared to the 2020 model, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 also sit wonderfully easily in the ear canal. Once you have found the right silicone inserts – Huawei supplies three pairs of ear pads in different sizes – the headphones are very comfortable to wear. However, the shape prevents them from sliding a millimeter deeper into the ear canal. The Melomania 1+ or the LinkBuds S can do that much better. The result is that the ear cushions do not close perfectly and there are losses in sound and ANC. However, since every ear is shaped differently, it is not easy to make a general statement about the fit.
Operating the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2
When it comes to operation, many in-ear headphones reveal weaknesses. Sluggish response after tapping or lack of adjustment options, so that you end up having to pull out the phone to adjust the volume. But not the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2. For example, you can swipe up and down on one of the two earphones to increase or decrease the volume. You can pause and continue playing music with a short squeeze of the headphones. One double press and you skip a song. If you hold one of the headphones, you can switch from ANC to transparency mode.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2: in-ear headphones in the test
The headphones implement the input quickly. Nothing is missing in terms of operation. Nevertheless, actions can be changed in the Huawei AI app. The type of operation is wonderful, as there are never any incorrect entries. This is different with in-ear headphones with large touch surfaces. If you push them back into the ear canal, you can accidentally trigger actions. But not with the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2.
Sound and ANC of the in-ear headphones
The first generation of Huawei FreeBuds Pro surprised us with their sound. However, a lot has happened in the headphone market in the past two years. Whether ex-Sennheiser developer Grell or Sony, whether brands like Klipsch, Cambridge Audio or inexpensive providers like Soundcore: the sound of the true wireless in-ear headphones has improved by worlds. Huawei hasn't slept in the past two years either. In terms of battery performance and operation, nothing has changed and only little has changed in terms of design. But when it comes to the sound, the Chinese go a step further.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2: in-ear headphones in the test
The headphones press the sound powerfully into the ear. The massive bass, which is incredibly precise and explosive, is always amazing. But it's not just the depths that impress. The overall sound is very balanced and natural. Sound corrections are hardly necessary. Voices are separated from instruments superbly and detail abounds around every corner. As mentioned at the beginning, the sound could be a little better if the headphones sat better in the auditory canal. This also applies to the ANC.
If you switch the active noise cancellation on and off again and again, you will notice how background noise disappears. However, there are headphones that can do this better than the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2. Above all, the Sony WF-1000XM4 (test) are among them.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2: in-ear headphones in the test
When it comes to making calls, however, the Huawei headphones have the edge. Here you can see that Huawei is familiar with telecommunications. The integrated microphones pick up your own voice wonderfully, transmit it to the mobile phone via Bluetooth and are then carried thousands of kilometers further via mobile phone networks almost in real time. The interlocutor understands you clearly and distinctly. The reverse is also the case.
The battery life and the case of the headphones
Together with the charging case, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 offer up to 30 hours of playback time. But that only applies if you turn off ANC while listening to music. Otherwise the time is reduced to 18 hours. With one charge and noise canceling switched on, you can listen to music for up to 4 hours – provided you don't crank it up to the max. If the headphones are empty, they need a 40-minute break in the case to be ready for another 4 hours. Incidentally, the case can not only be charged via USB-C cable, but also wirelessly via Qi. This works on a corresponding charging station or via the mobile phone if it supports reverse charging.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2: in-ear headphones in the test
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 in the test: the conclusion
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 don't necessarily stand out from the crowd, don't attract attention with unprecedented features. Rather, they are solid companions for everyday use. Not only are they perfect for making phone calls, they also deliver good sound when listening to music. The ANC is fine. However, other specialists such as Sony show that it can be done better. Due to the fact that the headphones are quite light, the wearing comfort is very high. However, the low weight and small size also have disadvantages. Only small batteries fit in, which leads to a runtime of only 4 hours. If you switch off the ANC, you still get 6.5 hours.
Per
Balanced sound with massive bass Wonderful for telephoning High wearing comfort Light and small case Great operating principle
Cons
ANC could be betterBattery life just average
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