We tested the Pi6 earbuds and this is why you need them
In partnership with Bowers & Wilkins
Wireless earbuds have only been around for a decade or so, but they’ve already become an essential part of modern life. And, as the way we live changes – more remote working, more travelling between side hustles – we expect more from our earbuds. They aren’t just for listening to music, though obviously that’s important; they’re also our way of communicating with co-workers when we’re on the hop.
This is where Bowers & Wilkins’ new Pi6 True Wireless earbuds come in. They draw from the world-class tech that made Bowers & Wilkins’ previous headphones so popular, but deliver the same impeccable audio and call quality in a new, highly portable form. You’ll hardly believe these buds weigh just 7g each – about the same as a 2p coin.
After giving them a thorough road test, here are five reasons why we’re convinced they’re the best buds on the market right now.

The sound quality really is excellent
Artists work hard to make sure their bops really pop – it’s not uncommon for a song to go through dozens of different mixes before the final version is signed off. So, why spoil the effect by listening on tinny old headphones? Pi6 earbuds come with Bowers & Wilkins’ market-leading True Sound technology, which means you’ll hear every single note exactly as the artist intended it.
This means that every stadium-ready guitar solo, floor-filling beat and show-stopping vocal performance will sound crystal-clear, whether you’re listening at top volume or at a slightly more mindful level. Once you’ve heard your favourite album on Pi6 earbuds, you won’t want to accept anything less.
The microphone quality is also top-notch
When you’re working hard, your Pi6 earbuds will work harder. If you’re out and about and need to take a phone call or join a Teams meeting, they really come into their own.
That’s because of their innovative industrial design, which positions their antennas and microphones within the actual earbud to stop audio signals from getting blocked. Each earbud has three microphones, ensuring uninterrupted sound and call performance. For better or worse, you won’t miss a word of what your line manager has to say.
Pi6 earbuds also come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and custom-written Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology, which sounds fancy but just means you’ll get impeccable call quality wherever you are. By reducing distortion and improving high-frequency detail, Pi6’s drive units deliver music with lifelike clarity and detail.
So, with Pi6, taking a quick call in the gym never has to be stressful again. And if you don’t want your co-workers to know where you really are, they’ll never be able to guess. These earbuds have your back.
They’re built with busy lives in mind
There’s nothing worse than having your earbuds die halfway through an Interrail ride or long-haul flight. This won’t happen with Pi6 earbuds because they offer eight hours of listening life – enough to keep you going all day – plus super-fast recharging.
After just 15 minutes in their charging case, they’re good to go for another two hours, so you’ll never have to wait long to hear the end of a podcast.
In total, the charging case supports up to 16 hours of further listening – on top of the buds’ eight hours, meaning the Pi6 have you covered for up to 24 hours. That’s an epic listening experience in more ways than one.
Oh, and because of the secure way they’re constructed, you can enjoy your favourite tunes in any weather without worrying about dust or water damage.

They look and feel great
Pi6 earbuds have a bang-on-trend industrial design and come in four slick finishes: Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Forest Green and Glacier Blue. They’re all cool neutral shades, so there’s no chance of looking like you have a giant jelly bean wedged in each ear.
And, crucially, these earbuds feel as good as they look. With four ear tip sizes included, you’ll find the perfect fit easily. The different tip sizes mean you can also share your buds with a mate when you want to watch a TikTok together – hey, we all do it sometimes.
They’re a sound investment – quite literally
With Pi6 earbuds, you get a lot of bang for your buck. At £219, they’re not cheap, but they do offer the very best audio experience in their price range. You just won’t get this kind of sound quality with other, standard buds.
And think about it: if you add up how much time you spend listening to your favourite bands and podcasts, the cost-per-minute is pretty minimal. Pi6 earbuds are an everyday luxury it’s worth splashing out on, and they’re always in your pocket when you need them.
On top of that, you can use your new earbuds with the Bowers & Wilkins app – which allows you to stream in high resolution to your speakers or headphones, as well as integrating your favourite services such as Spotify and Apple Music. It’s super simple to set up and easy to use.
Pi6 in-ear True Wireless earbuds are available to buy here
The post We tested the Pi6 earbuds and this is why you need them appeared first on NME.
NME
NME