Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 Review: Hi Res Sound & Strong ANC

Do you want premium earbud sound without paying flagship prices? The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 promise just that. They pack a Knowles balanced armature driver, LDAC support, and strong noise cancelling into a stylish case.

I dug into the specs, tests, and user feedback to see if these earbuds really deliver. Some parts impressed me a lot. One part let me down. Keep reading to find out if these buds fit your daily life.

In a Nutshell

• Excellent Sound for the Price: A 10mm dynamic driver works with a Knowles balanced armature driver. You get punchy bass and crisp highs. LDAC and LHDC 5.0 support Hi Res audio up to 192kHz/24 bit.
• Strong and Even Noise Cancelling: Edifier claims up to 50dB of noise reduction with a 5kHz bandwidth. Lab tests show about 20dB of steady reduction across the full frequency range. Few earbuds manage that.
• Short Battery Life: Expect about 4 hours with ANC on. SoundGuys measured 4 hours and 22 minutes. The case brings the total to about 16 hours with ANC, or 22 hours without it.
• Smart Features Galore: You get wear detection, Google Fast Pair, a gaming mode, IP54 resistance, and eight LED color choices on the case.
• Great Value: The retail price is $129.99. The sound and features feel like they belong on earbuds that cost much more.
• Who Should Skip It: Frequent long haul travelers should look elsewhere. The battery will not last a full intercontinental flight.

Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 Overview

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 came out in late 2023. They replaced the original NeoBuds Pro from 2022. Edifier built them for music lovers who want high quality audio on a budget.

The headline feature is the hybrid driver setup. Each earbud has a 10mm dynamic driver and a Knowles balanced armature driver. An active crossover splits the signal between the two. The dynamic driver handles lows and mids. The balanced armature handles the highs.

Edifier also added its Wide Band Multi Channel ANC system. It uses an extra noise cancelling channel to reach deeper and wider noise reduction. The company says it reaches up to 50dB.

Here are the key specs at a glance:

• Drivers: 10mm dynamic plus Knowles balanced armature
• Codecs: LDAC, LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC
• Bluetooth: Version 5.3
• Microphones: 8 in total (4 per earbud)
• Water Resistance: IP54
• Battery: About 5.5 hours per charge (ANC off), 22 hours total

Most rivals with this feature list cost $200 or more. Edifier asks just $129.99. That price alone makes these buds worth a close look.

Design and Build Quality

The NeoBuds Pro 2 look futuristic and sharp. They use a stem design, but the stems have an angular shape. The finish feels premium and clean.

The charging case is the real star. It has a slim, flat shape that slides easily into a pocket. A thin LED strip runs across the front. You can change its color in the app to one of eight options. It looks a bit like the light bar on a sci fi car.

Strong magnets hold the earbuds firmly in the case. They snap into place with a satisfying click. You will not drop them by accident when you open the lid.

The case does not feel cheap. The hinge feels solid, and the lid closes with a firm snap. Many budget cases feel hollow, but this one does not.

The earbuds carry an IP54 rating. This means they resist dust and water splashes. Sweat and light rain should not harm them. Still, do not swim or shower with them.

One feature is missing. The case has no wireless charging. You need a USB C cable every time. At this price, most buyers will accept that trade. But if you love tossing your earbuds on a charging pad, keep this in mind.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort matters a lot with earbuds. A great driver sounds bad if the seal is poor. Edifier clearly understands this.

The box includes seven pairs of ear tips. Most brands give you just three. This wide range helps nearly anyone find a tight, comfortable seal. Take time to test a few sizes before you settle.

The earbuds have a round nozzle. Some people with small or oddly shaped ear canals may need extra trial and error. But the housing avoids a common problem. The stem does not press against your outer ear.

Each earbud is light. You can wear them for a few hours without pain or pressure. Many users on Reddit praise the comfort for long work sessions.

The fit holds well during light exercise. You can run or lift weights without the buds falling out. The IP54 rating adds peace of mind at the gym.

A good seal also boosts both bass and noise cancelling. If the sound feels thin, try a larger tip. The app may also help you check your fit. Small changes in tip size can make a big difference in how these earbuds perform.

Top 3 Alternative for Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2

The NeoBuds Pro 2 are great, but they are not perfect for everyone. Here are three strong alternatives. Each one fixes a weak spot of the Edifier buds.

Creative Aurvana Ace 2

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 use an xMEMS solid state driver along with a dynamic driver. They support aptX Lossless and Bluetooth LE Audio. SoundGuys picked them as their top choice over the Edifier. They offer better battery life, better fit, and great sound. They cost about $20 more.

EarFun Air Pro 4

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The EarFun Air Pro 4 cost less and last much longer. EarFun claims up to 52 hours of total playtime. You get adaptive ANC up to 50dB, LDAC, Snapdragon Sound, and Bluetooth 5.4. They are a smart pick for travelers on a tight budget.

Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro by Anker focus on smart noise cancelling. Seven sensors adjust the ANC in real time. The case has a small touchscreen for quick controls. They also support LDAC. Choose these if you want top ANC and extra convenience.

Sound Quality

This is where the NeoBuds Pro 2 shine. The hybrid driver setup delivers rich, detailed sound that beats many pricier earbuds.

The default tuning is bass forward. There is a clear bump around 70Hz. Drums hit hard and bass lines feel full. Fans of hip hop, EDM, and pop will love this.

There is a small dip around 500Hz. Some vocals may sound slightly pushed back. Most people will not notice it in casual listening.

The highs get a lift from the Knowles balanced armature. Cymbals sound crisp. Acoustic guitars show fine detail. Knowles research suggests listeners aged 25 to 35 often enjoy this extra treble.

SoundGuys ran the earbuds through the MDAQS test from HEAD acoustics. The NeoBuds Pro 2 earned high marks for timbre and immersiveness. Distortion stayed low. In simple terms, most listeners will enjoy how these buds sound.

The app offers EQ presets and a custom EQ. The Dynamic preset adds even more bass and treble. Sadly, there is no strong low bass preset. People who prefer a flat sound will need to build their own EQ curve.

Good news: the sound stays nearly the same with ANC on or off. You get consistent audio in every mode.

Active Noise Cancellation

Edifier calls its system Wide Band Multi Channel ANC. It adds a separate noise cancelling channel that uses the Knowles driver. The goal is deeper and wider noise reduction.

Edifier claims a depth of up to 50dB. It also claims a bandwidth of up to 5kHz. Those are big numbers for a budget pair.

Real lab tests tell a slightly different story. SoundGuys found about 20dB of reduction across the whole frequency range. That is very even. Most earbuds cancel low hums well but struggle with voices. The Edifier buds treat all frequencies more equally.

What does this mean for you? Engine rumble, air conditioners, and office chatter all fade by a similar amount. The result feels natural and balanced. You will not get the eerie silence of the Sony WF 1000XM5 or AirPods Pro 2, though.

The earbuds offer several modes. You can pick strong ANC, a lighter ANC, or an ambient mode. Ambient sound lets outside noise in, so you can hear announcements or chat with a coworker.

Passive isolation is decent once you find the right tip. A good seal blocks high pitched sounds above 2kHz. Combine that with ANC, and your daily commute becomes much calmer. For buses, trains, and offices, these buds do a solid job.

Spatial Audio and Head Tracking

The NeoBuds Pro 2 include spatial audio with head tracking. A built in gyroscope and accelerometer track your head. The sound stage should stay fixed as you turn.

The app shows a fun visual feature. A small 3D head mirrors your head movements on screen in real time. It is a neat party trick.

Sadly, the actual effect falls short. SoundGuys found the calibration takes an uncomfortably long time. Once it works, the head tracking mainly shifts audio between the left and right channels. It does not create a convincing 3D sound field.

There is also a noticeable lag. When you turn your head, the audio takes a moment to follow. This makes the effect feel clumsy rather than immersive.

The MDAQS scores barely changed with spatial audio on. In plain words, the feature adds little to your music.

My advice is simple. Try spatial audio once for fun. Then turn it off and enjoy the excellent stereo sound. The standard listening mode sounds better for most songs.

If spatial audio is a top priority, AirPods Pro or Sony earbuds handle it better. For everyone else, this weak feature should not stop you from buying. Think of it as a free bonus rather than a selling point.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is the biggest weakness of the NeoBuds Pro 2. You should know this before you buy.

Edifier lists these numbers:

• ANC on: 4 hours (earbuds) plus 12 hours (case) for 16 hours total
• ANC off: 5.5 hours (earbuds) plus 16.5 hours (case) for 22 hours total

SoundGuys measured 4 hours and 22 minutes with their standard test. Neowin also reported results below the rated time. So expect around four hours of real use with ANC on.

Four hours covers most commutes and workouts. It even beats the original AirPods Pro 2 in the SoundGuys test. But it falls well behind rivals like the Sony WF 1000XM5 and the EarFun Air Pro 4.

Fast charging helps a lot. A 15 minute charge gives you about 2 hours of playback. Pop them in the case during lunch, and you are good for the afternoon.

The case charges through USB C only. There is no wireless charging.

Here is a tip for longer battery life. Avoid draining the buds to zero often. Small batteries wear out faster with deep discharges. Also, turn off LDAC when you do not need it. High bitrate streaming drains the battery quicker. These small habits can help you get more hours each day.

Call Quality and Microphones

Each earbud packs four microphones, for eight in total. Edifier uses beamforming and an AI noise reduction algorithm. The goal is clear voice calls in noisy places.

In quiet rooms, the mic quality is quite good. Your voice sounds natural and clear. There is a slight bass boost in the pickup, but it does not hurt clarity.

Office noise is handled well. Keyboard clicks and background chatter get pushed down. The person on the other end will hear you without much trouble.

Street noise is also handled fairly well. Passing cars and crowds fade into the background.

Wind is the weak spot. The wind noise filter works hard, but it also suppresses your voice. Callers may struggle to understand you on a windy day. If you take many calls outdoors, this could annoy you.

For daily video meetings and quick phone calls at home, these buds work fine. For long calls while walking outside, consider a pair with stronger wind handling.

The wear detection also helps with calls. Remove one earbud, and the audio pauses. Put it back in, and it resumes. This makes quick conversations easier without touching your phone. Overall, call quality is solid for the price.

Edifier Connect App and Controls

The Edifier Connect app unlocks most features. It works on both iPhone and Android. You can adjust EQ, change controls, switch ANC modes, toggle codecs, and pick the LED color.

The level of customization is impressive. Few budget earbuds let you turn codecs on or off. You also get a game mode for lower latency during mobile games.

The controls use touch panels on the back of each stem. You can set actions for double tap and triple tap on each bud. That gives you four custom controls in total. Options include:

• Play and pause
• Next or previous track
• Volume up or down
• ANC mode switching
• Sound modes
• Voice assistant

There is no single tap or long press by default. This feels odd at first. But it prevents accidental taps when you adjust the earbuds. Left handed users may also like the freedom to swap functions.

The app has some rough edges. It shows a persistent notification on Android. You cannot swipe it away without force stopping the app. Some reviewers also found the app a bit unpolished.

Still, the app gives you real control. Check for firmware updates regularly. Edifier often fixes bugs and improves features through updates.

Connectivity and Codecs

The NeoBuds Pro 2 use Bluetooth 5.3. The connection stays stable at normal distances. Pairing is simple: open the case, find the earbuds in your Bluetooth menu, and tap to connect.

Android users get a bonus. Google Fast Pair works on Android 6.0 and later. A popup appears on your phone, and you connect with one tap.

Codec support is the real highlight. You get LDAC, LHDC 5.0, AAC, and SBC. LDAC and LHDC are high bitrate codecs. They carry much more audio detail than standard Bluetooth.

With LHDC 5.0, the buds can stream up to 192kHz/24 bit audio. Edifier says this was a first for Bluetooth earbuds. The pair also carries Hi Res Audio Wireless certification.

There is a catch. Your phone must support these codecs. Many Android phones support LDAC. Fewer support LHDC 5.0. iPhones only use AAC, so Apple users will not get the Hi Res benefit.

The good news is that AAC still sounds very good on these buds. iPhone users will enjoy rich sound, just not the full Hi Res experience.

The game mode lowers latency for games and videos. Some lag may still appear with certain apps. For casual gaming and streaming, it works well enough.

Pros and Cons

Every product has strengths and weaknesses. The NeoBuds Pro 2 offer a lot for the money, but they make a few clear trade offs. Here is a simple breakdown to help you decide.

Pros

• Excellent sound quality from the hybrid dynamic and Knowles balanced armature drivers.
• LDAC and LHDC 5.0 support for Hi Res audio on compatible Android phones.
• Even and balanced ANC that reduces noise across all frequencies.
• Seven pairs of ear tips help nearly anyone find a good fit.
• Stylish, slim case with a customizable LED light strip.
• IP54 rating handles sweat, dust, and light rain.
• Deep app customization for EQ, controls, codecs, and ANC modes.
• Strong value at a $129.99 retail price.

Cons

• Short battery life of about four hours with ANC on.
• No wireless charging on the case.
• Weak spatial audio with laggy head tracking.
• Wind noise filter makes your voice hard to hear on windy calls.
• Bass heavy default tuning with no good neutral preset.
• App feels unpolished and shows a persistent notification on Android.

Look at this list closely. If sound quality and value matter most, the pros win easily. If you need all day battery or spend hours on planes, the cons may matter more. Your daily routine should guide your choice.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2?

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 are a fantastic deal for most people. They offer sound quality that rivals earbuds costing twice as much. The hybrid driver setup gives you punchy bass and crisp, detailed highs.

The ANC is not the strongest on the market. But it is smooth and even. It handles commutes and offices well. The slim case looks great and fits any pocket.

Android users with LDAC or LHDC phones get the most value. They can enjoy true Hi Res streaming at a budget price. iPhone users still get great sound through AAC.

So who should skip them? Frequent long haul travelers. Four hours of ANC playback will not survive a long flight. People who take many outdoor calls on windy days may also feel let down.

For everyone else, these earbuds are easy to recommend. SoundGuys called them “a steal” at $129. I agree.

Here is my simple summary. Buy the NeoBuds Pro 2 if you want great sound, solid ANC, and smart features without spending $200 or more. Pick the EarFun Air Pro 4 if battery life matters most. Choose the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 if you want the best sound and fit and can spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 waterproof?

No, they are not fully waterproof. They have an IP54 rating. This means they resist dust, sweat, and water splashes. Do not swim or shower with them.

Do the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 work with iPhone?

Yes, they work with both iPhone and Android. iPhones use the AAC codec. You will not get LDAC or LHDC on an iPhone, but the sound is still very good.

How long does the battery last?

Expect about 4 hours with ANC on and 5.5 hours with ANC off. The case adds extra charges for a total of 16 to 22 hours.

Do they support fast charging?

Yes. A 15 minute charge gives you about 2 hours of playback time.

Do the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 support wireless charging?

No. The case charges only through a USB C cable.

Can I use the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 with a laptop?

Yes. They connect to any computer that has Bluetooth.

What is the difference between NeoBuds Pro and NeoBuds Pro 2?

The Pro 2 add Wide Band Multi Channel ANC, LHDC 5.0, spatial audio with head tracking, Bluetooth 5.3, and eight microphones. They also have a new design and a slimmer case.

Are the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 good for gaming?

They work well for casual gaming. The game mode reduces latency. Serious competitive gamers may still prefer a wired headset.