Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
The sound-quality flagship the specialist press keeps in its top group. Fewer citations only because fewer outlets test at this tier.
Consolidated from 65 cited sources across 53 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 45 positive sources
- 12 mixed sources
1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. A trap is a product buyers genuinely cross-shop but should not buy, ranked honestly alongside the real picks rather than dropped to the bottom. Why the boards include them
Pros & cons
- ✓ Audiophile-tier sound quality in the mainstream TWS market
- ✓ Kept in Android Central's top group alongside the Sony and Bose flagships
- ✓ The sound-quality-first choice over feature checklists
- ✓ Premium materials and construction
- ✓ Backed by B&W's dealer and service network
- ✗ Expensive
- ✗ Ownership advantages over the Sony WF-1000XM6 don't justify the price for most buyers
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
Evidence 24 articles, 40 video reviews and 1 community source
45 positive sources
The Pi8 provides high-fidelity audio performance, clear call quality and effective noise cancellation in a compact earbud design. One of its new shades is a soft hue called Pale Mauve, which is designed for a modern look, while a second new color, Dark Burgundy , offers an elegant aesthetic. Four ear tip sizes are available to accommodate a variety of users.Read M
The Pi8 earbuds are an incredible set, bringing over some of the best features from the previous model.Watch M
Sony’s WF-1000XM6 is the more well-rounded superstar for everyday use, while Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is the choice for audiophiles seeking wireless fidelity and musical depth. Your pick ultimately depends on whether noise cancellation and features matter more than audiophile-leaning sound quality, but either way, you’re getting world-class earbuds.Read A
NEW! Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 & Pi8 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds - The Best In-Ear Headphones?Watch T
Bowers & Wilkins have harnessed Carbon Cone driver technology to reduce resonance and distortion. The result? A reference-grade soundstage with articulate midrange, taut bass and crystalline highs. Whether you’re tracking a symphony’s subtle crescendos or feeling the punch of electronic basslines, these buds deliver unmatched clarity.Read G
Bowers & Wilkins PI8 Earbuds are so good!Watch E
In our review , the Pi8 stand out for their refined tuning, clarity, and sense of control, offering a presentation that feels closer to a compact hi-fi system than a typical pair of wireless earbuds. They’re designed for listeners who actually pay attention to what they’re hearing and not just how easily it connects.Read I
These earbuds not only fix the issues with the previous models but are a genuine flagship earbud in more than just sound quality. Here's everything you need to know and how they compare to the Pi7 S2.Watch F
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 true wireless earbuds are a handsome-looking pair of earbuds that sound incredible, come in a variety of finishes, offer solid ANC, and have all the modern bells and whistles one could want from a pair of true wireless earbuds.Read N
I've been using the new Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 for a few weeks and I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic sound quality. Best of all, there are a lot of other weird features that make it become my favorite pair of wireless earbuds thus far.Watch C
These buds are featured in our roundup of the best wireless earbuds of the year , and audio expert David Carnoy called them “easily among the best-sounding earbuds out there,” with better ANC and a more ergonomic fit than earlier models.Read G
The Pi8 offers class-leading audio performance, bespoke ANC which does a great job of keeping out the noise, so you can enjoy your music, and crystal-clear call quality. Plus, you get the comfort and elegance of a highly considered earbud design.Watch W
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are 2024 What Hi-Fi? Award-winners for their sensational levels of detail, natural, refined sound and competitive ANC. They're on the pricier side for wireless earbuds, but they justify the cost sonically.Read I
How to activate Touch Volume, config EQ, Tips&Tricks in Bower and Wilkins PI8. This videos is for some tips and tricks that will make your day. You can change the control functions of your B&W PI8 from Google Assistant and Noise Cancelation to Volume Control, which if you do sport activities is amazing and a must feature!Watch T
The Bowers & Wilkins PI8 earbuds aren't perfect, but they manage to get pretty close – and the exemplary sound quality and in-ear comfort is so good you're going to quickly forget about the negatives (like a high price).Read A
The Pi8 has a sleeker shape for better comfort, upgraded 12mm drivers for clearer sound, and a more compact, practical case that still functions as a wireless audio re-transmitter. With improved mic placement, battery life, and multi-point connectivity, the Pi8 brings much-needed versatility. But does it truly outshine the Pi7 S2? Stick around as we dive deeper into the comparison!Watch V
If sound quality is your top priority and you want a truly premium wireless earbud experience, the Pi8 sits at the top of its class.Read G
With impeccable sound quality, active noise cancellation, and an all-day comfortable fit, the Pi8s elevate your audio experience to new heights.Watch H
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is a premium TWS known for its exceptional sound quality, luxurious design, and high-tech features.Read H
wonderful superb sound in wirelessWatch T
It is a luxury audio product, but it does have what it takes in the audio department and a cool feature up its sleeve.Read M
Both models offer premium sound quality and high-end features that cater to audiophiles and casual listeners alike.Watch I
Kicking off our Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review with a detailed look at their stunning design and premium build quality!Watch F
Enjoy high-quality, lifelike sound anywhere you go with the black Pi8 from Bowers & Wilkins, true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation built in. With advanced aptX lossless audio, Bluetooth 5.4, and 12mm Carbon Cone drivers adapted from the Px8 over-ear headphones, Pi8 offers superior sound and solid connectivity.Watch B r/BowersWilkins u/remyag · owner
The microphone quality has definitely improved. People on the other end of my calls said my voice sounds clearer.Read thread F
Enjoy high-quality, lifelike sound anywhere you go with the black Pi8 from Bowers & Wilkins, true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation built in. With advanced aptX lossless audio, Bluetooth 5.4, and 12mm Carbon Cone drivers adapted from the Px8 over-ear headphones, Pi8 offers superior sound and solid connectivity.Watch 8
The Pi8 is one of the finest true wireless earbuds available in India today for music lovers.Read T
These Earbuds Are Incredible!Watch M
For a cleaner, everyday aesthetic with broad comfort appeal, the Pi8 takes the edge.Read C
Their flagship model, the Pi8, which is the one I have here, is a strong testament to that ambition.Watch 8
If sound quality is your priority, the Bowers & Wilkins PI8 stands at the top.Read C
We’re skipping the usual specs rundown and jumping straight into what makes the Pi8 stand out: its smart, DAC-powered charging case . Think: high-res audio via wired connection… transmitted wirelessly to your earbuds.Watch A
If you’re constantly on the go, this could be a game-changer. Pairing with multiple devices simultaneously allows you to seamlessly switch between your phone, laptop, or other devices without any hassle, making these earbuds perfect for multitaskers.Watch A
In 3rd place is theBowers & Wilkins Pi8, our pick for the best premium wireless earbuds. In 2nd place is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, our pick for the best noise-canceling wireless earbuds. In 1st place is the Sony WF-1000XM5, our pick for the best overall wireless earbuds.Watch G
The clarity is exceptional with crisp highs, rich mids, and a surprisingly powerful bass response for earbuds this size. Whether you're listening to classical music, heavy metal, or your favorite podcast, the Pi 8S deliver a truly impressive sonic experience.Watch T
Discover why the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless Earbuds are the top choice for audio enthusiasts! Designed in a sleek Anthracite Black, these in-ear Bluetooth earphones feature a Qualcomm chipset and aptX Lossless technology for superior, uncompressed audio. With active noise cancelling capabilities and three built-in mics, you can enjoy uninterrupted, crystal-clear sound wherever you are.Watch B
Here’s the deal: the Pi8 McLaren Edition doesn’t just sound amazing—it feels like you’ve just upgraded your entire auditory existence. Whether you're diving into TIDAL playlists, taking calls while walking through wind tunnels, or bingeing Netflix on a noisy flight, these earbuds lock in and don’t let go.Watch T
The Bowers and Wilkins PI8 earbuds combine luxury, performance, and convenience into one sleek package. Whether you’re an audiophile seeking the ultimate listening experience, a commuter wanting peace and quiet, or a fitness enthusiast needing secure earbuds, the PI8 delivers on every front. Experience premium sound, comfort, and style with the Bowers and Wilkins PI8.Watch S
And my two favorite earbuds of all time are going to probably be these, the PI8s and the Noble Focus Rex 5s. Now, I'm not going to do a lot of comparisons, and maybe I might, I don't know, but though the Nobles, guys, are by far the best sounding earbuds that I've ever heard. um IM level they they're extremely the sound on them are extremely amazing.Watch P
In front of us we have the Bowers & Wilkins PI8 against the Devialet Gemini 2. So, to start off with, I think that the Bowers & Wilkins have a little bit more surface-level clarity when you initially hear them, where there's just this incredible delineation uh between instruments, and it it's pretty wowing the first time you hear it.Watch P
The overall resolution here is better on the PI8 and the perceived clarity is also better, but it's not maybe as large of a gap as some people might expect where the AirPods Pro 3 still hold their own in that regard. But yeah, if you're asking me, it's it's still an improvement in those areas on the PI8.Watch T
Thanks to Qualcomm AEX lossless support, these earbuds are capable of transmitting highresolution audio over Bluetooth without the usual compression you get from standard codecs. That means clearer highs, tight mids, and deep, accurate bass. For anyone who's streaming music in high-res or just wants a better listening experience than typical Bluetooth earbuds, this is a gamecher.Watch E
Designed for serious music lovers, the Pi8 delivers exceptional clarity, deep bass, and studio-level detail. With aptX Lossless support, you get near-CD-quality wireless audio when paired with compatible devices. The adaptive Active Noise Cancellation helps block out distractions, while three built-in microphones ensure crystal-clear call quality.Watch L
If you ask me, the Bowers and Wilkins look much better. Both of them are made from plastic. Um, I would say the Bowers and Wilkins feel a little bit more expensive and luxury compared to the Denon Pearl Pro, which feels uh a bit more mediocre to me. When the Bowers and Wilkins, when I touch them, I know that I have a luxury product.Watch
12 mixed sources
It’s an admirable performance at this price range, but B&W is right to acknowledge its weaker noise cancelling. To be fair, the Pi6 does a respectable job of blocking out the deep rumble of an aircraft engine – it’s not quite in the same league as some of its noise-cancelling rivals, but it’ll still come in handy on a long-haul flight. However, our second test reveals that it’s far less effectiveRead P
Neither of these are necessarily for bass heads, but I do think the greater overall punch of the PI8, particularly in the midbase, might be preferable to more people with more genres of music. But if you are a bass purist in terms of the overall quality of the bass, I think the BOP Play takes the win there.Watch A
The Pi8 doesn't have as sharp or precise a midrange as the Prestige Encore, but it does retain a lot of detail that carries through each range. The treble was slightly more recessed, especially compared to the bass response. If you tuned down the bass, the treble balances out the low perfectly. If not, the treble has to fight a bit more for it to take up space in the signature.Read P
The resolution here is pretty close, but I think I would give a slight edge in overall resolution to the Status Pro X. The macro dynamics are another area where I think these are close, but handle it a little bit differently.Watch T
For stamina however, the Pi8 can be beaten (it's no good having great audio and wireless transmission from the case if you're caught needing a battery top-up before the flight), and if you want spatial audio, or hearing tests mixed in with the ANC, you'll also be better served with other options in this list.Read P
So what I would say is that the PI8s I think have a little bit stronger macronamics even though the H3 are still really good there. I think that the overall depth to the stage is pretty close between the two. The PI8 have a bit more height and verticality. The H3 have have noticeably more width, but in terms of depth and three-dimensionality and layering, I think that they're pretty close.Watch A
The Pi8 are fantastic in sound and I really like them a lot. I like the fact I can plug the case into the iPhone and stream from Quboz losslessly. Even without lossless and streaming via bluetooth from the phone the Pi8s are way better in sound quality.Read P
But, the overall clarity and resolving capability is noticeably better, I think, on the PI8 when you take everything into account. The PI8 also have, I think, more impressive macrodynamics. They just come across as a as a bit stronger than what you get in the Tour Pro 3, even though the Tour Pro 3, I don't think are are a slouch in that department at all.Watch E
we were very impressed with the new Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless Earbuds ; only some connectivity issues with specific source devices kept the Pi8 off the leaderboard in the “ Best Wireless Earbuds ” category.Read H
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 provides basic adaptive ANC that's adequate but not class-leading for blocking external noise.Read N
Pros ・Sound quality that transcends the realm of wireless earbudsRead S
Unrivalled audio fidelity with Hi-Res Audio certificationRead
8 stance not read sources
However, if you ask an audiophile or an audio enthusiast, they would probably say Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. You can search YouTube and will find that Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is currently the best wireless earbuds in the market.Watch W
Then the Bowers and Wilkins PI6 & PI8 should be near the top of the list, but if you're not sure if you should spend more or spend less & try & get more for your money. This comparison of the B&W Pi6 vs Pi8 review was created to help you make the right purchase decision.Watch H
( Red is PI8, yellow/brown az100, purple gemini 2, blue, momentum 4).Read T
Despite "disturbing the critic deep in my soul", Tom hails the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Earbuds as impressive, taking into account both their frequency response and his listening tests. Listen in to find out if these are for you.Watch A
Bowers & Wilkins Has Launched premium wireless earbuds: the B&W Pi8 and Pi6 Earbuds which feature ground-up designs to deliver better fit and comfort, improved sound quality and active noise-cancellation and come packed with the latest features.Watch C
This is your quick summary of the B&W Pi8 Wireless Earbuds.Watch P
In front of us, we have the Bowowers and Mopens PI8 against the Technics A100.Watch P
In front of us we have the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 earbuds against the Bowers & Wilkins PI8.Watch
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #18 of 24 on our earbuds tier list, in D tier. That placement draws on 65 cited sources across 53 outlets.
None of the 57 sources with a clear view is critical of it. Expensive. Ownership advantages over the Sony WF-1000XM6 don't justify the price for most buyers.
On our earbuds board, Technics EAH-AZ100 ranks #3 (S tier) ahead of Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 at #18 (D tier). Technics EAH-AZ100: the current consensus #1 among test labs, with the battery life and mature firmware platform that predict well for year-three ownership. The strongest combination of "reviews brilliantly" and "built to still be working."
On our earbuds board, Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ranks #18 (D tier) ahead of Sony WF-1000XM5 at #20 (D tier). Sony WF-1000XM5: the most cross-shopped prior-gen flagship in the category, and the one whose dominant failure mode, in-bud battery fade, is furthest along. A refurb unit is a battery with a head start.
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D tier #19 2 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4
D tier #20 9 of 16 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Sony WF-1000XM5
F tier #21 3 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
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F tier #23 1 of 2 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.