As much as I love my AirPods Max, the best true wireless earbuds are a much better – and much less muggable – option for when I'm out and about. My current daily drivers are Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch, which I love, and I had the T3 Award-winning Melomania 1 before them. I'm increasingly drawn to Apple's AirPods Pro, though – or at least I was until I saw the new Belkin Soundform Immerse noise cancelling earbuds, announced at CES 2022.
The Soundform Immerse earbuds are Belkin's top-of-the-line earbuds with active noise cancellation, 12mm dynamic drivers, aptX HD audio, 8 hours battery life per earbud (36 including the case), customisable EQ and Apple Find My compatibility. They also have multipoint connection so you can pair them with and switch between multiple devices, and they're IPX5-rated for sweat and water resistance so they're good for the gym too. Not that I go to the gym, but it's nice to know I could if I wanted to.
Not just for Apple devices
Although the Soundform Immerse earbuds have Find My support and mimic the AirPods Pro in many respects, they also work with Android devices including the Samsung Galaxy S20. They work with Google Fast Pair for instant Android connections, and in addition to Find My you can use the Belkin app to ping your earbuds no matter what operating system you're using.
Prices haven't been confirmed yet but we're expecting an RRP of around $179 in the US; UK prices will be announced closer to launch in late Spring. But if Belkin is going for the same price as the AirPods 3rd Gen while adding noise cancellation to the mix, Apple could have a serious rival on its hands.