Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Great sound at a mid-range price

B&W's noise-cancelling earbuds go head-to-head with Apple's AirPods Pro.

- BY CLIFF JOSEPH

We were really impressed by the Pi8 earbuds (read our review, fave.co/40b6Wjm) that Bowers & Wilkins launched earlier in 2024, but the Pi8 (fave.co/3DFLrxZ) is the company's flagship model, with a higher price than Apple's AirPods Pro and an innovative smart case that doubles as an aptX transmitter. If you want the high-quality sound associated with B&W at a more competitive price, then you could opt for the new Pi6 instead, which the company says are its “most affordable earbuds ever.”

Priced at $249/£219 and available in a variety of colors, the Pi6 is about the same price as Apple's AirPods Pro (read our review, fave.co/3ZWX6QO). The earbuds look very similar to the Pi8, with both models housing relatively large 12mm drivers based on the same driver design used in B&W's over-ear headphones, which are very much aimed at audiophile users. They do look a little chunky, but—like the Pi8—the earbuds are more streamlined than previous models, and we found that they fit well and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The earbuds are rated IP54 for water and dust resistance, so you can wear them outdoors or when working up a sweat at the gym. There are four sizes of ear tips included to give a good fit, and there's also a rubber ring molded onto the body of the earpieces that fits into your outer ear and helps to hold them firmly in place.