How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 5 min read · Independent comparison
• Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 — biggest strength: Dual hybrid drivers with individual amplifiers plus Qualcomm aptX and 24-bit streaming, wrapped in adaptive noise cancellation and a clever retransmission charging case.
• Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 — biggest trade-off: Bluetooth 5.0 and an older codec set mean it won't match the newest low-latency, lossless-capable standards; it also uses a traditional in-ear seal, so fit depends on the right ear tip.
• EarFun Air Pro 4+ — biggest strength: Qualcomm QCC3091 with Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless, plus LDAC, LC3 and LE Audio, adaptive ANC rated to cancel up to 50dB, and a clip-on open-ear design.
• EarFun Air Pro 4+ — biggest trade-off: The open-ear clip design trades passive isolation for comfort, so deep, sealed-in bass won't feel the same as a canal-sealing in-ear.
• Who each pick is for: Choose the Pi7 if sound purity, ANC control and a streaming case matter most; choose the Air Pro 4+ if you want the newest codecs, all-day open-ear comfort and translation features.
The Pi7 is built around sound quality first. It pairs Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm aptX and dual hybrid drivers, each with its own amplifier, so it can handle high-fidelity 24-bit streaming from a phone, tablet or computer. In my opinion, that driver-plus-amp combination is the headline here — it's the kind of design you buy for detail and separation rather than for spec-sheet bragging.
Noise control is more flexible than most. A multifunction button on the left earbud cycles between high, low and auto adaptive noise cancellation, and four microphones handle call clarity. Wear sensors pause music when you remove an earbud and resume when you put it back, and the touch controls cover play/pause, track skip and voice assistant with single, double or triple taps. Battery life is listed at 25 hours, with a 15-minute quick charge giving up to 2 hours of playback.
The charging case is the quiet standout: it supports audio retransmission, so you can connect it to a media source with the included USB-C cable and stream that audio wirelessly to the earbuds — handy for in-flight entertainment or a laptop without Bluetooth. It ships with three sizes of soft ear tips, and the sound-isolating seal is part of the design. Buy the Pi7 if you prioritize fidelity, adaptive ANC and that retransmission trick. Skip it if you want the newest codecs or an open-ear fit.
The Air Pro 4+ leans into modern connectivity. It runs Qualcomm's QCC3091 SoC and is certified for Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless, with additional support for LDAC, LC3 and LE Audio. Bluetooth 6.0 is on board. If you're chasing the newest wireless audio standards, this is the list that matters, and it's broader than what the Pi7 offers.
The driver setup is a hybrid too, but configured differently: a 10mm composite dynamic driver paired with a FeatherBA balanced armature, aligned at 11 degrees to reduce high-frequency attenuation. EarFun says this delivers robust bass, articulate mids and sparkling treble. Adaptive hybrid ANC with QuietSmart 3.0 adjusts in real time and is rated to cancel ambient noise up to 50dB.
Then there's the fit — and this is the real fork in the road. The Air Pro 4+ uses a clip-on, open-ear design with a C-shaped bridge and a nickel-titanium memory wire, so nothing goes into your ear canal. Each earbud weighs 5.5g. There's also real-time AI translation across 100+ languages through the EarFun Audio App, in both instant and face-to-face modes. Buy it if you want the newest codecs, open-ear comfort and translation. Skip it if you need a sealed, isolating in-ear fit.
• Best for newest codec support → EarFun Air Pro 4+ (aptX Lossless, LDAC, LC3, LE Audio).
• Best for aptX with dual amps and 24-bit streaming → Bowers & Wilkins Pi7.
• Best for adaptive ANC control → Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 (high/low/auto on the earbud), though the Air Pro 4+ is rated to cancel up to 50dB.
• Best for open-ear, all-day comfort → EarFun Air Pro 4+ (clip-on, 5.5g per bud, no canal insertion).
• Best for a sealed, isolating in-ear fit → Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 (three tip sizes, sound-isolating seal).
• Best for streaming from a non-Bluetooth source → Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 (USB-C retransmission case).
• Best for travel and translation → EarFun Air Pro 4+ (100+ language real-time translation).
• Best for battery figure → Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 (25 hours listed), with a 15-minute quick charge for up to 2 hours.
If I had to pick one, I'd take the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 for pure listening. The dual hybrid drivers with individual amplifiers, the aptX and 24-bit streaming path, and the retransmission charging case add up to a package aimed squarely at sound quality — that's the priority I'd pay for. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is the smarter pick if you want the newest codecs, open-ear comfort or translation, and its 50dB ANC rating is genuinely competitive. But for me, the Pi7's fidelity-first design wins. Check the current price on Amazon for both before you decide.
FAQ
Both lean on Qualcomm aptX-family codecs, but the details differ. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 lists Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm aptX and 24-bit streaming. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ goes further on paper with aptX Lossless plus LDAC, LC3 and LE Audio — broader codec coverage overall.
Both use adaptive ANC, but the approach differs. The Pi7 lets you switch between high, low and auto on the left earbud, which gives you manual control. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ uses QuietSmart 3.0 and is rated to cancel up to 50dB automatically.
They use a clip-on, open-ear design with a C-shaped bridge tested for 20,000+ flexes and a nickel-titanium memory wire, and each earbud weighs 5.5g. That design avoids inserting anything into your ear canal, which many people find more secure and comfortable during movement.
It comes down to isolation versus comfort and awareness. The Pi7's sealed in-ear fit with sound-isolating tips helps block outside noise, while the Air Pro 4+'s open-ear clip design lets ambient sound in. Each suits a different listener — sealed for focus, open for awareness.
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