How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a touch-control pair built for everyday listening, workouts and phone calls, choose HTC True; if you need touch controls plus a 2.4G dongle for lag-free console and PC gaming, choose Middle Rabbit SW5.
• HTC True's biggest strength: 22 hours of total playtime, a 45ms game mode you trigger by holding the earbud for 2 seconds, and IPX4 sweat resistance — a simple, light all-rounder.
• HTC True's biggest trade-off: It leans on Bluetooth only, so its gaming latency figure is higher than the SW5's, and its noise control is sound isolation rather than active cancellation.
• Middle Rabbit SW5's biggest strength: A 2.4G dongle plus Bluetooth 5.4 in one set, 20ms latency via the LC3 codec, four built-in microphones and active noise cancellation.
• Middle Rabbit SW5's biggest trade-off: Single-charge battery life is quoted at 8 hours, and it costs you the extra step of managing a dongle and an app if you want full control.
• Who each pick is for: HTC True for commuters, runners and casual listeners who want fuss-free touch controls; SW5 for gamers juggling a console and a phone who want the lowest lag and the deepest feature set.
The HTC True is the simpler proposition of the two. You get Bluetooth 5.3, a 10mm dynamic driver tuned for deep bass, and a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range — a standard, sensible spec sheet for an in-ear pair. The headline number is battery: over 6 hours on a single charge, and 22 hours total with the case, which itself holds 18 hours and refills in about 1.5 hours. A 40-minute charge tops the buds up. In practice that means you can commute, work and hit the gym for a couple of days without hunting for a cable.
Touch control is the whole interface here. You tap to manage volume and playback, and you hold the earbud for 2 seconds to jump into game mode, where latency drops to 45ms. That 2-second hold is a genuinely nice design choice — it's a physical gesture you can do mid-game without pulling out your phone. The buds are IPX4 rated, so sweat and light rain splashes are fine, and they pair across iOS, Android and Windows with a stated range of 10 meters (32.8 ft). Three sizes of eartips ship in the box, along with a USB-C cable, and the set comes in pink with a plastic enclosure.
Middle Rabbit SW5: Who It's For
The Middle Rabbit SW5 is built around a different idea: one set of earbuds that handles both your gaming rig and your phone. The trick is dual-mode connectivity — a 2.4G dongle for PC, PS5, PS4, desktop and VR, plus Bluetooth 5.4 for everything else. Even better, it can hold two devices at once, so you can take a call on your phone without dropping your console session. That's the feature that sells this pair, and it's the one the HTC True simply doesn't offer.
Latency is the second pillar. The SW5 quotes 20ms with the LC3 codec, versus the HTC True's 45ms game mode. Both figures are low enough to feel responsive, but 20ms is the tighter number, and for fast-paced shooters that gap is the reason to pick the Rabbit. You also get four built-in microphones with AI-enhanced voice pickup, which matters if you're talking to teammates or taking work calls. Noise control is active cancellation here, not just isolation — a real step up if you're using these on a train or in an open office.
The SW5 is more configurable, too. There's a Middle Rabbit app for OTA firmware updates, battery monitoring and control remapping, and multiple EQ modes (Music, Game, Podcast) plus custom EQ if the presets don't suit you. Controls combine app, touch and media control. The hardware is black plastic with rounded tips, Bluetooth range is listed at 33 feet, charging takes about 1.5 hours, and battery life is quoted at 8 hours. The box includes the 2.4G dongle, charging case, eartips, USB adapter and manual, and there's a 1-year warranty.
Who should buy it: gamers who split time between a console or PC and a phone, people who want ANC and a proper mic array, and tinkerers who enjoy an app with EQ and firmware updates. Who should skip it: buyers who want the longest possible battery life, or who just want to tap an earbud and go without managing a dongle.
• Best for battery life → HTC True. 22 hours total versus the SW5's 8-hour single-charge figure.
• Best for gaming latency → Middle Rabbit SW5. 20ms with the LC3 codec beats the HTC True's 45ms game mode.
• Best for console and PC gaming → Middle Rabbit SW5. The 2.4G dongle and PS5/PS4/PC/VR compatibility are the deciding factor.
• Best for simple touch control → HTC True. Volume, playback and a 2-second hold for game mode, with no app required.
• Best for noise control → Middle Rabbit SW5. Active noise cancellation versus the HTC True's sound isolation.
• Best for calls and voice chat → Middle Rabbit SW5. Four built-in microphones with AI enhancement versus a single built-in mic.
• Best for workouts and light rain → HTC True. IPX4 sweat and splash resistance is explicitly rated.
• Best for customization → Middle Rabbit SW5. App control, EQ modes and OTA firmware updates versus fixed touch gestures.
In my opinion, the Middle Rabbit SW5 is the better buy for most people reading a comparison about touch control headphones, because it does everything the HTC True does — touch controls included — and adds a 2.4G dongle, 20ms latency, four mics, ANC and app-level tuning. The HTC True still wins on one thing that matters a lot: battery. If you want a set-and-forget pair for music, running and calls, and you'll never plug a dongle into a console, the HTC True is the cleaner, lighter choice. For everyone splitting time between a game console and a phone, I'd take the SW5.
FAQ
It depends on the model. The Middle Rabbit SW5 gives you control remapping through the Middle Rabbit app, so you can reassign or turn off gestures there. The HTC True has no companion app in its spec sheet, so its touch gestures aren't user-configurable — there's no documented way to switch them off.
Because touch-control earbuds send media and volume commands over Bluetooth, and once paired your phone treats those taps as input. Both the HTC True and the SW5 work this way, which is why a stray touch can pause your music or change the volume.
The Middle Rabbit SW5, clearly. It ships with a 2.4G dongle and lists compatibility with PC, PS5, PS4, desktop and VR, and its 20ms latency is lower than the HTC True's 45ms game mode. The HTC True connects over Bluetooth only.
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