We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-24 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a charging case that doubles as a tiny touchscreen control center with transparency mode built in, choose Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling; if you need hybrid ANC with three switchable sound modes and a metal-bodied build, choose Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds.
• Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling — biggest strength: a touchscreen charging case that lets you control volume, sound modes, battery levels and even set alarms without pulling out your phone.
• Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling — biggest trade-off: 5 hours of playtime on a single charge is modest, and the plastic build feels less premium than metal.
• Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds — biggest strength: hybrid active noise cancellation with three modes (ANC On, ANC Off, Transparency) plus 10mm dynamic drivers and a stainless steel body.
• Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds — biggest trade-off: no touchscreen case and no alarm/clock tricks — the case is a straightforward 500mAh power bank for your buds.
• Who each pick is for: Xmenha for the tinkerer who wants on-case control and easy transparency; Cubitt for the listener who prioritizes noise cancellation modes and richer audio hardware.
The Xmenha buds are the more unusual product of the two, and the reason is the case. Instead of the usual LED dots, the charging case has a touchscreen. From that screen you adjust volume, switch sound effect modes, check battery levels for both the earbuds and the case, view the time, and set alarms. That single design decision changes how you use the product day to day. On a run, you don't have to fish your phone out of an armband to skip a track or nudge the volume — the case does it. For anyone who finds touch controls on tiny earbuds fiddly, having a bigger screen to tap is genuinely useful.
On the audio side, the Xmenha buds use Bluetooth 5.3 with roughly 10 meters of barrier-free range, and they include a transparency mode that lets outside sound reach your inner ear. That's the feature to care about if you wear earbuds while walking, cycling or crossing busy streets: you keep your audio going while staying aware of what's around you. The spec sheet frames transparency as a safety feature, and that framing is fair — it's the mode you'll live in outdoors.
The trade-offs are real, though. Playtime is listed at about 5 hours, with the description mentioning up to roughly 30 hours when you factor in the case. The enclosure is plastic, the item weight is 3.2 ounces, and the noise control is described as sound isolation rather than full active cancellation. So if you want maximum quiet on a plane, this isn't the aggressive canceller. I'd point the Xmenha buds at small-ear listeners, gym-goers who want a stable silicone fit, and anyone who wants transparency mode plus a screen-based control hub. Skip them if you need the longest possible single-charge runtime or the deepest noise blocking.
The Cubitt Power Buds take a more conventional approach and execute it with better hardware on paper. The headline is hybrid active noise cancellation with three selectable modes: ANC On, ANC Off, and Transparency. That middle ground matters — some people want full cancellation on a commute, transparency when they step onto a platform, and nothing at all when they're just sitting in a quiet room. Having all three as a deliberate choice is more flexible than a single fixed mode.
The audio hardware is the second differentiator: 10mm dynamic drivers with a rated frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. That's a full-range spec, and the description promises clear audio with strong bass. The body is stainless steel in Snow White, which should feel more solid in hand than a plastic case, and the fit is described as ergonomic and secure for workouts and commutes.
Battery is where the two products are closest. Cubitt lists up to 5 hours on a single charge and up to 26 hours with the 500mAh charging case. Bluetooth 5.3 handles pairing with iPhone, Android, tablets and laptops. The age guidance is 12 and up, and there's no touchscreen here — controls are touch-based on the buds themselves. I'd steer the Cubitt buds toward commuters and travelers who want switchable ANC modes, listeners who care about driver size and bass response, and anyone who prefers a metal enclosure. Skip them if the touchscreen case is what drew you in, or if you want an on-case clock and alarm.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for on-case control → Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling. Volume, modes, battery readouts, time and alarms all live on the case screen.
• Best for audio hardware → Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds. 10mm dynamic drivers with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range.
• Best for transparency mode as a safety habit → Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling. Transparency is a core advertised feature tied to staying aware of your surroundings.
• Best battery story with the case → Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds. Up to 26 hours total versus roughly 30 hours claimed for the Xmenha — close enough that neither wins by a landslide; check the spec you care about.
• Best build material → Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds. Stainless steel beats plastic for a premium feel.
• Best for small ears and light wear → Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling. Soft silicone, ergonomic surround, 3.2 ounces total.
• Best for phone-free gym sessions → Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling. The case screen means fewer phone pulls between sets.
In my opinion, the Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds are the better-rounded buy for most people. Hybrid ANC with three modes, 10mm dynamic drivers, a full-range frequency spec and a stainless steel body cover the fundamentals that matter most in daily listening. The Xmenha buds win on one thing that's genuinely clever — that touchscreen case — and if controlling everything from the case is what you've been looking for, they're the pick. But if you just want solid noise cancellation with a transparency option and better audio hardware, I'd go Cubitt. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the variable this comparison can't settle for you.
how to turn airpods to transparency mode
On AirPods you typically press and hold the force sensor or stem until you hear a tone, or switch modes from Control Center. On the two earbuds here, transparency works differently: the Cubitt Power Buds list Transparency as one of three selectable ANC modes, and the Xmenha buds advertise transparency mode as a built-in feature — both are controlled through their own touch controls or case, not Apple's system.
which airpods have transparency mode
Transparency mode arrived with AirPods Pro and later came to AirPods 3rd generation and AirPods 4. If you're comparing against these two budget options instead, note that both the Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling buds and the Cubitt Power Buds list transparency as a feature — the Cubitt as a selectable mode alongside ANC On and ANC Off.
do all airpods have transparency mode
No. The original AirPods and AirPods 2 don't offer it; it started with the Pro line. The same logic applies to budget earbuds — transparency isn't universal, so check the spec. Here, Xmenha advertises transparency mode directly, and Cubitt lists it as one of three sound modes, so both qualify.
what headphones have transparency mode
Plenty of true-wireless models do. Among these two, the Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling earbuds and the Cubitt Tracking Technologies Power Buds both include transparency, letting outside sound in so you stay aware of traffic, announcements and people around you while your audio keeps playing.
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See also: Xmenha Active Noise Cancelling vs RAOPINGX TWS Earbuds, YUSONIC Active Noise Cancelling vs Bandou 3.0, Philips Active Noise Cancelling vs Amazon Renewed JBL Tune 720BT