Huawei FreeBuds 6, the review

With the Huawei FreeBuds 6, the company relaunches its line of semi-in-ear earphones by focusing on a decisive technical update, without giving up the recognizable teardrop shape that characterized the previous models. The new headphones, available in Italy at a recommended price of 159 euros, are aimed at those who want a high-quality listening experience in an open and lightweight format, albeit with some limitations to take into account. The FreeBuds 6 maintain the classic teardrop design, elegant and minimal, with glossy finishes on the earphones and a matte pill-shaped case. The case is compact, IP54 certified against dust and splashes of water, and is available in three colors, including a new matte purple.

The semi-in-ear structure means that the earphones rest inside the auricle without penetrating the ear canal. This choice ensures greater comfort in the long term, especially for those who find traditional in-ear headphones annoying. However, the fit depends a lot on the shape of the ear: if the conformation is not ideal, the stability of the earphones can be poor, making them less suitable for sports activities. Huawei tries to mitigate the problem by including two sets of additional rubber tips in the package, useful for slightly improving the fit. When positioned well, however, the earphones are extremely comfortable even after hours of use.

The real strong point of the FreeBuds 6 is undoubtedly the sound quality. These are the first semi-open earphones with a double driver: a dynamic unit for bass and mids, flanked by a Planar driver for high frequencies. The result is a powerful, detailed and balanced sound, with deep but never invasive bass, warm mids and crystal clear highs. All supported by a frequency range that goes from 14 Hz to 48,000 Hz. The performance is excellent on every musical genre: from electronic to pop, from classical to metal. The FreeBuds 6 share the sound architecture of the top of the range FreeBuds Pro 4, but in a lighter and more open format. In addition, support for the LDAC codec allows high-resolution listening on compatible devices (especially Huawei smartphones). There is also an intelligent compensation system that adapts the sound to the shape of the ear canal, improving the bass response by up to 50 dB.

The FreeBuds 6 integrate active noise cancellation (ANC), a first for this open-fit category. Compared to the previous generation, the effectiveness has significantly improved, especially in the suppression of low-frequency noises. However, the structural limitations remain: medium and high-pitched sounds (such as voices or city traffic) are only attenuated. Those looking for total isolation will find better solutions in in-ear or over-ear models, but for more natural and non-invasive listening, the cancellation offered by the FreeBuds 6 is more than acceptable. Each earphone is equipped with three microphones with an ambient noise suppression system. In tests, the call quality was very high, with clear and easily distinguishable voices even in noisy environments. The cancellation of external noise can handle up to 95 dB, making these earphones perfect for phone calls on the go or during remote meetings.

Control is via touch gestures on both earphones: double or triple tap, long press and swipe for volume. Interaction is responsive and customizable via the Huawei AI Life app, which also allows you to accept or reject calls with a nod. The app also offers a 10-band equalizer, various preset modes and firmware updates, making it a complete tool for managing sound and advanced settings. Battery life remains the main limitation of this model. With active noise cancellation, you get a maximum of 4.5 hours of listening, while deactivating it reaches 6 hours. The charging case allows up to 36 hours in total without ANC, or 27 hours with ANC active. The case can be fully charged in about 90 minutes via USB-C or wireless charging. Support for Qi chargers is present.

The Huawei FreeBuds 6 are a clear step up from the previous generation. They offer surprising audio quality thanks to the dual drivers, improved ANC, high-end microphones and a comfortable and refined design. However, there are still compromises, primarily the limited battery life, and a fit that is not suitable for everyone, typical of semi-in-ear headphones. For those looking for an open but immersive sound experience, with good noise cancellation, elegant design and well-integrated smart functions, the FreeBuds 6 are a solid choice at 159 euros. But those who need deeper noise isolation or longer battery life, may want to consider alternative models in the same price range.