Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Which noise-cancelling wireless earbuds should you buy?

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Which dissonance-cancelling wireless earbuds should you purchase?

(Prototype credit: Regan Coule/Future)

This Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 face-off breaks downwardly the veteran sound make'southward two newest wireless earbuds, helping you lot decide which pair to buy based on overall operation and value.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 serves as the company'due south flagship model and the in-ear equivalent to i of the market'southward best noise-cancelling headphones, the PX7. High-quality sound combined with adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) and a striking design brand this pair of buds 1 of the finest that coin can buy. The PI7 also has a special sound trick that you won't observe on whatever other wireless earbuds, which you'll learn more about farther in our analysis.

The best wireless earbuds you lot can buy
Make a saving with the best inexpensive wireless earbuds
We've tested the best outdoor speakers

Launched simultaneously, the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 boasts a noticeably different spec canvas. However, it retains similar features and the same appearance as its costly sibling, and at a lower price point. Battery life is longer, while racket cancellation and sound are top notch. There are many reasons why nosotros consider information technology one of the all-time noise-cancelling earbuds.

These are two premium noise-cancellers that offer different, satisfying listening experiences. Which is the better splurge? Keep reading our full Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. PI7 breakdown to find out.

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Specs compared

	Bowers & Wilkins PI5	Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Price	$249	$399
Wireless Charging Example	Yes, included	Yes, included
Chip	Qualcomm QCC5126	Qualcomm QCC5126
Battery Life (Rated)	4.5 hours (ANC on), 24.v hours (with charging example)	4 hours (ANC on), xx hours (with charging case)
Water Resistance	IP54	IP54
Case Size	2.3 10 1.1 x two.ii inches	two.three x ane.ane x 2.2 inches
Case Weight	1.6 ounces	2.1 ounces
Special features	Agile noise cancellation, two-level ambient listening fashion, aptX Adaptive back up, Soundscapes	Adaptive active racket cancellation, adjustable ambient listening mode, aptX Adaptive support, Soundscapes, wireless adapter functionality

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Price

Both sets of buds are expensive, but the more reasonably attainable of the two is the PI5 at $249: the aforementioned as the AirPods Pro. Unless you lot're looking for buds that support all of the latest codecs and provide a unique secondary mode of hearing music wirelessly, you lot'll find this version to be merely every bit gratifying every bit its pricier counterpart. Not to mention you'll save $150 in the process.

At $399, the PI7 is ane of the nearly expensive true wireless options out at that place. Of course, the high MSRP grants users more perks such equally full aptX Bluetooth support and retransmission via charging example. Add slightly ameliorate sound and dissonance cancellation into the equation and it's clear why these buds don't come up cheap.

Exist sure to bookmark our best headphones deals page to stay upward on the latest sales.

Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI5

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Pattern

Both the PI7 and PI5 are stunners, with broadly the same striking appearance and superior build quality. The protruding cylinder is a distinctive particular that also acts as a bear upon panel. An IP54 rating protects these two products from clay and moisture damage (east.g., light splashes, rain, sweat). B&W's color options are stylish, merely nosotros love the PI7's two-tone look a little more.

The charging cases look identical, sans the button on the forepart of the PI7 instance, which the company says volition take on a future function via firmware update. They each lucifer the artful sleekness of the earbuds and come in the same size, granted the PI7's instance is slightly heavier, but not also heavy to carry on the go. The soft matte terminate is a nice touch, plus the buds are displayed handsomely when docked in their respective charging slots. A Bluetooth button is located on the inside as well for manually pairing.

Every bit for functionality, the PI7 case tin also double as a wireless adapter to stream music in aptX when connected to an analog sound output. The PI5 case doesn't.

Comfort and fit are similar too. Neither model will weigh down your ears, though the duration in which yous cull to wear the PI7 or PI5 might be brusk based on your pain threshold. The elongated sound port does apply unwanted pressure to the front of the ear. At least the port nestles well on the inner ear for proper stabilization, while the silicone tips create a tight seal to keep the buds steady.

Winner : Necktie

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Controls

B&W programmed on-ear detection, vocalism help, and a wide array of affect gestures into their newest creations, just the PI7 has the more reliable controls. Operating playback and cycling through listening modes is simple, cheers to accurate input demonstrated past the PI7's touch sensors. The six mics also make using Google Assistant and Siri a pleasure, picking upwardly every syllable and voice command, while both AI bots respond to inquiries in quick fashion.

The PI5 performs similarly in near areas, specifically vocalisation assistance, which is very impressive considering it's working with two less mics. Unfortunately, the impact sensors misinterpret multi-tap gestures very frequently. On-ear detection works one-half the time besides.

Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Sound quality

The PI7 has prepare a new bar for audio on wireless earbuds. B&W stacked these buds with some serious specs, including 24-bit sound, diverse aptX codecs (Standard, LL, Hard disk & Adaptive), and Dual Hybrid Drive units with private amplifiers for each driver. It doesn't matter if you are listening to music from your personal library or hi-quality streaming services like Tidal, the results are sonically serene. Bass is strong, mids and highs are detailed, and information technology's pretty cool to be able to single out imperfections on complex recordings that you wouldn't hear on other wireless earbuds.

But it's the charging case that makes the PI7 a one-of-a-kind product, assuasive you lot to stream music in aptX when connected to a compatible analog audio output. That's correct. Y'all can connect the instance to anything from an iPod Classic to an airplane jack and still enjoy the same wireless sound. No loss in fidelity.

B&West decided to equip the PI5 with a ix.2mm driver that produces spacious audio and well-balanced range. Lows, mids, and highs sound on bespeak, though the PI7'southward midrange is more precise. We practise wish that B&W would have given the PI5 full aptX support or audio retransmission.

Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Active noise cancellation

The PI7 is powered by adaptive ANC and uses six internal mics to automatically reduce the bear upon of low-frequency noises, something it does incredibly well. Keep in heed that at that place is an Auto Mode setting that when enabled adapts to the acoustic surroundings, but it makes the technology less effective and noises more transparent. Y'all'll desire to keep it turned off and stay in transmission ANC mode.

We liked that the PI7 put a cage on indoor fracas such as loud family members, household appliances, and the humming racket from a centralized AC unit of measurement. Using the feature outside is just as rewarding, peculiarly when walking in drafty conditions. High-frequency noises like baby cries, car horns or whistles can nevertheless creep onto the soundscape, but the PI7 minimizes them enough to relish music peacefully.

The PI5 won't match that aforementioned performance, just information technology's no slouch in the noise neutralization section either. Information technology employs standard ANC and uses four mics to effectively silence the majority of unwanted noises. We institute the characteristic useful at home, in grocery stores, and when riding in an Uber. Air current resistance is merely as good equally on the PI7. Just don't expect the buds to put a kibosh on construction tools or sirens.

Ambient Pass-Through is B&Westward'southward version of ambient listening and offers a different experience on each model. The PI7 comes with 16 levels of transparency that tin be adjusted via slider, while the PI5 has two settings (Less and More than) that are cocky-explanatory. Yes, sounds are much more distinguishable on the PI7 when adjusted to higher levels, but the PI5 also pipes in a good amount of external sound to proceeds a better awareness of surroundings.

Another great thing about these two sets of buds is that ANC and Ambience Pass-Through can blend together when enabled simultaneously, something the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds also does to make ambient noises sound more distinguishable and less harsh.

Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Special features and apps

Beingness the more than expensive model, it's platonic that the PI7 has more features, including adaptive noise cancellation, audio retransmission, two more dedicated amps, 24-bit audio resolution, and a defended external DSP.

The B&West app is where you'll go to access nigh functionality. Information technology's clean, user friendly, and offers much of the aforementioned for both models, though the PI7 is given two extras: Auto Style and transparency aligning. You lot nevertheless gain access to toggle controls for both Noise Cancellation and Ambient Pass-Through, as well every bit on-ear detection.

Soundscapes is the app'southward signature feature, and it works well for either set of buds. Half dozen unlike profiles can be selected, each 1 masking the ambience dissonance around yous with nature sounds for relaxation and stress relief. Information technology's cypher new to the category, but this might exist the best version out in that location, every bit every profile accurately reproduces furnishings true to their environment.

The features list is shorter than what you'll find on rival apps like Jabra Sound+ and Sony Headphones Connect. It would have been thoughtful if B&W added a vocalism prompt setting and Standby Timer to place the buds in slumber way when inactive, which are two features that seem to exist reserved for the over-ear PX7 headphones. An EQ and Find My Buds setting would take been welcome additions likewise.

Connectivity is as bang-up, then you'll be able to pair and re-pair to known devices instantly, no matter the platform. Where B&Due west dropped the ball is range. For some odd reason, the PI7 and PI5 struggle to keep a connection farther than xv feet, causing terrible stuttering when taking one step past this distance.

Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Call quality

Even with fewer mics, the PI5 is the better calling headset. You'll nonetheless hear noises when speaking in rowdy settings. Even so, the PI5 brand voices somewhat clearer than the PI7. Book is as well college and air current resistance is stronger, minimizing cutouts and interference in drafty environments. Feedback from clients and friends was mostly positive when using the PI5.

Nosotros found the PI7 useful for taking business calls and video chats indoors, but that'due south most it. Whenever answering the phone outside, crackling and wind became issues. Volume was very low too, which always makes it difficult to hear others on the opposite stop. Neither are the best headphones with a mic for voice and video calls, but despite the price difference, the PI5 is superior hither.

Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI5

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Battery life

The PI7 is rated super-low at just 4 hours with ANC enabled, whereas the PI5 comes in a smidge higher at 4.v hours — over again with ANC. This is just equally underwhelming as the AirPods Pro (four.v hours) and not fifty-fifty half of what some other competitors manage, such every bit the Principal & Dynamic MW08 (ten hours). Since information technology runs fewer features and provides 30 minutes actress listening fourth dimension, this round goes to the PI5.

Their respective wireless charging cases support quick charging and are equally powerful, netting users ii hours on a 15-minute charge.

Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI5

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Verdict

The PI7 is tough to overlook based on sound quality lonely; it'southward truly 2d to none in the surface area. Back up for all aptX codecs is pretty rare too, and the multipurpose charging case gives you lot another way of enjoying music wirelessly and with minimal loss in fidelity. ANC is also solid, giving the AirPods Pro a run for its money. Bluetooth could be stronger, and playtimes are pretty bad, though at to the lowest degree y'all have the charging case and quick charging to salvage your low-battery anxiety.

	Bowers & Wilkins PI5	Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Price and value (5)	four	three
Design (15)	13	thirteen
Controls (10)	half dozen	seven
Sound quality (twenty)	18	20
Active racket cancellation(twenty)	17	18
Special features and apps (15)	viii	10
Call quality (5)	4	three
Battery life (10)	6	5
Total score (100)	76	79

Simply because the PI5 is a scaled downwards version of the PI7 doesn't make it any less valuable. Specific features are missing from the spec sheet, just these buds are notwithstanding capable of pumping out rich and detailed sound. ANC is just equally effective. Also, the fact that you're getting higher bombardment life, along with better call quality, gives the PI5 extra selling points.

Had it come with some of the PI7'south exclusive sound and software perks, a different winner may have been crowned, but fifty-fifty at a significantly higher price the PI7'south extras give it the edge.

More: Want more than audio goodness? Bank check out the best desktop speakers

A lifestyle announcer with an analogousness for consumer products, Alex has over a decade of feel and has worked with pop publications such as Complex, Thrillist, Men'southward Wellness, Gear Patrol, AskMen, and Hoop Magazine. He currently focuses on sound, reviewing the well-nigh coveted headphones in the market for both Tom'south Guide and Laptop Magazine.