5 Best Earbuds with Transparency Mode – Tested By Me
If you’re on the hunt for the best earbuds with transparency mode, I’ve got you covered. These earbuds let you hear your surroundings without taking them off—perfect for staying safe while enjoying your music.
| Feature | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) | Beats Studio Buds | Status Audio Between 3ANC | Sony WF-1000XM5 | Beats Studio Buds + |
| Sound Quality | Excellent, clear highs and rich bass | Balanced, with strong bass | Excellent with triple drivers for detail | Top-notch with Dynamic Driver X | Rich and immersive sound |
| Noise Cancellation | Up to 2x more than previous model | Good, but not as strong as competitors | Advanced with three adjustable modes | Industry-leading with dual processors | Personalized ANC with good performance |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours (ANC), 30 hours with case | Up to 8 hours, 24 hours with case | Up to 8 hours (ANC), 12 hours without ANC | Up to 8 hours, 24 hours with case | Up to 36 hours with case |
| Transparency Mode | Seamless, blends with ANC | Works well in most settings | Customizable with ambient mode | Adaptive, adjusts based on environment | Two distinct modes for control |
| Comfort and Fit | Customizable with four tip sizes | Three soft ear tip sizes | Multiple ear tips and secure wingtips | Noise isolation tips for secure fit | Four ear tip sizes for a better fit |
| Water Resistance | IP54 rated (dust, sweat, and water resistant) | IPX4 rated (sweat and water resistant) | IPX5 rated (water resistant) | IPX4 rated (sweat and splash resistant) | IPX4 rated (sweat and water resistant) |
| Special Features | Adaptive audio, Conversation Awareness, Siri integration | Class 1 Bluetooth, good for Apple and Android | Bluetooth 5.2, fast charging, stable connection | Speak-to-chat, AI-based call quality | Voice-targeting microphones, spatial audio |
| Price Range | Premium | Budget-friendly | Mid-range | Premium | Mid-range |
Top Earbuds with transparency mode (List)
When it comes to choosing the right earbuds, transparency mode is one of those features that you’ll really appreciate once you start using it. It allows you to hear the sounds around you, even while listening to your music or podcasts.
Here are some of the best earbuds with this feature, starting with Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation).
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) – Best Overall
Overall Score: 4.8/5
- Sound Quality: 5/5
- Noise Cancellation: 4.8/5
- Comfort: 4.7/5
- Features: 4.9/5
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) is, in my opinion, the top choice if you’re looking for an all-rounder. Apple has really nailed it with the sound quality, and their advanced noise cancellation, combined with transparency mode, makes these earbuds stand out.
The fit is customizable, and the design is sleek, making them perfect for long hours of use. The H2 chip is what makes these earbuds so powerful. It delivers crystal-clear highs and deep, rich bass, creating an immersive sound experience.
Key Features:
- The H2 chip enhances both noise cancellation and sound quality, making everything sound rich and immersive.
- It offers up to twice the noise cancellation compared to the previous model.
- The adaptive audio system blends transparency and noise cancellation modes for a customized experience.
- Includes four different silicone tips to ensure a comfortable fit for all ear sizes.
- Both the earbuds and the charging case are resistant to dust, sweat, and water (IP54 rated).
- Personalized Spatial Audio adapts to your unique ear shape, making the sound feel like it’s surrounding you.
- Conversation Awareness mode intelligently adjusts the volume when you start talking to someone nearby.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent noise cancellation | Price may be too high for some |
| Comfortable fit with customizable ear tips | Battery life could be longer |
| Top-notch sound quality | |
| Great transparency mode | |
| Durable, sweat, and water-resistant design | |
| Personalized Spatial Audio for immersive sound | |
| Easy controls with touch gestures |
Beats Studio Buds – Best Budget
Overall Score: 4.3/5
- Sound Quality: 4.2/5
- Noise Cancellation: 4.0/5
- Comfort: 4.5/5
- Features: 4.4/5
If you’re looking for great transparency earbuds on a budget, the Beats Studio Buds are a solid pick. While they might not have the same level of noise cancellation as some high-end models, they do come with both Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and transparency modes, which gives you flexibility depending on your environment.
I found them to be very comfortable, thanks to the three ear tip sizes that provide a stable and snug fit. The battery life is also impressive, offering up to 8 hours of listening time and up to 24 hours with the charging case.
Key Features:
- Delivers a balanced sound experience with powerful bass and clear mids.
- Offers both Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and transparency mode for different listening environments.
- Provides up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge, and 24 hours total with the case.
- Uses Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts.
- Equipped with built-in microphones for clear voice calls and easy interaction with voice assistants.
- IPX4-rated for sweat and water resistance, making them ideal for workouts and outdoor use.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable price | Noise cancellation could be better |
| Comfortable fit with multiple ear tip sizes | |
| Balanced sound quality | |
| Transparency mode works well | |
| Sweat and water-resistant (IPX4 rating) | |
| Long battery life | |
| Compatible with both Apple and Android |
Status Audio Between 3ANC Bone
Overall Score: 4.5/5
- Sound Quality: 4.6/5
- Noise Cancellation: 4.4/5
- Comfort: 4.7/5
- Features: 4.3/5
The Status Audio Between 3ANC Bone earbuds are quite unique, especially with their triple driver technology. When I tried these out, I noticed how well they balance the highs, mids, and lows, making them a great option for anyone who really loves detailed sound.
Key Features:
- Features triple driver technology with one dynamic driver and two balanced armature drivers for a detailed audio experience.
- Advanced ANC with three adjustable modes (Transparency, Noise Cancellation, and Ambient) to suit your surroundings.
- Up to 8 hours of listening time with ANC on and 12 hours with ANC off.
- USB-C fast charging case provides an extra 24 hours of battery life.
- IPX5-rated for water and sweat resistance, making them great for workouts or outdoor use.
- Easy pairing and automatic reconnection, making it simple to switch between devices.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent sound quality with triple drivers | ANC could be stronger in very noisy environments |
| Comfortable and secure fit | Price might be a bit high for some |
| Three ANC modes for different situations | |
| Long battery life with quick charging | |
| Water and sweat resistant (IPX5) | |
| Stable Bluetooth connection with easy pairing | |
| Lightweight design ideal for long listening |
Sony WF-1000XM5 – Most Luxurious
Overall Score: 4.7/5
- Sound Quality: 4.8/5
- Noise Cancellation: 4.9/5
- Comfort: 4.5/5
- Features: 4.6/5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are one of the best earbuds with transparency mode. They are known for their impressive noise cancellation, and honestly, they are some of the best in this category. Sony has done a fantastic job here with their dual processors, which cancel out more noise than most other earbuds I’ve tried.
The sound quality is also top-notch, especially with the Dynamic Driver X that makes the vocals and details in music stand out more clearly.
Key Features:
- Dual proprietary processors cancel out more noise than previous models.
- Dynamic Driver X enhances sound clarity and detail, especially for vocals.
- AI-based noise reduction algorithm improves call quality, even in noisy places.
- Glossy, luxurious design that feels comfortable in the ear.
- Speak-to-chat feature pauses music automatically when you start talking.
- IPX4 water resistance keeps the earbuds safe from splashes and sweat.
- Long battery life with up to 8 hours of listening on a single charge and 24 hours with the case.
- Quick charging gives 1 hour of playback with just 3 minutes of charging.
| Pros | Cons |
| Industry-leading noise cancellation | High price tag |
| Excellent sound clarity with rich details | |
| Comfortable fit with noise isolation tips | |
| Long battery life | |
| Water-resistant design (IPX4) | |
| Quick charge feature | |
| Speak-to-chat pauses music automatically |
Beats Studio Buds + – Waterproof Choice
Overall Score: 4.4/5
- Sound Quality: 4.5/5
- Noise Cancellation: 4.2/5
- Comfort: 4.6/5
- Features: 4.3/5
The Beats Studio Buds + are an upgraded version of the original Studio Buds, and they’ve added some really cool features. The custom acoustic platform makes the sound quality really rich and immersive, especially when listening to music or podcasts.
Key Features:
- Custom acoustic platform delivers rich and immersive sound for both music and calls.
- Personalized Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and transparency mode provide flexible listening options.
- Long battery life with up to 36 hours of listening time, including the case.
- Four sizes of silicone tips ensure a comfortable and secure fit for all ear sizes.
- Larger voice-targeting microphones for clearer call performance.
- Class 1 Bluetooth offers extended range and fewer dropouts.
- Sweat and water-resistant (IPX4), making them suitable for workouts or outdoor use.
| Pros | Cons |
| Long battery life (up to 36 hours) | Noise cancellation isn’t as strong as competitors |
| Comfortable fit with multiple ear tip options | |
| Custom acoustic platform for rich sound | |
| Easy pairing with both Apple and Android | |
| Sweat and water-resistant (IPX4) | |
| Extended Bluetooth range with fewer dropouts | |
| Clear call performance with larger microphones |
Why is transparency mode important in Earbuds?
Transparency mode is one of those features that you don’t realize you need until you use it. In my experience, it’s been a game-changer, especially when I’m in busy environments. It lets you hear what’s happening around you while still listening to your music.
t’s perfect for when you’re walking in busy places or need to stay aware of your surroundings, like crossing streets or hearing announcements. Instead of removing your earbuds, you just switch to transparency mode, and you can hear both your audio and outside sounds.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Earbuds With Transparency Mode
If you are thinking of buying earbuds with transparency mode, there are a few things you should know first. I have used dozens of earbuds over the years. Some were great. Some looked nice but didn’t work well in the real world.
Transparency mode sounds like a simple feature. But it can make or break your experience. It lets you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. It helps during calls, when walking outside, or when someone talks to you.
But not every earbud does it right. Below are the key things I always check before I buy.
Sound Quality in Transparency Mode
Always check how natural the outside sounds feel. This is the number one rule.
When I tried cheap earbuds, everything outside sounded robotic. Voices felt hollow. I could hear things, but it didn’t sound real. That was a big red flag.
Good earbuds with transparency mode make outside sound feel normal. I once tested the AirPods Pro while walking near traffic. I could hear cars, birds, and people talking as if I had nothing in my ears. It was smooth and clear.
Poor sound quality in transparency mode can confuse your ears. You might end up talking too loudly without noticing. I made that mistake once during a call and my wife had to tell me to lower my voice.
To test it, wear the earbuds and go outside. Talk to someone. Walk near traffic. If everything sounds sharp and balanced, it is a good sign. If the outside noise sounds fake or too boosted, avoid it.
Clear, natural sound is the most important factor. Never skip this test.
Comfort and Fit for Long Use
If the earbuds hurt your ears, the features don’t matter. Comfort comes first.
I once bought earbuds with great reviews. They worked fine, but after 30 minutes, my ears started to hurt. I couldn’t wear them for more than an hour. That made them useless for daily use.
When using transparency mode, you might wear the earbuds for hours. If the fit is too tight, you will keep adjusting them. If they are too loose, they will fall out.
I always look for soft silicone ear tips. Foam tips are fine for short use, but not great for long listening. I also make sure the earbuds come with different ear tip sizes. That helps find the perfect seal.
I test comfort by wearing the earbuds while doing normal things. I clean, work, and walk around with them in. If I forget I am wearing them, that is a good sign. If I feel pressure or irritation, I return them.
Good fit also helps with sound and call quality. If there is no seal, sound leaks in or out. So choose comfort first, always.
Microphone and Call Clarity
Many people forget to test this, but it matters a lot. If people cannot hear you clearly during calls, the earbuds fail.
I learned this the hard way. I once took a client call with new earbuds. The person on the other end kept asking me to repeat myself. I sounded like I was underwater.
After that, I always test the mic. I make calls outside. I leave myself voice memos. I ask friends if they can hear me clearly.
Good earbuds have noise reduction and clear voice pickup. Even in busy streets, your voice should stay clear. Bad ones pick up wind, traffic, and background noise. That ruins any call.
If you plan to use earbuds for work, voice messages, or video calls, test the mic first. Good call quality means more than just hearing well. You also need to be heard clearly.
Battery Life With Transparency Mode
Transparency mode uses more battery than normal use. Always check how long the battery lasts when this feature is on.
Some brands say “8 hours of play time,” but that is with all features off. When transparency mode is active, that time can drop fast.
I once went on a full-day trip and used transparency mode the whole time. My earbuds died after just 3 hours. I had to spend the rest of the day without them.
Now, I check two things. First, how many hours the earbuds last with transparency mode on. Second, how much extra charge the case gives.
Fast charging is also helpful. If I can get one hour of use from 10 minutes of charge, that is a big plus.
Battery life should be enough for a full work shift or day outside. Always check real reviews, not just what the box says. Brands sometimes hide the numbers for transparency mode.
Final Words
To wrap things up, here’s why choosing earbuds with transparency mode is a smart move:
- They offer a great balance of noise cancellation and transparency for any environment.
- Comfortable fit and customizable tips mean you can wear them all day.
- Battery life on these models ensures long listening times without frequent charging.
- Special features, like water resistance and voice control, add even more value.
That’s all.
