Apple Between Between 3ANC

Stunning triple-driver sound and a mic that shames the competition, wrapped in a chunky package with annoying touch controls. For the price, it's an audio-first steal—if you can live with the fit.

The Status Between 3ANC earbuds pack a triple-driver punch that puts them among the best-sounding wireless earbuds we've tested—94th percentile sound. They're an audiophile's dream for the price, with rich, clear audio and ANC that's nearly top-tier. But the fit isn't for everyone, and the touch controls will test your patience. If you can get past those quirks, you're getting flagship-grade sound and mic performance for a fraction of the cost.

We were blown away by the mic quality. It's 97th percentile—crystal clear calls even in noisy environments. But the real surprise was the sound staging; the hybrid triple driver setup delivers bass that hits without muddying the mids, and the highs are crisp. ANC is strong, though not quite Bose-level. The 28th percentile comfort is the elephant in the room: these stick out more than we'd like, and after an hour, we wanted to swap tips—which is a pain because the silicone is a nightmare to change. But the audio performance for the money is shocking.

Prices are all over the map—$99 to $29,700, which is absurd. But at the realistic $99–$150 range, you're getting sound and ANC that rival earbuds costing twice as much. If you can snag them at the lower end, it's a no-brainer. Honestly, even at $150, they're still a great deal for the audio quality.

Compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Status earbuds match the sound quality and even beat them on mic clarity, but Sony wins on comfort and a more polished app. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers superior ANC and a more secure fit, but costs significantly more. If pure sound and call quality are your top priorities and you can tolerate the bulkier fit, the Between 3ANC steal the show. For most people, the Sony's overall balance is still the safer bet.

If you're looking for the most comfortable, set-it-and-forget-it earbuds, these ain't it. The chunky fit and frustrating touch controls will drive you nuts. Grab the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead—they're lighter, smarter, and just as good for noise cancelling.

These are the true audiophile earbuds for the budget-minded. The sound is phenomenal, the mic is best-in-class, and the battery lasts. But the fit and finicky touch controls hold them back from being a universal recommendation. If you value audio above all else and don't mind fiddling with ear tips once, buy them. If comfort and seamless controls matter more, look at Sony or Bose.