The blingy Huawei Freebuds 6 blend an open fit with convincing noise cancelling – does it work?
At £120 (like all Huawei kit you can't officially buy these in the US) they're priced to challenge the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation and the Galaxy Buds 3, with an equally extensive feature list including active ANC. Dual drivers and high quality Bluetooth codecs bode well for audio, while the streamlined design aims for maximum comfort.
How we test headphones
Every pair of earphones and headphones reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products.
Find out more about how we test and rate products.
The buds use a tweaked version of the unique teardrop shape seen on the last-gen Freebuds 5, being a little smaller and a bit curvier to rest more naturally in your ears. The difference is dramatic; I didn't need the rubber covers Huawei includes in the box to add extra grip, as they stayed in place just fine while sat at a desk or walking around the house. The semi-open design has given my ear canals a welcome break from testing multiple IEM-style earphones, too. Still, I wouldn't work out in them – running bumped them loose fairly quickly.
They're light enough I could leave them in all day, only having to take them out to charge. Battery life is merely OK, managing around four hours with ANC enabled or six hours without, but the egg-shaped charging case has almost enough juice for five full charges. A ten minute top-up would usually add another two or so hours; leaving them stowed during my lunch break was easily enough to get me through the rest of the working day.
Noise cancelling is definitely worth using. The semi-open fit means it can't block exterior noise to anywhere near the same extent as a pair of in-ears, and there was a noticeable hiss when listening to spoken word podcasts, but it was harder to notice when I swapped to music. It was able to block out low-frequency drones like computers, cooling fans or my robot vacuum pretty effectively. Just don't expect to ride the subway in silence with these in your ears.
I'm not sure I can pull off the eye-catching metallic purple colour in public, either. The pearl-like finish manages to avoid collecting fingerprints, and the double-tap gesture to play or pause your tunes mean adjusting the fit won't accidentally stop playback. I'd rather have the black or white versions, which are a lot less shouty on the styling front.
As ever with Huawei headphones, if you're not rocking one of the firm's own smartphones (and let's be honest, why would you in 2025 unless you live in China) installing the AI Life companion app requires a few more steps than usual. Most Android phones flash up a scary looking warning when installing third-party APKs, which can be off-putting if you aren't tech-savvy.
Once you're up and running it all works as expected, at least, with customisable gesture controls, plenty of EQ presets to play with, and handy extras like find my earbuds. A few more advanced features, like head-tracking spatial sound, are off limits unless you're paired to a Huawei phone; personally I don't miss it, as I'm not a fan of the artificially expanded soundstage.
What truly impressed me was the way the Freebuds 6 sounded. I was expecting a thin, treble-heavy tone on account of the semi-open design, but you're actually getting the opposite. The 11mm dynamic driver and planar diaphragm work together to deliver a surprising amount of bass, resulting in a great overall balance. OK, you're missing out on the sub-bass punch found from in-ears, but DEADLIFE's Deviant still had a satisfying low-end.
You don't have to crank the volume to achieve this, and there's a good amount of instrumental separation on more delicate tracks. This was all on the default EQ preset, too; there's room to push things in either direction if you want a sharper treble or more dominant low-end. They're comfortably on par with other semi-open earphones.
There's still a gap to the best in-ear alternatives, on both sound quality and noise cancelling. That makes these more suited to a second set, rather than your only earbuds – but it's a role they fill very well.
Stuff Says…
Comfortable, punchy-sounding open fit earbuds with decent noise cancelling and high quality codecs. Huawei's familiar app caveats supply, but the Freebuds 6 otherwise deliver plenty for the price.
Pros
Energetic audio that doesn't skimp on bass
Noise cancelling is decent for open-fit earbuds
Cons
The usual app hurdles to navigate
Semi-open fit won't be for everyone
Huawei Freebuds 6 technical specifications
Drivers 11mm dynamic + planar diaphragm ANC Yes Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.2 Codecs supported SBC, AAC, L2HC, LDAC Durability IP54 (buds) Battery life 4hrs/24hrs (ANC on, buds/case, sound quality priority)
6hrs/36hrs (ANC off, buds/case, connection priority) Dimensions 31x19x24mm, 4.9g (buds, each)
66x50x27mm, 40.3g (case)
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These must-have features just made the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro my new go-to gaming headset
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The Blackshark V3 Pro is the headline-grabbing hero model, with copious connectivity, lag-free wireless and a broadcast-grade boom mic – but then at $250/£250/€270, you'd rightly expect it to have the best tech going. It's joined by the cheaper Blackshark V3 and V3 X Hyperspeed, which forego some of the fancier features to hit a far more appealing price point. Does the Pro do enough to earn its place at the top of the tree? How we test headphones Every pair of earphones and headphones reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: cleared for takeoff The V3 Pro doesn't look all that different from the last-gen Blackshark, but that's a good thing in my book: the old headset evolved Razer's aviator-style design into something more sleek and modern, and this model continues that trend. It's still an all-black affair – unless you go for the white version, which is more of a half-way house with its black ear cups and headband, or buy one of the console-specific models. The PlayStation and Xbox flavours get blue and green headband stitching respectively. Small refinements can be found when you go looking for them: the chunky volume dial on the left ear cup has a textured finish now, which makes it easier to grip. There are more buttons around the edges, but they're evenly distributed – and the ones you'll be pressing more are moved far away from the power button to avoid accidental switch offs. 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The ear cushions are wrapped in hexagonal weave cloth, but have a leatherette layer underneath that both helps wick away sweat and increases background noise isolation. I've happily worn this headset through entire 9-5 working days, then popped it back on after dinner for an evening of gaming without any discomfort. I also like that the boom microphone still detaches easily when you don't need it. Razer had long sorted any issues with microphone drift with the outgoing Blackshark V2, and I didn't experience any during testing this new model. Features & battery: wireless wonder After the last-gen headset going exclusively wireless rankled some corners of the internet, Razer has course-corrected for 2025. The Blackshark V3 Pro still has built-in Bluetooth and includes one of the firm's Hyperspeed 2.4GHz dongles, but now you can also listen via a cable. You get USB-C and USB to 3.5mm cables in the box, so it should play nicely with just about any gadget. I can't say I felt the need to go back to wired play, though. The new Hyperspeed V2 connection is about as close to a cable as it gets, measuring just 10ms of latency – or 5ms faster than the V2 Pro (and virtually any rival) can manage. It's so low I couldn't detect any delay between the onscreen action and what I was hearing through the headset. Range was pretty good in my two-storey home, and I didn't experience any interference from my other wireless gear. That could partly be to the redesigned dongle now sitting on your desk at the end of a cable rather than plugging directly into your PC or console like a flash drive. It's still nice and compact, though, not taking up anywhere near as much desk space as the Razer Kraken V4 Pro's base station. You're not forced to pick between Hyperspeed and Bluetooth anymore, either. A new simultaneous mode lets you hear both sources at once, so you can be connected to voice comms through another device while hearing game audio from your PC. Just keep in mind you're limited to SBC or AAC Bluetooth – there's no higher quality codec support. The smart switch button on the right ear cup makes it easy to toggle between the three different modes. This is also where you'll find the new configurable roller, which can be set through Razer's Synapse software to adjust the game/voice chat balance, mic monitoring level, or footstep booster setting. The latter is based on your EQ profile, so you can have different settings for different games. You can save up to nine. The profile switcher button above the roller toggles through each one. I wish the roller could also be pressed in to make selections; that would open it up for full multimedia controls when not in-game, though the power button can do this already with double- and triple-taps. Battery life can max out at 70 hours with a Hyperspeed connection – but only when you've got ANC disabled. It'll drain faster with noise cancelling switched on. 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The four EQ presets include specific modes for esports and broadcasting, the former upping the mid-highs for speech that better cuts through gaming audio, and the latter with warmer, deeper tones for a more studio-like sound. The 48Hz sampling rate is higher than you'll find from most headset rivals (though not every game or comms client broadcasts that high), and the internal/external pop filters help prevent plosives. Clarity is a huge improvement over the 16kHz competition. I was seriously impressed with how clear my voice sounded when recording locally, and co-op friends said I was coming through very clearly when playing online. Sound quality and noise cancelling: detail oriented The V3 Pro isn't Razer's first gaming headset with active noise cancellation onboard, but the tech has never appeared on a Blackshark before. It uses two mics on each ear – one internal and one external – to strip out a generous amount of background noise, even with the in-game volume set at a moderate level. These aren't really the kin of cans you wear outside the house, so heavily trafficked roads and public transport aren't the best test case for them – though I still gave it a go. They don't have the nuance of the best mainstream ANC headphones when it comes to sudden loud sounds, and the noise floor in general was higher than the likes of Bose or Sony, but for gaming headphones they put in a fantastic showing. Back at home, I could still make out the clack of my mechanical keyboard – but the ANC was far more effective than any pair of passively isolating headphones, including the Logitech G Pro X 2 I normally use. They have the edge over the few gaming headsets I've tried with ANC, too. On the audio side, the Blackshark V3 Pro gets the latest version of Razer's 50mm dynamic drivers. 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Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 This ever-popular gaming headset is even more capable in its third generation. The Blackshark V3 Pro sounds stellar, has great connectivity, and adds effective ANC to the mix. Pros Familiar design is as comfortable as ever, while still evolving functionality Punchy and precise audio meets crystal clear mic quality Wired connections make a welcome return for those who need them Cons No high quality Bluetooth codecs You pay a premium for the uprated speaker drivers and mic Razer Blackshark V3 Pro technical specifications Drivers 50mm dynamic ANC Yes Connectivity USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, 3.5mm Codecs supported AAC, SBC Battery life Up to 70 hours (PC) Up to 48 hours (Xbox/Playstation) Weight 367g
Stuff.tv
3 days ago
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The Porsche 911 GTS taught me hybrids can be a riot when they want to be
Stuff Verdict Keeps the 911 in the conversation without adding a plug socket. The GTS T-Hybrid is a confident first step towards electrification that's just as dynamic to drive as you'd expect from a Porsche Pros Astounding performance only aided by hybrid system Rides and handles superbly, as a 911 should Luxury cabin feel with plenty of tech Cons Only available with a PDK transmission Introduction Are you one of the small portion of petrolheads that refuse to put the whole 'electrification means the death of combustion' argument in the rear view mirror? Have a blast in the latest 911 GTS. Porsche's new T-Hybrid powerplant will soon change your mind. OK, so one of the world's most recognisable sports cars isn't actually ditching petrol for protons entirely just yet. Porsche's familiar flat-six engine has instead been mated with a single turbocharger – rather than the two seen on the last-gen model – that slots an electric motor between its compressor and turbine. The resulting extra horsepower reduces turbo lag by two thirds at 2000rpm, and improves fuel efficiency to boot. Another e-motor inside the PDK gearbox lends even more assistance when you really get going. Not too shabby for a 50kg kerb weight increase. The first electrified 911 can't use its 1.9kWh battery for propulsion, so you'll still need to head to the Taycan – or wait for the electric Cayman – if you want zero emissions driving. But neither have the sports car pedigree of the GTS. I spend a week with the four-wheel drive Cabriolet, which might just be the best of the bunch. How we test cars Every electric car reviewed on Stuff is tested on a range of road surfaces and, where possible, in varying weather conditions. We use our years of experience to compare with rivals and assess ergonomics, technology features and general usability. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. The styling: subtle evolution The 911 silhouette is as distinctive as ever for this latest generation, albeit a larger one than it used to be. The 992.2 refresh added bolder styling front and rear, including LED Matrix headlights that neatly integrate the indicators, aero-optimised flaps in the front bumper, and an updated LED light bar on the back. You get a few extra black trim accents on the GTS, along with model-specific black alloys – 20in front and 21in rear – that give it a purposeful stance. Then there's the dramatic central dual-exit exhaust, influenced by Porsche's GT division. In the right colour, this car can look properly menacing. Yet it's still a 911 at heart, meaning it can be used for pretty much all your driving needs. I got an infant car seat in the front, my wife in the back seat (just), and the fold-down pushchair fit in the front boot. That officially makes it a family car, dads. Clever packaging also means the extra hybrid gubbins hasn't forced the driving position to change, so you still get the same low-slung view of the road ahead, peeking out over the iconic headlight bulges. You can have one in coupe, cabrio, or targa bodystyles; the latter is only available with four-wheel drive, while the hard- and soft-tops have rear-driven options as well. All have a PDK automatic gearbox, necessary for the hybrid system. Arguably that makes the manual transmission Carrera T more of a driver's car, though I've not driven one to confirm. The Cabriolet's roof retracts in twelve seconds, or more than enough to go tops-off at a set of traffic lights. If they do turn green, you're good to keep the button held up to 31mph. There's very little wind turbulence at 50mph, even with the wind deflector stowed. The drive: electrifying The GTS fires up like any combustion 911, the hybrid system preferring to lurk in the background until called upon by your right foot. Once it is, there's an immediacy to the powertrain that you just don't get elsewhere in the range. The turbocharger fires up almost instantly, letting the flat six put its power down with real ferocity. That's not to say the other cars are lethargic, or that we've entered EV-levels of instant acceleration; more that it makes the engine feel that bit more ready to respond to your inputs. It takes total power to a heady 534bhp, a 60 horsepower gain over the last-gen GTS, and means the Cabriolet driven here manages the 0-62mph sprint in just 3.1 seconds. That doesn't leave much legal room to reach the upper end of the rev range, where the exhaust note lets out an imposing roar even without reaching for the Sport setting. You get just the slightest electrical hum from the hybrid system, and even then you've got to really go searching for it. While the hybrid does add extra weight, on top of that gained by optioning the convertible roof, this is still a wonderfully balanced sports car. With rear-axle steering as standard and a sublimely weighted, Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, you're given ample feedback and you feel properly connected with it as you make swift progress. The four-wheel drive system ensures stability as you attack corners, and propels you out of them with authority. The ride is firm, even in the softest damper setting, but it in no way hampers the driving experience. When called for, the more dynamic modes help you feel hunkered own on the road, giving a reassuring amount of grip but keeping some rear-end playfulness accessible if you go looking for it. The technology: preserves the lineage It would've been easy for Porsche's engineers to draw a line under the outgoing car and go all-in on tech for the 922 generation, but instead the 911 keeps one foot in the past. The 12.6in curved digital dashboard has a classic five dial view reminiscent of the 997-era car, and the Sport Chrono clock hasn't gone anywhere. Sure, I miss having to turn an analogue switch to fire up the engine; pressing a button isn't quite as engaging. But the new dash is far more practical, letting you pick and choose which vital stats get shown next to the tachometer. There are plenty of physical buttons, and while the climate controls take some learning, it all falls easily within reach. I'm not entirely sold on the centre console's high gloss finish, but materials quality is otherwise excellent. The 10.9in central infotainment system is easy to navigate and comprehensive. It's got all the goodies you'd expect, including wireless Android Auto – because while a significant portion of Porsche drivers are also iPhone owners, the firm isn't leaving anyone out. Wireless Apple CarPlay is beamed onto the digital cluster. That said, there are no plans to add the dash-transforming Apple CarPlay Ultra to this generation. Naturally the press car came fully loaded with all the toys, including a Surround View camera with active parking support (that'll be £1298, please) and adaptive cruise control (£1468). The latter doesn't include lane change assist as standard – if you want it, expect to spend an extra £739. The 12-speaker Bose surround sound system will set you back a substantial £1468, but it's a box well worth ticking. Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid verdict I was never in doubt the GTS would be a corker of a 911, but was still surprised at how little it strays from the established formula, despite the extra technology – and extra weight. It's a reassuring sign of what's to come. It also creates a considerable gap to the regular Carrera in terms of potency, which only adds to the driver appeal. The cabriolet wins out for me over the hard-top: it makes even short drives at pedestrian speeds an event, and doesn't entirely sacrifice rear occupant space to achieve it. That said, in coupe form the GTS can be had with a rear spoiler that looks particularly menacing. There's also the small matter of the price: the most powerful non-Turbo 911 will set you back £154,400 before options, or £168,145 as tested here. On the other hand, you're getting faster acceleration than either a McLaren GTS or Ferrari Roma, with quite a bit of change to boot. If you're in the market for a junior supercar, this looks like an excellent addition to your shortlist. Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 Keeps Porsche's iconic sports car in the conversation without adding a plug socket. The 911 GTS T-Hybrid is a confident first step towards electrification that's just as dynamic an experience as you'd expect from the badge. Pros Astounding performance only aided by hybrid system Rides and handles superbly, as a 911 should Luxury cabin feel with plenty of tech Cons Only available with a PDK transmission Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid technical specifications Powertrain 3.6-litre turbocharged flat six petrol engine Battery 1.9kW Power 534bhp Torque 450lb ft 0-60mph 3.1sec Top speed 194mph Fuel economy 25.7-26.4mpg Cargo volume 135 litres
Stuff.tv
5 days ago
- Stuff.tv
The blingy Huawei Freebuds 6 blend an open fit with convincing noise cancelling – does it work?
I really didn't I'd like the Huawei Freebuds 6. I've been increasingly favouring headphones over wireless earbuds lately, and have never been a big fan of the semi-open fit; they rarely stay secure in my ears, and can't match in-ears or IEMS for noise reduction, active or otherwise. Sound quality usually takes a hit, too. After trying them, though, I'm a convert. At £120 (like all Huawei kit you can't officially buy these in the US) they're priced to challenge the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation and the Galaxy Buds 3, with an equally extensive feature list including active ANC. Dual drivers and high quality Bluetooth codecs bode well for audio, while the streamlined design aims for maximum comfort. How we test headphones Every pair of earphones and headphones reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. The buds use a tweaked version of the unique teardrop shape seen on the last-gen Freebuds 5, being a little smaller and a bit curvier to rest more naturally in your ears. The difference is dramatic; I didn't need the rubber covers Huawei includes in the box to add extra grip, as they stayed in place just fine while sat at a desk or walking around the house. The semi-open design has given my ear canals a welcome break from testing multiple IEM-style earphones, too. Still, I wouldn't work out in them – running bumped them loose fairly quickly. They're light enough I could leave them in all day, only having to take them out to charge. Battery life is merely OK, managing around four hours with ANC enabled or six hours without, but the egg-shaped charging case has almost enough juice for five full charges. A ten minute top-up would usually add another two or so hours; leaving them stowed during my lunch break was easily enough to get me through the rest of the working day. Noise cancelling is definitely worth using. The semi-open fit means it can't block exterior noise to anywhere near the same extent as a pair of in-ears, and there was a noticeable hiss when listening to spoken word podcasts, but it was harder to notice when I swapped to music. It was able to block out low-frequency drones like computers, cooling fans or my robot vacuum pretty effectively. Just don't expect to ride the subway in silence with these in your ears. I'm not sure I can pull off the eye-catching metallic purple colour in public, either. The pearl-like finish manages to avoid collecting fingerprints, and the double-tap gesture to play or pause your tunes mean adjusting the fit won't accidentally stop playback. I'd rather have the black or white versions, which are a lot less shouty on the styling front. As ever with Huawei headphones, if you're not rocking one of the firm's own smartphones (and let's be honest, why would you in 2025 unless you live in China) installing the AI Life companion app requires a few more steps than usual. Most Android phones flash up a scary looking warning when installing third-party APKs, which can be off-putting if you aren't tech-savvy. Once you're up and running it all works as expected, at least, with customisable gesture controls, plenty of EQ presets to play with, and handy extras like find my earbuds. A few more advanced features, like head-tracking spatial sound, are off limits unless you're paired to a Huawei phone; personally I don't miss it, as I'm not a fan of the artificially expanded soundstage. What truly impressed me was the way the Freebuds 6 sounded. I was expecting a thin, treble-heavy tone on account of the semi-open design, but you're actually getting the opposite. The 11mm dynamic driver and planar diaphragm work together to deliver a surprising amount of bass, resulting in a great overall balance. OK, you're missing out on the sub-bass punch found from in-ears, but DEADLIFE's Deviant still had a satisfying low-end. You don't have to crank the volume to achieve this, and there's a good amount of instrumental separation on more delicate tracks. This was all on the default EQ preset, too; there's room to push things in either direction if you want a sharper treble or more dominant low-end. They're comfortably on par with other semi-open earphones. There's still a gap to the best in-ear alternatives, on both sound quality and noise cancelling. That makes these more suited to a second set, rather than your only earbuds – but it's a role they fill very well. Stuff Says… Comfortable, punchy-sounding open fit earbuds with decent noise cancelling and high quality codecs. Huawei's familiar app caveats supply, but the Freebuds 6 otherwise deliver plenty for the price. Pros Energetic audio that doesn't skimp on bass Noise cancelling is decent for open-fit earbuds Cons The usual app hurdles to navigate Semi-open fit won't be for everyone Huawei Freebuds 6 technical specifications Drivers 11mm dynamic + planar diaphragm ANC Yes Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.2 Codecs supported SBC, AAC, L2HC, LDAC Durability IP54 (buds) Battery life 4hrs/24hrs (ANC on, buds/case, sound quality priority) 6hrs/36hrs (ANC off, buds/case, connection priority) Dimensions 31x19x24mm, 4.9g (buds, each) 66x50x27mm, 40.3g (case)
