Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Notice: We're proud to introduce Test Bench 2.0, which overhauls our audio measurements, with new tests and usages. There's even a brand new multi-target graphing tool! You can read all about this in our changelog, featuring commentary from our Test Designer, Pierre. We'll also be holding an AMA on our Discord Channel on May 1.
- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Sound
- Isolation
- Microphone
- Active Features
- Connectivity
- Comments
Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless vs Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Jan 15, 2024 03:46 PM
Searching
Finding storeTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Jan 15, 2024 01:49 PM
Searching
Finding store
TypeEarbuds
EnclosureOpen-Back
Noise CancellingNo
WirelessTruly Wireless
TransducerDynamic
MicYes
TypeIn-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
Noise CancellingNo
WirelessTruly Wireless
TransducerDynamic
MicYes
Variants
- AirPods (1st generation) (White)
- E8 (Black)
- E8 (Charcoal Sand)
Our Verdict
Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 are a better truly wireless headset than the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless. The Bang & Olufsen have a more isolating in-ear fit that also translates into a better bass range thanks to the better seal they create in your ear. The Bang & Olufsen also have a customizable sound and better app support than the Apple, even on iOS devices. The Bang & Olufsen have a better control scheme that gives you all the essential functions, whereas the Apple rely heavily on voice-enabled controls, which is not always practical. On the other hand, the Apple have longer cumulative battery life at 25+ hours compared to the Bang & Olufsen's 15 hours, at best. The Apple also have a more reliable wireless connection with greater range and better latency than the Bang & Olufsen, especially on iOS devices.
Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.4
7.3
Noise Isolation
1.3
8.0
Leakage
7.3
9.8
Frequency Response Consistency
6.4
9.4
Bass Accuracy
6.0
8.7
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Design Picture 2
Type
Earbuds
In-ear
Enclosure
Open-Back
Closed-Back
Wireless
Truly Wireless
Truly Wireless
Transducer
Dynamic
Dynamic
Comfort
8.0
7.5
Comfort Picture
Weight
0.02 lbs
0.03 lbs
Clamping Force
0 lbs
0 lbs
Controls
4.7
7.0
Controls Picture
OS Compatibility
N/A
N/A
Ease Of Use
Subpar
Okay
Feedback
Subpar
Mediocre
Call/Music Control
Yes
Yes
Volume Control
No
Yes
Microphone Control
No
No
Channel Mixing
N/A
N/A
Noise Cancelling Control
N/A
N/A
Talk-Through
N/A
Yes
Additional Buttons
Voice enabled controls
No
Breathability
9.6
9.2
Breathability After Picture
Avg.Temp.Difference
0.4 °C
0.8 °C
Portability
9.6
9.5
Portability Picture
L
1.72"
1.2"
W
1"
1.8"
H
0.6"
0.6"
Volume
1.03 in³
1.3 in³
Transmitter Required
N/A
N/A
Case
8.5
8.0
Case Picture
Type
Hard case
Hard case
L
2.06"
1.7"
W
1.69"
2.6"
H
0.74"
1.1"
Volume
2.58 in³
4.9 in³
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build Quality Picture
Stability
6.5
7.5
Stability Picture
Headshots 1
Angled Picture
Side Picture
Headshots 2
Front Picture
Rear Picture
Top
Top Picture
In The Box
In the box Picture
Sound
Sound Profile
Frequency Response
Bass Amount
-7.73 dB
-0.41 dB
Treble Amount
0.61 dB
-0.33 dB
Frequency Response Consistency
6.4
9.4
Consistency L
Consistency R
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.8 dB
0.13 dB
Raw Frequency Response
Bass Accuracy
6.0
8.7
Std. Err.
5.27 dB
1.84 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
64.42 Hz
10 Hz
Low-Bass
-10.94 dB
-0.76 dB
Mid-Bass
-0.79 dB
-2.54 dB
High-Bass
1.62 dB
0.92 dB
Mid Accuracy
7.9
8.4
Std. Err.
2.78 dB
2.18 dB
Low-Mid
1.7 dB
3.22 dB
Mid-Mid
0.55 dB
-0.42 dB
High-Mid
3.62 dB
0.93 dB
Treble Accuracy
7.2
6.1
Std. Err.
4.18 dB
5 dB
Low-Treble
4.46 dB
-3.78 dB
Mid-Treble
4.26 dB
3.93 dB
High-Treble
0.57 dB
0.19 dB
Peaks/Dips
7.3
6.1
Peaks/Dips Graph
Peaks
1.83 dB
2.71 dB
Dips
1.13 dB
1.82 dB
Imaging
8.4
8.7
Phase Response
Weighted Group Delay
0.31
0.16
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.04
0.2
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.5
2.39
Weighted Phase Mismatch
5.76
5.18
Soundstage
2.6
0.5
PRTF
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
N/A
N/A
PRTF Size (Avg.)
N/A
N/A
PRTF Distance
N/A
N/A
Openness
9.7
2.0
Acoustic Space Excitation
3.4
0.3
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
7.9
7.8
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.177
0.277
WHD @ 100
0.128
0.125
Isolation
Noise Isolation
1.3
8.0
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-2.64 dB
-25.53 dB
Noise Cancelling
No
No
Bass
-0.01 dB
-11.12 dB
Mid
1.1 dB
-19.4 dB
Treble
-8.72 dB
-46.58 dB
Leakage
7.3
9.8
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
37.73 dB
22.4 dB
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
Yes
In-line
No
No
Boom
No
No
Detachable Boom
N/A
N/A
Mic
Yes
Yes
Recording Quality
6.2
6.4
Microphone Frequency Response
Recorded Speech
LFE
354.04 Hz
339.03 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
2.83 dB
3.46 dB
HFE
3,368.2 Hz
3,466.89 Hz
Weighted THD
31.268
2.965
Gain
28.6 dB
37.3 dB
Noise Handling
6.2
6.0
Speech + Pink Noise
Speech + Subway Noise
SpNR
14.85 dB
12.39 dB
Active Features
Battery
7.1
6.1
Battery Type
Rechargable
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
4.8 hrs
4.1 hrs
Additional Charges
5
2
Total Battery Life
27 hrs
12.3 hrs
Charge Time
0.5 hrs
1.2 hrs
Power Saving Feature
Yes
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
Yes
No
Passive Playback
No
No
Charging Port
Lightning
micro-USB
App Support
5.5
6.5
App Picture
App Name
N/A
Beoplay
iOS
Yes
Yes
Android
No
Yes
macOS
N/A
N/A
Windows
N/A
N/A
Equalizer
No
Presets
ANC Control
No
N/A
Mic Control
N/A
No
Room effects
No
No
Playback Control
No
Yes
Button Mapping
Yes
N/A
Surround Sound
N/A
N/A
Connectivity
Bluetooth
6.9
6.9
Bluetooth Version
4.2 + W1 chip
4.2
Multi-Device Pairing
No
No
NFC Pairing
No
No
Line of Sight Range
91 ft
82 ft
Default Latency
168 ms
190 ms
aptX Latency
N/A
N/A
aptX(LL) Latency
N/A
N/A
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
0.0
0.0
Non-BT Line of Sight Range
N/A
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A
N/A
Wired
0.0
0.0
Cable Picture
Analog Audio
N/A
N/A
USB Audio
N/A
N/A
Detachable
N/A
N/A
Length
N/A
N/A
Connection
N/A
N/A
Wired Latency
N/A
N/A
PC / PS4 Compatibility
PC / PS4 Analog
No
No
PC / PS4 Wired USB
No
No
PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox One Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
No
No
Xbox One Wired USB
No
No
Xbox One Wireless
No
No
Base/Dock
2.2
2.2
Type
Charging Case
Charging Case
USB Input
No
No
Line In
No
No
Line Out
No
No
Optical Input
No
No
RCA Input
No
No
Dock Charging
Yes
Yes
Power Supply
Lightning
USB
Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018
Comments
Apple AirPods (1st generation) vs Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.