Technics AZ100: Possibly the best ANC Earbuds of 2025!

Technics certainly isn’t a new comer to the world of audio, or even earbuds for that matter, but given the dominance that the likes of Sony, Bose and Apple have in the premium ANC earbud market they’re going to have to pull something pretty special out the bag to compete. Enter the Technics EAH-AZ100—a high-end pair of earbuds that promise exceptional fit, top-tier noise cancellation, and audiophile-grade sound. So have they succeeded, and at what price? Let’s break it down.

Design & Comfort: A Surprise Fit

Right off the bat, one of the biggest surprises with the Technics AZ100 is how comfortable they are. Unlike many other stemless earbuds, which can be bulky and tricky to fit in the ear, especially for those with smaller ears, these fit snugly in the ear without any issue. This is largely down to their size as they are noticeably smaller, and lighter, than the Technics AZ80 earbuds that these replace.

They also come with five different ear tip sizes to ensure a secure seal no matter your ear size. This all wraps up what is one of the most comfortable pair of in-ear earbuds I’ve ever worn.

The case continues the compact design making it easily pocketable for taking anywhere. Yet despite it’s diminutive size it still manages to pack in not only charging over USB-C. but Qi wireless charging too. However, it’s one notable downside is its lack of a lid that latches or seals shut. So be careful you don’t flip the case upside down, else your earbuds might go flying.

Controls: Customization Galore

The touch controls on the Technics AZ100’s are excellent, thanks to the large and responsive touch area on the top of the earbuds. Users can customize what action a single, double, triple, and long press on each earbud does through the Technics mobile app, thereby tailoring controls to their liking.

Other Features

The AZ100’s are IPX4 rated and so are fine to use down the gym or if you get caught out in the rain. There is no dustproof rating here though which is disappointing given the premium price that these earbuds are selling for.

Whilst multipoint support is a common feature on most earbuds, what sets the Technics AZ100 apart is that it supports up to 3 devices connected simultaneously! You aren’t able to use LDAC audio when doing so though.

One notable omission, despite the AZ100’s being advertised as supporting it, is Auracast support. I could not find any way to activate it, or any documentation that would assist fix the issue. I have reached out to Technics for an update on this so expect this review to be updated once I get a response.

Solid Battery Life

Battery life is a strong point here. The Technics EAH-AZ100 gives you 10 hours of playback on a single charge. That extends to 28 hours with the case. However, if you’re using LDAC for high-res audio, expect a drop of about three hours per charge.

There’s also fast charging where a 15-minute charge gives you 90 minutes of playback. Charging can be done via USB-C or wireless charging, giving you flexibility.

Call Quality: AI Magic?

Technics has packed in AI voice focus technology, which enhances voice clarity during calls by reducing background noise. Interestingly, it works both ways—not only does it filter out noise around you, but it also reduces background noise around the person on the other end. The trade-off? Your voice can sound slightly robotic on the AZ100’s, but you can at least hear each other. When taking a call in a quieter room you can disable this feature and then voices sound far more natural.

Sound Quality: A Bass-Heavy Powerhouse

Equipped with 10mm drivers, the Technics AZ100 delivers powerful, immersive sound. Out of the box, the tuning leans towards a bass-heavy sound. Add to that the ‘Bass+’ and ‘Super Bass+’ EQ modes, and these are ideal earbuds for bass lovers and EDM fans.

However, audiophiles will appreciate that the earbuds still deliver clear highs and balanced mids, though the latter might feel slightly recessed. Fortunately, the Technics mobile app also offers an 8-band custom EQ that allows users to tweak the sound to their preference.

The spatial audio performance of the Technics AZ100’s was a pleasant surprise. Unlike many earbuds where spatial audio feels gimmicky, the effect here genuinely adds width and depth to the soundstage, especially when using high-quality streaming services like Apple Music or Tidal.

ANC & Transparency Mode: Among the Best

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is another area where the AZ100’s shine. Low frequencies are handled with ease, and while many other earbuds struggle with mid-to-high frequencies and human voices, the AZ100 handles them exceptionally well. There’s also an adaptive ANC mode that automatically adjusts cancellation levels based on ambient noise.

Even more impressive is the transparency mode. Most earbuds make outside noise sound artificial, but Technics nails it—voices sound natural, making conversations effortless even with the earbuds in.

For those that want to manually control ANC and transparency levels so that you can set the amount of noise that is either canceled out, or let in, to these earbuds, the mobile app allows you to choose anywhere from 0 to 100%, offering you full control.

This is noise control and transparency done exceptionally well.

Final Verdict: Are They Worth It?

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are undoubtedly one of the best-sounding ANC earbuds on the market. With superb comfort, impressive ANC, excellent transparency mode, and a rich, customizable sound, they tick almost every box. The triple-device multipoint support is also a standout feature for power users.

That said, at $300, they’re firmly in the premium category. The slightly robotic call quality with noise suppression might be a drawback for some, but if sound quality and ANC are your top priorities, these are a top-tier option worth considering.