Bowers & Wilkins launched the Pi8 in August 2024 at $399, positioning them as the brand’s flagship true wireless earbuds and a direct replacement for the Pi7 S2.
Unlike previous iterations, B&W rebuilt the Pi8 from scratch, bringing in the same design team responsible for the well-reviewed Px8 over-ear headphones.
The result is a completely new housing, a larger 12mm carbon-cone driver, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless support, and a smart charging case capable of wirelessly retransmitting audio from wired sources.
This review covers sound quality, ANC performance, battery life, and call quality based on three weeks of daily testing across commutes, flights, and long desk sessions, alongside other flagship earbuds I’ve reviewed, to see whether the premium price actually holds up.
About Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Earbuds
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is the brand’s flagship true wireless earbud, designed for people who want premium sound in a compact form.
It features a new 12mm carbon-cone driver, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless support, and a unique smart charging case that can wirelessly transmit audio from wired devices.
Combined with a refined design, high-quality materials, and advanced audio technology, the Pi8 aims to deliver a true high-end listening experience for music lovers.
What’s in the Box?
- Includes the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds and charging case.
- Comes with four silicone ear tip sizes: XS, S, M, and L.
- Includes a 60 cm USB-C-to-USB-C cable for charging.
- Includes an 80 cm, 3.5 mm-to-USB-C cable for smart case audio retransmission.
- Cables support both wireless and wired audio playback.
Key Specifications of the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 true wireless earbuds are built to deliver reference-level sound quality, modern features, and a refined listening experience, but some of these features matter more than others in daily use.
1. Design and Build Quality
B&W rebuilt the Pi8 shape from scratch, moving away from the Pi7’s design toward a more oval, ergonomic form that sits flush inside the ear.
Each earbud weighs 7g and stays secure without wing tips. The outer face has a gold touch-sensitive border around the B&W logo, giving the earbuds a clean, premium look.
Color options are anthracite black, dove white, midnight blue, and jade green. The case is slim and pocketable, but the glossy finish scratches easily and attracts fingerprints.
For a $399 product, the case material is a noticeable weak point compared to what the earbuds themselves deliver.
2. Driver and Audio Hardware
The Pi8 uses a 12mm carbon cone dynamic driver per earbud, up from the 9.2mm driver in the Pi7 S2.
Carbon cone technology was originally developed for the Px8 over-ear headphones, where it produced a fast transient response and low distortion.
The same material brings those properties into a much smaller acoustic chamber here. Supporting the driver is a 32-bit DSP with a dedicated amplifier and DAC per earbud, offering more internal processing than most competitors at this price.
This architecture enables a true 24-bit audio connection when paired with an aptX Lossless-compatible Android device over Bluetooth 5.4.
3. Sound Quality
The Pi8 tuning is warm and musical. Bass has real weight without overwhelming the mix, the midrange is full and natural on vocals and acoustic instruments, and the high end is clear without causing listening fatigue.
Imaging is the standout quality, with a noticeably wide soundstage and three-dimensional instrument placement, both of which are rare in true wireless earbuds. Jazz, classical, and acoustic recordings benefit most from this profile.
The 5-band EQ in the app allows adjustments for those who prefer a flatter response, and TrueSound mode disables all processing for the most direct signal path.
4. Active Noise Cancellation
The Pi8 ANC uses a hybrid feedforward-and-feedback system with three microphones per earbud. B&W developed the algorithm internally using technology from the Px8 headphones.
Three modes are available: ANC on, transparency, and off. There is no manual adjustment of ANC strength, only a full toggle.
Low-frequency noise, such as airplane cabin rumble and train hum, is well blocked.
The weakness is mid-to-high-frequency noise, where voice chatter and city sounds cut through more than on the Sony WF-1000XM5 or the Bose.
Notably, engaging ANC does not affect the sound character at all.
5. Battery Life and Charging
B&W rates the Pi8 at 6.5 hours with ANC on and 8 hours with ANC off. The charging case adds 13.5 hours, bringing the total to around 20-21.5 hours combined.
In my own testing at moderate volume with ANC active, I consistently landed at around 6 hours 10 minutes per charge, which closely matches the rated spec.
Fast charging delivers roughly 2 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge. The case supports both USB-C wired charging and Qi wireless charging.
The single LED on the case only indicates whether a charge is present, not the remaining level.
A number of long-term owners on audio forums have mentioned noticeably shorter battery life after about 18 months of regular use.
6. The Smart Case and Audio Retransmission
The Pi8 smart case does more than charge the earbuds.
Using the included 3.5mm-to-USB-C cable, you can connect the case to any analog audio source, and it will wirelessly transmit the signal to the earbuds via aptX Adaptive at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality.
This covers in-flight entertainment systems, desktop computers, older laptops without Bluetooth, and USB-C iPhones.
The audio quality over this path is noticeably better than standard Bluetooth AAC streaming on iPhone because it bypasses the compressed wireless stream entirely.
For frequent travelers or anyone working at a desk with a wired audio source, this feature adds real, practical value beyond what most earbuds offer.
7. App and Controls
The B&W Music app is available on both iOS and Android and handles setup, firmware updates, a 5-band EQ, touch-control customization, wear-sensor toggle, and ANC mode switching.
The interface is clean, and the initial setup is straightforward. Most users will stick with their preferred streaming service and use the app only for settings.
Touch controls on the earbuds are tap-based and generally responsive. The main frustration is that the single-tap function cannot be disabled, so repositioning the earbuds in your ears often pauses playback accidentally.
Multipoint Bluetooth allows simultaneous connection to two devices, with automatic source switching that works reliably in everyday use.
8. Call Quality
Three microphones per earbud are positioned in a small grille strip to isolate voice and reject ambient noise during calls.
In calm indoor environments, pickup is clean and natural with no harshness reported by callers on the other end.
The problem surfaces outdoors in the wind or on noisy streets, where the microphones struggle to clearly isolate the voice.
Wind noise bleeds into calls more than it should at this price point. The Sony WF-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Pro handle outdoor call conditions more consistently.
9. Connectivity Across Devices
Bluetooth 5.4 supports SBC, AAC, aptX Classic, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless codecs.
iPhone users looking for alternatives may also want to explore the best AirPods alternatives worth buying before deciding.
Initial pairing is fast on both Android and iPhone. Multipoint connectivity allows two simultaneous device connections. Bluetooth range is rated at 10 meters and held up reliably across testing in normal indoor environments.
A small number of reviewers reported intermittent dropouts between the two earbuds, particularly with early firmware versions.
What are People Saying About Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Earbuds?
Reddit users generally have a very positive opinion of the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, with many praising its rich, detailed sound and premium design.
Several owners say the earbuds deliver excellent clarity, a wide soundstage, and impressive instrument separation, especially for jazz, classical, and acoustic music.
The jade green color also receives compliments for its premium look. Travelers appreciate the smart charging case, which lets them connect to in-flight entertainment systems without using airline headphones.
While many iPhone users still enjoy the Pi8, Android users can take better advantage of its lossless audio capabilities for the highest-quality listening experience.
Pi8 vs. the Competition
| Feature | B&W Pi8 | Sony WF-1000XM5 | Sennheiser MTW4 | Bose QC Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $279 | $269 | $299 |
| Driver | 12mm carbon cone | 8.4mm | 7mm TrueResponse | Custom |
| ANC strength | Above average | Best in class | Very good | Best in class |
| Battery buds + case | ~20 hrs | ~24 hrs | ~30 hrs | ~24 hrs |
| aptX Lossless | Yes | No | No | No |
| Smart case retransmission | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Pi8 leads in sound quality and codec support. Sony and Bose lead on ANC. Sennheiser offers the best value. The smart case retransmission is unique to B&W at this price.
B&W also sells the Pi6, a cheaper sibling that shares the Pi8’s design language but uses a bio-cellulose driver instead of the carbon cone.
If the full $399 asking price gives you pause, the Pi6 is worth a look before you rule the lineup out entirely.
Who is the Pi8 for?
The Pi8 suits listeners who treat sound quality as the deciding factor in a purchase and are willing to accept trade-offs elsewhere.
If you listen to jazz, classical, or acoustic recordings, or any music where instrument separation and detail matter, these earbuds deliver that level at a price where competitors don’t consistently match it.
They are less suited to frequent flyers, heavy commuters, or anyone working in consistently loud environments who needs maximum noise cancellation.
If you need earbuds built for movement and high-noise environments, check out the list of the best workout earbuds.
They are also worth considering if you regularly connect to wired audio sources, since the smart case retransmission feature solves a problem that most wireless earbuds completely ignore.
Conclusion
The Pi8 is the best true wireless earbud B&W has produced, and for listeners who prioritize sound quality above all else, the $399 price is justified.
The carbon cone driver, aptX Lossless support, and smart case retransmission set it apart from the competition in meaningful ways.
The ANC is solid but not class-leading. Battery life is average. The case scratches too easily for a premium product. Call quality outdoors is unreliable in the wind.
If sound is your main concern, the Pi8 earns a serious recommendation. If you need the strongest all-around package, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is harder to overlook at $120 less. Tried the Pi8? Share your experience in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Work with an iPhone?
The Pi8 are Apple MFi certified and pair cleanly with iPhone over AAC.
aptX Lossless requires Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform, which iOS does not support, so the lossless codec is Android-only.
iPhone users still get strong audio performance through AAC, but will not access the highest resolution tier the hardware supports.
Can You Use the Pi8 without the App?
The earbuds work fully without the B&W Music app. Pairing, playback, ANC toggling, and call handling all operate through tap controls alone.
The app is only needed to adjust the EQ, customize touch controls, update firmware, or switch TrueSound mode on or off.
Is the Pi8 Water-Resistant?
The Pi8 carries an IP54 rating, protecting against dust and splashing water from any direction, making it suitable for workouts and light rain.
They are not waterproof and should not be submerged. The charging case has no IP rating and should be kept away from moisture at all times.
How Does the Pi8 Compare to the Pi7 S2?
The Pi8 is a comprehensive upgrade. The driver grew from 9.2mm to 12mm and switched from a hybrid balanced armature design to a carbon cone.
The housing is completely redesigned for comfort. ANC is stronger, battery life is extended, and the smart case now retransmits in aptX Adaptive instead of the older aptX standard.
