Panasonic just updated my favorite cheap earbuds at IFA, and released new wireless headphones too

An update on the RZ-S500W? Come on!

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Many readers may remember the 2020-releasePanasonic RZ-S500W, Pana’s first true-wireless earbuds, which the company launched and then inexplicably dropped in price, to offer never-before-seen ANC quality in the budget earbuds space. I loved them – I helped review them for TR’s sister publication, What Hi-Fi? andgave them five sweet starsunder intense examination.

Why tell you this? Because nowPanasonicis back with new buds, called the RZ-B120W. Yes, it’s a resoundingly forgettable name, but if their older siblings are anything to go on, the sound will not be forgettable.

The RZ-B120W offer up to 6.5 hours of battery life in the headphones themselves and an extra 19.5 hours in the charging case, plus Siri andGoogleAssistant compatibility that’s accessed by simply tapping the side of an earbud and proclaiming your wake word.

There’s no active noise cancellation listed on the spec sheet, but you do get something that Panasonic is calling “Clear Stereo Sound with XBS for extra deep bass” from the 7mm dynamic driver in each earbud, an IPX4 rating for heavy workouts, and up-to-the-minute Bluetooth 5.3.

We don’t have pricing yet. My advice? It’s not a cutting-edge premium offering, perhaps, but if you just want buds that fit well and get the job done, I’d look out for these.

Panasonic over-ears just landed too

Panasonic also just unveiled theRB-M600B wireless over-ear headphones, which feature a more extensive battery life of up to 65 hours of playtime – with six hours extra available after 15-minute quick charge.

Active noise cancellation is also here, with integrated feed-forward and feedback mics, that same XBS Deep tech for super-low bass, multipoint connectivity to two devices, ENC tech (aka Environmental Noise Cancellation, for clearer calls) plus access to your voice assistant and Windows Swift Pair/Google Fast Pair for quick pairing to your devices.

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One for inclusion in ourbest wireless headphonesroundup? Time will tell – we’ll have to review them (and get confirmation on how much they’ll cost) first.

Oh, one more thing: my favorite flagship earbuds, theTechnics EAH-AZ80(Technics is a Panasonic brand)are now available in a ‘Midnight Blue’ hue. Never heard them? Believe me, you should – they’re sitting pretty at the top spot in ourbest earbuds guidewith good reason.

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Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.

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