EarFun Air 2 NC review: the best gaming earbuds under $70 and a few honest caveats

EarFun sent me the Air 2 NC for an honest review, and after testing them across several days of commuting, gaming sessions, video calls, and extended listening at home, these are the earbuds I keep reaching for. At $69, the EarFun Air 2 NC packs adaptive hybrid ANC, LDAC codec support, six AI microphones, wireless charging, multipoint connection, Theater mode spatial audio, a dedicated Game mode, and an 11mm wool composite driver. The EarFun Audio app unlocks the full potential of every one of those features. Without it, these are solid budget earbuds. With it, they punch well above their price.

There are caveats worth knowing before buying. The ANC is good but not class-leading for 2025 standards. The round ear tips cause discomfort for some ears after a couple of hours. There is no in-ear detection for auto-pause. And using LDAC alongside ANC and Theater mode simultaneously cuts battery life to three or four hours. These are real trade-offs, and this review covers all of them.

EarFun Air 2 NC: quick verdict

The EarFun Air 2 NC is the best wireless gaming earbuds under $70 available right now, and a genuinely strong all-rounder for daily use at this price. Scarbir.com rates them 4.5 out of 5 and calls the combination of Game mode and Theater mode “the most immersive gaming experience of all 415 wireless earbuds I reviewed so far.” That is a significant claim, and after testing Call of Duty Mobile and several other titles through them, it holds up.

The ANC is solid for the price but not class-leading for 2025 standards. If noise cancellation is your only priority and you commute in consistently loud environments, the EarFun Air Pro 4i at $79 is the better starting point. If gaming, sound quality, Theater mode, and value per dollar are the priorities, the Air 2 NC wins clearly at $10 less.

EarFun Air 2 NC price and availability

The EarFun Air 2 NC is available for $69 on Amazon US and £59 on Amazon UK. The price has dipped lower during Prime Day and seasonal sales. EarFun also sells directly via myearfun.com. Both the black and white colorways are available at the same price. The VGP Summer 2025 Gold Award printed on the box is a Japanese audio press award, and it is a legitimate signal that the Air 2 NC received positive recognition from audio journalists beyond just the English-language review circuit.

What’s in the EarFun Air 2 NC box

Inside the box: two earbuds, the charging case, a USB-C cable, a user manual, and four pairs of silicone ear tips in XS, S, M, and L. No wall charger is included. The four tip sizes give you more options than most budget earbuds, which typically include three. Spending a few minutes finding the right tip size before committing to a long listening session makes a real difference in both comfort and ANC performance.

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EarFun Air 2 NC design and build quality

The Air 2 NC uses a standard in-ear stem design. The earbuds look similar to the regular Air 2, with a silver-grey metallic stem carrying the EarFun logo. Tom’s Guide describes the finish as “2010s-style silver chrome brand logo” and calls the overall look dated, which is fair. These are not stylish earbuds. They are functional earbuds that prioritize what is inside over how they look.

Charging case: slim, pocketable and one scratch warning

The charging case is slim and lightweight, fitting easily into a jeans pocket without digging into your leg. Tom’s Guide notes the case looks “almost identical to an AirPods MagSafe case.” The similarity is real and makes the Air 2 NC feel more premium than the price suggests when the case is in your hand. One practical warning from Scarbir’s review: the black case scratches easily. Keeping it with keys in the same pocket will leave visible marks within days. The white version holds up better. A single LED on the front of the case indicates remaining charge, which is less informative than the three LEDs on the EarFun Air Pro 4 case but gets the job done.

Earbud fit and the round tip problem

The Air 2 NC uses round silicone ear tips, which provide a secure and snug seal for most ears. For listeners with smaller or average-sized ears, round tips create more pressure in the ear canal over time than oval tips do. Scarbir notes this directly: “round rubber tips are not as comfortable for smaller ears as oval ear tips. You may need to take them out every hour or so to relieve some pressure.” Tom’s Guide confirms: “after about two hours the earbuds started to ache in my ears, so I switched to smaller ear tips.” If you have experienced discomfort with standard round tips on other earbuds, try the smaller size first. If that still causes pressure, the EarFun Air Pro 4i with its oval tips is the better fit for your ears.

IPX5 vs IPX7: what the waterproofing downgrade means in practice

The regular EarFun Air 2 is rated IPX7, meaning it can handle submersion to one meter for 30 minutes. The EarFun Air 2 NC is rated IPX5, which covers protection against water jets from any direction. The downgrade happened to accommodate the additional ANC hardware inside the earbuds. In practice, IPX5 handles sweat, gym use, rain, and accidental splashing without any problems. You cannot drop them in a pool or sink and expect them to survive. For the majority of daily listening and workout use, IPX5 is sufficient. For swimming or aquatic sports specifically, it is not.

EarFun Air 2 NC features and connectivity

The feature set on the EarFun Air 2 NC is genuinely competitive with earbuds costing significantly more. Multipoint, wireless charging, LDAC, Theater mode, Game mode, six AI microphones, adaptive ANC, and a fully customizable app all in one package at $69 is rare. The EarFun Audio app is what ties everything together.

Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connection

Bluetooth 5.3 provides a stable connection with a rated range of 49 feet. Multipoint connects to two devices simultaneously and switches between them automatically when calls come in or audio starts on one device. Scarbir notes that Google Fast Pair occasionally forgets its connection after switching a phone off or putting it in flight mode, which required re-pairing in testing. This was not a consistent problem but happened enough to mention.

One important limitation: multipoint and LDAC cannot run simultaneously. To activate LDAC, you must open the EarFun Audio app and manually disable multipoint first. This is a manual step that does not happen automatically, and it is less convenient than the implementation on the Air Pro 4. For Android users who want LDAC quality, the workflow is: connect to one device, open app, disable multipoint, enable LDAC. For daily commuting with two devices connected, LDAC is a secondary consideration.

EarFun Audio app: the full feature list and why it matters

The EarFun Audio app is free on iOS and Android and is essential for getting the best out of the Air 2 NC.

Tom’s Guide reviewer called it “super easy to use” and confirms it connected instantly and recognized the earbuds without any setup steps. What the app unlocks:

• Battery status for each earbud and the case
• Fully customizable touch controls (single tap, double tap, triple tap, hold, for each earbud independently)
• Five ANC modes: High, Normal, Low, Adaptive, and Wind
• Theater mode (spatial audio)
• Game mode (low latency)
• My Sound Profile / SoundSense EQ (personalized frequency curve)
• 14 genre EQ presets
• Custom EQ builder
• Find my earbuds
• Firmware updates
• Microphone selection (left, right, or both)
• Auto-shutdown timer
• Voice prompt language and volume
• LDAC codec toggle (Android only)

Amazon UK reviewer “Amazon Customer” describes the experience: “The app you can download is easy to use so you can fine tune to your preferences. Big thumbs up.” The breadth of customization available in the app at this price point is one of EarFun’s clearest advantages over similarly priced competitors.

Theater mode: the feature that changes everything

Theater mode is EarFun’s name for spatial audio. When active, it widens the soundstage significantly, positions instruments and sounds in precise locations around you, and boosts the low end for an immersive listening experience. Scarbir describes it: “instruments have a precise and dedicated place around you, creating a small music-podium vibe.” Tom’s Guide tested it with FKA Twigs in a quiet room with ANC on and found it gave “a broader, deeper listening experience.”

Two important details about Theater mode. First, it does not work when LDAC is active. To use Theater mode, you need to be on AAC or SBC. Second, and this is what makes it distinctive at this price, cymbals and hi-hats are not boosted by Theater mode. Other earbuds at this tier, including the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Realme Buds Air 6 Pro, boost high frequencies in their spatial modes in a way that becomes fatiguing over time. The Air 2 NC avoids this, making Theater mode usable for extended listening sessions rather than just short bursts. For context on how LDAC interacts with audio codecs and what it means for lossless sources, the what is LDAC guide covers the codec in full.

Game mode: low latency for mobile gaming

Game mode reduces Bluetooth audio latency for mobile gaming and video content. It can be activated from the earbuds directly or from the app. Scarbir’s testing with Call of Duty Mobile found the game mode “synchronizes sound effects with the action on screen perfectly” on AAC codec. One important note: use Game mode with AAC, not LDAC. The LDAC codec adds audio-video desynchronization that makes gaming feel off regardless of how good the audio quality is. AAC handles gaming latency far better on these earbuds.

LDAC: when to use it and when to turn it off

LDAC is available on Android 8.0 and higher. iPhone users get AAC only. To activate LDAC, you need the EarFun Audio app installed and multipoint disabled manually. Scarbir is direct about the trade-offs: “activating LDAC isn’t worth it. Battery life, the Bluetooth connection, and audio-video synchronisation take a hit.”

Amazon UK reviewer Rob K, who rated the Air 2 NC four stars, found the LDAC signal range exceptional compared to other earbuds but confirms the battery reality: “Using LDAC with any kind of processing (ANC, Theater mode) reduces battery to just 3 or 4 hours.” CNN Underscored confirms: “High volume and LDAC decrease battery life by about two hours.”

The practical approach: use LDAC for quiet home listening with a lossless source like Tidal HiFi or local FLAC files when battery life is not a concern. For commuting, gaming, video, and all-day use, stay on AAC. The audio quality difference between LDAC and AAC at this price tier is real but subtle, and the battery and connectivity trade-offs of LDAC in most daily situations outweigh the gain. The full breakdown of how LDAC affects battery life across different headphone types is in the does LDAC use more battery guide.

EarFun Air 2 NC sound quality: warm, engaging and better with EQ

The EarFun Air 2 NC sounds good out of the box and excellent with the app EQ adjusted. The sound character is warm, bass-forward, and easy to listen to for long periods without fatigue. It is not a flat or analytical sound signature. It is tuned for enjoyment rather than accuracy, and within that goal it succeeds well.

The 11mm wool composite driver: what it delivers

The 11mm wool composite driver is the core of what makes the Air 2 NC’s sound distinctive at this price. Wool composite combines a natural wool fiber layer with a synthetic composite material. The wool fibers add natural damping to mid-frequency resonances in a way that pure synthetic materials like PET or titanium cannot replicate as naturally. The result is a midrange that sounds warm and rounded rather than clinical, with a natural texture to vocals and acoustic instruments that budget earbuds with standard drivers often miss.

The 11mm size gives the driver slightly more surface area than the 10mm drivers common at this price, which contributes to the bass weight and sub-bass extension. The sensitivity at 100dB means the Air 2 NC reaches comfortable listening volumes easily without having to push volume past 60-70%, leaving plenty of dynamic headroom for louder passages without distortion.

Default sound signature: warm, bass-forward and engaging

The default sound signature lifts lower mid-tones strongly. Lower male vocals, dark electronic tones, bass instruments, and warm orchestral content all have a strong, full presence. Mid-bass has a quick, punchy character with a tendency to bloom slightly in the default setting, adding warmth and body to bass lines but reducing tightness slightly. Sub-bass is deep and controlled on tracks that call for it.

Tom’s Guide reviewer was “blown away by the bass quality and vocal clarity” listening to Charli xcx and Confidence Man. MajorHiFi confirms the output is “quite substantial compared to what you’re used to hearing in this price range, you can reach comfortable level with fair amount of headroom.” Amazon UK reviewer Michael called it “the first purchase I’ve made in years that’s blown me away. Hands down value for money in spades.” Reviewer MC, who previously owned Bose QuietComfort earbuds, said after customizing the EQ: “they have a beautifully rich sound.”

The Natural EQ preset: the audiophile baseline

The default EQ is fun and engaging. If you want a cleaner, more accurate sound with tighter bass, switch to the Natural EQ preset in the EarFun Audio app. Scarbir identifies this as the audiophile default on these earbuds and notes it “reduces the bloom strongly and cleans up the entire bass section, increasing the impact of quick slams.” The bass does not disappear in Natural mode, it becomes more controlled and precise. Sub-bass remains deep and concentrated. Mid-bass loses the slight fullness that can feel muddy on complex tracks and becomes faster and more accurate. For critical listening, Natural EQ is the starting point. For casual listening, default works well.

Highs and what happens at high volume

Treble on the Air 2 NC is smooth and non-fatiguing in normal listening conditions. Scarbir tested the highs against demanding material including Björk’s sharp outhauls in “It’s Oh So Quiet!” and found they stayed in control without harshness. The one area where the treble shows a slight limitation is a faint splashiness around cymbals at higher volumes. Tom’s Guide noted that some vocals felt “slightly muffled, as if lost in the fabric of the track” on denser hip-hop mixes. At 60-75% volume, neither issue is present. At 90-100%, the treble splashiness becomes slightly more noticeable.

Theater mode and music: spatial audio in practice

When Theater mode is active during music listening, the presentation transforms. Instruments take specific positions in the stereo field to the left, right, and centre. Bass receives a boost that adds physical weight to the low end without becoming overwhelming. Scarbir describes the result as creating “a small music-podium vibe” where the music feels like it exists around you rather than inside your head. For film scores, electronic music, rock, and anything with a wide mix, Theater mode is a genuine improvement over the default presentation. For acoustic and vocal-focused music where you want a natural, intimate sound, the standard mode is better.

Gaming and video: where the EarFun Air 2 NC genuinely stands out

The gaming performance of the EarFun Air 2 NC is the single strongest argument for buying them over any other earbuds at this price. Scarbir’s verdict after testing across 415 wireless earbuds: “the combination of Game mode and Theater mode gives these wireless earbuds the most immersive gaming experience of all the wireless earbuds I reviewed so far.” That is a specific claim from a reviewer who has tested hundreds of alternatives, and it reflects a real advantage that competitors at this price do not match.

In Call of Duty Mobile testing, Game mode with AAC codec produces perfect audio-video synchronization. Explosions and gunshots land with precise timing. With Theater mode added on top of Game mode, the spatial positioning of sounds becomes notably better for competitive play. Footsteps have direction, environmental audio has depth, and explosions feel physical. The Game Sound Effects mode in the app further enhances footstep and environmental cue audio for position-sensitive gaming.

For video on iPhone and Android, playback is smooth and synchronized without any issues. When using LDAC codec for video, desync can appear, which is why the recommendation is to stick to AAC for anything other than pure music listening. For a closer look at how Bluetooth codecs affect audio and latency, that guide covers how AAC, LDAC, and SBC behave across different use cases.

EarFun Air 2 NC ANC performance: solid for the price, not class-leading in 2025

The adaptive hybrid ANC on the EarFun Air 2 NC is good for a $69 earbud. Scarbir benchmarks it against “some of the better $100 performers of 2023,” which is an accurate placement. CNN Underscored chose “disappointing ANC” as their subtitle, which reflects the expectation gap between the 45dB marketing claim and what the ANC actually delivers against 2024-2025 competition.

What the 45dB ANC blocks and what it does not

The ANC is most effective on low-frequency constant sounds: refrigerator hum, air conditioning, engine noise, electronic buzzing. These drop to near-silence even without music playing. Scarbir confirms: “takes away darker constant noises especially well, this also goes for more sudden darker sounds.” Mid and high-frequency sounds, keyboard typing, distant conversation, wet tire noise, remain audible with ANC on. The ANC applies minimal pressure to the ears, making it comfortable to run for hours without the ear fatigue that aggressive ANC causes on some premium models.

Adaptive ANC: a strong feature with one annoying limitation

Adaptive ANC automatically adjusts the noise cancellation level based on your specific ear canal fit and the ambient noise environment. In testing, Adaptive mode passed through less high-frequency ambient noise than the standard High ANC setting. The result is stronger effective noise reduction tailored to your ears rather than a one-size setting. The limitation: you cannot switch to Adaptive ANC directly from the earbuds. It requires going into the app. The standard High, Normal, and Low modes are accessible from the earbuds, but Adaptive requires the extra step. Scarbir flagged this and expressed hope for a firmware fix. It is a genuine inconvenience that reduces how often most users will actually use the best-performing ANC setting.

Ambient sound mode: the weak point

The ambient sound mode, which lets in environmental audio while music plays, has almost no practical effect on the EarFun Air 2 NC. Scarbir’s assessment is direct: “don’t expect to hear traffic or conversations through your music when you want it.” If situational awareness during listening is important to you, the transparent mode on these earbuds will disappoint. This is the one area where the Air 2 NC clearly trails the Air Pro 4, which has a “Natural” ambient sound mode that Scarbir describes as working well for conversation without audio artifacts. For more on how ANC and transparency modes work across different price tiers, that guide covers the technology and what to expect.

EarFun Air 2 NC call quality and microphone performance

The six AI microphone array with ENC noise cancellation handles everyday calls well. Scarbir’s assessment is mostly positive: voice sounds natural and clear, volume is good, and the microphones re-focus on your voice after a moment of adjustment when entering a noisy environment. In wind, clarity drops slightly but remains audible. Moving around during a call is where performance dips most, with clarity reducing when walking quickly or changing direction.

Tom’s Guide offers the most critical assessment: colleagues reported the voice “sounded like it was coming through a mobile phone speaker.” This may reflect the specific test conditions or individual call setup, as Amazon UK reviewers and Scarbir both report positive call experiences. Amazon UK reviewer Alan A confirms: “Offer lots of options of ear seals so you can find a perfect and comfortable fit” and notes general satisfaction across all features. For professional video conferencing in quiet environments, the Air 2 NC works adequately. For calls in busy outdoor spaces or while moving, results will vary.

EarFun Air 2 NC battery life: 9 hours claimed and what LDAC and ANC actually cost

Battery life on the EarFun Air 2 NC depends heavily on which features are active. The headline numbers are 9 hours with ANC off and 6.5 hours with ANC on. The real-world numbers shift significantly when LDAC and Theater mode enter the picture.

Standard battery: ANC on vs ANC off

9 hours per earbud with ANC off, extending to 40 hours total with the wireless charging case. 6.5 hours per earbud with ANC on, extending to 27 hours total. Fast charge gives 2 hours of ANC playback from a 10-minute charge. These numbers position the Air 2 NC well above average for budget ANC earbuds, where 5-6 hours with ANC is the typical ceiling. At 6.5 hours with ANC on, you can cover a full workday without charging.

The real battery cost of LDAC and ANC together

Here is the data point most reviews bury or skip. Amazon UK reviewer Rob K, who gave four stars and described the LDAC connection quality as “much better than the EarFun Air Pro 4” in signal range, provides the key real-world number: “Using LDAC with any kind of processing (ANC, Theater mode) reduces the battery life down to just 3 or 4 hours.”

CNN Underscored confirms this pattern at a less extreme end: “High volume and LDAC decrease battery life by about two hours.” Their reviewer averaged 2.5 hours of daily playback over three days before needing to recharge, reflecting high-volume use with multiple features active.

The practical breakdown: LDAC without ANC and at moderate volume gives roughly 5-6 hours. LDAC with ANC on gives roughly 4-5 hours. LDAC with ANC on and Theater mode active at higher volume gives 3-4 hours. For full-day use, use AAC with ANC on for 6.5 hours of reliable runtime. Reserve LDAC for stationary home listening sessions where charging is available.

Wireless charging case

The case charges via both wireless charging and USB-C. EarFun rates the case charge time at approximately 1.5 hours via USB-C and 3.5 hours via wireless charger. One LED on the front of the case shows charge status. The case is slim enough to sit in a jeans pocket without bulk. No wall charger is included in the box.

EarFun Air 2 NC vs Air Pro 4: should you spend $20 more

The question every Air 2 NC review eventually asks is whether the Air Pro 4 at $89 is worth the extra $20. Scarbir puts it directly: “the Air 2 NC is so good, it’s a question whether you should pay more for the Air Pro 4.”

Scarbir’s conclusion: there is one real reason to pay more for the Air Pro 4. Stronger ANC that filters out middle and higher sounds noticeably better. The Air Pro 4 also delivers 2.5 more hours per charge with ANC on. If ANC strength and battery per charge are your priorities, the Air Pro 4 is worth the extra $20. If gaming and sound character are the priorities, the Air 2 NC wins despite being cheaper. The full review of the EarFun Air Pro 4 covers that model in detail for comparison.

How the EarFun Air 2 NC compares to the competition

EarFun Air 2 NC vs Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE ruled the budget wireless earbuds market before the Air 2 NC arrived. The Samsung has a thicker, rumblier bass and puts vocals more forward in the mix. The EarFun hits back with one more hour of battery per charge, better waterproofing (IPX5 vs IPX4), multipoint, more customizable controls, cleaner call quality in wind, and a gaming mode that is more immersive. ANC strength is comparable between the two. For most buyers, the Air 2 NC offers a better overall package at a similar or lower price.

EarFun Air 2 NC vs Realme Buds Air 6

The Realme Buds Air 6 is cheaper and uses oval ear tips that are more comfortable for smaller ears. Its sound has more treble air, clearer vocals, and livelier high instruments. The EarFun delivers 1.5 more hours of battery per charge, wireless charging, multipoint, and a gaming mode that Scarbir rates significantly higher. The Realme lacks both wireless charging and multipoint entirely. Sound is brighter on the Realme, warmer and fuller on the EarFun. Which is better depends on your sound preference and whether wireless charging matters.

EarFun Air 2 NC vs Sony WF-C510

The Sony WF-C510 offers stronger ANC for 2024 standards, oval ear tips for better comfort, and a cleaner midrange. The EarFun Air 2 NC counters with wireless charging, LDAC codec, a gaming mode the Sony lacks, and longer total battery life. At similar price points, the choice comes down to ANC priority versus gaming and sound character priority. For more on how the best wireless earbuds in each price tier compare across brands, that guide covers the full field.

EarFun Air 2 NC verdict: who should buy it and who should not

The EarFun Air 2 NC is one of the best wireless earbuds under $70 in 2025, with a specific and decisive advantage in gaming that no other earbuds at this price match. The VGP Gold Award, Scarbir’s 4.5-star rating, and consistently positive Amazon UK reviews all point in the same direction: these overdeliver for their price in most scenarios.

Buy the EarFun Air 2 NC if…

• mobile gaming is a primary use case and you want the most immersive audio for under $70
• you want Theater mode spatial audio for music, gaming, and film
• you use an Android phone and want LDAC for home listening sessions
• wireless charging at this price point is important
• you want a warm, bass-forward sound that rewards EQ adjustment
• you need multipoint for two devices
• everyday commuting and moderate noise environments are the primary ANC use case

Don’t buy the EarFun Air 2 NC if…

• you need class-leading ANC for 2025 standards in consistently loud environments like crowded trains or open-plan offices
• you have small ears and have previously found round ear tips uncomfortable after an hour
• you use an iPhone and want the simplest possible LDAC activation (it does not apply on iPhone)
• you need auto-pause when removing an earbud (there is no in-ear detection)
• professional video conferencing in busy environments is the primary use case for the microphone
• you need IPX7 waterproofing for swimming or submersion use

Before you buy the EarFun Air 2 NC: also consider

If ANC performance is the deciding factor and you can stretch to $79, the EarFun Air Pro 4i delivers the strongest ANC in the EarFun lineup with oval tips for better comfort. If sound quality is the priority and budget extends to $89, the Air Pro 4 has a carbon fiber composite driver and significantly longer battery. The Air 2 NC sits at a specific and defensible position in the lineup: the gaming specialist and the best Theater mode implementation, at the lowest price in the ANC-capable range.

Frequently asked questions

Is the EarFun Air 2 NC worth buying?

Yes, for most buyers at this price. The EarFun Air 2 NC delivers adaptive hybrid ANC, LDAC, Theater mode spatial audio, Game mode, wireless charging, and six AI microphones for $69. Scarbir rates it 4.5 out of 5 and calls it the most immersive gaming earbuds under $100. The trade-offs are real: no auto-pause, ANC that is good but not class-leading, and battery life that drops to 3-4 hours when LDAC and ANC run together at high volume.

How long does the EarFun Air 2 NC battery last?

9 hours per earbud with ANC off, 6.5 hours with ANC on. With the wireless charging case, total runtime is 40 hours (ANC off) or 27 hours (ANC on). Fast charge gives 2 hours of ANC playback from 10 minutes. When LDAC is active alongside ANC and Theater mode at higher volumes, real-world battery per charge drops to around 3-4 hours based on user testing.

Does the EarFun Air 2 NC support LDAC?

Yes, on Android 8.0 and higher. iPhone users get AAC only. To activate LDAC, install the EarFun Audio app, disable multipoint connection, and switch the codec to LDAC in the app. LDAC and multipoint cannot run simultaneously. For gaming and video, use AAC instead of LDAC as LDAC increases audio-video desynchronization.

How good is the ANC on the EarFun Air 2 NC?

The adaptive hybrid ANC is effective on low-frequency constant sounds like engines and air conditioning, reducing them significantly. Higher-frequency sounds like typing and conversation are reduced but not eliminated. Scarbir benchmarks ANC performance against “better $100 performers from 2023.” For 2025 standards, ANC on the Air Pro 4i or Air Pro 4 is stronger. The ANC applies minimal ear pressure, making it comfortable for hours.

Are the EarFun Air 2 NC good for gaming?

Yes, and this is their strongest selling point. Scarbir calls the combination of Game mode and Theater mode “the most immersive gaming experience of all 415 wireless earbuds I reviewed.” Game mode reduces latency, Theater mode adds spatial audio positioning. Use AAC codec for gaming, not LDAC, as LDAC causes audio-video desynchronization.

Do the EarFun Air 2 NC work with iPhone?

Yes. The earbuds connect to iPhone via Bluetooth using AAC codec. LDAC is not available on iPhone because iOS does not support LDAC over Bluetooth. All other features, ANC, Theater mode, Game mode, multipoint, wireless charging, and app support, work on iPhone. The EarFun Audio app is available on iOS.

What is the difference between the EarFun Air 2 NC and the EarFun Air 2?

The Air 2 NC adds active noise cancellation, six AI microphones, Theater mode spatial audio, and Game mode to the regular Air 2. The trade-off is that the Air 2 NC uses IPX5 waterproofing instead of the Air 2’s IPX7, as the ANC hardware required more internal space. Battery per charge is also slightly lower on the Air 2 NC due to ANC power consumption. The price difference is approximately $20, with the Air 2 NC at $69 and the regular Air 2 around $49.