Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

Name: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
Brand: Bowers & Wilkins
SKU: 42559

Manufacturer: Bowers & Wilkins

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are true wireless in-ear earbuds designed for listeners who want a cable-free experience with a solid feature set. Weighing just 14 g per earbud, they carry an IP54 rating for resistance against sweat and light moisture, making them suitable for everyday active use. The earbuds support aptX Lossless audio transmission, alongside aptX Adaptive and standard aptX, giving users flexible high-quality wireless playback depending on their source device.

Each Pi8 earbud houses a 12 mm driver unit covering a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and the set includes active noise cancellation that maintains its effectiveness without reducing battery life, since the rated 6.5-hour playtime applies both with and without ANC enabled. The charging case extends total listening time to around 13.5 hours, supports wireless charging, and fast charging is also available via USB Type-C with a 1.5-hour full charge time. Connectivity runs on Bluetooth 5.4 with a stated maximum range of 10 m, multipoint pairing for up to two devices simultaneously, and AAC codec support. A six-microphone array with noise-canceling capability handles calls and voice input, while features such as ambient sound mode, in-ear detection, a find-device function, mute control, and an included travel bag round out the package.

Pros

ANC battery life matches non-ANC battery life at 6.5 hours, meaning noise cancellation does not drain the battery faster
Supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, and aptX codecs, offering a range of high-quality wireless audio transmission options
Six-microphone array with noise-canceling capability supports clearer voice input during calls
Wireless charging is supported alongside fast charging, adding flexibility when topping up the case
Multipoint connectivity allows simultaneous pairing with two devices
Both active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction are present, providing dual-layer sound isolation

Cons

Maximum Bluetooth range is limited to 10 m
Spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and Dirac Virtuo are all absent, limiting immersive audio processing options
Fast pairing and NFC pairing are not supported, making the initial connection process more manual
Wingtips are not included, which may affect earbud stability during more intensive physical activity
Notification reading is not available
Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are not supported

Who is this for?

The Pi8 earbuds are well suited to commuters and office users who want consistent noise isolation, since both active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction work together to reduce environmental distractions. The IP54 rating and sweat resistance make them a reasonable fit for gym use or light outdoor activity, and the six-microphone noise-canceling array serves users who frequently take calls on the go. Those invested in high-fidelity wireless audio will appreciate the support for aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, and the combination of wireless charging, fast charging, and a stable ANC battery life makes the earbuds a practical choice for users who need reliable all-day performance without careful power management. Multipoint pairing for two devices also benefits users who regularly switch between a phone and a laptop.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who prioritize immersive or three-dimensional sound experiences will find the Pi8 lacking, as spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and Dirac Virtuo are all absent. Those who rely on quick device setup through NFC or fast pairing will face a more manual connection process each time. The earbuds are also not well matched to users who need a wide Bluetooth range beyond 10 m, such as those who move freely around a large space while listening. Additionally, users engaged in vigorous physical activity may find the lack of wingtips a concern for a secure fit, and anyone seeking Bluetooth LE Audio or Auracast support for modern shared listening or hearing-aid compatibility will need to look elsewhere.

Design:

Fit	In-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating	IP54
water resistance	Sweat resistant
weight	14 g
has no wires or cables	✓
are neckband earbuds	✕
wingtips included	✕
has RGB lighting	✕
has stereo speakers	✓
has UV light	✕
Has a display	✕

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 adopt a true wireless, in-ear fit with no cables or neckband, and each earbud weighs just 14 g. They carry an IP54 ingress protection rating, making them sweat resistant and suitable for use during physical activity. Stereo speakers are present, while the design omits wingtips, RGB lighting, a UV light, and any built-in display, keeping the form factor straightforward and uncluttered.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC)	✓
has passive noise reduction	✓
driver unit size	12 mm
lowest frequency	20 Hz
highest frequency	20000 Hz
supports spatial audio	✕
has Dolby Atmos	✕
has Dirac Virtuo	✕
has a neodymium magnet	✕

The Pi8 earbuds feature both active noise cancellation (ANC) and passive noise reduction, offering two layers of sound isolation during use. Audio is handled by a 12 mm driver unit covering the full standard range from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz. The earbuds do not support spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, or Dirac Virtuo processing, and the drivers do not use a neodymium magnet.

Power:

Battery life	6.5 hours
Battery life of charging case	13.5 hours
Battery life (ANC)	6.5 hours
charge time	1.5 hours
has wireless charging	✓
Has a solar power battery	✕
has a battery level indicator	✓
has a rechargeable battery	✓

The Pi8 earbuds deliver 6.5 hours of battery life, and notably that figure remains the same whether ANC is active or not. The accompanying charging case adds a further 13.5 hours of total playback time, and a full charge takes 1.5 hours. The case supports wireless charging, and wired charging is also available through the rechargeable battery setup. A battery level indicator is included, while solar charging is not part of the power system.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing	✕
Has USB Type-C	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
has LDAC	✕
has LDHC	✕
has Bluetooth LE Audio	✕
has aptX Adaptive	✓
has aptX Low Latency	✕
has aptX HD	✕
has aptX	✓
has aptX Lossless	✓
has aptX Voice	✕
has Auracast	✕
maximum Bluetooth range	10 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC	✕
Can be used wirelessly	✓
has AAC	✓

The Pi8 earbuds connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.4 with a maximum stated range of 10 m, and a USB Type-C port is present for wired charging. On the codec side, the earbuds support aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, and AAC, while LDAC, LDHC, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, and aptX Voice are not available. Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are also absent, and pairing options do not include fast pairing or NFC.

Features:

has ambient sound mode	✓
has in/on-ear detection	✓
has find device feature	✓
Supports fast charging	✓
multipoint count	2
can read notifications	✕
has a mute function	✓
can be used as a headset	✓
control panel placed on a device	✓
Has voice prompts	✓
travel bag is included	✓
Has an in-line control panel	✕
Has a temperature sensor	✕
Has a built-in camera remote control function	✕

The Pi8 earbuds include a practical range of features, among them ambient sound mode, in-ear detection for automatic music pausing, a find-device function, and a mute option. They support multipoint connectivity for up to two devices simultaneously and can be used as a headset for calls. Device-side control panel operation is available, and voice prompts are on board, while an in-line control panel is not included. Fast charging is supported, and a travel bag is included in the box. The earbuds do not offer notification reading, a body temperature sensor, or a built-in camera remote shutter function.

Microphone:

number of microphones	6
has a noise-canceling microphone	✓

The Pi8 earbuds are equipped with a total of six microphones, and the microphone system includes noise-canceling capability to help reduce unwanted background sound during calls and voice input.

Final Verdict

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 present a well-rounded set of true wireless earbuds aimed at users who want dependable noise isolation, capable call performance, and access to high-quality wireless audio. The combination of active and passive noise reduction, a six-microphone array, and a battery that holds its rated 6.5 hours regardless of ANC status reflects a thoughtfully engineered power and audio package. Where the Pi8 stands out most is in its aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive codec support, which positions it firmly toward listeners who care about wireless audio fidelity. Some users will note the absence of spatial audio processing, a limited Bluetooth range, and the lack of fast or NFC pairing, but for those whose priorities align with reliable daily commuting, call clarity, and lossless wireless playback, the Pi8 makes a coherent and capable case for itself.