Honor Earbuds X9 specifications and in-depth review

Honor Earbuds X9

Manufacturer: Honor

The Honor Earbuds X9 are fully wireless in-ear earbuds that combine a lightweight 10.6 g build with a practical IP54 rating, making them resistant to sweat and light moisture. They come with a travel bag included and support active noise cancellation, giving users control over how much of their surrounding environment they hear through a dedicated ambient sound mode.

Connectivity runs on Bluetooth 5.3 with a stated range of up to 10 m, and the earbuds support USB Type-C charging alongside a fast charging feature that brings them to full power in around 1.5 hours. Each earbud carries a 45 mAh battery lasting up to 8 hours, while the 500 mAh charging case extends total playback to 34 hours. A quad-microphone setup with noise cancellation handles calls, and the 12.4 mm drivers cover a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz with spatial audio support rounding out the sound profile.

Pros
  • Active noise cancellation combined with passive noise reduction provides two layers of sound isolation during use
  • The charging case holds 500 mAh and extends total playback to 34 hours, making longer periods away from a charger more manageable
  • In/on-ear detection automatically pauses audio when the earbuds are removed, which helps avoid missed audio and unnecessary battery drain
  • Four microphones with noise cancellation support cleaner call quality in noisier environments
  • Fast charging is supported, reducing downtime when the battery runs low
  • A travel bag is included in the box, offering basic protection when carrying the earbuds
Cons
  • Bluetooth range is limited to 10 m, which may restrict movement when the source device is left stationary
  • No support for advanced audio codecs such as LDAC, aptX, or AAC, which limits high-quality wireless audio transmission options
  • Wireless charging is not supported, requiring a physical USB Type-C connection every time
  • No fast pairing or NFC pairing available, making the initial connection process more manual
  • Wingtips are not included, which may affect earbud stability during more active use
Who is this for?

The Honor Earbuds X9 are well suited to everyday users who want a reliable wireless listening experience with practical noise management. The combination of active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction makes them a reasonable fit for commuters or office environments where blocking out ambient sound is useful. The 34-hour total battery life with the case and the inclusion of fast charging also make these earbuds a solid pick for people who need consistent all-day use without frequent interruptions. Those who take regular calls will appreciate the four-microphone setup with noise cancellation, and the IP54 sweat resistance makes them usable during light workouts as well.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who prioritize high-resolution wireless audio will find the Honor Earbuds X9 limiting, as they lack support for advanced codecs such as LDAC, aptX, or AAC, which are often expected by those who care deeply about audio fidelity. The 10 m Bluetooth range may also be a drawback for users who frequently move away from their source device. Additionally, the absence of wireless charging and wingtips makes them less suited to users who want a fully cable-free charging experience or who need a more secure, locked-in fit during intense physical activity.

Design:

Fit In-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP54
water resistance Sweat resistant
weight 10.6 g
has no wires or cables
are neckband earbuds
wingtips included
has RGB lighting
has stereo speakers
has UV light
Has a display

The Honor Earbuds X9 use an in-ear fit and are fully wireless, with no cables or neckband involved. They weigh just 10.6 g and carry an IP54 rating, which means they can handle sweat without issue, though they do not include wingtips for extra stability. Each earbud houses a stereo speaker, while features like RGB lighting, a UV light, and an onboard display are absent from the design.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC)
has passive noise reduction
driver unit size 12.4 mm
lowest frequency 20 Hz
highest frequency 20000 Hz
supports spatial audio
has Dolby Atmos
has Dirac Virtuo
has a neodymium magnet

The Honor Earbuds X9 are equipped with 12.4 mm drivers that cover a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and they support both active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction to help block out unwanted sound. Spatial audio is also supported, adding a wider sense of depth to playback. Dolby Atmos, Dirac Virtuo, and a neodymium magnet are not part of the specification set for these earbuds.

Power:

Battery life 8 hours
Battery life of charging case 34 hours
charge time 1.5 hours
battery power 45 mAh
battery power (charging case) 500mAh
has wireless charging
Has a solar power battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The Honor Earbuds X9 carry a 45 mAh rechargeable battery per earbud, delivering up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, while the 500 mAh charging case extends the total available playback to 34 hours. A full charge takes 1.5 hours, and a battery level indicator is on hand to keep track of remaining power. Wireless charging and solar power are not supported by this model.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing
Has USB Type-C
Bluetooth version 5.3
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 Honor Earbuds X9 connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3 with a maximum range of 10 m, and the charging case uses USB Type-C. Neither fast pairing nor NFC pairing is available, and on the codec side, the earbuds do not support LDAC, LDHC, AAC, Auracast, Bluetooth LE Audio, or any variant of aptX, including aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, and aptX Voice.

Features:

has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
Supports fast charging
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 Honor Earbuds X9 include an ambient sound mode alongside in/on-ear detection that can automatically pause playback when the earbuds are removed. They support fast charging, feature a mute function, and can be used as a headset for calls, with controls handled through a device-side control panel and voice prompts available for audio feedback. A travel bag is included in the box. On the other hand, there is no in-line control panel, no notification reading capability, no temperature sensor, and no built-in camera remote shutter function.

Microphone:

number of microphones 4
has a noise-canceling microphone

The Honor Earbuds X9 feature a quad-microphone setup with noise cancellation built in, helping to reduce background interference during calls and voice interactions.

Final Verdict

The Honor Earbuds X9 present a well-rounded set of specifications for everyday wireless listening, built around a practical combination of active noise cancellation, a 34-hour total battery with fast charging support, and a quad-microphone system suited for call use. The IP54-rated, fully wireless design with sweat resistance adds a layer of real-world durability that extends their appeal beyond purely indoor settings. Codec support is limited and the Bluetooth range is modest, which means audiophiles and users with more demanding connectivity needs may find the feature set narrow. That said, for users seeking dependable daily earbuds with solid noise management and consistent battery performance, the Honor Earbuds X9 deliver a coherent and functional package that meets the core demands of its category.

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