B&O Beoplay E8

The fully wireless earphone category is still very much a work in progress at this point, with a mixed reception to some of the initial products last year or two.

- Robert Anderson

But over time the reason for picking up a pair is growing as technology and (most importantly) battery life improves, and more and more companies are getting in on the action.

Among them is Danish electronics firm Bang & Olufsen with its Beoplay E8 product, one of the market’s most stylish – and most expensive – entrants to date.

Out of the box, one immediate point of distinction is the little leather pebble-shaped case, which appears both subtle and sophisticated. It is also practical too, keeping the buds in place for charging via magnets when they aren’t in use. 

The earpieces themselves are sleek and discreet if a little similar in appearance to some of the other products on the market. However, one differentiator from most competitors is the aluminium ringed B&O logo on either side, which doubles as a touch pad.

After opening the box, removing the buds from the case and connecting them to your phone is a relatively simple process of switching into connection mode by holding your finger on the right bud’s touch pad and finding it on your phone’s Bluetooth settings.