I Tested the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 for a Month: Here is My Verdict

Bang & Olufsen has long positioned itself as a brand for listeners who want more than just sound. Its products are expected to deliver a blend of design, materials, comfort, and prestige alongside audio performance. The Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 sits squarely in that space. Even years after its release, it still attracts attention from buyers who care about compact luxury earbuds with a more refined look than the average plastic-heavy alternative.

After a month of regular use across commuting, desk work, phone calls, walking outdoors, and casual listening at home, the verdict on the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 is clear: these earbuds still impress in build quality, style, and musical tuning, but they also show their age in convenience and modern features. They are not the most practical true wireless option by today’s standards, yet they remain appealing for listeners who value craftsmanship and a warm, engaging sound over feature checklists.

This review looks at what it is actually like to live with the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 over time, what type of buyer they still make sense for, and where they fall short against more current competition.

Introduction: What Makes the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 Interesting?

The true wireless market has changed dramatically since 2018. Buyers now expect active noise cancellation, multipoint Bluetooth, stronger microphones, app-based customization, and battery life that stretches through long workdays. The Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 comes from an earlier phase of the category, when brands were still figuring out how to combine stable wireless performance with compact design and respectable sound.

That context matters. The E8 was never designed to be a budget mass-market product. It aimed to offer a more premium earbud experience with higher-end materials, a pocketable charging case, tactile controls, and the polished industrial design Bang & Olufsen is known for. For buyers who prioritize how a product feels in the hand and fits into everyday life visually, that still counts for a lot.

Over the test period, the earbuds were used in the kinds of scenarios most buyers care about:

• Commuting and travel: whether the fit is secure, the case is easy to carry, and outside noise is manageable
• Office and remote work: comfort over longer sessions, call clarity, and how well they disappear during background listening
• Exercise and walking: stability in the ear and resistance to sweat or light weather exposure
• Home listening: detail, bass response, and whether the sound feels satisfying rather than merely convenient

The Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 performs well in some of these areas and less convincingly in others. The rest of this review breaks that down in detail.

Design, Materials, and First Impressions

The first thing that stands out about the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 is that it feels like a luxury object rather than a disposable tech accessory. In a category where many earbuds feel interchangeable, these immediately create a stronger impression. The materials, finish, and subtle branding give them a more mature aesthetic than sport-focused or aggressively styled rivals.

The earbuds themselves are compact enough to look discreet in the ear, though they are not the smallest true wireless buds around. Their shape is rounded and smooth, helping them sit comfortably for casual wear. The outer touch surface is easy to access, and the overall design avoids the bulkier stem-based look that some buyers dislike.

The charging case is another highlight. It is small enough to carry easily in a jacket or trouser pocket and feels substantially more premium than many cases from the same era. Buyers who care about day-to-day ownership experience will likely appreciate this. Opening the case, removing the earbuds, and putting them back all feel more considered than average.

That said, premium design does not automatically equal perfect practicality. The case and earbuds prioritize style and portability over ruggedness and outright functional convenience. For gym-heavy use or rough travel conditions, some buyers may prefer something that feels more purpose-built and less delicate.

Comfort and Fit Over a Month of Use

Comfort can make or break a pair of earbuds, especially for buyers planning to use them daily. Over the month-long test, the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 proved mostly comfortable for moderate sessions, especially during desk work, short commutes, and casual listening at home.

The earbuds sit with a fairly secure seal once the right ear tips are selected. That seal matters not only for comfort, but also for bass response and passive noise isolation. In a quiet or moderately noisy environment, they can be worn for a couple of hours without becoming especially irritating. Pressure build-up is not severe, and the shape distributes contact reasonably well.

However, fit is also one of the more subjective parts of the E8 experience. For some ears, they may require small adjustments after walking for longer periods. During brisk outdoor movement, they generally stay in place, but they do not lock in with the confidence of sports-focused earbuds. Buyers looking for a running-first earbud may want something with wings, hooks, or a more aggressively stabilizing shape.

For office users and home listeners, comfort is better than average. For athletes or buyers who move constantly throughout the day, it is good rather than excellent.

Sound Quality: Still the Main Reason to Consider Them

If there is one area where the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 still earns serious attention, it is sound quality. Bang & Olufsen tuned these earbuds with a presentation that feels richer and more musical than many early true wireless models. Instead of sounding thin or clinical, they offer a fuller and more engaging character that works particularly well for listeners who enjoy vocals, acoustic tracks, jazz, pop, and relaxed electronic music.

The bass is present without becoming overwhelmingly loose. It adds weight and warmth, helping modern music sound satisfying, but it does not fully dominate the mix. This tuning will appeal to buyers who want low-end presence but do not want the exaggerated, boomy sound that some consumer earbuds use to simulate excitement.

The midrange is one of the strongest parts of the E8’s presentation. Vocals come through with body and smoothness, and instruments retain a sense of natural tone. This makes the earbuds pleasant for long listening sessions because they rarely become harsh or fatiguing. Podcasts and spoken-word content also benefit from this balanced midrange, sounding clear without becoming overly sharp.

Treble is more restrained than analytical. There is enough detail for casual critical listening, but buyers seeking the crispest sparkle or the widest sense of air may find the presentation somewhat soft compared with more modern premium earbuds. That softness is not necessarily a flaw; for many listeners, it makes the E8 easier to enjoy across poorly mastered playlists and streaming content.

Soundstage is respectable for an in-ear true wireless design, but it is not especially expansive. Separation is solid enough for everyday listening, though the earbuds are more about musical cohesion than forensic detail retrieval.

In practical terms, this means the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 works best for buyers who prioritize pleasant, refined everyday sound over the last word in technical precision. It is not the most detailed earbud by modern flagship standards, but it remains enjoyable and easy to listen to.

Battery Life and Everyday Convenience

Battery life is one of the clearest reminders that the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 comes from an earlier generation of true wireless products. During the month of testing, battery performance was usable but not particularly competitive by current expectations. For short commutes, a few hours of desk listening, or intermittent use across the day, it was fine. For buyers wanting all-day reliability without thinking about charging, it felt limited.

This matters more than many buyers expect. Earbuds are at their best when they disappear into a routine. If they require too much battery management, they start to feel less convenient than wired or neckband alternatives. The E8 works best for users who are comfortable topping up the case regularly and treating the earbuds as a premium lifestyle accessory rather than a heavy-duty work tool.

Connection stability was acceptable in typical use, but not as seamless as newer high-end earbuds. Pairing and reconnection generally worked, yet there were occasional reminders that truly effortless wireless behavior had not fully matured in this generation. Buyers used to modern near-instant pairing and rock-solid multi-device switching may notice the difference.

Touch controls are useful once learned, but they are not always the fastest or most intuitive input method when on the move. For some users, they will feel elegant. For others, they may feel slightly fussy compared with physical buttons or newer touch implementations.

Call Quality and Microphone Performance

Call quality is serviceable, but it is not a major selling point. In quiet indoor environments, voice pickup is clear enough for regular conversations, work check-ins, and quick hands-free calls. The microphones do a competent job when background noise is limited.

Outdoors or in busier environments, performance becomes less dependable. Wind, traffic, and ambient office chatter can interfere more than many current buyers will expect. For occasional calls, the E8 is adequate. For users who spend hours on calls every week, there are much better options today.

This is an important distinction because many shoppers now expect one pair of earbuds to handle everything: music, commuting, work meetings, workouts, and travel. The Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 can do all of those to some extent, but it does not excel at the work-call side of the equation.

Noise Isolation and Real-World Use

The Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 relies on passive isolation rather than advanced active noise cancellation. With a good seal, it reduces a fair amount of everyday noise, especially low-level office sounds, home appliances, and the general hum of urban life. This is often enough for casual listening and podcasts.

On public transport, however, the limits become more obvious. Train rumble, engine noise, and louder crowds still come through. The result is that users may need to increase volume more than they would with newer noise-cancelling earbuds. For some buyers, especially those who travel frequently, that will be a major drawback.

At home and in quiet workplaces, this is less of an issue. In those conditions, the passive seal is sufficient and sometimes even preferable for users who dislike the pressure sensation that active noise cancellation can create. But buyers who rank noise blocking near the top of their wishlist should be realistic: the E8 is from a pre-ANC-premium era.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Premium design and materials that still feel more elegant than many competitors
• Warm, enjoyable sound signature suited to long listening sessions
• Strong midrange performance for vocals, podcasts, and acoustic music
• Compact charging case that is easy to carry daily
• Comfortable for casual and office use once the right tips are fitted
• Discreet, stylish appearance for buyers who want less tech-heavy aesthetics

Cons

• Battery life feels dated compared with modern true wireless earbuds
• No advanced active noise cancellation for noisy commutes or flights
• Call quality is only average in outdoor or busy settings
• Fit is secure for most daily use but not ideal for serious exercise
• Wireless performance and convenience features are less polished than newer models
• Premium pricing reputation may be harder to justify given feature limitations

Comparison Table: Where the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 Stands

Who Should Buy the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018?

The Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 is best suited to a fairly specific type of buyer. It makes the most sense for someone who values premium industrial design, listens mostly in quieter environments, and prefers a smooth, musical sound over aggressive bass or hyper-detailed tuning. It is particularly well matched to:

• Listeners who care deeply about style, finish, and materials
• Users who mainly listen at home, in the office, or on short commutes
• Buyers who prefer refined audio tuning over maximum features
• People who make only occasional voice calls through earbuds
• Those who want earbuds that feel like a premium lifestyle product, not just a tech tool

It is a weaker fit for users who need heavy-duty battery endurance, top-tier call quality, strong commute isolation, or secure sports performance. For those users, newer earbuds are more practical choices.

Buying Guide: What to Consider Before Choosing Them

Before buying the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018, shoppers should think carefully about how and where the earbuds will be used. This is not a one-size-fits-all product, and it rewards the right expectations.

1. Prioritize sound character, not just feature count

Some buyers focus too much on specs and miss the fact that long-term enjoyment often comes down to tuning. The E8’s strength is that it sounds rich and easy to live with. If a buyer wants a pleasant, upscale listening experience more than the longest list of modern features, that still has value.

2. Be realistic about commuting needs

For daily train, subway, or flight use, passive isolation may not be enough. Buyers who often listen in loud public spaces should weigh how important noise cancellation is. If blocking external sound is critical, the E8 may not be the best match.

3. Consider call habits

Anyone taking frequent work calls on the go should think twice. The microphones are good enough for basic use, but this is not a call-first earbud. Quiet indoor use is the safest scenario.

4. Think about comfort versus security

The E8 is comfortable for many ears, but not necessarily ideal for high-intensity activity. Buyers who mostly walk, commute, and work at a desk will likely be satisfied. Buyers who run or train hard may want a more secure fit design.

5. Decide whether premium materials matter

One reason the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 still stands out is that it does not feel generic. Some buyers genuinely value that and are happy to accept trade-offs for it. Others simply want the most features per pound or dollar. Understanding which camp one falls into helps clarify whether the E8 is a smart purchase.

Final Verdict

After a month of real-world use, the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 remains a charming, well-crafted, and sonically pleasing pair of earbuds that still delivers on design and everyday musical enjoyment. Its best qualities are not flashy. They show up in the tactile feel of the case, the understated luxury of the design, and the smooth, inviting sound that makes albums and playlists enjoyable for hours.

At the same time, buyers should not ignore its age. Battery life, call quality, and noise isolation no longer compete with the best premium earbuds on the market. It is a product that feels stronger as a design-led audio accessory than as an all-purpose modern wireless tool.

The overall verdict is that the Beoplay E8 Truly Wireless 2018 is still worth considering for buyers who value sound quality, elegance, and brand craftsmanship above cutting-edge convenience. For the right user, it remains attractive. For buyers seeking the most practical and future-proof true wireless earbuds, it is easier to admire than to recommend without reservation.