Dell Pro Plus Wireless Earbuds
ZDNET Highlights
- The Dell Pro Plus earbuds are available now for $230.
- They are primarily aimed at professional users, with exceptional call clarity, reliable multi-device support, and long battery life.
- The touch controls are finicky, and the sound can overpower ANC.
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Dell is breaking new ground with the recent launch of its first wireless earbuds: the dell pro plusAlthough they can certainly be used for listening to music, they are optimized for professional environments.
In this particular context, Dell’s Pro earbuds shine. Their on-call performance is excellent, delivering crystal-clear sound and crisp vocal audio. However, some features make them difficult to recommend beyond their intended use.
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Dell’s Pro Plus earbuds excel in two key areas that matter most: audio quality and battery life. I made several test calls and the sound quality was consistently great every time.
The buds also use AI to reduce background noise. Similar technology is also used to power the ANC feature (active noise cancellation) to block out ambient noise.
The end result is clear, crisp conversation that sounds surprisingly natural. Even if the other caller has a low-quality mic, the earbuds compensate by amplifying the incoming audio.
Productivity Powerhouse
As mentioned, these earbuds really perform excellent in office or quiet environments with crisp sound. When it comes to music, the Dell earbuds do a respectable job; But they lag behind models that specialize in music, like the Technics EAH-AZ100. Songs sound a bit unbalanced as the higher frequencies are suppressed in favor of a more bassy output.
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Despite that problem, the audio is still rich and dynamic. Users can fine-tune the sound profile through the official Dell Audio app. You can emphasize certain aspects of a track, such as bass or treble. Or, if you prefer, you can create your own profile.
Overall, the audio quality was good, but I did encounter a strange crackling sound while playing some content. It first appeared while playing the mobile game Arknights and then in some YouTube videos, usually spoken word content where there is not much background sound. Some songs on YouTube were loud, while tracks from an official artist channel sounded just fine.
The crackling sound was most noticeable at low volumes, where it could not hide behind the sound. I strongly believe that this is not a hardware issue. Instead, the strange noise appears to be associated with poorly mixed or low-quality audio sources. Not every piece of content is produced at the same level of quality. Either way, it’s something to be aware of.
Thick Case, Smart Design
The charging case is quite thick – even bigger than the AirPod case. On the bottom, you’ll find a USB-C port for charging, and on the back, a flush pairing button keeps the design clean.
Inside is a 5,000mAh battery that Dell says delivers up to 33 hours of playback with ANC enabled. That’s longer than the AirPod Pro 3’s reported 24-hour runtime. In my testing, the Pro Plus earbuds lasted a good four days with normal use.
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There’s a small USB-C adapter under the case lid. When it’s plugged into your PC, it unlocks support for Bluetooth multipoint, a useful feature that lets you connect to two devices simultaneously. For example, you might be listening to an audiobook on your phone, and then switch to your PC to join a Slack huddle. As per my experience, it was very easy to swap back and forth.
stop noise
As mentioned earlier, one of the key features of the Dell Pro Plus is ANC. It has an adaptive function, meaning it automatically becomes stronger in noisy environments; However, the effectiveness of ANC is hindered by the physical design of the earbuds. At a glance, it looks like Dell was inspired by AirPods as its earbuds have a long stem extending from the bulb.
This shape allows little sound leakage. Even when I had ANC enabled, I was still able to have clear conversations with others. This is something I can’t do with the Sony LinkBuds Fit. Sony’s 2024 earbuds offer some of the best ANC I’ve experienced, primarily because their shape conforms to the ear canal, thus creating a tight seal. Whenever I talk to someone I have to take them off.
I’m not saying that the Dell earbuds have bad ANC – far from it. In an office setting, they perform wonders. But if you’re planning on using them in noisier environments, they won’t get the kind of ANC that a pair of earbuds designed for.
I have a complaint
I had trouble using the touch controls on the Dell Pro Plus. Instead of using a simple tap like most earbuds, they rely on a pinching motion. To trigger certain commands like pausing or playing a track, you have to press the earbud between your thumb and index finger. While the system generally works, it is tricky. I especially had difficulty adjusting the volume.
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If you press the bottom of the right earbud, then slide your finger up, you’ll hear a slight click confirming the action. The problem is that the gesture isn’t very intuitive; You have to be precise. It took me a while to get the hang of it, and even after two weeks of testing I’m still struggling with the speed.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
dell pro plus The earbuds are available for $230 on the company’s official website. I recommend them if you’re looking for a reliable pair for video calls and Zoom meetings, but want something sleeker than a traditional headset. Call clarity is excellent, battery life is impressive, and the flexibility that Bluetooth multipoint provides cannot be underestimated.
If you want other recommendations, sony linkbuds fit Are a good option with better ANC. ZDNET’s Jack Wallen enjoyed the Status Pro
