Windows Central Verdict
I've been buying Samsung and other basic earbuds for years, presuming that the tech governing earbuds was just at some kind of wall. After using the Hi-Res Arctis Nova Elite headset recently, I discovered a universe of earbuds that offer similar audio quality. I went in with the Status Pro X and fell completely in love. I've discovered a new dimension of high-quality discrete audio without having to rock full headphones while commuting and travelling, with all the features I typically associate with the big-name brands. Yes, they're not cheap, but the experience isn't cheap either.
Pros
- +
Triple driver set up for incredible separation and details
- +
LDAC Bluetooth 5.3 gives it impeccable wireless performance
- +
Superb battery life for earbuds
- +
Sleek design and premium case
Cons
- -
Software could be better with more options
- -
Charge case hinge feels a bit flimsy
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
I recently reviewed my first-ever hi-res headset in the Arctis Nova Elite, and the algorithm must've known I was keen to explore this segment even more.
The hi-res certification is issued to headsets that meet a certain quality criteria, revolving around things like 40 kHz audio ranges and 24-bit streaming standards. Some aspects of the certification could be described largely as a marketing gimmick, particularly with audio frequencies that fall well out of the range of human hearing capabilities, but it does represent a family of specs that do contribute to a better overall sound experience, at least in general.
Status Pro X: Specs and price
I mentioned that the Status Pro X are hi-res certified, but the shiny badge doesn't mean a great deal on paper. It's the full gauntlet of specs that give the Status Pro X its impressive soundscape, as described below.
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Drivers | Triple driver system: 12mm dynamic + dual Knowles balanced armature |
Audio codecs | LDAC (Hi‑Res Wireless Audio), SBC, AAC, LC3 (LE Audio) |
Bluetooth | Version 5.3, Multipoint support, Auracast ready |
Noise cancelling | Hybrid ANC up to −52 dB, Ambient Aware (Transparency mode) |
Microphones | 6 beamforming mics with Voiceloom AI speech enhancement |
Battery life | 8 hours per charge, 32 hours with case |
Features | Find My app support, LE Audio, IP55 (dust and water resistant), USB‑C + Qi wireless charging |
Price (launch) | ~$299 USD |
The $300 price tag is tough to swallow on paper, but when you look at all the tech Status managed to minaturize here, it's hard not to see why they cost as they do. Even before we start talking about audio, we have future-facing tech like LDAC wireless audio codecs, LC3, multipoint 5.3 Bluetooth, Auracast support, and IP55 certification. We have Qi wireless charging in the case, across 8 hours of playback for the earbuds and 32 hours stored in the case itself. We have ~52 dB active noise cancelling, and 6 beamforming mics for calls.
The Status Pro X excel with 12mm triple driver array for speakers, clinching it that hi-res certification. How does it all come together in practice, though?
Status Pro X: Comfort and design
The Status Pro X earbuds are bold without being gaudy in appearance, with a rectangular outer appearance with silver and black accents. There are no loud logos or flashy colors here. The Status Pro X are subtle in presentation, eager to adapt to your style as opposed to the other way around.
They are quite large for earbuds, and it's impressive (and appreciated) that Status managed to resist the temptation to whack a loud logo or advertisement on the chassis. Instead, the only logo you'll find is the firm's understated waveform logo on the case itself, which is svelte and small enough to fit in any pocket.
The earbuds themselves sport an ergonomic shape with eartips that protrude away from the plastic. Whether it's AirPods or Galaxy Buds, I've often found the plastic part designed to sit outside of your ear canal is often too big — designed to house components rather than be comfortable. The Status Pro X are thankfully not designed this way, utilizing the ear tips for stability rather than the main body.
Across hours upon hours of use, I've found them to be incredibly comfortable, but also crucially stable in-ear. I found that my Galaxy Buds3 would often slip out of my ear, leaving me to be overly cautious while commuting. Trying to search for my earbuds on a transatlantic flight is not something I want to repeat, and I don't think I'll have to with the Status Pro X.
The earbuds themselves have capacitive controls that can be adjusted in its high-quality app. Each earbud also has a physical button on top, which can also be customized, albeit not as deeply as the capacitive controls. I'd like to see Status open up the physical buttons to more control options in the future.
Status Pro X: Audio and features
But really, it's all about sound, right? Status ticks all the right boxes when it comes to design, comfort, and physical features, but the proof is in the listening — and it's here where the Status Pro X just blows everything else I've used out of the water.
I paid roughly $200 for my Samsung Galaxy Buds3 earbuds, and frankly, I hate them. I switched over to the similarly-priced Arctis Gamebuds for a while, which are far more comfortable and crucially, actually stay in your ear. But I find myself craving a better audio experience, matching some of the headphones I have access to here, such as the Arctis Nova Elite or my family's beyerdynamic DT 1990 open back headphones I often steal borrow.
I was unsure if that was achievable with earbuds, given their size. I don't like using headphones while commuting and travelling, preferring something smaller and more easy to manage. I figured audio compromise was just the reality of the form factor. The Status Pro X proves that to be wrong.
After using the Status Pro X earbuds I knew that it would be impossible to go back to using cheaper earbuds. You will know it too.
The Status Pro X represents, by far, the best sound experience I've ever had with earbuds. It helps that they're incredibly comfortable and reassuringly well-fitting, but it's the immersive soundscape that really elevates whatever auditory challenge you throw at it.
I've used the Status Pro X in games on my Xbox Ally X, for calls and work on my Razer Blade laptop, and music via the hi-res codec on my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with lossless audio on my Spotify subscription. I love it when a product is so fun and immersive to use that you simply forget about the review and just start enjoying it.
The separation of the instruments and immaculate detailing across the spectrum make for a really enchanting experience all up. I prefer deep bass when I listen to music, and Status' sound presets deliver it in spades if you want it. I found myself settled with Status' own signature sound profile out of the box, without having to do any EQ tweaks to get things sounding optimal.
After using the Status Pro X earbuds, I knew that it would be impossible to go back to using cheaper earbuds. You will know it too.
Status Pro X: Final thoughts
The Status Pro X is well and truly the "everything and the kitchen sink" of earbuds. Immaculate design, a stunning amount of tech, piles of features, and truly impeccable audio make for a headset that well and truly feels worth the price tag.
If you listen to a ton of music as I do, this is the kind of product that will take your experience to a new level. If you've been using cheaper, standardized earbuds as I have opted for previously, the Status Pro X is like opening the door to a higher plane of existence you were hitherto unaware of. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but you get the point.
Your ears will feel comforted, your music will gain new dimensions, and your wallet will admittedly be much lighter — but this is a rare situation where I can well and truly say it's fully worth it. I've used a ton of earbuds across all sorts of price points, and sometimes, you just have to pay a little bit more if you want that extra quality. The Status Pro X are absolutely worth it.
The Status Pro X earbuds aren't cheap by any means, but they are the closest thing to an audiophile-grade experience you can get in this form factor. Incredible battery life, a huge glut of features, spectacular audio, and an impressive design. An unusually coherent all-in-one package from a relatively new company, taking on big names like Apple and Samsung with confidence.
Black Friday 2025 — Quick links
- All our TOP recommended Black Friday deals: Just the best
- Mini PC deals: up to 47% off tiny PCs
- GPU deals: early price drops on NVIDIA RTX before they go up
- Microsoft Surface deals: save up to $500 on premium PCs
- Xbox accessories: best deals on gadgets for your Xbox Series X|S and PC
- Gaming laptop deals: the best laptops for the best price
- Xbox controllers: our top picks for best controller deals
- ANC headphones: great Black Friday deals on the best ANC headphones
Even more Black Friday deals: - Samsung monitors: the best Samsung display deals we've found
- Walmart: 7 top laptop deals you shouldn't miss
- Retro gaming: handhelds, arcade machines, old school consoles, and more
- Gamer merch: Blizzard’s Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo IV collectibles
- Game keys: 10 PC game codes are even cheaper at Loaded (formerly CDKeys)
- Accessories: Even more PC accessories starting at $17
Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
