These F1-inspired earbuds are a must for every McLaren fan

Bowers & Wilkins has a phenomenal track record when it comes to wireless earbuds, as far as sound quality goes. To mirror this, I think they come with a matching premium design. But this new F1-inspired edition goes a step further in looking good.

The Pi8 McLaren Edition buds are a snazzy remix of B&W’s flagship wireless earbuds, now dipped in McLaren’s signature Papaya orange and Galvanic Grey. Subtle? Not even a little bit. But they’re a must for every McLaren fan.

• Read more: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: sublime sounding in-ears that major on comfort

In our five-star review, we called the B&W Pi8s “an absolutely fantastic sounding pair of wireless earbuds.” They ditch the dual-driver setup of the Pi7 S2 for a single carbon cone speaker, delivering stunning clarity, punchy bass, and no crossover distortion. It’s tuned for detail, and it shows.

Comfort, previously a bit of an Achilles heel for Bowers, has been properly sorted. The Pi8 earbuds sport a sleeker one-piece design with a rubberised wing tip, making them far easier to wear all day. The charging case has also shrunk, with a rounded pebble-like shape, a satisfying metal hinge, and the ability to retransmit audio from wired sources via USB or 3.5mm.

Connectivity is handled by Qualcomm’s latest chip with aptX Adaptive for hi-res streaming. Plus, you get Multipoint Bluetooth for juggling devices. Noise cancelling borrows from the PX8 too, effectively handling low-end hums while keeping your music untouched. No spatial audio gimmicks here, but you do get a proper five-band EQ via the B&W Music app. Battery life hits a solid six hours with ANC on, plus another 13 from the case, and a 15-minute quick top-up (wired or wireless) gives you 2 more.

The Pi8 McLaren Edition earbuds are available now for pre-order from 3rd April directly from Bowers & Wilkins. Pricing sits at $499/£449/€499, which is about £100 more than the regular version.

• Related: Best headphones in 2025 including earbuds and over-ear headphones

Connor Jewiss

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around nine years now across the web and in print too. Connor has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA – with contributions as a judge on panels at them. He's also been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he's a fan of gadgets of all sorts. Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech - he is always on the lookout for innovative products.

Areas of expertise

Mobile, macOS, EVs, smart home