Soul Electronics Blade: true wireless buds with 'world’s first' fitness features

Soul Electronics is preparing to launch the world’s first true wireless earbuds with both a built-in heart rate monitor and AI voice coaching, the latter of which provides real-time feedback on your running form.

The Blades are new versions of the Blade in-ears the company launched last year, similarly aimed at fitness fanatics that would benefit from being analysed (the Blades can measure speed, distance, cadence, step length, step width and head tilt angle) and guided through their runs.

As is more customary with sport headphones, the Blades are weatherproof (to iPX7), come with an app that logs training data (Soul Electronics Soul Fit), and feature an ear hook design for a secure, exercise-friendly fit.

The true wireless buds offer a reasonable six-hour battery life and will be available later this year for $250/an estimated £200.

There's no doubting the potential of the Blade's usefulness as running headphones (providing their analysis works!). We simply hope they'll fare better than the Soul Electronics Run Free Pro Bios we recently tested, and are more akin to the price-per-pound performance offered by the company's Flex headphones.

MORE: Best budget sports headphones

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

Latest in Wireless Earbuds
The AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 in their charging cases standing side by side on a wooden surface with a hand out flat behind them.
All three current in-ear AirPods are up to 32% off at Amazon – here's which pair you should buy
HMD amped buds in blue on a blue background
Never worry about your smartphone running out of juice again: these earbuds' charging case has a super-useful feature
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro in a black carry case, next to white and silver carry cases, on a grey background.
The world's first wi-fi earbuds are here... but there's a catch
Sony WF-C700N held in the hand
I can’t wait for new flagship Sony wireless earbuds – but I’m more excited about its leaked cheaper pair
Sony WF-C700N held in the hand
Sony WF-C700N sequel leak teases improved ANC and battery, but will they get better codec support?
Final ZE3000 SV ANC earbuds
Hate that blocked feeling? Final’s wireless earbuds have a Comfort ANC mode to help take the pressure off
Latest in News
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position
Apple AirPods Max 2024 in blue finish on bookshelf
Lossless audio and wired listening finally comes to AirPods Max
iFi Valkyrie in gold with a laptop
iFi's flagship iDSD Valkyrie DAC/amp teases cutting-edge tech for a sound that's worthy of Valhalla