Verdict: These earbuds are simple, capable, and affordable. I use them daily for calls and for mild workouts, but I do wish they had better passive noise cancellation and that they fit more snuggly so I could use them for all my needs.
Initial impressions. The case is really small! The earbuds are also small and sleek. The case has a USB C connector, and it is wireless-charging capable.
App. The Soundcore app that is available with these earbuds is actually very good. It allows for the customization of touch controls on the earbuds, it provides nice equalizer controls, including “BassUp,” which kicks up the lows to adequate levels, and it includes ambient sounds for sleeping or concentration… nice! The app also has a “find device” feature, which will play a high pitch sound from the earbuds, potentially allowing you to find an earbud if you are near enough. There is also a game mode that reduces latency, cool!
Sound. Overall sound quality is great. High and mids are solid out of the box. I felt lows were lacking, but with the “BassUp” option in the Soundcore App equalizer, I am pretty happy with the lows for most music genres. Given how small, light, and fairly inexpensive these earbuds are, I think the sound quality is quite impressive. Of note, call quality is one of the best features of these earbuds.
Controls. Touch controls are limited out of the box, but all controls can be customized from the Soundcore app. I am fine with the OEM controls since these are the things I use most, but most people will probably want to add volume up/down touch controls as well, which can be done from the app.
Things I love:
- Super easy setup
- Extremely comfortable because they just sit in your ears without much pressure
- Very good range; I could walk around freely without losing Bluetooth connection
- The case is very small
- The charging case ensures that the earbuds are always charged
- Really great app that extends the capability of these earbuds
- Pretty good sound given how small they are
- Great performance on voice calls
- 5 hours continuous listening suits most situation, and if you need a boost, 10 min of charging will give you an hour of listening
- The case is wireless charging compatible, nice!
- Voice assistant is easily accessible
- IPX5 Waterproof. This is great for sweaty workouts and using them outdoors
Things I don’t love:
- Passive noise cancellation is inexistent; noise from surrounding environments easily interferes with what you are listening to. The lack of passive noise cancellation is a missed opportunity to make these sound even better
- These fit my ears, but they do not feel secure. I feel comfortable wearing them around the house and for mild weight-lifting sessions, but I don’t think these would do well for high impact activities or other sweaty cardio. Including optional rubber inserts for a more secure (and quiet) fit would improve the experience
- These earbuds do not auto-pause music when you remove an earbud
Conclusion. These earbuds offer lots of value for their price range. They sound very good, they are comfortable, they work well, and they can be customized to your preference. Perhaps with the exception of noisy environments and high impact workouts, I recommend these earbuds for a great and affordable wireless listening experience. Overall, I give them 4 stars, rather than 5 stars, only because they can't fulfill all my needs, and so I must still rely on other earphones for cardio, and for my noisy commute.