TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
THREE STARS - Are you searching for truly wireless earphones under 50 dollars, and looking for a compact case and satisfying sound? You may add the Aukey T16S to your considerations, if you forgive its short battery life.
Specs of the Aukey T16S:
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC codec
3 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 3 sizes ear tips and USB-C cable
$50 on Amazon US/ Amazon Europe - check current price!
Below this review, you can find comparisons between the Aukey T16S vs Mpow T5/ M5, QCY QS2, SoundPEATS TrueCapsule, Wavefun X-Pods 3 and Whizzer E3.
Design, charging and comfort
The Aukey T16S isn't very striking in its looks, from both the charging case and the earpieces. The earphones, when in white, have two little black holes on the top end. One hole for the LED-light and one for the microphone. It looks like someone made the earpieces dirty - but they belong there. The white plastic surrounding the center part is shiny and looks a bit cheap.
The oval-shaped earpieces are best standing up in your ear, but if that doesn't fit, you can still 'hang' them upside down in your ears. It doesn't affect the sound too much, and in both scenarios, the earpieces stay well in your ear. The comfort is quite good.
The charging case has a shiny plastic lid, like the AirPods case. It's lightweight and compact and can be charged via micro-USB. Underneath the front, you will find four LED-lights to indicate the battery charge.
The charging specs are outdated, unfortunately. Especially for the 50 dollars these go for. The earpieces only last 3 hours on a single charge and can be recharged three times fully with the charging case - values beaten by most competitors.
Connectivity and controls
With a tap on either of the sides, you play or pause the music on the Aukey T16S. Tap twice on the right side to forward a track, on the left bud to return one. A long press on the right bud increases the volume; with the left bud, you decrease the volume. Three taps on either side activate the voice assistant on your phone. It's a clear control scheme, but the Aukey T16S is kind of sensible to your touches - causing you to activate the wrong function now and then.
The connectivity on the Aukey T16S is mostly good. The Bluetooth 5.0 signal holds up to ten meters and fares pretty good still in areas crowded with wireless signals. Connecting them for the first time is also easy: take them out of the case, connect to your device, and you're good to go.
Calling and watching movies
Don't expect to see a YouTube video on the iPhone with audio synchronizing with video. The Aukey T16S doesn't handle that very well. Audio-video synchronization is better on other video apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime, happily. On Android smartphones supporting Bluetooth 5.0, watching videos fares without problems. There is a heavy delay while gaming, though.
The call quality on the Aukey T16S is okay. Your voice may sound you're in the bathroom to the other end of the line, but callers will hear you clear, whether you're inside or outside without too many surrounding noises. Noises aren't repressed too well, so don't try calling in more crowded areas.
Sound quality of Aukey T16S
The Aukey T16S has a sound signature that will please most people. It has a warm tonality and elevated bass and vocals.
The bass of the Aukey T16S gives a solid thump; it doesn't even matter that much which genre you're listening too. In dance tracks, the bass surely pumps up the music, but also in more gentle songs, drums can have a bass-like impact. It's punchy all the time - but still rarely boomy.
The other aspects that's elevated are upper-mids and vocals. Instruments like violins, but mainly both male and female vocals sound very forward. They take center stage in musical pieces. While it may not always be faithful to recordings, it does cause vocals to shine. They sound lively, without ever becoming harsh or too blown-up.
The soundstage on the T16S is on par with most competitors for this price. Music doesn't sound directly next to your ear, but at a subtle distance around you. Most instruments come from the left and right of you - instrument placement can be better.
The Aukey T16S doesn't sound very detailed, but it's warm, lively, and nothing short of entertaining.
Aukey T16s alternatives
Aukey T16S vs QCY QS2
The QCY QS2 is, after all this time, still the true budget winner when it comes to this sound signature. Its vocals sound a bit tinnier than on the Aukey T16S, but it does have more micro detail in especially the mids. The Aukey has a slightly fuller lower-mids section and more bass impact. Then again: it is more than twice as expensive.
Aukey T16S vs Wavefun X-Pods 3
The Wavefun X-Pods 3 or Ytom T1 has the same sound signature as the Aukey, with a primary role for the bass and highs. On the X-Pods 3, the bass is boomier, and vocals have an even bigger impact. The Aukey sounds more cleaned-up in the lower frequencies, such as bass and drums. The Wavefun offers better battery life and call quality.
Full Wavefun X-Pods 3/ Ytom T1 review
Aukey T16S vs Mpow T5/ M5
The Aukey T16S gets beaten by one of the sub-$50 class champs, the Mpow T5/M5. It offers a bigger soundstage, better instrument placement, and a more detailed lower-mids section, wherein bass guitars, drums, and electronic tones shine. The Mpow sounds even more dynamic than the Aukey.
Aukey T16S vs Whizzer E3
The fun-looking Whizzer E3 is a real competitor to the Aukey T16S. It has less bass-impact but compensates which richer detail in the rest of the lower end. Drums, bass guitars and cello's sound great on the little stone-shaped earphones. The Aukey T16S has a more spacy sound and more forwarded vocals and upper-mids.
Aukey T16S vs SoundPeats TrueCapsule
The SoundPEATS TrueCapsule has a stem-design, which makes them better for calling and gives them longer battery life. The sound has the same warmth and is actually very comparable, but the bass impact is bigger on the Aukey. The SoundPEATS can sound a little more relaxed as a result.
Verdict
The Aukey T16S is a joyful sounding pair of truly wireless earphones, with sweet thumping bass and clear vocals. Unfortunately, it has a below-average battery life and looks a bit cheap for this price.
Three stars - worth considering
Buy Aukey T16S:
Buy Aukey T16S on Amazon Europe (Germany)
I received the Aukey T16S from Aukey to test and review. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
Also read:
Leaderboard: All rated wireless earphones
