Baseus is one of the most well-known and most trusted Chinese manufacturers of USB-hubs, laptop accessoires, and powerbanks. The brands three newest wireless earbuds are a bit hit-and-miss, however.
In today's Scarbir.com wireless earbuds test: the Baseus Bowie M2s with active noise cancelling, the AirPods-like Baseus Bowie WX5, and the ultra-cheap Baseus Bowie EZ10. How good are they?
Baseus Bowie M2s review: Versatile earbuds with strong ANC
$40 - $80 — 5 hours playtime — AAC Codec — No IPX
The Baseus Bowie M2s is yet more proof that you can have excellent Active Noise Cancelling on earbuds way under 100, or even under 50 dollars. That's not all though: these are capable all-rounders.
The Baseus M2s joins the likes of other affordable earbuds with strong noise reduction, like the 1more ComfoBuds Pro, SoundPEATS Capsule 3 Pro, Earfun Air Pro 3, and the recently reviewed and even cheaper QCY HT05 and QCY HT07.
It's another set that heavily silences your surroundings the moment you put them in. After a thick bass-drop sound effect, darker sounds are taken away and the highest sounds are removed as well. Mid-tones like nearby traffic and keyboard typing are strongly softened, and you can even expect some conversations a few meters away from you to fade. Push that play button, and your music overrules the latest noise around you. It also leaves out wind noise - it's comfortable to run or cycle with this ANC, further helped by a setting from the app.
Fact is: the Bowie M2s already convinces before you put the earbuds in. The charging case opens by pushing the top of the lid to the back and, while unconventional, this feels robust and durable. With the lid opened, you can easily pick up the earbuds by their stems, which also look their part with their metallic stem finish. The Baseus M2s seems to be on sale regularly around 40-50 dollars, and this certainly looks more expensive.
The Baseus M2s continues to impress with its features. It ticks the basic boxes with USB-C charging (no wireless charging, however), around 5 hours of playtime on a single charge, and a long-lasting comfortable fit thanks to the oval earpieces. There's a solid synchronization mode for games, and it's safe to take a phone with these too. Your voice is naturall yet full, loud enough and outweighs sounds around you. Even talking against some wind is doable - your voice is still picked up well.
But wait, there's more. The M2s also has multipoint connection, meaning you can connect it to two devices at the same time, and the earbuds switch to the device that gets a call, or when you push play.
The app ends the winning streak. Both on iPhone and Android, the app requires you to login your account time and time again, in order to give you some minor ANC choices, and a feature advertised as spatial audio. It does tweak some minor aspects in the sound, but certainly doesn't make it more around you - or even spacious.
The app does give you a Bass Equalizer preset, however, and you may want to opt for it as it adds some welcome presence in the lows. It gives the sub-bass a loose rumble, and more importantly: gives the mid-bass a solid - although not very tight - thump. It also increases the lower mid-tones in the music. Acoustic basslines, drums and darker electronic tones are full and provide a thick warmth, which is a welcome addition to the overal musical picture, as it's a bit thin and shallow otherwise. The Bowie M2s puts vocals somewhat forward, but overall, it rolls off treble quite early and leaves center mid-tones in the background, meaning music lacks a bit of clarity and detail. Not all details are ruled out though, as instruments in higher quality recordings can still come from your left and right.
With the Bass EQ preset, the M2s offers comfortable listening, but this only applies to playing music on background to moderate volume. Loud volumes aren't handled as well. Firstly, these earbuds can't go very loud, and secondly, the thin treble gets the overhand on the current higher volumes - making higher female vocals, cymbals, and brighter instruments like violins a bit harsh and tiring to listen to.
The Baseus Bowie M2s price seems to fluctuate between 40 and 80 dollars on AliExpress. It's still a good choice for its more expensive price point, but try to get it when it's on sale. Unless you like your music very loud, these are among the most capable all-around ANC earbuds on a budget.
Design and comfort: 4.5/5 - Robust and comfortable, feels more expensive
Controls and connectivity: 4/5 - Multipoint connection, somewhat adjustable controls
Playback: 4/5 - Flawless in videos, capable for gaming too
Call quality: 4/5 - Safe to take a call even when there's some wind
ANC: 4/5 - Strong across all frequencies, with a wind reduction mode in the app
Transparency mode: 2.5 - Loses most of its effect when playing music
App support: 2/5 -
Sound quality: 3.5/5 - Comfortable and warm, not very natural, could be louder
VERDICT: 4.5 STARS (Great)
$40 - $80
Buy on AliExpress
Baseus Bowie EZ10 review: Tiny earbuds in a questionable case
$20 — 5 hours playtime — AAC Codec — No IPX
The Baseus Bowie EZ10 is the brands newest ultra-affordable wireless earphone, continuing on the likes of the Baseus W12. While these remain compact and highly comfortable earbuds, not all changes are for the better.
The shape of the earbuds is the EZ10's biggest win. It's the same old shape Baseus has had for a few years now, and it makes sense why the brand kept it. While the 5 hours battery life on a single charge won't get you through an entire night, these earbuds are so tiny, they disappear in your ears. They're comfortable to wear for hours, sleep on your side with, or wear under a helmet. All without activating the otherwise responsive touch panels too easily. Brilliant.
But you weren't looking at the earbuds, right? Baseus designed a new charging case for the EZ10... and it's not a very clever thing. You always have to be careful how you put the earbuds in. It's easy to put the left bud in the right bunker and vice versa, but the earbuds won't charge if you do - even though the magnets hold the buds in place. When the earbuds are put in correctly, a tiny red LED lights up to indicates it’s charging. The magnets that hold the earbuds in are strong enough: you can shake this case all you want; they won't fall out. But would they be just as safe in a pocket next to some keys? It only seems a matter of time before you lose one half.
It's clear that the EZ10 isn't the most handy pair of earphones. There's a solid gaming mode, but they're absolutely trash at phone calls or Zoom meetings. Even the slightest noise or wind drowns your already soft voice out. The app support is so-so as well, as the Baseus app requires you to login time and time again, and you don't get much out of it other than change the controls, and some preset equalizers.
The last feature is, once again, welcome. All three Baseus earbuds on this page benefit from the Bass EQ preset. When activated, the sound comes close to that of the previously praised W12. Once again, the sound feels organic - more natural and fluent than a lot of competitors, and more so than the M2s and WX5.
The mid-bass has a gentle thump that never overbears the music. Lower mid-tones are boosted and darker electronic tones and instruments make the music flow. Center mid-tones like guitars and piano play sound natural. Treble is less refined, though. While vocals are forward enough, more crowded compositions or the highest volumes challenge the limited drivers: upper-mids and highs become thin and shallow, and the bass has trouble playing its role. If anything, the default sound equalizer shows this limitation better than the Bass EQ.
With its otherwise fluent playback and natural balance, the EZ10 is still a great budget choice for blues, acoustic rock, or jazz if you're not playing music very loud. But time moves on.
Unless you want earbuds for under your helmet or for side-sleeping, the Soundcore A20i is a fuller, richer sounding choice with much longer battery life.
Design and comfort: 3/5 - Brilliantly comfortable earbuds, very tricky case
Controls and connectivity: 4/5 - Responsive and stable
Playback: 4/5 - Flawless in videos, capable for (mobile) gaming
Call quality: 1/5 - Nope
ANC: n/a
Transparency mode: n/a
App support: 2/5 - Requires logging in time and time again, basic functions
Sound quality: 4/5 - Organic and natural, yet thin on the highest volumes
VERDICT: FOUR STARS (Good)
$15 - $25
Buy on AliExpress
Baseus Bowie WX5 review: The worst controlling earbuds ever?
$20 — 5 hours playtime — AAC Codec — No IPX
The Baseus WX5 has hands-down the worst controls of all the 345 wireless earbuds tested on this site. You're better off thinking these earbuds have no controls at all, if you still want to enjoy them a bit.
The WX5 don't just look like cheap AirPods knockoffs, with a metallic charging dot underneath the stem and a grey microphone on top of it: Baseus actually copied the controls of the AirPods Pro 2. That means you can pinch the stem to play/pause the music, and swipe up or down to change the volume. Or at least: should be able to. In my two week-long testing time, I managed to activate some sort of control just once. Pinching, touching the front, the back, the side of the stem: it rarely works. Absolutely terrible.
If you're somehow willing to overlook that part, these half-in-ears at least do have a reliable fit. Unlike many competitors, the WX5 stays safely in place - although you may have to wiggle them a bit to get the most out of the comfort and the sound. The bass is rather thin if you just 'hang' these in your ears without further adjustment.
With the best fit, the sound is quite good. As to be expected from this shape of 'open', ear-tip less earbuds, the bass isn't the most detailed, but the mid-bass gives a good slam and decent thump. Lower mid-tones are slightly boosted to provide music with some warmth, but the emphasis is on the lower treble. Female and higher-pitched male vocals sound clear, and regular mid-tones like guitars and piano play come across natural, if a bit brighter than average. With the best fit, highs also don't extend too much: there's a clear sound here, but it doesn't become tiringly harsh or sharp. This includes the highest volumes, although the WX5 doesn't go very loud.
Also in line with other models is the Baseus-app. Again: it often asks for your login, comes with a 'Spatial audio' feature that doesn't change the sound noticeably - let alone make it more spacious, and has a couple of different equalizers, of which the Bass EQ preset introduces the bass-oomph described above.
There's also a gaming mode you can activate that synchronizes the sound effects in games very well with the action on your screen, which is a nice surprise, as the other basic feature is lacking: phone calls sound like you're talking through a plastic tube. With a bit of wind and noise, it's a complete mess.
The WX5 does have one pleasant surprise though: it offers multipoint connectivity, meaning it can switch the sound between two connected devices. Just push play on your other device, and the earbuds will switch. I haven't seen it advertised anywhere, but it works like a charm. Unlike the controls, of course.
There are many better alternatives to the Baseus Bowie WX5.
Design and comfort: 4/5 - Secure and comfortable
Controls and connectivity: 1/5 - Multipoint… and terrible controls
Playback: 4/5 - Flawless in videos, capable for (mobile) gaming
Call quality: 2/5 - Indoor in quiet areas only, if you have to
ANC: n/a
Transparency mode: n/a
App support: 2/5 - Requires logging in time and time again, only way to activate the gaming mode
Sound quality: 4/5 - Clear, fairly natural and with an engaging bass - with the best fit
VERDICT: TWO STARS (Disappointing)
$20 - $30
Buy on AliExpress
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $25!
Disclaimer: I bought these TWS true wireless earbuds myself or I received these products from the manufacturer or a distributor. 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
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