TWS true wireless earphones - under $100
FOUR STARS - The Boltune ANC TWS BT-BH023 may not have the strongest active noise cancellation; it does deliver entertaining sound quality a little over $50.
Specs of the Boltune BT-BH023 ANC:
Bluetooth 5.0
IP8 waterproof rating (heavy rain and sweat resistant)
6 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with 3 sizes ear tips and USB-C cable
$60 on Amazon US or other Amazon stores - check current price!
Below this Boltune ANC BH023 review you will find comparisons of the Boltune ANC BH023 vs Apple AirPods Pro, Edifier TWS NB, Honor Magic Earbuds and Dyplay BQC35.
As of September 2020, the rating of this TWS has been decreased from 4.5 to 4 stars. Read why.
Design, comfort and battery life
So far, affordable wireless earphones with noise canceling have been big and protruding out of your ears. Look at the Dyplay QC35, or even the outstanding Edifier TWS NB: they fill up your ears and have quite a bit of weight.
The Boltune ANC BT-BH023 is a huge leap forward over those. The earpieces consist of a stem and an oval-shaped part that goes into your ears. It doesn't feel too heavy and doesn't 'grow' out of your ears. Due to a slight hill in the inner ear-part, the stems automatically aim at your mouth, and comfort is great. It's easy to wear the Boltune ANC for more extended periods.
Speaking of time: a full charge gives the earpieces up to 6 hours of playtime, and the case can recharge them four times before needing power itself. Power comes from a delivered USB-C cable. Three LED-lights show the battery status on the front of the case.
The case is fantastically compact, too. The Boltune BT-BH023 may be the tiniest case for a cheap ANC-pair of wireless earbuds so far. It's easy to carry it in your pocket. It's the same size as the Bomaker Sifi II or Haylou GT2 case. It may scratch a bit more than those two - but this time around, you carry not only music but also take noise reduction with you.
Connectivity and controls
The Boltune ANC BT-BH023 has touch controls in the upper part of the stem, marked by the Boltune logo. The control scheme is rich. You play or pause the music with a double-tap on either of the buds. You increase the volume by tapping the right side once; decrease it with the left bud. Skipping a track is done by three taps on the right bud, and returning a song, can be done with three taps on the left earpiece.
Finally, you activate the voice assistant on your phone with a long press of the right earpiece and activate or deactivate the ANC noise canceling with a long press on the left earpiece.
While the control scheme is extensive, the controls can be a bit too sensitive. You may end up increasing the volume and playing or pausing a song, rather than skip to the next track.
Connectivity on the Boltune ANC BT-BH023 is robust, happily. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection holds easily up to ten meters - even with thin walls in between - and the connection holds when walking or cycling.
Calling and watching movies
Calling with the Boltune BH023 is a bit of a hit-and-miss experience. There's technology working to reduce noise from your surroundings, but you can notice the Boltune searching for the right balance.
Sometimes your voice appears clear; sometimes it sounds robot-like. Sometimes background noises are put through loud; sometimes they're reduced to a slight zoom-like sound. In challenging (outside) areas, your voice can sound soft one moment, and loud the next. It's a bit chaotic to call with these, although talking for a short time is doable. Even indoors, it's advised only to call with the BH023 when you're in a quiet area.
Video playback on the Boltune ANC is great on both Android and iPhone, including the challenging YouTube-app. There is a noticeable delay in sound effects when playing games, as is the case on almost all wireless earbuds.
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $100
Active Noise Cancelling on Boltune BH023
The active noise canceling on the Boltune ANC TWS is decent.
Please note: So far, wireless ANC earbuds only reduce the volume output of noises around you. They don't filter and quieten your surroundings like full-sized headphones from Bose and Sony do. That said:
Especially darker tones from your surroundings are removed from what you hear. Engines running on the background, wind, air conditioners humming, and traffic buzz are reduced neatly and makes its way for some very subtle white noise.
At the same time, the upper-mid frequencies still come through with the noise cancellation activated on the Boltune. Sharper sounds like higher-pitched voices, claps, and keyboard clicks are still audible. It's especially noticeable when you're not playing any music. Also when playing music on low to medium volume, you can still hear louder sounds through it.
You can switch the ANC on the Boltune on and off by long-pressing the left earpiece. The Boltune gives you feedback in the form of little beeps, although the beeps sound alike. Moreover, it's not recommended to walk or cycle in the wind with noise-canceling activated, as it will put through a huge amount of wind.
Boltune's ANC is weaker than that of the Tronsmart Apollo Bold, Edifier TWS NB or TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94 - although Boltune's noise cancelling is usable and functional if you're in environments without too much talking.
Looking for the best noise cancelling audio on a budget? Try the OneAudio A9 headphone.
Sound quality of Boltune ANC BT-BH023
If you love listening to modern pop and dance, and YouTube and Spotify's hit lists are your go-to, chances are you will enjoy the sound of the Boltune ANC BT-BH023.
Especially in hip-hop tracks, it's easy to notice the BH023 delivers a strong bass slam. Bass strikes can punch you in the ears, followed by a slight ongoing rumble. While the bass can distort a little in the heaviest bass tracks, bass addicts will love the Boltune for its power in these frequencies.
Next to the bass, upper-mid tones are heavily elevated too. Female vocals and higher-pitched male vocals stand out from the rest of the mids and take center stage in the music. Voices sound warm and full, giving the entire music a warm and full sound.
In the mid-tones, claps, slaps, and cymbals can sound a bit overemphasized and harsh. There's also a bit of sibilance - meaning you can hear the ss's in vocals more hissy than average. Another thing to note is the volume can go noticeably louder on iPhone than on Android - where the volume may nog go loud enough for everyone.
The Boltune ANC gives the music a sweet, airy feeling, with the music sounding around you instead of shouting directly into your ears. Instruments and musical details come from up-close and further away, from your left and right, with most vocals sounding right in front of you. It's equally impressive that the music sounds the same with noise cancellation turned off or on. If there's any difference at all, perhaps music sounds a tad warmer even with noise canceling activated.
So far, affordable wireless earbuds with ANC could sound good but could lack a little vividness and detail. By giving the bass a fierce punch and by turning up the upper-mids, the Boltune BH023 delivers an entertaining, vibrant sound - if perhaps a bit too bassy for some.
Selected comparisons
Boltune BH023 vs Mpow X3
The BH023 and the Mpow X3 are direct competitors: two wireless earbuds with ANC, around the same price, and both delivering a sound with strong bass. It's a tradeoff between qualities between these two. The Mpow X3 provides better call quality and more pinpoint audio-video synchronization, but the Boltune offers slightly more silence with noise canceling activated. It blocks brighter noises just a bit better.
While both present a very bassy sound, the Mpow X3 refines its sound a bit more. The bass may be strong and rumbling fiercely; it's better controlled than on the Boltune, where it can sound boomier. The Boltune places vocals (even) more forward - but claps, cymbals, and voices can be a bit piercing and sibilant as a result. The Mpow controls this better as well. Along with its other qualities, the X3 is a better allrounder.
Boltune BH023 vs Edifier TWS NB
The Edifier TWS NB may be the absolute best active noise cancelling wireless earbuds on the market. Activate the ANC on these $100 earbuds, and your surroundings are overruled by silence. It silences sounds more effectively than the Boltune, and offers up to 4 hours longer battery life as well.
However, the BH023 is much more comfortable in your ears and has a more entertaining sound. By expanding the upper-mids and highs, vocals and instruments such as guitars and violins have more presence and more details. The bass is heavy on both, but as the Boltune counters it with more details in the highs, it can be a bit too boomy on the Edifier, while it falls in place on the Boltune.
Boltune ANC BH023 vs Dyplay BQC35
The comparably priced Dyplay BQC35 is another good pair of wireless earbuds with noise cancellation. The ANC on the Dyplay and Boltune compete with each other, as both take away mostly standard background noises such as traffic and electrical humming. The Dyplay has a bit more white noise than the Boltune. The BH023 is more comfortable, as its earpieces are more compact. Yet battery life is up to an hour longer. Both have a fat bass slam, but the Dyplay one can be too boomy, while the Boltune one is more controlled. Both sound spacious, but the Boltune has more dynamic sound, with further extended upper-mids and highs.
Boltune ANC BH023 vs Honor Magic Earbuds
Spending around 25-50 dollars more, the Honor Magic Earbuds with ANC noise cancellation comes into view. As the inner-ear part is even more compact than the one on the Boltune, it's even more comfortable. It performs slightly better in calls too, but the BH023 beats the Magic Earbuds when it comes to noise cancelling strength. The Boltune has a more dynamic sound, with more boosted bass and higher tones, while the Honor sounds more balanced and gives plenty of room to center-mids.
Dyplay BQC35 vs Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPods Pro may cost $200 more than the Boltune BH023, but they sure as hell aren't that much better. Music sounds warmer and more energetic on the Boltune, with a more emphasized bass and more presence and detail in vocals. The AirPods Pro sounds colder in comparison, with a more muddied bass. The active noise cancelling strength is comparable on both, although the ANC on the Apple has a more natural feeling. The Boltune also lacks a transparent mode that puts voices from your surroundings through on moments you want it. The AirPods Pro is better in handling calls, too, but the Boltune counters with up to 1,5 hours longer battery life per charge.
Verdict
With great comfort and entertaining sound, the Boltune ANC BT-BH023 proves you can have enjoyable noise cancelling wireless earbuds for one fifth the price of AirPods Pro's.
Four stars - very good
Buy Dyplay BQC35/ check current price:
I received the Boltune ANC BT-BH023 TWS to test and review from Boltune. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. 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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