TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
FOUR STARS - Once 80 dollars by introduction, the Earfun Free now has an even friendlier price. Coming in at just 50 dollars, the Earfun Free is a sweet-sounding allrounder.
Specs of the Earfun Free:
Bluetooth 5.0
IPX7 water proof (sweat, heavy rain and shower resistant)
5-6 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 5 times
Comes with 3 sizes ear tips and USB-C cable
$50 on Amazon US/ Amazon Europe/ UK - check current price!
Below this review, you will find comparisons between the Earfun Free vs Mpow T5/ M5, QCY T3, Wavefun X-Pods 3 and KZ T1 TWS.
Design, charging and comfort
On the outside, the earpieces of the Earfun Free in white look a bit like the Samsung Galaxy Buds. It has a shiny white plate in the center, surrounded by a smoother plastic around it.
On the inside, the earpieces of the Earfun Free have a smooth kind of plastic too. The buds have an egg-like shape. They're a tad on the big side, but they're still comfortable. The short nozzle with small rubber ear-tips helps for that.
The charging case of the Earfun Free looks a bit like that of the QCY T3. It's big nor compact, premium nor ultra-cheap. The lid on the case is a bit shaky. You can charge it via USB-C or wireless, and four LED-lights on the front show the current battery status of the case.
Speaking of battery life: the charging case can recharge the earpieces five times fully, providing them with up to 6 hours of battery life per charge. Not exceptional, but still solid specs for this price. The IPX7 waterproof level is a sweet bonus.
Connectivity and controls
You may not expect it, but the earpieces of the Earfun Free have buttons you have to press, rather than touch-controlled buttons. Happily, pressing them doesn't require too much power. You will always push the earpieces a bit further in your ear with actual buttons, but it doesn't hurt on this set.
The control scheme of the Earfun Free isn't the most logical. A single press on either side plays or pauses the music. Two or three presses on the right side activate the voice assistant on your phone, pressing the left bud twice makes you skip a song. Press three times on the left side to return a song. Long-presses are only used to reject a call or shut the earphones off. It's not possible to change the volume on the earpieces and the requirement of multiple presses, causes you to activate the wrong function every now and then.
Connectivity on the Earfun Free is without problems. The Bluetooth 5.0 signal keeps stable up to ten meters and holds pretty well in areas more crowded with wireless signal - although dropping for a few milliseconds occasionally. Connecting them the first time is a breeze - they automatically pair.
Calling and watching movies
Calling is something you shouldn't be doing with the Earfun Free. The quality of the mic isn't good enough for it. You will sound metallic and full of echo for the other end of the line, and that is just the performance in quiet areas. In noisy areas, it's almost undoable. Noises are coming through even more metallic cause a crackle in the line.
Watching videos on YouTube goes with a noticeable delay on iPhone. Audio-video synchronization is better on other video services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, and also works flawlessly on Android smartphones supporting Bluetooth 5.0. There's still lag in the sound when playing games.
Sound quality of Earfun Free: Joyful
The Earfun Free is a mid-centric pair of earphones. Mid-tones such as vocals, guitars, and piano play the leading part in the music. Both male and female vocals sound forward and play with a steady amount of clarity and detail.
The emphasis on these frequencies, give the Earfun Free a relatively bright sound, without sounding too sharp. It's a bright yet warm, friendly picture you can listen to for hours.
The warmth of the Earfun Free's sound, of course, comes from the lower frequencies. The sub-bass is capable of a decent rumble (in tracks like James Blake's Limit To Your Love, for instance), and the mid-bass punches steadily in easier going songs. However, it can sound a little muddy in songs that have much bass and lower-mids from themselves, such as drums, cellos, and electronic tones.
The soundstage is mostly limited to left and right of you, with instruments, vocals, and electronic tones being close to each other. They are well separated but compared to some of the best offerings for this price, it's harder to place instruments around you on the Free.
The Earfun Free is a warm sounding, yet mid-centric truly wireless earphone that paves the way for vocals - and it does so with success. It sounds crisp and clear. However: as an audio lover, you may probably chase after a little more detail, whether it's in the bass-section or instrument placement.
Selected comparisons
Earfun Free vs KZ T1 TWS
The KZ T1 enjoyed big hype when it was released, but it died out just as quick. Not surprisingly. The KZ, too, doesn't resolve too much detail in the bass-area and the lower-mids. It can also sound a bit harsh when you turn the volume up. The Earfun Free sounds more balanced, but the KZ brings more nuances in vocals.
Earfun Free vs Wavefun X-Pods 3
The Wavefun X-Pods 3 has a bass that pumps a lot harder than the Earfun Free, which, however, can be a bit boomy sometimes too. Highs are more elevated on the X-Pods 3, but vocals sound more natural on the Earfun Free. The X-Pods 3 has comparable battery life and better call quality.
Full Wavefun X-Pods 3/ Ytom T1 review
Earfun Free vs Mpow T5/ M5
Next to the excellent Mpow T5/M5 for the same amount of money, it becomes clear that there still can be a lot of variety in this price segment. The Mpow has a bigger soundstage with better instrument placement, and a more refined bass-area and lower mids. The Earfun Free sounds smoother. Both have a comparable battery life; call quality is better on the Mpow.
Earfun Free vs QCY T3
The QCY T3 (also sold as Xiaomi T3) is one of the most searched for wireless earphones on this site. It controls harder than the Earfun Free and the fit is very tricky due to the original shape of rubber ear-tips on the T3. The T3 has a bass that hits a lot harder. It sounds warmer, and vocals are more elevated. The Earfun sounds more balanced.
Verdict
The Earfun Free is a comfortable pair of truly wireless earphones under 50 dollars with a stunning IPX7 waterproof rating and solid battery life. However, audio lovers may look for a little more dynamics.
Four stars - very good
Buy Earfun Free:
Buy Earfun Free on Amazon Europe (Germany)
The Earfun Free was sent out to me by Earfun, 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
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