TWS true wireless earphones - under $150
4.5 STARS - Are the most-praised wireless ANC earbuds of last year worth it in 2022? Yes: the Edifier NeoBuds Pro still offers excellent features and great sound quality - even though not all works well.
Edifier NeoBuds Pro specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC (iPhone) and LDAC/LDHC codec (Android)
IP45 waterproof (splash and dust proof)
2 - 8 hours battery life on single charge (read the review!)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with 12 different ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual
$140 - Check latest price on Amazon US, Amazon Germany, other Amazon countries or AliExpress
Below this Edifier NeoBuds Pro review, you will find comparisons of the Edifier NeoBuds Pro vs Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro, Soundcore Life P3, Lypertek PurePlay Z5, and 1more ComfoBuds Pro.
Update July 19th 2024: Devaluated the overall rating from 5 to 4,5 stars due to the stiff competition in 2024.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The Edifier NeoBuds Pro continues on the design of the earlier released Edifier TWS NB2. The earbuds have the same stem design, just a bit more rounded.
The form factor may seem straightforward, but it's a win compared to competitors with active noise cancelling: it's noticeably lighter to wear than the bulky Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3, and it rests easier on your ear lobe than the Soundcore Life P3 and the 1more ComfoBuds Pro.
You can still feel the Edifier NeoBuds Pro a bit when you're wearing them, but overall, these ANC earbuds are comfortable and light enough to wear for hours. The IP45 waterproof rating helps the buds to resist light rain and dust.
The case isn't completely new as well. Compared to the TWS NB2, the NeoBuds Pro has gotten a metallic slab in the middle, and a very cool red LED-light on the front, just underneath the lid. It pulsates red when you start charging the earbuds in it, and it even has a Knight Rider effect going on when you open the case. It resists light scratches and it can recharge the earbuds three times fully before needing new power via USB-C itself.
Battery life is complicated on the NeoBuds Pro. The earbuds reach up to 8 hours playtime on a single charge in the ideal circumstances; which is on the iPhone using the AAC codec and with ANC turned off via the app. However: you won't often get to this battery life.
As ANC is on by default, battery life runs back to around 5 hours on a single charge on iPhone, and around 4,5 hours on Android phones. That's still about average for ANC earbuds in 2022.
This changes heavily when you switch to NeoBuds Pro's party trick on Android. Via the Android app, you can select the LDHC audio codec in three different stream settings. In the highest quality, it can put through three times more information than a Spotify song - which can be beneficial if you're playing lossless audio tracks from your phone. But: the battery will run empty in under 2 hours when playing music on moderate to loud volume. You won't even be able to finish your smallest playlist with it.
You don't have the codec option on iPhone, and if you're an Android user and mainly use streaming services like Spotify or YouTube Music, definitely stick to the regular LDAC setting. It will give you plenty of battery for regular use, and as you will read later on, sound quality won't be a problem.
Controls and connectivity
You can change controls via the app, but not add extra commands
The NeoBuds Pro controls via touch panels on top of the stems, which respond quickly to your input. They work well, even when you're wearing thin gloves! The control scheme is simple:
Double-tap R to play/ pause music
Double-tap L to switch between ANC and Transparency mode
Triple-tap R to skip a song
Triple-tap L to (de)activate game mode
You can't activate functions via a single-tap or by holding the earbuds, meaning it's not possible to activate the voice assistant, return a song, or change volume from the earbuds. You can change the existing control options via the app to your liking, however.
Music doesn't automatically pause when you take an earbud out, and the NeoBuds Pro doesn't support multipoint connectivity - you can only connect to one device at a time.
Regular connectivity on the NeoBuds Pro is decent. It has a strong Bluetooth connection up to 8-9 meters away from your device, a bit less than average, but nothing dealbreaking. The earbuds connect and pair fast when you take them out of the case. Unfortunately, like on the Edifier TWS1 Pro, one of the earbuds may not immediately connect when you take them out of the case - you'll have to put it in and take it out again to reconnect it.
Once again, the LDHC codec setting makes the product worse. If you opt for the codec; the higher streaming quality you go, the more fragile the Bluetooth connection gets. Sound dropouts are regular between your device and earbuds, and between the earbuds itself. Walk 3 meters and the connection struggles.
At least the responsiveness of the controls is good.
Calls, movies and Games
It's easy to take a phone call with the NeoBuds Pro. Your voice sounds clear, natural, and loud enough. Surrounding noise is handled well - traffic and chatter are audible, but they stay in the background - your voice sounds louder. As almost always, wind noise is a threat to the call clarity.
Microsoft Teams, Zoom meetings and video calls are easily doable as well - with both others and yourself sounding clear and natural.
Watching videos with the Edifier is perfect, with flawless synchronization between audio and video. Thanks to the low-latency mode, gaming is pleasant: sound effects follow the action you see on screen shortly, and there's enough detail in the sound to hear footsteps and gunshots around you in Call of Duty mobile - for instance.
Edifier NeoBuds Pro app review
The NeoBuds Pro is supported by the free Edifier Connect app, and while half of the app space is reserved for shopping other Edifier products, it's easy to use on both iPhone and Android. Supported features are:
Check the battery status of earbuds individually and the case
Switch between High ANC, Low ANC, Transparency mode and turn ANC off
Choose between two equalizers: Dynamic and Classic
Setup your own custom equalizer
(De)activate the game mode
Change controls for double-tap and triple-tap
Change the tap sensitivity
Swipe this screen to the side and you can choose between equalizers Dynamic and Classic
It's also possible to create and save your own equalizers
Switching between the codec settings requires re-pairing the earbuds, but the app does help you with it
If you're an Android user, you're also treated to other functions:
Change LDAC codec stream quality (default 48K/44.1K; 96K option requires to restart the earbuds and reduces the connection strength)
Change LDHC maximum bitrate (default 400kbps, 560kbps and 900kbps available)
Switching between streaming rates on Android is a bit slow and cumbersome, making it hard to compare the effects on the sound directly. Otherwise, the app is easy to understand and its features are worthy additions, especially if you love fiddling with sound. It's a bit of a shame you can't add more control options to the earbuds.
ANC Noise cancelling test of NeoBuds Pro
By default, the Edifier NeoBuds Pro only has two ANC settings from the earbuds: ANC on and Transparency mode. You can switch the ANC function from the app, however, changing the ‘high ANC’ to ‘mild ANC’ and ‘ANC off'. Select ANC off for example, and you will switch between ANC off and Transparency mode from the earbuds.
This also means you have to open the app to change this back.
ANC quality: Of course, the high ANC setting is used mainly for this review and HURRAH: the Edifier NeoBuds Pro is still one of the best ANC earbuds on the market in 2022. The function doesn't just reduce the volume of noise around you, but removes some sounds entirely. The background radio in your office, the traffic you could otherwise hear with your window open, nearby chatter: they fade or disappear with this Edifier, even when you're not playing music. Putting these buds in immediately brings rest to your head. Splendid.
Transparency mode quality: The Transparency/ Ambient mode works very well too. It immediately puts through brighter sounds on moments you need it, without forwarding all sounds or making the highs too metallic.
As middle-high frequencies are put through, you can follow a conversation and locate nearby vehicles by their tire sounds. This effect stops when you're playing music on moderate volume - or louder.
Wind noise reduction: While the Edifier doesn't pick up wind noise as heavily as most other ANC earbuds, the brighter edges of wind noise still interfere with your music. If you want to get rid of this entirely, you have to select the ‘ANC off’ mode from the app, you can't quickly switch to it from the earbuds.
Even in 2022, the Edifier NeoBuds Pro has among the strongest ANC noise-cancelling you can find on wireless earbuds.
Also read: The best wireless ANC earbuds
Sound quality of Edifier NeoBuds Pro
So how do the Edifier NeoBuds Pro wireless ANC earbuds sound in 2022, with so much more and newer competition? Quite simply: brilliant.
Like many ANC earbuds, the NeoBuds Pro has a weighty bass. The mid-bass fires heavy thumps, and the sub-bass dives deep and rumbles fiercely. Multiple basslines are handled with ease and even in crowded songs, every tone feels thick and deep. Things can get a little nasty in badly mixed dance, techno or hip-hop, where the bass can be too heavy. In turn, it's really nice that the bass can be gentle in easier going songs too.
In the mid-tones, lower mids like drums and darker electronic tones are slightly boosted and help give the Edifier a warm and pleasant sound. Center-mid tones like guitars and piano play have a subtle warm undertone as well, but do appear natural.
Moving on to the treble, higher female and male vocals can sound a little metallic at first. It's a feeling that won't last long, as the upper-mids and highs strike a great balance. From moderate volume on up, vocals are centric and forward in the music: they have a good amount of presence and enjoy enough room for higher outbursts, but never sound too sharp. You won't find harsh notes or peaks on the Edifier.
The level of detail is impressive too. Mid-bass and sub-bass lack a bit of texture, but there's plenty of space and separation in all frequencies. Even in lower-centric music like Leonard Cohen's or Lana del Rey's works, their deep voices are perfectly separated from instruments. The NeoBuds Pro has a moderate soundstage, and instruments appear mostly on your left and right instead of all around you - but especially combined with the active noise cancelling, music immerses you. It's everywhere, it's warm but not too much, and it's engaging in its depth.
When you switch to the Classic equalizer from the app, the bass drops most of its thumping power and some of its depth, and upper-mids and highs are a little more evened out. It's a less energetic, friendlier sound.
Lastly, what happens when you change the codec on Android? Well, the higher LDHC codec settings actually do make an improvement in sound quality; articulation in particular. Even in crowded tracks, instruments are better separated from each other and are more precisely positioned. Especially in classical and instrumental genres, mid-instruments have more texture. But as written before - it comes at a steep price, with struggling Bluetooth connectivity and rapidly depleting battery life.
Should you change the standard LDAC codec 48K setting to 96K instead? Well, no - the latter shows a tiring distortion in some mid-frequencies which you won't hear in the standard setting. With this amount of battery life, connection weakness and distortion, the codec settings are mere gimmicks in the end.
Happily, there's nothing wrong with leaving the sound unattended on the Edifier NeoBuds Pro. With its powerful bass, warmth and fine balance between treble and easy listening, it's always a pleasure to listen to these.
Edifier NeoBuds Pro comparisons
Edifier NeoBuds Pro vs Lypertek PurePlay Z5
PurePlay Z5 (left), NeoBuds Pro (right)
With the default Dynamic equalizer, the Edifier NeoBuds Pro is more outspoken than the Lypertek PurePlay Z5. The bass is stronger and has more texture, and upper mids are fuller and feel thicker. It's a more energetic sound. On the Z5, vocals and brighter instruments sound lighter, and more vulnerable when they need to. They have more air around them. The Lypertek has a more well-behaving bass and reaches further into the highs - although it can appear a bit peaky sometimes, which the Edifier trades in for a bit of metallicness in higher vocals. Switching to the Classic setting on the Edifier, the PurePlay Z5 has more clarity - the NeoBuds Pro still is a bit warmer. Don't underestimate how much joy the bass power of the Edifier can throw in, however.
The Edifier wins on practical aspects, aside from the consequences of choosing the LDHC codec. In regular settings, the battery life of the NeoBuds is a tad better, call clarity has an edge, and its ANC is noticeably stronger. The PurePlay Z5 has more extensive controls on the earbuds.
Lypertek PurePlay Z5 review ($130)
Edifier NeoBuds Pro vs Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro
The Edifier NeoBuds Pro and Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro are both so good on so many aspects. They both have strong active noise cancelling, decent waterproof rating, and decent battery life that drains faster when high-quality codecs are selected on Android, and terrific app support. Call quality and video call quality are splendid on both TWS; the NeoBuds Pro's transparency mode is slightly more natural and effective. The Soundcore has a better app, with more equalizers and the option to add full track and volume controls on the earbuds.
Sound-wise, the Soundcore sub-bass shows more texture, and its soundstage is wider - with certain sounds like drums further coming from your left and right than on the Edifier. The NeoBuds Pro has a slightly warmer tonality and gives electronic, pop and dance music a little more flow due to its more boosted lower-mids, while the Soundcore can separate and articulate frequencies and instruments even better. The Edifier sounds slightly more cohesive.
Edifier NeoBuds Pro vs Soundcore Life P3
As the NeoBuds Pro can be had as low as $80 in good price deals, a comparison with the $80 Soundcore Life P3 is also in order. Both have extensive app support, although the Soundcore app is a bit easier and even has a sleeping mode with mixable relaxing sounds. The Edifier's ANC is slightly stronger, its Transparency mode is more effective, and call quality is a step up from the Life P3. While the Life P3 sounds bassy, thick and dynamic, the Edifier takes the same sound signature up a notch. The NeoBuds Pro has more depth in both the bass area and despite it hints of metallicness, it presents higher frequencies more natural and with more details. There's a bigger sense of soundstage and separation between instruments on the Edifier; it's even more dynamic and engaging than the Life P3.
Soundcore Life P3 review ($80)
Edifier NeoBuds Pro vs 1more ComfoBuds Pro
Lastly, the comparison so many of you requested in the past months. As the Edifier NeoBuds Pro and 1more ComfoBuds Pro have comparable battery life, both have great active noise cancelling and terrific phone and video call quality, it's a justified battle. The 1more has a slightly more effective transparency mode, which pulls out higher notes of conversations and traffic even better when you need it.
But the Edifier… is a step up in sound. Lows are more articulated - with more depth and texture in the bass - mids have a pleasant warmer undertone, and the Edifier handles crowded musical pieces more autonomous, where the more treble-focused ComfoBuds Pro can become flat and thin. The Edifier is always more dynamic and more detailed; warmer and more pleasant to listen to. If you value sound quality, it may be worth spending more for the NeoBuds Pro.
Verdict
The focus on this review has perhaps been a little bit on the different codecs you can choose on Android, but actually, due to how they effect the battery life and Bluetooth connectivity, you can just forget about them. These gimmicks are not what make these wireless earbuds great. Not last year, and not in 2022.
However: the Edifier NeoBuds Pro is still a sum of excellent active noise cancelling, great call quality, and marvellous sound. These are still the best ANC earbuds under $150 in early 2022 - and among the best on the entire market.
4.5 stars - Great
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I bought the Edifier NeoBuds Pro myself to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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