TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
4.5 STARS - Solid call quality, fantastic battery life, and a very clear sound. The Edifier TWS1 Pro is an easy recommendation for wireless earphones under 50 dollars.
Edifier TWS1 Pro specs:
Bluetooth 5.2 with AptX and AAC codec
IP65 waterproof rating (rain, dust and sweat resistant)
11 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 2,5 times
Comes with 4 sizes ear tips and USB-C cable
$50 - check price on Amazon US, other Amazon countries or AliExpress
Below this Edifier TWS1 Pro review, you will find comparisons between the Edifier TWS1 Pro vs Edifier X3, Fiil T1 Lite, Fiil T1XS, Edifier Uni-Buds and Lypertek SoundFree S20.
Update July 30, 2021: Due to ongoing issues with the TWS1 Pro earbuds not connecting properly to the charging dots in the case, the overall score has been reduced from 5 tot 4.5 stars.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Both the earbuds and case of the Edifier TWS1 Pro are drenched in dark grey-blue with matte gold accents, a direction Edifier also takes with the new Edifier TWS200 Plus and the Edifier Uni-Buds. On the TWS1 Pro, it's a subtle color scheme that gives both the case and the earbuds a distinctive, semi-formal look.
The TWS1 Pro is grey with a touch of blue
Like the original Edifier TWS1, the square charging case feels solid. It resists scratches and fingerprints well, and the case can recharge the earbuds 2,5 times before needing new power via the USB-C port itself.
On the front, you'll find a single LED light that indicates the remaining battery life, but its light signals could have been a little clearer. Unfortunately, you need to fiddle with the earbuds in the case to ensure they're connected to the charging dots. If not, your earphones will remain connected to your phone (or laptop), and the battery life of both the buds and the case will deplete. It can be annoying to take them out too: the connection between the buds and the charging dots is so minimal, they don't always register that they're being taken out - and sometimes they just don't turn on.
This fiddling with the charging dots is an annoyance - especially when you just want to pop the earbuds in and out quickly for commuting or a call.
The TWS1 Pro earbuds themselves have great battery life. A single charge will give you up to 11 hours of playtime - dependent on the volume with which you're playing music. Even on the loudest volume and while having done plenty of phone calls, the battery easily lasts a full workday without charging. When you run empty, a quick charge of 10-15 minutes should set you up for another two hours of listening - a fantastic performance.
What's more, the earbuds are IP65 waterproof to withstand rain, sweat, and dust. Their oval inside has a slight bump that follows the shape of your ears, making them stay in securely and block quite a bit of surrounding noises. They feel rather big though, and you may need to release the pressure every half hour or so to make your ears feel comfortable again.
Connectivity and controls
Finally - the Edifier TWS1 Pro has more controls on the earbuds than previous models from the brand. Almost all desired commands are within reach on the touch panels:
Tap L or R once to play/ pause
Tap R twice to skip to the next song
Tap L twice to return a song
Hold R to increase the volume
Hold L to decrease volume
The single tap requires a bit of dedication to activate it, which is convenient, as it will prevent accidentally controlling the earbuds when you're moving them in your ears. It's not possible to start the voice assistant from the buds.
Connectivity on the Edifier TWS1 Pro is good and reliable, but not quite up to ten meters away from your device - more like 8 or 9 meters. The buds pair and connect fast (if you've charged them properly), and it's easy to swap between the two earbuds. Charge one bud, take it out again, and immediately you'll return listening in stereo.
Like practically all affordable wireless earbuds, the TWS1 Pro can't connect to multiple devices simultaneously.
Calling and watching movies
With the Edifier TWS1 Pro, calling is doable both indoors and outside. The person you're talking to does need a bit of concentration however, as your voice sounds quite soft and even softer with noise around you. These surrounding noises like passing traffic, construction site noises and people chatter are recognisable as background sounds, but they are audible.
Video calls are handled more or less the same. In Zoom meetings, Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp group calling, your voice sounds a little soft. Meanwhile, a surrounding noise like keyboard clacking comes through loud. It's doable if you're in a quiet room only.
Watching videos with the TWS1 Pro is a breeze, with perfect synchronization between audio and video on both Android and iPhone, including the YouTube app. There is a tiny but 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
Sound quality of Edifier TWS1 Pro: Clear
Like previous endeavors from the same brand, the Edifier TWS1 Pro isn't afraid to show a bit of treble. The sound is definitely on the brighter side.
That means there's an emphasis on the upper mid-tones. Female and higher-pitched male vocals take a central position in the music. They sound prominent, powerful, and come through clear.
Mid and upper-mid instruments such as piano play, guitars, trumpets, violins, and even drums, are also on the brighter side of neutral. They come with good amounts of texture, but like the Edifier TWS5, Edifier TWS6, and brand new Edifier Uni-Buds, the focus on these higher tones does somewhat color the music. No matter the genre you're listening to: it all sounds clear and brightish on the Edifier, rather than warm. This is accompanied by some sibilance (an audible sss-hissing in some vocals and cymbals), although this effect remains controlled.
In the darker frequencies, lower mid-tones like darker electronic tones have a slight laidback presentation, but the bass is represented wonderfully. The TWS1 Pro isn't a bass canon, but its boosted mid-bass can thump fierce enough to make pop, dance, and other modern genres uplifting. It's even rather tight, as it cuts off shortly and doesn't bloat. The sub-bass deserves nothing but praise - the bass you can feel as much as hear, can dive deep and give an enjoyable rumbling.
Detail levels are good, especially considering the price of the TWS1 Pro. There's good separation between frequencies and instruments, and especially drums and cymbals can flank you from your left and right. It can be hard to place instruments precisely, but there is a pleasant air in the music, and everything feels well-articulated.
While the combination of controlled bass and lower-mids with boosted upper-mids often makes for a balanced and lively sound, the upper-mids and highs can sometimes become too hot - bright, shallow, tinny. If you love listening to music like dance genres, electronic pop or even orchestral hip-hop, you may consider an earphone which offers more bass weight against the highs.
The Edifier TWS1 Pro delivers a clear sound, with excellent separation and definition. It's a great listen for many genres.
Edifier TWS1 Pro comparisons
Edifier TWS1 Pro vs Fiil T1 Lite
The TWS1 Pro and Fiil T1 Lite both boost the treble in the music, but there are noteworthy differences. The Edifier sounds tighter, with sharper vocals, a quicker rolled-off bass, and more texture and segmentation in the lower frequencies. The Fiil counters it by more mid-bass and lower-mid fullness. The Fill also resolves slightly more detail in the center-mid tones. This presence in the lower tones makes the Fiil nicer to listen to in dance, electronic or crowded songs, even though it's less precise and crisp. Both can get a little hot in the higher frequencies on high volumes. Spec-wise, with double the battery life, it's easy to recommend the Edifier TWS1 Pro over the T1 Lite.
Fiil T1 Lite review ($35)
Fiil T1 Pro review ($65, adds ear wings and ANC noise cancelling)
Edifier TWS1 Pro vs Fiil T1XS
The $50 Fiil T1XS may not have the same battery life or call quality as the Edifier, but it does come with sport-wings to ensure a tight fit during workouts and free app support with an extra bass mode. The T1XS sound is more middle-of-the-road than the Edifiers, with less outspoken upper-mids and highs. This Fiil has smoother vocals and a more natural presentation of mid-tones thanks to the added weight in the lower mids opposed to the Edifier. It also places instruments around you more precisely. The TWS1 Pro, again, has better segmentation in the base layers and sounds tighter and crisper - but lacks a bit of the fullness that works so well for modern dance genres.
Fiil T1XS review ($50)
Edifier TWS1 Pro vs SoundPEATS Sonic
If you're looking for a 10+ hours battery life beast under $50, the SoundPEATS Sonic is a direct threat to the Edifier TWS1 Pro. Its earpieces are a tad bigger but come with actual buttons which are easier to control during workouts or rain. The Sonic has a fuller and heavier mid-bass and sub-bass but misses the bit of presence in the (lower) mid-tones from the Edifier; which makes vocals and the entire sound of the TWS1 Pro fuller. The Sonic can sound sharper and more piercing - the Edifier is a more pleasant listen.
SoundPEATS Sonic review ($45)
Edifier TWS1 Pro vs Lypertek SoundFree S20
If you can afford to pay more, the Lypertek SoundFree S20 even takes it up a notch in the combination of powerful treble and lower frequencies. Vocals on the S20 are a powerhouse, sounding just as clear as the Edifier, but more full-bodied and with less sibilance. The Lypertek has a bigger soundstage with more precise instrument placement and more detail in the (center-)mids while also presenting a stronger, fuller mid-bass and more sub-bass depth. The TWS1 Pro has 4 hours longer battery life and more comfortable buds; the Lypertek has a Transparency mode for traffic use, and controls even more conveniently with its actual buttons.
Edifier TWS1 Pro vs Edifier Uni-Buds
The uniquely designed Edifier Uni-Buds ($70) consists of tinier buds than the TWS1 Pro, making them even more comfortable to wear for a few hours in a row. Battery life on the model is less stellar, but still excellent at 8+ hours. The Uni-Buds can be a little bit sharper sounding in the higher frequencies. It also has a thicker mid-bass and more prominent vocals. The TWS1 Pro has more air in the sound, and its bass is faster and tighter. As such, it can hit harder. The Uni-Buds is slightly fuller, whereas the TWS1 Pro can sound flatter in fuller songs.
Edifier Uni-Buds review ($80)
Edifier TWS1 Pro vs Edifier X3
The Edifier X3 holds as the top TWS recommendation under $25 on Scarbir.com, and while its battery life is 'only’ half that of the TWS1 Pro, it's still worth considering. The X3 is comparable in comfort and call quality and has a much thinner charging case. Switching between the sound of the Edifiers, the Edifier TWS1 Pro extends the highs further and sounds brighter than the X3, also adding in some extra detail and crispness from the upper-mids on up. The TWS1 Pro has more bass pronunciation and more separation between the sub-bass, mid-bass, and lower mids. The X3 boosts lower-mids a bit more, making the cheaper model sound a little warmer.
Edifier X3 review ($25)
Verdict
You need to pay close attention to how you put the earbuds in and out of the case, or they may not turn off or on. While this is annoying, the Edifier TWS1 Pro still is an easy recommendation for wireless earbuds under $50, with its solid call quality, fantastic battery life, and very clear sound.
4.5 stars - Great
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