TWS true wireless earphones - under $150
FOUR STARS - The Edifier TWS6 isn't flawless and doesn't deliver the features some competitors offer at this price point, but if you don't mind a colder sound signature, this is one great sounding headset.
Edifier TWS6 specs:
Bluetooth 5.0 with Knowles balanced armatures
IPX5 water proof (rain and sweat resistant)
7-8 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 5 sets ear tips, 3 sizes ear wings and a USB-C charging cable
$130 on Amazon US or Amazon Europe - check current price!
Below this review you can find direct comparisons between the Edifier TWS6 vs Edifier TWS5, Edifier TWS NB, Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro, Fiil T1X and Sabbat E12 Ultra.
Update September 2020: Due to increased overall competition with more functionality and/ or better sound, this TWS has been decreased in overall score. Check out the best earbuds on the Leaderboard.
Design, charging and comfort
The well-regarded Chinese audio brand Edifier stepped up its packaging game with the TWS6 (or Edifier TWS 6, if you will). The packaging unfolds like a book, with the charging case and earpieces on the right side, and four different ear tips (including short foam tips!) and different ear hooks on the left.
In almost all the product photos, the TWS6 is shown with these rubber ear hooks on the pictures. This is not an ideal set for wearing in the gym, though. It costs a lot of effort to drag an ear hook over an earpiece and align the bottom hole with the microphone. The ear hook itself is a bit 'flappy' and doesn't necessarily keep your earpieces better in your ears than without them. And finally, having the rubbers around the earpieces makes it challenging for the earpieces to connect to the magnetic charging dots in the case. You have the risk of not charging your earpieces at all.
Happily: the earpieces itself are nice, round, and compact. They sink a good bit into your ears, block average surrounding noise, and remain there comfortably for hours. It's good they do - because the Edifier TWS6 delivers around 7 hours of playtime on a single charge. The earpieces blink when you use them but do so only with a very subtle orange light.
The charging case looks and feels like that of the AirPods. It's bigger than that, but it's sleek and fits into all kinds of pockets easily. It barely stands, however, and the shiny black plastic finish is prone to fingerprints and scratches. The LED charging indicator, again, is very subtle - and placed on the bottom of the case next to the USB-C plug.
Connectivity and controls
Unbelievable, the touch controls on the Edifier TWS6 are the bare minimum. It's easy to control them, but they don't have that many controls at all. It's only possible to play and pause the music, by double-tapping the right earpiece. By tapping the left side twice, you activate the voice assistant on your phone.
It's not possible to change the volume - it isn't even possible to skip or return a track. It's incredible that something simple like a long press isn't supported.
The Edifier TWS6 handles its Bluetooth 5.0 signal well. The earpieces pair easily and fast and keep a stable connection up to ten meters - even with one or two walls in between. It also holds its connection impressively in areas more crowded with wireless signals.
Update February 12, 2020: When testing against other wireless earphones, it time and time becomes obvious how long the Edifier TWS6 takes to connect and pair between your phone. What's more, is that the earpieces don't connect at all sometimes - and the only remedy is to put them in the case and take them out again. Very annoying, especially when you're in a rush.
Calling and watching movies
Watching videos with the Edifier TWS6 is a breeze. The audio playback is entirely in sync with the video on both Android and iPhone, including the always-challenging YouTube-app.
There is a noticeable delay when playing games on both Android and iPhone.
The call quality of the Edifier TWS6 is good when you're indoors. You may sound a little mechanical, but still clear to the other end of the line. Outside, the sound is more challenging. The noise-blocking suppresses traffic noises well, but the wind only so-so, and it all compromises the way you sound yourself.
Also read: The best true wireless earphones under $100
Sound quality of Edifier TWS6: cold greatness
The sound quality is the best aspect of the Edifier TWS6. It sounds natural, detailed, and plays all kinds of music genres with ease. Even though it's somewhat cold in tone.
It is important to have the Edifier TWS6 the right way in your ears. This is one of those sets that can sound mediocre (a bit thin) the moment you put them in, but great once you twist them around a little. You can only hope smiling doesn't push the earpieces out of the best position again - because, well, these can have you smiling.
The star of the show on the Edifier TWS6 is vocals. They stand out from the rest of the instruments, without overpowering them. Whether it's the resonating darkness of Leonard Cohen's voice, a soothing dance music female vocalist, or something in between - vocals often sound fantastic on the TWS6. They come through with big clarity and detail, although it's possible some higher-pitched male vocals sound a little thin at times.
Most of the time, however, it's entirely possible to hear breaths, gasps, and nuances in vocals. On the Edifier TWS5, a similar effect was achieved by a loud noticeable hiss surrounding the mids - making vocals seem artificial in the end. On this successor, they sound much more natural. Whether it's Mark Knopfler or the vulnerable edge of Lana del Rey: they can pack you in here.
Instruments sound impressive as well, with a natural tonality within the broad soundstage the Edifier TWS6 delivers. The separation between instruments is spot-on; trumpets, drums, cymbals, guitars, saxophones - they just get their room to shine. There are some wireless earbuds with more precise instrument placement, like the Shanling MTW100 balanced armature, but the TWS6 delivers a more full-bodied sound.
That said, the Edifier TWS6 doesn't sound warm. At all. In fact, the same instruments as just mentioned, can sound a little cold, a little clinical. Even in blues songs where you'd normally imagine yourself in a brown café, here, some instruments and vocals can lack that typical full and warm sensation.
In the lows, the TWSS6 is a typical Edifier product again. Up here, it's a friend to all. The mid-bass delivers a sweet thump; the sub-bass can show its teeth in songs like James Blake's Limit to your Love, where you will notice a deep, but controlled rumble. The bass is always present, but never in-your-face. It doesn't push up relaxing music, but can make you tap your feet in genres demanding a prominent bass - such as dance and hip-hop. There's plenty of lower-mids, such as darker electronic tones, as well.
The Edifier TWS6 delivers a full-bodied, balanced sound with lots of room for vocals and individual details. A great option if you don't mind a cold tonality.
Selected Comparisons
Edifier TWS6 vs Fiil T1X
The Fiil T1X, the current best wireless earphone under $100, offers strong competition to the Edifier TWS6. The T1X comes with an app with equalizing options, and the rubber ear hooks are more usable than the Edifier ones. Both sound natural and deliver excellent detail. The T1X sounds a bit warmer than the TWS6. The Edifier pushes vocals more forward and presents them with more clarity. It also offers a wider soundstage and more depth in the lows - but the warmer tonality may make the Fiil T1X a slightly better allrounder.
Edifier TWS6 vs Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro
The $150 Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro is a total package with usable ear wings making them suitable for sports, a convenient app with equalizing options, and a sleek design. The Edifier TWS6 is simple in comparison, but it strikes back on sound quality. It offers a more natural soundstage and tonality. The Liberty 2 Pro sounds more artificial, but great nonetheless. It has a more prominent, engaging bass and a wider soundstage. It pushes vocals even further forward, but vocals are surrounded by a bit of hiss.
Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro review here
Edifier TWS6 vs Edifier TWS NB
Edifier offers another pair of wireless earbuds for around $120. The Edifier TWS NB offers an app with various options, but more importantly: solid active noise canceling! The TWS 6 offers a more analytical sound, delivering more details, more pronounced vocals (although a bit thinner), a bigger soundstage, and better instrument placement. The TWS NB sounds warmer and more friendly in comparison, while also delivering plenty of space and bass in the sound.
Edifier TWS6 vs Edifier TWS5
Costing around half, the Edifier TWS5 has boosted clarity over its more expensive successor. Its vocals and upper-mids are even more forward, but it comes at the price of a particular hiss and thinness surrounding those frequencies - which can be too much in dance and pop songs. The TWS6 sounds more natural and balanced, although some listeners will miss the more prominent bass of the TWS5. The TWS5 has better touch controls, but the TWS6 is more comfortable.
Edifier TWS6 vs Sabbat E12 Ultra
The hugely popular $70 Sabbat E12 Ultra has a different approach to music than the Edifier. It has a much more thumping bass, and its soundstage is more around you than mostly next to you. It sounds warmer than the Edifier TWS6, which is, in turn, more balanced, natural, and laidback sounding. The Sabbat sounds more artificial, sometimes even veiled in comparison.
Verdict
The Edifier TWS6 is minimal in features - and controls and connectivity aren't stellar either. It compensates with fantastic musical qualities, although the sound may be too cold for some.
Four STARS - very good
Buy Edifier TWS6/ check current price:
I bought the Edifier TWS6 for testing and reviewing purposes myself. 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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