TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
FOUR STARS - If you're searching for the cheapest AirPods alternative with great call quality and good battery life, congratulations - you just found it. The Edifier X2 delivers just that for under 30 dollars.
Edifier X2 specs and features:
Take note: The Edifier X2 is the same as the Xamal X2 and Xemal X2
Bluetooth 5.1 with AAC codec
7 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with English manual, USB-C cable
$30 - Check price on AliExpress
Below this Edifier X2 review, you will find comparisons between the Edifier X2 vs Edifier TWS200 Plus, Haylou GT6, SoundPEATS Air3, and Redmi Buds 3 Lite.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Oh my - the Edifier X2 is compact. The charging case is as thin as Apple's AirPods 3's but feels even smaller due to its round shape. You can slide it into any pocket and it won't be in the way. The lid opens and closes sturdy, and a single-colored LED light on the front shows the remaining battery life of the case. With shiny black accents and better scratch-resistance, it looks a bit better than other ultra-affordable earbuds like the QCY T17, Redmi Buds 3 Lite, and SoundPEATS Air3.
But when you think the case is compact: have a look at the earbuds themselves! These are seriously tiny AirPods-alternatives, with stems so short they don't even go beyond your ear lobe.
There's a trickiness to the ultra-compact size of the earbuds. Just like the Haylou GT6, you need to 'hang' the earbuds a certain way in your ears to get a good grip and sturdy fit. Only after this fiddling, you'll have a fit that will prevent the earbuds from falling out easily. If you can acquire it at all - some people have a hard time getting a good fit with these. Once they have the ideal position, they're comfortable to wear for hours - you can barely feel them. The IP54 waterproof rating protects the buds from rain and dust.
The true standout factor is the battery life. The charging case can charge the earbuds four times fully, and each charge gives the earbuds up to a whopping 7 hours of playtime - an exceptional score for AirPods-like designs - and for this price, can you believe it?!
Connectivity and controls
The Edifier X2 connectivity is solid. The Bluetooth signal holds up strong up to 9-10 meters away from your device, the earbuds connect and pair quickly, and you can always switch between listening to one or two earbuds - for instance, if you want to charge one bud while you listen to the other. Take the charged bud out again, and you'll revert to stereo listening instantly.
The controls respond well - at least if you have the perfect fit and the earbuds don't wiggle in your ears. The scheme is a bit minimal, sadly:
Double-tap L or R to play/ pause
Triple-tap R to skip to the next song
Triple-tap L to (de)activate gaming mode
Hold L or R to activate the voice assistant
It's impossible to return a song on the earbuds directly, and there are no volume controls on the earbuds either. The Edifier X2 doesn't have app support to change the controls.
Calling and video quality
When it comes to calls, the $20 Edifier X2 doesn't perform any less than the $200 Apple AirPods 3. In fact, the Edifier handles background noise a bit better.
Your voice has enough volume in phone calls and video calls (like Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings). You sound clear, but there's also nice naturality to the sound when you speak. Outside, wind noise is blocked neatly, but it does overhaul the output and makes your voice very distant - it's always the enemy of calls with wireless earbuds, and this is no exception.
Happily, other background sounds are reduced remarkably well: accelerating vehicles and other traffic are barely audible, and even nearby chatter is reduced well - except for when a person stands or walks directly next to you. The Edifier X2 handles phone and video calls very well, not just for its price.
Video playback is flawless, with perfect synchronization between audio and video on iPhone and Android. Just like on the brilliant Edifier X3s, the Edifier X2 has a solid Game Mode, which reduces the delay in sound effects when you're playing games effectively. However, the synchronization of game sounds is better on iPhone than on Android, where there's still a noticeable delay.
Also read: Best cheap AirPods alternatives
Sound quality of Edifier X2: Balanced & light
Music on the Edifier X2 sounds open and airy.
That's partially caused by the AirPods-like half-in-ear design, which places the speakers further away from your ear canals than earphones with rubber ear tips, but also because of Edifier's sound tuning. As said, you need a certain fit to get the most out of the sound and not everyone can acquire it. It you don't get the best fit, music sounds thin and tinny. When you do get it:
The X2 puts its focus on mids and lower treble. Instruments like guitars, violins, trumpets, and piano sound clear and natural. They come from your left and right, a bit as if they're floating around you, but all in their own place. Voices also take in a position around you. Vocals sound natural and have outstanding tonality, with plenty of clarity and presence in the higher notes, and enough weight in the lower ones. While that goes for vocals, the same doesn't apply to darker electronic tones, drums, and lower guitar or piano play: lower-mids are minimal on the X2 - giving the sound a certain lightness.
Things get a bit tricky on the highest volumes. The Edifier X2 is not the loudest earphone and reaches active listening levels on 80-90% of the Android and iPhone volume bar. When you listen to those levels, some vocal outbursts and brighter instruments like cymbals can sound metallic or harsh, and some female vocals are nasal. The Edifier X2 is better enjoyed on moderate volume.
Happily, the bass performs steady on all volumes. A nice and steady slam from the mid-bass energizes music without giving an overpowering and tiring thump. It strikes rather quickly and rolls off quickly as well, so it doesn't drag on. However, don't expect the deepest or fullest bass: like many other half-in-ears, the X2 behaves modestly in this area.
The Edifier X2 provides a spatial and balanced sound, if somewhat light.
Edifier X2/ Xemal X2/ Xamal X2 comparisons
Edifier X2 vs Edifier TWS200 Plus - which is better?
The Edifier TWS200 (in blue-gray) is much larger than the Edifier X2
What are the differences between the $30 Edifier X2 and the $50 Edifier TWS200 Plus? Well: the cheaper X2 has shorter stems, an hour longer battery life, and makes you sound clearer in video calls. The Edifier TWS200 Plus feels unnecessarily large next to them.
The Plus does have a more comforting sound. While mid-bass presence is comparable, the Plus pushes lower frequencies more. Music sounds pleasantly fuller on the more expensive sibling thanks to more pronounced drums, darker electronic tones, and lower vocals. Higher frequencies get more room on the X2, however, resulting in more natural treble and an airier sound.
No Edifier TWS200 Plus review - Check price on AliExpress
Edifier X2 vs SoundPEATS Air3
The SoundPEATS Air3 may be the most popular (branded, not fake cloned) AirPods-alternative, coming in at around twice the price of the Edifier X2. The Air3 has an easier fit, has volume controls on the earbuds, and automatically pauses when you take an earbud out. The SoundPEATS handles outdoor phone calls as well as the Edifier, but the X2 has more clarity in video calls and boosts 2,5 hours longer battery life despite its shorter stems! The Air3 sounds much warmer and darker, with a fuller and looser mid-bass, elevated lower tones, and less focus on treble. Vocals sound more recessed; the X2 presents voices clearer and more natural. The Air3 is a more comforting listen and can go much louder.
SoundPEATS Air3 review ($40)
Edifier X2 vs Redmi Buds 3 Lite
Are you choosing AirPods-like earbuds because you dislike rubber tips in your ears? Well, what if the ear tips are attached to an earbud so tiny you can even wear them comfortably in bed? The $20 Redmi Buds 3 Lite may not have the same battery life (5 instead of 7 hours) or the same outdoor call quality as the X2, but thanks to the rubber ear-tips, you get a lot fuller sound. The Redmis treble is quite similar to the X2, but it presents lower frequencies better and adds a fuller bass that isn't afraid to rumble fiercely.
Edifier X2 vs Haylou GT6
The Haylou GT6 is an AirPods alternative under $25 with a fit that requires a bit of fiddling. The Edifier X2 has up to 1,5 hours longer battery life on a single charge, and its phone and video call quality is better. The X2 earbuds are more comfortable and are noticeably tinier, with much shorter stems. In its sound, the Edifier has clearer treble. Voices and brighter instruments play a bigger role in the music. However, the Haylou GT6 still puts vocals forward and gives them plenty of detail. It also has a heftier mid-bass and deeper sub-bass, elevated lower frequencies, and an airier sound - which feels more around you than the Edifier. The Haylou sounds better; the Edifier is the more practical AirPods-alternative.
Haylou GT6 review ($25)
—> See all TWS reviews and ratings here
Verdict
If you're searching for the cheapest AirPods alternative with great call quality and good battery life - congratulations. You just found it. The Edifier X2 delivers just that for under 30 dollars. Now here's hoping you can get the ideal fit, so the sound quality will be pleasant as well.
FOUR stars - good
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I bought the Edifier X2 myself to test and review it. All my reviews are honest and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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