TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
FIVE STARS - At only 25 dollars, there isn't a single pair of TWS wireless earbuds that offer better value for money than the Edifier X3.
Specs of the Edifier X3 TWS/ Xemal X3:
Bluetooth 5.0 with AptX codec
IPX5 water proof (sweat and rain resistant)
5-6 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips and micro-USB cable
$25 on AliExpress or Amazon US, Amazon Germany or other Amazon countries - check current price!
Below this Edifier X3 review, you will find comparisons of the Edifier X3 vs Haylou GT1 Plus, QCY T4, QCY T9S, QCY T5, SoundPEATS TrueDot, Tronsmart Spunky Beat, Ugreen CM388 TWS and Mpow MS1.
The Edifier X3 is also sold as Xemal X3. This is the same model - so this is also a Xemal X3 review.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Where many manufacturers of (wireless) earphones release as many cheap earphones as possible, hoping for success for a few models and then raise their prices, Edifier walks another path. The Chinese audio brand known for its great value desktop speakers and headphones first released more expensive wireless earbuds, and now enters the sub-25 dollars market with the Edifier X3.
In every sense of the word, it's a pair of wireless earphones for the masses - from its price to its design, from its sound to its features. The X3 gives you the feeling Edifier didn't just want to release their cheapest pair of earbuds - they wanted to release a genuine low-cost alternative to Apple's AirPods.
It has the looks, for starters. Especially good-looking in white, the Edifier X3 comes in a terrific slim, compact charging case that easily slips into any pocket. It's the kind of case you keep toying with in your hands. The matte material gives it a sleek look, and the case opens with a smooth, solid hinge. Once opened, you see an L-R indication, and the earpieces can be removed and placed easily.
The Edifier X3 earpieces feel sturdy as well. They are round on the inside, and while they're not necessarily bigger than more bean-shaped Haylou GT1 Plus and SoundPEATS TrueDot, they fill up your ears more. They feel larger, but not too large. The X3 has a comfortable, tight fit. One downside is their blue LED-lights also blink when you're playing music, which makes it annoying to use these in bed.
The best is yet to come. The micro-USB powered case can recharge the earpieces three times before needing power again, and gives the earpieces 5 hours to even 6 hours of battery life per charge - dependent on your usage and volume. Those are fantastic specs in this price category - around 1 to 3 hours longer than most competitors!
Connectivity and controls
Previous Edifier wireless earbuds like the Edifier TWS6 barely had any controls on the earpieces. The controls on the X3 could have been better too.
With a single tap on one of the earbuds, you play or pause music. A long press activates the voice assistant on your phone. By tapping any of the earpieces twice, you skip a song. Returning a track is done by touching a bud three times. It isn't possible to change the volume, unfortunately.
There's a reason behind having the same controls on both earpieces. The Edifier X3 lets you swap instantly between listening to one or both earpieces. By putting one bud in the case to recharge it, you can continue listening to the other earpiece, and control it the same way.
The rest of the connectivity on the Edifier X3 is stellar, too. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection holds its strength up to ten meters, and also while walking or cycling.
Calling and watching movies with Edifier X3
Watching videos is a joy with the Edifier X3. Synchronization between audio and video is perfect on both Android and iPhone, including the challenging YouTube-app. There is some delay in the sound when you're playing games, as is the case with almost all wireless earphones.
Taking a call with the Edifier X3 is also doable. Inside, your voice sounds a bit distant, but as long as there aren't any other people talking nearby, calling or video calling is effortless.
Outside, the Edifier X3 is prone to wind noise and brighter sounds, like (once again) surrounding voices, but also something like bird chatter. However: darker and typical background noises, like traffic and humming in the background, are suppressed wonderfully.
Both the call and video playback performance are great for the price.
—> Also see: All TWS under $25 reviewed and rated
Sound quality of Edifier X3: friend-to-all
With a slightly boosted bass and prominent vocals, the Edifier X3 is a good sounding allrounder suitable for most music genres.
The bass on the Edifier X3 gives a nice thump that can pulsate in your ears and delivers enough power to pump up the music. In pop, modern dance music and hip-hop, it's definitely possible to feel the bass slam. Yet, it doesn't force itself in front in music that doesn't ask for it. Whichever genre you're listening, there's an enjoyable bass amount - including sub-bass depths when asked for.
The Edifier avoids the territory the highest highs - but boy, it comes pretty close. There's a lot of body and space in the treble, but the Edifier X3 never sounds too bright or too harsh - even in songs with lots of violin play or cymbals. Instruments like those and also guitars and pianos, get enough room to shine.
The most outspoken part of the X3's sound signature, is the vocals. They sound forward, no matter if it's darker male voices or the highest-pitched (female) voices. Singers sound clear and take a prominent role in the music, without overruling instruments or other frequencies. There's a good level of detail overall.
The Edifier X3 has an airy soundstage, with good left-right separation. In easier going songs, it's also possible to place instruments. Dynamics on the Edifier X3 can suffer a bit in full electronic pop and dance tracks, however, causing in a sort of hiss over the upper-mid tones. Claps too, can sound a little too prominent. This is nitpicking in this price range, however.
Pretty much like the rest of the Edifier X3, its sound is a friend-to-all.
Selected Edifier X3 comparisons
Edifier X3 vs SoundPEATS TrueDot
The SoundPEATS TrueDot is the Scarbir.com top-recommendation for wireless earbuds under $25, but it barely holds that title against the Edifier X3. The TrueDot delivers a more detailed bass, more presence of lower mid-tones, and better instrument tonality. The Edifier has a brighter, more neutral sound, with more prominent vocals. The TrueDot has volume controls, the Edifier rocks up to 2,5 hours more battery life and has better call quality.
Edifier X3 vs Haylou GT1 Plus
The Haylou GT1 Plus is the current most-read review on Scarbir.com, and it's no wonder why - as this real compact sub-$25 wireless earbuds are genuinely good. The GT1 Plus has a flatter, more natural sound. The Edifier X3 brings in more body and definition in the bass and lower-mids, and vocals are more emphasized and clear. The Edifier sounds more artificial and engaging, the Haylou GT1 Plus more natural. Battery life on the X3 is +-2 hours better, however. That's the real plus.
Edifier X3 vs Ugreen Cm388 TWS
If having the tiniest charging case is important to you, the $20 Ugreen CM388 TWS is the biggest threat to the Edifier X3. Still, as lovely as the small container of the Ugreen looks: the X3 feels lighter. Battery life is 2 to 3 hours stronger, however, and controls respond better. The Ugreen has smaller earpieces, but a 'bigger' sound, with more spaciousness, heavier bass, and more warmth coming from lower-mid tones like drums and electronics. The Edifier X3 sounds more balanced and clearer. It has a brighter sound with more room for vocals.
Edifier X3 vs Tronsmart Spunky BEat
The sub-$25 Tronsmart Spunky Beat shows precisely how fast developments in wireless earbuds go. It was the best sub-$25 deal at the end of 2019, but the Edifier X3 now beats it on battery life (+1,5 hour), connectivity, build quality and controls - without volume controls, but with way better touch sensitivity. The Edifier X3 has a more pronounced bass and elevated vocals, whereas vocals on the Spunky Beat can sound thinner and more nasal - and the overall sound harsher.
Edifier X3 vs QCY T4
The comparably priced brand new QCY T4 has a less powerful low-end than the Edifier X3; which has a steadier bass slam and more presence in the lower-mids over the QCY. Both earphones can sound a little bright, but as the T4 further extends the highs and doesn't really present a full low-end underneath, the X3 sounds overall more engaging. The T4 is a tad better when it comes to calling quality, but the X3 delivers 1,5 hours more battery life, better comfort, and a more compact charging case.
Edifier X3 vs QCY T9S
Like the QCY T4, the T9S is a newcomer from QCY's mid-2020 lineup. It has a larger charging case than the X3 and certainly bigger earpieces, which feel fat and filling even without the sport wings that come delivered with it. Taking a call is perfectly possible on both, but the Edifier offers up to 1,5 extra hours battery life. It also has a richer sound, with stronger and more detailed bass and pleasant warmer undertone, while maintaining detail in the higher tones. Unless you need sport wings, the X3 is an even better choice.
Edifier X3 vs QCY T5
The QCY T5 is a Scarbir.com's readers favorite - so here we go. The comparably priced QCY T5 with stem-design feels more comfortable in the ears, due to smaller ear parts. It also handles audio-video synchronization for playing games better than the Edifier. The X3 has around 1,5 hours battery life more, and musically, it brings in a heavier bass-slam and more body in the lower-mids. The T5 has a more refined bass, and it sounds smoother and more natural in its mids and highs. The Edifier throws in a more dynamic character. You can't go wrong with one of those two.
Edifier X3 vs Edifier TWS1
For around 10 to 15 dollars more, Edifier offers their previously released Edifier TWS1. It has an even stronger battery life, lasting 6 to 8 hours on a single charge. Also equipped with AptX codec, the TWS1 and X3 seem very much alike. Musically, the X3 delivers more presence and detail in the higher frequencies and sounds more opened-up as a result. The TWS1 sounds a bit darker, with more emphasis on lower tones. Call quality is decent on both, but the Edifier X3 offers better video playback on iPhone, tighter controls, more robust connectivity, and a more compact charging case.
Edifier X3 vs Mpow MS1
Shopping in this highly affordable segment of TWS and want the most bass? Meet the Mpow MS1. The Edifier X3 may have a steady bass-slam, but the bass doesn't come with the force, the rumble that the MS1 throws at you after each clap and thump. The X3 extends highs further, offers more space in between instruments and layers, and makes vocals 'pop' more than on the MS1. Especially darker male vocals seem recessed on the MS1 in comparison - but that's also because of the juicy lower-mids of the MS1, which the X3 in return lacks. The Mpow MS1 may not be as good in connectivity, calling, or battery life - but it has an extreme guilty-pleasure type of bass which could make it a more preferred option…
Verdict
A true compact case, comfortable earpieces, great battery life, good call quality, sublime video playback, and pleasant sound: the Edifier X3 has it all.
Recommend these wireless earbuds to your family, friends, and colleagues - even choose them for your audio-loving self - you can't get better value for money.
Five stars - excellent
Buy Edifier X3/ check current price:
Update June 22: The more I compare the Edifier X3 with other wireless earphones, the more the bass section stands out. I've updated the sound quality part for it.
I bought the Edifier X3 myself for testing and review purposes. 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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