TWS true wireless earphones - $50 to $75
4.5 STARS - The KZ Xtra has a few quirks, but these are some of the best sounding wireless earbuds under $100 to date!
KZ Xtra specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.4 with AptX codec
No IPX waterproof rating
6-8 hours playtime on a single charge (ANC on/off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Has: ANC, Transparency mode, multipoint connection
Doesn't have: app support
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual
Between $60 and $80 - See price on Amazon or AliExpress
In and underneath this KZ Xtra review, you will find comparisons of the KZ Xtra vs Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, SoundPEATS Engine 4, and Realme Buds Air 5 Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Welcome to wireless earbuds review number 400 on Scarbir.com! As it was the $10 KZ ATE that got me hooked on affordable in-ear audio way back in 2017, it's great to mark this milestone with KZ's newest wireless earphone release - and easily their best effort yet.
It has to be said, though, that the KZ Xtra doesn’t feel that new. The round charging case makes it return from the KZ SA08 from 2020, and the KZ SKS from 2021. The case is a bit higher than in those instances, and the wobbly lid now has a transparent inside. A LED-light in the middle indicates the remaining battery of the case; LED-lights on the bottom of the earbuds show when the earbuds are charging.
The earbuds have the same inner shape as the brands’ earlier wireless efforts, and while it's definitely bigger than most earbuds with a stem, it provides an easy and comfortable fit in average-sized ears. The different round inner shapes also grant a snug fit. The highlight of the earbuds, however, is the finish. The dark-transparent casings show the internals in a subtle way - which gives it a sleek, nerdy look.
The KZ Xtra doesn't have an official waterproof rating, but with a calculated playtime of 6 to 8 hours on a single charge (ANC on/ off), the battery life is great. The charging case a little less so: while I couldn't measure it, the case seems to deplete faster than most other earbuds in this price category.
Controls and connectivity
The KZ Xtra is the first wireless earphone from the brand to support multipoint connectivity, meaning you can connect it to either two phones or a phone and a laptop at the same time. It picks up and pairs quickly, and switches easily when you push play on your other device - or when you get an incoming call.
The overall Bluetooth connection is good, holding a strong connection between you and your device(s) over 10 meters away from them, and reconnecting easily when you're in reach of a device you've lost connection from.
The controls are easy to learn:
Tap L or R to play/ pause
Double-tap R to skip a song
Double-tap L to return a song
Triple-tap L or R to (de)active the gaming mode, called High performance here
Hold L to switch between ANC on, Transparency mode and ANC off
Hold R to activate the voice assistant
It's not possible to change the volume from the earbuds, sadly.
The KZ Xtra is a little rough around the edges. Voice prompts like ‘Connecting’ and ‘Connection successful’ are way too loud to be comfortable, and the controls don't always register the number of your taps well - making you accidentally trigger the High performance mode instead of skipping a song, for instance.
Phone and video calls
Unexpected for a brand that focuses on sound quality mostly, it's actually safe to take a phone or video call with the KZ Xtra.
The trick here is that there isn't much sound procession going on. As such, chatter and other sounds around you aren't filtered in the call, but your voice itself sounds clean and natural as well - and loud enough too. The lack of procession means that your voice isn't dragged away when there's too much noise and wind going on.
A slight wind can induce some crackles on the line, but it doesn't appear to be very loud - meaning you can actually take a call with the KZ Xtra in most circumstances.
Video and games playback
The KZ Xtra has a gaming mode called High performance mode. Upon three taps on the right earbud, it synchronizes the sound effects on your screen quickly, but not quite on point, with the action on your screen in a challenging game like Call of Duty mobile. In said game, you can hear some sounds coming from your left and right, but it's too flat to actually locate where gunshots are around you.
The High performance mode also helps you to synchronize the audio and video in the YouTube app on Android phones. Unfortunately, the KZ Xtra is a little bit tricky on Android without it. YouTube sometimes takes a bit of rebuffering to align sound and image then, while video playback is flawless on iPhone.
ANC performance of the KZ Xtra
Active Noise Cancelling on the KZ Xtra holds up well in comparison to other ANC earbuds in the price range. It reduces the lows very well. Constant electronic buzzing like a microwave and fridge, and basses are well softened or become inaudible.
Higher frequencies are also brought down in volume, but not as successful. Vocal and mid-tones of the background radio, keyboard clicks, bird chitters, distant laughter, a clock tower: all sudden higher sounds are still there.
The Xtra doesn't have a very audible white noise floor from the ANC. That's great - but also tricks you with the thought there isn't any ANC going on. At times, I couldn't even figure out whether ANC was on or off - even though the ‘off’ setting lets in much more darker and bassy notes.
The Transparency mode of the KZ Xtra is close to the ANC off mode, meaning that the function isn't strong enough to pass through traffic noise or conversations around you when you're listening to music.
Comparing the ANC mode side-to-side with some great competitors, it brings more silence than the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro, although less than the Redmi Buds 5 Pro and the Huawei Freebuds 6i.
It also lets wind noise when you're cycling or walking against the wind. Not the most annoying version of the sound, but it does let you lose focus for the music - so it's great you can turn ANC off from the earbuds too.
Sound quality of KZ Xtra: Wow!
The KZ Xtra isn't just the best sounding wireless earbuds from the brand so far - these wireless earbuds are something else!
The KZ Xtra has a warm, full sound that's very lively at the same time. This warmth is realised by two aspects.
First of all, the Xtra boosts the lows. Lower mid-tones are the stars of the show - darker electronic tones and darker instruments are brought forward and sound textured and prominent. They're accompanied by a bass that knows how to punch. Whether it's basses in dance genres like techno or other dance genres, or drums in more traditional genres - the mid-bass kicks fiercely and quick. The sub-bass (darkest bass tones you can feel as much as hear) has the same impressive pacing, and rumbles and vibrates in a friendly manner. It feels deep as well.
As both lower-mids and bass are boosted, they can sometimes get in their own way in crowded songs, resulting in slightly cluttered lows - but this is nitpicking at this price point.
The other aspect that gives the music warmth is that vocals have a smooth finish. Vocals aren't necessarily the most forward part of the music and they roll of before they reach the highest tones. The Xtra happily trades in some brightness for a smoother approach, resulting in full-bodied female and male voices - from lower voices to highest singers.
That said, the KZ Xtra is very expressive in other mid-tones. What sets it apart from most competitors, is the space it offers in the sound. It's not that the Xtra delivers a massive soundstage, but from moderate volumes on up, music does feel expansive.
There's more space between instruments and electronic tones than on its best competitors - even the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE. Instruments are separated very well from each other. Acoustic guitars, piano play, violins, trumpets are out there and impactful, even though they don't have the biggest texture. Treble also comfortably rolls off before it enters harsh territory; the Buds FE extends highs further and sounds brighter than the Xtra.
While all is bliss, there is one exception, which lies in the frequency range of claps. They can be a tad harsh, or at least they require getting used to. It's illustrated by Michael Jackson's They Don't Care About Us , where both the claps and Jackson's voice around the same frequency lay the lows from the song down. This phenomenon occurs only on the higher volumes, and in very specific songs - it's only a minor downside.
Overall, the KZ Xtra sounds exceptional for the price. It already sounds great on background and moderate volumes, and it only becomes more immersive, detailed, and expansive on higher volumes. The new one to beat under $100 - a treat to listen to.
—> These are the best sounding wireless earbuds from $25 to $100
KZ Xtra comparisons
KZ Xtra vs Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
The comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and KZ Xtra comes down to a single question: how tolerable are you to the claps frequency? If you don't mind to be challenged a bit by an occasional sharp note, or listen to music on moderate volume almost all of the time… the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE sees its first true rival in sound quality under $100.
The Galaxy Buds FE extends highs further and sounds brighter than the warmer and smoother KZ Xtra. It shows the brighter edge of vocals and instruments easier than the KZ, which in turn has fuller and more textured lower mid-tones and a kickier mid-bass. The Xtra also has a deeper sub-bass too, while the Buds FE's sub is more powerful. The KZ sounds more expansive than the Samsung, with better authority of individual instruments and space between them, while the Galaxy Buds FE has more natural, less warm-coloured mid-tones.
Other than sound, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is more comfortable for side-sleeping, has a (higher) waterproof rating, and reduces noise better in phone and video calls. It also fares better with video playback and has a more compact case. The KZ Xtra has 2 hours longer battery life on a single charge and its ANC is just a bit stronger.
Around $80 on Amazon US, Amazon UK or other Amazon countries
KZ Xtra vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro
When it comes to features, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro wins from the KZ Xtra. The Realme has excellent app support from the free HeyMelody app on iPhone and Android phones, and it handles phone and video calls better, with less noise and better wind resistance. It also leaves out more wind noise when you're commuting with them, and is rain and sweatproof. The KZ Xtra doesn't have a waterproof rating, but does offer longer battery life and stronger ANC.
The Realme lets you customise the sound from the app and boasts a splendid clearer and a great bassier mode. In both parts, it pulls out the highs better and longer than the KZ - giving violins, trumpets and higher vocals a vibrance the KZ can't quite grasp. The Xtra counters it by fuller lower mid-tones and a tighter, quicker bass. More so, instruments have more authority, more space for their own, more impact.
Around $80 on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
KZ Xtra vs Tinhifi Tinbuds1
So how does the KZ Xtra fare against the latest audiophile surprise reviewed on Scarbir.com - the $30 Tinhifi Tinbuds1? Well - the price difference shows. The KZ feels more open, is a tad warmer and feels more natural than the Tinbuds1. The Tinhifi has a stronger, deeper rumbling sub-bass and a darker mid-bass, while the KZ places instruments more clearly on your left and right, and increases separation in between instruments and vocals. The Tinhifi can feel immersive in its cave-like darkness; the KZ Xtra sounds more expansive overall.
Other than that, the KZ Xtra has longer battery life, clearer calls, stronger ANC, and 2 hours longer battery life on a single charge. The Tinhifi offers better synchronization in return, for both videos and games.
Around $30 on AliExpress or Linsoul
Verdict: KZ Xtra
The KZ Xtra has a few quirks, like the sensitive touch controls, loud voice prompts, and inconsistent video playback on Android phones…
… yet these are the new best sounding wireless earbuds under $100 to date, with exceptional mid-tones, impact, and expansiveness. Just wow.
4.5 STARS - Great
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I received the KZ Xtra from the manufacturer to test and review. This doesn't influence my judgment. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial - read about it here.
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