TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
4.5 STARS - Wireless charging, USB-C, waterproof and great comfort - the Mpow M12 boasts fantastic features for ultra-affordable TWS true wireless earbuds - but it's the smooth sound you'll stay for.
Specs of the Mpow M12:
Bluetooth 5.0
‘IPX8’ waterproof (heavy rain, heavy sweat and water resistant)
5 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips and USB-C cable
$25 on AliExpress or Amazon US or other Amazon stores
Below this Mpow M12 review, you will find comparisons of the Mpow M12 vs Mpow M30, Mpow MS1, SoundPEATS TrueDot, Edifier X3 and Haylou T19.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Edifier recently shifted expectations for what you may expect from ultra-affordable wireless earphones. At only 25 dollars, the Edifier X3 sports 6 hours battery life, great call and sound quality, and a lovely small case. The M12 surely is Mpow's response. The specs you get for the same price now, are insane.
For starters, the charging case powers via USB-C or via wireless charging. It has four LED-lights on the front showing the battery status, a feature seen on more expensive models.
The earpieces itself are feature-packed too. They boast IPX8 waterproof-rating according to Mpow, meaning they should withstand heavy rain, heavy sweat, and water - including showers and baths (untested!). Their battery lasts around 5 hours on a single charge, which will do perfectly for normal daily use and commuting. The case can recharge them four times fully before needing new power itself.
Specs aren't the only thing that counts, however. It has to be added that the charging case is big for this price range, much more comparable to models in the $50-$100 range. It feels a tad heavy too and isn't very pocketable. It also seems a bit inefficient, since the earbuds are surrounded by space in the case.
Also, take note: you may need to twist the earpieces in a bit to make sure that they will charge. The charging connectors aren't the strongest.
The Mpow M12 wireless earbuds itself are great. Their round insides are compact enough and have a slight bulb in them, following your ear's shape. It's slightly broader in the middle, making the earpieces feel snug in your ears and creating a fantastic fit. They stay in your ears tightly, and smiling broadly or moving your ears don't alter the fit or the sound. All the while, they stay comfortable too. Great.
Connectivity and controls
Surprisingly, after so many Scarbir.com TWS reviews of Mpow's, like the Mpow M5, Mpow M30, Mpow X3, and Mpow MS1, the control scheme on the M12 differs from other models in the line-up.
You pause or resume music playback by a single tap on either of the buds. You increase the volume by holding the right side, decrease it again by holding the left bud. With two taps right, you skip a song. Double-tap the left earpiece to return a track. Lastly, you can activate the voice assistant with three taps on any of the buds.
Unfortunately, the Mpow M12 doesn't give you audible feedback for switching to the next/ previous song or changing the volume - you'll have to wait and listen to notice if your actions are registered. On the other hand: all the desired control options are right here on the earpieces.
Connectivity on the M12 is stellar, too. The Bluetooth 5.0 signal holds a strong connection up to ten meters away from your device, even with thin walls in between. It's also possible to seamlessly switch between mono and stereo mode. You can charge one earpiece while listening to the other, then picked up the charged one and continue listening.
Calling and watching movies with Mpow MS1
The Edifier X3 raised the bar on ultra-cheap wireless earbuds by nailing every aspect of the product, including video playback and call quality. The Mpow M12 is less versatile.
Video playback is a weak spot on this model. It just misses lipsync on the YouTube-app on Android, and audio and video are way out of sync on the YouTube-app on iPhone. It does fare well on other video services app, like Netflix and Amazon Prime - but as always, the sound effects while playing games, come with a noticeable delay.
It's possible to take a phone call with the Mpow M12. Your voice has plenty of volume to the other end of the line. Darker sounds from your surroundings are softened by the microphones well - passing vehicles are often reduced to mere zoof- sounds. Even wind noise doesn't sound too loud. The only exception is higher-pitched sounds, however. Scooters and people talking around you do come through.
If video playback and call quality are your primary concerns for this money, take a look at the Edifier X3 or Xiaomi Mi Air 2 SE.
—> Also see: All TWS under $25 reviewed and rated
Sound quality of Mpow M12: Rich and smooth
The Mpow M12 has a balanced, smooth sound, with rich bass and pleasant warm tone.
The Mpow M12 puts its biggest effort on the darker tones in the music. The bass comes with a strong mid-bass thump, whether it's drum kicks in more acoustic genres, or electronic basses in pop, dance, and hip-hop. The bass also dives pretty deep. You only need to listen to James Blake's Limit to Your Love once to understand that the M12 is capable of fierce, ear-shaking bass rumbles.
Lower-mid tones are boosted too. Drums and darker electronic tones play a big part in the music, but unlike the recently released bass-fest that is the Mpow MS1, they don't overrule the entire song. The Mpow M12 sounds warm and smooth, but not too dark, as it also throws in a fair amount of higher frequencies.
In more acoustic and old-fashioned songs or genres - take ballads, jazz, blues, or soul - instruments like guitars and pianos enjoy plenty of presence and detail. You may need more mid-focus to enjoy rock songs too. In heavy rock songs, the strongly boosted lower-mids may push mids away a bit - like guitars. It's only on these moments the otherwise big soundstage and large amount of room in between instruments and layers, takes a little hit.
Vocals are definitely worth noting on the M12. In modern genres that elevate higher-pitched vocals, they will no doubt take their center stage - as they should. But when vocals need to act more laidback - they can do that too. Whether it's darker male voices or (for example) the fantastic strikes of Rachelle Ferrell in I Can Explain; vocals can seamlessly switch between soft, laid-back, and prominent. Here, it sees like a strength. Unfortunately, it also makes some songs sound a bit recessed compared with direct competitors.
There's no need to worry about volume, by the way: the Mpow M12 can go very loud on iPhone, and even louder on Android.
The Mpow M12 has more laidback vocals than some of its excellent competitors, like the SoundPEATS TrueDot and the Edifier X3. Still - it's warm, smooth sound is pleasant to listen to for hours.
Mpow M12 comparisons
Mpow M12 vs Edifier X3
A battle between cheap TWS giants. The Edifier X3 has slightly more elevated upper-mids, making the sound clearer and brighter, but also taking in more sibilance - sss-sounds from vocals and cymbals. Mid-tones like claps and acoustic instruments are represented better on the Edifier, but the Mpow M12 has more weight in the lower-mids and bass. The bass punches harder, and basslines and lower mid-tones are better separated. The Mpow sounds warmer too, while still offering the same airy feeling as the Edifier.
The Edifier X3 is a more complete product for its price, however, with better call quality, 6 hours playtime, and a fantastic pocketable case - a treat next to Mpow's relatively big one. Comfort on the two is comparable: the Edifier has slightly smaller earpieces, but its rubber-tips are more square; whereas the Mpow has bigger earpieces but smaller, more comfortable rubber-tips.
Mpow M12 vs SoundPEATS TrueDot
Crowned the best-sounding TWS under $25 on Scarbir.com for half a year, the TrueDot now meets its… TrueRival. The sound signatures on these two are more or less the same. The TrueDot has slightly clearer mids, pushing vocals more upfront, and giving instruments like guitars and the piano more texture. The SoundPEATS mid-bass also has a marginally bigger slam. The Mpow sounds smoother, with a more laidback pass punch, more recessed lower vocals, and a warmer undertone. It's more of a choice than it's a quality difference - both sound absolutely excellent. The Mpow M12 does beat the SoundPEATS when it comes to controls and battery life: 5 hours vs 3,5 hours playtime.
Mpow M12 vs Mpow M30
Let's head over to Mpow's other big hit: the only slightly more expensive Mpow M30. Same battery life, also rain- and waterproof. It has a tinier charging case and sport-wings to ensure they stay in during your workouts. The M12 has wireless charging, which the M30 lacks. The biggest difference is the sound approach. The M30 has a brighter sound, with very forward upper-mids. Vocals and - well - all other higher frequencies sound more prominent on the M30, adding airiness to the music and making the sound much clearer than the M12. The M12 sounds friendlier than the M30, with more boosted lows and added warmth.
Mpow M12 vs Haylou T19
Don't mind AirPods-like stems out of your ears? The Haylou T19 meets the brightness and warmth of the Mpow M12 and M30 halfway in the middle. Compared to the M12, the Haylou T19 sounds noticeably brighter, with greater clarity and more forward female vocals and higher-pitched male voices. While it has plenty of punch in the bass and weight on lower-mids, the Mpow M12 elevates these more. The M12 represents darker electronic tones better, to the benefit of modern genres like pop, dance, and hip-hop. In contrast, the T19 has an advantage for instruments (often taking place in the higher frequencies). The Mpow M12 does go louder, however.
Mpow M12 vs Mpow MS1
For the same price, Mpow also has the MS1 on the shelves. It's a more bass-focused wireless earphone, with easier rumbling sub-bass and extremely generous mid-bass pump. That said, the bass is also less tight - muddier than on the M12. For the rest, these models don't differ all that much. They're comparable in the mids (both recessed, except vocals in the upper-mids), highs (both quickly rolled-off) and soundstage (both roomy) - it's just the big amount of bass that makes that the MS1 is suitable for big bass lovers, while the M12 is more balanced and still delivers enough bass to please everyone. The MS1 is better in handling videos; the M12 has slightly longer playtime per charge.
Verdict
Wireless charging, USB-C, waterproof and great comfort - the Mpow M12 boasts fantastic features for ultra-affordable TWS true wireless earbuds - but it's the smooth sound you'll stay for.
4.5 stars - Great
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I bought the Mpow M12 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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