TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
4.5 STARS - The Mpow M13 comes with two years warranty, a full waterproof rating and smooth sound at a ridicously low price.
Mpow M13 specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.1 with AAC codec
IPX8 waterproof rating (sweat, heavy rain, shower proof)
6 hours playtime on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with three ear tips and USB-C cable
$20 - Check price on Amazon Germany, other Amazon countries or AliExpress
Below this Mpow M13 review, you will find comparisons of the Mpow M13 vs Mpow Mbit S, QCY T13, QCY T17, and Edifier X3.
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Design, comfort and battery life
When you take a look at the Mpow M13 and its specs, you'd think it's a pair of wireless earbuds around the 50 dollars mark. The charging case isn't too big; it has four LED lights on the front to indicate the remaining battery life and even supports wireless charging next to USB-C. The case's lid may not be the sturdiest.
The earbuds themselves look generic. They don't have any branding on their matte-black outside. As some user reviews point out on Amazon and AliExpress, the M13 earbuds are bigger than other Mpow models - and many wireless earbuds in general. The round, pebble-like inside makes for a snug seal, but these will not be comfortable if you have smaller ears.
As they are so big, though, they block out more noise from your surroundings than most cheaper active noise cancelling earbuds.
The best feature, however, is the M13's high IPX8 waterproof rating. These earbuds survive sweat, heavy rainfall, and a fall in the pool. They keep working and even control well when you shower with them. Mpow backs the M13 up by giving you two years of warranty - which is a great feature considering these are only 20 to 25 dollars.
Battery life is good too. The earbuds reach up to 6 hours on a single charge, and the case can recharge them four times before needing new power itself.
Controls and connectivity
The Mpow M13 has touch controls, which activate by tapping the round part of the bud. All the desired controls are there:
Tap L or R to play/pause music
Hold R to increase the volume
Hold L to decrease volume
Double-tap R to skip to the next track
Double-tap L to return a song
Triple-tap L or R to activate the voice assistant
Connectivity is good. The Bluetooth signal holds stable up to 9-10 meters away from your device, and you can switch seamlessly between using one or two earbuds - for example, if you want to charge one bud if you listen to the other. Music doesn't automatically pause when you take a bud out.
Calling and watching movies
Watching videos is a breeze with the Mpow M13. You'll encounter flawless synchronization between audio and video on both iPhone and Android phones. There is a noticeable delay in sound effects when you're playing games, however, and the M13 doesn't have a low-latency mode to tackle this.
Phone calls aren't a strong suit of the M13. Your voice has enough volume, but it can be as if there's a cushion on your voice. You can sound a bit dampened, especially when the Mpow tries to reduce noises from your surroundings. Traffic passing, nearby chatter, and especially wind don't sound loud on the line, but they reduce your voice output heavily. A phone call in a quiet indoor area is fine.
It's not advised to enter a video call with these. Your voice sounds soft, hollow and fragile in Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings. Meanwhile, brighter sounds from your surroundings come through loud.
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $25
Sound quality of Mpow M13: Warm and smooth
The Mpow M13 sound is easy to describe: warm and smooth.
The M13 has a steady bass thump that behaves well. The mid-bass doesn't pump too heavy in your ears, nor does it show much texture, but it provides drums and electronic bass in hip-hop or dance genres with plenty of energy. The sub-bass (the bass you can feel as much as hear) also has some power. It rumbles controlled and dives fairly deep, as always, perfectly shown in James Blake's Limit to Your Love.
The Mpow doesn't stop there. Lower mid-tones are heavily boosted, and as such darker electronic tones, lower guitars, or even piano play tend towards the bass. If there isn't a typical bassline in a song, the Mpow isn't afraid to ask another instrument to play for bass.
What helps the Mpow sound warm are the restricted upper mids and highs. The M13 heavily rolls off the higher frequencies, and as such, brighter vocals and instruments like violins and cymbals never sound harsh or piercing. Apart from the highest female singers, voices can feel a bit recessed. They're audible enough but sound warmer than average, with less detail than average. If you're coming from a treble-intensive earphone, the M13 sounds muffled the first seconds.
There's an upside from this sound signature: it's extremely friendly. Music never sounds tiring. It's gently bassy and uplifting when you play it at high volumes - and comfortable, distraction-free when you're listening to music during your workday.
Mpow M13 comparisons
Mpow M13 vs QCY T13: Which is better?
The QCY T13 sub-bass goes deeper, and its mid-bass has more detail. The QCY is also more pronounced in the higher frequencies, with a wider soundstage and more instrumental and vocal presence and details. The Mpow M13 sounds warmer and smoother. It also has a better waterproof rating, better warranty, and a smaller charging case, although QCY's earbuds are tinier, more comfortable, and handle calls better.
QCY T13 review ($25)
Mpow M13 vs QCY T17
The QCY T17 is another new addition in the $25 subcategory of wireless earbuds, offering highly comfortable round earbuds and a compact charging case. The M13 sounds much warmer than the QCY, with thicker bass, boosted lower mid-tones, and toned down highs. The T17 sounds clearer and brighter than the M13. The QCY has more room for higher-pitched vocals and presents more detail from the mid-tones on up. The Mpow is smoother; you could also say: less tiring to listen to.
QCY T17 review ($20)
Mpow M13 vs Edifier X3
The Edifier X3 has an even smaller charging case, and its round earbuds are more compact and comfortable as well - although they don't have Mpow's waterproof level. The X3 does have better call quality and a more balanced sound. The Edifier reaches further into the higher notes, making vocals sound brighter and livelier. That's often good, but highs can also sound sharper than on the Mpow. The M13 sounds warmer, and its bass strikes last longer. It can go louder too.
Edifier X3 review ($25)
Mpow M13 vs Mpow Mbit S
The Mpow Mbit S is a comparably priced alternative from the same brand, with a stem design. It has the same waterproof rating and warranty and has an advantage in comfort and call quality, making you sound clearer than the M13. The M13 is a more refined version of the Mbit S for music playback. The M13 bass is slightly punchier, and there's more separation between the bass and lower-mids. The Mbit S sounds just a bit more open, making rock and classical genres sound livelier.
Mpow Mbit S review ($25)
Verdict
The Mpow M13 comes with two years warranty, a high waterproof rating, and smooth sound at a ridiculously low price.
4.5 stars - Great
check Mpow M13 price:
Check price on Amazon Germany
Check price on other Amazon countries
Check price on AliExpress
I bought the Mpow M13 myself to test and review. My reviews are unsponsored and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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Also read:
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