TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
FIVE STARS - With good call quality, decent Active Noise Cancelling and engaging sound, the QCY MeloBuds N50 offers outstanding value for its 25 dollars price.
Bluetooth 5.4 with AAC codec
IPX4 waterproof rating (splash proof)
4 - 6 hours playtime on a single charge (ANC on/ off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Has: ANC, Transparency, app support, multipoint connection, spatial audio
Doesn't have: wireless charging
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual
$20 to $25 - See price on AliExpress
In and underneath this QCY MeloBuds N50 review, you will find comparisons of the QCY MeloBuds N50 vs QCY MeloBuds Pro, Redmi Buds 6 Lite, Moondrop Space Travel and SoundPEATS T3 Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The QCY MeloBuds N50 looks and feels quite like the previously released QCY MeloBuds Pro, although there are some differences.
The N50's charging case is more square. It's slim enough to carry comfortably in a jeans pocket, and has this neat feature that you open the entire top part of the case to grab out the earbuds easily.
The case has enough power too: it can recharge the earbuds fully four times, before needing new power via USB-C itself. The remaining battery life is depicted with a multi-coloured LED light.
The earbuds themselves have a familiar shape. They consist of compact oval earpieces you put diagonally in your ears. They stay in your ears snugly and are comfortable to wear.
The stems have a shiny finish that differs from the rest of the earbud - although it's less elegant than on the MeloBuds Pro.
Spec-wise, the N50 is less impressive.
The earbuds are only IPX4 splashproof, so they lack an official rating for rain and sweat, which would have been great for runs and workouts. That doesn't mean you can't use these earbuds outdoors, however: many IPX4 earbuds I've tested, survived rain and sweat too.
The biggest letdown is the battery life, that delivers only 4 hours when you have Active Noise Cancelling on. You can extend the time to 6 hours per charge by turning the function off.
This score will be enough for normal everyday use, but less so for an entire workday or long travel trip, for instance.
Although the battery life could have been better, the QCY MeloBuds N50 look and feel slightly more expensive than they are.
Controls, connectivity and app support
The QCY MeloBuds N50 has an impressive array of features for its small price. Next to Active Noise Cancelling, it also comes with dual-device multipoint connection.
That means you can connect to two devices at the same time. Switching between your laptop and phone (or two phones) is as easy as receiving a phone call, or start a video or music on your other device.
The connectivity overall is solid, with a stable Bluetooth connection up to around 10 meters away from your device. During my test time, I didn't notice any hiccups in the connection and sound.
The controls are good too, with responsive touch panels at the top of stem.
The QCY MeloBuds N50 supports the free QCY app on iPhone and Android, that sadly requires an account to use it. The app is a bit simple and unpolished, but does have useful features:
Check the battery of the L and R earbud
Change between multiple sound equalizers and Spatial sound effects (but you can immediately forget all of these - they're worthless)
Switch between ANC, Transparency mode and Normal
Switch between three ANC strength settings
Change the left-right audio balance, to compensate for hearing loss on one of your ears
Change the controls for a single tap, double-tap and triple-tap on both sides, including volume changing
Find the headset
Setup an auto power-off timer
(De)activate controls with the Sleep mode
(De)activate the dual-device multipoint connection
Update the firmware
The QCY MeloBuds N50 likely has the most extensive app support ever on wireless earbuds around $25, and yet, apart from adding volume changing to the controls, you can use the earbuds perfectly without the app.
Phone and video calls
The QCY MeloBuds N50 fares pretty well in phone calls and video conferences.
The microphones put your voice through clearly and quite natural. Your vice has enough volume too.
Your voice remains fairly stable when you're on the move. Whether you're walking in a small corridor of your office, or outside with a bit of wind: your voice becomes a bit darker and can dip in volume a little bit, but mostly still stands.
Loud background noise, like traffic or people chatting, is also reduced well in calls - although your voice can dip when there's noise around you.
When you're on the move and there's surrounding noise, the other end of the line may have a hard time hearing you.
The QCY MeloBuds N50 offers decent call quality both indoor and outside, but lots of surrounding noise stands in the way.
Video and games playback
The QCY MeloBuds N50 doesn't have any problem watching videos, on both iPhone and Android phones. Everything is lypsinc.
Thanks to the low-latency gaming mode, the sound effects in game feel almost perfectly in line with the action on your screen.
In a challenging game like Call of Duty mobile, it can be a bit hard to pinpoint where things like gunshots and explosions are happening around you.
ANC quality of the QCY MeloBuds N50
The QCY MeloBuds N50 delivers decent Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) for its very low price.
ANC isn't on by default, but should be activated by long-pressing the right earbud.
You'll first switch to Passthrough / Transparency first, which does a good job at letting you hear traffic sounds when you're listening to music at moderate volume.
Continue on to the ANC, and you may be surprised. Most darker, constant background noises are heavily softened or even completely disappear.
The same goes for middle sounds. Male chatter around you loses a bit of volume, and when you're typing on a keyboard, you may only hear the highest sounds still.
But even these higher sounds are heavily softened. Chatter, laughter and bird chittering are brought to the background.
This is the performance without playing any music. Play some music, and you probably won't hear your surroundings at all anymore.
It's very recommended to open up the ANC settings in the app. By selecting Adaptive ANC, the QCY scans the environments for noise to filter. Doing this just now and then, significantly increased the strength of the ANC - just like on the QCY MeloBuds Pro before.
The ANC mode also doesn't let in too much wind noise, making it possible to use it when you're cycling or running as well.
The ANC of the QCY MeloBuds N50 triumphs over that of the Moondrop Space Travel, the Redmi Buds 6 Lite, regular Redmi Buds 6 and the Tozo Crystal Pods in the same price range.
However, the comparably priced SoundPEATS T3 Pro and more expensive QCY MeloBuds Pro filter even more noise.
The QCY MeloBuds N50 offers great value when it comes to Active Noise Cancelling on a tight budget, although you may need to choose the Adaptive ANC action from the app every now and then to get the best result.
Sound quality of QCY MeloBuds N50
As if the strong ANC and clear calls weren't enough for its small price, the QCY MeloBuds N50 sounds good too.
The QCY MeloBuds N50 has a relatively warm sound. That's surprising, considering that the QCY MeloBuds Pro, QCY T17, QCY T13 ANC and HT05 MeloBuds are all on the clearer side.
The N50 has more emphasis on lower frequencies than other models from the brand. Lower mid-tones like darker instruments and electronic tones and lower (male) vocals are strongly boosted.
The bass is stronger than before too. The mid-bass gives strong, lasting thumps and the sub-bass can give off a loose rumble. Both parts of the bass aren't very tight, but the bass provides plenty of power to enjoy.
It can get a little crowded in the lower frequencies in songs that lean heavily on the bass and lower-mids.
The sound isn't just warm. Both female and higher male singers are somewhat forward, and combine clarity with smoothness. Vocals can fall a bit flat against the hefty lower tones though.
While not as forward as vocals, higher instruments like violins and cymbals and brighter electronic tones, have just enough presence to be picked up out from the lows.
Center-mids, like the guitar and piano play, are recessed on the N50. They tend toward the lower mid-tones.
It's hard to locate instruments and details around you precisely, but there are some details coming from your left and right.
It achieves all this without any harsh edges too; highs don't become too peaky, the bass doesn't crackle and lower-mids may be powerful, but they aren't overbearing.
There's a hole lot to enjoy from the music of the QCY MeloBuds N50.
—> These are the best sounding wireless earbuds from $25 to $100
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QCY MeloBuds N50 comparisons
SoundPEATS T3 Pro vs QCY MeloBuds N50
The QCY MeloBuds N50 or the SoundPEATS T3 Pro? That's a question many will ask in the ultra-budget segment of wireless earbuds.
It was only a week ago I reviewed the SoundPEATS T3 Pro, stating that these brand new $25 wireless earphones offer mind-blowing value for money. And indeed: these earbuds compete on every aspect.
Both earbuds have splendid gaming sychronisation, clear calls in most everyday circumstances, multipoint connection and adjustable controls.
The SoundPEATS takes the lead with ANC. Its noise reduction is a tad stronger, handles wind noise more elegantly, and has a more usable Transparency mode. The T3 Pro battery also lasts 1 hour longer with ANC on.
If you love a bassy sound, you can't go wrong with either of these. Both deliver deep and long-lasting thumps that can get real hefty on higher volumes. The SoundPEATS pushes vocals and the lower treble more forward and presents them more dynamically than the flatter presentation of the MeloBuds N50.
Both offer crazy good value for money - yet the SoundPEATS even more.
$20 to $35 - See price on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
QCY MeloBuds N50 vs Moondrop Space Travel
The Moondrop Space Travel was the go-to recommendation in the $25 segment for a long time on Scarbir.com, but now sees itself beaten by the QCY MeloBuds N50.
In 2023, the $25 Moondrop Space Travel surprised everyone with strong noise cancellation on a budget. Now, Moondrop has to pass the throne to QCY. Especially after readjusting the ANC in the app, the MeloBuds N50 has stronger ANC.
The QCY is better in many ways. It also adds one hour playtime per charge, the option to change the volume on the earbuds, it delivers much better video and gaming performance, and it has clearer calls too.
When it comes to sound, the Moondrop Space Travel sounds (even) airier than the MeloBuds N50, creating a bigger sense of stage around you. It puts more of its attention to center-mids and (lower) treble. It sounds clearer and more natural. The QCY throws in more lows, and a mid-bass with a more direct kick. It's warmer and while less ‘honest’, it makes you tap your foot quicker.
$20 to $30 - See price on Amazon US, other Amazon countries or AliExpress
QCY MeloBuds N50 vs Redmi Buds 6 Lite
Avid Scarbir.com readers know enough: if the QCY MeloBuds N50 beats the Moondrop Space Travel, it also beats the $20 Redmi Buds 6 Lite.
Indeed it does. The QCY has noticeably stronger ANC than Redmi's budget offering, and it comes with multipoint connectivity too. Two clear reasons to choose the N50 over the 6 Lite.
The Redmi Buds 6 Lite does offer an hour longer battery life per charge, while it competes with the QCY on call quality.
Move over to sound quality, however, and the N50 deals another blow to the Redmi. The Redmi has more focus on clarity and sounds a bit lighter, but the QCY rarely gives in on vocal clarity and higher instrument detail, and adds a more engaging bass and heavier lows in the mix - making the N50 a more entertaining listen.
$20 to $25 - See price on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
QCY MeloBuds N50 vs QCY MeloBuds Pro
Of course, the final test: how does the QCY MeloBuds N50 compare to the QCY MeloBuds Pro?
The QCY MeloBuds Pro is more expensive, coming in for 35 to 50 dollars, but it makes a big jump up in battery life: 7 hours instead of 4 hours per charge.
That's the biggest difference, but not the only one. The ANC of the MeloBuds Pro is slightly stronger even - eliminating even more background sounds, and it stands a little better in phone calls in the wind.
The QCY MeloBuds N50 sounds warmer and bassier than the MeloBuds Pro. The MeloBuds Pro has an (even) airier sound with clearer vocals and further extended highs, but this very aspect can also a little bit harsh on the highest volumes. The N50 rolls off treble a bit earlier and plays it safer. Next to the more boosted lower-mids and bass, it's likely to please even more people.
$45 - See price on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
Verdict: QCY MeloBuds N50
Just like the SoundPEATS T3 Pro, the QCY MeloBuds N50 offers stunning value for money.
You're getting a comfortable fit, customisable controls, multipoint connection, clear calls in most circumstances, good sound AND decent Active Noise Cancelling at just 25 dollars.
5 stars - Excellent
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I received the QCY MeloBuds N50 from the manufacturer to test and review myself. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial - read about it here.
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