TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
Another month, another round-up of true wireless earphones that are popular on Amazon and AliExpress. Here you will find a compact review on the Mpow M20, Syllable S101, Tiso i6, Anomoibuds Capsule IP010-X, Ytom YH-03 and TW60.
Some wireless earphones don't get their own extensive review because a model is older (like the Syllable S101 or Anomoibuds Capsule IP010-X), others because they're simply not recommendable over the fierce competition. It doesn't mean the earphones in a review round-up are bad!
Why I wrote a mini-review on the Mpow M20, Tiso i6, TW60, Ytom YH-03 and Anomoibuds Capsule IP010-X? Partly because they gain lots of attention on either Amazon, AliExpress or Geekbuying - and you may want an answer to how these compare to other models. And partly because I just want to review these models, after having compared already over 73 models. :-)
Here we go: the december round of mini-reviews on true wireless earbuds.
Mpow M20 review: Bass monster
Mpow is on a bass mission. Next to the bass-heavy, pumping Mpow M7, the popular Chinese brand also offers the Mpow M20. Surprise: the charging case also acts as a power bank.
Most charging cases that act as power banks, are from generic brands. Now, Mpow has one in its lineup too. It's bulky. Real bulky. The 2600 mAH can recharge your mobile phone via a regular USB-connection. It gives your earpieces 6 hours of playtime per charge, and can recharge your earpieces more than 15 times - this is a set you can enjoy a whole vacation trip.
The earpieces of the Mpow M20 fill your ears due to their large size, but are still comfortable due to their rounded shape on the inside. The touch controls on them work straightforward and include the change of volume too. Connectivity, as always on Mpow-models, is just right. There are no dips in the sound, even in areas crowded with wireless signals. Audio-video synchronization is steady even on the challenging YouTube-app on iPhone, and call quality is acceptable - but it's best to call indoors.
When it comes to sound, the AptX-supported Mpow M20 is quite reminiscent of the recently reviewed and praised Mpow M7. It's a bass lovers model, with heavily emphasized bass and lower-mids. It sounds extremely warm and easy going, mostly because highs are just rolled-off. There almost aren't any highs to be found here. Still, the M20 has more emphasis on upper-mids than the M7. On some songs, however, the combination of fat bass and forward vocals, can result in an echo-chamber. It's a solid performer overall, but if you're not in need of a heavy battery, the Mpow M7 sounds just a bit better.
Comfort, build and battery life: 4/5
Controls and connectivity: 4/5
Calling and watching movies: 4/5
Sound quality: 4/5
VERDICT:
Syllable S101 review: Still good at the end of 2019?
The Syllable S101 has been a favorite wireless earphone of many at the beginning of this year. At the end of 2019, the bass and forward vocals still deliver an engaging sound - but there are better alternatives on the market.
The build quality of the Syllable S101 is still worth noting at the end of 2019. The case looks and feels premium, and the earpieces are something else with their L-shape and visible inner parts. They do stick out your ears quite a bit though - making you pick up much wind noise that interferes with the music. At the same time, the outwards facing microphones still don't deliver the best call quality. The Syllable S101 has some connection drops, too.
The bass is the highlight of the S101. Even though it isn't very tight, it has a nice kick. The sub-bass can give a convincing rumble as well. The bass is always present, and because it drags some lower-mids with it, these earphones always sound warm and dark. The mids and highs appear a bit thin. Both male and female singers come through clear on the S101, but don't resolve a lot of detail. They never sound harsh or tiresome, however.
If there's something the Syllable S101 shows, it's how fast developments in TWS go. The Mpow T5/ M5, Tronsmart Spunky Beat and SSK BT03 offer tighter bass sections and an even more engaging sound.
Comfort, build and battery life: 4/5
Controls and connectivity: 3/5
Calling and watching movies: 3/5
Sound quality: 4/5
VERDICT:
Around $40 on AliExpress or Amazon Europe/ UK (check current price)
Tiso i6 review: Unbalanced offering
After the Tiso i4 and i5, the newest ultra-compact earpieces of Tiso are more comfortable than their previous offerings - but at the cost of the sound.
The Tiso i4 and Tiso i5 are two of the most compact truly wireless earphones on the market, both in charging case and earpieces design. The same doesn't apply for the Tiso i6, which has a bigger and round case. The earpieces are rounder too, beneficial for the wearing comfort. This time around, you can switch rapidly between one and two earpieces.
Unfortunately, the newest Tiso offering didn't improve over other points. The touch controls don't always respond to you your touch, and call quality still is nothing to write home about. Battery life? Still 3,5 hours. What's more, is that this Tiso again comes with really square ear tips - directly resulting in a loss of sound quality.
The Tiso i6 often sounds like you have the wrong ear tips in, even when you don't. There's a gentle bass thump to prove you have the right tips - but still, mids and vocals can sound thin and distant on the i6. The bass intensity, lower-mid detail, instrumental nuances and vocal clarity can certainly improve by trying other tips - so definitely swap them with tips you still have lying around. Still, the Tiso i6 lacks the refinement and tonality of the comparably priced Haylou GT2, Tronsmart Spunky Beat or QCY QS2.
Comfort, build and battery life: 3/5
Controls and connectivity: 3/5
Calling and watching movies: 4/5
Sound quality: 2/5
VERDICT:
Around $20 on AliExpress (check current price)
TW60 review: Ali's new favorite generic earbuds
If you're looking for ‘TWS’ on AliExpress, you really can't miss this design. It seems like every seller and every generic brand offers this small wireless earbuds dubbed TW60, for as little as $10 or $15. It's not even a bad choice!
You shouldn't be expecting wonders for a wireless earphone that is offered under 10 dollars (!) so much, but here we go: the TW60 is not a terrible product. While the charging case is made from shiny plastic, it at least is very compact. The earpieces are egg-shaped on the inside, making a comfortable and tight fit. The touch controls respond quick too. Don't expect the best connection, though: the TW60 has some sound dips in areas more crowded with wireless signals.
Sound quality is acceptable, especially looking at the price. The TW60 has a nice bass thump and resolves a fair amount of detail in the mids. The lower-mids are somewhat accentuated, giving those darker guitar lines and soothing electronic tones their stage. The highs are rolled-off and a bit shaky, however - and some songs can sound like nothing but an echo cave.
Comfort, build and battery life: 2/5
Controls and connectivity: 2/5
Calling and watching movies: 3/5
Sound quality: 2/5
VERDICT:
Around $10-15 on AliExpress (check current price)
Anomoibuds Capsule IP010-X TWS review: now mostly smooth
The Anomoibuds Capsule IP010-A has been one of the first highly rated wireless earphones on this site, because it offered the then unique perfect audio-video synchronization on iPhone and an incredible tiny case. The IP010-X offers neither. What remains?
The Capsule IP010-X has a significantly longer charging case than the IP010-A. It offers 1000 mAh, twice the size of its smaller brother, providing up to six recharges of 3 hours playtime each. The size of the earpieces is still the same, meaning they will stick out of your ears a bit, but reside comfortable even in tinier ears.
The IP010-X offers a different chipset, thanks to which the audio-video synchronization isn't as good as the IP010-A. The sound is familiar, and best described as a warm, full sound with a nice, gentle bass. Highs are rolled-off and mids don't resolve much detail. Compared to half a year ago, there are now lots of competitors with a more articulated sound - especially in the bass and upper-mids area. Whereas the Capsule was top-of-the-line before; ‘smooth’ now is a better description. It delivers a pleasant listen, but nothing extraordinary.
Comfort, build and battery life: 3/5
Controls and connectivity: 4/5
Calling and watching movies: 3/5
Sound quality: 3/5
VERDICT:
Currently no listing with worldwide shipping on AliExpress
Ytom YH-03 TWS review: when the case is the highlight
Ytom made a name for itself by puttings its brand on the same earbuds as the Wavefun X-Pods 3, which surprised with a decent call quality and full, warm sound. It doesn't say anything about the sound of this new Ytom…
The best part of the Ytom YH-03 is the charging case, which reminds of the Aukey Key Series T10. It's completely round and has a lid that slides open over the earbuds. On the other side of the case is a 1-100% battery charging indication, that you see as long as the case charges the earpieces.
The earpieces look downright cheap, but at least they are comfortably compact and their actual buttons work fine. This is where the praise for the YH-03 TWS stops. The call quality is way below average and audio-video synchronization is lacklustre as well (on iPhone that is; it works decent on Android phones).
The worst is yet to come, however. The sound quality. It sounds like music on the YH-03 is always missing its warmth. The bass gives solid thumps, the lower-mids enjoy some emphasis and mids are also present - you can certainly hear guitars, pianos and vocals - but the sound just lacks all body and warmth. Songs either feel too cold, too metallic, too empty, or too thin. Do yourself a favor - skip this one.
Comfort, build and battery life: 3/5
Controls and connectivity: 3/5
Calling and watching movies: 2/5
Sound quality: 1/5
VERDICT:
$20 on AliExpress (check current price)
Disclaimer: I bought these TWS true wireless earbuds myself, with the exception of the Anomoibuds Capsule IP010-X, that was sent to me by Anomoibuds. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
Also read:
Leaderboard: All rated wireless earphones
