TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
ONE STAR - The T2C TWS, available under many brand names with T2C in its name, is exactly the type of true wireless earphone you want to toss around in a corner after a while. It still offers all the downsides of the first generation true wireless.
T2C TWS specs:
Bluetooth 5.0
IPX5 waterproof
+-2,5 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 3 sizes eartips/ ear hooks and micro-USB cable
$15 on AliExpress or Amazon US/ EU/ UK - check current price
The model name T2C TWS is applied to all kinds of true wireless earphones, and is applied to lots of brand names. This is a review for all similar looking T2C models (because the QCY QS2 is also dubbed T2C).
Design, charging and comfort
The 400mAh charging case is one of the biggest on the market, yet it only seems to be able to charge with earpieces fully 3-4 times. The battery charge status of the case can be seen on four LED lights next to the charging slot. The lid can be opened with a press on a side button In there, you'll find a button to show the battery lights.
The earpieces are just as shiny black plastic as the case itself. They don't look too bad. Because they have touch controls, there isn't a button in sight - giving the T2C TWS a clean look. The earpieces have quite long nozzles, so go quite deep in your ear. The ear hook which you should turn in the upper side of your ear, grants a tight fit. Ideal for sporting.
Connectivity and controls
Connectivity on the T2C TWS is a mess. The Bluetooth connection is stable up to several meters, but connecting itself is frustrating. The earpieces don't connect automatically when you take them out of the case, but have to be pressed both at once for a few seconds to turn them on. If you do it at the same time on both earpieces, they should connect to each other - but I've encountered otherwise too, requiring the process again. Press both for 2-3 seconds to turn them off again.
The indication lights which provide feedback for your pressing on and off, however, are placed directly under your fingers, so you have to listen to the voice commands of the T2C while controlling them in order to know that they're doing.
The controls are horrible. Pressing once plays or pauses the music, pressing twice redials the last phone number... and pressing 2-3 seconds puts them off. There simply aren't any other options. No volume changing, no skipping tracks, no voice assistant activation. Answer for yourself: how many times do you want to redial a number instead of skipping a song?
Calling and watching movies
Watching movies on the T2C is fine on Android, with minimal sound delay. On the iPhone, there's a big noticeable lag between audio and video, with audio never in sync when watching YouTube.
Calling is another thing the T2C is horrible at. To the other person calling, you sound far away, crackling and soft. Meanwhile, the person you have on the phone, sounds then on one and then on two earpieces, switching sides all the time - but never satisfying.
Sound: lacks liveliness
The T2C TWS comes with three sizes ear hooks and is therefore suitable for sporting
The sound of the T2C TWS doesn't match that of it's competitors, even not the other ones that are really affordable, in the 15-20 dollar segment.
While the DFOI AirBuds lack highs for example, at least they have a big pumping bass that may please some. While the XG-12 may require a specific fit, they can actually sound surprisingly balanced and detailed.
The T2C TWS doesn't offer something like that at all. The sound lacks bass and detail. Vocals come trough quite clear - sometimes even bright, but there's too little in the rest of the music to make a cohesive sound. Lower mids, such as bass guitars and drums, are recessed, the bass itself is there, yet too little so to be entertaining for bass lovers. Overal, the sound lacks liveliness.
Verdict
No matter how many sellers keep offering the T2C TWS, and how many brand names it has: apart from the good sports fit thanks to the ear hooks, the generic branded T2C offers horrible connectivity, too little controls, horrendous call quality and below average sound.
ONE STAR - TRASH
Buy T2C TWS / check current price:
Buy T2C TWS on AliExpress
Buy T2C TWS on Amazon Europe (Germany)
I bought the T2C TWS for my own listening and review purposes. 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
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