TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
FOUR STARS - The Tozo NC2 isn't refined in both sound quality or design, but these wireless noise-cancelling earbuds will serve customers on a tight budget just fine.
Tozo NC2 specs:
Bluetooth 5.2 with
IPX6 waterproof (rain, sweat and dust proof)
5-8 hours listening on a full charge (ANC on/off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 6 sizes ear tips and USB-C cable
$40 - $60 - Check price on Amazon US, Amazon Germany or buy from other Amazon countries
Below this Tozo NC2 review, you will find comparisons of the Tozo NC2 vs SoundPEATS T2, Mpow X3, Enacfire A9 and Mpow X6/ QCY HT01.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Like other models from the hugely popular brand on Amazon, the Tozo NC2 looks and feels generic and a bit cheap. The matte-black case is slightly bigger than that of the AirPods Pro, but it's thin enough to slide into your pocket easily. Four LED lights on the front indicate the remaining battery life of the case, and you'll find a USB-C port on the bottom. You can also charge the case wirelessly.
The earbuds themselves have a short stem and a glossy finish on the outside. The inside part is oval, and after you twist them in a bit, these earbuds are tight-fitting and comfortable in your ears. The stems aim neatly towards your cheeks without brushing them. Thanks to the IPX6 waterproof rating, they should be able to withstand rain and sweat too.
The battery life of the Tozo NC2 is average for the price. It delivers up to 8 hours of playtime with ANC off; around 5 hours with the function activated. These are above average scores for affordable noise-cancelling earbuds, and it's definitely enough juice for everyday use. The case can further recharge them three times before needing new power itself.
Connectivity and controls
The Tozo NC2 comes with a clear English manual that explains the straightforward control scheme:
Tap R to play/ pause
Tap L to switch between Transparency mode and ANC on (not off!)
Tap R twice to skip a song
Tap L twice to return a song
Hold R to turn the volume up
Hold L to reduce the volume
The Tozo lets you choose between listening to one or two earbuds at a time, and switch between these at all times. If you're only using the left earbud, the ANC switch deactivates and turns into the play/pause function - clever.
Basic connectivity is also good, with quick pairing and a strong connection up to 9-10 meters away from your device. Music playback automatically pauses when you hold one of the buds in your hands and resumes playing when it's in your ears again.
Calling and watching movies
Watching videos is a flawless experience with the Tozo NC2. Audio synchronizes well with video on Android and iPhone devices, including the YouTube app. There is a delay in sound effects when you're playing games, as is the case on almost all wireless earbuds.
Phone calls are doable with the Tozo NC2. Your voice sounds full and has enough volume, and the earbuds filters out most noise around you (like constant traffic noise and distant chatter). Unfortunately, when there are many surrounding noises, the clarity of your voice takes a hit. In indoor and quieter areas, calling is perfectly fine - the line can even be so quiet, people will ask you if you're still there.
The Tozo NC2 handles video calls pretty well, like Zoom meetings and Microsoft Teams. While background noise comes through clear, your voice sounds loud and full, without too much compression going on.
Noise cancelling test of Tozo Nc2
Operation: The ANC active noise cancellation on the Tozo NC2 is decent. By tapping the left earbud, you can switch between Transparency/ Ambient mode and the ANC functionality. However: ANC is off by default - and once you turn the ANC on, you can't turn it off again until you put the earbuds in the case. This is the biggest con of the Tozo NC2. Switching between the functions is confirmed with a short, unintrusive beep.
ANC quality: The noise cancellation on the Tozo NC2 effect is strong for the price. Especially background noises, like darker electronic humming, distant traffic, and even construction site sounds, are heavily reduced. Some sounds can even become inaudible. This reduction goes for both brighter and darker, bassy noises - unlike some other reviews have suggested before. Sound effects from closeby aren't handled as well. While the Tozo takes away the brighter edge of voices and sound effects like keyboard clicks, nearby sounds are still noticeable.
Transparency mode quality: The Transparency or Ambient mode on the Tozo NC2 is partially effective. It passes through traffic and nearby chatter clearly on moments you need it, when you're not playing music or playing music on low volume. The effect is lost when you're listening to your music loudly.
Wind noise reduction: The Transparency mode immediately lets in a large amount of wind noise. The wind noise reduction of the ANC mode is inconsistent. Sometimes, there's next to no wind noise, other times, even a breeze can sound loud. When it comes to avoiding wind noise, it's safest to leave the ANC untouched when you want to work out or cycle with the NC2. After all, you can't turn it off anymore after you've activated it.
Also read: The best wireless ANC earbuds
Sound quality of Tozo NC2: Simply Engaging
Like the look and feel of these earbuds, the Tozo NC2 offers a no-nonsense sound with vivid upper mids and an engaging bass.
The bass may not throw a lot of the deepest, darkest, rumbling sub-bass tones in the mix, but the mid-bass compensates for it and sparks joy. Dance, electronic, hip-hop, and pop can be sure of a thumping and boosted mid-bass. It's quick and punchy enough to make you tap your feet and bob your head, but it doesn't overpower the rest of the sound.
Brighter vocals and upper-mid tones (like violins, cymbals, and trumpets) have the same energy. Vocals sound clear (with a hint of graininess) and are slightly in front of instruments, but not to the point where the sound becomes harsh or shallow. Only cymbals and claps can sound a bit thin or sharp.
Still, the NC2 always has a warm undertone, thanks to the slightly elevated lower-mid tones. These give body to darker electronic tones too.
The Tozo NC2 is by no means an audiophile pair of earbuds. Don't go looking for an expansive soundstage with excessive nuances or the most analytical instrument tonality or placement. Still, there is solid separation between different instruments, and details can sound on your left and right. It just doesn't do anything wrong - it's always a pleasant, even slightly uplifting listen.
The Tozo NC2 plays it safe and will please many.
Tozo NC2 comparisons
Tozo NC2 vs SoundPEATS T2
While the ANC of the SoundPEATS T2 is a bit stronger, it can have a strange crackle in your ears when you're not playing music. That's an annoyance the Tozo NC2 gladly misses. The NC2 blocks less sound from closeby and looks more generic; battery life is comparable. The NC2 has steadier, more straightforward mid-bass, and slightly more opened-up higher tones. The T2 puts more weight in the lower mids, and as it lacks extension in the highs, the SoundPEATS sounds warmer and darker, with vocals that sometimes struggle to beat surrounding instruments. Both earbuds provide a barely refined yet fun sound.
SoundPEATS T2 review ($60)
Tozo NC2 vs Enacfire A9
The yet unreviewed Enacfire A9 has comparable stem-shaped noise cancelling earbuds for around the same price, but it doesn't filter out brighter sounds as successful as the Tozo. The Enacfire has a comparable mid-bass punch and sounds fuller in the lows thanks to strongly boosted lower mids. The Tozo has a clearer sound, with more upfront vocals and further extended upper-mids and highs. It's what marks the difference: the Enacfire is mainly bassy, the Tozo NC2 is bassy with liveliness on top.
No Enacfire A9 review (yet); $40 on Amazon US, Amazon Germany or from other Amazon stores
Tozo NC2 vs Mpow X6/ QCY HT01
The QCY HT01 (also sold as Mpow X6) shows a louder white noise when the ANC function is activated but still removes fewer sounds from your environments than the Tozo does. The QCY has a fuller, darker sound. It prevails the lower-mid tones and center-mids over the higher frequencies, and as a result, vocals and upper-mids are less upfront and energetic than on the Tozo. The NC2 also has a harder-hitting mid-bass. The QCY/ Mpow offers a smoother sound.
Tozo NC2 vs Mpow X3
The X3 noise-cancelling earbuds from Mpow have a more V-shaped sound, meaning the lowest tones (bass) and higher tones (treble) enjoy the most emphasis in songs - and are pushed even more than on the Tozo NC2. Vocals and brighter instruments sound clearer on the Mpow, but they much easier enter harsh territory, and can become a little 'hot' to listen to. The Tozo keeps things better in control and adds more lower-mids to make the sound warmer and more balanced. Both have engaging bass, but the Tozo provides an easier listen. Its ANC is stronger than that of the Mpow as well - ANC barely works on the X3.
Mpow X3 review ($50)
Verdict
The Tozo NC2 will serve a lot of customers looking for active noise-cancelling earbuds on a budget. It requires you to always make a choice if you want to activate the ANC or not as you can't turn it off again, but the effect does rule out background noise well. Throw in an engaging sound and good indoor call quality, and the NC2 deserves your attention.
Four stars - Good
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I bought the Tozo NC2 to test and review myself. 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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