TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
4.5 STARS - The Ugreen CM338 TWS is one of the biggest hits when you search for true wireless earbuds on AliExpress. With its pocketable size and excellent sound quality, it's a recommended buy - although it doesn't tick all boxes.
Specs of the Ugreen CM338 TWS:
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC codec
IPX4 water proof (sweat and light rain resistant)
3 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips and micro-USB cable
$25 on AliExpress - check current price!
Below this Ugreen CM338 TWS review you will find comparisons of the Ugreen TWS vs SoundPEATS TrueDot, Haylou GT1 Plus, Haylou GT1 Pro, QCY T5 and Tronsmart Spunky Beat.
Design, comfort and battery life
You just got to love the charging case of the Ugreen TWS, formally named Ugreen CM338 TWS. It's one of the most compact cases is the entire market. The design looks like that of the AirPods, yet it's a bit more round. With just 5,5 x 4 x 3,5 in centimeters, it's easy to carry in any pocket. It's the kind of case you keep spinning between your fingers. The 'cuteness' factor remains when you open the (decent) lid, and the two tiny earpieces come into sight.
The Ugreen TWS has 'bean-shaped' earpieces that are even smaller than other pocketable low-budget models, such as the QCY QS2, SoundPEATS TrueDot, and Haylou GT1.
The standard ear-tips on the earpieces are so thin, the Ugreen may not have the best and tight fit in your ears. Happily, the delivered bigger tip will fit many medium-sized ears just fine. However: if you know you have bigger ear canals than most, be sure to order bigger ear tips with the Ugreen. The good thing is that the case has enough room to store them. Overall; the Ugreen CM338 is very comfortable.
The Ugreen case and earbuds are tiny in size, the specs are still decent. The earpieces last around 3 hours on a single charge, and the charging case can recharge them 4 times before needing some power itself. A light on the front shows the earpieces are charging. Last but not least: the earpieces itself don't blink when you're listening to music, so you can easily use these in the bedroom.
Connectivity and controls
You control the Ugreen CM338 TWS via the touch panels on the side. They respond good to your input most of the time. By double tapping, you play or pause the music or pick up an incoming phone call. Tap once on the right bud to skip a song, tap the left bud once to return a track. Three taps activates the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's not possible to change the volume on the earpieces.
The connectivity on the Ugreen is good. The Bluetooth 5.0 signal keeps stable up to ten meters, it pairs and connects quickly when you take them out of the case, and it's easy possible to swap between one and two earpieces without problems. You can thus charge one earpiece and keep listening to the other one. An impressive feature for this price.
Unfortunately, the Ugreen CM338 has the same issue that can occur on other models for this price, like the Tronsmart Spunky Beat and the Tronsmart Onyx Neo: it doesn't always pair automatically out of the case. Sometimes, the earphone doesn't find your device immediately. You can either reconnect them from your Bluetooth list, or insert them in the case and then take them out again.
Calling and watching movies with CM388
It's certainly doable to watch videos with the Ugreen TWS. Audio synchronizes with video fine on both Android and iPhone. Unfortunately, there are moments were the audio misses lipsync in the YouTube-app on iPhone. There aren't any problems with video services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
When it comes to phone calls, the Ugreen barely reduces noises from your surroundings. Even distant slams, bangs, and vehicles compete with your voice, and may take your voice over completely. The same goes for wind noise. Even if the wind isn't audible itself, it can still take away half a sentence. Not so good.
—> ALSO READ: The best wireless earbuds under $25
Sound quality of Ugreen CM388 TWS
The Ugreen CM388 is the next ultra-compact wireless earphone that proves you can get great sound quality of such a small size. Expect a warm and full sound.
The Ugreen TWS puts weight on the lower-mids; the warmer and darker tones in the music. Bass-guitars, drumlines and darker electronic layers sound full.
At times, the lows can overpower some other aspects of the music, but the fullness and warmth of the Ugreen is soothing and nice to listen to. The bass also has a nice thump to it - drums can really kick - and the sub-bass can deliver a strong rumble.
The CM388 puts emphasis on vocals too. Darker male vocals can sound a little recessed, but female and higher-pitched male voices have a prominent place in the music. More instrumental mids, such as guitars, violins and pianos, get enough room, but don't aren't as elevated as the vocals.
Highs are a bit rolled-off, meaning the CM388 doesn't sound anywhere near bright or harsh. Cymbals, for example, don't sound overly loud. This ensures a smooth sound and easy listening, but you shouldn't expect the biggest amount of detail in those frequencies.
The soundstage is still good, though. Sounds come from around you and left-right separation is impressive. It lacks the exceptional spaciousness and instrument placement of a $25 competitor like the SoundPEATS TrueDot, but then again, so does every other wireless earphone for this price so far. With the Ugreen, you at least get an addictive smoothness in return.
Ugreens focus on bass, lower-mids, and vocals works great for most modern pop and dance genres - and also sounds pleasant on more classic and acoustic genres. It's a joyful allrounder.
Selected comparisons
Ugreen CM388 TWS vs SoundPEATS TrueDot
The fantastic $25 SoundPEATS TrueDot may have a slightly bigger charging case and earpieces, but make no mistake: both these models are insanely portable. The TrueDot has better-responding touch controls, better call quality, and a bit more battery life. It also has a very impactful bass, but the soundstage is bigger, with more space in between the instruments and more natural instrument tonality. The Ugreen is impressive, the TrueDot even better.
Ugreen CM388 TWS vs Haylou GT1 Pro
Haylou GT1 Pro in the back, Haylou GT1 Plus in the front
The Pro is a bigger version of the original Haylou GT1. It sounds the same as the original, and not as refined as the above mentioned GT1 Plus. Like the Ugreen, the GT1 Pro has somewhat recessed mids. It sounds more mid-centric, flatter than the Ugreen. The CM388 has more emphasis on the bass and lower-mids, and sounds warmer. Instrument tonality is a bit better on the GT1 Pro, though.
Ugreen CM388 TWS vs Haylou GT1 Plus
The Haylou GT1 Plus is another competitor for the same price. It's the old Haylou GT1, with better internal chips than both the original and the GT1 Pro. It sounds more balanced and natural than the Ugreen, with less focus on bass and lower-mids, and more presence in the mid-tones. The GT1 Plus has comparable spaciousness in the sound; instrument placement is comparable.
Ugreen CM388 TWS vs QCY T5
The also hugely popular QCY T5 can be had at the same $25 price as the Ugreen, and is also worth your consideration. The T5 has less prominent lower-mids, and puts it effort into the upper-mids and highs, which sound more open and lively on the T5 than on the Ugreen. Indoor call quality of the T5 is better, and battery life with 4,5 hours, is too.
Ugreen CM338 vs Tronsmart Spunky Beat
The Tronsmart Spunky Beat is one of the best presented wireless earbuds under 25 dollars, and it has a more capable charger and better battery life too. Both have among the smallest earpieces on the market, but the Spunky Beats sink deeply into your ears, and then control tricky with their over-sensitive touch panels. The Ugreen combines compactness, comfort, and controls better. It sounds more closed-in, warmer and more controlled than the Spunky Beat, which has a more pumping bass and more aggressive, sometimes even harsh highs.
Verdict
The Ugreen CM388 is a highly likeable pair of cheap wireless earphones, thanks to its compact case and excellent sound quality. Call quality, pairing, and video playback can be improved, however.
4.5 stars - Great
Buy Ugreen CM338 TWS/ check current price:
I bought the Ugreen CM338 TWS myself for testing and review purposes. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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