Edifier TWS NBQ review: Cheap noise-cancelling earbuds with bold sound
Our Verdict
The Edifier TWS NBQ has much better sound and active noise counterfoil than its price suggest, though such cheapness does take its drawbacks.
For
- First-class sound
- Surprisingly skilful ANC
- Steady bombardment life
- Dust- and h2o-resistant
- Game Mode and companion app shortcuts
Against
- Missing standard controls and features
- Unattractive design
- Loose fit
Tom's Guide Verdict
The Edifier TWS NBQ has much ameliorate audio and active noise cancellation than its price suggest, though such cheapness does have its drawbacks.
Pros
- +
Excellent sound
- +
Surprisingly good ANC
- +
Steady battery life
- +
Grit- and h2o-resistant
- +
Game Mode and companion app shortcuts
Cons
- -
Missing standard controls and features
- -
Unattractive design
- -
Loose fit
The Edifier TWS NBQ offers loftier-quality sound, agile noise counterfoil (ANC) and h2o resistance for nearly $200 less than the AirPods Pro. In add-on, this true wireless upstart has reliable bombardment life and unique features that aren't fifty-fifty available on some of the best wireless earbuds.
Edifier TWS NBQ specs
Color: Blueish, pink, white
Battery life (rated): 6 hours (ANC on), 8 hours (ANC off), 24 hours (with charging case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
Processor: Not stated
Size: i.4 x 1 x 0.7 inches (per bud), 1.two x 2.3 10 2 inches (charging case)
Weight: 0.two ounces (per bud), one.5 ounces (charging case)
Having tested this pair of buds for over a calendar week, I'm happy to report the TWS NBQ surpasses expectations, with superb sound quality and dissonance neutralization. It isn't perfect, however, and sure missteps have information technology fall short of the very best racket-cancelling earbuds. However, as this total Edifier TWS NBQ review will explain, the overall functioning makes it difficult to overlook entirely — especially at such a low price.
- The best cheap wireless earbuds overall
- Find a deal with the all-time Apple AirPods alternatives
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Toll and availability
The Edifier TWS NBQ is bachelor direct from Edifier. It is sold in three colors: Blue, Pink, and White.
These buds cost $59, which is incredibly affordable for ANC wireless earbuds. It comes in at an even lower price than the Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC ($79) and Edifier's own TWS NB2 ($89.99). Luxury models like the AirPods Pro ($250) and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds ($279) have more features and stronger ANC, though they as well come at a premium.
For all of the latest sales, be sure to bookmark our best headphones deals page.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Design and comfort
The TWS NBQ won't win over style-forward listeners, only its durability will appease upkeep shoppers who desire something sustainable. One can see the AirPods Pro'southward influences, from the grille on the front to the plastic casing, which features loftier transparent UV screen coating that Edifier claims is scratch resistant. The casing comes with an IP54 rating for dust- and water-resistant protection. This is a higher certification than the AirPods Pro's IPX4 rating, which can besides handle sweat and minor splashing only isn't rated for dust and dirt protection.
Be that every bit information technology may, the bulkier form and materials fail to make these buds aesthetically highly-seasoned. The logo on the front also means that AirPods users will easily spot them and snicker from afar.
Arranged with the TWS NBQ is a clamshell-inspired charging case with silver logo airbrushed on the acme. Information technology'due south thicker and wider than the AirPods Pro'southward case, just much lighter to conveniently carry on the become. While the flip-meridian lid keeps the instance tightly shut, the buds sound loose when docked (you can hear them slightly shaking around), bringing into question the quality of the charging magnets.
On the within, you'll see an LED light, as well as left and correct symbols that indicate where each bud goes. What's cool is that the correct symbol doubles as a pairing button, a sneaky detail Edifier integrated into the pattern, and ane that will probable go unnoticed unless you printing it.
Comfort and fit are a mixed bag. Initially, I thought the large and elongated sound port would pinch my ears, merely information technology rested gently on the concha to savor 2 straight hours of listening before any soreness occurred. Yet, the ear tips don't produce a tight seal, resulting in some slippage. Swapping them out with the other two pairs of tips included in the box didn't aid much either.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Controls and digital banana
Edifier went the touch on control route, though the integration wasn't properly executed. First, the impact panels seem awkwardly placed below the speaker grille; I'm used to nearly true wireless earbuds having them closer to the superlative. The other issue is that Edifier merely programmed double- and triple-tap gestures, limiting functionality on these buds.
The left bud lets yous cycle through the listening modes (ANC, Ambient Audio and Game Fashion) or answer/end a call. the right bud also offers call controls, in addition to managing playback with play, break and skip inputs. There are no onboard volume controls or a previous track function, sadly, and to make matters worse, the buds don't even support Siri or Google Assistant.
Furthermore, the touch controls aren't very dependable. Sometimes information technology would take two or three attempts to get an intended command working, and even then, the sensors would error triple taps for double taps. I tried to meet if swipe gestures would be accepted, an input method that seemed to work better on the Enacfire A9 (another pair of sub-$100 noise-cancellers), simply they didn't.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Active noise cancellation
Unlike the controls, the ANC on these buds is impressive. Mutual household noises like centralized air conditioning, cat meows, and loud televisions went unnoticed. At that place were moments my wife snuck upwardly on me that led to a few bound scares and laughs. Even sitting next to my son equally he rocked in the electric swing was peaceful; the gears and rocking mechanisms did non depict my attention. His grunting was besides deadened, though his cries were loud and prominent when listening to music.
During walks, the TWS NBQ minimized some traffic sounds like bell-ringing bicyclists and whisking cars. Wind resistance was also amend than I anticipated. Edifier's dual-mic assortment helped diminish the whooshing effect usually produced in drafty conditions. High-frequency noises like constabulary sirens and whistles were unavoidable, just simply a scattering of models are designed to handle that level of ambient racket.
Edifier also developed an Ambient Sound way for those who want to increase their awareness when out and about. Once more, the mics are powerful and make environmental sounds more distinctive, though blaring ones are harsh on your hearing. Information technology was nice having brief and clear-sounding conversations with my wife without removing the buds from my ears.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Audio quality
Edifier'due south 10mm diaphram unit does a fantastic job with audio reproduction, allowing listeners to distinguish between voices and instruments. Frequencies are well-balanced as well, giving you a sweet mix of highs and mids with emphasized lows.
The ascending synths on DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince'southward "Summertime" hit their mark and brought more free energy to what's already an upbeat and melodic rail. I was well-nigh amazed past the TWS NBQ's instrument separation, which allowed the rhythmic bassline and percussive elements to smooth without compromising Volition Smith's laidback rhymes. This was a reoccurring tendency when tapping into other hip-hop records; Travis Scott's "Butterfly Result" knocked difficult with stiff reverberation that gave the boomy sonics an everlasting presence, distortion-free.
Switching over to soulful funk classics, The Isley Brothers' "Voyage to Atlantis" was a serene listen highlighted by some incredible electrical guitar play that sounded vibrant on these buds. The voice reproduction likewise had me raising both eyebrows in awe. To hear Ronald Isley's solo ride smoothly over brother Ernie'south heightened riffs was satisfying.
Other media similar videos and podcasts sounded great besides. There isn't a customizable EQ to tweak audio, but Edifier included a Game Mode that lowers audio latency when playing mobile games. I'm not a huge mobile gamer, but I indulged in a few rounds of Mario Kart Tour for the sake of testing and noticed some comeback. Character voices and certain audio effects (like drifting, or smashing through a power-up box) were more in-sync with the action after I enabled the feature.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: App and special features
Edifier Connect doesn't host a variety of high-performance features, like the Jabra Sound+ app used by the Jabra Aristocracy Active 75t, but in that location are some serviceable ones that slightly raise the user experience.
The homescreen greets you with bombardment level indicators for both buds, along with toggle controls for Dissonance Counterfoil and Ambient Sound modes, which come in handy if you're struggling to enable either fashion directly on the left bud. A music histrion tin be found at the lesser to manage playback and volume, plus you can add a background photograph from your photographic camera roll.
Hit the Settings pick on the top correct presents several other controls to conform and enable/disable other functions. Standouts include tap sensitivity, prompt tones, re-pairing, and timed shutdown to place the buds in sleep fashion when inactive for a certain corporeality of fourth dimension. This is also where y'all'll find Game Fashion. The other cool feature is the widget to enable Noise Cancellation, Ambient Sound or Game Mode without having to enter the app. It's accessible by pulling down the notification bar at the superlative of your smartphone.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Battery life and charging case
One category the TWS NBQ has the AirPods Pro beat is bombardment life. Not just practice these buds promise y'all 7 hours of use with ANC on, but you tin also extend listening times to 9 hours when disabling the characteristic. Factor in ANC, high volume, and lots of streaming, those numbers drop by nigh 1 hour. Practice the math and this is still a few hours more than than what the AirPods Pro offers with ANC on (4.5 hours) and off (5 hours). I was cool with the three days of entertainment these buds offered earlier recharging.
The charging instance also holds more than playtime, generating upwardly to 32 hours when fully charged. If you're planning on using ANC all the time, then that number drops to 23 hours, which is one hour shorter than the AirPods Pro'southward example (24 hours). Edifier claims that the TWS NBQ supports quick charging, though the numbers provided don't exactly sound quick: two hours for a full charge. Wireless charging isn't part of the package either.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Phone call quality and connectivity
The TWS NBQ won't match the AirPods or AirPods Pro'south call quality, but it's fine for making brief calls. Despite the low volume on the opposite end, I was able to communicate clearly with my wife when she was out on grocery runs. She mentioned my voice sounded muffled at times, just that more often than not occurred when I was outdoors. External sounds like chatty pedestrians and domestic dog barks did make their way into our chats.
Bluetooth v.0 operated decently. Range was shorter than expected, peaking at 25 feet before sound stuttered or calls dropped; 30 feet is the manufacture-average distance. Pairing to Android devices was seamless with the model instantly showing upwards on the available devices list when opening the charging case. At that place was one event I encountered when attempting to pair with my MacBook Pro. Sound went mute after establishing the initial connectedness, which forced me to remove the TWS NBQ from my devices list and repeat the pairing process to go information technology working.
The TWS NBQ supports stereo or mono, should y'all want to switch between dual and single bud utilise, though I would have preferred other wireless features similar Google Fast Pair and multipoint technology.
Edifier TWS NBQ review: Verdict
At $59, the Edifier TWS NBQ gives you the audio and ANC performance of a sub-luxury model. Listening to music is rewarding, thanks to a punchy sound signature that fills your ears with impactful bass and doesn't cheat yous out of mids and highs. Racket neutralization is arguably the best in the sub-$100 range. The corporeality of playtime generated on a unmarried charge is higher than what Apple, Bose, and Samsung promises users. It's also thoughtful of Edifier to toss in a few goodies like Game Manner and a smartphone widget that acts as a shortcut for the app.
While in that location is much good to be shared, the bad must be accounted for as well. A companion app is always appreciated, but the feature set lacks heavily in comparison to what Jabra, JBL and even depression-budget brands similar JLAB offer; a customizable EQ goes a long way. It's also baffling to see voice assistance excluded from the final product. The design isn't annihilation to rave near either and the tips don't provide the securest fit.
Notwithstanding, it's incommunicable to overlook the level of performance these buds deliver, specially on the audio forepart. Consider giving the TWS NBQ a shot if you desire wireless earbuds that are super affordable and requite yous amend sound and battery life than the AirPods Pro.
- More: The best headphones with a mic for voice and video calls
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/edifier-tws-nbq
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