What to look for in your next TWS earbuds

True wireless earbuds have become the most preferred audio device for listening to music and taking calls. While their initial allure was all about the wire-free Bluetooth experience, they have become much more than that. There are now TWS earbuds available for every budget, that can give much more expensive on-ear and over-the-ear headphones a run for their money, while still delivering the freedom of movement they are known for.

If you are in the market for a new pair of TWS earbuds, then you might be finding it difficult to choose from all the options available to you right now. From the shape and form factor to colour and price, making a choice is daunting, to say the least. Fret not though, for this is where we step in. We’ve put together this little guide on what to look for, in your next pair of TWS earbuds, to help you make the right choice.

What to look for in your next TWS earbuds

The idea of TWS earbuds, a type of Bluetooth headset that doesn’t have any wires between the two earbuds, was first made popular by Bragi. The German company debuted its Dash TWS earbuds on Kickstarter in February 2014 while Swedish startup Earin also entered the fray with its own offering on Kickstarter in June 2014. The two companies probably wouldn’t have predicted how popular TWS earbuds would become within a decade of their first appearance.

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Today, TWS earbuds are as ubiquitous as wired earbuds from the likes of established audio brands like Sony, Sennheiser, and Bose, to upstarts like boAt and Noise. So, if you are also struggling to choose your next pair of TWS earbuds, then here is what to look for:

1. Fit:

TWS earbuds come in various shapes and form factors, and depending on the style that you choose, the fit will also vary. For the best experience with a pair of TWS earbuds, you need to get earbuds that fit well. In other words, you should choose TWS earbuds that will stay in your ear and not fall off. This was one of the major issues with the original AirPods launched in 2016. Since our ears are different, you may also want to try out different ear tips to find the best fit.

2. Sound quality:

Sound quality is amongst the most important factors to look for in your next TWS earbuds. Sound quality is the king here and since wireless earbuds are a lot smaller than headphones, they cannot fit a larger driver producing louder and clearer sounds. However, that doesn’t mean they have to produce mediocre sound. There are TWS earbuds like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 and Sony WF-1000XM5 which provide for high fidelity audio. Today, even affordable TWS earbuds from budget brands such as boAt and Noise offer great sound quality. While you are at it, see if the TWS earbuds you have your eyes on, support audio codecs such as ALAC or LDAC that have a higher bitrate to deliver close to lossless audio via Bluetooth.

3. Noise cancellation:

Imagine you are travelling in a crowded train and the noise is stopping you from enjoying your music. Well, we have two words for you. Noise cancellation. By turning on the noise cancellation feature, you can cut down external noise from entering your ears. In your next pair of TWS earbuds, look for noise cancellation, especially whether it is active, passive, or hybrid. You can also check to just what extent the TWS earbuds can suppress noise with the feature.

4. Battery life:

A good pair of TWS earbuds aren’t much good if they’re constricted by a short battery life. We recommend looking for a pair with the longest battery life possible, to ensure you can enjoy uninterrupted calls or music at all times. Moreover, while earbuds themselves have a battery that can last for a few hours, you should also look at the number of hours the charging case can add once you place the earbuds inside them, for charging. It is ideal to find a pair of TWS earbuds that can last between 20 to 30 hours, at a stretch.

5. Build quality/Durability: 

TWS earbuds are designed in such a way that they offer very little avenue for repair. So, when looking for your next TWS earbuds, it is vital that you choose something that has great build quality and durability.

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From the quality of plastics used to the rigidity of the carrying case, everything needs to be considered. If you are planning to use your next TWS earbuds as part of your fitness routine, then you may want to look for something with at least an IPX4 rating too, to protect it from sweat, as well as the occasional spills and splashes.  

6. Design:

While design always takes precedence for every consumer electronics device, it is a subjective choice and often influenced by individual preference. There are primarily two styles of TWS earbuds, and the most common one being the in-ear earbuds style. There is also the Earpods or AirPods style design where the stem sticks out of your ear. The first AirPods were dubbed as EarPods without the wires. However, you need to choose the design that truly suits your lifestyle. It also helps to choose something lightweight so you don’t feel the heft of it over a long period of wearing.

7. Connectivity:

Connectivity is another important metric to consider while choosing your next TWS earbuds. It is imperative that your next TWS earbuds at least support Bluetooth 5.0 but if possible, choose a model that supports Bluetooth 5.3, which brings support for channel classification and avoids interference from congested channels. Most wireless earbuds offer a range of around 30 feet (or about 10 metres), which is ideal. You may also want to look for features like NFC and fast pair.

In addition to all these factors, also look for TWS earbuds with good microphones if you are planning to make or attend a lot of calls with them. It is well known that the AirPods are the best TWS earbuds for iPhone users, but you may want to consider the Sony WF-1000XM5, which is the best overall pair of TWS earbuds available in the market right now.

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Then there are TWS earbuds like the Nothing Ear, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and others. All these earbuds are well known for getting the basics right, and your next TWS earbuds should not only get them right but excel at them if you plan on using them for a long time.