True Wireless Stereo Headphones (TWS) are the must-have audio accessory for anyone who listens to music, podcasts, and more. moving. While Apple's AirPods have popularized them in recent years, TWS headphones have been around for quite some time. That being said, they were often very expensive and their performance was spotty at best.
ContentsWhat are TWS headphones?1. Anker Soundcore Liberty Air2. Xiaomi Redmi AirDots3. JLab JBuds Air4. Skullcandy IndyThe appeal of the TWS earphones is obvious, as the completely wireless earphones were of the over-ear type. Small, discreet wireless headphones that could be slipped into a pocket when not in use seemed like a pipe dream. However, technology that once seemed like a luxury is quickly becoming so affordable that virtually anyone can get started. So buckle up and check out our picks for the best budget TWS headphones. Cords? Where we're going, we don't need cords.
Headphones are the name of a type of audio headset. They get their name from the fact that they are inserted into the ear canal, instead of resting on or above the ear. This makes the headphones much smaller, which means they are more discreet, portable and lighter than traditional headphones.
Plus, the Anker Liberty Air headphones have an IPX5 rating, which means you don't have to worry about sweating if you take them to the gym or for a run. That being said, submerging them in water will render them useless. Anker also claims the Liberty Air offers superior audio performance, and reviews say that's mostly true. As with many headphones, listening at higher volumes can lead to some distortion. Overall, Anker Soundcore Liberty Air TWS headphones feature a comfortable design and good sound quality.
If you don't know Xiaomi, chances are you live in the United States. The Chinese tech giant is barely ten years old, but has caused a stir in mobile markets around the world. Their philosophy is to offer great products at the lowest possible price, and the Redmi AirDots are no exception. For around $30 you can jump on the TWS bandwagon.
The design of the Redmi AirDots is sleek and minimal, like much of Xiaomi's product line. The headphones are made from a lightweight plastic and feature a stemless design. That is to say, they are flush with the ear. This is good for those who prefer more discreet headphones; however, this has a negative impact on call quality. Since the microphone is so far from the user's mouth, it can be difficult for those on the other end to hear it.
Also, the controls leave a lot to be desired. The Redmi AirDots have a single touch button. Tap once to pause whatever is playing, or tap twice to activate Siri or Google Assistant. Unfortunately, pressing the button moves the AirDots into your ear, causing discomfort. That being said, the sound quality is good but not great. However, for $30, you can't really complain. If you're on a tight budget or need a secondary pair for the gym, try the Redmi AirDots.
The JLab JBuds Air are another option of TWS headphones at a great price. At around $50, the JLabs JBuds Air are one of the cheapest on the market. Sporting a stemless design like the Xiaomi Redmi AirDots, the JLabs JBuds Air fits snugly in the ear; However, they are a bit bulkier than other brands. This can be problematic if you have smaller than average ear canals. The charging case for the JLab JBuds Air also has a unique feature not seen in other brands:an integrated charging cable. This is great because it eliminates the need to carry a separate USB cable.
When it comes to sound quality, user reviews describe the Jlab JBuds Air as pushing low frequencies to the fore. This is perfect if you tend to listen to bass-heavy music; however, the mids and highs seem to suffer a bit of distortion as a result.
The Skullcandy Indy TWS Earphones are similar in design to Apple's AirPods, sporting a stem design. Although they are made of plastic, they offer a durable build quality. Plus, they feature an IP55 rating, which means the Skullcandy Indy headphones are water and dust resistant. According to reviews, these provide a perfect fit in the ear. This helps with passive noise cancellation as well as sound leakage prevention, so you can throw in your tunes without worrying about disturbing those around you.
Like the JLab JBuds Air, the Skullcandy Indy have a bass-heavy profile. So if you're looking for a more balanced sound, you might want to look elsewhere. Also, the Skullcandy Indy have latency issues. This isn't a big deal when listening to music; However, if you try to watch videos, the sound may be out of sync. Overall, at around $80, the Skullcandy Indy headphones are a solid option in the TWS headphones space.
TWS headphones are quickly becoming one of the must-have audio accessories. With more and more manufacturers launching these headphones, the price keeps dropping. What are your favorite TWS headphones? Let us know in the comments!
