TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
FOUR STARS - The Edifier TWS200 could use more controls and a more dynamic sound, but these AirPods-like earbuds have outstanding call quality.
Specs of the Edifier TWS200:
Bluetooth 5.0 with QCC3020 chip and AptX codec
5 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with micro-USB cable
$40 on AliExpress - check current price!
Below this review you will find comparisons between the Edifier TWS200 vs SoundPEATS True Air, QCY T3, Tiso iX and Sabbat X12 Pro.
Update September 2020: Due to increased overall competition with more functionality and/ or better sound, this TWS has been decreased in overall score. Check out the best earbuds on the Leaderboard.
Some better sounding, new alternatives are the Xiaomi Mi Air 2 SE, Fiil CC, and 1more E1029BT.
Design, comfort and battery life
The Edifier TWS200 follows the shape of Apple's world-famous AirPods, meaning the earpieces have a half in-ear design. They don't have rubber tips that go all the way in your ears - instead, you 'hang' them in your ears. The design looks like that of the AirPods overall, although the stems of the TWS200 are a bit more square. Just like the AirPods, they're comfortable enough to carry for hours. They also stay in good - even when doing a rapid shake test with your head.
As with AirPods and other wireless half in-ear earbuds, you can still hear sounds from your surroundings while listening to music. This design makes the Edifier TWS200 much safer in traffic than many other, full in-ear wireless earphones. It also means you can listen to music with these and have a conversation with someone next to you at the same time - if you insist. Happily, the earpieces of the TWS200 don't have a blinking LED-light, meaning you can also wear this in bed and use these in the dark.
The battery of the Edifier TWS200 lasts a respectable 5 hours on a single charge, and the earbuds can be recharged four times fully via the charging case. The case, too, is an AirPods look-a-like - although again, it has an Edifier logo on it, and it's more square than Apple's design. When you get the black version, you'll notice that the shiny plastic is prone to fingerprints.
Connectivity and controls on Edifier TWS200
To activate the Edifier TWS200 for the first time, you have to double-press the button on the back of the case. It makes the earpieces pair with your device. You can also opt to long-press the button for three seconds, and then only activate the earpiece you want to use.
Once the TWS200 is setup, the connectivity of it works flawlessly. The Bluetooth 5.0 signal holds steadily up to ten meters and also in areas more crowded with wireless signals.
Just like on the Edifier TWS6, the controls are minimal. You can play or pause the music (or take a call) with two taps on the right earpiece; with two taps on the left bud, you activate the voice assistant of your smartphone. It's not possible to change the volume on the earbuds or even to skip or return a track. Happily, the touch sensor on top of the stem does respond well to your input.
Video and call quality of Edifier TWS200
Now, for the million-dollar question for every AirPods alternative: how about the call quality? Good news: it's excellent. In fact, in February 2020, it probably delivers the best call quality of wireless earbuds under $100.
Even in crowded office spaces, your voice sounds natural, both clearer and louder than the people around you. Other sound effects, like keyboard clicks and people walking around the place, are reduced strongly as well. The only moment it can become tricky, is the combination of walking and passing a loud crowd. Overall though, you can perfectly have a long phone call with these in an office space.
Outside, calling is just as easy. The TWS200 diminishes traffic noises and wind noise and keeps focussing on your voice primarily. It's very convenient to have an extended phone call with these, further helped by the comfort this design provides.
It's also great for watching videos. On Android and iPhone (including the challenging YouTube-app), the sound synchronizes perfectly with the video you see on screen. In shows and films, the sound is spacious too - it's easy to hear details everywhere in the scene.
Unfortunately, there is a delay in the sound when playing games - as is the case in 95% of wireless earphones.
Also read: The best cheap AirPods-like wireless earbuds
Sound quality of Edifier TWS200
When it comes to the sound, the Edifier TWS200 reminds a bit of flat and classic earbuds in the nineties. There's a lot of space in the music.
Attention: Half in-ears often sound less full and dynamic than full in-ear earphones. This is reviewed as an half in-ear earphone!
Did you know it's much harder to get the sound right of half in-ear earbuds, then it is to get the sound right of earphones that go entirely in your ears? That's because half in-ears aren't as close to your ear-canal as other earphones AND they also let in surrounding noise, which is a direct threat to how good you hear all aspects of the music. Especially a big, detailed bass is hard to achieve when earpieces don't go all the way in your ears.
Many manufacturers choose a different strategy here. Apple tries to recreate full in-ears as good as possible, with a bass-boosted sound. Many of the cheapest AirPods-clones, however, are just very tiny speakers blatantly shouting against your ears.
The Edifier TWS200 mixes those two. It has the spacious character of the classic, flat earbuds from the nineties (that were even further removed from your ear canal, thus sounding a bit distant, but spacious), and combines it with boosted lower tones.
The Edifier TWS200 has a gentle bass with a subtle slam. The darker tones in music are also emphasized. Just like on the Edifier TWS1, TWS5, and TWS6, music doesn't sound overly warm, though. It prefers to present music in a natural tone. Drums, guitars, darker electronic tones, and male vocals are pushed forward on the TWS200 and sound indeed natural and pleasant.
The spaciousness of the Edifier brings in a sweet amount of detail in the mid-tones. It's easy to separate layers and instruments and place them around you. You'll be able to hear the string-pulling of guitars and the clasps on violins and pianos. Acoustic and classical music is well-represented by the Edifier.
In more bass-boosted or crowded songs, the Edifier shows its limit, however. Dance and heavy rock tracks can sound a bit thin - when many musical layers come together, it can be a tad much for this headset. How much you'll like the Edifier TWS200, may depend on your taste.
Selected comparisons
Edifier TWS200 vs Tiso iX
For around $30, the Tiso iX is another AirPods-like alternative. It looks like both Apple's original and the Edifier, but its design is a tad more uncomfortable. It has an actual button that doesn't control too well, and the call quality is disappointing. The same goes for the sound quality - it sounds darker, more muffled, and distant compared to the TWS200. It's better to spend some more money on the Edifier.
Edifier TWS200 vs QCY T3
The $25 QCY T3 is another kind of half in-ear wireless earbuds; with three sizes of rubbers you can pull over the nozzle. It still doesn't go all the way in your ears, though. The QCY T3 has a much harder striking bass and sounds much warmer than the Edifier TWS200. The Edifier delivers more nuances and detail in the mids. The T3 has more controls, including changing the volume, but the touch response is terrible. The TWS200 has better call quality.
Edifier TWS200 vs Sabbat X12 Pro
The $40 Sabbat X12 Pro has a refreshingly different look from the AirPods-like models. It has actual buttons that respond very well and let you easily skip/ return a track or change the volume. The Edifier has more bass- and lower-mids emphasis; the Sabbat delivers more presence in the highs. The sound on the Edifier is more coherent, whereas the highs and lows of the Sabbat feel more like two separate identities. Call quality on the Edifier is better.
Edifier TWS200 vs SoundPEATS TrueAir
The $30 SoundPEATS TrueAir is a direct competitor to the Edifier TWS200. It has a bigger bass and has more prominent higher tones, although they can sound harsh on higher volumes. The TrueAir has a warmer, fuller sound, but the Edifier TWS200 delivers more space and detail in the mids, which works better for instrumental details and tonality. The TrueAir has better controls (changing the volume on the earpieces!), the call quality of the Edifier is way better.
Verdict
The Edifier TWS200 is an excellent option if you're looking for a cheap AirPods-alternative with great call quality.
Four stars - very good
Buy Edifier TWS200/ check current price:
I bought the Edifier TWS200 myself to test and review. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
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