Joybuy Insights

Choosing wireless earbuds without falling for marketing tricks

Wireless earbuds are handy for listening to music, taking calls, commuting and exercising. But a long list of features doesn’t automatically mean a better everyday experience. A model packed with impressive-sounding terms can still be uncomfortable, run out of battery quickly or disappoint when you’re on a call.

So, pay particular attention to these three common pitfalls:

  • Battery life without clear context: the advertised playtime often includes both the earbuds and the charging case. Volume, codec and noise cancellation can all affect actual battery life.
  • Noise cancellation as a blanket promise: ANC and ENC are different technologies. ANC targets background noise for the listener, while ENC is generally used to make your voice clearer during calls. Neither makes every sound completely inaudible.
  • Water resistance without an explanation of the IP rating: an IPX4 rating is different from IPX5, IPX7 or IP54. What’s more, protection often applies only to the earbuds, not the charging case.

Which specifications matter?

1. Choose between in-ear, open-ear and over-ear headphones

In-ear earbuds partially seal the ear with silicone tips. This can help with passive noise isolation and often provides a secure fit. Check whether the earbuds come with different tip sizes. The wrong size can cause pressure, a loose fit or weaker bass.

Open-ear headphones or ear-clip models sit around or outside the ear canal. They feel more open and let in more ambient sound. This can be practical at the office, on a walk or whenever you want to stay alert in traffic. The sound and noise isolation are different from those of closed Bluetooth earbuds, though.

If you mainly listen at home, on the go or at the office, you could also consider wireless over-ear headphones with larger earcups. They offer a different wearing experience and can be suitable for longer listening sessions.

2. Understand battery life and charging

Look at these three figures separately:

  • Playtime per charge: how long the earbuds themselves last.
  • Total battery life: the additional charges from the charging case included.
  • Fast charging: how much playtime you get after a short charge.

According to the product specifications, the Redmi Buds 6 Play offer 7.5 hours of playtime per charge and 36 hours with the charging case. Each earbud weighs 3.6 grams and charges via USB-C. This makes them an interesting option for everyday use, but the IPX4 rating applies only to the earbuds; the charging case is not waterproof.

Long battery life is particularly useful if you travel often or don’t want to charge every day. Just check that the quoted total isn’t only a theoretical figure from the manufacturer. Manufacturers’ own information states that settings such as volume and noise cancellation can affect battery life.

3. Check the microphone, connection and IP rating

For calls, online meetings and gaming, earbuds with a microphone and a stable Bluetooth connection are important. Bluetooth 5.4 or Bluetooth 6.0 mainly tells you about the connection standard; it doesn’t guarantee clearer calls on its own. Also check how many microphones there are and what information is provided about noise reduction during calls.

For waterproof earbuds, the IP code is the key:

  • IPX4: resistant to splashes, such as sweat or light rain.
  • IPX5: protected against water jets; not designed to be submerged.
  • IPX7: protected against temporary immersion under the conditions set out in the standard, but always check the product manual.
  • IP54: limited protection against dust and protection against splashes.

An IP rating doesn’t last forever. Wear, dirt and damage can reduce the level of protection. Only charge a wet case or wet earbuds once all the connectors are dry.

Our recommendations for different users

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
REDMI Buds 8 Active Black

REDMI Buds 8 Active Black

Why it suits this user: A compact option for music, podcasts and calls, without complicated settings. According to the product specifications, each earbud weighs 3.8 grams.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product specifications list both playtime per charge and total playtime with the charging case. The IP54 rating applies only to the earbuds, so you can take the limits of their water protection into account.

Key benefit & features

Bluetooth 5.4, 7 hours of playtime per charge, 37 hours with the case, USB-C and SBC/AAC support.

Suitable for: Buyers looking for premium quality
HONOR Earbuds A Pro

HONOR Earbuds A Pro

Why it suits this user: Designed for people who value a larger driver, active noise cancellation and customisable features in an app.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product listing gives separate details for ANC, battery life and the different modes. According to the product information, you can choose Noise Cancelling, Transparency or Off.

Key benefit & features

12.4mm driver, 49dB ANC according to the product title and up to 42 hours of battery life; USB-C and app settings are also listed.

Suitable for: Specific needs & heavy users
MINISO MS106 Wireless Bluetooth 6.0 Earphones

MINISO MS106 Wireless Bluetooth 6.0 Earphones

Why it suits this user: A good fit for sport, commuting and calls, when longer battery life and splash resistance matter.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description lists IPX5 and 55 hours of total battery life. IPX5 isn’t suitable for swimming or submersion, and the charging area must be kept dry.

Key benefit & features

10mm driver, six microphones according to the product description, touch controls and a stated total battery life of 55 hours.

Suitable for: People who want to stay aware of their surroundings
Lenovo LE302 wireless headset Earclip

Lenovo LE302 wireless headset Earclip

Why it suits this user: The open-ear design may suit the office, walks, light exercise and situations where you don’t want to block out everything around you.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The open design means you don’t have to rely solely on a transparency mode. According to the product description, battery life is up to 25 hours.

Key benefit & features

Open-ear design, compatibility with Android, iOS and Windows, Wireless 6.0 according to the product listing and up to 25 hours of battery life.

Looking for more options?

We’ve put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about wireless earbuds

How do I connect wireless earbuds to my phone?

Open the charging case or press and hold the pairing button, then go to Settings > Bluetooth on your smartphone. Select the name of the earbuds. If you’re connecting for the first time, you may need to remove a previously paired device first. Check the manual for the exact steps.

How long do wireless earbuds last?

Battery capacity decreases over time. Their practical lifespan depends on charging cycles, heat, moisture and how you use them. Keep the charging case dry, don’t charge it in a damp environment and avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures. You should also avoid listening at high volume for long periods.

Do noise-cancelling earbuds use more battery?

An active feature such as ANC can usually drain the battery faster than listening without ANC. The exact effect varies by model and setting. So, check the stated playtime both with and without noise cancellation, if the manufacturer provides that information.