Choosing The Right True Wireless Earbuds: What Features to Look Out For

Choosing a true wireless isn’t as straightforward as you might think. At a glance, they may look like simple devices that don’t offer much beyond relaying audio. But in truth, there’s a host of features to consider before just plucking one off the shelf.

Audiophiles know this, and you’ll probably get an earful if you think all true wireless are made equal.

However, if you’re new to true wireless earbuds and you’re thinking of getting a pair, then here are the features to look out for.

1. Latency and Codec

Before we get to why latency and codec are important, we have to first understand what is latency and codec.

A codec is a chip that reads audio signals and transmits them from the source (eg. your phone) to your earbuds by way of encoding and decoding digital data. The type of codec you use will influence how efficiently Bluetooth transmits audio between source to earbuds.

This in turn will affect latency, which is the extent of delay between the moment the audio signal is transmitted, and when you actually hear it on your earbuds. For example, if you watch a movie using your earbuds and find that the lip movement and voice of the characters are not in-sync, then you will say that the earbuds has high latency.

The higher the latency, the longer the delay.

By default, all true wireless earbuds utilize SBC (Sub-band Coding) codecs, which is the most rudimental form of codecs. There are more advanced codecs, such as AAC (Advanced Auto Coding) and aptX.

The catch when selecting a true wireless with advanced codecs is that you have to ensure that the source does actually support the same codec. Otherwise, it will fall back to its default SBC.

The Apple AirPods and iPhones are good examples of this. The AirPods utilizes an AAC codec which is supported by iPhones, hence the latency between both devices are low. On the other hand, if you were to connect the AirPods to a non-Apple smartphone, you may encounter high latencies if the smartphone does not support the AirPods’ AAC codec.

The importance of codec and latency will vary depending on individuals and usage. Casual users may not find it as important, especially if your usage is centred mostly around music, or any other activity that does not require visuals. But if you’re a movie buff or a gamer, then those delays in sound will prove to be an annoyance and it will be worth investing into a true wireless with better codecs.

2. Battery Life and Charging

There are two charging layers to consider for true wireless earbuds. The first, is the ear buds themselves; the second is the charging case.

True wireless earbuds runs on batteries that needs to be recharged every few hours or so. To charge them, you simply need to pop them back into the charging case, which will usually allow for 3-4 charge cycles before the case itself needs charging.

It is similar to a phone and a powerbank, with the phone being the earbuds and the powerbank being the charging case.

For battery life, most brands will give you two values: earbuds on a single charge, and total battery life with charging case.

Obviously, the longer battery life the better. But do keep in mind battery consumption relies heavily on usage. Phone calls, for example, will often drain battery faster than music. Certain features will also use up more battery if activated, such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

3. Active Noise Cancellation

One of the most handy features on a true wireless earbuds is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). When activated, ANC blocks off all background noise from interfering with your audio experience. From honking traffic to disruptive chitter-chatter, a well designed ANC will give you total immersion in your personal audio bubble.

Though it is common in mid-tier to high-end true wireless, not all has it yet. As such, it will be good to keep a look out for it and decide if it’s necessary for you. If it isn’t, then you might just be able to shave off a couple of bucks on a more affordable earbud without ANC.

ANC technology is moving fast, and there are even different levels of ANC today. Some terms you might come across are Adaptive ANC, which will adjust according to natural surroundings; and Adjustable ANC, which puts you in control of the level of ANC you need.

4. Ear Tips and Fit

Though they may seem negligible, ear tips are crucial in ensuring your true wireless fit comfortably in your ear. Remember, this is something you will stick in your ears repeatedly, and possibly for long periods.

You owe it to your ears to make sure everything sits nice and cozily!

Earbuds that are too large will hurt if worn for lengthy periods. Conversely, buds that are too small will fall off easily and makes them unsuitable for moving around.

The best is to purchase true wireless buds that comes with detachable silicone tips of varying sizes. That way, you can test out which ones fit snuggly in your ears and which doesn’t.

This isn’t to say that those without silicone tips are bad. True wireless headphones like the Apple AirPods do not have silicone tips, but are exceptional in terms of sound quality and ergonomics.

Nevertheless, ear comfort should not be brushed aside when selecting your next true wireless.

5. Touch Controls & App Support

The amount of controls, as well as how convenient those controls can be accessed, should also play a part in your decision.

One thing to consider is what you can control on the buds itself. Touch or tap features, like ‘single tap to pause’ or ‘double tap to skip’ reduces the need to revert back to your phone whenever you want to change something.

Most true wireless earbuds should already have the basic controls available. Still, it wouldn’t harm to pore over the instruction manuals before settling for one.

Certain brands will grant you added controls if you connect your true wireless to an app. Depending on the brand, you may be able to fine-tune audio settings based on your preference (more bass, etc.).

The Nothing Ear (2), for example, can be connected to the Nothing X app. There, you’ll be able to switch between ANC modes, and build your own Personal Sound Profile to optimize audio to your preference.

The best True Wireless are the ones you like most

Beyond the specs and technology, the best true wireless earbuds are ultimately the ones you have an affinity with. It all comes down to personal choice and which features you decide to place importance on.

Some may want a true wireless as a portable solution rather than a full-blown auditory experience and as such, can do without features like ANC and top-grade codecs. While others may be looking at long-term usage, and will view such features as a necessity.

Either way, we hope this article has helped in your decision making, and may you make the best choice for your ears!

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