The best cheap wireless earbuds of 2021 to buy in 2022!
TWS Wireless Earbuds
Huawei FreeBuds 4i
This model can be more likely to be attributed to the selection“headphones up to 10,000 rubles”, their cost is 6,500 rubles. The main feature in the support of active noise cancellation (ANC). In budget headphones, this is still a rarity. Of course, the noise reduction is not as strong as in more expensive models, but its work is still noticeable. No problem filters out monotonous noise like airplane engines, road noise, office hum. There is also a “transparency mode”, aka “reverse noise reduction”, when the surrounding sounds are amplified so that you can hear what is happening and, for example, exchange a few words with the cashier.
The FreeBuds 4i are not earplugs, the headphones are equipped with "legs" in which the microphones are located.Therefore, during the conversation, the sound is captured clearly and transmitted to the interlocutors without distortion.
As for sound quality - FreeBuds 4idefinitely included in the top 5 budget headphones in terms of sound quality. Although Huawei does not have the glory of an “audiophile” brand, it produces good headphones. "Freebuds" sound great - voluminous, detailed, allow you to capture every nuance. Someone will even say that these are the best TWS headphones. True, the emphasis is on high and medium frequencies. If you like "bass", then FreeBuds 4i is not your option. However, if you wish, you can play around with the equalizer.
Most often, TWS headphones work for 4-5 hours fromone charge (and at the same time recharged 3-4 times in the case), FreeBuds 4i is an interesting exception. They can work as much as 10 hours in a row (or 7.5 hours using noise reduction), but the case can only charge them once and a little. As a result, we have about 22 hours of sound (17 hours with ANC). A nice little thing - 10 minutes of charging in the case will provide 4 hours of playback. Few budget headphones can do this now.
Are there any shortcomings? Where do without them.Firstly, many users complain about inconvenient touch controls, sometimes commands do not work. And secondly, more critically, the manufacturer did not provide any protection against moisture, even sweat. It is clear that these wireless headphones are inexpensive, but cheaper models are now waterproof. It is not uncommon for headphones to fail due to sweat.
Of the minor quibbles - a glossy case, which is alreadyafter a week of carrying in your pocket or backpack, it becomes like a skating rink after a hockey game. And I want the headphone case of the 2022 model not to lose its presentability so quickly!
OPPO Enco W31
OPPO is another Chinese company thatmanufactures smartphones and has a line of TWS headphones in its range. Moreover, their budget headphones are more interesting and of higher quality than those of the competitor - Xiaomi (we'll talk about Xiaomi below, stay tuned). Enco W31 is a budget model, for which they ask for about 4,500 rubles. These are “gags” with legs, so again, there are no complaints about the microphones.
The design is… hmm, a bit too much in our opinion"Asian", we are clearly not the best TWS headphones in terms of style. But a matter of taste, someone will surely like the W31 for its originality. At least, this is not another copy of the "apples". And the case is also glossy, like Huawei, and quickly scratched. Is it possible to purchase a “cover for a cover”, but this is already a kind of perversion. Another shortcoming is the charge indicator inside the case, and not outside, which is inconvenient. Often, even budget headphone models have indicators on the outside, and not single, but from several diodes.
OPPO Enco W31 received protection against moisture according to the IP54 standard. This means that they are not afraid of drops of water and sweat, but they cannot be intentionally wetted. And coffee spilled on the “ears” most likely will not survive.
But let's move on to the sound quality.It is very worthy, otherwise these headphones would not have made it to our top. The sound is voluminous, clear, each instrument is clearly distinguishable - like in more expensive models! There are even basses (and a separate option to enhance them), although how they feel depends on the tightness of the fit and the selected silicone tips - experiment!
Touch control, Enco W31 owners againcomplain about the weak sensitivity of tapping on the legs of the headphones. In addition, the management is very poor. For example, gestures cannot adjust the sound or turn on the previous track. Inexpensive headphones are often upset by such "surprises". Although not all.
And frustrating battery life -only 3.5 hours, plus a few charges in the case, for a total of about 15 hours of sound. Competitors already give out 17-20 hours without any problems, and some headphones even more. In 2022, new tenacious models will certainly come out.
CaseGuru CGPods Air 2
CaseGuru CGPods is the only Russiandevelopment that got into our headphone rating. Yes, yes, wireless headphones are designed in Russia (and they are assembled with careful control in China and the subsequent verification of each copy in Russia). Surely you have heard about the CGPods brand more than once. It was founded in 2018 in Tyumen and quickly gained popularity. During 2021, CaseGuru sold over 100,000 headphones. Analytical reports show that today CGPods are in the TOP 5 most popular TWS headphones in Russia.
High quality in all aspects combined with very, very affordable prices.CGPods is the only headphones that made it to our top that aren't worth itTyumen headphones are sold exclusively online — without surcharges of retail chains, expensive advertising on TV or on street banners, at a fair price, without intermediaries, while federal chains take awayThat is, headphones of the Air 2 level would cost almost 1.5 times more in M.Video - 7000-7500 rubles.And on the CGPods website, they cost 4,490 rubles, so these are the most expensive headphones.
There is another plus in the absence of a "branched"sales networks - fast and hassle-free service. In case of marriage, the buyer will receive a new copy without any examinations and repairs. And they will deliver a replacement in 3 days to anywhere in Russia.
But let's move on to the headphones themselves.CGPods Air 2 is a new model that was released in October 2021. These are liners, not in-ear "plugs". For many people, earplugs are generally uncomfortable, especially if it is important to listen to what is happening around (for example, when riding a bicycle).
The creator of CGPods is "Tyumen Elon Musk" VadimBokov - when developing CGPods Air 2, AirPods was inspired. And I wanted to do not worse, but much more accessible. Compared to the classic AirPods 2 (the recently released third generation received a strange design and does not fit all ears), the CGPods Air 2 is 30% lighter (the weight of one earbud is only 3 g) and have a similar, but more thoughtful shape. Why thoughtful? Because CaseGuru did not “stupidly” copy AirPods, as many brands do. Have you thought about how to do better? And they conducted a study to study the shape of the ears of Russian users. As a result, CGPods Air 2 sit perfectly - they don’t press, they don’t rub, but they don’t fall out, for example, during jogging. All thanks to a properly placed center of gravity. It is rare that budget headphone models will suit most users, but the novelty from CGPods did it!
The case of CGPods Air 2 is very compact.It is made of matte soft-touch plastic (there are no scratches on the material), does not delay or bulge the pocket. The case is perfectly assembled, does not play, and its magnetic lid clicks pleasantly - an anti-stress that is always at hand. And these are not common words! The CGPods Air 2 case is the first fidget case in Russia, that is, an accessory that helps you escape from stress and better focus on tasks. When creating this case, CGPods engineers consulted with neuroscientists, tested different sizes, materials, even lid clicks in focus groups! And it turned out, let's not be afraid of this word, it's perfect, it's worth twisting it in your hands!
Available in two classic colors of the case and headphones - white and black.
CGPods Air 2 are equipped with very high qualitynoise-canceling microphones - by the way, from the same factory where microphones for AirPods are made. So even on the street with a strong wind you will be perfectly audible. Also for this reason, CGPods fall into almost every independent headphone rating in RuNet.
Tyumen headphones sound as good asHuawei or OPPO mentioned above. We would even say that at the level of models for 10-12 thousand. The sound is clear, voluminous, soft, we hear every nuance well. It was even surprising, because Russian wireless headphones are quite inexpensive.
Touch control, carried outtapping on the top of the legs. Moreover, as many as 11 commands are available, more than any other TWS headphones. There is also a volume control - other inexpensive headphones rarely boast of this!
Battery life is decent - 18 hours withtaking into account the chargers in the case. What it doesn't have is water protection. It’s a pity, because CaseGuru has a lot of completely waterproof models in its line of headphones, for example, the equally budget CGPods 5.0 and CGPods lite headphones (4,500 and 3,500 rubles). They have a lot to take a shower, swim in the pool, but at least in the sea. CGPods 5.0 were generally announced back in 2020, but these headphones are also relevant in 2021, and will be in demand in 2022 too!
JBL Tune 225 TWS
JBL Headphones Top Top Sellers inRussia, if we focus on the reports of domestic analytical companies. These headphones will definitely be popular in 2022. The company has a wide selection of models, as they say, for every taste and budget, including inexpensive headphones. In addition, the brand has a great reputation for great sound. Well, let's start with the sound.
Before us are in-ear headphones, that is, they arethe definition does not give such depth and volume as intracanal. However, by in-ear standards, the sound is wonderful - clear, detailed, with a wide stage. What can I say, even the bass is noticeable! It's good. And what's bad is a weak maximum volume level, which most users complain about. The volume is not enough in transport, on a noisy street.
Before us are classic liners with "legs", butfor some reason, good microphones JBL Tune 225 did not get. The owners complain that the interlocutors do not hear them well, especially if the wind intervenes. It's a shame, because today even budget headphones should provide a decent quality of telephone conversations in any conditions.
A notable advantage of the Tune 225 is up to 25 hours of battery life, including the case. At the same time, the headphones themselves from a single charge work for about 5 hours.
The case of the model is very compact, almost likeCGPods Air 2, and well built too. The design and colors are interesting, there is even a slightly more expensive version in a translucent case. The earbuds themselves have an interesting element - soft-touch pads. True, users complain that they peel off over time. And the headphones are large, but not everyone likes it when the gadget in their ears attracts attention so much.
It is worth noting that only the JBL Tune 225 in ourrating headphones are NOT equipped with touch controls, but with physical keys. To some, this will seem more convenient and familiar, but, in our opinion, it is still easier to control the headphones with light touches than by pressing the buttons. Almost all budget headphones in 2021-2022 are controlled by touch.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the left JBL Tune earbud225 does not work separately from the right one, since it is “slave”. You won't be able to use it alone to talk on the phone or listen to an audiobook, for example. This technology is already a thing of the past, it is very strange to see it in headphones for almost 5,000 rubles. Well, there is still no protection against moisture, even minimal.
Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic
Xiaomi is perhaps the most popular Chinesebrand. Whatever they release! And almost everything becomes truly "folk". Including headphones. Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 is the most affordable model in our headphone rating, prices start at 2,100 rubles.
These are definitely not high-end headphones.Of course, given the penny cost, it makes no sense to talk smartly about the breadth of the sound stage or frequency distribution. They sound okay. For telephone conversations, movies, audiobooks - that's it. Music can also be listened to if there are no special requirements. In general, these are inexpensive headphones for undemanding users.
The design is simple, the eye does not cling to anything.The color is only white (a very easily soiled case), Xiaomi did not even bother to offer other options. The headphones themselves are large and massive, not suitable for everyone - it’s better to feel and try them on somewhere before buying. There is no protection against moisture, even basic, but this was not to be expected in the price category of headphones up to 3000 rubles.
Autonomy is decent - 5 hours of work plus three charges in the case, that is, only about 20 hours.
What to say in general?This is a common model from the "headphones up to 3000 rubles" series. The manufacturer has a goal to make cheaper, but there is no goal to do well. For 2,000 rubles, it makes no sense to wait for quality, it starts at 4,500 rubles. give or take, as the CGPods example shows. The case of Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic dangles and plays, the touch control is “oak” and does not always work, the connection with the phone breaks (especially on the street), sound delays are noticeable in games. And there are also a lot of user reviews that after 2/3/4 weeks/months one of the headphones simply stops working. Moreover, it happens that such a problem is detected immediately after unpacking brand new headphones! Given the price of a couple of thousand, not every buyer will fool around with a return / guarantee. Just throw it away and buy something more expensive. On this, apparently, Xiaomi has a calculation. Cheap headphones will be swept off the shelves in 2022, including virtual ones.
However, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 are allalso made it into our annual headphone rankings. You won't find anything better for the money, no matter how hard you try. So let's say we have the best ultra-budget TWS headphones. This is a model, as already mentioned, for undemanding, very economical users. Maybe for children, older people. Or for those who want to try TWS earbuds for the first time. And if you want / have the opportunity - no one will forbid you to upgrade such budget headphones to something more advanced.
LG TONE Free FN6
Rounding out our selection are some more decent inexpensive headphones. LG is known to haveAt first, the LG TONE Free FN6 earplugs cost about 10,000 rubles, which was definitely too much, but now they are offeredfor about 5,000 rubles and even a little cheaper, so they can be attributed to the affordable category of "headphones under 5000 rubles".
The headphone chip is in the UVnano case, which is equipped withUV emitters and can handle silicone tips to protect your ears from bacteria. Someone will even exclaim - oh, so these are the best TWS headphones! Especially in the pandemic years 2021-2022. But ... from UV radiation, to be honest, more beauty than good. The purple backlight really looks cool. As for efficiency, google research on UV shoe dryers and other small appliances. Their power is not enough to fight germs. But after all, it is necessary to increase sales and have competitive advantages, so LG came up with such a tricky case.
We still have headphones, not a UV lamp, solet's talk about sound. He lacks stars from the sky. In terms of sound quality, these headphones are unlikely to lead the top. LG TONE Free FN6 sound flat and harsh. There are no lower frequencies, that is, bass, from the word "absolutely". The good news is that if you know how, then with the help of an equalizer, the sound can be tweaked to acceptable results.
During the conversation, you are heard well, as long asunless you are in the wind or near a noisy road, then distortion will appear. Well, it happens, yet we have inexpensive headphones. It is good that this does not occur in all models, for example, cheaper CGPods Air 2 do not have such problems.
Case LG TONE Free FN6 is light and miniature, looks likeon smooth stone. The material is a matte soft-touch, but it still collects scratches. The assembly is not perfect, the cover of the case is loose. But there is also a good thing - IPX4 protection against drops of water and sweat.
One charge LG TONE Free FN6 headphoneswork 6 hours. Two charges are possible in the case, that is, a total of 18 hours of autonomy. But the case has support for wireless charging – in the category “headphones under 5000 rubles” this is a rarity in 2021. LG TONE Free FN6 can be charged, for example, from a smartphone that supports reverse wireless charging. True, so far this is the prerogative of expensive flagship models. And it is unlikely that those who buy inexpensive headphones will spend on smartphones for many tens of thousands of rubles. Although, anything can happen!
Well, this concludes our TOP headphones,which we recommend for purchase in 2022 (at least at the beginning). We hope that we were able to help you make the right choice, because there are a huge number of models on the market and it is very easy to get confused and lost in their differences. Initially, we wanted to prepare the top 5 headphones, and describe in it only headphones under 5000 rubles. But in the end, we chose 6 options, so we decided not to ignore one model a little more expensive. At the same time, we tried to tell you as objectively as possible about these inexpensive headphones, about all their pluses and, of course, minuses, since nothing is perfect. It is important to have the whole picture before your eyes, and choose what is best for you.
In our selection, there were also headphones up to 3000rubles, and more expensive models. Of course, there's only one ultra-budget model, as quality tends to be smooth at this price point. However, in general, high-quality TWS headphones will not ruin yours. Having spent not a lot of money (4000-5000 rubles), you can buy decent inexpensive headphones that will please you, if not audiophile, but with excellent sound, long battery life, thoughtful design and even moisture protection. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to consider buying more expensive headphones up to 10,000 rubles or more in order to get good quality.
Share your opinions too!
If you want to add something to our headphone rating, you are welcome to leave a comment.After all, as you know, everyone has different experiences and different preferences.When preparing reviews, we study the user experience as much as possible, but still, no one can tell you better!
In your opinion, which wireless headphones are reasonable to buy in 2021-2022?