The New Contender in Budget Earbuds
In the competitive landscape of wireless earbuds, the Earfun Air Pro 4 has emerged as a promising choice for those seeking quality without breaking the bank. With a retail price of just $89, this model aims to challenge some of the best options currently available under $100. In this article, we will dive deep into the features, performance, and value of the Earfun Air Pro 4, comparing it against 13 other earbuds in its class.
Overview and Pricing
The Earfun Air Pro 4 has made waves not just with its price but also with the features packed into this compact design. Retailing at $89, it is accessible and offers a competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded market. For those who are budget-conscious yet unwilling to sacrifice audio quality, the Air Pro 4 could be the perfect solution.
Comfort and Fit
When it comes to earbuds, comfort is crucial. The design of the Air Pro 4 is very similar to its predecessor, the Air Pro 3, albeit slightly smaller. This design adjustment may not be noticeable at first glance, but it certainly enhances the overall comfort.
The Air Pro 4 comes with five different sizes of ear tips, ensuring a secure fit for various ear shapes. Users have reported a comfortable experience, making these earbuds suitable for prolonged use. On a scoring scale, they earn an impressive 8 out of 10 for comfort. The earbuds are lightweight, and many users have noted that they can wear them for hours without discomfort.
Security of Fit
Alongside comfort, the security of fit is another essential factor. The Air Pro 4 maintains a solid grip within the ear, thanks to the quality ear tips. During testing, they remained secure even during physical activities like running and weight training. Users might experience slight body-borne noise due to movement, but overall, they hold up well. Therefore, they also receive an 8 out of 10 for fit security.
The IPX5 water resistance rating is another highlight. This means the earbuds can withstand sweat and light rain, making them suitable for workouts. However, it’s wise to avoid using them in heavy rain or submerging them in water.
Battery Life and Charging Case
One of the standout features of the Earfun Air Pro 4 is its impressive battery life. The earbuds can provide 7.5 hours of playtime with noise canceling turned on, and up to 11 hours with it off. When combined with the charging case, users can enjoy a total of 35 hours of listening time. A quick 10-minute charge in the case offers an hour of playback, which is incredibly convenient for users on the go.
The case itself is relatively compact compared to other options in the market, though it’s on the thicker side. Overall, the battery life earns a strong 9 out of 10, making the Air Pro 4 a reliable companion for long listening sessions.
Controls and Customization
The Earfun Air Pro 4 shines when it comes to controls and customization. Users can easily navigate through single, double, and triple taps, along with long hold functions. What sets these earbuds apart is the ability to customize each function on both the left and right earbud without limitations. This level of customization is rare among earbuds in this price range and greatly enhances the user experience.
Additional features include wearing detection, which pauses music when you remove the earbuds. However, some users have noted that this feature can be inconsistent in certain scenarios, such as when placing the earbuds on a surface versus holding them in hand. For the controls, the Air Pro 4 scores an 8.5 out of 10.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Earfun Air Pro 4 stands out with its robust options. It supports nearly every audio codec, including LDAC and APTX, except for the relatively rare LDHC. The addition of Google Fast Pair enhances its connectivity, allowing for quick pairing with devices.
Moreover, the multi-point connection feature allows users to connect to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between your smartphone and laptop. The earbuds also support low-latency gaming mode, which is excellent for gamers who need quick responses. For connectivity, they receive a top-notch 10 out of 10.
Call Quality
When it comes to call quality, the Air Pro 4 holds its own. Testing across different environments—including quiet rooms and simulated noisy settings—revealed that the microphones performed adequately. However, users cannot mute the microphone during calls, which is a minor drawback.
Overall, call quality was on par with other models in the same range, so the Air Pro 4 scores an 8 out of 10 here. This means they are suitable for casual calls but may not match the clarity of premium models.
App Features and Customization
The accompanying app for the Earfun Air Pro 4 is user-friendly and reliable. Available on both iOS and Android, the app provides essential features such as battery status, control options, and ambient sound settings. Users can also access a 10-band equalizer with multiple presets to customize their listening experience further.
The ability to save devices, toggle features like voice prompts, and utilize the “Find My Headphones” feature adds to the overall functionality of the app. Therefore, the app features and customization earn an 8 out of 10.
Noise Cancellation Performance
The noise cancellation performance of the Air Pro 4 is quite impressive, especially in this price bracket. Testing against loud background noise, the earbuds showed decent performance, with a 9 out of 10 rating for noise cancellation strength. While they slightly lagged behind the Air Pro 3 in blocking lower-frequency sounds, they managed to reduce higher-frequency noises effectively.
The earbuds also feature customizable noise cancellation settings, allowing users to adapt the intensity based on their environment. Additionally, the wind reduction mode minimizes noise during outdoor use, ensuring clarity even on windy days.
Transparency Mode
The transparency mode on the Earfun Air Pro 4 is a notable improvement over previous models. Users reported that voices sound clear and natural, with minimal occlusion. However, some users mentioned that the mode could be slightly better in terms of noise cancellation.
While the occlusion can be moderately noticeable, the overall quality is satisfactory for most users. For this feature, the Air Pro 4 scores a 9 out of 10.
Sound Quality
Finally, let’s discuss sound quality, which is a critical aspect of any earbud. While the Air Pro 4 does not revolutionize the audio experience, it still offers a pleasing sound profile. The tuning is somewhat less impressive compared to some higher-end models, but it performs well across various music genres.
The maximum volume reached is adequate, but caution is advised, as exceeding 85 dB can risk hearing damage with prolonged exposure. Overall, the sound quality earns a score of 8 out of 10, which is commendable for earbuds in this price range.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Earfun Air Pro 4 stands out as an excellent choice for those seeking quality wireless earbuds without exceeding a budget of $100. With impressive features such as comfort, battery life, customizable controls, and solid sound quality, they compete well against other models in the market.
Whether you’re using them for casual listening, workouts, or calls, the Air Pro 4 provides a balanced experience that caters to various needs. With a combined score across categories that showcases its strengths, the Earfun Air Pro 4 is a worthy contender for anyone looking to enhance their audio experience without breaking the bank.
