Hello,

I’ve been using a pair of $20 no-name BT earbuds from Amazon for the last few years and they worked well enough for me, but the quality is starting to show in physical problems. The electronics still work fine but the charging ports have come loose etc. It’s time for new earbuds and I would appreciate input.

I use the earbuds only with an Android phone (Google Pixel 6 Pro), and I don’t use the assistant or AI or voice commands. My current earbuds have a terrible microphone so I can’t make calls with them - improving this would maybe be nice but is not a big deal.

Features:

  • Price - Under $150 maybe? Soft limit I guess

  • Touch controls of some kind - mandatory. (start stop, volume)

  • Wireless charging of the case/battery pack - very cool, would be nice. Not mandatory

  • Case charging connector - USB-C I guess but Micro USB is fine. No Proprietary chargers because I tend to lose cables

  • Built-in assistant / AI / voice control - I won’t use it and I don’t want it. As long as I can ignore it I don’t care what features of this type are included

  • Noise cancelling - Some is better than none but I don’t need ultra-deluxe sound deadening 2000 pro 2.0

  • Sound quality - don’t care. I’m not an audiophile, and I can’t tell the difference between bitrates. I mostly listen to spoken podcasts and audiobooks, only occasionally music

  • Toughness - I won’t wear them in the pool or in a sandstorm. I dropped the current ones only vary rarely

  • Shape - I prefer the replaceable rubber ear tips (what are they actually called?) to the hard nubs

  • Brunette6256@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    3 days ago

    Samsung buds FE. They were like $60 bucks I had nearly the same goals. Cheap enough love them. I am nearing my second year and I use them daily.

    I don’t use assistant. The charge port us USB-c Noise canceling is ok. I use mine to fall asleep to audiobook or listen to podcasts while doing yard work. (I use proper hearing protection over the buds) Touch controls are default: one tap play/pause and long tap for ambient/noise cancel.

    I did download the app to change touch settings on another old phone with google play services. To make double tap skip for podcast ads. Volume… I think these might miss that. Not sure tho. Not a need I have.

    • Clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      0·
      3 days ago

      Thank you for adding your recommendation.

      I ended up going with JLab Pop Go Air earbuds. Stubby little USB-C charging cable built into the case, touch controls, didn’t need to install the app. They’re working perfectly for my needs, and they were like $25.