Anker’s Soundcore Life P3 earphones are still our winners under $100 because they are simpler to use, more customizable, and have better noise cancellation for only $10 more. The market for true wireless earbuds has oversaturated, making it challenging for consumers to distinguish between different brands. The majority of them perform essentially the same functions, with little to no difference in quality. After testing three different sets of 1More’s true wireless earbuds, we believe we have a firm understanding of their capabilities and the company’s design ethos. Each pair of headphones, from the ComfoBuds Pro to the ColorBuds 2, has a slightly different personality and promotes a different tonal balance and sound. you can check our article on 1More PistonBuds Pro review.
Design
We comprehend. You might worry that your earbuds would feel and look cheap given their pricing. 1More challenges this notion with a svelte cylindrical form that resembles a piston and has a concentric round metallic surface. The buds weigh only 0.16 ounces and have dimensions of 0.6 x 0.7 x 0.8 inches. The rubberized tips ensure a secure fit, the IPX5 water resistance makes them ideal for exercise, and they are noticeably smaller and lighter than the Soundcore Life P3s (1.5 x 0.9 x 0.9 inches, 0.2 ounces). To go even further, they are actually 0.8 x 0.8 x 1 inches and 0.2 ounces smaller and lighter than the fitness-focused Jabra Elite 4 Active, which speaks volumes about the PistonBuds Pro’s portability and is all the more impressive given their upscale appearance. The sleek case’s round silver top is carried over, giving the container a touch of sophistication. The matte-finished plastic that was used is quite sturdy and withstood any scratches in our keys pocket. Slim jeans-friendly and significantly lighter than the Life P3’s case, the small pill-shaped case measures 2.2 x 1.5 x 0.9 inches and weighs 1.4 ounces. Overall, this is a cozy set that is strong, lightweight, and wearable for exercise, with upscale styling for all application types.
1More PistonBuds Pro review: Comfort
When you pick up the case, you might feel a little let down by how it looks and feels. It is constructed primarily of white plastic and has a somewhat shoddy construction. In addition, the case lid is a little loose on the review unit we have. The concentric circle effect underneath the transparent plastic is a nice addition to the case, though. Although there’s a good chance of getting some dirt in there, it gives the otherwise fairly plain affair a little bit more flair and style. When you remove the buds from the case, things change a little. It is wonderful that the PistonBuds Pro are button-style earbuds and have the same metallic concentric circles on their backs. Each bud weighs 4.5g/0.15oz, which is precisely average for a pair of true wireless earbuds. They are not bulky. In comparison, 1More’s tiny ComfoBuds Mini weigh 3.7g/0.13oz each bud, while Apple’s AirPods weigh 4g/0.14oz each. They are good in terms of overall style. When the PistonBuds Pro are in your ear and aren’t sticking out too far from your head, they have a nice appearance. In comparison to other inexpensive earbuds, they are discrete. The PistonBuds Pro’s weight also means that you may use them for a long period without developing ear fatigue, which is always a perk when using earphones. Additionally, you can select from a variety of ear tip sizes. The best audio experience is delivered by switching out the ear tips to obtain the right fit, as we always advise.
Features
We were taken aback by the PistonBuds Pro’s ANC’s effectiveness, especially considering the PistonBuds Pro’s pricing. The ANC worked effectively in enclosed spaces, blocking off office conversation while we were working. They did marginally lessen the underground rumble and functioned well on quieter public transportation, with Transparent mode letting in noticeably more background sounds, which is good for situations where you need to be alert. Additionally, the PistonBuds Pro have ANC WNR (wind noise reduction), which proved only marginally more effective during strong winds. You can choose a variety of EQ presets in the 1MORE Music app, but the selection isn’t as extensive as we’d like. There are 12 distinct settings you can enhance, including Bass Booster, Pop, Classical, and Deep, which can improve the sound of particular songs. However, because these modes can’t be customized and you have to manually switch between them, we rarely used them unless we were listening to a playlist that was primarily made up of songs in the same musical genre and had the same mode on throughout. you will read our article on 1More PistonBuds Pro review. The 1MORE Music app also gives you the option to switch between low-latency mode and viewing the battery life of each earbud and the charging case. However, we doubt many people will remember to switch the modes to match the song playing, as we rarely did. Overall, we had no problems using the app, and we would definitely recommend downloading it to help with the frustrating touch controls and to use the equalizer settings.
1More PistonBuds Pro review: Connectivity
As would be expected, connectivity is provided by Bluetooth 5.2, and during my testing of the earbuds, I didn’t experience any Bluetooth connection dropouts. The two almost “standardized” Bluetooth audio codec alternatives are SBC and AAC. Although there aren’t any high-resolution or low-latency streaming advanced Bluetooth audio codecs, you wouldn’t expect to find any on earbuds at this price point. There is therefore little loss for the PistonBuds Pro.
Noise cancelling
Active noise cancelling is unique in this price range. The 1more PistonBuds Pro provide sufficient passive noise reduction due to the good fit, and the active circuit significantly amplifies this. You can choose between a more powerful version (38dB, according to the manufacturer’s specifications) and a less effective version through the app, which successfully reduces wind-induced noise. Additionally, there is a transparency mode that allows drivers to better interact with their surroundings by relaying outside noises to them. The ANC mode provides the typical low-frequency lowering but also adds a second quiet area in the event of static noises. For instance, this creates a space for relaxation on a train or other public transportation system or merely enhances the quality of music playback while moving by raising the signal-to-noise ratio. For this price range, the performance provided is respectable and a real selling point.
Audio performance
It’s interesting that the PistonBuds Pro has more powerful audio technology than the more expensive ComfoBuds Mini from 1More. A 10mm dynamic driver with an aero titanium membrane is located underneath the hood and is designed to “produce natural, accurate sound,” while we believe that a more fair description would be balanced and clear with a focused bass end. In any case, the outcomes are satisfying. Play Hans Zimmer’s “Time” from the Inception soundtrack if you want to experience the full immersion of a live orchestral performance. Over fervent percussion sounds, the rattling bass has some strong reverberation that fades away gradually while also remaining transparent. Over the intensely dramatic production, even high-pitched violin sounds shone. It’s interesting to note that on indie pop songs like Paula Cole’s “Tiger,” the low end wasn’t as evenly balanced. The song’s clarity suffered in certain places due to the song’s hammering percussion, which may have been a little too loud. On the AirPods Pro, Cole’s hushed notes and improvised remarks sounded more sensitive. The 1More Music app offers a variety of EQs, albeit they can be hit or miss. Mids have more breathing room thanks to vocal booster, but the soundstage is bloated by bass enhancer. Instead of favouring high frequencies and dilating other audio aspects, lounge accentuates high frequencies and presents conversation in a clearer manner. Since some of them function better than the default EQ, we advise trying with them. Another function that may be enabled through the app is low latency mode. Since there are no latency problems with the buds, it is impossible to determine how successful it is. We experimented with a couple mobile games and YouTube videos, but we didn’t hear any differences in the lip sync or sound effects. SBC and AAC will have to do for improved hi-res streaming over Bluetooth since aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs are not supported. Thankfully, AAC makes a significant effort to provide a steady and quick stream. Both Spotify playlists and Apple Music songs played without any issues on our MacBook Pro and Pixel 6 Pro, respectively.
1More PistonBuds Pro review: Call performance
Four microphones on the 1More PistonBuds Pro use an A.I.-powered algorithm to cancel out background noise and boost your voice. This sounds fantastic on paper, but in reality, it’s more of a mixed bag. The problem in this case is the microphone placement, even though you can hear the other end of the line just fine. We understand that without a stem to move the mic closer to the mouth, these perform worse than the Soundcore Life P3. However, the PistonBuds Pro’s microphones face outward, which causes unavoidable wind noise that tends to drown out your voice.
Battery and charging
There are two possibilities for battery life for any set of ANC earphones. You can expect up to six hours of use per charge if you leave ANC on. It will be off for 7.5 hours. Turning up the volume further reduces each figure since it applies when the volume level is at a preset 50%. For something this size, the case has three additional charges, which is fantastic. They cannot be wirelessly charged, but USB-C allows you to quickly recharge them. It even supports fast charging, which allows you to add an hour of playback with a quick five-minute charge. also you will learn our article on 1More PistonBuds Pro review.
Price and availability
This is one of many new versions that have entered the market for inexpensive noise-cancelling earphones, and it will be up against some formidable rivals. The Edifier NeoBuds Pro ($99), which has excellent ANC and sound, is currently our favorite. It is followed by the versatile Anker Liberty Air 2 Pro ($79). Consider splurging on high-end models like the Sony WF-1000XM4 ($279) and AirPods Pro ($249) for the best performance.
Conclusion
The 1MORE PistonBuds Pro earbuds were advertised as an affordable high-end audio option. Nearly bursting with features, supporting proprietary software, small, fashionable, and reasonably autonomous… However, we don’t comprehend it. And by the end of the information, you will realize what we mean. If you’re lucky, you might not. With the exception of unclear sound performance, the 1MORE PistonBuds Pro is extremely impressive. This TWS model is decent, fashionable, hip, and high-quality, and it will have no trouble finding a buyer at its pricing. Just remember to preheat it.
