TWS true wireless earphones - under $100
4.5 STARS - The Edifier TWS NB2 and Earfun Air Pro are the perfect wireless earbuds for everyday use - even though their ANC strength is disappointing.
Edifier TWS NB2/ Earfun Pro Air specs:
Bluetooth 5.0 with Hybrid ANC
IPX54 waterproof (light rain, dust and sweat proof)
7 to 9 hours listening on a full charge (ANC on/ off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3,5 times
Comes with 3 sizes ear tips and USB-C cable
Edifier TWS NB2: $80 on Amazon US, Amazon Germany, other Amazon stores or AliExpress
Earfun Air Pro: $80 on Amazon US, Amazon Germany or other Amazon stores
Below this Edifier TWS NB2/ Earfun Air Pro review, you will find comparisons of Edifier TWS NB2 vs Tribit FlyBuds NC, Oppo Enco W51, Mpow X3, Tronsmart Apollo Bold, Fiil T1XS, and Tozo NC9/ TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94.
Update November 13 2020: Added the Earfun Pro Air to this review - it turns out it's 95% the same earbuds as the Edifier TWS NB2. The differences between the Edifier TWS NB2 vs Earfun Air Pro are explained in this review.
Update March 5 2021: Changed the overall score from 5 to 4.5 stars - newer models like the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro and Oppo W51 have better noise cancelling.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The Edifier TWS NB2 comes in a lightweight charging case with a pebble shape and a faux-leather print. While it's light, the hinge is just sturdy enough. The case powers via USB-C and can recharge the earpieces 3,5 times before needing a new charge itself.
The earbuds' battery life is outstanding: they deliver up to 7 hours playtime with ANC on - on a single charge. Turn ANC off manually, and it may get up to almost 9 hours of listening. These are fantastic scores for daily activities, commuting, and even traveling.
It's not just specs, though. The Edifier TWS NB2 looks great. It comes in creme-white or black-grey - the latter tested here. While the first Edifier TWS NB protruded far from your ears, the new one consists of a nicely designed stem that looks and feels robust, looks cool in your ears, and also formal enough to wear at the office. It's one of the nicest recent TWS designs so far, along with the Fiil CC.
The part that goes into your ears is oval and has to be placed diagonally in your ears, which feels natural immediately. While it's comfortable and tight enough in your ears, you can hear it moving in your ears a bit when you're walking or just shaking your head when not listening to music. This happens even when you have the perfect size ear tips. It's the biggest downside of this model.
Left the TWS NB2, right the Air Pro. The differences are minimal.
All of this applies to the Earfun Air Pro as well. The Earfun Air Pro case, however, has a matte black look instead of a faux-leather print. The earpieces have a dark grey color and the text Earfun on them, instead of a more sandy color and three Edifier-stripes on the NB2. The rest is the same between these two models.
Connectivity and controls
There are minor differences between the controls of the Edifier TWS NB2 vs Earfun Air Pro. This is how both models operate:
Edifier TWS NB2 controls:
The Edifier TWS NB2 controls with touch panels around the logo on the earbuds. The control scheme is unlike any other wireless earbuds so far, but manages to become convenient quickly.
Tap R twice to play/ pause music
Tap R three times to skip to the next track
Tap L twice to switch between ANC (standard on), Ambient Mode, and ANC off
Tap L three times to activate or deactivate Gaming Mode
There are no volume controls on the earbuds, it also isn't possible to return a song, and you can't activate the voice assistant either.
Earfun Air Pro controls:
The Earfun Pro has the same touch panels and sensitivity as the Edifier TWS NB2, but the control scheme is slightly difference, as the Earfun Air Pro lacks a Gaming Mode.
Tap R twice to play/ pause music
Tap R three times to skip to the next track
Tap L twice to activate the voice assistant
Tap L three times to switch between ANC (standard on), Ambient Mode and ANC off
On the Air Pro too, there are no volume controls, and it also isn't possible to return a song. It is possible to activate the voice assistant, however.
The connectivity on the Edifier TWS NB2 and Earfun Air Pro are robust up to ten meters from your device and when you're walking or cycling. You can also seamlessly switch between mono and stereo listening. That means you can keep listening to one earbud if you put the other in the case to charge it, and resume listening in stereo once you've picked the charged bud up again.
Now - this is important. The Edifier automatically pause music when you take an earbud out. It pauses as long as you hold the earbud, and resumes playing when you put the earpiece away. While this may seem functional, it means that when you take both earbuds out and lay them on the table or desk - they automatically resume music playback!
This could almost have been a dealbreaker. Could have. The Edifier Connect app saves the day and lets you change the earbuds' autopause-settings. You can turn the auto-pause detection off, or leave it on, but prevent it from automatically resuming music.
The Earfun Air Pro doesn't need an app to tackle this problem. It automatically pauses when you take an earbud out, and only resumes playback if you return the earbud in your ear.
Calling and watching movies
The Edifier TWS NB has a specialty against many other wireless earbuds: it has a Gaming Mode, activated by three taps on the left earbuds. Introduced by an English voice prompt, it reduces the delay in sound effects when playing games heavily. The effect really makes a change here.
The Earfun Air Pro doesn’t come with this Gaming Mode - it's the biggest difference between the Edifier and Earfun..
Happily, you don't need the Gaming Mode to have perfect audio-video synchronization when playing videos. That's already perfect out of the box on both models. Videos on are completely lipsync on both iPhone and Android, in all kinds of video apps, including YouTube.
As for calling? Well, Edifier has convinced with good call clarity before, on the Edifier TWS200 (probably the best budget TWS for phone calls) and its dirt-cheap Edifier X3, and the TWS NB2 is no exception. It's very convenient to take a call with these, both indoors and outside.
Your voice has a typical telephone-like voice, meaning you may sound a little bright, but clear. In a quieter office, home, or outside areas, calling with the Edifiers/ Earfuns feels easy - natural even. Challenging outside noises, like scooters, trains, people talking nearby, and traffic passing, are often transformed into subtle 'zoof's' for the other one. Even wind noise is restricted. Only very sudden volume peaks enter the call and challenge your voice.
Unfortunately, video calls don't work that well - as there are many crackles on the line and your voice sounds a bit too thin.
Also read: The best $100 wireless earbuds with ANC
Edifier TWS NB2/ Earfun Air Pro ANC quality
Functions and switching: Both the Edifier TWS NB2 and Earfun Air Pro have their ANC active noise cancelling on by default. On the Edifier, it takes two taps on the left bud to switch to Ambient Mode, Normal mode and ANC mode - in that order. On the Earfun, the left earbud requires three taps to cycle between these functions. Both models confirm your actions with English voice prompts.
ANC quality: As soon as you put the Edifier on Earfun in, it blocks some background noise around you. People chatting on the other end of the room, distant traffic noises and low electronic humming are softened or even inaudible, and make place for a subtle, inoffensive white noise. This is the maximum effect the Edifier and Earfun reach, however. Sound effects closeby are barely reduced in volume output. Keyboard clicking, for instance, loses a bit of its dark edge, but can still be heard very well. The same goes for people talking around you, or kids shouting - they will still be (very) audible. Don't expect the Edifier or Earfun to take away surrounding noises fully: earphones don't reach the same noise cancelling as the best full-sized headphones, and this is no exception.
Ambient Mode/ transparency mode quality: The ANC mode on both models may only be okay, but the Ambient Mode on the Edifier and Earfun is great. The mode puts through conversations and traffic around you very clear when you need it, even when you're listening music on moderate volume. It's a great and safe feature to both hear music and traffic around you.
Wind noise reduction: In both the ANC and Ambient mode, the earbuds pick up a bit of wind noise. It's not as bad as on previous noisecancelling earbuds like the Mpow X3, Aukey EP-N5, and Boltune BH023, which put trough a massive amount of wind noise when you start walking, running, or cycling with noise cancelling on. The Edifier and Earfun blocks wind somewhat, but you'll still be able to hear bright noises from the wind in your music. When you turn ANC off, this wind noise is kept outside of your music neatly again.
The Edifier TWS NB2 and Earfun Air Pro noise-cancelling isn't as good as the best in this price class; the Tronsmart Apollo Bold, Oppo Enco W51 and TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94/ Tozo NC9 are slightly more effective. It doesn't come close to the noise cancellation of full-sized headphones either - but the Ambient Mode is perfect.
Edifier Connect App: good additions
The Edifier TWS NB supports the free Edifier Connect app for iPhone and Android, which lets you update the earphones' firmare, shows the earbuds' battery level, and has some extra, valuable options.
Timed shutdown: A mode for sleeping. You can make the earbuds shut down themself after 10 up to 90 minutes. By default, this if off.
Headphone prompt volume: Change how loud the English voice prompt sounds, when you activate ANC functions and Gaming Mode.
In-ear detection: Phew - Here you can change if the earbuds automatically pause music, and when they should automatically resume music playback again. Recommended setting: Remove to pause music, wear again no action
Game mode: Activate or deactivate the Gaming Mode from the app.
Tap sensitivity: Change how quickly the touch panel responds to your input.
Re-pair/ Factory settings: Restore the connections between the earpieces and your device, or do the same and remove installed firmware updates.
Unfortunately, there isn't an option to change the earbuds' controls or sound profile, but the app does have some extras that make this a better TWS - especially the in-ear detection options.
The Earfun Air Pro doesn't have app support.
Sound quality of Edifier TWS NB2 and Earfun Air Pro: Full and bassy
The Edifier TWS NB2 and Earfun Air Pro sound the same. Both have a bassy and warm sound that's both entertaining and pleasant to listen to for hours.
Like the previous Edifier TWS NB, the second model has a strong bass. The bass delivers a generous thump and can dive deep too, with the bass In Dave Brubeck's Take Five giving that lovely dark string-plucking from the acoustic bass. It can also rumble when it needs to. Lower-mids are boosted, too, making darker electronic tones and drums an important part of the music and ensuring a warm sound.
Vocals also have warm underlining on the Edifier and Earfun. As the upper-mid tones and highs on the Edifier are reduced somewhat, lower voices sound better than brighter female or male vocals. On lower volumes, singers have a hard time hitting the higher notes.
The same applies to instruments. While basses and drums have impact and detail, guitars, violins, pianos and other mid-instruments tend toward the lower tones and lack a bit of liveliness.
When you turn the volume up good, vocals can reach the highs, but not always in a very refined way. Instead, they then welcome occasional sibilance (overly audible hiss's) and harsh, shouty peaks. Volume can be a treat to the balance in the sound. At times, the bass can be a little overbearing, and claps and cymbals can be sharp. This effect only happens when you turn the volume up far - and this will please many: the Edifier TWS NB2/ Earfun Air Pro can go loud on both iPhone and Android.
The soundstage on both models is mediocre. Some details are coming from your left and right, but it goes too far to state the sound is around you - it's limited to your direct left and right. The TWS NB2/ Air Pro compensates for this with a lovely, lush, full sound. The Edifier and Earfun embrace you with warmth, and switching over to other earphones will almost always make them sound thin.
The Edifier TWS NB2 and Earfun Air Pro don't produce the most refined sound, but always treat you with a steady bass and pleasant warmth - making it a great companion for workdays.
Edifier TWS NB2/ Earfun Air Pro comparisons
Earfun Air Pro vs Edifier TWS NB2
Now, let's put them against each other first. The Earfun Air Pro and Edifier TWS NB2 are the same wireless earbuds, with a few exceptions. The Edifier TWS NB2 has app support in which you can change autoplay/ resume settings and the touch panel sensitivity, and it boasts a Gaming Mode which speeds up the sound effects when you're playing games. The Earfun Air Pro ditches the Gaming Mode and trades it for the voice assistant (Google or Siri) you can activate from the earbuds. The rest is the same: great call quality, flawless video playback, amazing battery life and useful Ambient Mode. As the Earfun Air Pro comes in dark grey and the Edifier in sand-grey, your favourite look may just mark your favourite model.
Edifier TWS NB2 vs Tronsmart Apollo Bold
The Edifier TWS NB2 is better for daily use than the Tronsmart Apollo Bold. The Apollo Bold ANC blocks slightly more noise but does so with an audible white noise. The Edifier doesn't have that white noise effect, and its Ambient Mode sounds more natural. The Edifier has ANC on standard, which is more convenient. The TWS NB also has much clearer call quality and, heck, even a Gaming Mode.
The Tronsmart has a heavier bass than the Edifier TWS NB, with more rumblings and even more boosted lower-mids. The Edifier sounds cleaner, tighter in the lower frequencies, and more lively in the mids, with more forward vocals than the recessed sounding Tronsmart. The Apollo Bold controls upper-mids better on higher volumes, where the Edifier can become a bit shouty. All in all, the Edifier is a more all-round TWS.
Edifier TWS NB2 vs Edifier TWS NB
Here's the catch: the first Edifier TWS NB has stronger active noise cancellation than the NB2. The previous model filters out more higher-pitched sounds and reduces the volume of all frequencies stronger than the TWS NB2. If you want the strongest noise cancelling on wireless earbuds under $100, the first TWS NB is as good as the Tronsmart Apollo Bold, while the TWS NB2 takes a step back.
That said, the TWS NB2 is a nicer earphone overall. The NB2 delivers clearer phone and video calls both indoors and outside, has a Gaming Mode on top of perfect video playback, and its battery can last longer with ANC turned on. The TWS NB2 sound is more refined too. Both sound very warm, but the NB2 has more nuances in upper-mids and vocals, and better-controlled bass, as the first TWS NB can be a bit too boomy.
The most important change is the increased look and feel of the TWS NB2. The first NB earbuds are big, heavy, and stick out of your ears big time. The NB2 is lighter, more subtle, and way more comfortable in your ears. Still, it may not be a reason to upgrade from the NB to the NB2 - as the noise cancelling is noticeably better on the first one.
Earfun Air Pro vs Oppo Enco W51
The Oppo Enco W51 was released later than the Edifier TWS NB2, but before the Earfun Air Pro. A good reason to now include a comparison too. If the more compact Oppo W51 fits in your ears - which may be tricky due to only a small corner between the in-ear part and the stem - it likely is more comfortable than the Earfun Air Pro/ Edifier TWS NB2. The Oppo sound is less focused towards on bass, and has more forward mids. The W51 sounds more balanced and more open, but its upper-mids and highs can become a little harsh compared to the warmer Edifier and Earfun. The Oppo has way more effective Active Noise Cancelling, but the competitors offer better controls and almost double the playtime on a single charge!
Edifier TWS2 NB vs Mpow X3
Readers that have been following Scarbir's TWS reviews may know that the Mpow X3 has underwhelming noise canceling strength. It removes some darker sounds from your surroundings, but barely reduces brighter sounds. The ANC on the Mpow X3 also puts through a lot of wind, while the Edifier doesn't. Call quality is great on both models, but the Edifier triumphs on battery life, video playback, and Gaming Mode. The Mpow has a more treble-focused sound, with more elevated upper-mids and forward vocals, giving it clearer if a bit harsh sound. The bass on the Mpow is quicker, but the Edifier bass has more body and can go deeper.
Edifier TWS NB2 vs Tozo NC9/ SoundLiberty 94
The trio Tozo NC9, TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94, and 20Decebel ANC have earpieces that fill up your ears more than the Edifiers, and isolate noise better passively. Even though the Edifier TWS NB2 has more effective noise cancelling, the trio filters even more noise. The Ambient Mode is more natural and pleasant on the Edifier.
The TWS NB2 is better suited for all-round usage, with better call quality, video playback, Gaming Mode, and battery life. Musically, both have a strong bass that can get a little boomy, but the Edifier has more separation between mid-bass and sub-bass. The Edifier also amplifies vocals more, making the sound more vivid even on lower volumes. The trio sounds smoother, the Edifier fuller and more detailed.
Edifier TWS NB2 vs Tribit FlyBuds NC
Even though vocals can sound a bit more metallic, the Tribit FlyBuds NC has a more natural sound than the Edifier TWS NB2. It has a bigger soundstage wherein music feels more around you, more details in the mid-tones, and more prominent upper-mids. The sound is more balanced than the Edifier's, which has a warmer and bassier approach. While call quality is outstanding on both models, the Edifier wins on battery life, watching videos, app support, and Gaming Mode make it a better match for your daily activities. Noise cancelling on both is convenient, but the Tribit may bring more peace to your head by removing more lower sounds.
Edifier TWS NB2 vs Fiil T1XS
The Fiil T1XS is the best sounding non-ANC wireless earbuds under $100, and while it doesn't sound as pleasantly warm and full as the Edifier, the T1XS sounds richer. The Fiil bass is tighter and can go deeper without becoming boomy, and it outperforms the Edifier on mids. Vocals are clearer and come with more nuances, and instruments have a more natural tonality and texture. It's easier to place instruments around you as well.
If sound quality isn't your main concern, the Edifier is the even better all-round earphone. The TWS NB2 has better outdoor call quality, better video playback, its Gaming Mode is more effective than the Fiil's, and it has an hour longer battery life even with ANC on. The Fiil T1XS has sport-wings, making them more suitable for workouts.
Verdict
The Edifier TWS NB2 and the Earfun Air Pro are great wireless earbuds for everyday use. Their ANC may be a little underwhelming, but they score on Ambient Mode, great call quality, amazing battery life, and warm sound.
If you prefer to have an excellent Gaming Mode, go for the Edifier. If you rather have the voice assistant on the earbuds, go for the Earfun Air Pro. Both are just as convenient.
4.5 stars - Great
Buy Edifier TWS NB2/ Earfun Air Pro:
I bought the Edifier TWS NB2 for testing and reviewing purposes myself. The Earfun Air Pro was sent out to me by the manufacturer to test out and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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