The summary of ‘Best Earbuds Under $200 (2024 Edition) | In-Depth Review’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the presenter introduces a new list of the best earbuds under $200, acknowledging that some of the previously mentioned high-quality earbuds were quite expensive. The focus is on offering more budget-friendly options without compromising on quality.

The first highlighted product is the Creative Orana Ace 2 earbuds, which have made significant improvements compared to previous models from the brand. Despite not winning any awards, they are noted for their excellent mic quality, particularly in noisy environments. They feature an attractive, lightweight design with practical touch controls and support for advanced audio codecs and wireless charging.

However, some drawbacks include the lack of wearing detection, mediocre noise cancellation, and a basic app with limited EQ options. Despite these issues, at a price of $129.99, they are considered one of the best value earbuds available. The presenter teases the second entry, noting that although it was initially over $200, it is now discounted to fit the budget criteria and is highly recommended.

00:03:00

In this segment, the discussion focuses on the new M100 model and a comparison with another product by “Nothing.” The M100 impresses with a modern spec sheet, a standout 16-hour battery life, secure fit, responsive touch controls, and the unique feature of having voice prompts in Matt Berry’s voice. However, the auto-pause function only working with both earbuds removed and mediocre mic quality in noisy environments are drawbacks. The M100 excels in sound quality with a comprehensive app for sound adjustments, notable for its powerful bass and detailed treble.

Next, the “Nothing” earbuds receive attention for their aesthetic transparent design, impressive specs, water resistance, fast and wireless charging, and lightweight comfort. They have practical gesture controls and convenient auto-pause/play features. Despite having mediocre noise cancellation and transparency modes, their mic quality is significantly improved, ranking them high among competitors.

00:06:00

In this segment of the video, the presenter discusses the features and sound quality of two earbud models. The “Nothing Ear” model boasts improved treble and bass response, resulting in clear and crisp vocals. Although there are three similar-looking models from Nothing, the new Ear version is recommended for its upgraded audio quality. Meanwhile, the Edifier Neods Pro 2 earbuds are highlighted for their sleek design, customizable light bar, and excellent microphone quality, making them ideal for phone calls. Despite some drawbacks like poor battery life and unresponsive touch controls, the Edifier earbuds deliver a dynamic sound profile with deep bass and crisp treble. They also support advanced features like Google Fast Pair and ANC modes, making them a strong contender in their price range. The presenter mentions that the Edifier earbuds offer good value, especially when discounted.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the presenter talks about a 3-in-1 Entertainment System that integrates Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and their own Auto Drive 2.0 software powered by Android 12. This device plugs into your car’s USB port and allows seamless switching between systems using the car’s infotainment system. It can connect via Wi-Fi or Cellular, either tethered from your phone or with its own SIM card, making wired CarPlay and Android Auto wireless. The unique feature is Auto Drive, enabling use of apps like YouTube and Disney+, albeit only when parked. The device also has an HDMI port for use as a smart TV box.

Additionally, the video discusses JBL’s Live Beam 3 earbuds, which come under the $200 price cap. These earbuds feature a Smart Charging Case with a touchscreen that provides app functionalities without needing your phone, which is convenient when paired with devices like an Apple Watch. The earbuds have an IP55 rating, 12-hour battery life, high-resolution listening with LDAC, decent phone call mics, and various personalization options, making them versatile and user-friendly.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker reviews two sets of earbuds: the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. The JBL Live Beam 3s are praised for their numerous features, including a transparency mode, ambient aware functionality, various EQ options, spatial sound modes, and a max volume limiter. They are noted for their base-heavy sound and their nearly $200 price point. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NCs are highlighted as the best value entry at $79.99, offering strong battery life, good connectivity, comfort, an excellent companion app, effective noise cancellation, and good microphone quality for calls. Although their sound quality is not the highest among the reviewed earbuds, they are considered one of the best for their price, with impressive volume levels and sound balance. The speaker remarks that the Liberty 4 NCs are outstanding value for money, making it into both best under $100 and best under $200 lists.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses highly rated earbuds that excel in performance, features, and affordability. They highlight unique conveniences, such as hands-free features (Google Assistant, Alexa), adaptive sound control, and customization options. Despite the lack of wireless charging, these earbuds offer good battery life, connectivity, and top-notch microphone quality for calls. Sound quality is lauded for its clarity and balance, though issues like battery degradation over time are noted.

Additionally, there’s a mention of Jabra’s surprising exit from the market, leading to discounted prices on their Elite 10 earbuds. These are praised for their ergonomic design, customization, and waterproof rating (IP57), making them a great value below $200.

00:18:00

In this part of the video, the speaker highlights several features and comparisons of various earbuds. They note the tactile button controls and commend the Jabra Elite 10 for its excellent battery life, wireless charging, connectivity features, and impressive noise cancellation. The transparency mode is clear and hiss-free. Although the mic quality isn’t at the top, it performs well for phone calls. Sound quality has improved, with deep bass and a warm tone, though the treble is slightly rolled off. Head-tracked spatial sound with Dolby Atmos is also included. The Elite 10s are recommended, especially when available for under $200. For those preferring a sporty option, the Elite 8 Active is suggested.

The speaker then gives honorable mentions to the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 for their sound quality and design, and the Sennheiser Momentum 3, which despite being discontinued in the US, is recommended for its superior sound quality. Lastly, the Fairphone Fairbuds are praised for their user and environmentally-friendly design, featuring replaceable batteries and other competitive features such as ANC and water resistance.

00:21:00

In this segment, the creator discusses the importance of user repairability in earbuds, highlighting Fairphone’s positive practices. They present a comparison chart of eight earbuds finalists, encouraging viewers to pause the video to review it. A ranking chart is used to show overall performance based on an algorithm prioritizing sound and mic quality. The creator reminds viewers that individual preferences vary and invites them to ask questions about any features not covered in the video. They also tease upcoming content on budget earbuds and over-ear wireless headphones, encouraging viewers to subscribe and hit the notification bell. The segment concludes with a request for likes if the video was helpful.