Buzz
2021 marks the rise of wireless noise-canceling earbuds as a market trend. Active noise-canceling true wireless earbuds have deeply penetrated consumer consciousness over the past two years. The fierce competition among brands will inevitably lead to a price war. Looking at the market, it's evident that ANC true wireless earbuds are now more accessible, with some models priced at under 2 million VND. Of course, you get what you pay for. Currently, the flagship product is the AirPods Pro. Today, we'll compare a pair of affordable ANC TWS, the 1More ComfoBuds Pro, with it to see how they differ.
Comparison of 1More ComfoBuds Pro and AirPods Pro in terms of appearance
Firstly, let's talk about the aesthetics. The case of the 1More ComfoBuds Pro resembles a large, flat, elongated, and rounded pebble, while the AirPods Pro case is upright, giving a more snug feel.
Both earbuds are handheld but have different shapes. The ComfoBuds Pro has a cone shape, while the AirPods Pro has a bean shape. In terms of weight, the 1More earbuds are larger but still lighter than Apple's earbuds by about 0.2 grams. As for wearing experience, both earbuds are in-ear type and provide a comfortable fit. The soft silicone ear tips are skin-friendly and ensure a secure fit. They are generally not prone to falling out during use and do not exert much pressure on the ears.
Regarding the control mechanism, ComfoBuds Pro utilizes touch controls compared to the traditional physical press on AirPods Pro. This aspect is subjective and depends on individual usage habits. However, in terms of convenience, ComfoBuds Pro edges slightly ahead of AirPods Pro.
Comparison and noise cancellation performance
This is the most crucial aspect that many people will be interested in.
In AirPods Pro, we have 2 modes: active noise cancellation and transparency. The noise cancellation mode of AirPods Pro is evaluated as one of the best technologies available, clean and thorough, while the transparency mode is clear and provides the most natural sound. Additionally, during noise cancellation, AirPods Pro does not exert pressure on the ear canal, allowing users to use this function for many hours without feeling heavy-headed. Overall, the user experience with these two functions of AirPods Pro can be said to be excellent.
As for 1More ComfoBuds Pro, in addition to noise cancellation and transparency, it adds two more functions: 'balanced noise reduction' and 'wind noise reduction,' which help fine-tune user usage scenarios. For example, when doing something that requires quietness, you can switch the earbuds to balanced noise reduction mode, which feels very natural. If in a noisy environment, you can switch to the strongest noise cancellation mode to enjoy music in peace.
Speaking briefly about the technology on ComfoBuds Pro, 1More has used its self-developed QuietMax noise reduction technology, which can achieve a depth of noise reduction up to 35dB. Although the actual number cannot be measured yet, the initial effectiveness of this technology is quite good. If compared to AirPods Pro, ComfoBuds Pro is certainly not yet a competitor in terms of noise cancellation, but consider its price. Additionally, ComfoBuds Pro has another advantage in offering more diverse functions for outdoor use. 1More has also upgraded their companion app to personalize the earbuds' functions better, making it more convenient for users.
To sum up, in terms of noise cancellation performance, AirPods Pro remains the best. However, considering the performance-to-cost ratio, ComfoBuds Pro has the upper hand.
Comparison of 1More ComfoBuds Pro and AirPods Pro in sound quality
Firstly, it must be noted that both these earbuds have a fairly similar playing style, balancing across all 3 ranges. And after multiple tests, it seems that 1More ComfoBuds Pro has an advantage over AirPods Pro due to its wider dynamic frequency range. Perhaps partly because 1More employs a very large 13.4mm dynamic driver, resulting in a more pleasant listening experience.
Of course, alongside advantages, there are also drawbacks. For example, the low-frequency sound of ComfoBuds Pro still feels somewhat thick, especially when listening to rock or lively music, it can be a bit overwhelming and tiresome to the ears over time. In this aspect, AirPods Pro performs better, regulating sound very well, balanced and natural, thus always comfortable even after many hours. Although some may argue that the sound of Apple earbuds sounds a bit thin, it's just a personal evaluation, as everyone has different music preferences.
Overall, the sound quality of 1MORE ComfoBuds Pro is highly competitive among true wireless earbud products in this price range.
Battery life
Regarding battery life, 1More ComfoBuds Pro can continuously last for 6 hours in noise reduction mode with an additional 20 hours from the charging case; when noise cancellation is off, the earbuds can be used for up to 8 hours with the charging case providing 28 hours. In this aspect, AirPods Pro will lag behind slightly, offering only 4.5 hours of use with noise reduction (5 hours when off) and a maximum of 24 additional hours from the charging case.
Although all indicators lean towards ComfoBuds Pro, for users with moderate usage needs, this may not be crucial; fundamentally, they both may only need to be charged once a week. In the case of frequent daily use, however, ComfoBuds Pro holds the advantage.
Conclusion
Overall, the development trend of true wireless earbuds is progressing rapidly. From product design to chip solutions, and sound drivers, manufacturers are constantly seeking new improvements to make their products stand out. In fact, many brands have achieved this, and AirPods Pro has not yet gained a significant advantage in the industry. The strongest backing of AirPods Pro is its nearly perfect Apple ecosystem, the synchronization between Apple devices providing a smoother, seamless, and more convenient user experience. If we set aside this ecosystem, we can see that many products in the industry can compete with AirPods Pro. For instance, ComfoBuds Pro, with its lower price and better sound quality. It can be said that in the price segment below 3 million VND, this is a product worth your attention and consideration.
