The TOZO OpenBuds are a unique type of sports earbuds that use air-conduction design to deliver superb sound quality. However, they lack some of the features that would significantly enhance the user experience, resulting in an incomplete product.
Similar to the TOZO OpenReal, the TOZO OpenBuds are true wireless earbuds that use air-conducting technology, allowing you to enjoy your favourite music while staying aware of your surroundings. They’re the perfect solution for runners and cyclists, providing excellent stability and increased awareness.
Are you tired of sacrificing situational awareness for sound quality when using earphones during your workouts or outdoor activities? Look no further than the TOZO Open Buds, the perfect solution for those seeking an exceptional open-ear audio experience. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the design, features, and performance of the TOZO Open Buds, and explore why they have become the talk of the town in the world of wireless sound.
Unboxing and Design
The TOZO Open Buds arrive in simple packaging. Upon opening the box, you’ll find a charging case, a USB-C charging cable, a user manual, and a quick start guide. The charging case, with its scratch-resistant plastic exterior, exudes durability and practicality. It features LED indicators on the front to display the battery status and a TOZO logo elegantly displayed on the lid’s reverse side.
When it comes to design, the TOZO Open Buds truly stand out. With their unique open-ear design, they offer a refreshing departure from traditional earbuds. The earbuds themselves sport a sleek matte finish and a responsive touch surface, adding a premium feel to the overall aesthetic. Unlike conventional in-ear or over-ear headphones, the TOZO Open Buds are engineered to sit gently on your ears, providing a level of comfort that is often lacking in traditional earbuds.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is a crucial factor when it comes to choosing the right pair of earbuds. The TOZO Open Buds excel in this aspect, thanks to their open-ear design and adjustable silicone earpieces.
Unlike earphones that fit snugly in your ear canals, these earbuds rest lightly on your ears, ensuring a comfortable fit even during long listening sessions. The lightweight construction of the TOZO Open Buds, combined with their open-ear design, means you can wear them for hours without experiencing any discomfort or the dreaded “stuffed ear” feeling.
One notable feature that sets the TOZO Open Buds apart is the bi-axial rotation arm. This innovative design element allows for a customizable and comfortable fit, with a seven-stage adjustment to cater to individual preferences.
Whether you’re a runner, an athlete, or someone who wears glasses, the TOZO Open Buds offer a comfortable fit for everyone. The unique wing loop ensures that the earbuds stay securely in place, making them an excellent choice for active individuals.
Open-Ear Design for Situational Awareness
The standout feature of the TOZO Open Buds is their open-ear design, which emphasizes the importance of situational awareness. Unlike traditional earbuds that isolate you from your surroundings, the TOZO Open Buds allow you to enjoy your music while remaining attuned to the world around you.
This design is particularly beneficial for activities such as running, cycling, or commuting in busy environments, where being aware of ambient sounds is crucial for safety surprisingly, the Open-Ear design is not a trade-off for the sound quality but we will get to that later.
Water-Resistant and Durable
When it comes to durability and water resistance, the TOZO Open Buds are designed to withstand the rigours of physical activity. With an IPX6 waterproof rating, they are resistant to sweat and light splashes of water, making them suitable for workouts or outdoor activities.
While they may not be submersible like some higher-rated devices, they can handle unexpected rain without missing a beat. The sturdy build quality of the TOZO Open Buds ensures that they can withstand the occasional bump or drop, providing peace of mind during your active lifestyle.
Touch-Sensitive Controls
The TOZO Open Buds feature touch-sensitive controls on the outer surface of both earbuds, providing a seamless and responsive way to interact with your music and calls.
The touch controls can be customized using the TOZO app, allowing you to assign different gestures for various functions. It’s worth noting that the ability to assign volume controls to the long-press gesture is a particularly convenient feature that enhances the user experience.
Bluetooth Connectivity and Multipoint
The TOZO Open Buds harness the full potential of Bluetooth 5.3, offering swift and reliable connectivity. Bluetooth 5.3 provides significantly faster connection speeds and extends the range of wireless connections, minimizing the risk of dropouts or signal interruptions.
The TOZO Open Buds also feature multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect them to two devices simultaneously. Whether you’re listening to music on your phone or taking a conference call on your computer, the transition is seamless and lag-free. The TOZO Open Buds’ multipoint feature is my favourite because of its seamless functionality.
Audio Performance
The TOZO Open Buds deliver an exceptional audio experience, considering their open-ear design. They utilize a 14.2mm dynamic driver with TOZO’s ORIGX acoustic technology, ensuring unparalleled sound isolation and preventing unwanted sound leakage.
The larger driver size contributes to a robust and well-defined audio experience, faithfully reproducing every nuance of the music. While the open transmission design may result in a lack of bass and a flatter high-frequency response, the TOZO Open Buds still offer a remarkable audio experience for their category.
During my testing of the TOZO Open Buds, I found that they produce great sound quality at a moderate volume level. The bass is punchy and pleasant. However, when the volume is turned up to the maximum, the quality of sound deteriorates, and the music becomes distorted and unpleasant to the ear.
Despite this, I have been using them regularly as my go-to earbuds for morning cycling, and I am pleased with how well they perform at a moderate volume level. In fact, they have become my daily drivers, and I even use them throughout the night sometimes.
Call Quality and Latency
The TOZO Open Buds feature DSP call noise cancellation, effectively mitigating ambient sounds during voice calls. The dual microphones on each earbud ensure clear and discernible audio, making them suitable for relatively quiet environments.
However, some users have reported a slight dip in performance when background noise is present, which is a common challenge faced by many earbuds in this category.
Additionally, the latency of the TOZO Open Buds is acceptable for general use, although dedicated gamers might find the absence of a dedicated gaming mode disappointing.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial factor when it comes to wireless earbuds, and the TOZO Open Buds excel in this aspect. With a 70mAh battery capacity, they offer up to 12 hours of playback time on a single charge at average volume levels, equivalent to about a week of one to one-and-a-half-hour workouts.
The charging case provides an additional three charges, totalling up to 42 hours of battery life. While the earbuds take 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge, the absence of quick charging might be a drawback for some users. However, the overall performance and extended battery life compensate for this limitation.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Open-Ear Experience
In conclusion, the TOZO Open Buds are a game-changer in the world of wireless sound. With their unique open-ear design, comfortable fit, and exceptional audio performance, they offer a level of quality and versatility that rivals more expensive alternatives.
The TOZO Open Buds provide outstanding value for money, proving that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy premium audio quality and functionality. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that prioritize both sound quality and situational awareness, the TOZO Open Buds are a must-have. Say goodbye to sacrificing quality for affordability and experience the ultimate open-ear audio experience with the TOZO Open Buds.
Where to Buy: The TOZO Open Buds are available for purchase on the TOZO Online Store and Amazon.
Price: The TOZO Open Buds are priced at $69.99 on Amazon.
Disclaimer: The sample for this review was provided by TOZO.
