n a market saturated with TWS earbuds, the humble neckband still holds its own, catering to a significant user base. This blog post dives deep into a comparative review of five popular neckbands, all priced under ₹2000, evaluating them on features, audio quality, calling capabilities, and overall value.
1. Realme Buds Wireless 5 Lite
- Price: Around ₹1000-₹1100 .
- Design & Features: These neckbands come with magnetic earbuds and standard volume controls that double as track navigation .
- Battery Life: Realme claims 35 hours, but expect slightly less with consistent high-volume usage.
- Audio Quality: Known for being very loud with prominent bass, which can sometimes overshadow treble and subtler instrumental details. It lacks app control and active noise cancellation (ANC)].
- Connectivity: Features dual connectivity .
- Calling Quality: Performs well indoors, but its lack of noise cancellation can affect clarity in noisy or windy outdoor environments .
- Ideal for: Bass lovers and those who prioritize loud audio.
2. Sony (Unspecified Model)
- Price: ₹1499.
- Design & Features: Unique for its foldable design, making it pocket-friendly. However, it lacks magnetic earbuds and can shift on the neck. Its compact size makes it comfortable for sleeping .
- Audio Quality: While not exceptionally loud, it offers a balanced sound profile with a good mix of bass and treble, best suited for quiet settings.
- Concerns: Some users have reported connectivity issues. Improvements in loudness and design could make this a stronger contender.
3. OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 & Z3
- Design & Features: Both models share a similar design, including magnetic earbuds. The Z2 includes a Type-A to Type-C charging cable, which is omitted in the Z3 , .
- Price: Z2 ranges from ₹1000-₹1300, while the Z3 is priced at ₹1700 .
- Technical Differences: The Z3 boasts Bluetooth 5.4, an upgrade from the Z2’s Bluetooth 5.0, offering improved connectivity. Neither model features ANC nor dual connectivity.
- App Control: Both support customization via the HeyMelody app (or directly with OnePlus devices) .
- Audio Quality: Delivers good loudness and bass. The app allows for bass adjustment to prevent overpowering other frequencies. There’s no significant difference in sound experience between the Z2 and Z3.
- Calling Quality: The Z3 offers a slight improvement in typical windy conditions, with reduced bass but comparable clarity to the Z2.
- Recommendation: The Z3 is generally preferred over the Z2 due to its better Bluetooth connectivity and app control. However, the Z2 remains a solid budget-friendly choice if dual connectivity isn’t a priority.
4. CMF Neckband Pro
- Price: Around ₹1900, sometimes up to ₹2100-₹2200 .
- Design & Features: Features a straightforward neckband design with a unique rotatable button for volume control.
- App Control: Compatible with the Nothing app for detailed controls.
- Audio Quality: Provides good bass and loudness, offering a strong overall sound. It’s noted to be slightly superior to the OnePlus Wireless Z3, especially with app-based adjustments.
- Additional Features: A standout feature is its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and dual connectivity, which can be enabled through the app.
- Calling Quality: Offers improved calling performance.
- Recommendation: Considered one of the top choices under ₹2000 due to its comprehensive feature set, including ANC and dual connectivity.
Overall Recommendations:
- Around ₹1000: The Realme Buds Wireless 5 Lite is a strong contender.
- Budgeting ₹500 more: The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 comes highly recommended.
- For an additional ₹300: The CMF Neckband Pro offers enhanced features like ANC and dual connectivity, making it a compelling choice.