EarFun Air

The EarFun Air earbuds pack surprisingly good call quality and solid battery life at a budget price, but spotty connection stability and iffy touch controls hold them back. For $40, they're a fair deal if you can live with the quirks.

Look, these aren't going to dethrone your AirPods Pro, but at the low end of the price spectrum, the EarFun Air true wireless earbuds throw in a bunch of features that usually cost more. You get IPX7 waterproofing, wireless charging, a respectable 35-hour total battery life, and a 4-mic setup that actually makes your voice sound clear on calls. CNN called them the best budget wireless earbuds, and in quiet rooms, the sound is indeed expansive and deep enough.

But real-world use tells a messier story. While the specs look good on paper, owners consistently gripe about the earbuds dropping connection with each other and touch controls that refuse to register half the time. Build quality feels a bit cheap, and the bass response won't rattle your skull. Still, if you prioritize call clarity and don't want to spend much, these hit a sweet spot.

In our database, the EarFun Air's mic quality lands in the absolute best range for true wireless earbuds, making them a stellar pick for phone calls even in noisy places. Battery life is also well above average, with 7 hours from the buds and that quick-charge top-up. Sound is solid if unspectacular, with the 6mm drivers delivering a balanced profile that's a bit light on sub-bass, and the active noise cancellation for music is nearly nonexistent. The real letdown is the unstable connection between left and right buds, which drags the overall experience down.

At the $40 mark, the EarFun Air pack a surprising amount of features. The big price spread ($40 to $9,477) is mostly noise from random third-party sellers, so ignore the high end. For $40, you're getting solid call performance and a charging case that supports wireless charging, which is rare at this price. If you need earbuds primarily for calls and podcasts, they're a steal. But if music quality and stable Bluetooth are non-negotiable, you might want to stretch your budget a bit.

Against the JBL Endurance Peak 4, you lose JBL's more rugged, sport-focused design and better fit for workouts, but you gain better mics and a lower price. The Soundcore P31i offers similar value but with slightly more reliable connectivity and app integration. The Nothing Ear (a) is a step up in sound and build quality but costs more. For pure budget call quality, these EarFuns are a standout, but for all-around reliability, the JBL or Soundcore are safer bets.

Skip these if you need earbuds that stay connected without fidgeting. Runners and gym regulars will hate the touch controls going haywire mid-set, and bass lovers will find the sound too polite. If you rely on earbuds for consistent, uninterrupted audio, save up for the Soundcore P31i or JBL Endurance Peak 4.

If you're a call-heavy user on a tight budget, the EarFun Air are an easy recommendation. Their mic performance alone is worth the entry price, and the battery will get you through a long workday. But the persistent connection hiccups and finicky controls make them a gamble for anyone who wants seamless music listening or reliable gym companions.