iFrogz Airtime review — a budget alternative to AirPods with sweat resistance, EQ more

iFrogz, a Utah-based good accessories build owned yesteryear Zagg, final calendar month unveiled Airtime, its starting fourth dimension couple of truthful wireless earbuds that cost only $60 in addition to include AirPods-like automatic pairing trend in addition to some capacities non constitute on Apple’s earbuds, similar built-in equalizer settings.

First of all, these fashionable earbuds characteristic Bluetooth 5.0 in addition to then they piece of work amongst whatsoever notebook, smartphone, tablet or similar device every bit long every bit it supports Bluetooth connectivity.

iFrogz makes company good products in addition to Airtime is no exception. The fellowship provided me amongst a couple of Airtimes for review that I’ve been using constantly on an everyday footing for well-nigh a month. Here are my thoughts in addition to impressions after my starting fourth dimension calendar month amongst them…

Charming piddling earbuds

I’ve been using Airtime to take away heed to my favorite music in addition to podcast shows, to sentry movies in addition to TV shows, when working out in addition to riding a bike, to send telephone calls, play games in addition to to a greater extent than — all on my iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch in addition to Apple TV. As shortly every bit I opened the tiny illustration amongst a slim profile, the earbuds automatically paired together without whatsoever activity on my part,.

Pressing the push inwards the accuse illustration for 5 seconds initiates manual pairing mode.

When paired, the earbuds automatically connect to the last-used device every bit shortly every bit you lot opened upwardly the case. Like amongst AirPods, they automatically switch on/off when you lot open/close the charging case. Connecting them to a host device is a affair of asset the pairing push for 5 seconds in addition to choosing them from the Bluetooth menu.

The left bud volition flash white, indicating pairing mode.

Airtime piece of work similar whatsoever regular Bluetooth earbuds.

Third-party headphones similar Airtime don’t acquire to occupation Apple’s headphone chip, thus they lack AirPods features similar seamless device switching. And because at that spot are no built-in accelerometers, music won’t automatically interruption when you lot select an earbud out of your ear.

Great everyday earphones

After a calendar month or in addition to then of using Airtime on an everyday basis, I tin dismiss honestly state that these buds concur upwardly good to everyday abuse.  They’re plastic, but sturdy in addition to reliable. You also acquire additional ear tips in addition to inwards the box, in addition to that’s great. Using these, you lot tin dismiss personalize tally to your liking. This is much ameliorate than Apple’s one-size-fits-all approach amongst AirPods.

These await swell on my gilt iPhone XS Max!

So, is the tally snug or loose? Like amongst all earphones, the response to that enquiry depends on on the size in addition to sort of your ear. I was working out in addition to running amongst my Airtime a lot, nevertheless at no dot would an earbud autumn out of my ear (truth live told, I’ve never had AirPods wing out of my ears piece running either).

The ergonomic sport wings ensure the buds remain inwards your ear when working out.

I’ve used them inwards the gym in addition to for street workouts —again, without issues. I think the ergonomic sport wings aid ensure tight fit. Now, I’ve been on a high intensity interval grooming routine in addition to this summer’s been pretty hot in addition to then you lot tin dismiss imagine I was sweating a lot similar a pig. I’m pleased to written report that that hasn’t affected my buds at all because they’re resistant to effort in addition to moisture.

The Airtime accuse illustration is pretty low-cal in addition to compact.

They receive got an IPX4 rating similar Apple’s novel Powerbeats Pro sporty (AirPods are non sweatproof). That way you lot tin dismiss occupation Airtime safely every bit your workout headphones without fearing effort or wet mightiness acquire within in addition to wreak havoc. The IPX4 rating also way they’re not waterproof in addition to then call back that earlier you lot determine to apparel them inwards heavy pelting or inwards the shower.

Battery life

Like amongst AirPods in addition to Powerbeats Pro, the built-in battery inwards the Airtime charging illustration provides your earbuds amongst a few additional accuse cycles. Specifically, you lot acquire 4 total charges for a total of xv listening hours away from a powerfulness source, according to iFrogz. That way each earbud provides upwardly to 3 hours of play fourth dimension earlier needing recharging.

Airtime receive got a 3-hour battery but the accuse illustration extends run fourth dimension to upwardly to xv hours.

My sense in addition to then far has been to a greater extent than similar 10 hours of total run fourth dimension (with the case). By comparison, AirPods are rated amongst a 5-hour battery life or 24 hours amongst the illustration in addition to then Apple’s buds have the upper paw inwards terms of battery life. Thankfully, leaving Airtime inwards the charging illustration for only 10 minutes is plenty to laissez passer on you lot 1.5 hours of listening fourth dimension (50% charge).

The charging illustration tin dismiss live recharged amongst the included micro-USB cable.

The accuse illustration connects to powerfulness via the built-in microUSB port.

I’ve constitute the built-in microphone to piece of work only fine for calls on my iPhone XS Max in addition to iPad Pro, every bit good every bit on a friend’s Milky Way S10. By default, both microphones are used simultaneously to boost reception. Like AirPods, Airtime piece of work independently — you lot tin dismiss occupation either earbud inwards single-use trend to select telephone calls or flow audio.

Just press the push for 3 seconds to plough an private earbud on/off. Of course, you lot tin dismiss occupation them both simultaneously for an enhanced stereo experience. And when not used for twenty minutes, the buds intelligently become into hibernation trend to conserve power.

Multi-function buttons

Airtime are voice-capable amongst Siri in addition to Google Assistant — I was able to double-press an earbud to speak to Siri without no issues whatsoever. However, the double-press activity doesn’t piece of work inwards music trend every bit it clashes amongst playback controls. That’s due to the multi-function buttons that combine actions similar music in addition to telephone proper name upwardly controls, Siri in addition to EQ settings.

A reddish low-cal on each earbud indicates charging.

In music mode, double-press the left/right earbud to become to the previous/next song. A quick press accepts the telephone proper name upwardly piece asset the push for 2 seconds ends the call.

In social club to hold slim design, the production features 8mm neodymium drivers, ane per ear.

Audio quality

It’s OK but non on par amongst AirPods. The gain is balanced, the mids in addition to highs are clear in addition to the bass is skillful plenty without sacrificing overall quality. But AirPods good ameliorate to my ear, bringing out to a greater extent than nuances inwards music, in addition to then move along that inwards heed if good lineament is your transcend priority.

I’ve ever hated that AirPods lack whatsoever equalizers. I know you lot tin dismiss modify EQ settings on iPhone inwards the Settings app but I’d prefer device-independent equalizers built direct into the buds. AirPods only don’t receive got that. AirTime gives me 3 distinct equalizer settings—Signature Sound, Podcast in addition to Bass Boost—although I was left wanting for more.

To speedily switch betwixt the available EQ settings, press the push on your earbud for 1-2 seconds (you must practice in addition to then piece inwards music mode). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 vocalisation volition dot the novel setting.

In conclusion

I enjoyed my fourth dimension amongst Airtime a lot. The good sounded overnice to me, non AirPods-level nice, but overnice nonetheless (Airtime back upwardly the AAC codec that Apple uses for audio). If you lot ingredient inwards the depression quest price, these earbuds definitely receive got a skillful good for their price.

Thanks to the IPX4 rating, these earbuds tin dismiss grip effort in addition to low-cal rain.

I’ve had no issues amongst personal assistant support, but the buds appear to endure from intermittent Bluetooth connexion issues. Sometimes they would piece of work only fine in addition to other times the wireless connexion would drib off after moving away a few meters from my iPhone. I’ve fifty-fifty had cases of pathetic or breaking good amongst the telephone inwards my steal in addition to AirTime inwards my ears. I’m unsure if I should blame that on the earbuds themselves, obstructions inwards describe of piece of work of sight or the fact that I to a greater extent than often than non moved around ofttimes piece listening to them.

The low-profile charging illustration tin dismiss live juiced upwardly from zip to 50% inwards only 10 minutes.

For those wondering, Airtime back upwardly Bluetooth 5.0 for increased effective gain in addition to faster pairing. Bluetooth 5 also makes possible dual Bluetooth good connexion back upwardly but I couldn’t acquire it to piece of work inwards iOS 13, which enables a unmarried device similar an iPhone to post music to 2 pairs of AirPods simultaneously.

As for fit, they felt swell inwards my ear but your mileage may vary.

If you’ve constitute AirPods rather uncomfortable to use, particularly piece running or working out, practice laissez passer on AirTime a try. You may live left wishing for a longer battery life, additional EQ settings in addition to to a greater extent than reliable Bluetooth, but at that toll dot some compromises had to live made.

Recommended for everyone on a tighter budget.

Pros in addition to cons

Here’s what nosotros liked in addition to disliked well-nigh Airtime

Pros

• Comfortable, secure tally in addition to effort resistance


• Multifunction buttons rhythm out touching gestures


• Great price, charging illustration included

Cons

• Just 3 EQ settings


• Weaker battery life than AirPods


• Flaky Bluetooth connections

To larn to a greater extent than well-nigh them, visit the official website.

Pricing in addition to availability

The earbuds themselves receive got a 1-year warranty which covers defective materials in addition to workmanship. The included tips characteristic a lifetime warranty in addition to then if they acquire worn out, lost or damaged, iFrogz volition supersede them no questions asked.

The buds come upwardly inwards 4 colors: Black, White, Blue in addition to Peach.

They’re available from the Zagg website in addition to select retailers for $60 (yes, the toll indeed includes the charging case).

Unfortunately, a version amongst a wireless charging illustration is unavailable but Zagg has said that additional models inwards the AirTime identify unit of measurement volition live released after inwards 2019 in addition to then there’s that.

Your take

What’s your select on these cheap genuinely wireless earbuds?

Have you lot used these or other iFrogz good products? If so, delight practice non hesitate to percentage your sense amongst the build inwards the comments downwardly below.

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