Poco Buds X1 TWS is priced at Rs 1,699 and for the asking price, the spec sheet is quite impressive with features like up to 40dB hybrid noise cancellation, 12.4mm dynamic driver, Bluetooth 5.0 supportbuilt-in equalizer support, a companion app for a customized listening experience and IP54 water and dust resistance.
For the price, the package looks really good and that’s why we wanted to try it. Here’s a look at these affordable TWS earbuds from Poco.
Design
The defining factor of the Buds X1 earbuds is their simplicity. Earbuds are oval shaped, and have a slightly frosted matte finish. The case feels polished and the device looks more premium than the price. The case and earbuds are made of plastic, although the quality is good. It feels solid, well-built and has a smooth finish.
The case has a long LED light on the front that lights up for battery percentage, pairing status, etc. It’s a little different from other TWS earbuds at this price point – a small LED indicator that’s barely visible. The Buds X1’s LED indicator is visible and bright enough to catch your eye even outdoors.
The earbuds have a stem design like most other TWS earbuds in this price range. The earphones fit perfectly in the ear canal and provide a comfortable experience even when worn for longer periods of time. The buds come with three sizes of ear tips and can be changed based on fit and comfort.
Overall, the Buds X1 are comfortable to wear and have a solid build quality despite being all plastic.
Audio performance
Poco Buds X1 has 12.4mm drivers with hybrid noise cancellation. According to the company, the buds can reduce background noise by up to 40dB. For connectivity, there’s Bluetooth 5 which isn’t the latest but isn’t archaic either. So, it is acceptable for earbuds that cost less than Rs 2,000.
Let’s talk about audio quality. The 12.4mm drivers are impressive and the bass is pronounced. If you’re out there looking for earbuds that produce clean, deep bass output on a budget, your search ends here.
However, before jumping to conclusions, there are some other things you should know, for example, treble, vocals, etc. The treble output is also good. The vocals are clear and clean as is the bass output.
Overall, the earbuds sound great with enough bass to please bass lovers, clear vocals and highs that don’t pinch the ears. Poco has adjusted the earbuds in a way that is suitable for most types of songs.
We listened to the song Aaj ki raat from Stree 2 on Apple Music and the quality of the bass – thump – was impressive and so were the vocals. We also tested some vocal focused songs like Sleep on the Floor by The Lumineers and the vocal clarity produced by the buds was filtered for clarity.
We also watch some shows and movies using earbuds. The audio quality and surround effects are good and don’t feel hollow at certain times. Latency is also good. We didn’t notice any sound lag or delay while watching movies.
Buds X1 is compatible with the Xiaomi Earbuds App. The app is clean and gives you more control over the features and settings of the earbuds. For starters, it allows users to switch between noise cancellation, and ambient mode or disable the feature. Additionally, the app has preset equalizers including Bass, Treble and Custom with which users can customize the tuning of the buds according to their preference.
We tried all the different equalizers and found that Standard was the best for these earbuds. Bass mode adds thump by a good margin.
The ANC on these earbuds is probably the weakest link here. It works, but it’s not as effective as expected.
Other features such as IP54 rating, Google Fast Pair support, etc. are some welcome additions to the earbuds.
Battery life
The earbuds are claimed to deliver 7 hours of music listening time on a single charge. In testing, the buds lasted about 5.5 hours on a single charge and three additional charges using the earbuds. The battery life is impressive and more than enough for most users.
Verdict
At Rs 1,699, the Poco Buds X1 TWS earbuds offer excellent value. Sleek in design, the earphones feel premium and offer a comfortable fit. Powerful audio performance, featuring deep bass, clear treble, and clean vocals – all thanks to the 12.4mm driver. While the hybrid noise cancellation isn’t the strongest, it still offers good noise cancellation. Additional features like IP54 rating, Google Fast Pair, and a companion app for customization add to its appeal. With a solid battery life of 5.5 hours per charge, the Poco Buds X1 earphones provide a budget-friendly option in the TWS market.
