Naztech Xpods Pro Review | Can These $49 Buds Compete with AirPods Pro?
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Being an Apple fan, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. We love the company’s brilliant designs, thoughtful ecosystems, and reliable products – but those devices can be expensive. Do you always get what you pay for?
When it comes to Apple’s AirPods Pro, many brilliant technologies are built into those tiny earbuds including Apple’s seamless pairing with iOS, Transparency Mode, Active Noise Cancelation, and even Spatial Audio. But what if you don’t need all of those features and need something that gets the job done, and done well?
You might be wondering if there’s another option, and that’s where products like Naztech’s Xpods Pro come in.
I have both Apple AirPods Pro and Naztech Xpods Pro in hand and have tested each pair thoroughly. Which set of wireless earbuds is worth your money? Let’s find out.
Xpods Pro First Impressions
After taking the earbuds out of the box, you’ll notice that the Xpods Pro have an interesting texturized matte finish to them, which feels nice in hand and makes them grippier than Apple’s more slippery AirPods Pro. That’s a nice touch that differentiates the two; however, which texture is better is entirely up to preference.
Basic functionality is the same between the Xpods and AirPods. The Xpods fasten into the charging case with a nice click using magnets, and the lid closes just as satisfyingly with a familiar magnetic snap.
The Xpods Pro are lighter than the AirPods Pro and don’t feel as “expensive.” But, that’s certainly excusable considering their cost. Even though there is a noticeable weight difference, the two pairs of pods are incredibly similar in size and shape.
Connectivity and Wireless Charging
Connectivity with an iPhone involves a little bit more work with the Xpods than you’d experience with AirPods, but making a connection is relatively easy. As with most other wireless headphones, you’ll need to head into your Bluetooth settings and select the Xpods from the list. Going forward, they’ll connect to your iPhone automatically as soon as you pull them out of the case. That’s a nice touch.
It is also worth noting the USB-C port at the bottom of the Xpods, which is found in the same spot as the Lightning port on the AirPods Pro. USB-C is great to see here, as the world is quickly moving toward USB-C as the universal standard for computers, mobile devices, accessories and more.
The best part is that Xpods Pro feature wireless charging if you don’t feel like finicking with a cable, which is also great to see on a product that’s this affordable.
Sound Quality and Volume
The Xpods Pro’s sound quality is superb for this price point. Bass response is where the Xpods Pro really shine in my opinion. You’ll hear much fuller lows and mids than you’ll hear from the AirPods Pro, and the Xpods Pro really blow them out of the water. Dance, hip-hop, and electronic tracks sound fantastic on the Xpods Pro.
High pitches do have a small bit of distortion, but you’ll hear the same thing on the AirPods Pro, and that’s likely a limitation of Bluetooth audio in general.
Xpods Pro are also loud, so if you like to pump up your jams at the gym or at work – these will not disappoint. Even better yet, the sound isolation works wonders, and it’s very difficult for others to hear what you’re listening to even at high volumes.
For less than $50, you or a family member will be thrilled with the sound quality and volume that these buds can produce.
Other Notable Features
The Xpods Pro feature touch controls for pausing your music, skipping tracks, taking phone calls, and even activating Siri. These controls are a little bit more difficult to get the hang of than AirPods, but practice makes perfect. In the box, you’ll find a nicely detailed instruction guide that will help you make sense of everything.
Included in the box are a whole mess of earbud tips that you can mix and match to your liking, with six sets of tips in two colors total. You’ll also get a USB-C charging cable if a wireless charger isn’t readily available.
When it comes to battery life, the Xpods Pro and the AirPods Pro are both rated for up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge. With their charging cases, each pair of pods are rated for about 24-25 hours of total playtime, so you won’t see any disadvantages in that department.
Bottom Line
The truth is that all wireless earbuds are, in a way, disposable – their little batteries will survive a limited amount of charges before they eventually go kaput (and that’s if we don’t actually lose them first). So it’s important to remember that low-cost wireless earbuds have gotten so good that we don’t need to spend $249 to obtain great wireless sound.
Devices like the Xpods Pro deliver music that in many ways sounds better than the AirPods Pro at 1/5 of the cost. If great-sounding music is as important to you as saving $200, the Xpods Pro won’t disappoint. Not to mention, they’re even available in three colors including white, black, and red.
