Boean U18 Wireless Earbuds: Budget-Friendly Wireless Earbuds for Workouts
Published on May 3, 2023, 9:14 p.m.
Wireless earbuds have become ubiquitous in recent years. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to determine which pair offers the best value. The Boean U18 aims to deliver premium features at an affordable price point. Keep reading this review to see if these budget-friendly earbuds deliver on sound, comfort, and connectivity.
Overview
The Boean U18 are wireless bluetooth 5.3 earbuds released in October 2021. They boast an impressive 16 hours of battery life and have an IPX7 waterproof rating, making them ideal for workouts. The earbuds feature an ergonomic and lightweight design for comfort and stability.
Key Features
- Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
- IPX7 sweatproof and waterproof
- Ergonomic and stable fit
- Punchy bass and clear sound
- 16-hour marathon battery life
Design
The U18 earbuds have a sleek design with an angled in-ear fit. The earbuds themselves are relatively small and lightweight, weighing only 0.11 kg. The outer surface has a glossy finish with the Boean logo displayed prominently.
The Boean U18 Wireless Headphones comes with silicone eartips in 4 sizes (S/M/L/XL) to allow for a customized and secure fit. The interchangeable eartips effectively block outside noise and prevent the earbuds from falling out during intense workouts.
Ease of Use
Setting up and pairing the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones is quick and straightforward. They turn on and connect to your phone automatically after initial pairing. The onboard controls are intuitive - single/double/triple clicks provide playback, call, and volume controls. Everything works reliably right out of the box.
Build Quality
The Boean U18 Wireless Headphones have solid build quality given the affordable price tag. The IPX7 waterproof housing can withstand intense sweat and weather exposure. The sturdy plastic won’t crack or fracture when dropped. While not as premium feeling as metal/leather earbuds, the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones are impressively rugged.
Sound Quality
The 11mm drivers produce highly detailed sound with punchy bass and crisp treble. While audiophiles may want more refinement, the lively sound is great for pop, hip-hop, EDM, and workout playlists. The energetic sound matches the sporty vibe.
Microphone Quality
Phone calls sound clean thanks to the noise cancelling microphone array. Voices come through clearly even in noisy environments. You can seamlessly transition from tunes to taking calls.
Noise Isolation
The secure in-ear fit provides effective passive noise isolation. The snug seal blocks out ambient noise reasonably well without active noise cancellation. You get an immersive listening experience during travels and workouts.
Battery Life
The Boean U18 Wireless Headphones deliver on the promised 16 hours of continuous playback per charge. This marathon battery life means less time spent recharging and more time enjoying audio.
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3 provides a rock-solid connection up to 15 meters away from your device. Pairing is quick and hassle-free. The latest Bluetooth technology improves stability and avoids frustrating dropouts.
Controls
The multifunction button on each earbud provides intuitive tap and press controls for playback, calls, volume, and voice assistants. The controls are conveniently located and easy to use on the go.
Waterproofing
The IPX7 rating means the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Feel free to break a sweat - rain and splashes won’t faze these buds either.
Use Cases
The Boean U18 earbuds are optimized for dynamic workouts and vigorous activity. Their sweatproof design and secure fit are perfect for runs, HIIT training, cardio machines, weightlifting, cycling, yoga, hikes, and more. Whether you’re plowing through squats at the gym or pounding the pavement outside, the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones will keep up.
User Feedback Analysis
With over 6,700 customer reviews on Amazon, the Boean U18 earbuds have amassed a wealth of user feedback. This gives us tremendous insight into the real-world performance, pros and cons. Let’s dive deep into the praise and complaints.
For budget-focused buyers, the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones have absolutely delighted users with their value for money. The sub-$20 price tag coupled with marathon 16-hour battery life, IPX7 waterproofing, and stable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity has customers raving. As one reviewer exclaimed, “Jaw-dropping features for the price!”
When it comes to audio quality, most users agree the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones sound great, especially for exercising. The punchy bass and lively sound profile make them perfect workout companions. While audiophiles criticize the lack of mid-range refinement, average listeners are plenty impressed by the energetic sound.
In the comfort department, customers praise how lightweight and stable the angled earbuds feel during runs and workouts. The customizable eartips ensure a secure in-ear fit for most. However, some with very small or very large ear canals have complained about fit issues. Finding the right size eartip is key.
Reliability and connectivity has been a mixed bag. When they work properly, the Bluetooth 5.3 connection is solid. But a vocal minority have experienced frustrating dropouts, charging issues, and faulty units. Quality control seems hit or miss.
Noise isolation is decent but unsurprising given the lack of active noise cancelling features. The in-ear seal blocks ambient sounds reasonably well for the gym or plane rides. Just don’t expect total silence.
For crystal clear calls, the microphones do an admirable job in filtering out wind and background noise. Voices transmit cleanly for the most part. A common complaint is callers saying you sound distant, likely due to the microphone quality.
Overall, buyers looking for an affordable pair of workout earbuds are overwhelmingly satisfied with the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones. The minor drawbacks are easy to overlook given the incredible sub-$20 pricing. While they may lack polish and premium features, the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones deliver on the key essentials. For budget seekers, they are tough to beat.
Pros
- Incredible value for money
- Lengthy 16-hour battery life
- Sweatproof and waterproof IPX7 rating
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable fit
- Fun sound signature with vibrant bass
Cons
- Lacks noise cancellation feature
- Sound quality not as refined as premium earbuds
- Bluetooth connectivity can be spotty for some users
- Size and fit may not work for all ear shapes
Value for Money
Dollar for dollar, you’ll struggle to find a better performing pair of wireless earbuds than the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones. Despite the incredibly low price point, you still get marathon battery life, sweatproofing, stable fit, easy controls, and surprising sound quality. For budget-focused buyers who want wireless earbuds primarily for workouts without breaking the bank, the U18 deliver tremendous bang for your buck.
Conclusion
The Boean U18 wireless earbuds exceed expectations for the price. Though they may lack premium features like active noise cancellation, the durable design, marathon battery life, and lively sound make them a budget-friendly option ideal for workouts. For those seeking quality earbuds without breaking the bank, the Boean U18 Wireless Headphones are easy to recommend.
What’s in the Box
- Boean U18 wireless earbuds
- USB charging cable
- 4 pairs of interchangeable eartips (S/M/L/XL sizes)
- Cable clip
- Clothing clip
- User manual
Specifications
- Model number: U18
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery life: Up to 16 hours music playtime
- Waterproof rating: IPX7
- Weight: 15g per earbud
- Dimensions: 29 x 18 x 15mm per earbud
- Materials: ABS plastic housing
- Driver diameter: 11mm
- Frequency response range: 20Hz-20KHz
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Charging time: 2 hours
- Charging port: USB-C
How to Use
- Take the earbuds out of the case.
- Press and hold the multifunction button on both earbuds simultaneously for 3 seconds until the LEDs flash to enter pairing mode.
- On your phone, go into Bluetooth settings and select “Boean U18” to connect.
- Insert the earbuds into your ears with your preferred eartips attached.
- Play music or audio and adjust the volume using your phone’s volume controls.
- Press the multifunction button once to pause/play or answer/end calls.
- Press and hold the button to reject incoming calls or activate your phone’s voice assistant.
