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You told us: Looks, fit, or sound quality? Here's what you value in TWS earbuds

It's a two-horse race between the fit and sound quality.
By
July 23, 2021
sony wf 1000xm4 review glam
Austin Kwok / Android Authority

True wireless earbuds have been around for several years now, but fellow Android Authority team member Roger Fingas reckons manufacturers still haven’t focused on keeping them in consumers’ ears. More specifically, Roger pointed to products like the Apple AirPods, Soundcore Liberty Air 2, and the Sony WF-1000XM4.

Is this a top priority for readers as well or are other considerations like sound quality and looks more important when buying earbuds? That’s what we asked readers, and here’s what you said.

What’s more important for you when buying TWS earbuds?

Results

The poll was posted inside Roger’s article on July 18, with over 2,000 votes being counted until now. And it’s a two-horse race here, with just under half of users (49.6%) saying the fit was a top priority when buying true wireless earbuds. Those who value sound quality the most accounted for 44.5% of all respondents.

Looks only accounted for 3.7% of the vote though, and this is a rather interesting result in light of upstart company Nothing focusing on aesthetics with the Ear 1 earbuds. We’re not sure if the new earphones might result in more brands focusing on looks, but it’s clear that our respondents value the fit and sound quality more right now.

Roughly 2% of polled readers voted for the “other” option, and comments suggest that battery life and call/microphone quality are top considerations too.

Comments

  • TheLastBattalion: Voted for sound quality. I chose the Sony WF-1000XM3 for the excellent sound quality that it has. Had to buy other tips to fix the fit but it was worth it. (Spinfit CP 360). At this rate, only the Sony WF 1000XM4 is the one that would beat my pair in sound quality and these do a good job as it is. The entire reason why we use these earbuds is for sound quality (for audiophiles) so it makes sense for that to be the priority. That being said, comfort and fit is much more important than aesthetics/appearance in my opinion.
  • kld2009: Battery life. My earbuds need 7 plus hours of battery life.
  • veesonic: I’ve had the Gear Icon X and the Galaxy Buds+ and both have had a great balance of looks, fit, and sound quality! Haven’t really given other brands a chance lol.
  • Carl Thomas: Fit genuinely is the deciding factor for me. I’ve gotten buds that sound better and maybe subjectively look better than my OG Galaxy Buds, but the Buds stay in best for me. I want minimal pop-out (they do still pop out, but definitely less than everything else I’ve tried except for AirPods).
  • Rudy™: Sound quality, then fit. Although I still won’t wear them anyways. I’m not like some in my area who are so addicted to their phones that they seemingly wear buds every waking hour.
  • Yheison Alexander Zarate Herre: The most important point are the microphone quality, all of TW earphones have problems with that. I have saw only a good microphones performance in the Jabra products
  • Lamar Taylor: Fit should be ranked #1 cuz the sound quality depends on the fit. There are options to keep earbuds from falling out and improving sound quality…try foam tips. I bought CharJen foam tips for my AirPods Pro and now they never fall out or need adjusting while I workout. Beats Studio Buds have a very comfortable fit, sound great, and look stylish…they are better than my Galaxy Buds Pro.

That’s it for our latest poll results article, thanks for voting and leaving a comment. Are there any other key factors for you when shopping for true wireless earbuds? Let us know below.