1More ComfoBuds Mini
Tiny wireless earbuds offer decent sound at an affordable price
The earbuds remain comfortable to wear even for long periods
£92.99 FROM usa.1more.com FEATURES Bluetooth 5.2, Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), Qi wireless charging, splashproof up to IPX5, up to 24 hours playback (earbuds: 6 hours/case: 18 hours)
Wireless earbuds come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but these earbuds from 1More claim to be the world’s smallest. The ComfoBuds Mini are certainly tiny, measuring a marble-sized 17x15x13mm and weighing just 3.7g each. Yet they also pack a lot in their tiny dimensions, with a 7mm transducer in each earbud, plus 3-stage Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and touch controls. And all for less than £100.
Like most wireless earbuds, the ComfoBuds Mini come with a charging case for juicing up the earbuds when not in use. The stated battery life is six hours with ANC off or five hours with ANC on for the earbuds, and 18 hours (ANC off ) or 15 hours (ANC on) for the case, giving you a total playback time of up to 24 hours. The case comes with both a USB-C port (a short USB-A to USB-C cable is included) as well as Qi wireless charging. The earbuds are also splashproof to IPX5, although the case is not.
Going hand in hand with the ComfoBuds Mini is the free 1More app, which enables you to perform various functions on the earbuds, such as switching between Strong, Mild and Wind Noise Resistance ANC, and for personalising the way the earbuds sound using SoundID. This asks you a series of questions (akin to an eyesight test) during audio playback. However, the app doesn’t include a graphic equaliser for more fine grained (or quickly customisable) treble, mid-range or bass control. You also have the option to ‘burn-in’ the headphones for up to 40 hours before you begin using them.
Sound quality
Like other wireless earbuds, the ComfoBuds Mini have touch controls – so you can tap them twice to start or stop audio playback or to answer an incoming call. Tapping them three times activates Siri. To do something like switch between ANC modes by tapping an earbud means losing one of the other two touch options. However having to tap at least twice should prevent accidental activations when adjusting the earbuds in your ears. They can also pause playback automatically when you remove them.
Sound quality is good – not quite as extensive or as involving as Apple’s AirPods or AirPods Pro, but pretty decent given the buds’ lightness, size and price. You can also choose from four different-sized pairs of silicone eartips and, in use, the earbuds remain comfortable to wear even for long periods. Call quality is good too, although you’ll need to switch ANC off before making a call to hear yourself clearly. In testing, a caller noticed added sibilance as we spoke, but otherwise call quality is clear.
Rob Mead-Green