Are the 1More Comfobuds Pro the Best True Wireless $100 Can Buy?
“Hearst Magazines and Verizon Media may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.”
We judge all headphones and earbuds on a scale of 10, analyzing the categories we think are most important: sound, comfort, design, battery performance, and, if applicable, special features. Here's how the 1More Comfobuds Pro wireless earbuds stack up.
The 1More Comfobuds Pro true wireless earbuds are an upgraded take on the audio maker’s affordable Comfobuds — one of our favorite Apple AirPods alternatives. They bring convenient new features like active noise cancellation, longer battery life, and app-enabled controls.
A CES 2021 Innovation Award Honoree, the Comfobuds Pro have a slightly higher — but still plenty reasonable — price tag under $100. I put them to the test to determine if their specs stack up to other top-rated earbuds in the $100 range.
SCORES
Sound: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Battery Performance: 8/10
Overall Score: 8/10
THE 1MORE COMFOBUDS PRO AT A GLANCE
The comfiest true wireless earbuds in their price range and beyond
Good sound and noise cancellation, but only the latter is adjustable
The product’s touch controls have a learning curve
6 hours of battery life with noise cancellation
IPX4 rating for water resistance
SOUND: 8/10
With 13.4-millimeter audio drivers that have been tuned by a Grammy-winning audio engineer, the 1More Comfobuds Pro produce better sound than you’d expect from a product this affordable. Unlike countless rivals that pump out more bass than necessary, the Comfobuds Pro deliver a sonic experience with a perceptible harmony between low-end, midrange, and treble.
In order to make the earbuds deliver true-to-life sound that’s also entertaining regardless of the content you play, 1More has subtly enhanced their audio reproduction throughout the frequency range. The clever tweak allowed me to equally enjoy listening to Vivaldi concertos, Miles Davis jazz albums, and lo-fi house tracks with abundant sub-bass while testing the Comfobuds Pro.
Just like the much pricier Bowers & Wilkins PI7 wireless earbuds, the Comfobuds Pro lack tools for adjusting the sound. Because of the well-balanced listening experience they offer, this is not a dealbreaker. Sound-wise, they are my new favorite for $100.
Dubbed QuietMax by 1More, the product’s noise cancellation, like its audio quality, defies the expectations set by its price tag. The feature has a trio of modes you can access via an app: strong, mild, and wind-resistant. Of course, a pass-through setting to help you hear your surroundings is also available.
I put the noise-cancelling tech through its paces during a long Manhattan walk alongside East River. With strong ANC on, the Comfobuds Pro reduced the constant hubbub from FDR Drive — a busy New York City highway that’s snaking along the esplanade — to a significantly more remote hum.
Thanks to three microphones per earbud, the 1More Comfobuds Pro performed well during calls. Participants in telephone and FaceTime conversations, as well as Microsoft Teams and Zoom virtual meetings heard me clearly, even when I was talking while outside with a mask on. The Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds also maintained a robust connection with an iPhone 12 and a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra while I evaluated them.
COMFORT: 9/10
Weighing 5.2 grams each, the Comfobuds Pro are among the lightest, most comfortable noise-canceling earbuds I have tested. That’s a bit less than the 5.4-gram AirPods Pro, and noticeably below the weight of other rivals.
The stem-toting buds also distribute their minuscule weight more evenly than other, more densely packed offerings. I didn’t feel even a remote hint of fatigue while using them.
The 1More earbuds rely entirely on touch-sensitive controls that include double or triple taps, as well as long presses. There are no single taps, probably because the audio maker doesn't want you to accidentally pause the playback while adjusting the earbuds.
Thankfully, you can customize the controls to your liking in the 1More app. You can pick direct access to a preferred level of noise cancellation, a virtual assistant, or control the audio playback and its volume. Still, be mindful that the process of using them requires a bit of getting used to.
The easiest way to pause the playback on the 1More Comfobuds Pro is to remove one of the earbuds. They have onboard wear sensors, which will interrupt your listening session. The companion app gives you an option to choose whether to resume playback automatically after placing the bud back in your ear.
DESIGN: 8/10
Many cheap true wireless earbuds look like AirPods knockoffs, but the 1More Comfobuds Pro have a distinct design, which has been inspired by dripping liquid metal. I like that the slightly pointy tip on each bud’s stem has a neat light indicator for battery and pairing status.
The Comfobuds Pro have an IPX4 rating for water resistance — the same as the AirPods Pro. It makes the earphones suitable for light exercising and rainy walks. However, if you are a workout warrior looking for earbuds that can survive any routine, there are tougher options out there, including under $100.
You can order the product in black or white. Each color option has a pill-shaped charging case with a matching finish.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE: 8/10
You can expect up to 6 hours of battery life with noise cancellation switched on from the 1More Comfobuds Pro. Disabling the feature extends the time between charges to about 8 hours. The product’s small, USB-C charging case holds a tad more than two additional full charges for a total of 20 hours’ worth of playback.
Overall, the Comfobuds Pro’s battery life is solid, especially for their price category. It’s slightly longer than the battery endurance of the AirPods Pro, and on par with that of more expensive noise-canceling earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort.
OVERALL: 8/10
With cool design, supreme comfort, and detail-rich sound, the 1More Comfobuds Pro are my new favorite cheap true wireless earbuds. If you don’t want to plunk down more than $100 for new wireless earphones with noise cancellation, this is your best option.
That said, there are pricier alternatives with better audio quality and stronger noise cancellation, as well as more features. For around $30 more, the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro by Anker offer bespoke, fully customizable sound, a tougher build, and a wireless charging-compatible case. However, the Comfobuds Pro are lighter and much comfier.
You Might Also Like
