Edifier TWS NB2 Pro Review

I reviewed the Edifier TWS NB a couple of years ago, and I was very impressed. My main criticism was how ugly they were.

Edifier is now back with the TWS NB2 Pro that has had a complete redesign into something much more stylish. They are also cheaper than the original TWS NB but are they as good?

Specification

• Hybrid active noise-cancelling technology
• Dual-mic noise cancellation
• Three-dimensional audio technology
• Total 32 hours of playtime is supported
  • Noise-cancellation on: 7+18h
  • Noise-cancellation off: 9+23h
• Charge 15-minute for 2 hours playback
• Auto in-ear detection
• Ambient Sound Mode
• Support EDIFIER CONNECT APP
• Audio Codes: AAC,SBC
• IP54 rated

Design & Fit

Edifier must have taken the criticisms of the original TWS NB design to heart. The NB2 is completely redesigned and now has a much more premium design.

I was sent the white/cream coloured buds, and they look like they cost a lot more than they do.

Fit is good, and I have used these for walking, running and weightlifting without them feeling like they will fall out. Everyone’s ear anatomy is different, but I would say that the Edifier 330NB fits a bit more comfortably in my ear. The chunky earpiece sits snugly in my ear. It is not a big difference, though.

The previous generation had no IP rating, which felt like a significant omission considering most earbuds do have this nowadays. Thankfully the TWS NB2 Pro has been improved with a rating of IP54 which means you can safely use these in the gym or out running without worrying about them dying.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is good with a typical mainstream-friendly bass-forward sound profile.

The sound profile is not quite as bassy as the Edifier 330 NB I recently reviewed, instead offering something a bit more natural.

Mids sound good with excellent clarity in vocals. Highs don’t roll off quite as much, being a bit brighter and more detailed, but a little bit of sharpness in some tracks.

Sadly there is no EQ in the companion app, so you can’t tweak the audio to your preference like some other brands. There is an option for surround sound/spatial audio and game.

Spatial audio works quite well for TV and Movies, giving you a more expansive soundstage and a vague perception of surround sound. I am not so keen on this for music as it adds an element of echoeyness to the sound.  

Gaming mode aims to reduce the latency of the audio claiming as low as 80ms. However, the earbuds are limited to either AAC or SBC, so you are not going to get the same latency benefits as AptX Adaptive or LL. I personally didn’t notice much of a difference, but I don’t game on my mobile a lot, so I think I am less perceptive to these minor differences.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is quite good. I rooted out the original TWS NB from my drawer, and I would say that noise cancellation is slightly improved.

Using my normal aeroplane cabin noise video from YouTube and my speakers dialled up high. The NB2 Pro managed to reduce a considerable amount of the low end. However, they left much of the higher end intact. Switching to my Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro, they also eliminated most of the low end but also significantly reduce the volume of the highs.

I’d say the ANC performance is similar to the Edifier TWS 330 NB.

Back when I reviewed the original model, it was impressive that ANC was included at all so any noise reduction it offered was impressive. Since then a lot of ANC earbuds have been launched for around £100. Some of these offer impressive ANC performance. I’d say the Nothing Ear (1) have much better noise reduction and only cost an extra £15.

Battery

Battery life has been improved from the previous generation with the earbuds now being rated for 7 hours with ANC on and a further 18 hours from the charging case.

During my testing, I haven’t run them fully down between charges. I have probably used them for around 4 hours at most for one session and they had plenty of battery left when I put them back in the case.

Price and Alternative options

The Edifier TWS NB2 Pro are priced at just £80 on Amazon. At the time of writing there is also a 30% off voucher on the page too, taking them down to £48. Looking at Keepa, they are regularly discounted to below £60.

The older Edifier TWS NB had an RRP of £100 but were typically sold at a higher price.

The Edifier TWS 330 NB are £60 RRP and provide good performance in comparison, but the battery is much shorter.

The Nothing Ear (1) are currently around £95.

The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 and Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro are both excellent ANC earbuds but cost quite a bit more at around £110-£120.

Overall

Edifier consistently makes good products for their respective price point. The Edifier TWS NB2 Pro continue this tradition. You get an incredible amount of features for earbuds that cost just £80. The overall quality is excellent too, they look good, sound good and the ANC is effective.

The new lower price is a wise decision in my opinion. The £100 price point has become incredibly competitive in the past couple of years. At £80 there are not many, earbuds that are better than these. With prices regularly dropping down to around £50-60 they are an absolute bargain.

Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API