TOZO T6 Earbuds Review: Upgrades Bargain Earbuds Worth a Listen

TOZO T6 Earbuds Review

At $49.99 the Tozo T6 earbuds are a budget-friendly option that offers solid sound quality, and several features typically found in more expensive models. Designed with convenience and comfort in mind, they cater to users who want a reliable pair of wireless earbuds without breaking the bank.

Tozo recently updated the T6 earbuds with improved ear ergonomics, longer battery life and higher-quality sound based on their propriety ORIGX technology. The upgrade makes these very budget earbuds worth a second look. At steep discounts on Tozo and Amazon, they are even more attractive as a backup pair, or a running companion runners might not fret about if one gets lost in the underbrush during a trek through the woods.

Those seeking high-end sound and features from Tozo should consider their outstanding Tozo Golden X1 earbuds, which sit at the top of their line and offer competitive features and audio quality to those from top brands like Apple and Bose. I am also a big fan of their Tozo Open Buds.

What we like

Pros

• Affordable price
• Good sound quality
• IPX8 waterproof rating
• Comfortable and secure fit
• Long battery life with charging case
• Responsive touch controls
• Wireless charging
• Good app on phones

The Tozo T6 earbuds are competitively priced at $49.99, but they are often on sale at Tozo and on Amazon (at the time of this review, they are $29.99 on Amazon with an additional $5 coupon). This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Despite their low cost, they don’t feel cheap, offering a level of quality that rivals more expensive brands. This makes them a great entry-level choice for anyone venturing into the world of true wireless earbuds or for those looking for a backup pair or outdoor earbuds to wear when the probability of getting an earbud lost or damaged is high, like gardening with power tools.

For the price, the sound quality of the Tozo T6 is impressive. They deliver a balanced audio experience via their 6mm dynamic drivers with clear highs, mids, and solid bass. Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or watching videos, the audio performance is very strong. I have been, as I’m sure many have over the past few weeks, listening to the “LFG” theme from Deadpool & Wolverine via the T6 earbuds and found the experience completely immersive. The bass rattled through me without overwhelming the musical tinkles and twirls in the highs and the sinewy, connective mids. The T6 earbuds were equally adept on Dua Lipa’s “French Exit (Extended)” with clear guitar accompaniment to the underlying baseline.

The Tozo T6 earbuds connect via Bluetooth® 5.3 connection and support SBC and AAC codecs.

One of the standout features of the Tozo T6 is its IPX8 waterproof rating. This means the earbuds can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes without sustaining damage, making them an excellent choice for workouts, running in the rain, or even casual swimming.

The Tozo T6 earbuds are designed for comfort and stability, with multiple ear tip sizes included to ensure a good fit for different users. Once properly fitted, they stay securely in place, even during vigorous activities. Their lightweight design adds to the comfort, making them suitable for extended use. While they do not offer Active Noise Cancellation, they do provide good sound isolation in environments like home offices that don’t require robust noise filtering.

Battery life is another strong point for the Tozo T6. The earbuds themselves offer around 10 hours of playtime on a single charge, and the charging case provides an additional 35 hours, totaling 45 hours of usage. This extended battery life means you can use them throughout the day without worrying about frequent recharging. The T6 earbuds also support wireless charging.

The touch controls on the Tozo T6 are responsive, allowing you to easily manage your music, take calls, or summon your voice assistant without needing to reach for your phone. The controls are convenient, but like any touch-enabled earbuds, they require learning the various taps and holds that map to the buds.

The app, which offers EQ settings, firmware updates and touch control customization, works well and is attractive. Firmware updates were efficient and clear. It even includes ambient sound (like soft rain and thunderstorm) without the need to subscribe to a service. The ambient sounds can be set with a timer as a sleep aid. Tozo fans will find a community section and a portal for buying products. The app also acts as a hub for the customer relationship with Tozo.

The Tozo T6 earbuds come in a variety of colors, including white (which we reviewed), black, grass green, rose gold and sky blue.

What could be improved

Cons

• Touch controls can be overly sensitive
• Average call quality
• No active noise cancellation (ANC)
• The app does not work with iPad
• Upside-down charging
• Smooth surface on earbuds can make it hard to remove them from the case

The touch controls, while responsive, can sometimes be too sensitive. Accidental touches are common, especially when adjusting the earbuds in your ears. This can lead to unintended pauses, skips, or changes in volume, which can be frustrating during use. As with all touch control earbuds, the user must master clicks, double-clicks, triple-clicks and long presses for each earbud, creating a mental map that differentiates these earbuds from other earbuds with different touch settings.

Call quality on the Tozo T6 is average. While they are adequate for short conversations, the microphone tends to pick up ambient noise, making it challenging for the other party to hear the caller clearly. For those who prioritize crystal-clear calls, these earbuds might fall short of expectations.

The absence of active noise cancellation (ANC) is a noticeable drawback, especially for users who frequently find themselves in noisy environments. While ANC is not expected at this price point, its absence still limits the T6’s appeal for those seeking a more immersive listening experience.

The app does not work on the iPad. The headphones will connect via Bluetooth with no issue, but the app fails to recognize them using the simple “+Device” that works quickly and efficiently on the iPhone. With the app as the portal to customer service and controlling the headphones, those who purchase Tozo products for the iPad will be disappointed with the inability to control their purchase from their device of choice. Tozo needs to fix this.

The case is almost identical in shape and size to the one that houses Apple’s basic AirPods. The earbuds, however, are not AirPods. They are bulkier and do not have the trailing protuberance that distinguishes Apple’s earbuds. So, the size of the case is fine. What’s a little odd is that the earbuds fit in upside down, requiring users to turn them around to place them in the ear. Now, that doesn’t sound like much, but when you explore dozens of earbuds, not having them come right out of the case and into the ear, perhaps with a bit of twist, is a design flaw.

Tozo kind of recognizes this in their manual when they state that “the sound hole upward is a correct way to wear the earbuds.” The T6 earbuds require a twist back for a good fit, while many others require a twist forward. A reminder that reading the manual is still required in some cases. This design also requires some thought about properly returning them to their case.

Some users may find that the smooth finish on the T6 earbuds makes it hard to remove them from the case. Tozo may want to consider a material closer to the one used on the case to offer more texture for enhanced grip.

On the sustainability front, I would like Tozo to eliminate plastic wrap and non-recyclable foam from their packaging.

TOZO T6 Earbuds: The bottom line

The Tozo T6 earbuds offer a compelling package for the price, with good sound quality, impressive waterproofing, and a secure fit, making them a strong contender in the budget earbud market. However, their limitations, such as the lack of active noise cancellation and sensitive touch controls, may be deal-breakers for some. They excel in casual, everyday use but might not satisfy users with more specific needs or preferences. For those looking for an affordable, reliable pair of wireless earbuds, the Tozo T6 delivers solid value.

TOZO provided the T6 Earbuds for review. Images courtesy of TOZO unless otherwise noted.

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