TWS Earbuds Buying Guide: ANC, Codecs, Battery and Mics Explained Simply
What does ANC really do? Do you need LDAC? Why do calls sound bad on cheap earbuds? Everything you need to know before buying wireless earbuds.
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True wireless (TWS) earbuds are now available from under ₹1,000 to well over ₹20,000. The spec sheets are full of terms like ANC, ENC, LDAC, low latency and “50 hours playback”. This guide explains what each one means, so you know what’s worth paying for.
Fit comes first
No feature matters if the earbuds don’t fit. A bad fit means weak bass, poor noise isolation and earbuds falling out. Look for multiple ear-tip sizes in the box, and try the different sizes when you first get them. Many people never do and blame the sound.
ANC vs ENC: not the same thing
| Term | What it does | Who it helps |
|---|---|---|
| ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) | Reduces outside noise you hear, like bus, metro, fan or AC hum | People who commute or work in noisy places |
| ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) | Reduces background noise the other person hears on calls | People who take lots of calls |
Many cheap earbuds advertise “ENC” in large letters so it looks like ANC. If you want quieter surroundings, make sure it says ANC, and check reviews for how strong it actually is. Measured in dB, a higher number means more noise blocked.
Codecs: does LDAC matter?
A codec is how your phone sends audio to the earbuds.
- SBC / AAC: Basic and fine for YouTube, calls and most streaming. AAC works best with iPhones.
- LDAC / LHDC: Higher quality, useful if you stream high-quality music on an Android phone that supports it.
Your phone also needs to support the codec. If you mostly listen on YouTube or regular Spotify quality, LDAC makes little difference.
Battery: read the small print
“50 hours playback” almost always means total battery including the charging case, with ANC turned off. The useful numbers are:
- Earbud battery alone: 5–8 hours is good.
- With ANC on: expect 20–30% less.
- Fast charging: “10 minutes for 2 hours” is handy if you forget to charge.
Gaming and low latency
If you play games like BGMI or Free Fire, look for a low latency or game mode of under 60ms. Without it, sounds like footsteps reach your ears late, which hurts in competitive games.
Call quality
Calls depend on microphones, not speakers. Earbuds with multiple mics per bud and AI noise reduction sound much better on calls. Since brand claims all sound similar, listen to real call tests on YouTube recorded in traffic or wind.
Other useful features
- Dual pairing (multipoint): Stay connected to your phone and laptop at once.
- IP rating: IPX4 or higher survives sweat and light rain, which matters for gym use.
- Companion app: Lets you change the EQ and get firmware updates.
- Wear detection: Pauses music when you take an earbud out.
Simple rule: Under ₹2,000, focus on fit, battery and a low-latency mode. From ₹2,000 to ₹5,000, real ANC becomes worth paying for. Above ₹5,000, look for strong ANC, multipoint, LDAC and great call quality.
The bottom line
Choose by how you’ll use them: ANC for commuting, multiple mics for calls, low latency for gaming and a high IP rating for workouts. Ignore inflated “total playback” numbers and always try every ear-tip size in the box.