Mpow X3 Review: Wireless ANC Earbuds With Uplifting Sound - Scarbir

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TWS true wireless earphones - under $100

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FOUR STARS - You may buy the Mpow X3 for its ANC active noise cancelling, but you may end up loving it for its enjoyable sound - with or without massive bass.

Specs of the Mpow X3 ANC TWS:

• Bluetooth 5.0

• IP7 waterproof rating (heavy rain and sweat resistant)

• 5,5 - 6,5 hours listening on a full charge (ANC on/ off)

• Charging case can charge earpieces fully 2 times

• Comes with 6 sizes ear tips and USB-C cable

• $60 on AliExpress or Amazon US/ other Amazon stores - check current price!

Below this Mpow X3 review you will find reviews of the Mpow X3 vs Boltune ANC BH023, Aukey EP-N5, Mpow M30, Edifier TWS NB, and Bomaker Sifi II.

As of September 2020, the rating of this TWS has been decreased from 4.5 to 4 stars. Read here why.

Design, comfort and battery life

The Mpow X3 isn't Mpow's most beautifully crafted pair of earphones, if you compare it to the sturdiness of the Mpow M7, M20 or M8 for example. The rubber tips that go inside your ears feel a bit flimsy, the shiny part on the inside of the buds looks cheap and fragile, and the case has a rattle when you shake with it.

Specs of the charging case are fine, however. The square design isn't as bulky as some other ANC earphone cases, and you can recharge it via USB-C on the bottom. It can recharge the earpieces 2,5 times before needing power itself. Underneath the lid are four LED-lights that indicate the battery status of the case. Take note when you need bigger ear tips than the six (!) pairs that come standard with the X3, however: you won't be able to fit them in here.

The earpieces of the Mpow X3 are delightfully lightweight and comfortable compared to most other earphones with ANC active noise cancelling. With their small inner-part and thanks to the thin rubber tips, you barely notice wearing them after a while. They also stay in your ears easily - the fit is great.

It's even better to have this comfort on earphones that also offer a stellar battery life: up to 5,5 hours with ANC on, and around 6,5 hours with ANC off.

Connectivity and controls

From the first Scarbir.com favorite, the Mpow M5, to the later released models: the control scheme of Mpow's has always been great. The X3 is no exception.

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You control the earbuds by tapping on or around the shallow part on the stem. On the right side, a single tap increases volume, double-tapping plays or pauses the music, and three taps makes you skip a song. Bu holding down the right earpiece for two seconds, you activate or deactivate the ANC active noise cancelling.

The left earpiece lets you decrease volume (single tap), play/ pause (double-tap), or return a song (three taps). Hold down this earpiece for two seconds, and you'll activate the voice assistant on your phone.

The control scheme is great and controlling them is a breeze. There will be occasions you change the volume without meaning too, however.

The Mpow X3 has a good but not flawless connectivity. While connecting and pairing goes fast, the Bluetooth 5.0 connection starts to suffer within ten meters from your device. It happily rarely happens when you're walking or cycling with the earphones in your pocket, and occasional hiccups are quickly restored. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to keep listening to a single earpiece once you put the other in the case.

Calling and watching movies

The call quality of the Mpow X3 is absolutely sufficient to take an extended phone call. Your voice has a typical telephone sound, loud and clear for the other end of the line.

Surrounding background and wind noises are reduced nicely, although some higher-pitched sounds around you can still enter the call. Talking cyclists crossing you can sound louder than a passing train or vehicle, for instance. The put-through of higher sounds makes calling outside easier than indoors when you're surrounded by kids or younger girls talking.

All in all, it's perfectly doable to have a call with these.

Watching videos on the Mpow X3 is a blast too. Audio synchronizes perfectly with video on both Android and iPhone, including the challenging YouTube-app on the latter. There is a noticeable delay when playing games, as is the case on nearly all wireless earphones.

Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $100

Active Noise Cancelling on Mpow X3

The biggest sales generator of the Mpow X3 will likely be its ANC feature. It's the first time Mpow comes up with Active noise canceling: dampening your surrounding noise by the touch of a button.

Please note: So far, wireless ANC earbuds only reduce the volume output of noises around you. They don't filter and quieten your surroundings like full-sized headphones from Bose and Sony do. That said:

ANC on the Mpow X3 is turned off by default. Switch it on, and the X3 gives a subtle, soothing white noise over the sounds around you. Sounds like engines, electric buzzes, and humming are reduced in volume. Hisses - like the tires on a distant motorway - are still audible, but they lose their sharp edge. The X3 successfully reduces darker background noises. Lighter sounds come through, however. Trees moving by the wind, kids' voices, and nearby people are still noticeable - better than on the comparably priced Boltune ANC BH023.

Newer released models, such as the Aukey EP-N5, Tronsmart Apollo Bold and especially the 20 Decebel (also sold as Tozo NC9 and SoundLiberty 94), fare noticeably better in the noise cancelling department.

One more note: if you're walking or cycling with ANC on, the Mpow X3 picks up wind easily, even when there isn't that much wind to begin with. On the go, turning off ANC (or not switching it on) is a better choice.

Looking for the best noise cancelling audio on a budget? Try the OneAudio A9 headphone.

Sound quality of Mpow X3: Two sound styles

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The Mpow X3 is one of those rare wireless earphones that deliver two types of sound, depending on how you put them in your ears.

We've seen it before on the Wavefun X-Pods 3. You can push the Mpow X3 lightly in your ears, and you'll be treated to a balanced, clear sound with a supporting bass. The earpieces will stay in your ears without a hassle. However - put them in your ears further, and the Mpow X3 starts to deliver on its promise of deep bass.

The Mpow X3 has a striking bass slam, which packs a punch especially in modern genres like dance, pop, and hip-hop. It's isn't the quickest, but compensates for it with plenty of punch. The sub-bass tones too, know how to rumble in your ears.

Lower-mids don't enjoy the same attention. Darker electronic tones, drums, and cellos have just enough weight to them, however, and are well-separated from the bass.

The sound is mostly formed by the upper-mids and highs, however. The X3 boosts upper-mids and vocals, making both males and females sound clear and detailed. Occasional, they can seem a bit thin - but rarely too thin. They can be too bright on higher volumes, however.

The soundstage is convincing, with an airy feeling in the music and great left-right separation. Within this heavy V-shape (emphasized bass and higher frequencies), instruments like guitars, pianos, and violins still get enough room.

This is the sound with the ANC turned on. The music with ANC turned off is a little less outspoken and darker: highs roll-off earlier, and the bass and mids are weakened a bit. With ANC turned on, the bass becomes heavier but also richer and more detailed.

With two sound styles dependent on your fit, and mild sound differences with ANC on and off, the Mpow X3 should have a sound character you will like.

Selected comparisons

Mpow X3 vs Boltune ANC BT-BH023

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The X3 and the BH023 from Boltune are direct competitors: two wireless earbuds with ANC, the same price, and both delivering a sound with strong bass. It's a tradeoff between qualities between these two. The Mpow X3 provides better call quality and more pinpoint audio-video synchronization, but the Boltune offers slightly more silence with noise canceling activated. It blocks brighter noises just a bit better.

While both can present a very bassy sound, the Mpow X3 refines its sound a bit more. The bass may be strong and rumbling fiercely; it's better controlled than on the Boltune, where it can sound boomier. The Boltune places vocals (even) more forward - but claps, cymbals, and voices can be a bit piercing and sibilant as a result. The Mpow controls this better as well. Along with its other qualities, the X3 is a better allrounder.

• Boltune ANC BT-BH023 review

Mpow X3 vs Apple AirPods Pro

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When it comes to wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, the $250 Apple AirPods Pro are without a doubt the most popular model. Don't mistake that for them being better, however. The ANC on the AirPods Pro brings in slightly more, but ever-so-subtle white noise, reducing sounds from your environment a bit stronger - although there has been an update on the AirPods Pro weakening just that. The AirPods Pro switches more easily between different (Apple) devices and call quality is even better than on the Mpow.

But the Mpow X3 strikes back - hard. Its sound is clearer and more opened-up, with higher emphasis and detail on the upper frequencies. It has a broader soundstage, giving music that pleasurable airy feel. The bass is stronger and goes deeper, whereas the AirPods Pro bass is rather fussy.

Next to a higher sound quality, the X3 also delivers an hour stronger battery life with noise cancelling turned on. Save yourself nearly $200… and get better sound.

• Test: Apple AirPods Pro vs cheap wireless earphones

Mpow X3 vs Edifier TWS NB

The earpieces are big and protrude out of your ears, but the sub-$100 Edifier TWS NB is the best noise-cancelling wireless earphone on the market. That doesn't change with the X3; the Edifier silences surrounding noises better, including the slightest background tones. It also has an even better battery life than the Mpow X3. However, the X3 has a more vibrant, energetic, balanced, and detailed sound. One on one with the Edifier, the TWS NB almost seems overly warm and a bit muffled.

• Edifier TWS NB review

Mpow X3 vs Mpow M30 (Plus)

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The Mpow X3 costs around $15 more than the Mpow M30, which is comparably prices in its bigger battery version - the Mpow M30 Plus. Like the X3, it doesn't have the best build quality. The M30 brings in sport wings as opposed to the X3's ANC and better call quality - and you could make your choice both on those facts. Like the X3, the M30 also has the Mpow-character of elevated bass and forward vocals, but it does sound more natural and balanced than the X3. The bass is less dominant, and mids and highs are a bit toned-down in comparison. The result is a slightly flatter sound, but absolutely don't mistake that for a dull sound. Both these Mpow's sound very energetic, but the X3 punches even harder.

• Mpow M30 review - buy on Amazon

Mpow X3 vs Bomaker Sifi II

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The Bomaker Sifi II has no active noise cancelling, but due to its shape and fit, it can already block many surrounding noises by just putting them in. The Sifi II has an even stronger, heavy-hitting bass. It delivers a warmer sound, with more body in the mids and darker vocals. The Mpow X3 extends highs further, making a clearer and more balanced sound. Battery life is comparable on both earphones; the Mpow throws in ANC and better call capabilities as extras.

• Bomaker Sifi II review

—> All TWS reviews and ratings here <—

Verdict

The Active Noise Cancelling may not be very strong; with two sound styles, good call quality, and solid battery life, the Mpow X3 is a very good allrounder.

FOUR stars - very good

Buy Mpow X3 ANC/ check current price:

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I bought the Mpow X3 to test and review myself. Thanks for all the requests! My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.

Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3

Also read:

• Guide: The best sounding true wireless earphones under $50

• Leaderboard: All rated wireless earphones

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