CIQILY S49

Incredible battery life and waterproofing for pocket change, but the ANC is fake and you're gambling on build quality. Buy them as cheap, disposable gym beaters, not your daily drivers.

The battery life on these things is the absolute best right now for this price bracket, hitting the 90th percentile in our database. That 60-hour case is a real workhorse. What surprised us, though, was the sound. With those 13mm drivers, the bass has a surprising thump for cheap earbuds, even if the overall clarity is just middle of the pack. On the flip side, the build quality is a weak spot, landing in a disappointing 34th percentile. It feels like the long-term durability is where you're rolling the dice.

The CIQILY buds go head-to-head with the Soundcore P31i and JBL Endurance Race 2. You buy the JBLs for their rock-solid build and brand trust, but you'll pay significantly more and get less battery. The Soundcore P31i offers a more polished app experience and better sound tuning for a little extra cash. The CIQILYs win purely on being the cheapest way to get an IPX7 rating and a 60-hour case, but they lose on sound refinement and long-term reliability. If your budget is fixed, these are your pick. If you can stretch it, get the Soundcores.

For the price, these are a steal if you get a good pair. The value proposition is completely bonkers when you look at the battery life and water resistance. But there's a catch: the price range across vendors is a wild $4055 spread, which is clearly a data error for the high end. Stick to the $16-$30 range on Amazon where they're actually sold, and you're getting a great disposable pair of gym buds. Just don't pay a cent more.

Look, the CIQILY Wireless Headphones are the definition of a budget-friendly gamble that mostly pays off. The one thing you need to know is that for the price of a couple of burritos, you're getting a staggering 60 hours of total battery life with a handy LED display on the case, which is frankly unheard of. They sound decent enough for podcasts and casual playlists, and the IPX7 rating means you can sweat all over them without a second thought. Just don't expect the active noise cancellation to silence the world, because it really doesn't.

If you're looking for rich, detailed sound or reliable noise cancelling for your commute, this isn't it. Go get the EarFun Air Pro 4i instead. And if you're hard on your gear and expect earbuds to last for years, the flimsy build quality here will drive you nuts. Spend the extra money on a pair of JBL Endurance Race 2s for peace of mind.

These are the ultimate disposable workout earbuds. Buy them for the gym bag, for the run in the rain, or as a backup pair you won't cry over losing. The battery life is a legitimate standout, and they stay put during a workout. Just go in with your eyes open: the noise cancelling is a lie, and there's a real chance one bud might get quiet after a few weeks. For a no-stress, low-cost audio fix, they're a solid yes.