HAYLOU Flowbuds HT01

The HAYLOU Flowbuds HT01 delivers 96th percentile sound and 98th percentile mic quality for around $45. ANC is genuinely good at 54dB, and LDAC support is rare at this price. Comfort is the main weakness, so try before you commit.

The 12.4mm titanium-coated drivers do real work here. Sound sits in the 96th percentile of everything we've tested, with balanced highs and mids plus bass that actually has some thump. LDAC support is a nice bonus for Android users, though iPhone folks are stuck with AAC. ANC hits the 93rd percentile, which means it's genuinely good, not just marketing noise. The adaptive mode adjusts on the fly, and transparency mode works well enough. Battery life is solid at 12 hours with ANC off and 10 with it on, landing in the 79th percentile. The six-mic array with ENC is the real surprise, calls come through clear even in windy conditions. Gaming mode latency is decent too, scoring 73.2 for gaming use.

Against the Sony WF-C700N, the HAYLOU beats it on raw sound quality and mic performance, but Sony wins on comfort and brand trust. The Nothing Ear (3) has better build quality and a more premium feel, but costs significantly more. The Anker Space A40 is the closest competitor, with similar ANC performance but the HAYLOU edges it out on sound and mic quality. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is another strong budget option, but the HAYLOU's LDAC support gives it an edge for Android users. The Soundcore P31i is cheaper but can't match the HAYLOU's sound or ANC depth.

At $45 USD, these are an absolute steal. You're getting sound quality and ANC that compete with earbuds in the $100-150 range. The LDAC support alone is rare at this price point. Sure, the comfort isn't great for everyone, but if they fit your ears, you're getting flagship-adjacent features for lunch money. The EUR 69 price in Italy is less exciting but still reasonable for what you get.

The HAYLOU Flowbuds HT01 (also sold as the N55) is one of those budget earbuds that makes you wonder why you'd spend triple the price. You get LDAC, hybrid ANC rated up to 54dB, Bluetooth 6.0, and a six-mic setup for calls. On paper, that's a spec sheet from earbuds twice the price.

In practice, it mostly delivers. Sound quality lands in the 96th percentile in our database, which is wild for this price bracket. The mic quality is even better at 98th percentile. But comfort is a weak spot, and that matters more than most spec sheet warriors want to admit.

If comfort is your top priority, look elsewhere. The 29th percentile comfort score means these aren't great for all-day wear or small ears. Fitness enthusiasts should also be cautious, the 60/100 fitness score suggests they might not stay secure during workouts. And if you're on iPhone and want the best possible audio codec, you won't get LDAC anyway.

If you want the best sound and call quality you can get under $50, these are it. The HAYLOU Flowbuds HT01 punches way above its weight on audio and mic performance. Just make sure the fit works for you, because comfort is the one area where these fall short. For Android users who want LDAC on a budget, this is a no-brainer.