QCY BH20T13A

The QCY T13 true wireless earbuds deliver ANC, 40 hour battery life, and IPX5 water resistance for around $27. Sound quality is average and the mic is weak, but the value is hard to argue with. If you want budget earbuds that just work, these are a top pick.

Battery life is where the T13 really earns its keep. You get up to 8 hours from the buds themselves and 40 hours total with the charging case. That's well above average for true wireless earbuds, and the quick charge is genuinely useful. Five minutes in the case gets you about an hour of playback. If you're the type who forgets to charge things until you're walking out the door, that's a lifesaver.

ANC performance lands in the 81st percentile of our database, which is impressive for a sub-$30 pair. The four mic setup with ENC handles noise reduction for calls too, though the mic quality itself is a weak spot. Callers on the other end often report you sound muffled or distant. For music and media, the sound is middle of the pack. It's clean enough, but don't expect deep sub bass or sparkling highs. The Bluetooth 5.1 connection is solid, and pairing is quick and painless.

Against the Soundcore P31i, the T13 holds its own on battery and ANC, though Soundcore's app is much more polished. The Sony WF-C700N has better sound quality and a more refined fit, but you're paying a premium for the Sony name. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is the closest competitor in terms of features, with slightly better sound but a higher price tag. The Anker Space A40 offers better ANC and sound, but again, more money. The JLab JBuds Pods ANC is the most direct budget rival, and it's a toss up. JLab has better brand recognition in the US, but the T13's battery life is hard to beat.

At $27 USD, the QCY T13 is one of the easiest value recommendations in the budget earbud space. You're getting ANC, 40 hours of battery, and a build quality that owners say holds up for years. Compare that to the Sony WF-C700N, which costs significantly more and doesn't dramatically outperform the T13 in battery life. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is a step up in sound quality, but you're paying for it. If your budget is tight and you want ANC without compromise on battery, this is the pick.

The QCY T13 sits in that budget true wireless earbud bracket where you're not expecting miracles, just something that works well enough to justify the price. At around $27 USD, these are firmly in the impulse buy territory. You get active noise cancellation, a 40 hour total battery life with the case, and an IPX5 water resistance rating. That's a spec sheet that would have cost you triple a few years ago.

So is the QCY T13 good for everyday listening? For most people, yeah. The 7.2mm dynamic drivers push out a sound profile that's about average for the category. Nothing that'll make audiophiles weep with joy, but perfectly fine for podcasts, YouTube, and casual music. The ANC is actually a standout at this price. It's not going to silence a subway car, but it takes the edge off background hum better than most buds in this range.

Fit is comfortable for shorter sessions, though a few owners mention they start to feel it after the 3-4 hour mark. And if you're planning to run in these, maybe think twice. The IPX5 rating means sweat won't kill them, but the fit isn't locked in enough for aggressive movement for everyone.

Skip the QCY T13 if you take a lot of phone calls. The mic quality is genuinely bad, and you'll frustrate people on the other end. If you need earbuds for running or HIIT workouts, the fit isn't secure enough for everyone. Look at the JLab JBuds Pods ANC or something with ear hooks instead. And if sound quality is your top priority, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ or Anker Space A40 are worth the extra money.

Should you buy the QCY T13? If you want ANC and all day battery life for under $30, absolutely. These are the kind of earbuds you throw in your bag and forget about until you need them, and they'll still have charge. The sound won't blow you away, and the mic is a letdown for calls, but for music, podcasts, and blocking out office noise, they're a steal.

If you take a lot of calls or need earbuds that stay put during intense workouts, look elsewhere. But for everyone else, the T13 is one of the best budget true wireless options we've tested this year.