Despite our nitpicks about the overwhelming bass-forward sound of the earbuds, the Noise Buds N1 Pro remains a solid pick at ₹1,599. These earbuds pack a range of features often seen in higher-end models, including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency Mode, Dual Pairing, and IPX5 water resistance, making it a competitive option in its price bracket.
In an increasingly crowded TWS market, budget earbuds like the Noise Buds N1 Pro face stiff competition. These earbuds follow in the footsteps of their popular and more affordable sibling, the Noise Buds N1, which garnered significant attention from the Indian masses. However, with more brands such as Realme, boAt, and Xiaomi making waves in the budget space, the Noise Buds N1 Pro needs to deliver more than just the basics to stand out. Enter a compelling feature set: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Dual Pairing, and an IPX5 rating, all packed into an affordable price of just ₹1,599.
At first glance, these features give the N1 Pro an edge over many competitors in its price bracket. But does the real-world performance live up to these promising specs? I’ve put the Noise Buds N1 Pro through rigorous testing to see if it truly stands out as a worthy competitor.
One of the standout features of the Noise Buds N1 Pro is its design. Upon unboxing, the earbuds present a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, with a matte finish that gives them a premium look despite their budget price tag. The compact case adds to the portability factor, easily fitting into pockets without creating any noticeable bulk.
The earbuds themselves are designed to fit comfortably in the ear, with silicone tips that offer a snug and secure fit. The design is sharp and angular, giving it a futuristic aura. The lightweight build also ensures prolonged use without causing discomfort.
The Noise Buds N1 Pro features IPX5 water resistance, which adds a level of durability that many budget earbuds lack. However, while the overall build quality is pretty solid, the case hinge feels slightly fragile. It’s a trade-off that might concern users looking for long-term durability, but for the price, it’s an understandable compromise.
One of the key highlights of the Noise Buds N1 Pro is the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a standout feature at this price point. Noise claims ANC can reduce sound by up to 32 dB, and while it doesn’t rival premium earbuds, it performs well for its class. The ANC efficiently blocks out low-frequency background noise like air conditioners, traffic hum, and distant conversations, making a noticeable difference in everyday settings such as offices or cafés. The buds also offer a Transparency Mode, but its execution feels somewhat artificial, lacking the clarity seen in more expensive options.
The Noise Buds N1 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast, stable connectivity with minimal drops or lag. Despite this, the initial pairing process is a bit cumbersome. The earbuds also feature dual pairing, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously and easily switch between them—ideal for multitaskers switching between phone calls and laptop audio.
Touch controls on each earbud let you manage playback, adjust volume, answer calls, and toggle between ANC and Transparency Mode. A dedicated Game Mode further enhances the experience by reducing latency to 40 ms, and it performs admirably. However, the lack of a companion app means there are no customisation options for the controls, which is disappointing.
The sound quality of the Noise Buds N1 Pro is where things get a bit dicey. Equipped with 11 mm drivers, these earbuds aim to deliver an overwhelmingly bass-forward sound signature, a hallmark of most budget-friendly TWS options. The result? The bass often overshadows the nuances and details in the mids and highs. While bass lovers may prefer this sound profile, audiophiles and purists will be turned off.
Vocals lack clarity and the highs, while crisp, are often drowned out by the overwhelming sub-bass. You can see the extension of the bass response in the frequency graph below.
Audiophiles or those expecting pristine clarity and instrument separation will find the N1 Pro lacking. The soundstage is narrow, and there’s a lack of depth and detail compared to premium earbuds, but considering the price, the overall sound performance is acceptable for bass lovers.
When it comes to call quality, the Noise Buds N1 Pro performs reliably but doesn’t particularly stand out. In quiet environments, the call clarity is solid, with voices coming through clearly on both ends. However, in noisier environments, the microphones struggle to fully isolate the user’s voice from background noise, which can lead to some disruption during calls.
The Noise Buds N1 Pro boasts an impressive battery life. The earbuds offer around 10 hours of playback on a single charge (without ANC), which extends to a total of 60 hours with the charging case when ANC is turned off. With ANC turned on, the buds manage about 5 to 6 hours of use, which is decent given the battery-hungry nature of active noise cancellation technology. With the charging case, you’re looking at about 40 hours of runtime with ANC turned on.
Additionally, the quick charge feature allows for 200 minutes of playback with just a 10-minute charge. The case charged from empty to full in 1 hour and 48 minutes, in our tests.
Despite our nitpicks about the overwhelming bass-forward sound of the earbuds, the Noise Buds N1 Pro remains a solid pick at ₹1,599. These earbuds pack a range of features often seen in higher-end models, including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency Mode, Dual Pairing, and IPX5 water resistance, making it a competitive option in its price bracket.
While the call quality could be improved, and audiophiles may find the sound lacking in detail, the Buds N1 Pro perform well for the average user. For those seeking affordable TWS earbuds with modern features, good battery life, and decent overall performance, these earbuds are a strong contender. However, audiophiles might want to consider spending a bit more on alternatives like the OPPO Enco Air3 Pro. If you’re on a strict budget, wired options such as the Truthear GATE or Tangzu Wan’er S.G. may offer better audio fidelity.
