1. Battery life (earbuds + case)
Look at playtime per charge (4-6 hours is typical) and total playtime with the case (20+ hours is a good target).
2. Fit and seal
A good seal matters more than a spec sheet for sound quality. Check if multiple ear tip sizes are included.
3. Connection stability
Bluetooth 5.0 or newer generally means fewer dropouts.
4. Water resistance
An IPX4 rating or better handles sweat and light rain.
5. Controls
Touch controls on the stem or shell save you from pulling your phone out constantly.
[mkg_pros_cons pros=\”Budget earbuds now commonly include good passive noise isolation|Touch controls have become standard even at low price points|Case sizes have shrunk while battery capacity improved\” cons=\”Cheaper models often skip an app for EQ or firmware updates|Multipoint (two devices at once) is still rare at lower prices|Ear tip fit varies person to person, hard to judge from photos alone\”]