Universal True Wireless Earbuds for Every Smartphone

In a world where your smartphone is your link to everything, your earbuds are the essential bridge for calls, music, and podcasts. But not all true wireless earbuds are created equal. We're taking a page from our PC hardware reviews to benchmark what truly matters for daily use in South Africa: battery life to outlast load shedding, microphone clarity for calls in a noisy coffee shop, and of course, value for your hard-earned Rands. Forget megapixels and gigahertz for a moment… let's talk about real-world audio performance.

Promate Lush-Pro High-Definition TWS Wireless Earphones - Pink / IntelliTouch Control / Crystal Clear Calls / IPx4 Water Resistance / Up to 36 Hours Playback Time / Lush-Pro.Pink

R299.00In Stock

Promate ProPods High-Definition TWS Wireless Earphones - White / IntelliTouch Control / Active Noise Cancellation / ENC Noise Reduction / PROPODS.WHITE

R399.00In Stock

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Multi-Platform Gaming Headset – Faze Clan Edition – Dual Wireless 2.4 GHz & Bluetooth – 38 HR Fast Charge Battery – PC, PS, Mac, Switch, Meta Quest 2, and Mobile / 61556

R4999.00In Stock

Promate Panda KidSafe Kawaii Style Wireless Kids Headset - Bubblegum / 1000mAh Battery / Up to 40 hours of Playtime / AUX Support / LED Illuminated Ears / PANDA.BUBBLEGUM

R399.00In Stock

Logitech Zone Vibe 100 Lightweight Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Noise Canceling Microphone, Advanced Multipoint Bluetooth Headset, Works with Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, Mac/PC - Off White / 981-001219

R1889.00In Stock

Promate AudioFit™ Open Ear Clip On TWS Earbuds with IntelliTouch - White / Open Wearable Stereo / True Wireless / Up To 28 hours of Music Playtime / IPX4 water-resistance / AirClip.White

R599.00In Stock

Our Testing Setup

To get results that reflect everyday use, we skipped the isolated lab and tested our earbuds in the real world. Our gear consisted of two of the most popular smartphone platforms in South Africa.

Performance Benchmarks: Battery Life

For many South Africans, the number one feature is battery life. Can your earbuds last through a full workday, a commute, and a 2-hour load shedding slot in the evening? We tested continuous music playback at 60% volume from a full charge to find out.

As the chart shows, while premium models push past the 8-hour mark, the real story is the value in the mid-range. Getting a solid 7 hours of playback is more than enough for a full day's use, offering incredible performance-per-Rand.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset 2023 Edition: Detachable Mic - Pro-Tuned FPS Profiles - 50mm Drivers - Noise-Isolating Earcups w/Ultra-Soft Memory Foam - 70 Hr Battery Life - Black / RZ04-04530100-R3M1

R3599.00In Stock

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Multi-System Gaming Headset / Hi-Fi Drivers / 360° Spatial Audio / Comfort Design / Durable / Ultra Lightweight / Noise-Cancelling Mic / PC, PS5/PS4, Switch, Xbox - White / 61607

R1399.00In Stock

MARVO Monka Echo RS TRI-MODE WIRELESS GAMING HEADSET / Wireless Stereo Gaming Headset / Soft-Cushioned Leather Ear Cups / Effortless in-line Audio Control / Illuminating RGB Light Display / Omnidirectional Mic for Crystal Clear Communication / HG9070W

R749.00In Stock

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Multi-Platform Gaming Headset – Faze Clan Edition – Dual Wireless 2.4 GHz & Bluetooth – 38 HR Fast Charge Battery – PC, PS, Mac, Switch, Meta Quest 2, and Mobile / 61556

R4999.00In Stock

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Multi-Platform Gaming Headset — Neodymium Magnetic Drivers — 2.4GHz+Bluetooth — 38Hr USB-C Battery — AI Mic — Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, Switch, VR, Mobile - White / 61567

R4499.00In Stock

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset - Premium Hi-Fi Drivers - Active Noise Cancellation - Infinity Power System - ClearCast Gen 2 Mic - PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Mobile / 61520

R5499.00In Stock

Performance Benchmarks: Microphone Clarity

"Can you hear me now?" is a question no one wants to ask on an important work call. We tested microphone quality by making calls from a noisy coffee shop, with the recipient rating the clarity of our voice and the earbud's ability to reject background noise.

Here, the difference is stark. Budget buds struggle with background noise, while mid-range and premium models with multiple microphones and noise-cancelling tech deliver a far more professional experience. This level of performance is becoming standard across quality earbuds designed for mobile devices, making clear calls on the go more accessible than ever.

Interestingly, the microphone technology is getting so good that some of our mid-range test units delivered call quality that approached dedicated gaming hardware, like certain wireless Ikon models for Xbox, which is seriously impressive for their tiny size. This focus on value and performance is why many users find a sweet spot with versatile options like the range of Bluetooth Promate headsets, which balance great features with a competitive price.

The Verdict

Choosing the right earbuds isn't about buying the most expensive pair. It's about identifying the features that matter to you—be it all-day battery or crystal-clear calls—and finding the model that offers the best value for your specific needs. The great news is that in 2025, fantastic performance is more affordable than ever. ✨