Earfun Free 2 in testing: The best affordable Aptx Bluetooth headphones?

Earfun is one of the youngest audio accessory companies on the market and the Earfun Free 2 intra-ear headphones, which was sent to us for this test, is the continuation of the free releases last year.The first version was rightly praised rightly.The press revealed that it has only one or two minor reserves on the product, against many positive points to report.

The biggest advantage of this year's model compared to that of last year is triple.First of all, these headphones support Aptx technology for a better sound than ever.And for audio, it is, without getting too much advancing, certainly better than the previous model.Then these headphones are actually completely waterproof.They will not survive if they are permanently immersed, of course, but they can face an immersion underwater for a longer time than most of the headphones on the market.And this, thanks to the IPX7 standard and the Sweatshield technology.

Before starting the test and to "put yourself in a leg", find the commercial video of these Earfun headphones directly:

In addition, these headphones only cost € 45.99, making them the most affordable wireless headphones on the market.And this, without taking into account the characteristics mentioned above.Or the current promotion, thanks to the coupon available on Amazon of € 6, which brings the price to only € 39.99.

Let's take a closer look at the rest of this article how the Earfun Free 2 headphones behaved during the in -depth test.

Earfun Free 2: known but more refined equipment

At first glance, the earfun free 2 have an almost identical shape to that of the original ... and to many other wireless headphones available on the market.The company centered its design around a smooth, pebble earpiece, with a slim loading case and a little high for loading.This does not mean, however, that this design must be despised.

In fact, by looking at it, especially in relation to the previous iteration of the Earfun Free, there are also some differences there.To start, the form adapts better to the ear than the first version.These earphones are therefore easily the most comfortable that the brand has launched so far.And we cannot insist too much on this point.

Earfun also included a USB-A cable to USB-C longer than the average, as well as a total of six tips.Buyers should therefore be able to find the size that best suits their own ears.As for the length of the loading cable, it will facilitate more than ever the switching on these devices like any other connected gadget.Too often, the supplied cable is too short to be recharged other than by a laptop or a portable battery.

The design of the case, on the other hand, is well designed to facilitate the use of one hand.Although it is not easy to define the exact "why" exact of this new form, it is easier to hold it firmly with one hand.And it is, therefore, easier to open the case, remove the atria or put them back in place, without using both hands, stability in one hand.

But the Earfun Free 2 are also well done in terms of aesthetics.The case itself is elegant and well balanced, with soft curves and a minimalist appearance.The earphones follow the same path, with very few lines interrupting the uniform aspect.There is something almost charming in the utilitarian and direct aspect that Earfun gave these headphones.

We will later approach the main material changes.They concern the new characteristics of water resistance and audio quality.But, in terms of pure use, the touch areas on the headphones themselves are also less sensitive.And this is a good thing.Too many companies offer too sensitive touch orders, which leads to accidental contacts and other problems.These headphones, although they are not at all difficult to use, require a supported touch to control the reading.

The whole is also solidly assembled, the hinges do not grine and the grip is soft.Especially with regard to the transport and load case.The load check button and the USB-C load port are well adjusted and fast.

Earfun Free 2: Autonomy and load

As always, the results of the battery test during any test, and not just the Earfun Free 2, are subjective.A number of factors, such as distance and scope, volume, type of media or the type of call, have an impact on battery life.Other factors, such as the listening environment, also come into account.These results are therefore not necessarily representative.

That being said, I noted more than 6:30 hours of listening on YouTube Music with the Earfun Free 2.And it was not under the most effective conditions either.On the contrary, this listening was made with the functions of deleting active noise, at an average distance of more than 6 meters, and with the volume set to two clicks before the maximum.

Taking into account the transport and loading case included, the total listening duration has largely exceeded the 30 hours announced.

If this duration is standard enough for the most concerned with battery headphones on the market, it is not at all in this price range.People therefore benefit from an exceptional listening experience for hours and hours, which actually lasts almost a whole day.All without having to pay the high price.

What is perhaps more impressive, and surprising, is that the recharge took place exactly as announced by Earfun during my free 2 test.Ten minutes of charge allowed me to benefit from just over two hours of reading.It took a little less than an hour and a half so that the headphones themselves are fully loaded, and about two hours for the case recharging via USB-C.

By placing them on a wireless fast charging base, it took about three and a half hours to recharge everything.Yes, they can also be loaded wireless, which is another unusual feature for headphones at less than 50 €.

Earfun Free 2: a balanced sound

Starting with the only warning concerning the Earfun Free 2, during the test, I would say that these are not the best I used for calls.

This does not mean that the capture of the microphones was bad.In fact, the people I called easily heard what I said.Clearly, even.And I could easily hear what I was told.But the background noise of my environment were also clearly audible for the people I called for the test.The Qualcomm CVC 8 system.0 Echo Cancelling and Noise Deletion (ECNS) has largely contributed to maintaining the clarity of my voice ... However, it was also distant, as if I was on a loudspeaker.

The deletion of the noise was not perfect either, especially when I moved by bike to take photos and try them live.And it is above all the wind that was the cause.Although I have certainly heard less efficient atria under these conditions, I also heard better.Which makes these headphones a mid -range option for this use case.

Conversely, these headphones are also among the most affordable on the market with the management of Aptx.Thanks to Qualcomm's QCC3040 SOC, coupled with Bluetooth 5.2, they offer an audio experience without loss as close as possible to that offered by Bluetooth.Truewireless Mirroring technology of the chip helps maintain stable connections and low latency.The low latency mode precisely offers latency lowered to 60 ms (instead of 200ms).Note that only 2 % of wireless helmets currently have such a low latency.

In terms of real experience, even if it lacks low volume bass, all of this is equivalent to well -balanced music.With a volume greater than 50 %, the bass is clear, with a lot of punch, at least where it is planned.To lower volumes, the bass is present but less powerful.At no time do the headphones surpass or remove the bass or the mediums.And at no time is there any undesirable distortion.

The placement of the sound, is good but not perfect in terms of physical provenance.Most buyers will not notice a big difference between these headphones and high -end headphones on this level.

It should be noted at this stage that everything is offered at a price focused on quality/price ratio, less than 50 €.

Earfun Free 2: high -end connectivity

With the Earfun Free 2, there was not many fanciful features to dissect during my test.And this is not surprising at all, since these devices cost less than 50 €.There is no intrauricular detection, for example.And it's a shame, because it means that you have to play in break way manually with a key or with the source device instead of simply removing the earphones from your ears.

Likewise, there are no dedicated or complex applications to explore.There is no equalization with which to play, special functions on this front, apart from the cancellation of noise.This last feature is made possible thanks to the use of the abovementioned Qualcomm chipset, which includes both CVC 8 technology.0 ECNS and Truewireless Mirroger technology.

Truewireless Mirroger technology maintains the connection between the headphones, individually, which allows greater stability.It also allows users to listen to one of the two headphones independently of the other.Qualcomm CVC 8 technology.0 ECNS made it possible to guarantee the clarity and stability of my voice during calls throughout the test, and also made it possible to reduce noise.

But the Qualcomm CVC 8.0 Included in these headphones, did not help to correct the somewhat distant sound of my voice.Which gives it a speaker effect.It also allowed background noises to pass, although they are just attenuated enough to make a possible conversation.Even in a noisy environment.

Meanwhile, Bluetooth 5.2 made it possible to maintain a solid connection even beyond the 15 meters announced, as long as no disturbing field was on the way.Obstacles, however, reduced the range to less than 9 meters.

But the largest characteristic of these headphones is their Sweatshield technology, which makes them tight and resistant to sweat.These headphones are classified IPX7, which allows them to work even if they have been submerged for 30 minutes.And it works as the company claims.

Earfun also claims that they are the test of corrosion, at least with regard to that due to sweat.People can therefore use them even by swimming or in the shower.Although this probably should not be the main use.The tests have shown that they work this way, but with fairly large cutting problems when they are completely submerged.Most likely caused by water interference.

It should also be mentioned, of course, that the transport and load case is absolutely not waterproof.Only the headphones.

Do the Earfun Free 2 are worth their price?

When we seek to buy new headphones, some factors are really important.For example, are the headphones waterproof?Resistant to perspiration?Is the sound powerful but not too strong at a specific frequency?What is the battery life and how long does it take to recharge it?

In most cases, the Earfun Free 2 leaves the competitors already tested by far (and its predecessor also).Not in terms of one of these aspects, necessarily.But in terms of the cost of these aspects, with only a few minor reserves when it comes to the load and the microphones in conversation.The whole is offered for less than 50 €, without sacrificing first -rate features such as Aptx support.

In addition to that the Earfun Free 2 are completely waterproof, to the point of being ready to swim for short periods.In short, anyone looking for headphones in this price range, should largely consider these headphones.

Pros and cons

What we like:

What we don't like: