Audio brand 1More is a brand I have enjoyed for the last few years now since being introduced to them at a trade show. 1More has continued with the ComfoBuds range after reviewing the ComfoBuds 1, ComfoBuds 2 and Comfobuds Pro. In this review, we are focusing on the ComfoBuds Mini.
Like all 1More products, they are perfect for music listening as well as chilling out to your favourite podcast. So when 1More reached out asking me to review the Comfobuds Mini I was delighted.
First Impressions
The Comfobuds Mini come in 2 colours black or white and at the time of this review cost £92.99. I have been testing these for the last week now and I have to say I was impressed they do pack a punch for a pair of little earbuds. The key features include:
- ANC
- Transparency mode
- SoundID app
- 24-hour battery life
- Wireless charging case
Unboxing
The 1More Comfobuds Mini continue that professional style when it comes to the packaging. I really like the inside which is the drawings of the design of the buds it adds something different to what could be very plain packaging.
Inside the box you get the following:
- 1x Pair of Comfobuds Mini buds
- 1x Charging case with USB-C port
- 1x USB-C charging cable
- 4x pairs of silicone ear tips (S, M, L, XL )
- 1x User Guide
Design
The ComfoBuds Mini remind me a little of my Jabra Elite 4 Active in terms of design and when considering the weight the buds are lighter than the Jabra alternatives.
The buds are also designed to be small for a reason so they fit in your ears comfortably in your ear and allow for long periods of use. These buds also provide a strong fit which is useful when going for a run you won’t have a risk they will fall out.
Inside the buds, they come with 7mm drivers and 4 built-in mics which help with noise cancellation. They come with an IPX5 rating meaning they are water-resistant so getting caught in the rain or when you get all sweaty at the gym they will survive. The buds are connected via Bluetooth 5.2 and last but not least come with touch controls.
Controls
The buds are small in size so some users might find the touch controls a little tricky so keep that in mind for those with larger fingers. When testing I did not have such an issue but can see why it might be a problem for some.
The main controls on these buds are the following:
- Play/Pause- Double-tap
- Call Answer/Reject- Double-tap
- Voice Assistant – Triple Tap
If you hold your finger on the panel this will switch modes between ANC, Transparency Mode and in testing, this command worked very well. You can also set up your phones voice assistant by a double or triple tap however getting this command to work did prove to be quite tricky even to the point when it did not work at all but I had just done a spin class so it could be down to the buds being sweaty. The only downfall when it comes to the controls is the fact volume control and track control have to do via your mobile.
Battery Life
The 1More ComfoBuds Mini offer the user up to 6 hours of playback without the ANC switched on and this then reduces an hour when you use the ANC setting. The charging case also offers an additional 19 hours of battery life but this can reduce to 15 if you use ANC regularly.
The charging case also offers fast charging and after a 5 minutes charge, you will get 1 hour of playback to get you home on that last blast of battery life. The charging case is also Qi-compatible allowing for wireless charging.
Sound Quality
If you are like me and have used 1More buds before you have an expectation when it comes to the sound quality and the 1More ComfoBuds Mini do not disappoint. The buds come with a medium power base level and very clear sound quality regardless of the type of music or Podcast I listened to. This was even the case when you increased the volume to near max.
Now, 1More has brought something to the table when it comes to the sound profile let me introduce SoundID.
What SoundID is a series of audio tests where the same track is played with two sound profiles and you pick which one you prefer or say no difference. Once the test is complete SoundID has your preferences for any type of music and will adjust each and every time. You can keep this feature enabled which is ideal for the average listener who does not want to adjust settings all the time. The only downside is once your preferences are set it takes a bit of time to change the preferences.
Now in addition to SoundID, you are blessed with not one but four noise cancellation settings:
- Strong
- Mid
- Wind- Noise reduction
- Transparency mode
Unfortunately regardless of the mode selected the ANC was a little bit of a letdown. Yes, during our daily commute the buds reduced the low-level hum of a train however, you could say the fit providing that passive noise cancellation could be the assistance when reducing some of that hum. The ANC quality will not blow you away it will help to reduce some but not all of the unwanted outside noise.
In testing, I have listened to a wide range of music and the feel they offer a fairly balanced sound profile. The sound is pleasant but the lack of strong bass prevents you from getting that immersive feeling you might get with other buds on the market. However, it’s not all bad when listening to classics such as Prince Purple Rain the sound was super clear and the highs were suitably crisp. My only negative when it comes to the audio was the fact the bass could do with a bit more punch apart from that the audio will not disappoint just won’t excite.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair of in-ear headphones that offer a good level of comfort you won’t be dissatisfied with the 1More ComfoBuds Mini. They offer touch controls and the benefit of the SoundID feature however, you cant adjust the EQ yourself. The sound quality was ok I felt it was mid-range, not the best I have heard but not the worst either.
Costing £92.99 you need to consider if having a smaller fitting earbud is more important than having better ANC or even better sound compared to other buds on the market.
Product Rating:
Design: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Controls: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Battery Life: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Sound Quality: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Value for Money: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 stars – 4.4 Stars
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