Ekotek Ekobuds Dynamo Review - The cute budget TWS with strong battery life
Local electronics accessories brand Ekotek is back with a new promising portable audio device, the Ekobuds Dynamo.
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| Meet Ekotek Ekobuds Dynamo |
It's the company's first entry to fast-growing TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earphones market designed to provide the freedom-from-wires convenience without breaking the bank.
Priced at just PHP 1,998, the Dynamo is one of the most affordable TWS in the market with an attractive design and specs.
Could this be the one for you? Here's our take.
Unboxing/Accessories
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| The simple box |
The Ekobuds Dynamo comes in a minimalist package designed no to waste too much paper just for the box. Since it is paper, it is a recyclable material that should be friendly to our environment in the long run.
Inside the box, you'll immediately see the case with earphones inside, two extra sizes of ear tips, short USB to a micro USB charging cable, and user manual.
Like other budget TWS buds, there's no wall charger and carrying pouch included in the package.
The materials used by Ekotek are considered as premium for the price. The case is made out of all plastic, but with a soft matte-like paint finish on top.
For the buds, it is consistent. The body is still plastic with a similar finish. It just has a rubber power/control key (The Ekotek logo) and a cloth-like mesh filter in the nozzle to prevent dust and earwax from entering the buds. The removable tips are soft and flexible.
Both the buds and the case are well-machined with no sharp edges.
One downside, there's no IP rating for splash resistance. So, it is not highly advisable for working out.
Also, the rubberized matte finish could easily attract dirt. There's a chance it might get a yellowish discolorization after a few months as well.
Our suggestion is to clean it with water on a soft microfiber cloth regularly.
In terms of design, this is one of the smallest TWS in-ear buds in the market. The clamshell-like case is cute and it'll remind you of an engagement ring case. The case also has a micro USB port at the back and an LED indicator in front.
The buds are minimalist and hardly noticeable when worn.
Getting the right seal and comfort on the Ekobuds Dynamo is a bit tricky. First, you have to select the right tip for you. In my case, the smallest tip worked decently. My suggestion is not to insert it too deep in your ear, unlike other in-ear buds. Also, make sure that the mic points toward your front.
Comfort is decent, but the seal is still not perfect. So I used my other ear tips to get the right seal for me.
Getting the right seal is important for comfort, isolation, and sound quality.
I asked a few of my friends to try it and 3 out of 5 got the right fit. Maybe Ekotek could use better stock tips next time.
I like that it doesn't fall my ears easily though/
The isolation is obviously above most earbuds, but lesser than other in-ear designs.
This could be great for those who still need to be aware of their surroundings.
Like all budget TWS buds, the Dynamo has no ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) as well.
One of the main features of this device is strong battery performance.
The buds are equipped with 60mAh battery each that can last up to 5 hours at around 60 percent loudness. In comparison, most TWS budget only has 3 to 4 hours of battery life.
The charging case is rated at 550mAh. This means that it can charge the buds up to 4.5x or a total of 22.5 hours usage.
Charging speed via micro USB is 1 hour. Not bad. |
| What's inside |
Inside the box, you'll immediately see the case with earphones inside, two extra sizes of ear tips, short USB to a micro USB charging cable, and user manual.
Like other budget TWS buds, there's no wall charger and carrying pouch included in the package.
Build Quality/Design
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| Cute design! |
The materials used by Ekotek are considered as premium for the price. The case is made out of all plastic, but with a soft matte-like paint finish on top.
Cute and minimalist design!
For the buds, it is consistent. The body is still plastic with a similar finish. It just has a rubber power/control key (The Ekotek logo) and a cloth-like mesh filter in the nozzle to prevent dust and earwax from entering the buds. The removable tips are soft and flexible.
Both the buds and the case are well-machined with no sharp edges.
One downside, there's no IP rating for splash resistance. So, it is not highly advisable for working out.
Also, the rubberized matte finish could easily attract dirt. There's a chance it might get a yellowish discolorization after a few months as well.
Our suggestion is to clean it with water on a soft microfiber cloth regularly.
In terms of design, this is one of the smallest TWS in-ear buds in the market. The clamshell-like case is cute and it'll remind you of an engagement ring case. The case also has a micro USB port at the back and an LED indicator in front.
The buds are minimalist and hardly noticeable when worn.
Comfort/Isolation
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| Getting the correct seal is a bit tricky |
Getting the right seal and comfort on the Ekobuds Dynamo is a bit tricky. First, you have to select the right tip for you. In my case, the smallest tip worked decently. My suggestion is not to insert it too deep in your ear, unlike other in-ear buds. Also, make sure that the mic points toward your front.
Comfort is decent, but the seal is still not perfect. So I used my other ear tips to get the right seal for me.
Getting the right seal is important for comfort, isolation, and sound quality.
I asked a few of my friends to try it and 3 out of 5 got the right fit. Maybe Ekotek could use better stock tips next time.
I like that it doesn't fall my ears easily though/
The isolation is obviously above most earbuds, but lesser than other in-ear designs.
This could be great for those who still need to be aware of their surroundings.
Like all budget TWS buds, the Dynamo has no ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) as well.
Battery
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| Each bud comes with 60mAh juice |
One of the main features of this device is strong battery performance.
The buds are equipped with 60mAh battery each that can last up to 5 hours at around 60 percent loudness. In comparison, most TWS budget only has 3 to 4 hours of battery life.
Great battery performance for the price
The charging case is rated at 550mAh. This means that it can charge the buds up to 4.5x or a total of 22.5 hours usage.
Features
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| Using the buds is easy |
To use the buds, the first thing you need to do is pair it. Just press the power key in the buds and search for the EkobudsTWS on the Bluetooth settings of your device. You can use just one piece of the buds or both buds depending on your liking.
The power button works as a multi-function control as well. Just long-press to open the buds and long-press it more to pair.
To play or pause playback, just press the button once to play and press it once again to pause. To skip music, press the button 2x. To go back, press it for 3x.
To answer calls, press the logo once. To decline a call, just press and hold the same button for 1 second. To mute during a call, press the button twice. To redial, press the button for 4x.
To use the voice assistant, press and hold the button for 2 seconds.
When placed back in the case, you'll need to wait for 4 seconds before the buds will turn off. To reconnect, just remove the buds from the case and it'll automatically connect to the paired device.
Stable connectivity, fast reconnection speed
In our experience, it has a pretty fast reconnection speed for the price. The connection is stable up to a few feet away (without walls) from your device as well. Thanks to its use of the newer Bluetooth 5.0 tech.
Microphone quality is respectable. But, I highly suggest using it for calls in a more quiet environment to enjoy clearer mic performance.
Audio
After getting the right seal, the first thing we noticed is it has a warm signature that tends to prioritize the lows more than the other audio frequencies. This means that it is a bassy type of buds.The bass is big, but it isn't as tight, fast, and big as pricier buds. It could also overpower the vocals and instruments in some tracks.
Just note that I am just being picky here. For me, it is one of the nicest sounding in its class. Mids are fairly detailed, instruments are somehow separated, distortion is hardly noticeable on louder volume levels, and the highs are alright with minimal hissing.
Driving the buds is easy. Around 60 percent of loudness is more than enough for me.
The soundstage isn't as wide as open buds, but this is still decent for me. Only its "not-that-controlled" bass is its weak point for me.
But, that's just me. It could be very attractive to those who enjoy listening to buds with pretty big bass for less.
Pros - Cute design, strong battery life, respectable audio quality, stable connectivity, fast reconnection speed
Cons - Getting the right seal could be a challenge, no IP rating, prone to dirt
Ekotek Ekobuds Dynamo Specs
CPU: Bluetrum
Driver: Dynamic
Bluetooth: 5.0
Battery: 550mAh (case), 60mAh Li-ion (per earbud)
Dimensions: 46.4 x 18.5 x 19.5 mm
Weight: 65 g
Price: PHP 1,998
Getting the right seal is just a bit tricky and it has a few weak points, but the Dynamo is a pretty nice pair of buds for the price.
To know where you can buy it, read here.
Build/Design - 4
Comfort/Isolation - 4
Battery Life - 4.5
Features - 4
Sound - 4
Average - 4.1/5
Verdict
If you are in need of affordable true wireless buds with cute-looking design, strong battery performance, stable connectivity, and decent audio quality, the Ekobuds Dynamo is a must consider.Getting the right seal is just a bit tricky and it has a few weak points, but the Dynamo is a pretty nice pair of buds for the price.
To know where you can buy it, read here.
Build/Design - 4
Comfort/Isolation - 4
Battery Life - 4.5
Features - 4
Sound - 4
Average - 4.1/5
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