If you are a huge fan of bluetooth devices, or you have one of those smartphones that inconveniently does not come with a headphone jack, you should check out the Zipbuds 26, a truly dynamic pair of headphones that are not just great for casual listeners, but for fitness advocates as well.
Inside of the box you get all of your normal literature and quick start guides, but you also get the Zipbuds, a micro USB charging cable, and a separate magnetic charging dock which is also an extension of the battery life of the Zipbuds.
I used the Zipbuds almost exclusively at the gym, courtesy of it’s waterproof design that Zipbuds themselves claim can be worn in the rain, which means it will obviously survive a rigorous workout where you leave them drenched in sweat. In terms of battery life, Zipbuds states that you will get 15 hours on a single charge, and this is without being attached to the additional charging dock/battery. In practice, I will say, I’m not a fan o the dock at all.
Sure, it’s a great idea to have when you’re on the go and you forgot to charge your Zipbuds, but in real world practice, it’s just one more thing that you can lose. My solution to that problem is just leave it plugged into the USB cable and go without it. Especially considering that Zipbuds mentions that the Zipbuds 26 actually feature a QuickCharge technology that will give you an hour of battery life with just five minutes of charging. This is a feature that could come in handy quite often (especially if you plan on tossing these in a bag and forgetting them until you need them).
In terms of comfort, you’ll be hard pressed to find another pair of headphones more comfortable. Zipbuds included a variety of ear tips, as well as ear wings (including C-Lock stabilizers, Fitness stabilizers, and memory foam tips) that each come in three different sizes, small, medium or large.
Overall looks of the Zipbud 26 to me, aren’t that great. The inline modules sit in both ear, and if you plan on listening to podcasts or music at your desk all day, you will feel a bit silly with two quarter-sized notches sitting under your left and right ear. I get that these house the power button and the volume control, however it looks rather ugly. Not only that, but they tend to weigh down the cable which cause you to readjust them if you move around a bit, (which explains why they included ear wings). All in all, the look I’m not a fan of at all.
But the upside comes in the form of the audio and call performance. If there’s one thing Zipbuds 26 gets right, it’s int the audio department: these sound phenomenal. When receiving phone calls I can hear the other person clearly and there’s no noticeable wind or outside noise that’d been reported by the people I’ve spoken to. When it comes to listening to music or podcast, I’ve been able to hear my tunes crystal clear. I like my music in the gym with a bit of bass, and the subwoofer in the Zipbuds 26 have a kick you’ll instantly notice.
If you can put aside the modules that sit in on the sides of your ear, the Zipbuds 26 are without a doubt a good pair of headphones to check out. At $149.99 they aren’t the cheapest pair of headphones in the world, but you won’t find many other brands competing with the audio quality you’ll receive from these.
For more information you can head over to Zipbud’s site today.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review unit
What I Like: Available in both black and white; Battery life is amazing; Audio quality
What Needs Improvement: Modules are hideous