I switched to neckband from TWS earbuds for 1 week, now I don’t want to go back

something so easy to lose was truly worth it for people like me. I shrugged off that thought and got myself another set of earbuds. But that nagging doubt stayed with me until OnePlus sent me their latest neckband – the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC – for review. Now that I have them, I am very tempted to stick with them. Here’s why.

Anxiety-free design

If I recall it right, the Bullets Z2 ANC seem to have inherited their looks from their predecessors, which is not a bad thing at all. They are sleek and stylish earphones with a matte finish that feels smooth to the touch. The cables are not braided, but they have a nice texture that gives them a premium feel over ordinary wires.

The textured wires feel quite premium. (Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

Now let me tell you the first advantage of neckband earphones. They just fit better. Maybe it’s because TWS earbuds are a bit too heavy and keep dragging themselves down and out – whatever the reason, these neckbands stay put. And even in the slim chance they do slip out, there’s no need to panic. They are hanging around your neck and won’t go anywhere unless into aerobics or someone pulls a snatch and dash on those.

This is a huge relief for someone like me who never finds the right fit with TWS earbuds, no matter how many ear tips or earbuds I try. They always act like they want to escape my ears at the first sign of activity. And this makes me anxious sometimes.

Easier to use overall

Of course, since there are wires involved, another major perk is that these earphones are more noticeable and harder to misplace. Unlike the tiny earbuds that can easily get lost if they slip out of the case, these earphones have a more substantial presence. Plus, you don’t have to go through the hassle of pulling the case out of your pocket, then the earbuds out of the case, putting them on, and repeating these steps backwards when done.

Another big advantage – buttons. Oh, how I missed them. Touch input on TWS earbuds may look fancy and all, but they require multiple taps to do what you want. Not to mention that they can register accidental touches when you’re adjusting the fit or that they often misinterpret your taps.

Buttons are tactile and easy to use. (Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC have these super-tactile buttons that are easy to reach and use. There’s a pair button, volume controls, and a play/pause button that also switches between ANC and transparency modes. Speaking of ANC…it’s surprisingly good and rivals TWS earbuds that cost Rs 7K and above with its 45dB rating.

Performance – you get what you pay for

I can go on and on about the practicality neckband earphones offer. But there’s still one thing where they fall short – audio quality. Now don’t get me wrong, the Bullets Z2 ANC are definitely the best-sounding neckbands I’ve tested so far. They feature a bass-heavy sound signature that does not compromise on the clarity of vocals.

In fact, they sound a tad better than earbuds that cost the same as them. However, the neckband market is virtually capped at the Rs 3K point and refuses to push that mark. Because of this, pricier TWS earbuds beat the neckband genre as a whole easily in this aspect. I’m sure tech companies have the resources to invest in better audio quality for these devices, but their market seems to be shrinking.

The 45dB ANC is insanely good. (Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

Battery life is another big plus. The 28-hour battery means you can wear the neckband for ages before you need to charge it (not that I recommend it). Meanwhile, my current earbuds only last for 4 hours of playback, which was a real bummer on my last train ride, where my attempt to binge-watch The Big Bang Theory for 8 hours was cut short.

Verdict

The Bullets Z2 ANC are a major upgrade from the original Bullets Z neckband, with improved audio quality and noise cancellation. The ANC is especially impressive, as it can block more than just white noise. But I know that many people will prefer the TWS earbuds form factor over the classic neckband style, which might look outdated to some.

Still, if you like what I’ve said so far, then you might agree that the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC are worth having as a backup pair of hearables, if not your main ones.