After reviewing EarFun’s two latest true wireless releases — the Air 2 and Free Pro 3 — another recent brand launch has made its way to my front door: the new EarFun Free 2S.
This upgraded version welcomes notable audio improvements: 7mm composite dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX audio and a low latency Gaming Mode. Also new to the series is companion app support for personalized sound. These are promising specs for sub-$30 wireless earbuds. However, there are many affordable rivals, including a handful from EarFun, that provide more functionality (including noise cancellation and spatial audio) for less than $100.
Does this eliminate the Free 2S from the best budget earbuds conversation? Let’s find out.
Warm sound and respectable battery life in a compact, comfy and chic-looking design earn the Free 2S bargain recognition. Score extra savings on these buds by checking the coupon on Amazon and using the code EAFRE2SF.
What I liked about them
Enticing sound quality that can be customized
The Free 2S don’t produce hi-fi audio like the Air 2 or Free Pro 3, but they serve up wide, bass-filled sound that’s satisfying for the price.
The pulsating drums on Victoria Monet’s “Jaguar” landed hard and showcased the buds’ V-shaped profile, which emphasizes bass response. I was impressed by how impactful the low end sounded without being overly aggressive, especially when the jubilant horns and melodic chorus entered the track. Bon Jovi’s “Runaway” rocked my eardrums with its high-tuned keyboard riff and explosive drums at the beginning. Percussion was solid, which was what I desired most from the recording.
I found the music presets in the EarFun Audio app serviceable for their intended purposes. It’s also fun creating your own sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies on the built-in equalizer.
EarFun chose not to equip the Free 2S with premium audio codecs. You get the basic version of Qualcomm’s aptX technology, along with standard SBC (Android) and AAC (Apple). Playback on the best music streaming services was on point when using Android devices. Apple Music and Spotify performed well, though Tidal offered superior sonic performance, thanks to its advanced audio formats. There were notable differences in quality when playing tracks on my MacBook Pro. Bass was a bit excessive and compromised some mids and most highs. Certain low-frequency sounds were bloated as well.
Lag was minorly reduced when enabling the Gaming Mode.
Redesigned for optimal comfort
EarFun made this version smaller and lighter than the original Free 2S. This results in a comfier and more stable design for listening sessions and calls. Each bud rests pleasantly on your ear, while the silicone tips form a tight seal that locks the Free 2S in place. All other details were left untouched (like the all-black colorway, debossed branding and oval shape). IPX7 certification with patented SweatShield Technology grants sweat and water protection in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
The charging case is decent, but its flimsy lid and weak magnets won’t keep the buds secure when dropped on a hard surface.
Sufficient playtimes and wireless charging
Battery life is rated at seven hours per charge. A 10-minute charge can net you two hours of playtime. Listening at high volume and turning on Game Mode will decrease playtime by an hour. That leaves enough juice in the tank for two days of moderate use (three hours daily) before recharging. Speaking of which, the wireless charging case holds up to 30 additional hours when fully powered.
What I didn’t like about them
Fewer features than other EarFun models
As previously mentioned, these buds gain access to the EarFun Audio app with EQ, Gaming Mode, customizable controls and music presets. I wouldn’t call that much compared to low-cost siblings like the $50 Air 2 and $80 Free Pro 3, which boast upscale features like active noise cancellation (ANC), hi-res codecs (aptX Adaptive/LDAC), multipoint technology for pairing to two devices simultaneously, wear detection and wind reduction. Half of these features should be available on the new Free 2S.
Why can’t EarFun fix its touch controls?
My biggest complaint about EarFun wireless earbuds hasn’t changed. EarFun’s touch controls are still finicky. Input methods are often misinterpreted, with triple taps being recognized as double taps. This becomes frustrating after 10 minutes of use. I had to rely on the single-tap gesture and digital assistance (Google Assistant/Siri) to competently operate the buds.
Bottom line
For buds that were reintroduced and updated in 2023, the Free 2S don’t measure up to today’s top inexpensive offerings. That’s not to say they aren’t worth consideration. Audio quality is resonant when listening to most music genres. Little perks like sound customization and wireless charging are also nice extras. Unfortunately, their small feature set and unreliable controls diminish their value.
If you only have $30 to spend on a pair of adequate wireless earbuds with respectable sound, then the Free 2S will suffice. Just know that the company sells higher performance models at unbeatable prices, like the Air 2, which come with more features and are the best-sounding $50 earbuds I’ve ever tested.
