- Moto Buds Bass feature unusually large 12.4mm dynamic drivers
- Up to 43 hours from buds and case, with ANC disabled
- Priced at just £49.99 (that’s around $65 or AU$100, where it’s sold)
May the high-resolution audio gods forgive me for saying this, but as TechRadar’s audio editor I can become a little desensitized to new headphones. There are so many little things out there!
So when a spec sheet crosses my desk, I stop and say, “Wait, how big did you say the drivers were? Twelve-point-four? Are you sure?” I’ll tell you about them. And that’s before we even get to the lowest price…
The set is called Moto Buds Bass and, apart from the really very large 12.4mm driver that should be resting in my external ear canal in each ear, you also get a seemingly robust battery that will offer up to nine hours with the earbuds themselves and up to 43 hours including the case, although it’s important to note that these figures are quoted with ANC disabled.
Oh yeah, there’s also “dynamic active noise cancellation,” which Moto says can eliminate up to 50 dB of noise, plus a transparency mode to keep you connected to the outside world; you might need it for transportation announcements or even (shudders) for people talking to you.
Moto Bass Buds: Key Specs, Color Combinations and Prices
As a candidate for the best budget headphones I’ve seen in a long time, Moto’s bet with its new Buds Bass is solid. All three colorways (‘Dark Shadow’, ‘Blue Jewel’ or ‘Posy Green’) look stylish, and while Moto hasn’t specified the exact Bluetooth codecs supported, seeing the inclusion of hi-res audio mentioned for this money is very patchy.
Anything else to keep in mind? Actually, a few details: triple microphones plus CrystalTalk AI and an anti-wind noise algorithm should help with voice calls when the weather doesn’t cooperate, but while Moto says the design is “water-repellent,” you probably shouldn’t use them in serious flooding as there’s no IP rating mentioned and Moto confirms that they’re “not waterproof.”
Oh, and while Moto recommends using the Moto Buds app to pair, customize controls, customize noise cancellation settings, and more, it looks like you’ll need an Android device running Android 12 and up, so iPhone owners take note.
Its price is a happy surprise even for a company known for its affordable phones, especially considering that the open-style Moto Buds Loop, launched in April (which feature Bose sound tuning and even Swarovski crystals) are much more expensive.
The Moto Buds Bass are available now for £49.99 in the UK and €59.99 in the rest of Europe. Global availability is unclear, but that would make them around $65 or AU$100.
How good are those hi-res skills and how talented is that bigger driver for the money? That’s what I hope to discover. But I highly doubt that at this price you can expect a Black Friday discount, although if you need them, our early Black Friday deals live blog is the place to go.
The best wireless headphones for every budget
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