boAt Airdopes 170 TWS Earbuds Review: 50 Hours of Playtime, Clear Calls, and Bassy Sound?

 

boAt Airdopes 170 TWS Earbuds

Looking for a pair of wireless earbuds that offer long battery life, clear calls, and immersive sound without breaking the bank? The boAt Airdopes 170 TWS earbuds might just be the answer. But are they all they're cracked up to be? Let's dive into this review to find out.

The boAt Airdopes 170 are a pair of budget-friendly true wireless earbuds (TWS) that boast a staggering 50 hours of total playtime, alongside features like low latency mode, IPX4 water resistance, and touch controls. But with so many claims packed into a relatively affordable price tag, can these earbuds truly deliver? Let's dive into my review and find out.

Pros:

Marathon Playtime: With a whopping 50 hours of total playtime (9 hours per bud), these earbuds are perfect for long commutes, workdays, or even weekend getaways. I never had to worry about them running out of juice during my testing.

Crystal Clear Calls: The ENx™ technology effectively suppresses background noise, ensuring your voice is heard clearly during calls, even in noisy environments. This is a major plus for those who frequently take calls on the go.

Low Latency Gaming: The BEAST™ mode minimizes audio lag, making these earbuds suitable for casual gaming and even some competitive titles. While not the absolute best for eSports, it's a nice feature for the price.

Powerful Drivers: The 13mm drivers deliver rich, bass-heavy sound that's perfect for most genres of music. Whether you're into hip-hop, rock, or EDM, these earbuds will keep you grooving.

Fast Charging: The ASAP™ Charge technology provides up to 180 minutes of playtime with just a 10-minute charge. This is a lifesaver when you're short on time and need a quick boost.

Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.3 ensures a stable and reliable connection, minimizing dropouts and ensuring smooth audio streaming.

Instant Pairing: The IWP™ technology automatically pairs the earbuds to your device as soon as you open the case, making them super convenient to use.

Water Resistant: The IPX4 water resistance rating means you don't have to worry about sweat or light rain damaging these earbuds.

Touch Controls: Easy-to-use touch controls let you manage playback, answer calls, and activate your voice assistant without having to take out your phone.

boAt Airdopes 170 TWS Earbuds

Cons:

Call Quality: While the ENx™ technology does a good job of reducing background noise, the call quality itself could be slightly better. The microphone could pick up my voice a bit more clearly, especially in windy conditions.

Fit: The fit might not be perfect for everyone. I found them comfortable for short periods, but they could feel a bit snug after extended wear.

Sound Isolation: These earbuds don't offer the best passive noise isolation, so you might still hear some ambient noise, especially in loud environments.

No Active Noise Cancellation: If you're looking for earbuds with active noise cancellation to completely block out external noise, these aren't the ones for you.

Overall:

 The boAt Airdopes 170 TWS earbuds offer a lot of value for their price point. With their long battery life, clear calls, low latency mode, and powerful drivers, they're a great option for casual listeners and budget-conscious users. However, if you prioritize absolute call quality, perfect fit, or active noise cancellation, you might want to consider other options.

boAt Airdopes 170 TWS Earbuds

 

Recommendation:

boAt Airdopes 170 TWS Earbuds

 

If you're looking for affordable earbuds with long playtime, clear call quality, and good sound, the boAt Airdopes 170 TWS earbuds are worth considering. Just be aware of their limitations in terms of fit and noise isolation.

First Impressions & Design:

 The Airdopes 170 arrive in a sleek, compact charging case with a smooth pebble-like design. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable to wear, with a secure fit that doesn't feel bulky. They come in various colors, including the Tranquil Blue I tested, which offers a calming aesthetic. The touch controls on the earbuds are responsive and intuitive, making it easy to manage music playback, answer calls, and activate your voice assistant.

 

Sound Quality:

 For the price point, the sound quality is decent. The 13mm drivers deliver a balanced sound profile with decent bass representation. While audiophiles might find them lacking in detail, casual listeners will likely be satisfied. However, some users might find the overall sound a bit muddy at higher volumes.

 

Call Quality:

boAt Airdopes 170 TWS Earbuds

 

The Airdopes 170's quad-mic setup with ENx technology does a good job of filtering out background noise during calls. My voice came through clearly on calls even in moderately noisy environments. This makes them a good option for taking calls on the go.

 

Battery Life:

 The 50-hour total playtime claim is impressive, especially considering the price. In my tests, I managed to get around 8-9 hours of playback per charge on the earbuds themselves, with the charging case providing additional charges for a total of around 45 hours. This falls short of the advertised 50 hours, but it's still a very respectable battery life for the price. The ASAP charging feature is also a nice touch, allowing you to get up to 180 minutes of playtime with just a 10-minute charge.

 

Other Features:

 The low latency mode is a welcome addition for gamers and those who watch videos on their phone. It helps to reduce audio delay, making the overall experience more enjoyable. The IPX4 water resistance rating means you can wear these earbuds worry-free during workouts or light rain.

 

Verdict:

 Overall, the boAt Airdopes 170 offer a good value proposition for budget-conscious users looking for a feature-packed pair of TWS earbuds. They boast impressive battery life, decent sound quality, clear call quality, and a comfortable design. While they might not be perfect for audiophiles, they offer a solid listening experience for everyday use. However, it's worth noting that the advertised 50-hour playtime wasn't quite achieved in my tests.

 

Who should buy them?

Budget-conscious users looking for long battery life and basic features.

Users who prioritize call quality.

People who need IPX4 water resistance for workouts or outdoor activities.

Who should look elsewhere?

Audiophiles seeking the best possible sound quality.

Users who need active noise cancellation.

People who require a more premium design and feel.

 

5 FAQs about the boAt Airdopes 170 TWS Earbuds:

1. How comfortable are they for long listening sessions?

The fit can vary depending on individual ear shapes, but some users find them comfortable for short periods. Extended wear might cause some discomfort due to their snug fit.

 

2. Do they leak sound?

 The passive noise isolation isn't the strongest, so some sound leakage might occur, especially in loud environments.

 

3. How does the microphone sound quality compare to other earbuds in this price range?

The ENx™ technology does a decent job of reducing background noise, but the microphone itself could be slightly clearer, especially in windy conditions. Compared to other budget earbuds, the mic quality is average.

 

4. Can you use them for working out?

 Yes, the IPX4 water resistance makes them sweatproof, but their snug fit might not be ideal for intense workouts where they could shift around.

5. Are there any other features you wish they had?

 Active noise cancellation would be a great addition for better noise isolation, and different ear tip options could improve the fit for more users.

 

Bonus FAQ:

 

6. How does the sound quality compare to more expensive earbuds?

The boAt Airdopes 170 offer good bass-heavy sound for the price, but audiophiles might find them lacking in detail and clarity compared to higher-end models.

Final Thoughts:

The boAt Airdopes 170 are a solid option for those seeking a budget-friendly pair of TWS earbuds with long battery life and decent features. While they might not be perfect for everyone, they offer good value for the price.