Tozo NC3 Review – Wireless Earbuds Balance Between Affordability and Performance

When talking about affordable wireless earbuds, the market is swamped with possibilities. However, few achieve the ideal mix of affordability and performance, and the Tozo NC3 is one of them. In an ever-increasing sea of budget audio devices, the Tozo NC3 stands out as an example of what you can expect when a manufacturer concentrates on giving a good listening experience without breaking the bank. However, the question remains: does the Tozo NC3 meet expectations, or does it fall short of its own promise? Let’s go into an honest review of its performance, comfort, and overall value.

Design and Build Quality: Solid but Simple

I’ve received it in black. When the Tozo NC3 wireless earbuds are in my hand, their minimalistic design and cleanness blend with most casual and professional settings. The earbuds come with short stems (not too long), which is different from the Tozo NC9 2024, which doesn’t have stems. Its charging case is compact and easily pocketable, which makes it convenient for on-the-go use. In my private opinion, the plastic exterior seems lightweight and may not be as excellent as some higher-priced models, such as the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro, but it’s durable enough to handle normal use and tearing.

When compared to the more affordable Tozo T21, which is a semi-in-ear design, the Tozo NC3 offers a more refined in-ear experience. Meanwhile, the Tozo T21 is often praised for being one of the best budget earbuds for casual listeners. Its semi-in-ear design causes increased sound leakage. In comparison, the NC3 has an in-ear design that enables superior sound isolation and a more secure fit, as well as six different sizes of ear tips included in the package. Furthermore, the NC3 has hybrid active noise reduction, providing a more immersive listening experience.

The Charging Case

When it comes to the charging case, it’s compact and sleek, designed for both on-the-go and convenience. It’s lightweight and small, allowing it to be easily put in a pocket or bag without taking up much space. The charging case features a black matte finish with a modern look. It has a built-in LED indicator that lets you know the battery status in real-time, both for the earbuds and the case.

The case charges via USB-C cable. The company claims that it has a quick charge—10 minutes—gets 1 hour of playtime. Additionally, the case supports multiple charges (around 4 times for a full charge on the earbud), providing ample power for on-the-go listening.

Battery Life and Charging

Most wireless earbuds nowadays have a strong battery and provide several days of listening. The Tozo NC3 is one of the standout batteries. With up to 8 to 9 hours of continuous use on a full charge. The charging case provides approximately 40 hours of playtime. This allows you to comfortably listen to the NC3 wireless earbuds for multiple days without worrying about running out of battery. The battery performance is enough for casual use, though heavy use might require recharging more often.

Compared to similar budget models such as the Anker Soundcore P40i wireless earbuds, which also offer stronger battery life. It provides 12 hours of playtime for a single charge and up to 60 hours of playtime with the charging case. The NC3 stands its ground. While the P40i may come with slightly better sound performance in certain aspects, these cheap Tozo wireless earbuds deliver a more reliable and long-lasting battery experience for those who prioritize longevity.

Comfort and Fit

Besides the sound quality, the comfort and fit are the main factors for those who are looking for wireless earbuds. The Tozo NC3 is generally good. I wore them for 2 hours continuously and didn’t have any feeling of fatigue or discomfort. First of all, you have to test all ear tip sizes to find the best fit and secure one that is also most comfortable for you.

Connectivity and Features

The Tozo NC3 utilizes Bluetooth 5.3; it’s quite a stable connection within a reasonable range. I don’t know about the specific Bluetooth range, but when I walk around my home (560 square meters), the Bluetooth signal and the sound are still clear and don’t hiccup at all, even though I have two walls blocking them. The connection is quick and seamless, it’s compatible with iOS and Android smartphones, and it also auto-reconnects to the latest devices.

The Tozo NC3 also features touch controls; it has intuitive control for fundamental functions such as play/pause (single tap either left or right), volume adjustment (long tap on the right for volume up and on the left for volume down), and answering a call (single tap either left or right).

All in all, the touch-sensitive controls work well, and how to control them is similar to general wireless earbuds; nothing complicated. However, you may take a few tries to get used to the controls.

Unlike more expensive models, these cheap Tozo wireless earbuds lack some advanced features, such as a multi-device connection. If you need to connect to two devices at the same time, I recommend the Tozo Gloden X1 wireless earbuds, which have better sound quality but a higher price.

However, for NC3’s price point, the feature set is more adequate for casual users.

Compare Tozo NC3 to Similar Wireless Earbuds

Sound Quality: Impressive for the Price

Sound Quality is undoubtedly one of the most important factors when buying wireless earbuds. The Tozo NC3 is good for the price in terms of sound quality. The sound is moderate. The bass is punchy enough, the mids and vocals are clear, and the trebles provide a decent amount of detail without being overly sharp. For casual listening, whether you can enjoy music, podcasts, or a movie, the Tozo NC3 performs admirably. However, you can adjust the EQ and choose the preset EQs (22 profiles) via the Tozo app. Moreover, the app provides an adjustable graphic equalizer that easily adjusts the sound.

In the app, you can also choose the ANC modes: noise cancellation, reduced wind noise, normal, transparency, leisure, and custom pattern.

Honestly, the overall sound quality can’t be compared to the high-end wireless earbuds such as Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen ii or Technics EAH-AZ40. However, both come with more expensive.

Active Noise Cancelling

If you focus on excellent noise-cancellation features, the Tozo NC3 is not your option. The NC3 is an affordable ANC wireless earbud with decent noise-canceling. It’s not excellent, but good, and can reduce low-frequency noise like the hum of air conditioners or the general noise of a coffee shop. But if you want to block out deeper, more irregular noise like human voices or traffic noise, the NC3’s ANC falls short compared to high-end models or pricier ones such as the Sony WF-1000XM4.

It’s like general noise-canceling headphones; the Tozo NC3 offers “Transparency mode”, which allows some environmental sound to seep through, and it works as advertised. It’s useful for situations where you need to stay aware of your surroundings, for example, while you’re walking in a busy area or jogging.

Pros & Cons of the Tozo NC3 Wireless Earbuds

In the Package

• Tozo NC3 active noise-canceling wireless earbuds
• Compact charging case
• 6 pairs of earcaps (XS/S/M/L/XL/XXL)
• USB-A to USB-C charging cable (short – 30 cm)
• Quick guide & User manual

Tozo NC3 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds – Final Verdicts

All in all, before concluding the Tozo NC3 review, I believe these affordable wireless earbuds offer a good balance of performance, comfort, and value for those who aren’t looking to spend a fortune. They utilize Bluetooth 5.3 technology for stable connectivity and clear calls. They feature active noise-canceling and ambient sound modes. The Tozo NC3 also supports the Tozo app, allowing you to customize the sound profile and choose preset EQ settings. Furthermore, you can use the low-latency mode when watching movies or playing games.

Where to buy Tozo NC3

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