- Excellent sound quality
- Strong bass with clean, balanced tuning
- IPX7 water resistance
- Wireless charging support
- EarFun app with EQ
- Bulky charging case
- No active noise cancellation
- Bluetooth 5.0 feels dated
The EarFun Free 1S proves that budget earbuds don’t have to sound cheap. With punchy, well-balanced audio, reliable app support, and extras like wireless charging and IPX7 waterproofing, it delivers impressive value—despite an oversized case and missing premium features.
EarFun has been on a quiet roll for years now. Almost every time they release a new pair of earbuds, they manage to hit that sweet spot between price and performance.
So when the EarFun Free 1S landed on my desk, the big question wasn’t “are they good?”—it was “are they still worth buying today?”
I’ve spent enough time with them to answer that properly. These were sent over for review, but this isn’t sponsored, and everything below comes from daily use, not spec-sheet reading.
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EarFun Free 1S – Specifications
| Drivers | 7mm Dynamic Composite Drivers |
| Call Quality | Enhanced 4-mic noise-canceling system |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 with Sweatshield™ Technology |
| Low Latency | Dedicated Game Mode for video & gaming |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.0 |
| Playback Modes | Single Earbud Mode (Left or Right) |
| Controls | All-in-one touch volume & media control |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours (6h earbuds + 24h case) |
| Charging | Fast charging, USB-C & wireless charging |
| Smart Features | Voice assistant support |
Price
The Free 1S sits firmly in the budget category. Depending on where you shop and ongoing discounts, these often sell between $20 and $30, sometimes even lower.
At that price, expectations should be realistic—but EarFun has a habit of overdelivering in this segment.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice is the charging case—it’s big. Almost comically big for such small earbuds. If you’ve been using modern ultra-compact cases, this one feels like a throwback to the early days of true wireless earbuds.
That said, the size isn’t random. The case houses a large battery and even supports wireless charging, which is still rare at this price.
The build is entirely plastic, and it does feel budget. The surface scratches easily, and the hinge uses a friction-based lid that doesn’t snap shut with much confidence. Tilt it, and it slowly closes on its own.
On the plus side, the front-facing four LED indicators are genuinely useful. Instead of guessing battery levels, you get a clear idea of how much juice is left.
The earbuds themselves are tiny and lightweight. No fancy design, no metal accents—just simple, practical buds with touch controls and a small LED indicator.
There’s no in-ear detection here, which isn’t surprising at this price.
Comfort and Fit
Thanks to their compact size, the Free 1S fits comfortably for long listening sessions. EarFun includes multiple ear tip sizes, and once you find the right fit, they stay put. I had no issues using them during workouts or long workdays.
Add in the IPX7 water resistance, and these become an easy choice for the gym, outdoor walks, or rainy commutes. Just don’t expect Bluetooth to work underwater—physics still applies.
The EarFun App Experience
The EarFun app is one of the better ones in the budget space. It’s clean, stable, and actually useful.
From the app, you can:
- Check battery levels for both earbuds and the case
- Enable or disable gaming mode
- Adjust a six-band EQ
- Use preset sound profiles
- Customize touch controls
- Update firmware
What I like is that nothing feels locked away or half-baked. Even at this price, you’re getting a full-featured app experience.
Connectivity and Features
The Free 1S uses Bluetooth 5.0, which feels dated on paper, especially in 2025. Still, in real-world use, the connection is stable. Pairing is quick, and the earbuds reconnect reliably when you take them out of the case.
There’s no multipoint connectivity, so switching between devices means reconnecting manually. That’s one of the compromises you make at this price.
EarFun does include a gaming/low-latency mode, which helps when watching videos or casual gaming. It’s not zero-latency—serious mobile gamers will notice a slight delay—but for YouTube, Netflix, and light gaming, it does the job.
Sound Quality
This is where the Free 1S punches well above its weight.
Straight out of the box, the tuning is excellent. I didn’t feel any urgent need to touch the EQ—and that’s always a good sign.
The bass is punchy and well-controlled. Sub-bass reaches low enough to give music a satisfying rumble, while mid-bass adds warmth without bleeding into the mids.
Vocals sound clear and natural. Male and female voices both sit nicely in the mix, and nothing feels recessed or artificially boosted.
The treble is clean and surprisingly refined. It’s detailed without being harsh, which makes long listening sessions easy on the ears. There’s no messy sparkle or sibilance here—just a balanced, well-judged high end.
Soundstage and imaging are better than expected for earbuds in this class. Music feels open, not cramped, and it’s easy to pick out individual instruments.
Simply put, the Free 1S sounds far better than its price suggests.
Volume Levels
Volume starts at a comfortable level and ramps up nicely. Around 80–90%, they’re plenty loud for most people.
That said, if you’re someone who always maxes out volume, you might wish for just a bit more headroom. I found myself near the top end more often than with some other earbuds.
Call Quality
Call quality is decent, especially indoors. Voices come through clearly, with a slight warmth to the sound.
In noisier environments, the microphones do their best to isolate your voice, though some background noise still slips in.
For casual calls, work meetings, and quick check-ins, they’re perfectly usable.
Latency Performance
With gaming mode enabled, latency improves noticeably for video content. Lip-sync stays mostly in check on YouTube and streaming apps.
For competitive gaming, though, there’s still a detectable delay. If gaming is your main priority, there are better options—but for everything else, it’s fine.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is solid, though not class-leading by today’s standards.
- Around 6 hours on a single charge
- Up to 24–30 hours with the charging case
What helps here is convenience. You get USB-C charging, and surprisingly, Qi wireless charging as well. Drop the case on a wireless pad, and you’re good to go.
There’s also quick charging support—about 10 minutes gets you roughly 2 hours of playback. It’s not blazing fast, but it’s practical when you’re in a hurry.
Should You Still Buy the EarFun Free 1S?
Yes—especially if you find them at a discount.
The EarFun Free 1S isn’t flashy. The case is bulky, Bluetooth 5.0 feels old, and there’s no active noise cancellation. But what matters most—sound quality, comfort, durability, and value—is all here.
As a daily pair, you don’t have to baby, a gym companion, or a reliable backup to more expensive earbuds, the Free 1S makes a lot of sense. EarFun didn’t try to reinvent anything here. They focused on solid fundamentals, and it shows.
At this price, it’s still one of the easiest recommendations in the budget true wireless space.
Best Deal: View on EarFun
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
