TOZO NC20 Review: Don’t Invest in Expensive Earbuds

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From time to time, budget earbuds pop up and challenge the notion that quality sound comes with a hefty price tag. The TOZO NC20 fits this description —a sub-$50 option that offers features found in high-end products from Apple, Sony, and Sennheiser.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve alternated between the NC20 and my usual premium earbuds. To my surprise, the difference isn’t as significant as I thought.

TOZO even outperforms the big brands in some aspects in comfort, battery longevity, and the amount of technology crammed into its compact case.

If you’ve put off upgrading because everything on the market seems too expensive, the NC20 might change your mind.

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Also see:

• TOZO Open EarRing Review
• TOZO NC20 Pro Review

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TOZO NC20 – Specifications

Drivers	12 mm dual-magnetic dynamic drivers
Audio Codec	LDAC (Hi-Res Wireless) support
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)	Hybrid ANC (adaptive modes) — advertised up to ~52 dB reduction
Spatial / Immersive Audio	Spatial audio / 3D sound mode (toggle via TOZO app)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4 (multipoint & low-latency mode supported)
Microphones	6-mic array with ENC / AI call enhancement
Battery & Charging	Up to 30 hours per single-charge (earbuds) & up to 80 hours total with case (manufacturer claims). USB-C fast charge + wireless charging case; 10-minute quick charge ≈ ~5 hours playback (claimed).
Ingress Protection	IPX8 (waterproof / sweat resistant)
Weight	Approximately 5.3 g per earbud (case weight varies by SKU)
Colors & Finish	Gunmetal / matte metallic finishes (varies by market)

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Unboxing & First Impressions: Budget Price, Not-So-Budget Vibe

The moment you open the box, it’s pretty clear Tozo didn’t cheap out on the experience. Inside, you get:

• The NC20 earbuds
• A beautifully finished charging case with a built-in LED display
• USB-C cable
• Six pairs of ear tips
• Quick guides & support card

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Design & Comfort

The first thing that struck me wasn’t the earbuds themselves—it was the case. TOZO went with a rounded, metallic gunmetal finish that feels far more refined than anything in this price bracket.

The vertical LED display on the front isn’t just for show; it gives you an exact battery percentage for both earbuds and the case, something even many expensive models still don’t bother offering.

Pop the lid and you’re greeted by a pair of compact buds that weigh just 5.3 grams each. Once I put them on, I basically forgot they were there. No pressure points, no fatigue, even after long listening sessions. The shorter stem works better than the typical “long-stick” design you see everywhere and feels more natural.

And they’re IPX8 rated. Sweat, rain, accidental splash—none of it is a concern.

Comfort is one of the big reasons I kept reaching for the NC20 instead of my pricier pairs.

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Setup & App Experience

Pairing takes seconds. Open the case, hold your phone nearby, and you’re connected.
Bluetooth 5.4 helps with instant pairing and stable connection, and once you download the TOZO app, things get even more impressive.

The app isn’t an afterthought—it’s genuinely one of the deepest EQ systems I’ve seen at this price. You get:

• 32 EQ presets
• Full custom EQ
• Noise cancellation modes
• Transparency strength levels
• Spatial audio toggle
• Touch control customization
• Ear-fit/hearing test tuning

There’s also in-ear detection, which means music pauses when you pull an earbud out and resumes when you put it back in. Again, not something you usually see in the sub-$50 category.

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Audio Quality

Let me put it this way: if your playlist has a lot of hip-hop, EDM, or anything that benefits from punchy bass, you’re going to be shocked by these buds.

The NC20 uses a 12mm dual-magnetic driver and supports LDAC high-res wireless audio—a codec that many premium earbuds advertise as a key selling point. And yes, it makes a real difference if you’re using an Android phone that supports it.

With LDAC on, the NC20 sounds richer, fuller, and more detailed than the price suggests. Vocals are clean, the highs have a nice shimmer, and the low end comes through tight rather than muddy. Switching between presets in the TOZO app lets you fine-tune things exactly how you prefer.

If you’re not happy with the default tuning (which leans slightly bass-forward), you can shape it into something more balanced or more aggressive. That level of control isn’t common even in $150 earbuds.

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Spatial Audio

This is what surprised me most. Once you enable spatial audio in the app, the soundstage opens up dramatically. It’s not gimmicky—there’s real direction and depth to the audio.

While watching movies, it felt like the effects moved around me instead of directly through my ears.

Gaming also benefits from this because you can hear sound cues coming from different directions. For something under $50, this is borderline ridiculous.

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Active Noise Cancellation

TOZO advertises up to 52 dB of noise reduction. Real-world performance? Not quite that powerful, but still very effective for daily use.

In the car, on a walk, in a café, and even near traffic, the NC20 did a surprisingly good job cutting out consistent engine noise and general background hum.

It’s not at the same level as Sony’s WF-1000XM5, but the fact that it’s even in the conversation tells you how good it is.

Transparency mode is equally well-tuned—it lets in just enough sound that you can hear your surroundings without killing your music.

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Call Quality

The six-microphone setup does its job well. I tested calls in wind, around traffic, and in a busy indoor environment. Voices stay clear, background noise gets filtered, and the earbuds maintain stable clarity on both ends of the call.

If you take a lot of meetings on the go, these won’t disappoint.

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Battery Life

TOZO claims up to 80 hours total with the case, and while real-world usage varies depending on ANC and volume level, I didn’t find myself charging these often. Even with ANC on and volume higher than usual, I comfortably hit a full week of on-and-off listening.

A 10-minute charge giving up to 5 hours of playback is the kind of thing you’d expect from flagship earbuds, not budget ones.

Oh—and yes, the case supports wireless charging, which still blows my mind considering the price.

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Final Thoughts

After using the TOZO NC20 for a while, it’s clear that these earbuds exist to challenge the idea that quality requires a heavy price tag.

They’re not perfect—you shouldn’t expect flagship-level ANC or studio-grade neutrality—but they offer far more than what the price suggests.

If you want reliable noise cancellation, comfortable all-day wear, excellent sound, useful app features, and a battery life that embarrasses the competition, there’s no smart argument against these.

Don’t invest in expensive earbuds unless you really need to.
For most people, the TOZO NC20 is more than enough—and honestly, kind of a steal.

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