TOZO Crystal Pods: Eight Months of Daily Use

For the past eight months, I’ve been using the TOZO Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, known as the Crystal Pods, with their clear case design. I grabbed these for their Bluetooth 5.4, 10mm drivers, and the ability to tweak sound through the TOZO app. As someone who likes gear that’s practical and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, these seemed like a solid pick. They’ve tagged along on my commutes, hikes, and amateur radio sessions. Here’s my no-nonsense take on how they’ve held up, what works, what doesn’t, and what you need to know if you’re considering them.

First Look and Build

The transparent case is what first caught my eye. It’s not just a cool look; you can see the tech inside, which appeals to my tinkerer side. The earbuds are small, glossy, and come with six ear tip sizes. The medium tips fit my ears well, staying secure whether I’m walking the dog or messing with my Raspberry Pi projects. The case is light and fits in my pocket, but it scratches easily if you toss it in a bag with other stuff. It’s not a big deal, but a pouch might help if you’re picky about looks. The IPX8 waterproof rating has been solid, handling sweat on hikes and a few rainy days without a hitch.

Sound: Punchy and Customizable

These earbuds have 10mm drivers and TOZO’s OrigX Acoustic 2.0 tech. Out of the box, they lean bass-heavy, which I like for rock and hip-hop. The mids are decent, and the highs are clear but not harsh. I’m not chasing high-end audio, just something that sounds good for hours. These do that. The TOZO app’s 32 preset EQs and over 2,000 user-shared profiles let me tweak the sound. I boost mids for clearer ham radio chatter or podcasts and switch to a bass-heavy preset for music. Being able to adjust the sound to fit my needs is a huge win.

The soundstage isn’t massive, though. At home, listening to shortwave radio, they feel immersive. In noisy places like a cafe, they can sound a bit narrow unless I use the noise cancellation. It’s not a dealbreaker for my everyday use, but if you want a concert-like experience, you might need pricier earbuds.

Noise Cancellation: Decent for the Price

The hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) claims to reduce noise by up to 38dB. After eight months, I’d say it’s good for the cost. It handles low-end noise like bus engines or my truck’s rumble well, making commutes more bearable. Higher-pitched sounds, like people chatting or dogs barking, get softened but not fully blocked. On hikes, the ANC helps me focus on podcasts without wind or distant cars breaking through. Transparency Mode lets in enough sound to hear footsteps or train announcements without taking the earbuds out. It’s not as smooth as high-end brands, but it works for my needs.

In super quiet settings, like my radio shack with no audio playing, I hear a slight ANC hiss. It’s faint and doesn’t bother me when music or podcasts are on, but it’s there if you’re listening for it.

Calls and Microphones

The Crystal Pods have four microphones with AI-enhanced noise cancellation for calls. I’ve used them for calls while walking the dog or on Zoom when I’m not at my desk. My voice comes through clear, and the AI does a good job cutting out wind or street noise. People say I sound fine, even in busy places like a park. In really loud spots, like near construction, some noise creeps in, but it’s not bad for casual calls. If you’re always in noisy places for calls, you might want something with stronger mics.

Battery: Keeps Going

TOZO claims 6 hours of playtime with ANC on and 30 hours total with the case. I’ve found that accurate. I get about 5.5 to 6 hours per charge with ANC, closer to 7 without. The case gives around five full recharges, so I only charge it weekly. A 10-minute charge gets me about 2 hours of playback, which is great when I’m in a rush. After eight months, the battery hasn’t noticeably weakened, which is better than I expected for budget earbuds. The case’s LED shows battery levels, but I’d prefer exact percentages over bars.

Connection and Controls

Bluetooth 5.4 makes pairing quick and stable. I’ve used these with my phone, laptop, and Raspberry Pi for audio, and I’ve had no dropouts, even in crowded spots. The low-latency mode keeps sound and video in sync for movies or games, which is nice. The touch controls handle play/pause, track skipping, volume, and ANC modes. They’re responsive but can be triggered accidentally if I’m adjusting the earbuds or brushing my hair. The TOZO app lets you customize controls, so I set a double-tap for ANC, which I use a lot. Just be careful when putting on a hat.

Comfort and Durability

These are comfortable for a couple of hours, but after about 3, I feel slight pressure in my ears. A quick break sorts it out. The IPX8 rating means they handle sweat and rain fine. I’ve worn them on sweaty hikes and through a downpour, and they’re still going strong. The case’s hinge feels a bit looser after eight months, but it still closes securely. I try not to toss it around, as it might not take rough handling forever.

The TOZO App: A Big Plus with Quirks

The app is a standout. The EQ options and community profiles let me fine-tune audio for music, radio, or podcasts. It’s straightforward, and I like that it doesn’t force you to sign up. That said, it can be slow to connect, and it’s crashed a couple of times. One odd thing: when no audio is playing, the left earbud makes a soft chime every 10-15 minutes. Maybe a connection check or low-battery signal? It’s not loud but noticeable in quiet moments.

How They Fit My Life

These earbuds have been a solid part of my routine. On commutes, the ANC cuts bus noise so I can enjoy music or podcasts. On hikes, they stay put and handle sweat or light rain. In my radio shack, I tweak the EQ for clear ham radio or shortwave signals. They’re not perfect for everything. If you want a huge soundstage or flawless calls in loud places, you might need to spend more. But for my practical needs, they’re reliable.

One moment that stood out was on a camping trip. I was off-grid, listening to downloaded music. The battery lasted two days of on-and-off use, and the ANC blocked out a nearby generator. The clear case also got a few nods from other campers who thought it looked cool.

What Could Be Better

There are a few quirks. The ANC hiss in quiet settings is minor but there. The mics struggle in very loud environments. The case’s hinge might not last forever with rough use, and that random chime is weird. The touch controls can be too sensitive. I’d love a wider soundstage, a tougher hinge, and a fix for the chime, but for the price, these are small gripes.

What You Should Know

The TOZO Crystal Pods are a great deal if you want feature-packed earbuds on a budget. The sound is solid and customizable, the ANC is decent, and the battery keeps up. They’re ideal for commuting, working out, or hobbies like amateur radio. If you’re after top-tier audio or perfect call quality in noisy spots, you might need pricier gear. For me, these have been a trusty companion for eight months, handling everything from hikes to radio tinkering. They’re not flawless, but they deliver way more than their price suggests.

Pros:

  • Solid sound with 32 EQ presets
  • Decent ANC for the price (up to 38dB)
  • Good battery life (6 hours with ANC, 30 with case)
  • Fast charging (10 minutes for 2 hours)
  • Cool transparent case and IPX8 waterproofing
  • Stable Bluetooth 5.4 connection

Cons:

  • Slight ANC hiss in quiet settings
  • Mics struggle in very noisy places
  • Case hinge slightly loose after months
  • Random chime from left earbud
  • Touch controls can be too sensitive

Bottom Line: I’d give these 4 out of 5 stars. The TOZO Crystal Pods offer a lot for the money, with minor quirks that don’t overshadow their value. If you want versatile, affordable earbuds that look good and handle daily life, these are a solid pick.