TL;DR: M25 TWS earbuds for $8 offer decent quality for gym use but skip if expecting AirPods-level performance and features.
What are the technical specifications?
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | M25 TWS |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Driver | Dynamic |
| Noise Reduction | Passive + call noise reduction |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 |
| Controls | Touch |
| Earbud Battery | 4~5 hours |
| Total w/ Case | 20~25 hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Price | $7.83 (was $17.03) |
What happens when you buy $8 earbuds from AliExpress?
I've been using AirPods for a couple of years now, but I needed a cheap pair for the gym — something I wouldn't cry about if I dropped on a treadmill or left in my gym bag. So I went hunting on AliExpress and found the M25 TWS Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds for just $7.83 (down from $17.03 — that's a 54% discount).
With over 47,000 units sold and a 98% positive rating, I figured the risk was pretty low. Two weeks later, they showed up at my door in Seoul. Here's my honest take after a month of daily use.
What's inside the box and first thoughts?
The packaging was surprisingly decent for the price. Nothing fancy, but everything was well-protected inside. The charging case has a matte finish that actually looks and feels better than I expected — no cheap plastic vibes here.
Inside the box:
- Earbuds (left + right)
- Charging case
- USB-C charging cable
- Extra ear tips (S/M/L)
- User manual
The case is slightly larger than an AirPods Pro case but still pocketable. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and sit nicely in the case with a satisfying magnetic snap.
How well does the Bluetooth connection work?
Pop open the case and they instantly enter pairing mode. First-time setup took about 10 seconds — just find "M25" in your Bluetooth settings and tap connect. After that, they auto-connect every time you open the case. Bluetooth 5.3 does its job well here.
I've used them on the Seoul subway during rush hour — Gangnam station, packed to the brim — and didn't experience any dropouts. The connection stays stable within about 8~10 meters. Beyond that, you'll get occasional cuts, which is expected at this price point.
How good is the sound quality for $8?
Let me be real: these don't sound like AirPods or Galaxy Buds. But for under $8? The sound quality genuinely surprised me.
Bass: Present and punchy enough for pop, hip-hop, and EDM. It's not the deep, rumbling bass you'd get from premium earbuds, but it doesn't sound hollow either. Nicely balanced.
Mids: This is where these shine. Vocals come through clearly, making them great for podcasts, YouTube, and vocal-heavy music. Phone calls sound clear on both ends.
Highs: Mostly clean, though at very high volumes you'll notice some slight harshness on cymbal-heavy tracks. For normal listening levels, it's perfectly fine.
The "noise reduction" feature is passive isolation (not ANC), but the in-ear fit with the right tip size does a decent job of blocking ambient noise. Call quality is respectable — my coworkers couldn't tell I was using budget earbuds.
How long does the battery actually last?
I consistently got around 4~5 hours per charge at moderate volume. With the charging case, that extends to about 20~25 hours total before you need to plug in. For my daily commute (about 1.5 hours round trip), I only need to charge the case once a week.
USB-C charging is a big plus — no hunting for a special cable. A full charge from zero takes roughly 90 minutes.
Are they comfortable to wear?
These are impressively light. With three sizes of silicone tips included, finding a good fit was easy (Medium worked for me). They sit flush in the ear and don't stick out much, so they look clean when worn.
For workouts, I've taken them running and through HIIT sessions. They stayed put through all of it, and IPX5 water resistance means sweat is no issue. I wouldn't take them swimming, but gym use is totally fine.
Touch controls handle play/pause, track skip, volume, and call answering. They're responsive without being overly sensitive to accidental touches.
How Do They Compare to AirPods and Galaxy Buds?
| Feature | M25 TWS | AirPods 3rd Gen | Galaxy Buds FE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$8 | ~$170 | ~$55 |
| Sound | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| ANC | No | No | Yes |
| Battery | 4~5 hrs | 6 hrs | 6 hrs |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX4 | IPX2 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 |
The M25 TWS costs about 4~5% of AirPods 3rd gen pricing and delivers maybe 60~70% of the experience. That's an insane value proposition. You lose ANC, app integration, spatial audio, and premium build quality — but for gym use, commuting, or as a backup pair, the tradeoff makes total sense.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unbeatable price-to-performance ratio
- Stable Bluetooth 5.3 connection
- IPX5 water resistance for workouts
- USB-C charging (no proprietary cables)
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Touch controls work well
- 47,000+ sold with 98% positive rating
Cons
- No active noise cancellation
- Slight harshness at high volumes
- No wireless charging
- No companion app
- Case is a bit bulkier than premium options
Who Should Buy These?
- Gym-goers: Cheap, sweatproof, and stays in your ears during workouts. Perfect.
- Students on a budget: Quality wireless audio without breaking the bank.
- Anyone needing a backup pair: Keep your AirPods safe and use these for risky situations.
- First-time wireless earbud buyers: Test the waters without committing $100+.
- The "I lose everything" crowd: At $8, losing them is an inconvenience, not a tragedy.
Final Verdict After One Month
I've used the M25 TWS every single day for a month — commuting, working out, taking calls — and they're still going strong. Are they perfect? No. Are they the best $8 I've spent this year? Absolutely.
If you're looking for premium audio, buy AirPods or Galaxy Buds. But if you want surprisingly competent wireless earbuds at a price that's almost too good to be true, the M25 TWS delivers. I'm genuinely impressed.
This post contains AliExpress affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Bluetooth devices from AliExpress work in Korea?
Yes, Bluetooth is a global standard. Devices with Bluetooth 5.0 or higher will work perfectly with Korean phones and computers.
Q: Is there a warranty on AliExpress electronics?
There's no official manufacturer warranty, but AliExpress Buyer Protection covers you for 60-90 days. Report any issues within 15 days of delivery.
Q: How can I avoid counterfeit products?
Stick to AliExpress Choice products and sellers with high ratings. For unbranded gadgets, counterfeits are rarely an issue. Read recent buyer reviews with photos.
