I tested these quirky wireless earbuds that even let you play games on the charging case and they cost less than 40

Date:
Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Description:
I tested the sub-40 wireless earbuds attempting to challenge JBL, but are
they really up to the task?

FULL STORY ======================================================================Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds: two-minute review

Imagine if your earbuds case wasnt just an earbuds case. Imagine that it did more than just charge your buds. Imagine that it could open up a new world of possibilities. Imagine that it could even let you play Flappy Bird. OK, I'll stop going all John Lennon on you now, because guess what? This is exactly what the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds and their interactive
charging case can offer.

Thats right, these JBL-inspired earbuds come with a display-equipped case (that is based on some of the best earbuds around, but more on that in a moment) which is filled with a whole host of features. The buds themselves also pack in active noise cancellation, making this a pretty comprehensive package. Whats more, the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds come in at less than 40. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, I tested them out for myself, and heres whether Id consider them worthy of your attention.

So, as I alluded to earlier, these earbuds are clearly inspired by some of
the best wireless 'buds on the market especially for battery life. The JBL Live Beam 3 boast a seriously good juice pack (up to 12 hours from the buds and up to 48 hours in total) and a display-wielding charging case. Sadly, at up to 22 hours with the buds and case fulled maxed out, Groov-e's alternative can't hold a candle to JBL there. Of course, Groov-es buds are a fraction of the price, so I wasnt expecting the most amazing sound quality or refined ANC either, but I was hopeful that they could pose as a decent budget
alternative. And honestly, I think they are just that. at least in some ways. (Image credit: Future)

Lets start with the good. I am quite a big fan of this things display. Its background gave me big noughties vibes, with the underwater image bringing me back to the days of Windows Vista and its Frutiger Aero aesthetic. Its also got a lot to play with, including a knock-off version of Flappy Bird, music playback control, a timer, and even a flashlight.

Not all of the functions are perfect. For instance, the Camera application only turned medium volume down for me. I also experienced a glitch with the Find My Earbuds function, and at some point, the earbuds just started
randomly whistling (to my colleagues dismay).

Anyway, one good thing is that Groov-es wireless buds have ANC capabilities. This wasnt active by default for me, but after turning it on, voices around
me were dulled a fair bit, and the sound of keyboards clicking away were
tuned down. To be honest, chatter and typing was definitely still audible, even with my musics volume at around 70%. You could do better, even in the budget range, but having ANC at this price-point is still most welcome.

Another area that left me with mixed feelings was the Neo Buds sound quality. Out of the box, I was not impressed. The low end sounded bloated and unrefined, often to the point of obscuring vocals. Treble also sounded lacklustre, missing the bite and control that even competing budget earbuds provide.

However, I cycled through the EQ options and managed to find a decent solution. I selected the Popular calibration, and found that things got a lot better. For instance, when bumping Driving Me Crazy by Lewis Taylor, I found that vocals were a lot clearer and more defined in the mix. Bass still had a good amount of weight to it, but it was no longer totally overwhelming.

Thats not to say that the Popular EQ mode solves all, though. For example, in M-Highs 12 O.C Riddim , bass extension was impressive, but the dark low-end was hardly the cleanest or most agile Id heard. Higher pitched percussion
also lacked the expressiveness and speed of attack that more premium buds can offer.

Still, I believe that these earbuds sound adequate for the cost. In Black Eye by Allie X, vocals werent hidden, the pumping drum machine hit with commendable impact, and subtle percussive elements noticeably reared their heads. Again, do not purchase these expecting great, or even good audio. But if average is all you need, then these have got you covered. (Image credit: Future)

Average, in fairness, applies pretty widely to the Neo Buds. For instance, their total battery life of 22 hours isnt bad for the money, but its not
going to set the world alight.

Mic quality is certainly up-to-scratch, but theres a bit of sibilance to contend with. The stemmed design of the buds isnt the most discreet or sleek either, although theyre not ugly as sin. Oh, and although the touch controls are functional, theyre not always perfectly responsive.

That just about sums up the Groov-e Neo Buds, in my view. Theyre not doing anything out of the ordinary when it comes to audio performance, ANC, or design. But I had quite a bit of fun messing around with this budget take on JBLs excellent Live Beam earbuds. The case is flawed and I encountered a few issues on the display, but come on: a quickly accessible timer, playback controller, and Flappy Bird knock-off? How could I say no? (Image credit: Future) Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds review: specs

Drivers

Dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

22 hours (with case)

Weight

5g (per bud)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Waterproofing

Not stated (Image credit: Future) Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds review: price and release date Priced 39.99 Available now from retailers including Amazon and Ryman

The Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds are available from a handful of retailers in the UK, including Amazon and Ryman. These buds are typically priced at 39.99, though I have seen them going for as little as 29.99
already. You can purchase them in either Black or Sand. (Image credit:
Future) Should I buy the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Display on case is fun and fairly feature-rich, albeit flawed; average
battery life and ANC.

3.5/5

Sound quality

Adequate with some tuning, but no better.

3/5

Design

Buds arent the sleekest, but stem design is OK, and the display is easy to use.

3/5

Value

Fairly average all round, but you get what you pay for.

3.5/5 Buy them if...

You want a fun take on wireless earbuds
With the inclusion of an interactive display on their charging case, the Groov-e Neo Buds are a very fun take on the typical wireless earbuds formula. With a timer, stopwatch, game mode and more, theres plenty to have fun with.

Youre working with a tight budget
If youve not got the cash for the JBL Live Beam earbuds, youre certainly not alone those things are pretty costly. These are a decent enough alternative option if youre on a budget and want buds with a display-equipped case. Don't buy them if...

You want great sound quality
These earbuds have sound quality that Ive described as adequate and thats
only after switching to the Popular EQ calibration. If you want cheap earbuds with superior sound, Id highly recommend checking out our guide to the best budget earbuds instead.

Youre looking for top-drawer ANC
Again, ANC is functional here, and youll be able to dampen the outside world to some degree. But if you want real noise-crushing capabilities, then Id
pick a pair of buds like the Earfun Air Pro 3 . Groov-e Neo Buds True
Wireless Earbuds review: also consider

Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds

JLab Go Pods ANC

JBL Live Beam 3

Price

39.99

29.99

179.99

Drivers

Dynamic

10mm dynamic

10mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

22 hours (with case)

26 hours (with case)

48 hours (with case)

Weight

5g (per bud)

4.2g (per bud)

5g (per bud)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.3

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-40kHz

Waterproofing

Not stated

IP55

IP55

JLab Go Pods ANC
These earbuds proudly sit atop our guide to the best budget earbuds and for good reason. Simply put, these are just great all-rounders, supplying decent audio quality, solid ANC, a lightweight build, and an expansive set of features. You cant ask for much more for 29.99 well, other than an imitation Flappy Bird game, perhaps. How could you leave that out, JLab?! Read our full JLab Go Pods ANC review .

JBL Live Beam 3
OK, if you want the real deal, then the JBL Live Beam 3 are what you need. These earbuds come with a touchscreen case thats full of fun features, but they also sound phenomenal, especially with higher-res Bluetooth active. They also provide excellent battery life, tons of in-app customizability, and
sleek looks. The downside? Theyre going to cost a lot more than Groov-es budget alternative. Read our full JBL Live Beam 3 review . How I tested the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds (Image credit: Future) Tested across the course of two weeks Used in the office and while out in public Predominantly tested using Tidal

I spent a couple of weeks using the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds, using them in a range of spaces, including the office, at home, and out in public.

For the most part, I used the buds for listening to music, and as usual, I streamed tunes over Tidal. As always, I commenced my testing by running through the TechRadar testing playlist , which features songs from a wide range of genres, but I also tuned into a ton of tracks from my personal music library .

On top of that, I exhausted the various features of the Neo Buds, including the various EQ options, game function, clock options, and so on. More generally, Im an experienced tech reviewer, and have been testing all sorts
of audio gear for almost two years here at TechRadar. On earbuds in particular, Ive reviewed everything from budget-friendly models like the Earfun Air 2 NC , through to premium alternatives, like the LG Tone Free T90S . First reviewed: January 2026 Read more about how we test



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/groov-e-neo-buds-true-wireless -earbuds-review


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