With 6 out of 10 users planning to buy TWS earbuds within the year, there’s a literal crap-ton of models offered by brands that vary greatly between price and more importantly, quality. Wading through options for a decent pair in the sub-Php 2k category is a Herculean effort, to say the least, but there are legit gems out there hidden in the chaff, chief of which is the Baseus Encok W04 Pro.
Made by accessory brand Baseus, the Encok W04 Pro is one of those buds and provides quite a good mix of sound quality, features, and value-all for under Php 2K. Read on to learn more from our Baseus Encok W04 Pro review.
Pros Of The Baseus Encok W04 ProÂ
- No-frills pairing to any devices
- Wireless charging and USB-C
- Matte finish on battery case makes it premium-looking
Cons Of The Baseus Encok W04 ProÂ
- Chrome-plated plastic hinge disrupts the overall design language
- No support for Hi-Res audio
The Encok W04 Pro comes with a white square-shaped case with curved sides and a matte finish. On the front, you have indicator lights for the battery status and the Baseus branding below it. At the back, you have a button for checking the battery status of the case and another LED light that illuminates when charging the case. The Encok W04 Pro is also available in Black, Grey, and Pink if White isn’t your thing.
The case’s matte white finish gives it a premium look and is resistant against smudges and scratches. The only thing I didn’t like was Baseus’ use of chrome-plated plastic for the hinge as it disrupts the otherwise clean design language of the Encok W04 Pro.Â
Setting up the Encok W04 Pro is very straightforward. No need to press buttons—just flip open the case, and the buds will be searchable through your device. Pair them up via Bluetooth, and you’re good to go.Â
USB-C AND wireless charging for cheap
What makes the Encok W04 Pro stand out is that it offers BOTH USB-C wired charging and wireless charging, all for under Php 2K. Wireless charging is usually a feature reserved for more expensive TWS models, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it on a budget pair. It’s not incredibly fast though, as it took me a little under two hours to top up the case from empty to 100%. But if you have a phone that has reverse wireless charging, then the wireless charging feature is a great thing to have. There’s always wired charging via USB Type-C if you’re in a rush.
With a big chunk of gadgets shifting to USB-C, having a pair of TWS earbuds with the same port means that you can stick to one (or two) USB-C cables with your EDC.
Soundstage more focused on the mids and highs
The earbuds themselves share a striking resemblance to Apple’s AirPods sans the wear detection sensors and the placement of the LED indicator lights. The fit of the buds was generally good—I used them for long walks, and they have stayed put on my ears without worrying about either bud falling off.
As for the soundstage, the Encok W04 Pro was pretty good when it comes to mids and highs. The lows are not as strong as compared to in-ear ones, but they still provide a clean, balanced sound regardless of the music genre you are listening to. Like typical TWS earbuds, you get touch controls on them as well.
While the Encok W04 Pro is feature-packed for its price, it does not have Hi-Res audio support—you are limited to the common SBC codec. That should not be a big deal for its price point, as most users buying budget TWS earbuds will most often listen to lossy compressed music from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music anyway.
Verdict For This Baseus Encok W04 Pro Review: the most well-rounded budget TWS earbuds you can get today
The Encok W04 Pro delivers great value at the incredibly competitive sub-Php 2K price segment, offering features like USB-C port and support wireless charging that’s usually not found in similarly-priced TWS earbuds.
While it does not support Hi-Res audio, they provide a good soundstage that can be appreciated by casual listeners. Not to mention, its no-frills pairing and sleek matte finish make the Encok W04 Pro one of the best value-for-money TWS earbuds today.
The Encok W04 Pro is priced at Php 1,690Â and is available at Lazada and Digital Walker stores.
