Review on GabbaGoods TrueBuds 813085025246: Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds with Noise Reduction & Sweat Resistance, Ultra Lightweight Cordless Workout Headphones + Charging Pod - Black by Nathan Theriault

After figuring out how to charge and use the device properly, I found the headphones to be fine. CHARGE: Charge the case (charger) via the USB port on the back of the device. You'll know it's charging because the light next to the charging port will glow red. After charging, it turns off. After the charging block is charged, with the headphones in the block, press the round button in the block to close the block. There are two blue lights, one on each side of the button, that will illuminate letting you know both earbuds are charging properly. In my experience the earphones will ONLY charge when the capsule is closed as the earphones need some pressure to keep them in place. CONNECT: After charging, you need to connect the headphones to a Bluetooth device. Start by pressing both physical buttons on the earbuds for about 6 seconds or until the indicator light flashes red and blue. In this case, quickly press the physical button twice (within 10 seconds) on the right earcup. This will connect the two earbuds together. The next step will be easier if you turn off your headphones. Press and hold the physical button on both earbuds for 6 seconds to repeat the pairing process. This time, connect your headphones to your device as usual. Please note that if you don't pair the two earbuds with each other before pairing them with your device, they appear as 2 independent devices and can cause a lot of problems with simple use. Let's get to the rating. The instructions are confusing. This usually leads you to do or assume something wrong, which will annoy you greatly. Hence the instructions in the foreword to this review. The quality of the headphones seems reasonable, however the charger feels a bit cheap due to the type of plastic used. But the hinge release seems to be of good quality. Carrying a charger in your pocket is not a good idea. It's big and sticks out of your pocket. It doesn't fit as discreetly and conveniently as a phone or even a portable battery. So if you don't carry a bag, you most likely won't carry it in your bag. The charger has an auto shut off after the earbuds are charged which was nice. Speaking of charging, I get an average of 2-3 hours of use between charges. That's 2-3 hours of simple music listening on a full charge with a Bluetooth device in sight at about 3 feet away, no phone calls. Significantly less than the stated 10 hours. When I go to my office I put my headphones on, usually I have to charge them until lunch, charge them again in the afternoon, but usually the headphones tell me the batteries are low right after I leave them. General usage was just ok. Audio quality when streaming music was a bit static at times. Phone calls were consistent, although the device picked up audio fairly well, which was surprising. There is a microphone on the left side only. During class, the earbuds stayed in the ear quite well. When playing under Slayer and Pantera they stayed in my ear quite well and comfortably. But then again, the occasional static noise on either side of this unit sucked. The functionality was also missing. Although both earbuds share the same physical button, the button works the same way on both earbuds; Play/Pause, double tap to make a call. The sound must be controlled by the device. Which brings me to my next complaint. When I pause the music for one reason or another and try to play it after a few moments, one earbud plays the music with a 3 second delay and the other is very erratic. Sometimes they are 1 or 2 seconds behind others, and sometimes they turn off by themselves. I like the way they fit in my ear and the battery life is a bit better than my wired Bluetooth headphones, but that's about it. The charging case is too bulky to stash in your pocket, the intermittent hissing is annoying, and the lack of features on the headphones is disappointing. Since the device at least works and feels comfortable in the ears, albeit confusing at first, I have to give it at least 3 stars.