Raycon earbuds are not worth the guesswork

Raycon earbuds are everywhere. From podcast ads to YouTube sponsorships, the brand has built a reputation on accessibility and lifestyle appeal rather than traditional audio fidelity. I spent time testing many Raycon models, from the Everyday Earbuds Pro down to the budget Everyday Earbuds and the old E25. The answer to “they are worth it” is not as simple as the advertising claims. If you care about comfort and style, there is something appealing here. But if you care about consistent sound quality and long-term value, things get complicated quickly.

Raycon understands how people use earbuds every day, and it shows. Pairing the everyday Earbuds Pro feels seamless: open the case, and they connect almost instantly. The hardware design is standard, compact, and functional. Add-ons like wireless charging, IPX5 water resistance, and multi-point connectivity make it perfect for travel, exercise, and multi-tasking.

However, comfort is not everything. I struggled with a full house of Earbuds Pro. Even though I have many options for ear tips, including memory foam, the large shell is awkwardly pushed into my ear. I found myself constantly adjusting the earbuds, especially while talking or moving. That breaks the seal, which directly affects both isolation and consistency of sound. This is a shortcut if you have small ears.

Raycon’s lighter models follow a similar pattern. Early Day Earbuds (E25 refresh) feel lightweight and perfect for workouts, and their high IP ratings make them durable enough to withstand sweat and rain. But the design did not evolve in a meaningful way. The E25 in particular feels very dated, from their button controls to its sleek case. Even when the basics work, the overall experience falls a country mile behind the competition.

Then there’s the software (or lack thereof). Everyday Earbuds Pro do not include a compatible app, which limits the control of your listening. You get an EQ preset, and that’s it. There is no graphic equalizer, no customization, and no meaningful personalization. That’s not to mention future-proof features like Auracast, head gestures, and Live Translation. At $149.99, this upgrade stands out when competitors offer solid apps for half the price.

Let’s get straight to it: Raycon’s audio tuning is inconsistent among its lineup, and that’s where the hype starts to fall apart. Yes, everyday Earbuds Pro can sound attractive, but only under certain conditions. For example, the “Balanced Sound” preset delivers strong bass, with a significant dip in the mids and a noticeable rise in the treble. While listening to complex rock tracks, that works well. Metals maintain good clarity, and mixing avoids falling into the mud. Our MDAQS results show that most people will find it enjoyable enough to listen to.

Switch types, however, and things quickly unravel. Electric and bass-heavy tracks quickly reveal the tune. Higher bass becomes stronger, which hides important details in the mix. Switching to the default “Pure Sound” shifts too far in the other direction, stripping the bass and leaving tracks sounding thin. “Bass Sound” preset? It is not effective for most listeners because of the very low emphasis. That conflict is very frustrating because you can’t fix it. Without proper EQ, you’re stuck jumping between faulty presets. I ended up using third-party EQ tools to try to make the earbuds tolerable for all types, which defeats the purpose of “everyday” earbuds.

Cheaper Earbuds and older E25 models fare much worse. Their sound deviates too much from our preferred curve, with exaggerated bass and unbalanced treble. In practice, this results in poor clarity and reduced voice presence. Drum hits can sound weird, and high frequency elements can sound crunchy. Even at moderate volume, the listening experience is exhausting.

To Raycon’s credit, isolation works well if you get the right branding. The Everyday Earbuds Pro include isolation and ANC that effectively reduces low-frequency noise, such as bus engines or the rumble of HVAC. But good isolation cannot compensate for inconsistent tuning.

Raycon markets long battery life as a key selling point, but my testing tells a different story. The daily Earbuds Pro are advertised at 10 hours per charge, however I measured closer to 6 hours and 27 minutes under normal listening conditions. That’s not bad, but it’s far from class-leading, especially at this price.

The same pattern is seen throughout the program. Everyday earbuds claim 8 hours, but real-world performance awards closer to 6 hours and 43 minutes. The E25 dip is much lower, about 5 hours and 44 minutes. These numbers are serviceable, but they don’t stand out in a crowded market where many alternatives outshine them. For example, the CMF Buds 2 are expensive ($39 on Amazon) and last 9 hours per charge cycle.

Charging cases help extend total playtime, and features like wireless charging are welcome. High-end models like the Impact Earbuds push more extreme battery claims, up to 90 hours in total. However, those figures are highly dependent on usage patterns and volume levels. Practically speaking, most users will not see those title numbers.

Value is where Raycon struggles. Of all the models I tested, I kept coming back to the same conclusion: there are better options at every price point. The Everyday Earbuds offer decent ANC and solid usability, but lack the flexibility and compatibility expected at $149.99. The Earbud and E25 models are a little more expensive, but their sound quality limitations are hard to ignore.

In short, no, the Raycon earbuds do not live up to the hype. Sure, they’re trendy and their marketing is good, but they fall short where it matters most: consistent sound quality and overall value. If you’re looking for lightweight earbuds for casual use, exercise, or commuting, Raycon can get the job done. But their relative strength is no longer the same, and they do not exceed weakness.

Inconsistent audio tuning, limited EQ options, and mediocre battery life make it hard to recommend this over similarly priced competitors. During testing, I found myself constantly working towards the earbuds’ limitations instead of enjoying them. Simply put, there are better options for those willing to search beyond YouTube’s thick recommendations.