SkyPods Pro in the test: in-ear hurricane or mild breeze?
So close to heaven: the Apple AirPods in-ear headphones are extremely popular and technically very strong. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the AirPods Pro sealing variant or the AirPods (3rd generation), which are in front of the ear canal. So much success naturally arouses covetousness, which calls for cheap alternatives to be considered. Aldi now has the SkyPods Pro from 4smarts. Instead of 160 euros or more as with the Apple product, the discounter only charges 20 euros! Is the bargain worth it? COMPUTER BILD tested the in-ears.
The best true wireless in-ear headphones
LG Electronics
Details about the test
Per
Clear and unadulterated sound
Can also be used on the headphone output
LG Electronics
Details about the test
Per
Clear and unadulterated sound
Can also be used on the headphone output
Sony
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Per
good sound
Great noise cancellation
against
Only three sizes of eartips
KEF
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Per
Very clear and precise sound
High resolution
against
Complicated relationship
Chunky transport box
Samsung
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Per
First class sound
Active noise cancellation
against
Somewhat fiddly operation
Restrictions for iOS users
Samsung
Details about the test
Per
Outstanding sound quality
Useful automatic functions
JBL audio
Details about the test
Per
Clear and precise sound
Battery life of almost 8 hours
against
Touch operation reacts very sensitively
jabra
Details about the test
Per
good sound
Long battery life (7.5 hours)
against
Only three pairs of essays
Angry
Details about the test
Per
good sound
Very effective noise canceling
against
Press continuously
Few replacement ear pads
Complete list: The best true wireless earphones
Design? Like Apple!
Visually, the SkyPods Pro are almost indistinguishable from the AirPods. It is a kind of hybrid between the AirPods (2nd gen) and the AirPods Pro: In addition to the housing, there are short stems with touch surfaces for control. Simple typing commands are enough to jump between titles, increase the volume or answer calls. Unfortunately, there is a noticeable delay between input and implementation. The connection to smartphones, tablets & Co. runs via Bluetooth, the coupling works quickly and easily.
Illegitimate child: The SkyPods Pro (middle) combine the design of the AirPods of the 2nd and 3rd generation.
The SkyPods Pro are in front of the ear canal and are not inserted via rubber attachments. This ensures a high level of wearing comfort, which is also due to the low weight of just 2.9 grams per in-ear. Ideal for sports, even if the manufacturer does not specify a protection class. In other words: If things get too boozy, the technology may suffer as a result. Users should therefore avoid direct contact with water as much as possible.
Good charging case, poor battery
Even the loading and transport box resembles the expensive model from Cupertino. Advantage of SkyPods Pro: The optical twin is smaller than all AirPods cases, but it doesn’t look any less valuable. The box is charged either via a USB-C connection on the underside or wirelessly via a Qi plate. The SkyPods Pro are a bit reserved when it comes to battery life: A full charge lasts just over four hours, after a short pit stop of ten minutes in the case there is another 52 minutes on top. According to the manufacturer, the case offers enough power for a total of 14 hours of playtime.
The SkyPods Pro rely on understatement and are a real eye-catcher from a purely visual point of view.
Little wind in the sound
The most important thing about headphones: the sound. And that’s where the SkyPods Pro leave feathers. Although the playback appears warm and clear, it lacks in other important areas: voices sound nasal and scratchy, the bass is quiet and without pressure or depth. The highs are clean, but occasionally there are unpleasant peaks that make listening exhausting in the long run. In general, users should listen at a lower volume, because with too much power the sound becomes noisy and a little like it’s out of a can.
Not only do the in-ears look damn similar to the Apple products, the charging box of the SkyPods Pro (middle) also emulates the expensive models AirPods 3 (left) and AirPods Pro (right).
SkyPods Pro review: conclusion
Unfortunately, the SkyPods Pro are not the hoped-for high-flyers. Appearance and value fit, the look can hardly be distinguished from the Apple model. The price is almost unrivaled anyway. When it comes to sound, however, the in-ears take a nosedive: it is warm and clear, but there are problems here and there with voices, bass and treble. test grade: satisfactory, 3.1.
High wearing comfort
Light weight
Sound with air up
No protection against dust and water
However, there are few better alternatives in this price range. The Tribit FlyBuds 3 cost just over 30 euros, but also offer a power bank function and are even waterproof (protection class IPX8). Also in this price range are the Soundcore Life P2, which scored well in the test with a good battery life and high wearing comfort.
