HAPPYAUDIO S3 Earhook Headphones – A Sporty Bluetooth Earphone with ENC and Long Playtime
Update on Oct. 19, 2024, 4:12 p.m.
With so many wireless earbuds on the market today, it can be tough to know which ones to choose. In this review, we’ll be taking a look at the HAPPYAUDIO S3 Earhook Headphones to see if they can compete with more premium options. Featuring Bluetooth 5.3, noise canceling microphones, IPX6 waterproofing, and up to 7 hours of battery life, these affordable earbuds seem to offer great value for the price. Read on for the full review.
Overview
The HAPPYAUDIO S3 Earhook Headphones are a budget-friendly pair of wireless earbuds designed with active users in mind. They boast a secure earhook design for a stable fit during workouts, ENC noise canceling microphones for clear calls, and an IPX6 rating for water and sweat resistance. With up to 7 hours of battery life on a single charge (56 hours total with the charging case), these earbuds are built to keep up with your active lifestyle. Additional features include deep bass sound, physical button controls for easy operation, and wide compatibility with both Android and iOS devices.
Design and Fit
The S3 earbuds have an over-ear hook design that ensures a secure fit during workouts and running. Multiple sizes of silicone ear tips are included for getting a comfortable in-ear seal. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and fairly compact.
Overall, the fit is quite stable and comfortable enough for extended wear. Those who prefer the around-ear wearing style will appreciate the design.
Sound Quality
With 12mm drivers, the S3 earbuds produce fairly powerful and balanced sound with emphasis on the low end. The bass has decent punch and depth without sounding boomy. Mids and highs come through clearly.
In terms of sound quality, these perform very well for the price point. They can handle bass-heavy music genres capably. Noise isolation is also good with a proper in-ear seal.
ENC Noise Canceling Microphones
One of the standout features of the S3 earbuds is the inclusion of ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) microphones. This technology is designed to reduce background noise during calls, making your voice clearer and easier to understand for the person on the other end.
In my experience, the ENC microphones did a decent job of reducing moderate background noise. While they couldn’t completely eliminate loud noises like traffic or wind, they did noticeably improve call clarity compared to earbuds without noise canceling. If you frequently take calls in noisy environments, you’ll appreciate this feature.
Bluetooth 5.3 Connectivity
The HAPPYAUDIO S3 earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connection to your devices. Bluetooth 5.3 offers several advantages over older versions, including improved connection stability, faster pairing, and lower power consumption.
In practice, the Bluetooth connection on the S3 earbuds was generally reliable during my testing. Pairing with my phone was quick and easy, and the connection remained stable for the most part. However, I did experience a few brief dropouts when moving further away from my device, especially in areas with interference from other Bluetooth devices. Overall, the Bluetooth performance is good but not perfect.
Physical Button Controls
Unlike many modern earbuds that rely on touch controls, the S3 earbuds utilize physical buttons for playback control. This may seem like a minor detail, but I found it to be a significant advantage. Physical buttons provide tactile feedback, making it easier to control your music without having to look at your earbuds.
The buttons on the S3 are easy to locate and press. They allow you to adjust volume, skip tracks, answer/reject calls, and activate voice assistants. The button controls were responsive and intuitive during my testing.
Battery Life and Charging
HAPPYAUDIO claims the S3 earbuds offer up to 7 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, and the included charging case extends that to a total of 56 hours. In my testing, I found the battery life to be excellent. I was able to use the earbuds for several hours each day without needing to recharge the case for multiple days.
The S3 earbuds support both wireless charging and USB-C charging. Wireless charging is a convenient feature that allows you to simply place the case on a compatible charging pad. The USB-C port offers a faster charging option when you need to top up quickly.
IPX6 Waterproof Rating
The HAPPYAUDIO S3 earbuds boast an IPX6 waterproof rating, which means they are highly resistant to sweat and rain. This makes them ideal for workouts, running, or other outdoor activities where you might encounter moisture.
During my testing, I wore the earbuds during several sweaty workouts and even rinsed them under running water with no issues. The IPX6 rating gives you peace of mind knowing that your earbuds can handle whatever you throw at them.
Other Features
In addition to the main features highlighted above, the HAPPYAUDIO S3 earbuds offer several other functionalities:
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Deep Bass Sound: The earbuds are designed to deliver deep bass, enhancing the listening experience for bass-heavy music genres.
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Convenient Button Control: The physical buttons on the earbuds allow for easy control of volume, track playback, calls, and voice assistants.
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Wide Compatibility: The S3 earbuds are compatible with both Android and iOS devices, making them a versatile choice for users with different smartphones.
Value
With performance that matches or exceeds more expensive competitors, the HAPPYAUDIO S3 earbuds provide outstanding value and cost-effectiveness. $40 is very affordable for a feature-packed pair of wireless earbuds. The long battery life, waterproofing, stable fit and noise canceling microphone make these a bargain compared to similar models costing 2-3 times more. For budget-conscious buyers who still want quality and performance, the S3 earbuds should top their list.
Verdict
For the very reasonable price, the HAPPYAUDIO S3 Earhook Headphones provide great value, especially for users who prioritize a secure fit and long battery life. They sound good, fit securely, and have excellent battery life. Noise canceling and waterproofing add even more functionality. If you want feature-packed wireless earbuds without breaking the bank, the S3 earbuds are easy to recommend, particularly for active individuals or those who need reliable earbuds for calls in noisy environments.