Masterplug Wireless Earbud AIR 2 Pro

Introduction

The Masterplug Wireless Earbud AIR 2 Pro is an budget wireless in-ear earbud that provides decent sound quality and connectivity for an affordable price. It has Bluetooth 5.3, an IPX7 rating, onboard controls and up to 35 hours of total battery life with the included charging case. For casual listening and workouts, the AIR 2 Pro offers pretty solid value and performance for the money.

Design and Fit

The AIR 2 Pro has an inconspicuous in-ear design with oval-shaped earpieces and silicone eartips. It's relatively lightweight and the earpieces have an ergonomic shape that provides a secure fit for most ears. The eartips come in three sizes to help you find the best seal and fit. An IPX7 water resistance rating means the earbuds can handle sweat, rain and water immersion, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.

Sound Quality

The AIR 2 Pro delivers decent sound quality for a budget wireless earbud. It has 10mm dynamic drivers that provide a balanced sound profile with solid bass response, clear midrange and crisp highs. The earbuds support the AAC Bluetooth codec for high-quality wireless streaming from Apple devices, though Android users are limited to the standard SBC codec. Overall, the sound quality is good for the price, though audiophiles will likely want a model with support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX.

Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode

The AIR 2 Pro does not have active noise cancellation (ANC) or an ambient sound mode. It relies on the in-ear seal from the eartips to passively block out ambient noise. The passive isolation works reasonably well for blocking out low-midrange frequencies, but higher-pitched sounds can still get through. If you're looking for proper ANC, you'll need to look at models from brands like Anker, Sony or Bose.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The AIR 2 Pro earbuds offer up to 4 hours of playback per charge and the charging case provides an additional 4 charges for a total of 24 hours of battery life. The case takes about 2 hours to fully recharge and the earbuds take around 1 to 1.5 hours to recharge from flat in the case.

The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity with mobile devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops. Bluetooth range is standard at about 10 meters or 33 feet. Pairing is simple — just take the earbuds out of the case and select the AIR 2 Pro from the list of available devices. The earbuds will then automatically pair and connect to your device on subsequent removals from the case.

Controls and Operation

The AIR 2 Pro earbuds have touch-sensitive panels on each earpiece to control playback and calls. You can tap once to play/pause music or answer/end a call, tap twice to skip forward a track, tap three times to skip backward a track or tap and hold to activate your phone's voice assistant. Volume can be adjusted using the controls on your connected device. The touch controls work reasonably well but can be somewhat hit or miss.

Build Quality and Durability

For budget wireless earbuds, the AIR 2 Pro feels fairly well built. The earpieces have a durable plastic construction and the overall fit and finish is good for the price. An IPX7 water resistance rating means the earbuds should withstand sweat and full submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Battery life begins to degrade noticeably after 18-24 months, which is typical of budget wireless earbuds.

Value for Money

For under $50, the AIR 2 Pro offers solid value for casual listening and workouts. You get a lightweight and water-resistant design, touch controls, good battery life and sound quality that's perfectly serviceable for the price. While the earbuds lack more advanced features like ANC or higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, they hit all the basics for an affordable wireless earbud. If you're on a strict budget but want the convenience of truly wireless earbuds, the AIR 2 Pro is worth considering.

User Feedback Summary

User reviews for the AIR 2 Pro are mostly positive. Users praise the earbuds for their budget-friendly price, decent sound quality, comfortable design, easy Bluetooth connectivity and long battery life. The touch controls receive mixed reviews, with some finding them convenient but others reporting missed inputs. The lack of volume control on the earbuds is another common complaint. Issues with durability and connectivity seem to affect some units. However, at under $50, the majority of buyers seem happy with the overall performance and value offered by the AIR 2 Pro.

Pros:

•Affordable price
•Good sound quality for the price
•Secure and water resistant design
•Easy Bluetooth pairing and connectivity
•Long battery life (24 hours with case)

Cons:

•No active noise cancellation
•Limited water resistance (IPX7)
•Touch controls can be imprecise
•No volume control on earbuds
•Durability and connectivity issues reported by some users

Specifications

• Form Factor: In-ear
• Bluetooth Version: 5.3
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Battery Life: 4 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (with case)
• Bluetooth Range: 10 meters (33 feet)
• Water Resistance: IPX7
• Dynamic Drivers: 10mm
• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC
• Onboard Controls: Touch (play/pause, skip, voice assistant)
• Charging Connector: USB-C
• Warranty: 1 year

What's in the Box

• Masterplug Wireless Earbud AIR 2 Pro earbuds
• USB-C charging case
• 3 pairs silicone eartips (S/M/L)
• Quick start guide

Conclusion

The Masterplug Wireless Earbud AIR 2 Pro delivers satisfying performance and great value for under $50. It has a secure design, easy Bluetooth connectivity, 24 hours of battery life and sound quality that's good for casual listening and workouts. While the earbuds lack advanced features like ANC or higher-end sound, they nail the essentials for an affordable pair of truly wireless earbuds. For budget buyers seeking convenience and value, the AIR 2 Pro earbuds are worth considering.