What Are True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Headphones? (2024)

True Wireless ( or TWS) headphones are the latest in amazing audio technology. From Apple Airpods tothe TaoTronics SoundLiberty series, True Wireless earbuds have moved to theforefront of audio technology. When you wear them, you have the completefreedom to move: there are no wires to connect your earbuds to your phone, oreven to each other.

All this sounds amazing. True Wirelessearbuds are even the current best-selling headphones. But what does TrueWireless/TWS actually mean?

This blog is a deep dive into TWStechnology, and the “TWS” meaning in earbuds. It covers everything youneed to know, including the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pair andwhere you can find these earbuds at an affordable price.

1. WHAT IS TRUE WIRELESS STEREO (TWS) TECHNOLOGY?
2. ADVANTAGES OF USING TWS BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES
3. DISADVANTAGES OF USING TWS BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES
4. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
5. 5 TIPS FOR SAFETY AND MAINTAINING TWS EARBUDS
6. ARE THERE QUALITY TWS EARBUDS AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE?

What is True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Technology?

TWS Technology Basics

What wizardry means that you can listen tomusic through earbuds with no wires? That amazing invention that modern audiotechnology owes a huge debt to. Bluetooth.

When you own a pair of TWS earbuds with aspecific “master” earbud (e.g., you have to use at least the left earbud to beable to listen to music) then that earbud becomes the primary Bluetoothconnection to your phone. Music is then sent to your other (e.g., the right)earbud via a secondary connection. Picture this system as a set of invisiblewires between your phone and the earbuds.

If you have dual master earbuds, such asTaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 and 79, then either of the earbuds that you pick upfirst can be the “master” and create the primary connection. This means you donot have to think about which earbud to grab if you have an incoming call.

TWS vs Wireless Headphones

With all the “wired/wireless/TWS” names,one thing must be answered: what is the difference between wireless headphones,and True Wireless earbuds?

Wireless headphones still have Bluetoothconnectivity, and, confusingly, still have wires. However, there is no wireconnecting your phone to your headphones; these wires join the earbuds together.A wire will wind around the back of your neck. This is especially great forworking out, as the magnetized earbuds can be connectedtogether to form a “necklace” if you need to take a break.

True Wireless, or TWS Bluetooth headphones,do not have this restriction. They have no connecting wires, even between theearbuds. This means that you can hand an earbud to a friend a meter away andnot have to worry about the wires keeping you close together. This is the TWSmeaning in earbuds!

TWS Technology Applications

True wireless technology is notspecifically applied to earbuds, though thus far it is the most popular usage.Other common applications for the technology includes using it for speakers andchargers. If there are no wires, but a Bluetooth connection is still there,your device may be truly wireless!

Advantages of Using TWS Bluetooth Headphones

Thinking of making the switch to TrueWireless? Here are three benefits of these modern earbuds.

1. Total Freedom

When you buy true wireless, you own totalaudio freedom. You are no longer connected to your phone at all times; leave iton one side of the room as you dance across to the other side, with your handscompletely free. Trust us: once you experience no wires and he tangle-freelifestyle, you won’t go back.

2. Total Versatility

As you might have realized, having totalfreedom means having total versatility. Share your music with your friendswhile you walk apart or wear only one earbud at a time. You can wear this kindof earbud anytime, anywhere. See our FAQ section below for a more detailedexploration of the best time to use your TWS earbuds.

3. Reduce the Potential of Damage

Just because there is TWS in the name, doesnot mean that your earbuds are indestructible. However, the lack of wires does preventwire-related destruction. When you use standard wired headphones—especiallycheaper kinds—you run the risk of the connections getting damaged. This isparticularly the case where the wire connects to the headphone jack, meaningone or both of your earbuds stops receiving audio. Cut the wires out to cutthese problems out of your life.

Disadvantages of Using TWS Bluetooth Headphones

That being said, these headphones are notfor everyone. Make sure you understand the disadvantages of using TWS Bluetoothheadphones compared to using wired headphones before you buy a pair.

1. Noise Reduction and SpeechRecognition Abilities

If you are looking primarily for noisereduction headphones or for TWS earbuds specifically to use for taking workcalls, then it is recommended that you buy a pair of headphones that areprecision designed to work specifically for that purpose. While it is an addedbonus to have these features in TWS Bluetooth headphones, they are not thebiggest benefit nor the sole purpose of True Wireless earbuds.

2. Expense

Being a newer, more developed technology, mostTWS headphones are more expensive than standard wired headphones. For instance,a pair of cheap wired headphones might cost under 10 USD, whereas cheap TWSBluetooth headphones will probably set you back anything up to 50 USD.

You do get what you pay for in thesesituations: a pair of cheap (under 10 USD) wired headphones might seem like agood short-term investment, but a pair of cheap (30-50 USD) TWS headphones haveall the benefits listed above. Weighing up your options to see if it is worthfuture-proofing your headphones vs a cheaper initial outlay is important inthis situation.

Frequently Asked Questions Of TWS

We answer all the frequently askedquestions about True Wireless Stereo and True Wireless/TWS Bluetoothheadphones. If you need answers about anything else, visit our website!

How can I Charge TWS Earbuds?

You need to place your TWS earbuds intotheir carry case to charge them. It really is that simple! Each earbud has itsown specially crafted dock, with connection points that will allow it tocharge.

If your earbuds turn on when they are picked up from the carry case,a light on the earbuds will tell you whenthey are charged. Alternatively, if your earbuds turn on whenthe case is opened, a flashing light on the case will indicate whenthey are charged.

To charge your carry case, simply plug it into a power source via aUSB. The correct cable will be provided in the box when you buy your earbuds. Asmall number of cases are able to charge when placed on a wirelesscharger.

Quick tips! Try not to overcharge your headphones; they should notusually need more than a two hour charge. You should also charge yourheadphones at least once every six months if you are not using them for a longtime, and make sure the battery is fully charged before putting your earbudsinto storage.

When is the Best Time to wear TWS Earbuds?

TWS earbuds are useful to own because theyare truly versatile. With hi-fi audio and the latest sound isolationtechnology, you can wear them both in the gym and when taking crisp voice callsin the office.

Recommended times to wear your earbudsinclude:

• When working out. This can be inside, whether completing home fitness or at the gym,or outside while running and jogging. Remember that if you are road running,you should always be able to hear the traffic and people around you to preventaccidents.
• Focusing at the office. Listening to music can help you focus and complete your work. Thisis especially necessary if you are working from home and struggling toconcentrate. True Wireless earbuds have an ergonomic design, meaning they fitcomfortably and unobtrusively in your ears for hours at a time.
• Taking calls. Remember when Bluetooth headsets were the best new technology? TrueWireless takes this concept and develops it into something wondrous. Take callson the go or at work, even if your phone is hidden in a desk draw. Simply touchone of your earbuds to answer or put down a call.
• Commuting. Though most people’s commutes at the moment involve walking from thebedroom to the study, it might not be too long until we have to get back on thesubway or the bus. The first few days might feel amazing—background noise!Human contact!—but we are pretty sure you will want to get back to normality soonenough. TWS Bluetooth headphones help you to zone out in the morning as youlisten to your favorite tunes.

In reality, there is no best time to wearyour TWS earbuds. Why? The best time is any time you feel like it!

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How do I Pair TWS Bluetooth Headphones with my Cell Phone?

1. Make sure that your phone hasthe Bluetooth turned on. Your phone and earbuds should be within 3ft (1m) ofeach other.
2. Turn your earbuds on and searchfor new devices in your phones Bluetooth settings. Pair with the correctearbuds (they should have the name of the device, e.g. “TaoTronics SoundLiberty53″).
3. You’re connected and ready tolisten to music! Your phone will pair automatically the next time that you turnyour earbuds on.

Remember that each pair of TaoTronicsheadphones comes with a detailed, step-by-step instruction manual that willguide you through connecting your headphones.

Want to connect to a different device? Wehave explained how to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your NintendoSwitch, PS4, an LG TV and more!

5 Tips for Safety and Maintaining TWS Earbuds

There are a few things you should be awareof to make sure that you use your TWS Bluetooth headphones safely. Followingthese tips will also help extend the life of your headphones. They should befollowed at all times—no exceptions!

1. Never Disassemble or Modify YourHeadset for any Reason

You may see this warning if you check anydevice warranty: do not disassemble or modify your device, or your warrantywill be void. This standard is partly in place because of the damage aninexperienced person can do to the complex inner wirings of the earbuds, andthe potential danger they pose to themselves while doing so.

For instance, it is difficult to replacethe battery in your wireless earbuds yourself. This intricate procedure can endup damaging the earbuds’ casing if done wrong. Damaging your audio device inthis way would render it painful to wear and/or unusable.

2. Do Not Get Your Device Wet

Anyone who has owned electronics knows thedamage that liquids can cause. You should never submerse your earbuds in water—wearingthem in the shower is out of the question, as is keeping them in while you areswimming.

If your TWS headphones have an IPX rating(ideally IPX 7 or above) you can still wear them while you work out. They areprotected from damage caused by sweat and light rain.

3. Do Not Expose Your Device to Extremesof Temperature

Humans do not like being too cold or toohot. TWS Bluetooth headphones are the same. No matter where you are from, youshould make sure that your headphones are not exposed to temperatures below 37°F (3°C) or above 112°F (45°C). If you live in a country with avery cold or hot climate, you should make sure that your earbuds are not leftoutside or near a window for too long.

One key reason you should not expose electronicequipment to these temperatures is that they can causedamage to the battery, reducing the amount of time your device isactive. It is estimated that a battery runs at around 60% of its strength at 32°F.

4. Do Not Place Your Device’s LightClose to Eyes

It is important that any lights on your TWSdevices are not placed close to eyes. This is especially necessary in regard tothe eyes of children or animals. Luckily, few (if any!) headphones havein-built powerful lights.

5. Do Not Use the Device During a Thunderstorm

As with all electronic devices, you shouldbe careful to use your TWS devices if there is a thunder and lightening storm.They should also not be plugged into an outlet to charge during a storm, as theycan be damaged if there is an electrical surge.

Are There Quality TWS Earphones at an Affordable Price?

Of course! That is, if you count affordableas being around 50 USD and under (as we mentioned above). We would notrecommend opting for headphones that claim to be TWS and highly rated atanything under 20 USD at this current moment in time. The chances are they arenot high quality, and you will pretty quickly end up spending at least the sameamount again to buy a new pair.

At TaoTronics, our SoundLibertyrange of True Wireless earbuds are a pride and joy. We have threekey pairs: the79, the77, and the53. Here is a quick rundown of our TWS Bluetooth Headphoneselection:

These headphones make the most ofincredible technology, like smart AI noise reduction and dual masterearbuds. They are also an affordableoption for people who are looking to replace their Apple Airpods.

Conclusion

TWS technology is here to stay. Knowingeverything about it will help you make an informed decision about which TrueWireless earbuds you want to buy, without defaulting to two-hundred-dollardevices. Affordable, high-quality TWS earbuds are out there. Now you have readthis article you can use the advice to shop wisely!

Explore the full TaoTronics True Wirelessearbud range today!