QCY MeloBuds Pro Review: Best Budget Earbuds for $35?

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours scrolling through endless options, trying to find that perfect pair of earbuds that won’t break the bank but still delivers on sound quality, features, and comfort. Well, your search might just be over with QCY MeloBuds Pro is the latest offering from QCY, a brand that’s been getting a lot of attention in the affordable market.

And you might think, “Okay, another set of cheap earbuds trying to compete with the big names. But here’s the thing: these little guys are packing some serious features that you’d usually only find in much pricier models. For around $30 to $40, you get a lot more than just decent sound. We’re talking about adaptive noise cancellation, high-resolution audio via LDAC, a sleek and compact design, and a whole host of customizable options through the QCY app.

Now, I’ve tested a lot of budget earbuds over the years, and most of them fall into the “good enough” category. They’re fine for casual listening, but they often lack the polish, features, or sound quality to really stand out. The QCY MeloBuds Pro, though, feel like they’re playing in a different league. And let’s be real—when you’re getting features like ANC and LDAC audio at this price, it’s hard not to get excited.

Design and Build Quality

The QCY MeloBuds Pro has a sleek and modern design that’s visually appealing and practical. The charging case is compact and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, weighing in at just 41 grams. It’s small enough to slip into your pocket or toss into a bag without adding bulk. The case has a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges, keeping it looking fresh even after extended use.

When you open the case, you’ll notice a satisfying snap that feels sturdy and well-made. The lid stays open firmly, which is a nice touch that prevents it from flopping around. On the front, you’ll find a single LED indicator light and the QCY branding, while the bottom houses a USB-C charging port and a pairing button.

The earbuds themselves have a stem design similar to what you’d see on AirPods Pro, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s becoming more common and accepted. The stems are shorter and more streamlined compared to older designs, making them less obtrusive. The earbuds have a glossy finish on the outer part, giving them a bit of a mirror-like effect, and a matte finish on the inner part for a comfortable fit. The charging contacts are neatly placed at the bottom, and the touch-sensitive areas are easy to locate and use.

Comfort is a crucial factor in earbuds, especially if you plan to wear them for extended periods. The QCY MeloBuds Pro excel in this department. They are incredibly lightweight, each earbud weighing only about 4 grams, so you hardly feel them in your ears. The ear tips are made of soft silicone and come in three sizes (small, medium, and large).

I’ve worn these earbuds for several hours at a time, and I didn’t experience any ear fatigue or discomfort. The shallow insertion design means they sit just right in the ear canal without causing pressure or irritation. The in-ear detection feature is also impressively responsive; the music pauses when you take them out and resumes when you put them back in, which is a handy feature for quick breaks.

One of the standout features is the stability of the earbuds. I put them through a rigorous 100-jumping-jacks test, and they stayed firmly in place without slipping or falling out. The IPX5 water resistance rating adds an extra layer of durability, protecting the earbuds from sweat, rain, and splashes.

The build quality of the QCY MeloBuds Pro is solid and reliable. The charging case is made of durable plastic that feels robust and well-constructed. The hinges and mechanisms are smooth and show no signs of wear even after repeated use. The earbuds themselves are built to last, with sturdy charging contacts and a design that minimizes the risk of damage from everyday use.

Connectivity

The QCY MeloBuds Pro use Bluetooth 5.3, which is the latest and greatest in Bluetooth technology. What does that mean for you? Well, it means you get a stable connection with minimal dropouts, even if you’re moving around or have walls between you and your device.

One of the standout features here is multi-point connectivity. This lets you connect the earbuds to two devices at the same time. For example, you can have them paired to your phone and your laptop. If you’re listening to music on your laptop and get a call on your phone, the earbuds will automatically switch to the phone. It’s seamless and super convenient, especially if you’re juggling work and personal devices. The only catch? If you’re using LDAC (more on that in a bit), multi-point won’t work. But honestly, that’s a trade-off I’m willing to make for the added convenience.

Here’s where things get really interesting. The QCY MeloBuds Pro support LDAC, a high-quality Bluetooth codec that delivers high-resolution audio. If you’re not familiar, LDAC allows for much higher data transfer rates compared to standard codecs like SBC or AAC. This means you get richer, more detailed sound, especially if you’re listening to high-quality tracks or streaming from services like Tidal or Amazon Music HD.

Now, LDAC does come with a couple of trade-offs. First, it drains the battery a bit faster. Second, as I mentioned earlier, you can’t use LDAC and multi-point connectivity at the same time. But if you’re an audiophile who cares about sound quality, LDAC is a game-changer, especially at this price point. Most earbuds with LDAC support cost well over $100, so having it here is a huge win.

The QCY App

The QCY app is where the MeloBuds Pro truly flex their muscles, and it’s packed with features that let you tweak and customize your earbuds. Within the app, you can easily monitor the battery levels of both earbuds individually and the charging case. Also allows you to set an auto power-off feature, where the earbuds will automatically power off after a specified period of inactivity (e.g., 15 minutes, 90 minutes, or custom settings).

The earbuds have wear detection, which automatically pauses your music when you take them out of your ears and resumes playback when you put them back in. In the app, you can tweak how this feature works—for example, you can set it to only resume playback when both earbuds are in your ears.

The app gives you access to a 10-band EQ, which is pretty rare for budget earbuds. You can adjust the bass, mids, and treble, or choose from preset EQ modes like Heavy Bass, Pop, Rock, and more. There’s also a spatial audio feature, which tries to create a more immersive listening experience. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fun addition that works well for movies and some music genres.

One of my favorite features in the app is the ability to customize the touch controls. You can set up single, double, and triple taps for each earbud, assigning actions like play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, or switch between ANC modes. It’s super flexible, and you can set it up exactly how you like it.

The app lets you switch between different ANC modes: Indoor, Outdoor, Commute, Noisy, and Anti-Wind. Each mode is designed for specific environments, and you can even adjust the strength of the noise cancellation. The transparency mode is equally impressive, with six levels of ambient sound amplification.

If you’re a gamer, you’ll love the gaming mode, which reduces latency to just 80 milliseconds. It’s great for casual gaming and watching videos, where audio sync is crucial—it’s also great for watching YouTube or Netflix without that annoying audio lag. There’s also a sleep mode that disables the touch controls, so you don’t accidentally skip tracks or adjust volume while you’re sleeping.

Sound Quality

The QCY MeloBuds Pro eqipid with 12mm bio-fiber drivers. These are larger than what you’ll find in many budget earbuds (even the AirPods Pro use 11mm drivers), and it shows. The larger drivers deliver a richer, more dynamic sound with plenty of detail across the board.
Let’s start with the bass, because it’s one of the first things you’ll notice. The bass on these earbuds is deep, punchy, and well-controlled. It’s not the kind of muddy, overpowering bass you sometimes get with cheap earbuds—it’s tight and precise, with a satisfying thump that adds energy to your music.

The mids are where the QCY MeloBuds Pro really shine. Vocals and instruments come through with clarity and detail, making it easy to pick out individual elements in a song. Whether it’s the strum of a guitar, the pluck of a bass string, or the nuances in a singer’s voice, the mids are well-balanced and never feel overshadowed by the bass or treble. This makes the earbuds great for a wide range of genres, from pop and rock to jazz and classical.

The treble is crisp and detailed without being harsh or sibilant. High notes like cymbals, violins, and female vocals have a nice sparkle to them, adding brightness and energy to the sound. I didn’t notice any harshness or ear fatigue, even after long listening sessions, which is a big plus. The treble is well-tuned, striking a good balance between detail and comfort.

For budget earbuds, the soundstage on the QCY MeloBuds Pro is surprisingly wide. It’s not as expansive as what you’d get from high-end over-ear headphones, but it’s impressive for earbuds in this price range. You get a sense of space and depth, making the music feel more immersive. The imaging is also solid, with good separation between instruments and vocals. You can easily tell where different sounds are coming from, which adds to the overall listening experience.

One of the best things about the QCY MeloBuds Pro is the 10-band EQ in the QCY app. There are also preset EQ modes like Heavy Bass, Pop, Rock, and more.

LDAC Support

If you’re an audiophile or just someone who appreciates high-quality sound, the LDAC support is a game-changer. LDAC allows for higher bitrates than standard Bluetooth codecs, which means you get more detail and clarity in your music. To take full advantage of this, you’ll need to be listening to high-quality tracks or streaming from services like Tidal or Amazon Music HD. When you do, the difference is noticeable—everything sounds richer, more detailed, and more lifelike.

Spatial Audio

The QCY MeloBuds Pro also come with a spatial audio feature, which aims to create a more immersive listening experience. It’s not as advanced as the spatial audio you’d get from Apple or Sony, but it’s a fun addition that works well for movies and some music genres. It adds a sense of depth and space, making it feel like the sound is coming from all around you. That said, it’s not something I’d use all the time, as it can sometimes make the sound feel a bit artificial.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

The QCY MeloBuds Pro feature an adaptive hybrid ANC system, making them stand out in the budget earbuds category. This advanced noise cancellation technology comes with multiple modes tailored to different environments: indoor, outdoor, commute, and wind reduction. Each mode is designed to optimize noise cancellation based on your surroundings, ensuring you get the best possible experience.

• Indoor Mode: Ideal for quieter environments like your home or office, this mode effectively reduces ambient noises such as hums from air conditioning units.
• Outdoor Mode: Perfect for bustling streets or parks, it targets medium-level environmental noises, allowing you to enjoy music without being disturbed by city sounds.
• Commute Mode: Specifically designed for noisy public transport scenarios, it dials up the ANC strength to block out engine noises and chattering crowds.
• Wind Reduction Mode: Essential for outdoor activities, especially when it’s windy, this mode minimizes wind interference, ensuring clear audio even in gusty conditions.

The ANC performance of the MeloBuds Pro is impressive, particularly for low-frequency sounds. During testing, I found that these earbuds significantly toned down the noise from lawn mowers and AC units, creating a more serene listening environment. The effectiveness of the ANC can be attributed to the six-microphone setup, which actively monitors and counters surrounding noise.

While the ANC isn’t quite on par with premium models from brands like Bose or Sony, it offers substantial noise reduction for its price range. You will find that lower tones are handled exceptionally well, and even mid-to-high frequency disturbances, such as human conversations, are noticeably reduced. For instance, while cutting the grass, the ANC managed to dampen the mower’s roar, providing a comfortable listening experience.

Transparency Mode

The transparency mode on the MeloBuds Pro is another standout feature, offering natural sound amplification that allows you to remain aware of your surroundings. When activated, the earbuds amplify ambient sounds, making it easier to engage in conversations without needing to remove them. The mode includes adjustable strength levels, letting you fine-tune how much external sound you want to let in.

In practical use, I found the transparency mode to be very effective. The sound felt natural and didn’t come across as overly artificial. Whether you’re talking to someone or simply need to be alert to nearby noises, this mode ensures you can hear everything clearly. Level 4 or 5 on the strength slider usually strikes the right balance, keeping conversations audible without overwhelming you with too much background noise.

Call Quality

When it comes to call quality, the QCY MeloBuds Pro excel thanks to their six-microphone array and AI-based noise reduction algorithm. These microphones work together to isolate your voice, filtering out background noise to ensure clarity during calls.

During my tests, I simulated various real-life scenarios, including a busy indoor coffee shop and a noisy station. In each case, the call quality remained clear, with minimal background interference. Here’s what you can expect:

• Quiet Environment: Callers reported crisp and clear voice transmission, with no noticeable digital noise.
• Busy Indoor Coffee Shop: Despite the ambient chatter and barista noises, my voice came through distinctly, with only slight background hum.
• Noisy Station: Even amidst the cacophony of a busy train station, the MeloBuds Pro maintained excellent voice clarity, significantly reducing the impact of surrounding commotion.

Latency

For gamers and video enthusiasts, latency is a crucial factor, and the MeloBuds Pro do not disappoint. They come equipped with a dedicated gaming mode that reduces latency to just 80 milliseconds. While this isn’t the lowest latency available on the market, it’s more than sufficient for casual gaming and media playback.

I tested the gaming mode using popular mobile games like PUBG and found the synchronization between visuals and audio to be smooth and responsive. There was virtually no discernible delay. Similarly, watching videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix was seamless, with perfect lip-sync and no annoying lag.

Battery Life

Regarding battery life, the QCY MeloBuds Pro truly shine, offering impressive longevity that rivals even some higher-end models. Starting with standard usage, the MeloBuds Pro provide up to 8.5 hours of continuous playback when ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) is turned off. When ANC is activated, the battery life drops slightly to around 7.5 hours. While this reduction is typical as noise cancellation consumes additional power, it’s still a commendable duration. With the case, you get up to 34 hours of combined playback time (with ANC off). Even with ANC on, the total usage time remains substantial at around 30 hours.

However, it’s important to note that using certain features can impact battery life. For instance, enabling the LDAC codec, which supports high-resolution audio, significantly reduces battery life. When LDAC is enabled, you can expect around 6 hours of playback time with ANC off and about 5 hours with ANC on. While this reduction is notable, it’s a trade-off many audiophiles are willing to make for superior sound quality. Additionally, gaming mode, designed to reduce latency, also has a minor impact on battery life.

Fast charging is another standout feature of the MeloBuds Pro. If you find yourself in a rush and need a quick boost, a mere 10-minute charge provides approximately 1 hour of playback time. While this isn’t the fastest charging feature available on the market, it’s certainly convenient for short bursts of use, such as a quick workout or brief commute.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

The QCY MeloBuds Pro offers an impressive blend of features, performance, and value, making them a standout option in the budget earbuds category. These earbuds punch well above their weight class with their large 12mm drivers, LDAC support, adaptive hybrid ANC, multi-point connectivity, and spatial audio capabilities. The sound quality is robust, with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The noise cancellation modes are effective and customizable, providing the flexibility to adapt to different environments.

Battery life is another strong point, offering up to 8.5 hours without ANC and up to 34 hours with the charging case. Fast charging adds convenience, giving you an hour of playback from just 10 minutes of charge. The touch controls are highly customizable via the QCY app, offering additional features like wear detection, find my earbuds, and sleep mode.

While there are minor drawbacks such as the absence of wireless charging and occasional sensitivity issues with wear detection, these are easily outweighed by the numerous benefits. Overall, the QCY MeloBuds Pro deliver exceptional value for money, making them a compelling choice for anyone looking for feature-rich earbuds under $40.