Belkin AUC005 Soundform Play True Wireless Earbuds : A Budget-Friendly Wireless Earbud with Impressive Battery Life

In an era where wireless earbuds are taking over the audio world, Belkin enters the game with its affordable SoundForm Play. Offering remarkable battery life and solid audio at a budget price point, these in-ear buds aim to deliver on the key aspects consumers want. Let’s dive into the full rundown on Belkin’s new true wireless contender.

Overview

The Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones keep things simple, with a streamlined in-ear design housed in a compact charging case. Available in sleek black or white color options, they have a clean, subtle look. While the case is a bit bulky for pockets, it makes for easy insertion and storage of the earbuds.

Key Features

• 38 hours total battery life
• IPX5 sweat and water resistance
• Dual microphones with noise reduction
• 3 EQ sound modes
• 6mm dynamic drivers
• USB-C quick charging

Features - Impressive Battery Life and Practical Touches

The standout feature of the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones has to be the exceptional 38 hours of total battery life - 8 hours in the buds and 30 extra charges in the case. Rapid charging gives you 1 hour of playtime from just a 10-minute charge. Touch controls, Bluetooth 5.0, and three EQ presets add convenience and audio flexibility. Dual mics in each earbud help reduce ambient noise for voice calls. And the IPX5 water resistance rating lets you wear them without worry during workouts or light rain.

Design - Understated Aesthetic

The smooth matte plastic casing gives these earbuds an understated look. While the charging case is fairly bulky, the earbuds themselves are compact with a subtle profile that sits flush in the ear. The all-black colorway emanates refined simplicity.

Ease of Use - Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity

Connecting the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones to your smartphone or tablet is a total breeze. Just open the lid of the charging case and the earbuds automatically enter pairing mode. In your device’s Bluetooth settings, select “Belkin SoundForm Play” to instantly connect. Re-pairing happens seamlessly each time you take them out of the case.

Audio Quality - Bold Bass and Customizable Sound

While not audiophile-grade, the 6mm drivers deliver dynamic sound with emphasized bass response. The sound isolation could be better, but is decent for blocking ambient noise. Having three EQ presets lets you tailor the sound - enhanced bass for EDM or podcasts, and brighter profile for acoustic tracks. Overall, the sound quality is impressive for the budget price.

Microphone and Noise Reduction

Thanks to the dual-mic system and Belkin’s noise reduction algorithm, call quality on the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones is crystal clear. Ambient noises are filtered out, so your voice sounds crisp and audible to the other caller, even in noisy environments.

Battery and Charging - Almost Two Full Days of Playtime

The stellar 38-hour battery life is by far the biggest selling point of these wireless earbuds. You get a full 8 hours of playtime from the earbuds alone, with the charging case providing an extra 30 hours. Even just 10 minutes in the case gives you another hour of usage. The long battery life means you can keep listening day after day without recharging.

Connectivity - Reliable Wireless Performance

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, the Belkin earbuds maintain a strong and stable connection to your device, with a wireless range of up to 15 feet. Few dropouts or stutters are reported during music streaming or calls. The latest Bluetooth technology results in power-efficient performance too.

Controls - Responsive Touch Controls

Music playback, calls and volume are easily controlled with the responsive touch panels on each earbud. Single, double and triple taps provide playback functions like pausing music or skipping tracks. You can even customize the sound via long press on the left and right side. The touch controls are conveniently located and intuitive to use.

Comfort and Fit - Lightweight with Eartip Options

Weighing only 2.12 ounces, the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones are lightweight and comfortable enough for prolonged wear. The inclusion of three sizes of eartips ensures you can find a secure fit. While some reviewers found them a bit bulky, many report the earbuds stay put comfortably during exercise and everyday use.

Water Resistance - IPX5 Rating

The IPX5 rating means you can wear the Belkin earbuds with confidence during intense workouts, light rain showers and more. Splashes from any direction will not damage the earbuds, making them ideal for active lifestyles. Just don’t submerge them fully in water.

Use Cases

With their long battery life and sweatproof design, the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones are ideal for fitness buffs and athletes. Wear them on long runs or intense gym sessions without worrying about the earbuds dying or getting damaged by sweat.

Commuters will also appreciate the lengthy battery life when traveling or during a long workday. The noise isolating fit provides immersive sound and blocks out environmental noises like train rumblings or chatter.

They also work great as everyday earbuds for listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks at home or on the go.

User Feedback Analysis

Based on hundreds of customer reviews, here are the key points that emerge about the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones’s pros, cons and performance.

Battery Life

The exceptionally long battery life of 38 hours is consistently praised in reviews. Users highly appreciate being able to use the earbuds for days without charging. The rapid charging feature also gets positive feedback for providing quick bursts of power.

Sound Quality

Many users mention the sound quality is good for budget wireless earbuds, with punchy bass response and decent clarity across music genres. Some say the sound isolation could be better, allowing in more ambient noise leakage. A minority felt the audio performance was only mediocre.

Call Quality

Thanks to the dual-mic noise reduction system, call quality earns rave reviews for being crisp and clear on both ends. The earbuds reliably pick up the user’s voice while minimizing background noises. Even in loud environments, callers can hear each other perfectly.

Connectivity

Users mention the Bluetooth 5.0 provides a quick and stable wireless connection to their devices. Music and calls stream smoothly without cutouts or lags in most cases. The wireless reliability gets high marks.

Comfort

Feedback is mixed on the comfort and fit. Some users found the earbuds comfortable enough for long listening sessions. But others report the bulky design did not fit their ears well and would gradually feel loose or fall out. Those with smaller ears seemed to struggle most with getting a secure fit.

Durability

One common complaint is that the right earbud seems prone to failure after a few months of use. Multiple users experienced only the right side working, while the left earbud failed. QC issues with the right earbud appear to affect some units.

Value

Almost every review mentions the excellent value provided by the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones given their sub-$40 price point. For the cost, users feel the features and performance are extremely good. The value proposition makes them recommended for budget buyers.

Pros and Cons

Pros
- Exceptionally long 38-hour battery life
- Rapid charging capabilities
- IPX5 sweat and water resistance rating
- Clear call quality with dual mics
- Easy Bluetooth connectivity
- Good audio quality for the price
- Customizable sound with 3 EQ modes

Cons
- Bulkycharging case
- Right earbud prone to failure
- Mediocre passive noise isolation
- Fit may be uncomfortable for some

Value

With a retail price of just $37.95, the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones offer tremendous value. You get great battery performance, sweatproofing, quality audio and reliable Bluetooth at an affordable price point. While not premium, these wireless earbuds deliver solid performance that rivals more expensive models.

Verdict - Great Budget Wireless Earbuds

For less than $40, the Belkin AUC005 SoundForm Play True Wireless Earphones tick all the key boxes. The stellar battery life, IPX5 rating, easy Bluetooth connectivity and customizable audio make these wireless buds a great choice for budget-focused buyers. Though not premium, they deliver where it counts - especially for the price.

Specifications

• Earbud battery life: 8 hours
• Charging case battery life: 30 hours extra
• Total battery life: 38 hours
• Rapid charging: 10 mins = 60 mins playtime
• Bluetooth version: 5.0
• Wireless range: unknown
• Drivers: 6mm dynamic drivers
• Noise reduction technology: Dual mics with proprietary algorithm
• Water resistance rating: IPX5

What’s Included

• SoundForm Play wireless earbuds
• Charging case
• 3 pairs of silicone eartips (small, medium, large)
• USB-C charging cable
• Quick start guide

How to Use

1. Charge the earbuds and case fully before first use.
2. Select the best fitting eartips and insert into ears.
3. Open lid of charging case and press button on back to enter Bluetooth pairing mode.
4. On your phone, go to Bluetooth settings and select “Belkin SoundForm Play” to connect.
5. Use touch controls to play/pause, skip tracks and adjust volume.
6. Customize sound with long press on left (bass boost) or right (bright) earbud.
7. Place earbuds back in charging case to power off and recharge.