Boult W20 Review: Versatile and Stylish Performance Earphones

Key Insights

• The Boult W20 earbuds stand out as a top choice in the budget TWS market.
• Featuring a well-balanced audio profile, a sleek and minimalist design, as well as responsive touch controls, these earbuds cater to a broad range of users.
• While the battery life is slightly below average, it’s one minor flaw in an otherwise impressive package.

Boult is a formidable contender in the affordable TWS earbuds arena. If you’ve previously believed that high-quality sound can’t be found for less than a thousand rupees, brands like Boult W10 and the bass-rich Boult K10 might change your mind. However, in the quest for superior audio experience, some models tend to neglect factors such as build quality, design, and user experience.

Luckily, Boult offers a wide variety of earbuds, with the Boult W20 emerging as a top pick. In my view, they embody a refinement that checks all essential boxes while ensuring excellent sound quality. If you’re not inclined toward any specific feature and want a balanced TWS experience, these earbuds are a straightforward choice. Here’s a closer look.

Quick Overview

If time is of the essence, here’s a succinct overview of what the Boult W20 has to offer.

👍 Pros

• Well-balanced sound.
• Compact and lightweight case with a battery status indicator.
• Touch control with volume adjustment options.
• Quick charging and seamless pairing process.

👎 Cons

• Battery life limited to 5-6 hours.
• Lacks dual pairing functionality.

Boult W20: A Beautiful All-Rounder

Even after more than a year since their debut, the Boult W20s have maintained their popularity. As they share their series with the W10s, comparisons between the two are inevitable, though they exhibit distinct differences in both aesthetics and sound quality. Despite this, they unmistakably carry the Boult signature. Let’s delve into what makes the Boult W20 a standout in the TWS earbuds category.

Audio Quality

The sound produced by the Boult W20 earbuds is impressively balanced, avoiding extremes in bass or treble. They won’t deliver the jaw-dropping impact of other models like the Boult W10s or Boult K10s, nor do they pose any risk to your hearing levels like the Truke BTG Flex might.

The sound balance is commendable, with no exaggerated bumps in one frequency that detract from others. The robust 13mm drivers provide a satisfying listening experience without ever becoming harsh, even at maximum volume, making them suitable for various music genres as well as video content. In an age where bass is often glorified, it’s refreshing to see earbuds that maintain a well-rounded audio profile.

Design and Build

Typically, with TWS earbuds priced below a thousand rupees, I find myself impressed with either the sound or the design, but rarely both. The Boult W20s break this trend, and fortunately so.

The Boult W20s are not only stylish and ultra-lightweight, but they also boast a compact form factor. While they may not rival the stunning aesthetic of the Boat Airdopes 311 Pro, their subtle matte finish has a unique appeal. Despite being prone to fingerprints, the sleek look compensates for this shortcoming.

The rounded corners and reduced size of the case lend it a pebble-like quality, though it’s not meant to be tossed around casually. There’s an appealing glossy finish inside the case and on the earbuds, adding a touch of elegance to the matte exterior. The four LED indicators under the BOULT logo provide a user-friendly battery status update whenever you take the earbuds in or out of the case—this is a particularly valued feature.

Staying true to a minimalist aesthetic, the earbud stems are shorter than the standard length, enhancing their unobtrusive appearance. Overall, the Boult W20s succeed in not being overbearing while still remaining visually attractive.

Battery Performance

The battery is the one area where the Boult W20s fall slightly short. At maximum volume, a single charge offers around 5 hours of playback, which can be somewhat disappointing; however, there are plenty of earbuds that perform even worse. In regular use, you could potentially extend this to 6-7 hours. With the charging case, the combined battery life reaches close to 30 hours.

The battery indicator in the case is particularly useful, ensuring that you’re never left stranded with a dead charge. If you’re caught low on battery, a quick 10-minute charge can provide an additional 100 minutes of use.

Microphone Quality

The Zen-ENC microphone system from Boult offers performance that is impressively above average. Although the exact number of microphones isn’t specified, the audio quality suggests a dual-microphone configuration. The environmental noise cancellation feature works effectively unless you find yourself in an extremely noisy setting. Considering the overall quality offered, calling and recording performance isn’t compromised like with some of their competitors.

Gaming, Latency, and Connectivity

With a latency as low as 45ms, the Boult W20s perform well for gaming, providing a smooth experience whether you’re engaged in arena battles or battle royales. Any slight lag present is negligible.

The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.3 guarantees a reliable and stable connection without issues, allowing for quick reconnection with previously paired devices—this has become a standard expectation for modern TWS earbuds.

Keep in mind that the absence of dual pairing might frustrate some users. Nonetheless, this focus on the essentials allows the Boult W20s to excel in the areas that truly matter.

Controls and Usability

The Boult W20s incorporate traditional TWS control features, including volume adjustments directly from the earbuds. Here is a breakdown of the control functions:

Additionally, Boult W20s have a special feature where each touch control emits a subtle click sound, confirming the input you’ve made. This enhances accuracy and ease of use, a characteristic that is often absent in more affordable earbuds.

My Experience with Boult W20

As an audio enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate that a well-rounded experience can sometimes outweigh specific audio limitations. The Boult W20 earbuds exemplify this balance, offering a sound profile that supports a versatile listening experience.

In the context of an otherwise outstanding set of TWS earbuds, battery performance could occasionally fall short. But the case’s battery status feature helps mitigate any potential inconveniences. The functionality to control volume directly from the earbuds is a great addition, and I personally value the tactile feedback during touch control usage.

In summary, Boult W20s represent the most balanced option I’ve encountered in the sub-thousand rupee segment for TWS earbuds.

Final Thoughts

If you’re exclusively looking for heavy bass, a stronger battery life, or dual pairing capability, you might want to consider alternatives to the Boult W20s. There are other models that might cater to those specific needs more effectively.

However, for those who appreciate a compact, elegant design, a balanced audio profile, and responsive touch controls with gratifying feedback, the Boult W20s are unmatched in the budget TWS category. They come highly recommended.

Source

Image Credits: Nerdschalk.com