In this review, I’m looking at the Mifo S TWS earbuds. The Mifo S features Bluetooth 5.2, hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), IPX67 water-resistance rating and sleep mode. The price is $139.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Sport & Outdo for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.
Mifo S
Specifications
- Driver: Single balanced armature
- Frequency response 20–20,000 Hz
- Battery life Up to 6 hours (4 hours with ANC) per full charge
- 30 hours in charging case (20 hours with ANC)
- Weight Earbuds: 3.5g each
- Charging Case: 82.5g
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Microphone MEMS x2
- Water-resistance IPX67
- Controls Touch
- Charging port USB-C
- Price: $139
What’s In the Box
- Mifo S ANC True Wireless Earbuds
- Charging case
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- User manual
- Ear tips x4 (XS, S, M, L)
Design
I’m going to start with the charging case today because it does a great job of standing out from the crowd. The first thing you’ll notice is the bold lime green stripe with “SPORT&OUTDO” text on it. A motif of sports-associated words surrounds this, and the result is striking and energetic.
The case feels amazing and premium in the hands. It’s smooth to the touch and has a nice heft to it. There’s a USB-C port on the back and a button on the front releases and opens the spring-loaded lid. Inside the case are 3 LED indicators that display the case’s battery level and, of course, the Mifo S earbuds.
The Mifo S earbuds are tiny! They sport the same word motif pattern with a lime green S&O (Sport & Outdo) logo on the faceplates. There’s a curved fin on the top that helps to hold the earbuds securely in your ears.
I can’t stress just how small these TWS earphones are; they simply disappear snugly into your ears but never feel as though they might fall out. These earbuds are ideal for sleeping because you can lay on your side without feeling them at all. Likewise, they’re great for sports and activities too as the fit is really secure.
An IPX67 rating means the Mifo S is sweat and rain resistant. What’s more, you can even wear these in the shower without needing to worry!
The touch controls are responsive and work as intended. It can be a bit difficult to find the earbuds sometimes because they’re so small in my ear but for the most part, the controls are pleasant to use.
Calls, Video and Game Performance
Despite the earbuds’ tiny size and the way they sit deep inside your ears, the microphone quality is quite good. The mic is clear and does a good job of attenuating outside noise.
Watching videos is great because there are no sync issues between video and audio. The Mifo S has very low latency even in the standard mode so it’s great for gaming. For an even better experience though, turn on the low-latency mode and you’ll be fragging foes like a pro.
Active Noise Cancellation
There are 3 ANC modes on the Mifo S: strong, mild and transparent. The mild ANC mode actually just seems to be the ANC turned off – the mild part comes from the passive noise isolation (which is significant due to the close fit.
Strong ANC mode attenuates some external noise but is nowhere near class-leading. It’s fine for reducing the noise of air conditioners, computer fans and vehicle engines but don’t expect Bose or Airpods Pro levels of reduction.
The transparency mode works to some extent by slightly elevating sounds around you. It’s not very effective when there’s music playing but is still useful when you’re on the move or around traffic and need some awareness of your surroundings.
Sound
The Mifo S has a V-shaped sound signature with meaty bass and lively treble. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was a dynamic driver earphone; the balanced armature driver in the Mifo S punches with gusto.
Even sub-bass notes rumble with confidence. I was genuinely surprised by the power of the bass. The BA driver is very fast so it doesn’t muddy up the midrange despite its boosted levels.
The midrange is slightly recessed but clear and detailed. Vocals have a fairly natural tone with some underlying warmth carried over from the bass. Instruments sound good too – perhaps a tad thin in the upper registers which is a result of the treble tuning. Instrument separation is pretty good but there is a bit of congestion during complex rock tracks.
The treble is energetic and detailed but is forward in the mix and may sound aggressive to treble-sensitive listeners. However, there’s no sibilance on vocals and even brighter female vocals are pleasing to the ears. It’s a somewhat thin upper treble making cymbals and electric guitar screeches sound splashy, especially at higher volume.
Comparisons
Kinera YH802 ($149)
The Kinera YH802 (review here) are Airpods styled earbuds with a beautiful handpainted design. It has an unusual tonality with a saturated midrange and boosted treble. It lacks the clarity and detail of the Mifo S.
The Mifo S has better instrument separation, more articulate vocals and punchier bass. The Kinera has thicker mids but less bass impact and overall resolution.
Final ZE3000 ($149)
For pure audio enthusiasts, the Final ZE3000 (review here) sets the standard for TWS audio quality in its price range. The ZE3000 has a single dynamic driver compared to the single balanced armature in the Mifo S.
The ZE3000 has a more balanced tonality with a nice blend of bass, midrange and treble. It has excellent clarity and detail, mixed with a more natural and pleasing treble than the Mifo S. The Mifo S has more bass quantity which is ideal for sport-oriented earbuds.
The final also has better battery life at around 7 hours compared to the Mifo’s 6 hours with no ANC or 4 hours with ANC.
The ZE3000 doesn’t have ANC and only has IPX4 compared to the Mifo’s IPX67 rating. You can use the Mifo S in the shower whereas the final is only protected against sweat and light rain.
Verdict
The Mifo S has tiny earpieces that are extremely lightweight and comfortable. Furthermore, you can wear them in the shower or in heavy rain without any issues. The added ANC is a much appreciated added feature.
If you’re looking for some really small earbuds with a fun, energetic sound and unique design, the Mifo S is a great option. It’s not the cheapest option out there but it’s one you should definitely consider, especially if you’re looking for TWS earbuds for sleeping and/or sports.