Noise Buds Marine TWS earbuds review: Metal meets melodies

Rating 4/5

The Indian affordable TWS earbuds market is a heavily contested segment, with several brands vying for dominance. Noise has thrown its hat in the ring with the Noise Buds Marine TWS earbuds, which feature a design that sets them apart. Priced at Rs 1,999, the Noise Buds Marine earphones feature India's first fully metallic case, a statement chain, and active noise cancellation up to 32dB. We've been using the Noise Buds Marine to listen to our favourite tunes, and here we've shared our experience.

Design

The distinctive metal alloy charging case sets the Noise Buds Marine apart from the competition. This is India's first TWS with a fully metallic case, featuring a bold design with a stylish chain attachment. The metal construction offers a premium in-hand feeling, though the added chain makes it bulkier than typical TWS cases and can be cumbersome in tight pockets. However, we liked wearing the chain around our neck to carry the earbuds. The earbuds are available in two colours: Marine Grey and Marine Black; we got the Marine Grey variant for testing.

Despite the lidless design, the magnets at the base hold the earbuds securely, preventing them from falling out even when the case is turned upside down. The case features a USB Type-C port and an LED indicator that displays charging status.

The earbuds maintain a traditional in-ear, stem-style design, are made of plastic, and come with silicone ear tips in multiple sizes. The medium tips provided a snug fit during testing, ensuring comfort for extended use. The IPX4 rating for water and sweat resistance makes them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.

Audio performance and software

The Noise Buds Marine features 13mm dynamic drivers that deliver bass-heavy sound. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with a 10-metre wireless range, ensuring stable connections.

The audio profile leans towards controlled lows with mildly crunchy highs. While listening to hip-hop and EDM tracks like Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” and "I Don't Wanna Wait" by David Guetta, respectively, we noticed the bass response was controlled and punchy without overpowering the mix. The lows added depth to the music without becoming muddy.

When we shifted to rock and Bollywood tracks like Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven”, Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" or the entire album of Dhurandhar, we found the mids lacked clarity, with vocals and instruments sometimes getting overshadowed by the bass and treble. The highs were mildly crunchy, offering some sparkle to cymbals and sharp notes, though they could sound slightly harsh at higher volumes.

One standout feature is how loud these earbuds can be. The volume levels are impressive for the price segment, making them suitable for noisy environments or users who prefer louder playback.

The ANC performance, rated up to 32 dB, handles low-frequency sounds, such as background chatter, adequately but struggles with high-frequency sounds. It works well for commutes but won't match premium offerings.

Pairing was seamless, with auto-pairing that connects as soon as you open the case. Dual device pairing allowed smooth switching between the laptop and the smartphone throughout the day. The Low Latency Mode effectively reduces lag during gaming and video playback, proving useful for mobile games where audio-visual sync matters. During BGMI sessions, footsteps were clearly audible, and it was easy to identify the direction of gunfire and approaching vehicles.

Call quality is good in quiet environments thanks to the quad-mic setup with Environmental Noise Cancellation. The configuration helped isolate voice from background noise, making calls clearer than expected. However, performance drops in very noisy settings. Voice assistant support includes Siri and Google Assistant.

Battery

Battery life is a standout feature. The company promises up to 35 hours of total playback with the charging case. During our testing, it consistently achieved close to these claimed numbers. Instacharge technology delivers almost 2 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge, while a full charge takes about 90 minutes.

Verdict

The Noise Buds Marine combines a distinct design with solid performance. The metal case with a chain makes a statement, while features such as dual-device pairing, quad-mic ENC, and 35-hour battery life add practical value.

With a decent ANC performance and a stylish metallic case, these earbuds will appeal more to young users. The earbuds also deliver good value for budget-conscious users. If you prioritise endurance and fast charging and want something that stands out visually, at Rs 1,999 these earbuds are a solid choice.

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