How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-20 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a cheap, no-fuss pair of in-ear buds with a massive charging case reserve and active noise cancellation for calls, choose Generic Air31; if you need the newer Bluetooth standard, a visible battery display, stronger water protection and higher-resolution audio codecs, choose XIAOWTEK Earbuds.
• Generic Air31 — biggest strength: The charging case is rated for roughly 80 hours of extra playback, dwarfing most budget rivals, and the buds add active noise cancellation for voice calls.
• Generic Air31 — biggest trade-off: Bluetooth 5.3 and IPX5 mean it is a generation behind on connectivity and only splash-resistant, not dunk-proof.
• XIAOWTEK Earbuds — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.4 with a Hall switch for instant auto-pairing, IPX7 waterproofing, a dual LED power display and aptX Adaptive support at a budget-friendly price point.
• XIAOWTEK Earbuds — biggest trade-off: The case holds less reserve power than the Air31's, and it relies on ENC call noise reduction rather than active noise cancellation.
• Choose Generic Air31 if you want the longest possible time between wall charges and you mostly take calls and listen casually.
• Choose XIAOWTEK Earbuds if you want newer wireless tech, a battery readout you can actually see, and buds you can sweat on or rinse off without worry.
The Generic Air31 is a straightforward true-wireless in-ear set built around one big idea: never make the user hunt for a charger. Each earpiece is rated for about 4.5 hours of playback, and the charging case stacks on roughly 80 more hours of reserve. In practice that means you could commute, work out and take calls for days on end before the case itself needs a cable. The earpieces recharge in about two hours and the case in about an hour, so topping up is quick when you finally do it.
The design is angled in-ear with an ergonomic shape and touch controls, made from a plastic ABS and PC enclosure in black. Bluetooth 5.3 handles the wireless side with a stated range of about 10 meters, and the dynamic driver covers a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range at 32 ohm impedance. Call quality gets a boost from active noise cancellation aimed at voice pickup, which is the feature that matters most if you spend a lot of time on the phone in noisy places. The IPX5 rating means sweat and light splashes are fine — running, gym sessions and drizzly walks are squarely in scope.
XIAOWTEK Earbuds: Who It's For
The XIAOWTEK Earbuds read like a product designed by someone who was annoyed by every budget earbud they had owned before. The headline is the case: a 470mAh battery that can fully recharge both buds about four times over, with each earbud rated at roughly 6 hours per charge and total playtime around 50 hours. The dual digital LED display on the outside of the case shows the power level for both the case and the buds, so you never have to guess whether you are about to run dry mid-podcast.
The connectivity story is the other standout. Bluetooth 5.4 with a high-sensitivity antenna and a Hall switch means the buds auto-pair the moment you flip the case open, with a claimed stable range of about 15 meters. XIAOWTEK says the newer chip cuts power consumption and improves signal penetration compared to 5.3 — useful if you leave your phone in one room and walk to another. For gaming and video, the low-latency tuning keeps audio and picture in sync, which is the kind of thing you notice immediately when it is missing.
Audio hardware is more ambitious than the price class suggests: triple-layer 13mm coil dynamic drivers with a polymer diaphragm, tuned for bass that hands off cleanly to the mids and highs, with support for AAC, SBC and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive. Calls run through a four-microphone ENC setup that XIAOWTEK says blocks around 80 percent of background noise. Add IPX7 waterproofing with a nano coating, smart touch controls and wide compatibility across Android, iOS, phones, tablets and laptops, and you have a set built for people who move between devices all day.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for total battery reserve → Generic Air31. Its case is rated for roughly 80 extra hours versus the XIAOWTEK's ~50 hours total, so it wins on sheer time between charges.
• Best for visible battery info → XIAOWTEK Earbuds. The dual LED display on the case shows charge level directly; the Air31 gives you no such readout.
• Best for water and sweat resistance → XIAOWTEK Earbuds. IPX7 beats IPX5 for heavy workouts, rain and rinsing.
• Best for call noise handling → Generic Air31 if you specifically want active noise cancellation; XIAOWTEK Earbuds if four-mic ENC call filtering is enough for you.
• Best for gaming and low-latency video → XIAOWTEK Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.4 with low-latency tuning and aptX Adaptive support is the stronger setup here.
• Best for wireless range and pairing speed → XIAOWTEK Earbuds. Hall-switch auto-pairing and a stated 15-meter range edge out Bluetooth 5.3 at 10 meters.
• Best for audio codec flexibility → XIAOWTEK Earbuds. AAC, SBC and aptX Adaptive give it more room to sound good across sources.
• Best for a simple, familiar in-ear setup → Generic Air31. Touch controls, angled fit, dynamic driver and a wide 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range cover the basics without fuss.
I would buy the XIAOWTEK Earbuds. In my opinion, the newer Bluetooth 5.4 chip, IPX7 waterproofing, the LED battery display and aptX Adaptive support add up to a more future-proof everyday pair — and the 50-hour total playtime is still plenty for almost anyone. The Air31 is a genuinely sensible pick if you want the absolute largest case reserve and active noise cancellation on calls, but for most buyers the XIAOWTEK's mix of features is the better all-rounder. Whichever you lean toward, check the current price on Amazon and match it to how you actually use earbuds.
FAQ
Not universally. XIAOWTEK wins on Bluetooth version (5.4 vs 5.3), waterproofing (IPX7 vs IPX5), battery display and audio codecs. Generic Air31 wins on total case reserve (~80 hours vs ~50 hours) and active noise cancellation. In my opinion, XIAOWTEK is the better all-rounder for most people.
It depends on how you measure. The Air31's earpieces last about 4.5 hours each with roughly 80 hours of case reserve. The XIAOWTEK buds last about 6 hours per charge with about 50 hours total. So XIAOWTEK wins per charge, while the Air31 wins on total reserve.
Yes. The XIAOWTEK Earbuds carry an IPX7 waterproof and dustproof rating thanks to a nano coating, which is a step above the Air31's IPX5 splash resistance. For heavy workouts or wet weather, XIAOWTEK is the safer choice.
They have a four-microphone ENC system that filters background noise on calls, not active noise cancellation for music listening. The Generic Air31 lists active noise cancellation, but it is aimed primarily at voice calls. Neither is a full over-ear ANC experience.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.