How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want the more rugged, shower-safe pair with active noise cancellation and a feather-light fit, choose GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones; if you need the longer-lasting battery, the newer Bluetooth version and a visible battery readout, choose aofong Earbuds. That's the short version, and it holds up once you dig into what each pair actually brings to the table.
• GYKLCR's biggest strength: IPX7 waterproofing plus active noise cancellation in a 3 g-per-bud shell — rare combination at this tier.
• GYKLCR's biggest trade-off: "30H" total playtime relies on 5 hours per charge, and the case is described as compact rather than high-capacity.
• aofong's biggest strength: A 500 mAh case rated for up to 48 hours total playback with a dual LED display showing exact remaining power.
• aofong's biggest trade-off: No noise cancellation at all, and a 2-hour charge time versus GYKLCR's 1 hour.
• Choose GYKLCR if you sweat hard, get caught in rain, want quiet on commutes, and hate heavy buds.
• Choose aofong if you're away from a charger for days, want the newer Bluetooth spec, and prefer knowing your battery percentage at a glance.
The GYKLCR pair (model D18) is built around durability and comfort first. The spec sheet leads with IPX7 waterproofing, which the manufacturer describes as shower- and rain-safe — with the sensible caveat that swimming and diving are out. That's a meaningful distinction. Plenty of budget buds claim "sweatproof" and stop there. IPX7 implies submersion tolerance for short periods, so a downpour on your walk or a sweaty gym session isn't a threat.
The second thing that jumps out is weight: 3 g per earbud, with an ergonomic shape designed to sit snugly and stay put during workouts or sports. If you've ever had buds that ache after 45 minutes or pop loose mid-run, that number matters more than any spec-sheet buzzword.
Audio is handled by a dynamic driver covering 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz, with a composite vibration membrane the brand says reduces distortion and keeps latency low for gaming and video. GYKLCR also lists active noise cancellation, touch controls for music, volume, calls and voice assistant, and Bluetooth 5.3 with a stated range beyond 10 meters. Battery is 5 hours per charge, 30 hours total via the case, roughly 1 hour to full charge, plus 100 hours of standby if you leave them parked.
Buy it if you want a light, secure, water-resistant daily pair with noise cancellation for commutes, workouts and rainy commutes. Skip it if you need marathon battery life or want a precise battery readout — GYKLCR doesn't advertise an LED display, and 30 hours total is the ceiling here.
The aofong M72 plays a different game: endurance and information. The headline is a 500 mAh charging case rated for up to 48 hours of total playtime, with 4–5 hours per single charge and an extended figure of up to 100 hours when you factor the case in. More useful day to day, the case has a dual LED display showing 0–100% remaining power for both the case and the buds. No guessing whether you've got one more commute in them.
Connectivity is the other differentiator: Bluetooth 5.4, one generation ahead of GYKLCR, with a stated range of up to 49 feet (15 meters). aofong specifically notes optimized audio codecs versus 5.3 for stable calls in cluttered environments. The driver is a 14.5 mm dynamic unit — physically larger than typical budget drivers — tuned for clear treble and punchy bass. Impedance is listed at 100 ohm, which is unusually high for true wireless and generally implies the buds need a bit more drive to reach full volume; worth knowing if you listen quietly on low-output sources.
Fit gets real attention too: a semi-in-ear ergonomic design with 360° weight distribution, a sandblasted non-slip coating the brand claims gives 3x the grip of ordinary Bluetooth headphones, and three silicone tip sizes (X/S/L) plus a stated weight of 0.14 oz per ear. In the box: the M72 buds, USB-C cable, pre-installed medium tips plus small and large pairs, a quick start guide, and an 18-month battery promise. Charging takes about 2 hours. Note the IP7 rating — water-resistant, but not the submersion-grade IPX7 claim GYKLCR makes. And there's no noise cancellation.
Buy it if battery anxiety is your enemy, you want the latest Bluetooth spec, and you like seeing exact charge levels. Skip it if you need active noise cancellation or plan to get them genuinely wet.
• Best for battery life → aofong Earbuds. Up to 48 hours total with the case, versus 30 hours on the GYKLCR.
• Best for water resistance → GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones. IPX7 with explicit shower and rain use, versus IP7 on the aofong.
• Best for quiet listening → GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones. It's the only one of the two with active noise cancellation.
• Best for the newest Bluetooth → aofong Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.4 and a 15 m stated range versus 5.3 and 10 m+.
• Best for fast top-ups → GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones. About 1 hour to full charge versus roughly 2 hours.
• Best for lightweight all-day wear → GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones. 3 g per bud is about as light as it gets.
• Best for fit customization → aofong Earbuds. Three tip sizes (X/S/L) and a non-slip sandblasted coating.
• Best for knowing your charge → aofong Earbuds. The dual LED percentage display beats guessing.
In my opinion, most people should buy the aofong Earbuds. The battery endurance, the LED percentage display, Bluetooth 5.4 and the three-size tip kit solve the problems that annoy budget-earbud owners most often — dying at the wrong moment and never quite fitting right. I'd pick GYKLCR only if noise cancellation and true water resistance are non-negotiable for you, because in those two areas it clearly wins, and its lighter 3 g build is genuinely appealing for long wear. Decide which of those two priorities is yours, then commit. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you buy.
Yes, on paper. aofong rates up to 48 hours total with its 500 mAh case and shows remaining power on an LED display. GYKLCR rates 30 hours total with a 5-hour single-charge ceiling and no advertised display.
Yes — active noise cancellation is listed among the controls, alongside touch control for music, volume and calls. The aofong M72 lists no noise cancellation at all, so this is GYKLCR's clearest advantage.
GYKLCR states IPX7 and says the buds can be worn in the shower and rain, excluding swimming and diving. aofong states IP7, which indicates water resistance but without the same submersion claim, so I'd treat it as sweat- and splash-safe.
aofong uses Bluetooth 5.4 with a stated 15 m range and codec optimizations; GYKLCR uses Bluetooth 5.3 with a stated range beyond 10 m. Newer isn't automatically better for your devices, but 5.4 is the more current spec.
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