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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• TOZO NC9 — biggest strength: hybrid ANC rated to a 45dB reduction depth, IPX8 water protection, and a 59-hour total battery figure with a charging case and LED display.
• TOZO NC9 — biggest trade-off: it leans on companion-app EQ (32 presets) and a bundled second pair (the A1), which is more moving parts than a simple plug-and-play set.
• iKmai Earbuds — biggest strength: Bluetooth 6.0, a 13mm dynamic driver, a 60ms gaming mode and a scratch-resistant coated finish.
• iKmai Earbuds — biggest trade-off: 28 hours total and 6 hours per charge is modest next to the TOZO, and it ships with 3 eartip sizes versus TOZO's 6.
• Who each is for: TOZO NC9 for commuters, travelers and gym-goers who want deep quiet and long runtime; iKmai for gamers and bass-first listeners who want the newest Bluetooth and low latency.
The NC9 is built around one idea: shutting the world out. Its hybrid active noise cancellation is rated to a maximum reduction depth of 45dB, which is the deepest figure in this comparison. For anyone who rides trains, sits in open offices, or flies regularly, that depth is the whole point — it's the difference between hearing the hum of an engine and hearing your music. There's also a Transparent Mode that pipes the outside back in when you need it, so you can order a coffee or cross a street without pulling the buds out. That combination of "seal it off" and "let it in" is what makes an ANC set actually usable all day rather than only on a plane.
Call quality gets real attention here too. TOZO lists six microphones with ENC ambient noise reduction, meaning the buds actively filter background sound so your voice comes through on the other end. Six mics is an unusually generous count for this class, and it's the kind of spec that matters most when you take calls from noisy places. On the audio side you get 10mm dynamic drivers with TOZO's OrigX Acoustic 2.0 tuning, spanning a 20Hz–20,000Hz range, so the low end should feel full without the mids getting buried.
Where the NC9 really separates itself is endurance and durability. The battery average life is listed at 59 hours with the charging case, and there's an LED display so you can see the charge level instead of guessing. IPX8 is the highest water-resistance rating in this head-to-head — that's submersion-level protection, which is why I'd point sweaty gym sessions and rainy runs toward this pair. Comfort is handled with six sizes of replaceable earcaps, an unusually wide spread that helps you get a proper seal, which in turn helps the ANC work. Touch controls handle playback and noise modes, and the bundle also includes TOZO's lightweight A1 buds as a second, more casual option.
Who should buy it: commuters, frequent flyers, gym-goers and anyone who wants the longest runtime and the deepest noise cut. Who should skip it: if you mainly care about gaming latency or the very latest Bluetooth generation, the iKmai is the better fit — the NC9 is listed at Bluetooth 5.3 and has no gaming-mode claim.
The iKmai set takes a different angle: newer wireless tech and a bigger driver. It runs Bluetooth 6.0, which is the newer generation in this matchup, and it pairs that with a 13mm dynamic driver using a customized diaphragm. That's a notably large driver, and large drivers are usually how brands chase the kind of bass that feels physical rather than polite. If your listening skews toward hip-hop, EDM or action-heavy games and movies, the 13mm figure is the headline spec to pay attention to.
Noise cancellation is still part of the package — hybrid ANC with six MEMS microphones, rated to reduce noise by up to 40dB. That's a strong number in absolute terms; it simply sits below the TOZO's 45dB. The mic array also feeds noise and echo cancellation algorithms for voice pickup, so calls should stay intelligible even when you're not in a quiet room. The difference here is emphasis: TOZO pushes maximum quiet, iKmai pushes clear voice and immersive sound.
Then there's gaming mode, and this is where iKmai has no real competition in this comparison. It supports low latency down to 60ms, which is the sort of figure that keeps audio and on-screen action lined up closely enough that shooters and rhythm games don't feel off. If you play on a phone or handheld and you've been annoyed by laggy sound, that 60ms claim is the reason to look here.
Who should buy it: gamers, bass-first listeners, and anyone who wants the newer Bluetooth generation and a more durable-looking finish. Who should skip it: if you need marathon battery life, top-tier water protection, or the widest eartip selection, the TOZO wins those categories.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise cancellation → TOZO NC9. 45dB reduction depth beats the iKmai's 40dB.
• Best for battery life → TOZO NC9. 59 hours with the case versus 28 hours on the iKmai.
• Best for gaming and low latency → iKmai Earbuds. 60ms gaming mode; the TOZO has no equivalent claim.
• Best for water and sweat resistance → TOZO NC9. IPX8 versus no water-resistance rating listed for the iKmai.
• Best for bass and driver size → iKmai Earbuds. A 13mm dynamic driver against the TOZO's 10mm.
• Best for the newest Bluetooth → iKmai Earbuds. Bluetooth 6.0 versus 5.3.
• Best for fit customization → TOZO NC9. Six eartip sizes versus three.
• Best for call clarity in noise → TOZO NC9. Six mics with ENC aimed squarely at filtering background sound.
• Best for peace of mind on defects → iKmai Earbuds. A stated 1-year manufacturer warranty.
In my opinion, the TOZO NC9 is the safer buy for most people. The 45dB ANC, IPX8 rating and 59-hour figure cover the three things that actually annoy earbud owners — noise, sweat and charging. The iKmai is genuinely appealing if you game or want a bigger driver and Bluetooth 6.0, but its 28-hour total and lack of a listed water-resistance rating make it the more specialized pick. Unless low latency is your top priority, I'd go TOZO.
FAQ
No. iKmai lists 28 hours total (6 hours per charge plus 22 from the case). TOZO lists 59 hours of battery average life with the charging case, so the NC9 lasts substantially longer between charges.
iKmai. It supports a gaming mode with low latency down to 60ms, which keeps audio synced to on-screen action. TOZO doesn't list a low-latency gaming mode for the NC9, so gamers should lean iKmai.
The TOZO NC9 is rated IPX8, which is submersion-level water protection. No water-resistance rating is listed for the iKmai Earbuds, so for rain, sweat or washing them off, the NC9 is the one I'd choose.
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