How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want serious water protection and longer per-charge listening for sweaty workouts and rainy commutes, choose xiwxi Earbuds; if you need the lightest possible in-ear fit for all-day wear and the widest device compatibility including PCs and Macs, choose GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones.
• xiwxi Earbuds — biggest strength: IPX8 waterproofing plus up to 6 hours per charge and 30 hours total, backed by 4-mic ENC call noise cancelling and a 10mm titanium-dioxide-coated dynamic driver. Biggest trade-off: each earbud weighs 4.8g, noticeably heavier in the ear than the GYKLCR pair, and it charges slower at 1.5 hours.
• GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones — biggest strength: a 3g-per-earbud ergonomic build with a compact case, roughly 1-hour fast charge, and compatibility that explicitly lists PC and Mac alongside phones. Biggest trade-off: IPX7 protection is rated below IPX8, and per-charge playtime is about 5 hours versus the xiwxi's 6.
• Who xiwxi is for: Anyone who sweats hard, trains outdoors, or takes calls in noisy places and wants the stronger water rating and longer single-charge runtime.
• Who GYKLCR is for: Anyone who wears earbuds for hours, jumps between a phone and a laptop, and wants the lightest possible fit with the fastest recharge.
The xiwxi earbuds (model N09) are built around two ideas: keeping water out and keeping you audible on calls. The IPX8 rating is the headline here. That's the kind of rating that shrugs off sweat, rain, and heavy splashing, which matters if your earbuds live in a gym bag or on a running route. In my opinion, that single spec is what separates this pair from most budget true wireless stereo earbuds.
Audio comes from a 10mm dynamic driver with a composite titanium-dioxide diaphragm, covering a 20Hz–20,000Hz range at 32 ohm impedance. Translation for a normal buyer: a full, bass-forward sound with clear mids and highs rather than a thin, tinny output. Bluetooth 5.3 handles the connection with HFP, HSP, A2DP, and AVRCP support and a 10-meter range. Take them out of the case and they enter pairing mode and reconnect to your last device automatically.
Call quality is where the 4-microphone ENC setup does its work, pulling your voice from multiple directions so the person on the other end hears you more clearly. Controls are smart touch: volume, play/pause, track skipping, answering and ending calls, and voice assistant. You also get three sizes of silicone ear tips (medium pre-installed), which is a real comfort feature because a proper seal improves both fit and passive noise reduction.
Battery is a 1.5-hour charge for up to 6 hours of playback, with 30 hours total from the case and power indicator lights so you're not guessing. Each earbud weighs 4.8g.
Buy the xiwxi if you want maximum water resistance, longer single-charge listening, and strong call clarity for workouts, outdoor runs, and commutes. Skip it if you're sensitive to weight in your ears or you want the fastest possible recharge — the GYKLCR is lighter and charges quicker.
The GYKLCR earbuds (model D18) play a different game: lightness and flexibility. At just 3g per earbud with an ergonomic in-ear shape, these are designed to disappear in your ears during long sessions. The charging case is described as compact and lighter than typical, which makes it an easy pocket carry. If you've ever pulled earbuds out after two hours and felt pressure building, that weight difference is the whole point of this model.
Sound uses a dynamic driver spanning 20Hz–20,000Hz with a composite vibration membrane designed to reduce distortion, plus a 3D sound effect and binaural stereo processing. The stated benefit is deep bass without the crackle and breakup that cheap drivers produce, and low latency for games and video. That low-latency claim is worth flagging if you watch a lot of video on a laptop — audio that lags behind lips is one of the most annoying flaws in budget wireless earbuds.
Charging is quick: about 1 hour for a full charge, over 5 hours of playtime per charge, and 30 extra hours in the case. Standby is listed at 100 hours. Bluetooth 5.3 with one-step pairing gets you connected by opening the case, and the connection range is stated to exceed 10 meters. Compatibility is the other strength — Android and iOS phones, iPad, PC, and Mac are all named, which is broader than most budget earbuds bother to claim.
Protection is IPX7. The brand notes you can wear them in the shower and in rain, but not for swimming or diving. That's a meaningful distinction: IPX7 handles splashes and brief immersion, but it isn't the same class of protection as IPX8.
Buy the GYKLCR if you want the lightest fit, fast recharging, low-latency video and gaming audio, and a pair that works as easily with your laptop as your phone. Skip it if you need the highest water rating available or the longest single-charge runtime — that's where xiwxi wins.
• Best for water protection → xiwxi Earbuds. IPX8 beats IPX7, and the IPX7 listing on the GYKLCR explicitly excludes swimming and diving.
• Best for single-charge battery life → xiwxi Earbuds. Up to 6 hours versus roughly 5 on the GYKLCR.
• Best for total battery from the case → a tie. Both list 30 hours of total playtime.
• Best for fast charging → GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones. About 1 hour to full versus 1.5 hours on the xiwxi.
• Best for lightweight all-day comfort → GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones. 3g per earbud against 4.8g on the xiwxi.
• Best for call clarity → xiwxi Earbuds. The 4-mic ENC setup is specifically aimed at clearer voice pickup.
• Best for computer and laptop use → GYKLCR Earbuds Headphones. PC and Mac are named in its compatibility list, and low latency helps with video.
• Best for tip fit customization → xiwxi Earbuds. Three ear tip sizes let you tune the seal; the GYKLCR relies on an ergonomic one-size shape.
I'd buy the xiwxi Earbuds. The IPX8 rating, 6-hour single-charge runtime, 4-mic call clarity, and the three tip sizes make it the more capable true wireless pair for the way most people actually use earbuds — sweaty, outdoors, and on calls. The GYKLCR is a genuinely good pick if lightness and fast charging top your list, and its PC and Mac compatibility is a real advantage. But if I had to hand one pair to a friend without knowing their routine, I'd hand them the xiwxi. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one variable I can't judge for you.
Both pairs use Bluetooth 5.3 with one-step pairing. Take the xiwxi earbuds out of the case and they enter pairing mode automatically; with the GYKLCR, open the charging case, enable Bluetooth on your device, and select the earbuds from the list. After the first pairing, both reconnect to the same device automatically.
Place the earbuds back in the charging case and connect the case with the included cable — both use USB-C style charging (the xiwxi lists USB C; the GYKLCR includes a charging line). A full charge takes about 1.5 hours on the xiwxi and about 1 hour on the GYKLCR, and each case holds enough for 30 hours of total playtime.
Both models are designed to power on when you remove them from the charging case, and to enter pairing mode at the same time. If they've already been paired, they'll connect to your device automatically once they're out of the case.
Both use smart touch controls: tap to play or pause, adjust volume, skip tracks, answer or end calls, and trigger your voice assistant. The xiwxi also supports hands-free volume and track control after pairing, and its 4-mic setup handles call pickup. Fit matters too — the xiwxi ships with three ear tip sizes for a better seal.
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.
See also: Alltravel Earbuds Case vs Defunc True LITE II: True Wireless, KDYNIX True vs Cillso Earbuds: Touch Control Headphones, headphones earbuds wireless