We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a workout-first earbud with active noise cancelling and a secure, low-protrusion in-ear fit, choose ZIPFORCE True; if you need an ultra-light half in-ear set built for side sleeping, all-night wear and USB-C convenience, choose APZXTRK Earbuds. Both are budget-friendly true wireless designs, but they aim at very different ears — and for gym sessions, running and sweaty training, the fit and noise-control story matters more than anything else on the spec sheet.
• ZIPFORCE True — biggest strength: Smart Active Noise Cancellation with three modes (ANC On, ANC Off, Transparency) plus 4-mic ENC call noise reduction, which is a lot of noise handling for this class.
• ZIPFORCE True — biggest trade-off: The angled, fully in-ear 45-degree design is built for sports and gym use, so it isn't the shape most side sleepers reach for.
• APZXTRK Earbuds — biggest strength: An ultra-light half in-ear shape with a 2.26-ounce total weight that the spec sheet explicitly ties to side sleepers and all-night wear.
• APZXTRK Earbuds — biggest trade-off: Noise control is passive only, so there's no active cancelling or transparency mode to switch between.
• Who ZIPFORCE True is for: Anyone who wants ANC, clear calls, and a stable in-ear seal during workouts, commutes and long days.
• Who APZXTRK Earbuds is for: Sleepers, side sleepers and people who want a barely-there earbud for light movement, office and overnight listening.
ZIPFORCE True leans hard into noise control and call clarity, and that's clear from the spec sheet alone. Each earbud carries two microphones, and the ENC system is rated to suppress up to 80% of interfering background noise during calls — a meaningful number if you take meetings from a busy room or call someone mid-walk. The three-mode noise control (ANC On, ANC Off, Transparency) lets you decide how much of the outside world gets in, which is the kind of flexibility I'd want from an everyday pair.
The fit story is where this one separates itself for training. The earpieces are angled at 45 degrees and sit fully in your ear, and each bud weighs just 4.7 grams. The design is described as not protruding from your ears — which is exactly what you want when you're moving your head, wiping sweat, or wearing a hat or helmet. An in-ear seal like this also tends to hold bass better during a run than a looser half in-ear shape.
Battery and connectivity are practical rather than flashy. Bluetooth 5.3, a 10-meter range, and a quoted audio delay under 65ms cover phone, tablet and laptop use fine. The charging figures are worth reading carefully: 30 minutes of charging gets you about 5 hours, the stated average life per charge is 4.5 hours, and the case stretches total use to 40 hours. Touch controls handle playback and calls.
Who should skip it? If your main reason for buying earbuds is sleeping on your side, the full in-ear, angled design is the wrong tool — that's a comfort job for a flatter, half in-ear bud. And if you specifically want a USB-C charging port called out, ZIPFORCE True doesn't advertise one on its sheet.
APZXTRK Earbuds are built around one idea: get out of the way. They're half in-ear, weigh 2.26 ounces in total, and the brand explicitly positions them for side sleepers and all-night wear. If you've ever woken up with sore ears from a normal in-ear bud pressed against a pillow, the half in-ear shape here is the whole point — it sits flatter and applies less pressure over long stretches.
The spec sheet also gives you a few genuinely useful details. The charging case has a real-time battery display, which takes the guesswork out of whether you're about to run dry. A single charge lasts 4–6 hours (6 hours average stated), and the case provides over 30 hours of total playback. Charging happens over USB-C and takes about 1.5 hours for a quick-charge top-up. If you're the type who keeps one cable for everything, that's a small but real daily win — you're not hunting for a separate charger.
The trade-offs are honest ones. Noise control is passive only, so there's no ANC toggle and no transparency mode — you get the natural isolation of the seal you create. And the half in-ear shape, while brilliant for sleeping and light movement, is generally less locked-in than a deep in-ear fit when you're sprinting or doing burpees.
One thing to note: the listing is a little inconsistent on Bluetooth. The feature bullets say Bluetooth 6.0, the product info says version 5.4, and the description also mentions 5.4. Either way, connectivity is stable with iPhone, Android, tablets and laptops, and the stated range is 33 feet. Just don't buy it expecting a specific version number to be guaranteed.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for workout and gym use → ZIPFORCE True. The angled, fully in-ear fit at 4.7g per bud is designed to stay put and not protrude during sports.
• Best for side sleepers and all-night wear → APZXTRK Earbuds. Half in-ear, 2.26 ounces total, explicitly aimed at sleep comfort.
• Best for calls → ZIPFORCE True. Four microphones with ENC rated to cut up to 80% of background noise is the stronger call setup on paper.
• Best for blocking out noise on a plane or train → ZIPFORCE True. Active Noise Cancellation plus Transparency mode gives you control the other pair simply doesn't have.
• Best for USB-C charging convenience → APZXTRK Earbuds. USB-C is called out directly, with a quick charge of about 1.5 hours.
• Best for total battery life → ZIPFORCE True. 40 hours with the case versus roughly 30+ hours on the APZXTRK set.
• Best for a small, pocketable carry → APZXTRK Earbuds. A 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inch case at 1.5 ounces is genuinely tiny.
• Best for bass and fuller sound on paper → APZXTRK Earbuds. A 20Hz frequency response and 20Hz–20kHz range suggest more low-end reach than ZIPFORCE True's 50Hz floor.
My Verdict
For workouts I'd point to ZIPFORCE True. Its angled, fully in-ear design at 4.7g per bud is built to stay secure and not stick out, and it adds active noise cancelling that the APZXTRK set doesn't offer.
Yes, that's their core pitch. The half in-ear shape and 2.26-ounce total weight are specifically described as comfortable and secure for side sleeping and all-night wear, which is exactly where a deeper in-ear bud tends to cause pressure.
ZIPFORCE True quotes up to 40 hours total with the charging case and about 4.5 hours per charge. APZXTRK quotes 4–6 hours per charge and over 30 hours total, with a real-time battery display on the case.
Both sit in the budget true wireless space, and their value depends entirely on which features you actually need. Since I can't quote prices here, check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before deciding.
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