HMD’s $28 ANC Earbuds Redefine Budget Audio With Features That Rivals Expensive Models

These $28 ANC earbuds from HMD pack premium features that challenge what you expect at this price point.

A Truly Surprising Price for ANC Earbuds

Imagine this: for about the price of a movie ticket or a decent lunch in many countries, you could own a pair of true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC). That’s exactly what HMD has done with its new DUB X50 Pro earbuds. Launched in India at roughly $28.70, these earbuds come from a brand well-known for reviving Nokia’s phone legacy and now pushing its own line of phones and wearables.

This isn’t some no-name brand slapping a logo on generic tech. These earbuds boast features that usually cost way more, making you wonder what the pricier giants are charging for. Active noise cancellation, a whopping 60 hours of battery life, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, IPX4 water resistance, and a companion app — all crammed into a sub-$30 package.

Specs That Sound Too Good to Be True

Let’s dive into the specs before we get too starry-eyed. HMD claims a total playback time of up to 60 hours with the charging case included. That probably breaks down into about 9 or 10 hours per charge on the earbuds themselves, with around five full case recharges — under ideal conditions, of course.

For real-world usage, especially with ANC on, expect closer to 6 or 7 hours per listening session and around 40 to 45 hours total. Still, those numbers are impressive for such an affordable device.

Bluetooth 5.3 powers connectivity and supports multipoint pairing, letting you connect to two devices simultaneously—a feature often reserved for higher-end models. You also get low latency mode for gaming or video, in-ear detection that pauses music when you take out an earbud, and voice assistant support.

The compact charging case measures about 51 x 65 x 25 mm and weighs 60 grams — easy to slip into a pocket without feeling like you’re hauling around a pebble disguised as AirPods. With IPX4 water resistance, these buds can handle sweat and light rain, though swimming is off the table.

Active Noise Cancellation: The Real Test

Active noise cancellation is usually where budget earbuds falter. Cheaper models often either barely suppress low-frequency noises or blast ANC so aggressively you get annoying hiss and ear fatigue.

HMD is promoting “ANC plus AI-powered four-mic ENC” for calls—pretty much the 2026 standard marketing jargon. The question is how well it actually performs.

If the ANC quality matches that of the Baseus BP1 Pro, which genuinely cuts down bus and office noise at a similar price, HMD’s offering could shake up the entry-level audio market. But if it’s the usual budget ANC that flickers whenever the wind blows, then it’s just a flashy feature you end up turning off.

Design: Understated and Practical

The design won’t stop you in your tracks, but that’s a good thing. The stemmed earbuds and rounded case come in muted colors like blue and silver — classic HMD style that’s meant to blend effortlessly into daily life rather than scream “new gadget.”

This fits their broader ecosystem strategy perfectly. HMD recently expanded its product line to include phones, three series of DUB earbuds, and smartwatches like the Watch X1 and Watch P1.

Imagine walking out of a retail store in India or the Middle East with a phone, a smartwatch, and ANC earbuds, all under the cost of a single pair of AirPods Pro. That’s the kind of pressure HMD’s budget-friendly ANC earbuds bring to the market.

Should You Care?

At just €25 or around $28, you’re not going to get Sony-level soundstage or Bose-quality cancellation. What matters is whether these earbuds meet the “good enough to live with” threshold.

• Stable Bluetooth connection
• ANC that doesn’t irritate or distort sound
• Balanced audio tuning without mudding vocals or instruments
• Durable hardware that can survive daily wear and tear

Given HMD’s track record of sturdy, sensible phones, I wouldn’t bet against them hitting that baseline. If the DUB X50 Pro lives up to its promises, it could mark a turning point in budget ANC, setting new expectations for what entry-level true wireless earbuds should offer.

“If these are even moderately competent, they start to reset expectations for what entry level audio should look like.”

— Industry Observer

FAQ

• What is the total battery life of the HMD DUB X50 Pro earbuds?
  The earbuds offer up to 60 hours of total playback with the charging case, with around 9 to 10 hours per charge on the earbuds themselves.
• Do the earbuds support multipoint Bluetooth connectivity?
  Yes, the DUB X50 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously.
• How effective is the active noise cancellation?
  HMD claims ANC with AI-powered four-mic environmental noise cancellation for calls; real-world effectiveness will determine if it’s truly competitive.
• Are the earbuds water-resistant?
  They have an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to sweat and light rain, but not suitable for swimming.
• What kind of design do the earbuds feature?
  They have a classic, understated stemmed in-ear design with muted color options like blue and silver, focusing on blending into everyday use.

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