In today’s world, the importance of having headphones is almost equivalent to having a smartphone, and imagining one without the other is becoming increasingly difficult. Moreover, many prefer to have several pairs of “earphones” for different purposes, so options in various price ranges are gaining popularity. Today, let’s talk about the TOZO HT2, where the budget price did not affect the sound quality and noise cancellation. These headphones can confidently be considered both as primary and additional ones, for example, for workouts at the gym or gaming..
Analyzing the offer and the price, the idea immediately came to mind that these headphones could be an ideal choice for workouts at the gym. After all, they are in a reasonably budget-friendly price range, yet equipped with Hi-Res Audio support and deep noise cancellation. The TOZO HT2 headphones cost around $80 and for this money provide maximum immersion in favorite tracks and the ability to focus on one’s own activities. You can purchase the headphones at such an attractive price on AliExpress.
This model is quite new, so finding it in local stores isn’t as easy yet, and the cost in such cases will be significantly higher. Therefore, when it comes to the question of “where to order,” everyone chooses their own path: some prioritize saving time, while others prioritize saving money.
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Even the unboxing of the headphones can be enjoyable, and TOZO made sure it was just that with this model. The packaging is done in a minimalist style, yet the materials used are pleasant to the touch and color. On the outer side of the box, there’s a light beige color with an image of the headphones along with general information about them. Also, there’s a QR code here that can be scanned to verify the authenticity of the product.
The inner part of the box has the same color. The headphones, in their folded state, are securely packaged in black foam. Next to them is the charging cable (Type-C) and the cable for wired connection to devices (3.5mm AUX audio connector). Additionally, a brief user manual with basic information about the headphones and instructions for use is included inside the box.
The TOZO HT2 headphones are available in five colors: black, white, cream, blue, and pink. The ones I received for review are labeled by the manufacturer as cream-colored. In my opinion, this color doesn’t resemble cream very much; it’s more like eggshell or ivory, very pleasant and sophisticated.
The TOZO HT2 headphones have a classic over-ear configuration: with a headband arch, soft padding, and ear cups. The arch is made of thicker and denser plastic. This doesn’t make the headphones bulky and heavy, but it does make the load-bearing area more durable. The length of the headband is adjustable, and there are size markings (from 1 to 9) on the arch for reference. The ear cushions are exceptionally soft to the touch, fitting snugly around the ears, which improves noise isolation, and the “TOZO” logo is printed on the outside. The cushions are made of a leather-like material, but with a rubberized texture, presumably for better long-term durability.
Each ear cup is equipped with a 40mm driver. The drivers are covered with fabric, on which identifying marks for the right and left ears – R and L respectively – are printed. For transportation purposes, there is the ability to fold the headphones into a compact state. It’s hard to say definitively how the headphones will perform in active use, but initially, I hardly feel any looseness when adjusting or folding them.
The TOZO HT2 headphones look quite interesting; it seems the manufacturer has made efforts to make them comfortable and reliable.
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I can describe the layout of elements in this model as close to classic, but let’s take a closer look. On the outer side of each ear cup, at the bottom, the main microphones for noise cancellation are located. All control elements are positioned at the bottom of the right ear cup, including: the noise cancellation toggle button, microphone, USB Type-C charging cable port, 3.5mm jack, power indicator, play/pause button (and answer calls with a double tap), volume adjustment button (and track switching with a double tap).
As noted earlier, the TOZO HT2, despite looking quite bulky, are actually very lightweight. And thanks to the soft padding, they don’t press on the head and fit comfortably. The ear cup fully covers the ear and provides good noise isolation. The headphone design is intended for prolonged wear without unnecessary discomfort. They are not bulky when worn and viewed from the side. The size adapts well to different head sizes.
Connecting the headphones to a smartphone is very simple; you just need to press the button on the right ear cup and pair the devices via Bluetooth.
At the beginning of testing, the headphones could only be connected to one device, but they switched between devices very quickly. Within a few days, an update arrived – now the headphones are adapted to work with multiple devices simultaneously.
For the test, I took a tablet and, similarly to how I added the headphones to the phone via the “Settings – Bluetooth” section, I added them to the tablet. The connection to the phone was not lost. I played a video from YouTube on the tablet, and there was no delay in sound playback; the buttons on the headphones worked according to the previous settings in the app. Then, I opened the same video on the phone and tried to switch to it without pausing. I was surprised by the headphones’ ability not only to pause the video playback on the tablet but also to start it on the phone from the same moment without any sound delay. This feature of mobile usage of the TOZO HT2 headphones will definitely appeal to users in their everyday life.
However, if you start tracks from the same app (I used Spotify) in different libraries on different devices, you’ll need to stop the music on one of them to allow the headphones to connect to the other device. In this case, the TOZO HT2 headphones connect automatically. At the moment of switching headphones, music playback may stop on the device they are connecting to, and you’ll need to restart the track after the headphones are connected.
If an incoming call occurs while listening to music, the music doesn’t pause, but it plays quieter, and the voice assistant notifies you of the call and the option to answer. I confirmed the request with a command, and the music paused. After finishing the call, the track automatically resumed playback. This is perfect functionality in my opinion because I use a similar feature with other headphones, and it’s very convenient. However, I didn’t expect such quality performance from the TOZO HT2.
Android:
iOS:
The TOZO app is adapted for both iOS and Android, but not all devices can be used with it yet, although developers are actively working on updating it. On the main page of the app, connected headphones are displayed, along with the update version and their battery level (in the top left corner), and a “gear” icon (in the top right corner) for accessing more detailed headphone settings.
The app’s controls duplicate the same functionalities as those on the right ear cup of the headphones. Here, you can set additional options for the buttons such as double tap or long press (play tracks/pause/answer calls/activate voice assistant). Through the app, you can update the firmware version. Additionally, you can add multiple devices in the program, and there’s a link to a web page with all the products that can be purchased and used in the future.
In the app, the developer offers a selection of tracks for different moods. In the “My TOZO” section, you’ll find detailed information about your preferences, activity, and the ability to customize your profile individually. This section also allows you to set up app usage security.
The most important thing headphones should provide is good sound quality. Regarding the TOZO HT2, the manufacturer emphasizes Hi-Res Audio certification and improved sound compared to previous models right on the box. Like most wireless headphones, the TOZO HT2 support SBC/AAC codecs.
I decided to test the noise cancellation right from the start. So, outdoors with active traffic, without noise cancellation activated, I could clearly hear passing cars, people walking by, and even birds chirping. After turning on the noise cancellation, but without playing any music, I felt a strange crackling in my ears, which disappeared immediately. I thought it might be the speakers initializing. I didn’t notice this crackling again afterwards. Continuing to walk along the street, I could still hear passersby, but with a significant reduction in sound. To understand how effective the sound absorption was, I played some music. The track was very clear and distinct.
Adjusting the settings in the app, I played around with the high and low frequencies. Similar adjustments can be made in the Sound Effect section by switching between equalizers. You can also use a pre-set selection of sound effects. The presets can be further customized using the equalizer.
At maximum volume, there is no noticeable deterioration in sound quality. Surely, this is where the manufacturer’s claim of “super wide frequency response” comes into play.
In the end, I am pleasantly surprised by the playback quality. The clear vocal sound with personalized bass tuning enhances the enjoyment of my favorite music. I like how the headphones sound and how easy and convenient it is to adjust the sound playback to my liking.
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Let’s pay attention to another equally important feature of any headphones – the ability for voice communication. By pressing the multifunction button on the right ear cup, you can call the last dialed number, which is very convenient. If music was playing at the time of the call, it pauses and automatically resumes playback after the call ends. The connection is clear, and the noise cancellation works effectively in this scenario as well. The connection quality is good.
Similarly, the voice assistant works: it switches tracks, plays them, performs browser searches, and announces the results. Through the app, you can customize the double-tap functionality to suit your preferences.
In my opinion, the three microphones in the TOZO HT2 ensure high-quality performance for essential tasks: music playback and voice communication. The ENC noise cancellation mode and sound transparency work well in both scenarios.
I’ll emphasize once again the battery life, which I briefly mentioned earlier. The TOZO HT2 headphones provide 60 hours of listening time without noise cancellation and 40 hours with active noise cancellation enabled, thanks to the use of a 500mAh battery. I’ll also mention the option of using the headphones with a cable. When it comes to extended periods of use where mobility isn’t as crucial – like watching movies or playing video games – this is very convenient.
I charged the completely drained headphones to 100% in 2 hours, which, in my opinion, is quite fast.
Overall, the TOZO HT2 headphones offer good sound quality for a reasonable price. Additionally, they look stylish and reliable, being made from pleasant-to-the-touch materials available in five top-notch colors.
Their lightweight design and enhanced durability in high-stress areas will be particularly beneficial for users planning to use the headphones during sports activities. The reinforced noise cancellation effectively isolates in places with active movement. As for battery life, while not exceptional, the TOZO HT2 can last through a day of moderate usage without requiring additional charging.
The manufacturer emphasizes the improvement in sound quality and enhanced noise cancellation. I liked the music playback and the sound of both low and high frequencies. Additionally, the ability to customize the sound of the TOZO HT2 to personal preferences through the app is valuable. These headphones are definitely worth considering when choosing a model in this price range.
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