1MORE ComfoBuds Mini review

Ever wonder how small true wireless earbuds can get? 1MORE did, and with the ComfoBuds Mini set out to deliver the smallest earbuds possible without sacrificing key features such as active noise canceling (ANC). At a staggeringly lightweight 3.7g each, these earbuds surely must have made some compromises. Is it really possible to achieve great performance in such a small (and affordable) package?

We spent two weeks testing the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini to find out if these mighty mini buds are worth the money.

What is it like to use the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini?

1MORE claims the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini is the world’s smallest pair of active noise canceling earbuds. The earbuds are so small, in fact, it’s easy to forget they’re in your ears, and it’s difficult to take them out, simply because of how little material there is to grab onto. If you like to wear headphones while you fall asleep, you’ll absolutely love that these earbuds barely protrude from your ears.

The charging case is similarly small in stature, making for one of the most pocketable earbud packages around. Despite the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini’s relatively affordable price tag, build quality isn’t an issue Magnets inside the earbuds snap each bud into place inside the charging case, which opens and closes easily with a single hand.

The ComfoBuds Mini also packs in a ton of features, most notably great active noise canceling. The earbuds also feature IPX5 water resistance, which protects against sweat, rain, and accidental splashes of water.

How do you control the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini?

Double tapping or triple tapping either earbud triggers a variety of possible functions. Unfortunately, there’s no way to switch between ANC mode and transparency mode directly from the earbuds. Each time you use the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini, ANC is off by default, requiring you to open the 1MORE app to manually turn it on. Below are the default controls, but keep in mind you can adjust these within the companion app.

The earbuds also feature in-ear detection that automatically pauses your music when you remove an earbud and resumes it when you reinsert the bud. You can toggle this off within the 1MORE MUSIC app.

Should you download the 1MORE MUSIC app?

While not as comprehensive as companion apps for other wireless earbuds, the 1MORE MUSIC app delivers a number of key features that elevate the experience of the ComfoBuds Mini. When you first connect to the app, you’ll see battery information for the case and earbuds, as well as the option to switch between listening modes. You’ll also see the option to update to the latest firmware, which is essential to keeping your earbuds up to date with the latest features and security patches.

The 1MORE MUSIC app also offers SoundID integration for the ComfoBuds Mini. This feature walks you through a listening test to determine an equalizer setting tuned to your liking. However, there’s no way to adjust it, and the app lacks any other equalizer presets or custom equalizer options.

What Bluetooth codecs does the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini support?

Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC and AAC codec support ensures a steady connection to most devices. The AAC codec works better with Apple devices than Android phones, so Android users may find the best connection quality with the standard SBC. There’s no high-quality codec support such as aptX, but that isn’t out of the norm for sub-$100 earbuds.

How long does the battery last on the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini?

In our battery testing of continuous music playback peaking at 75dB(SPL), the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini lasted 5 hours, 19 minutes. This is average for earbuds of this type, and the additional three charge cycles from the case means the earbuds will no doubt make it through a full week of regular use before you really need to plug it in.

When you do run out of charge, 10 minutes of fast charging provides 90 minutes of music playtime. Wireless charging or the included USB-C cable powers up the charging case. It takes just 90 minutes to fully charge the case via a wired connection.

How well does the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini cancel noise?

Noise canceling performance on the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini is exceptional considering these earbuds’ size and price. With ANC turned on, the earbuds reduce low-frequency environmental noise loudness by about 80-90%. Whether it’s the sound of the train or noisy roommates, it’s all blocked out by these tiny earbuds.

1MORE includes a wind noise resistance (WNR) mode on the ComfoBuds Mini, which alleviates annoying low-frequency rumbling experienced moving at high speeds or when exposed to wind. Joggers will also appreciate the transparency mode, which amplifies your surroundings for increased awareness.

How does the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini sound?

The 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini sounds significantly different depending on whether you have ANC turned on or off. Turning on ANC boosts all frequencies below 500Hz by around 5dB, which adds a significant amount of bass to music. On the other hand, with ANC turned off, the earbuds closely follow our house curve up to 2kHz. In either case, output above that point is mildly underemphasized relative to our target.

Lows, mids, and highs

Most people will enjoy the sound of the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini. When listening to the chorus of Amnesia by ayokay and Nightly, the synth bassline loudness doesn’t overpower the vocals and percussion. Turning on ANC provides a noticeable bass boost, with the kick drum and bassline sounding significantly louder relative to high-frequency content such as the hi-hats.

Environmental noise can often mask the low-frequency content in music. 1MORE appears to be doubling down on fighting this effect with the combined effect of ANC alongside a low-frequency boost to ensure you hear the low-end in your favorite music in any environment. While this inconsistent sound is a bit annoying, the earbuds still sound pretty good in either listening mode, especially considering their sub-$100 price.

Can you use the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini for phone calls?

The 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini microphone struggles with calls. The two microphones in each earbud combine with a noise-reduction algorithm aiming to filter out ambient noise while focusing on the voice. However, the earbuds position the microphones very far away from the mouth, resulting in some vocal clarity challenges. Listen to the second microphone demo below and you’ll hear how the microphone struggles to differentiate voices from a noisy simulated street environment.

As seen in the chart above, the microphones pick up mid-range frequencies, but lack low-frequency and high-frequency content. This means you can still make out the words being spoken into the microphone, but without the same clarity as you would get from a standalone microphone or even a better headset mic.

1MORE ComfoBuds Mini microphone demo (Ideal):

1MORE ComfoBuds Mini microphone demo (Street):

1MORE ComfoBuds Mini microphone demo (Office):

Should you buy the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini?

With the ComfoBuds Mini, 1MORE has truly discovered how to do more with less. Despite the earbud’s miniature size and humble price tag, the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini is a complete package that is a joy to use. Good sound, great noise canceling, and tons of premium features such as wireless charging and water resistance has this headset punching significantly above its weight.

There are sacrifices made, most notably in microphone quality. If you frequently take calls on the go, you should look elsewhere. Manually enabling ANC each time you use the earbuds is annoying, as is the fact that ANC changes the sound of the earbuds. However, these minor grievances may be fixable with a future firmware update from 1MORE.

If you have small ears, or just want the most portable listening package possible, you should buy the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini. Even in the crowded and competitive true wireless earbud market, it’s hard to find more bang-for-your-buck value than the ComfoBuds Mini.

What should you get instead of the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini?

The closest competitor to the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini is the Nothing Ear 1, which also includes ANC in a lightweight and portable design under $100 USD. While the noise canceling performance of the Nothing Ear 1 isn’t quite as good as the ComfoBuds Mini, it features a much better microphone. Aside from those minor differences, you can’t go wrong with either of these earbuds.

If you don’t need ANC, there are plenty of affordable options out there. The Jabra Elite 3 offers great durability for athletes, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus is packed full of features for Samsung Galaxy device owners. You can also check out our full guide to the best wireless earbuds under $100.

Frequently asked questions about the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini