Accessories

QCY MeloBuds N70 review: ANC without being too pricey

Flagship-grade buds minus the flagship price

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It was a decade ago when Onkyo unveiled the first-ever TWS (True Wireless Sound) earbuds to the world. Back then, its mere existence wasn’t even acknowledged.

A year after, Apple shook the world with their first-gen AirPods.

Much like any new experimental product, it has received a bag of mixed reactions — mostly laughs and criticisms because of how “absurd” the whole idea was.

Despite all that, other audio brands have followed suit.

Ten years in, both companies and consumers have fully realized the true value of wireless earbuds.

It’s not even limited to the major players anymore. Budding companies like QCY can go up the ladder and compete against them.

The MeloBuds N70 is here with their very first flagship-grade offering that can truly disrupt the scene — and I would be lying if I didn’t say how excited I was the moment I knew everything about the product.

Function over form

At first glance, the QCY MeloBuds N70 isn’t too different from other earbuds in the market.

QCY took the usual route with its design: sucker-type buds along its long stems where all the sound drivers, mics, and batteries are stored.

Hear me out: This isn’t a criticism. There’s nothing wrong with being conventional. It’s been proven and tested for a long time.

IMHO, this design is the most effective way to house everything without compromising anything.

After all, brands (and designers) can only do so much when making a new pair of wireless buds.

Most just change their choice of CMF (colors, material, finish) that make one pair different from another.

That said, the pair I received came in black.

Although 90 percent of my wardrobe is black, my color preference among gadgets goes the other way as black is my least fave.

QCY MeloBuds N70

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Still, the QCY MeloBuds N70 isn’t limited to the generic Midnight Black colorway as prospective buyers have the freedom to choose between Starlight Purple and Titanium Gold — the latter being my preferred shade.

As someone whose ears can adapt well between open-ear and rubber-quipped, I can confidently say wearing these felt comfortable enough even after many hours of prolonged use.

If the default one won’t stick to your ear canals, the package comes with extra tips in different sizes.

QCY-peasy

After getting the new pair of buds out of the box and placing them beside any modern Android device, the latter will instantly recognize the product and reveal its key info.

That’s thanks to Google’s Fast Pair feature. Not only does it make pairing faster and easier, it even lets your phone install the proprietary app needed for that corresponding pair of earbuds.

In my case, setting up my new QCY pair along the QCY app was easy-peasy.

Once everything has been set up, you can take full advantage all of the features within the MeloBuds N70.

The main page displays battery levels for the buds and the case.

Switching to the second tab reveals all EQ (Equalization) presets as well as Noise Cancellation Modes with varying scenarios.

You can even customize your EQ based on what your ears prefer.

Last tab is where you can change touch functionality and other specific settings.

Personally, I prefer touch controls more over force-touch sensors as they don’t require too much effort to control something.

The only thing I wish the QCY MeloBuds N70 was capable of is the ability to adjust volume level through the swipe up / down gesture.

Although the workaround I did was to just assign the long press function.

Double-tapping should have been the limit — which is typically reserved for going back or forth between tracks.

The triple-tap function feels odd especially when one of the buds misreads (or misses) some taps I did.

Sound Superiority

As someone who has tried and tested several earbuds over the course of my six-year career, I can now confidently say that my ears have been extra sensitive and ever-critical when it comes to full-on audio quality.

While I still don’t consider myself a devoted audiophile, being able to differentiate better-sounding earbuds against low-performing ones is a special skill.

To be specific, I can discern those that sound straight out of a tin can or those that sounds muffled. Others felt like I’m in an aquarium or a hollow cave.

In order to justify my listening experience, the closest comparison would be comparing the MeloBuds N70 up against the Redmi Buds 6 Pro I’ve held and used since February 2025.

To recall, I wasn’t too satisfied with its overall audio quality as there’s barely any oomph in its bass.

Xiaomi Buds 5 | 2024

Some songs I listened to sounded dull even after customizing my own EQ levels.

To add more fuel to the flame, the Xiaomi Buds 5 I’ve tested prior has the better quality — and it’s the best I’ve tested during that time.

Now back to the QCY MeloBuds N70. Its tagline says “Hear Every Note”, and I can attest to that claim.

I clearly hear all the less-prominent hums, subtler beats, and the undervalued adlibs of the K-Pop songs I’m listening to with the MeloBuds N70.

Default EQ, as it implies, is as plain as vanilla. You get a good amount and balance between its mids, highs, and lows.

However, switching to the Heavy Bass preset is purely immaculate — at least to my own taste. I can really hear that deeper bass kicking in my ears.

That’s something I thought was already great on my Xiaomi Buds 5. The MeloBuds N70 proved otherwise.

Never a loss with Lossless

A reason why I can never leave Apple Music (over any other streaming platform) is mainly due to the existence of Lossless Audio. Albeit, you can only take full advantage of this if your audio peripheral has THE better audio codec.

Usually, earbuds in the same price range only offer SBC (Subband Codec), or the lowest and most standard codec you can get among generic wireless earbuds.

As surprising as it seems, QCY was able to feature the top-tier LDAC codec in the MeloBuds N70.

The Xiaomi Buds I mentioned sticks to Qualcomm’s aptX. On the other hand, the Redmi pair relies on AAC.

While others are already contented with either of the two, I prefer Sony’s LDAC codec best due to its higher achievable bitrate — even if some say aptX is more stable when streaming.

All that said, its Hi-Fi wonder should work well in most (if not all) apps. I used it while watching a K-Drama on Netflix, streamed the latest K-Pop music videos, and the vocals are crystal clear. Music? Totally divine.

ANC without being too pricey

For any earbuds tagged with this price, one shouldn’t expect anything grand. However, my opinion quickly changed the moment I wore the buds for the first time.

Again, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro had an inconsistent and overall dissatisfying ANC performance.

Meanwhile, the QCY MeloBuds N70 beg to differ with how effective both buds cancel out noise almost instantly regardless of the environment or surrounding you bring it in.

Case in point: I unboxed the product in a café with loud people conversing in the background. I wasn’t able to hear the instructions of my colleague, MJ, when we were recording the unboxing.

Another was a speeding motorcycle that passed by, all while I was waiting for the stoplight to go green.

I even wore them both in various modes of transportation.

Train screeches? None.

Someone’s child throwing tantrums inside the bus? Surprisingly quiet.

Plane’s roaring engine and pilot announcements? Completely silent.

This list could go on and on. The bottom line is that I only heard pure music and/or vocals. Noise was completely non-existent.

This further proves that QCY took ANC seriously in this new model.

As one would expect, Transparency Mode exists. Albeit, I’m the typical introvert who uses undisrupted ANC 100 percent of the time. By that, I have to manually remove the buds before I decide to talk to someone else.

Good thing that these buds detect removal and automatically stops music when doing so.

Although it may just be my unit but sometimes, it automatically pauses by itself even when it’s plugged rightfully in my ear.

Promises are made to be broken

On paper, the QCY MeloBuds N70 promises up to 10 hours of battery on a single charge. A 10-minute case top-up will provide extra two hours of playback.

While I may not know QCY’s metrics when testing the MeloBuds N70 to justify those claims, it’s still able to last around 3.5 to 4 hours on a single charge with ANC turned ON along its overall volume set around 70 percent.

That’s when I used the earbuds non-stop during the course of my two-hour commute. The extra two hours passed by while I was writing this review before it ultimately died down.

Another real-life use-case is when I used it non-stop in my Manila to Hong Kong flight that lasted for around 2.5 hours.

From 5:22AM (100 percent), the batteries totally went off by 8:49AM — with 4 percent remaining on the left bud.

It even has a female persona whose voice notified me that the buds needed to be charged as it’s already below 10 percent, or if it’s already shutting down due to battery exhaustion.

Even though the QCY MeloBuds N70 doesn’t have the monumental endurance as promised, these new buds were still able to alleviate my battery anxiety among TWS earbuds with ANC.

To add more to the surprise, its case supports wireless charging —  something one shouldn’t expect in a buds priced in such range.

As expected though, it’s slower than wired charging. Regardless, it’s a good add-on in case you’re on a pinch where you don’t have a power bank and cable with you and can only rely on your phone’s reverse wireless charging.

Is this QCY MeloBuds N70 your GadgetMatch?

With a price of just US$ 59.99, most people will doubt how reliable the QCY MeloBuds N70 are.

But the buds’ price-to-performance is just unmatched. There’s honestly no reason to Swipe Left except if you don’t prefer the sucker type of wireless buds.

For me, it’s both a Swipe Right and a Super Swipe.

In contrast to the previous earbuds I have reviewed, QCY’s offering is more compelling for being able to beat them (or at least be in the same level) in terms of battery life, ANC effectivity, and overall sound quality — all for an even lower, more affordable price tag that major brands barely slap on nowadays.

Backed by a good software experience, hi-res LDAC audio alongside Lossless audio playback, plus the additional wireless charging support, what more can you ask for?

All points considered make the QCY MeloBuds N70 a worthy recipient of the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE INCOMING!

With the annual Black Friday Sale coming up, QCY is also offering latest deals — MeloBuds N70 not an exception.

You can get between 25% to 50% off when you check out items in QCY’s Official Site from November 20 (Thursday) until December 5 (Friday).

Additionally, Prime Members of Amazon US can get up to 35% off from November 20 until December 1 (Monday).

The QCY MeloBuds N70 is now being sold at an insane value of only $47.99 (was $71.99)!

Moreover, two more products are being sold for an even cheaper value.

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Sony ships its LinkBuds Fit Hatsune Miku edition to the United States

It will come with the special acrylic stand.

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January 15, 2026

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Hatsune Miku is finding her way everywhere. Last year, the pop icon built partnerships where you might have least expected one. Now, a recent collaboration has made it to new shores. Sony is shipping its recent partnership with Hatsune Miku in the United States.

In the middle of last year, Sony released a limited edition of the LinkBuds Fit featuring Hatsune Miku. Inside, the special variant is indistinguishable from the original series. However, it will have special colorway options, including the icon’s signature green.

Now, the limited edition is now available in the United States. It will be available for US$ 249.99.

Like the first launch, buying the special edition of the earbuds will give fans a limited-edition acrylic earbud stand featuring newly illustrated artwork by Ogipote. It also features two original HoloModels of the character.

Further, those who purchased the device will get access to a special campaign song called “BELIEVE DAY” and an animated performance of the same song. Fans need only to register their product and install the HoloModels app.

SEE ALSO: Sony PH offers limited-time LinkBuds Fit x Hatsune Miku bundle

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Razer teams up with BLACKPINK for limited-edition gear

In your area soon

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December 26, 2025

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Razer has teamed up with iconic Korean girl group BLACKPINK for a collaboration as bold as their performances.

The BLACKPINK x Razer collection features exclusive, limited-edition co-branded gear that merges cutting-edge performance with bold, pink-forward aesthetics.

Designed to celebrate individuality and creativity, the product lineup gives both gamers and BLINKs new ways to express themselves.

There haven’t been a lot of details yet regarding the collaboration, except a short teaser video on the Razer official website.

Plus, there’s a playful line referencing BLACKPINK’s 2018 album as the product lineup will be “in your area” soon.

The full collection will be revealed soon. Given Razer’s history of collaborations, fans can expect a BLACKPINK-themed headphones, keyboard, mouse, and even mousepad.

For now, fans can look forward to exclusive pop-up fan activations during the group’s upcoming World Tour <DEADLINE> Pop-Up Store in Hong Kong early next year.

BLACKPINK will be performing in Hong Kong on January 24, 25, and 26 at the Kai Tak Stadium.

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Accessories

Trade doomscrolling for these 12 intentional New Year’s resolutions and side quests

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December 26, 2025

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New Year’s resolutions don’t always have to be extreme to be meaningful. Sometimes the most impactful changes come from scrolling less and just being more present. What if you leaned into healthier routines, making your environment better, and small side quests? This guide focuses on building habits and routines that feel good even after January.

1. Build strength and cardio

Getting more active at the start of the year doesn’t have to mean drastic routines or intimidating gym memberships. The most sustainable fitness habits are the ones that fit naturally into your day.

The NovaRow R50 Air Resistance Rower from Merach offers a low-impact workout that blends strength and cardio in one efficient motion. Exercises like rowing makes it easier to show up, even on your busiest days. It’s accessible at any fitness level because it’s easy to pick up and is gentler on the body while still offering a full-body workout.

The best part is you’re getting a professional-grade rowing machine so you can do your workouts at the comfort of your own home; you get to engage 86% of your major muscle groups even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Speaking of comfort, the NovaRow R50 is thoughtfully designed with adjustable footplates and an extra cushioned ergonomic seat. When paired with the Merach app, workouts feel more engaging thanks to interactive games and scenic rowing routes.

Once you’ve built the habit, you can increase your workout intensity. It’s got a 10-level air resistance system that offers up to 110 lbs of peak resistance to support long-term progress.

It’s available on Amazon as well as merachfit.com, with an extra 10% discount using the code GADGET.

2. Track your progress

Moving your body more is one of the most universal New Year’s resolutions and one of the easiest to abandon when life gets busy halfway through the year. The key to sticking to a fitness resolution isn’t intensity, but awareness and consistency.

A smartwatch like the Amazfit Balance 2 helps track steps, workouts, sleep, and recovery.  Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced HYROX athlete, it’s got over 170 workout modes to support you.

Want to try golf next year? It has 40,000 downloadable maps of golf courses. Got scuba certification on your bucket list?  The Balance 2 has pro-grade waterproofing and certification for that too.

With up to 21 days of battery life, it can keep you accountable without being intrusive. It also tracks your rest and recovery to help you understand your body better without overdoing your workouts. Being aware of fitness metrics makes progress visible and more tangible, so you get more motivated to keep going.

As a bonus, it’s casual enough that you can wear it even when you’re not working out. It’s currently 10% off on Amazon.

3. Train anywhere

Showing up is often the hardest part of any fitness goal, especially when travel interrupts your momentum. Centr’s Home Workout Kit is an all-in-one resistance training system that adapts to your lifestyle and environment.

Whether you’re at home, at the gym, on a work trip, or on vacation, progress continues, no excuses. Each kit includes 3 fabric bands, 5 tube bands, 2 ankle straps, 2 D-handles, a dual-hook bar, and a door anchor, and a travel-friendly carry bag. It retails for $66.99 on shop.centr.com.

4. Hydrate

Staying hydrated sounds simple, yet it’s one of the most commonly overlooked wellness habits. Studies show 75% of Americans are actually dehydrated. Maybe it’s because tap water doesn’t always taste great or because we worry about what’s actually in it.

The LARQ PureVis 2 helps turn hydration into a habit by tracking your intake and reminding you to drink throughout the day. The built-in UVC light eliminates most contaminants by automatically activating every two hours and the Nano Zero Filter removes common pollutants.

Apart from making sure you’re water’s clean it also keeps it cold, making it more enjoyable to stay hydrated. Using a reusable bottle like the PureVis 2 also means fewer plastic bottles headed to landfills — an impact you can also track on the LARQ app. Get one on bylarq.com/gadgetmatch

5. Sleep better

Everyone wants better sleep, yet it can feel frustratingly out of reach. While you can’t control everything, improving your bedroom environment is one simple change that can make a real difference. Clean air and gentler mornings can dramatically change how you feel throughout the day.

The BlueAir Mini Restful Sunrise Clock Air Purifier creates a healthier sleep setup that supports deeper rest and calmer wake-ups. By combining air purification with a gentler wake-up helps you feel more rested and less rushed in the morning. It’s a resolution that starts at night and pays off all day.

It’s $200 and is available in two colors that easily blend in with your home decor: Coastal Beige and Midnight.

6. Read more

Doomscrolling is one habit we should all leave behind coming into the new year. Reading, on the other hand, slows the mind, builds focus, creates space for deeper thinking, and oftentimes, sparks imagination.

If getting physical books feels intimidating, an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite and apps like Libby make it easy to browse and borrow titles from public libraries. One lightweight device and zero notifications make it easy to pick up a book whenever you have a quiet moment.

The Kindle Paperwhite starts at $135, while both the Libby app and a public library card are free.

7. Grow your food

Who says growing your own food has to be complicated? Spending time around plants has a calming effect, yet many people don’t even try because they assume gardening requires space, sunlight, or experience.

The Auk Mini is a smart indoor garden that removes the guesswork with automated lighting and watering. This makes it easy to grow your own food even when you live in a small apartment.

While the bundle comes with basil and parsley seeds, it supports anything that sprouts and grows, with other herbs and leafy greens thriving especially well, along with tomatoes and chilies. You can use their Auk-certified seeds or your own so you’re not locked into the system.

Most herbs and salads are ready to harvest in 4–6 weeks, while tomatoes and chilies typically take 8–12 weeks. Like a lot of indoor plants, pruning and harvesting from the top encourages new growth, keeping your plants productive.

Maintenance is also intentionally minimal. You only need to refill water and nutrients and harvest regularly. If you want to start a new crop, you can simply remove the old plants, clean the unit, and replant.

The Auk Mini Bundle is $219 with free shipping.

8. Make more sustainable choices

Living more sustainably doesn’t require perfection. Small swaps, especially for everyday essentials, can make a meaningful impact over time.

Switching to cotton-lined diapers like Kudos is a big step in itself. While still disposable, it offers a more eco-conscious option by using 100% cotton lining instead of plastic. They’re also made without lotions, fragrances, latex, parabens, phthalates, or chlorine.

Kudos’ award-winning DoubleDry technology also ensures 12 hours of leak protection, making them reliable. Designed by an MIT engineer and responsibly made in the US, these diapers prove that choosing better-for-the-planet options doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or peace of mind.

A monthly subscription is $84, with 120-210 diapers in each box depending on the size.

9. Invite more light into your home

Your environment plays a huge role in your mood more than you realize. Small upgrades that improve light and cleanliness can make your space feel calmer and more intentional.

The Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Mini takes care of one of the most neglected chores. By keeping your windows clean, you’ll let in more natural light into your space. Designed for effortless, one-pass cleaning, it features an upgraded three-nozzle wide-angle spray system that easily dissolves dirt and grime quickly. Its WIN-SLAM 4.0 intelligent path planning also adapts to different window types.

It’s got a 10-level protection system, including multiple layers of fall prevention, intelligent safeguards, and accidental damage insurance. The upgraded steady-climbing system ensures stable, slip-free movement even on wet surfaces, while ultra-fast edge detection adjusts cleaning paths in real time for seamless coverage in any lighting condition.

The result is brighter, cleaner windows, and more natural light. It’s a simple way to elevate your home and uplift your mood, with very minimal effort on your part.

The Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Mini is currently under $300.

10. Ask for help (without hesitation)

Many New Year’s goals fail not because of lack of effort, but because they’re too vague. Clarity and accountability make progress feel achievable.

A strawberry.me life coaching subscription pairs you with a coach who helps turn manifestations into more concrete steps. Even when you think you don’t need help, getting an outsider’s perspective can help you see what you can’t see for yourself. After all, even the most successful people get help.

Try it and get half off your first session using https://strawberry.me/GadgetMatch

11. Be more introspective

Taking time to reflect after each day can help turn experiences into lessons, and goals into actionable plans. Journaling doesn’t need to be time-consuming or intimidating.

While it still adds to your screen time, Apple’s free Journal app for iPhone makes reflection more approachable with simple prompts and quick entries. Whether you jot down a quick thought, something you’re grateful for, or something that annoyed you, it helps you slow down and process your day. Building this habit add up to greater clarity and emotional balance over time.

13. Try a new side quest

Not every resolution needs a measurable outcome. Trying a new side quest is about curiosity, creativity, exploration, and doing something simply because it’s fun.

That can mean getting crafty with pottery, punch needle or embroidery. Or you can choose something with a tangible end like baking or candle making.

If you’re craving a creative outlet, trying watercolor or photography can open up new ways of seeing the world and testing your patience. Looking to learn new skills? Consider signing up for a language class or trying a new sport.

If you feel like you don’t have extra time or budget for side quests, you can also build it into your daily work commute. If you drive to work, try leaving earlier on a Wednesday, parking somewhere different, and walking the rest of the way. Not only will you discover new neighborhoods, walking different routes also keeps your brain sharp and alert.

If you take public transportation, you can bring knitting materials, write poetry about the people you see, or play the New York Times Crossword.

Starting something new helps break routines and even build confidence over time. The great thing about side quests is there’s no pressure to be good at it or to keep doing it. You can do it by yourself, with a friend, or a big group. The only requirement is that you try.

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