If you want better Portability/foldability
Choose Sony WF-C510 Earbuds. It scores 4.6 vs 2.4 for Portability/foldability, with a 3.9 overall score.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds Review
Bottom Line
Choose the ATH-CKS50TW if long battery life, bass-forward sound, app EQ and reliable multipoint matter most. Skip it if you want pocketable cases, elite ANC, sleek design, wear detection, or consistently easy controls.
Best for
Best for listeners who want very long battery life, warm bass-forward sound, app-based EQ, multipoint use and low-latency video performance. They also suit buyers who can accept a larger case in exchange for runtime.
Not for
Not for buyers who prioritize a tiny pocketable case, elite ANC, sleek design, automatic wear detection or consistently strong microphone noise reduction. Smaller ears may also need to test the fit carefully.
Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW earns its strongest praise for battery life, warm bass-forward sound, useful app EQ, low-latency video performance and multipoint convenience. Reviewers repeatedly describe the runtime as exceptional, and most find the sound enjoyable, especially for bass-heavy listening. The tradeoff is physical bulk: the case and buds are often large, which hurts pocketability and can affect fit. ANC, transparency and call noise handling are more inconsistent than the core audio performance, and button controls split opinion from responsive and gym-friendly to fiddly or awkward. Overall, the review evidence points to a feature-rich, high-value earbud for listeners who prioritize battery and sound over compact design and class-leading noise cancellation.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
46 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.012 (26%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.426 (57%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.44 (9%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.43 (7%)
-
Very negative below 1.51 (2%)
Pros
-
Battery life was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling it epic, insane, best-in-class, or unusually long.
-
The Connect app was broadly praised as thorough, useful, and feature-rich, with repeated appreciation for customization, updates, and extra controls.
-
Low-latency performance and video sync were a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly reporting little to no perceptible delay.
-
Bass was a major strength for most reviewers, described as deep, warm, thumpy, or great, but a few noted it could obscure mids or lacked flagship-level cleanliness.
-
Reviewers mostly found the earbuds enjoyable and capable, with repeated praise for warm, detailed, or impressive sound, though one reviewer found the sound merely okay.
-
EQ customization was one of the strongest software features, with reviewers praising the ability to tune sound and create more personalized profiles.
Cons
-
Sensors were a clear weakness where reviewers wanted wear detection and criticized its absence.
-
Portability was a recurring weakness because the case was often described as bulky, clunky, hard to pocket, or inconvenient, despite battery-life tradeoffs.
-
Microphone noise reduction was a repeated weakness, with reviewers noting struggles against noise, exterior sounds, or wind.
-
One review criticized the lack of built-in voice-assistant control, making this a weak point for hands-free assistant use.
-
Design impressions were mixed to negative: some liked the subdued look, but many called the buds or case bulky, plain, or not especially attractive.
-
Button usability split reviewers sharply: some preferred responsive physical buttons, while others found them fiddly, hard to locate, or awkward to press.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbuds, this product is above average in aptX, Battery, Software/setup simplicity, near average in Value for money, Comfort during long use, below average in Sensors, Voice assistant integration, Portability/foldability.
Comparison summary
46 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher16 (35%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts21 (46%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower9 (20%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | 1.3 | 3.6 | -2.3 |
| Voice assistant integration | 1.5 | 3.6 | -2.1 |
| aptX | 4.3 | 2.3 | +1.9 |
| Portability/foldability | 2.4 | 4.1 | -1.6 |
| Microphone noise reduction | 2.2 | 3.8 | -1.7 |
| Battery | 5.0 | 4.0 | +1.0 |
| Design and Aesthetics | 2.9 | 4.0 | -1.1 |
| Software/setup simplicity | 5.0 | 3.9 | +1.1 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Button control usability
Choose Denon Perl Pro True Wireless Earbuds. It scores 4.5 vs 3.1 for Button control usability, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Voice assistant integration
Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). It scores 4.3 vs 1.5 for Voice assistant integration, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Sensors
Choose Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds. It scores 4.8 vs 1.3 for Sensors, with a 4.3 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
AirPods Pro
- Better: active noise cancellation The reviewer recommends AirPods Pro instead if strong ANC is a priority.
- Worse: battery life The reviewer contrasts the ATH-CKS50TW battery with the much shorter AirPods Pro listening time.
- Better: charging case pocketability The reviewer says the case is much larger than an Airpods Pro case.
ANC300TW’s
- Older model: battery life The reviewer calls the CKS50TW a huge battery-life upgrade over the ANC300TW’s.
- Better: earbud size The reviewer says the CKS50TW are slightly larger than the previous ANC300TW’s.
1MORE ComfoBuds Mini
- Better: wear detection Expert Reviews notes that even the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini includes wear detection.
FAQ
How is the battery life?
Battery life is the strongest point across the reviews. Reviewers repeatedly described it as exceptional, insane, epic or best-in-class, with many highlighting the long earbud runtime plus extra case power.
Do these earbuds sound good?
Most reviewers liked the sound, especially the warm bass-forward character. The main caveat is that some reviewers felt vocals, mids or high-frequency detail could be less forward than on stronger competitors.
Is the noise cancellation good?
ANC is mixed. Some reviewers found it effective or even very strong, while others called it average, mediocre or not competitive with the best noise-canceling earbuds.
Are they comfortable and secure?
Comfort was generally positive when the fit worked, and multiple reviewers found the earbuds secure. However, the buds are large, and reviewers warned that smaller ears or imperfect fit can reduce comfort and isolation.
Are the controls easy to use?
Controls are one of the most divided areas. Some reviewers liked the responsive physical buttons, while others found the buttons hard to locate, awkward to press or frustrating for repeated clicks.
Is the app useful?
Yes. Reviewers broadly praised the Connect app for EQ, presets, codec options, low-latency mode, ANC/hear-through controls and other customization settings.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
Article Reviews
expertreviews.co.uk
- Review score
- 3.9
engadget.com
- Review score
- 3.6
techjioblog.com
- Review score
- 4.0
Top Earbuds to Consider
Best for detailed, natural wired sound, three connector options, and standout value around $99. Skip it if you need wireless features, stronger bass, softer treble, or a compact fit for...
Pros: Sound quality, Midrange clarity
Cons: Software/setup simplicity, Portability/foldability
Choose the JBL Tour Pro 3 if you want feature-packed earbuds with strong sound, ANC, LDAC and a genuinely useful smart case. Skip them if you have smaller ears, want...
Pros: Codec support, Dongle
Cons: Sound leakage, Find My
Choose these for excellent sound, deep app control, strong codec support, and a premium true-wireless package. Skip them if call quality, best-in-class ANC, iPhone integration, or a compact case matters...
Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Stability
Cons: Spatial audio, Microphone noise reduction
Choose the Technics EAH-AZ100 if sound quality, bass, ANC, battery life, and multipoint matter most. Skip them if you need flawless calls, Bose-level ANC, the most natural transparency, or a...
Pros: Volume output, Maximum volume clarity
Cons: aptX, Auracast support