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%)
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Positive 3.5-4.426 (57%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.44 (9%)
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Negative 1.5-2.43 (7%)
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Very negative below 1.51 (2%)
Pros
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Battery life was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling it epic, insane, best-in-class, or unusually long.
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The snap-together magnetic bud design on the TW2 was strongly praised for reducing loss and battery drain outside the case.
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One review described initial setup as simple and fast, supporting a strong software/setup score.
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Low-latency performance and video sync were a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly reporting little to no perceptible delay.
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Android pairing was praised through Google Fast Pair and straightforward setup on Android devices.
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The Connect app was broadly praised as thorough, useful, and feature-rich, with repeated appreciation for customization, updates, and extra controls.
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Multipoint was consistently valued for switching between phone, laptop, computer, or other devices, with reviewers describing it as useful, seamless, or reliable.
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Reviewers who evaluated the built-in microphones found them useful or strong for calls in favorable conditions, though noise handling could struggle outdoors or in busy spaces.
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Codec support was praised as a strong spec highlight, especially around Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive.
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One review praised the four tip sizes as giving plenty of range to find a comfortable fit.
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One reviewer said the Clear Vocal preset effectively fixed a vocal-detail issue, supporting a strong score for preset EQ usefulness.
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One review specifically described the earbuds as light and relatively inconspicuous, supporting a positive weight-comfort impression.
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EQ customization was one of the strongest software features, with reviewers praising the ability to tune sound and create more personalized profiles.
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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.
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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.
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Bluetooth performance was generally stable and reliable, with strong connection praise, though one reviewer reported random signal drops in some multipoint use.
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Case quality was generally positive for sturdiness, magnets, finish, or design, although size hurt portability rather than perceived construction.
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aptX support was treated as a positive for higher-quality or potentially better fidelity, especially for compatible devices.
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Reviewers found phone-and-laptop use helpful, with multipoint and cross-device switching making the earbuds practical across platforms.
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Value was generally positive because of battery life, sound, and features for the price, though one reviewer argued $150 was too high.
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Stability ranged from excellent in workout/head-shake testing to less reassuring on the bulkier TW2 design.
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Build quality was mostly viewed positively, with reviewers praising sturdy construction or non-cheap materials, though one reviewer criticized the build as not amazing.
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Soundstage width drew strong praise from some reviewers for wraparound or convincing staging, while one reviewer expected more width from the large earbuds.
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Comfort was mostly positive despite the bulky housings, with several reviewers wearing them for long periods, though one TW2 review found the design less comfortable.
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Passive isolation was usually strong when the seal fit well, though one review noted fit-related wind-noise leakage.
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Fit was generally secure and comfortable for some reviewers, but fit concerns remained for smaller ears or wind-noise isolation.
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Instrument separation was praised when reviewers heard transient details and individual elements clearly, but one reviewer found separation below audiophile rivals.
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Water and sweat resistance was treated as useful for workouts, outdoor use, and peace of mind, though not as full waterproofing.
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Reviewers described the overall tuning as balanced or safe, with the frequency range generally represented without harshness.
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Sidetone was treated as useful for calls, helping users monitor their own voice or making the earbuds more office-friendly.
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Reviewers who commented on volume found adequate headroom and loud output, without major volume complaints.
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Call quality was usually acceptable to good in quiet conditions, with some strong praise, but several reviewers found it only average outside controlled environments.
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Charging was mixed: fast charging drew strong praise, but multiple reviewers criticized the lack of wireless charging on the original model.
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Treble generally stayed clear and non-harsh, but several reviewers said highs lacked some sharpness, space, or detail compared with stronger competitors.
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Soundstage depth was praised by Expert Reviews but underwhelmed one YouTube reviewer who expected more depth from the large housings.
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Midrange clarity was mixed: some reviewers heard clear vocals and lead instruments, while others said vocals or lower mids were pushed back by the bass-forward tuning.
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Transparency/hear-through mode was useful for awareness and conversation, but reviewers disagreed on quality, ranging from invaluable to merely okay.
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One reviewer noted that dynamics could feel slightly compressed at louder volumes, making maximum-volume clarity good but not perfect.
Cons
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Spatial audio opinions were divided, ranging from disappointment or superfluousness to strong immersion and impressive 360 Reality Audio effects.
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ANC performance was the most divided feature: some reviewers found it strong or effective, while several called it average, mediocre, or disappointing versus leaders.
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Button usability split reviewers sharply: some preferred responsive physical buttons, while others found them fiddly, hard to locate, or awkward to press.
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Design impressions were mixed to negative: some liked the subdued look, but many called the buds or case bulky, plain, or not especially attractive.
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Portability was a recurring weakness because the case was often described as bulky, clunky, hard to pocket, or inconvenient, despite battery-life tradeoffs.
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Microphone noise reduction was a repeated weakness, with reviewers noting struggles against noise, exterior sounds, or wind.
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One review criticized the lack of built-in voice-assistant control, making this a weak point for hands-free assistant use.
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Sensors were a clear weakness where reviewers wanted wear detection and criticized its absence.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbuds, this product is above average in aptX, Battery, Software/setup simplicity, near average in Bass performance, Comfort during long use, below average in Sensors, Voice assistant integration, Portability/foldability.
Summary
46 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher16 (35%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts21 (46%)
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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 | 4.0 | -1.6 |
| Microphone noise reduction | 2.2 | 3.8 | -1.6 |
| Battery | 5.0 | 4.0 | +1.0 |
| Design and Aesthetics | 2.9 | 4.0 | -1.1 |
| Software/setup simplicity | 5.0 | 3.8 | +1.2 |
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
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