I tested these quirky wireless earbuds that even let you play games on the charging case — and they cost less than £40

Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds: two-minute review

Imagine if your earbuds case wasn’t just an earbuds case. Imagine that it did more than just charge your buds. Imagine that it could open up a new world of possibilities. Imagine that it could even let you play Flappy Bird. OK, I'll stop going all John Lennon on you now, because guess what? This is exactly what the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds and their interactive charging case can offer.

That’s right, these JBL-inspired earbuds come with a display-equipped case (that is based on some of the best earbuds around, but more on that in a moment) which is filled with a whole host of features. The buds themselves also pack in active noise cancellation, making this a pretty comprehensive package. What’s more, the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds come in at less than £40. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, I tested them out for myself, and here’s whether I’d consider them worthy of your attention.

So, as I alluded to earlier, these earbuds are clearly inspired by some of the best wireless 'buds on the market – especially for battery life. The JBL Live Beam 3 boast a seriously good juice pack (up to 12 hours from the buds and up to 48 hours in total) and a display-wielding charging case. Sadly, at up to 22 hours with the buds and case fulled maxed out, Groov-e's alternative can't hold a candle to JBL there. Of course, Groov-e’s buds are a fraction of the price, so I wasn’t expecting the most amazing sound quality or refined ANC either, but I was hopeful that they could pose as a decent budget alternative. And honestly, I think they are just that…. at least in some ways.

Let’s start with the good. I am quite a big fan of this thing’s display. Its background gave me big noughties vibes, with the underwater image bringing me back to the days of Windows Vista and its Frutiger Aero aesthetic. It’s also got a lot to play with, including a knock-off version of Flappy Bird, music playback control, a timer, and even a flashlight.

Not all of the functions are perfect. For instance, the Camera application only turned medium volume down for me. I also experienced a glitch with the Find My Earbuds function, and at some point, the earbuds just started randomly whistling (to my colleagues’ dismay).

Anyway, one good thing is that Groov-e’s wireless buds have ANC capabilities. This wasn’t active by default for me, but after turning it on, voices around me were dulled a fair bit, and the sound of keyboards clicking away were tuned down. To be honest, chatter and typing was definitely still audible, even with my music’s volume at around 70%. You could do better, even in the budget range, but having ANC at this price-point is still most welcome.

Another area that left me with mixed feelings was the Neo Buds’ sound quality. Out of the box, I was not impressed. The low end sounded bloated and unrefined, often to the point of obscuring vocals. Treble also sounded lacklustre, missing the bite and control that even competing budget earbuds provide.

However, I cycled through the EQ options and managed to find a decent solution. I selected the ‘Popular’ calibration, and found that things got a lot better. For instance, when bumping Driving Me Crazy by Lewis Taylor, I found that vocals were a lot clearer and more defined in the mix. Bass still had a good amount of weight to it, but it was no longer totally overwhelming.

That’s not to say that the Popular EQ mode solves all, though. For example, in M-High’s 12 O.C Riddim, bass extension was impressive, but the dark low-end was hardly the cleanest or most agile I’d heard. Higher pitched percussion also lacked the expressiveness and speed of attack that more premium buds can offer.

Still, I believe that these earbuds sound adequate for the cost. In Black Eye by Allie X, vocals weren’t hidden, the pumping drum machine hit with commendable impact, and subtle percussive elements noticeably reared their heads. Again, do not purchase these expecting great, or even good audio. But if average is all you need, then these have got you covered.

Average, in fairness, applies pretty widely to the Neo Buds. For instance, their total battery life of 22 hours isn’t bad for the money, but it’s not going to set the world alight.

Mic quality is certainly up-to-scratch, but there’s a bit of sibilance to contend with. The stemmed design of the buds isn’t the most discreet or sleek either, although they’re not ugly as sin. Oh, and although the touch controls are functional, they’re not always perfectly responsive.

That just about sums up the Groov-e Neo Buds, in my view. They’re not doing anything out of the ordinary when it comes to audio performance, ANC, or design. But I had quite a bit of fun messing around with this budget take on JBL’s excellent Live Beam earbuds. The case is flawed and I encountered a few issues on the display, but come on: a quickly accessible timer, playback controller, and Flappy Bird knock-off? How could I say no?

Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds review: specs

Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds review: price and release date

• Priced £39.99
• Available now from retailers including Amazon and Ryman

The Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds are available from a handful of retailers in the UK, including Amazon and Ryman. These buds are typically priced at £39.99, though I have seen them going for as little as £29.99 already. You can purchase them in either Black or Sand.

Should I buy the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds?

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Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds review: also consider

How I tested the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds

• Tested across the course of two weeks
• Used in the office and while out in public
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I spent a couple of weeks using the Groov-e Neo Buds True Wireless Earbuds, using them in a range of spaces, including the office, at home, and out in public.

For the most part, I used the buds for listening to music, and as usual, I streamed tunes over Tidal. As always, I commenced my testing by running through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features songs from a wide range of genres, but I also tuned into a ton of tracks from my personal music library.

On top of that, I exhausted the various features of the Neo Buds, including the various EQ options, game function, clock options, and so on. More generally, I’m an experienced tech reviewer, and have been testing all sorts of audio gear for almost two years here at TechRadar. On earbuds in particular, I’ve reviewed everything from budget-friendly models like the Earfun Air 2 NC, through to premium alternatives, like the LG Tone Free T90S.

• First reviewed: January 2026
• Read more about how we test