I’ve tested Oraimo earbuds for years, making them my go-to choice for budget audio devices. So when Oraimo asked me to test their new Oraimo SpaceBuds, I was eager to see how they stacked up against.
After nearly a month of daily use, I can confidently say they’ve exceeded my expectations.
During this time, I’ve used the SpaceBuds for music, videos, and calls, while exploring all their features. Here’s my detailed review of these affordable earbuds.
Spoiler: For under KES 5,000, they deliver impressive performance.
Oraimo SpaceBuds: Unboxing
Oraimo is known for how good their unboxing experiences are and this clearly evident with the SpaceBuds.
The Oraimo SpaceBuds come in a compact rectangular box with an image of the earbuds on the front.
Inside, you’ll find a Type-C charging cable, silicon ear tips in multiple sizes, a welcome guide, and the earbuds with their charging case.
The packaging is straightforward, with everything neatly arranged and ready to use.
Design and Build
The SpaceBuds are a step up from their predecessors, the FreePods 4. The charging case has received a major redesign, now featuring a two-layer transparent “lunar eclipse” design.
LED lights wrap around the lid and can be customized through the Oraimo Sound app. The default Moonlight color is my favorite.
The earbuds themselves have shorter stems, making them more comfortable for long use. They also come with green and purple accents, a refreshing change from the standard black-and-white design of previous models.
In certain lighting, you can even see some internal components, which adds a unique visual appeal.
The SpaceBuds are IP54 rated, making them resistant to water and dust. This means they’re safe for outdoor use or workouts, even in light rain.
Sound and Call Quality
The Oraimo SpaceBuds deliver excellent sound for their price. Equipped with 11 mm custom dynamic drivers, they provide natural audio with clear mids and highs and punchy bass.
The separation of instruments is impressive, and vocals are crisp, making these earbuds suitable for casual listening.
Also Read: Oraimo FreePods Pro review: They’re seriously good!
The Oraimo Sound app offers EQ settings that let you tweak the audio to your liking. Unless you’re upgrading from premium earbuds, you’ll be impressed by the quality.
Call performance is reliable, thanks to the four microphones and AI noise-reduction technology. While indoor call quality is superb, outdoor performance struggles slightly with background noise, although the earbuds do their best to filter it out.
One feature I missed from my daily drivers, the Oraimo FreePods Pro+, is in-ear detection. This functionality, which pauses playback when you remove a bud and resumes when you put it back, is absent in the SpaceBuds.
It’s a small detail but one that could have made the overall experience more seamless.
Oraimo SpaceBuds Touch Controls
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The SpaceBuds include active noise cancellation, which blocks up to 50 dB of background noise. This is better than the FreePods Pro+ (45 dB) and even the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (35 dB).
Enabling ANC is simple—just press and hold either earbud for a second.
In most scenarios, the ANC works well, but I noticed some distortion when traveling on bumpy roads. Adjusting the ANC sensitivity in the Oraimo Sound app helps mitigate this issue, but it’s not a perfect fix as it bit the whole purpose of having ANC.
Customization Options
The Oraimo Sound app gives you a lot of control over how the earbuds function. You can customize the LED lighting on the charging case, choosing from seven colors to match your preferences.
The app also allows you to replace the default voice prompts with your own recordings, making the SpaceBuds uniquely yours.
Touch controls can be adjusted to suit your needs. By default, both earbuds manage music playback, but you can configure one to handle volume adjustments.
Dual device connection is another useful feature. It lets you connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between watching a movie on your tablet and answering a call on your phone.
Another standout feature is the smart chat mode. When enabled, this pauses your music as soon as it detects that you’re speaking, resuming playback after a brief pause. It’s handy for quick conversations without having to remove the earbuds.
Battery Life
Battery life is a strong point for the Oraimo SpaceBuds. With ANC enabled, you get 8 hours of playback, plus an additional 21 hours from the charging case.
Turning off ANC extends the earbuds’ playtime to 11 hours, with the case adding 29 hours for a total of 40 hours.
The case supports fast charging, providing 2 hours of use from just a 10-minute charge. This makes it convenient if you’re in a rush and need a quick top-up.
Pricing and Availabilty
The Oraimo SpaceBuds are priced at KES 4,900, offering excellent value for their features. You can get a 12% discount when purchasing through the Oraimo store app.
Additionally, using the discount code Tech With Muchiri gives you an extra 5% off. These discounts are valid in Kenya, Ghana, and Morocco.
Oraimo SpaceBuds: Final Verdict
The Oraimo SpaceBuds deliver great value, with solid sound quality, reliable battery life, and extensive customization options.
While the lack of in-ear detection and occasional ANC distortion are minor drawbacks, they don’t overshadow the overall performance of these earbuds.
If you’re looking for affordable earbuds that punch above their weight, the Oraimo SpaceBuds are a strong choice. Have you tried them? Let me know what you think!
