Light Listening

Solar buds.

Are they:

A. The titular group of cartoon heroes of a forgotten Saturday morning cartoon show who solve problems throughout their hometown of Sunville using various solar technologies and thus promoting the interests of the Solar Energy Industries Association, funder of the program’s creation.

B. Something observed via high-powered telescope on the sun’s surface that has scientists concerned for our planetary health.

Or…

C. What we’re selling today.

If you answered C, congratulations! You know how to read titles on deal sites.

But, just to clarify, when we say these are solar buds, we mean they’re earbuds with a solar panel on their charging case.

Which is cool. Because it means there’s less of a chance that you deposit dead buds into a dead case, only to realize your mistake later when you desperately need something to drown out your cubicle neighbor’s tense phone conversation with their spouse, conducted at a volume that is just hushed enough that you can’t get any juicy details but not so quiet that you don’t hear it.

And yet, if you may allow us one bone to pick: wouldn’t it be even better if the buds themselves could charge in the sun? After all, they’re far more likely to leave the confines of your home or bag than the case. Imagine! Earbuds with little solar panels on them, allowing them to maintain their battery life as you wear them mowing the grass!

But alas.

Of course, their (or, more specifically, their case’s) ability to charge in the sun is cool and all, but who really cares if these things don’t sound good, right? And last go-around, we bemoaned the generic nature of the Amazon reviews we found. Luckily, this time we have a review to share from a more trusted source: one of you.

@MoriRider says:

I bought these last time the IRK was going. I like them, the sound quality is good and the ANC works well. You can’t change the EQ without the app but it seems to be working for now. The solar charging is a bit of a gimmick but it’s nice to have as a feature. I’d recommend these earbuds.

A resounding endorsement!

@pcunning218, meanwhile, adds this, for your consideration:

I’m tempted to buy just for the shape of the case. I liked that my air pods case was basically flat. I have j-lab buds that I like, but the case is shaped like a horse sized suppository.

Huh.

The things you don’t think about until you’re forced to think about them.

In conclusion: they’re pretty solid earbuds for not much money.