TurboVS
Honor Earbuds S specifications and in-depth review

Honor Earbuds S

Manufacturer: Honor

The Honor Earbuds S are a pair of true wireless in-ear earbuds designed for everyday use without the hassle of cables. Weighing just 10.6 g per earbud, they sit comfortably in the ear and come with a charging case that extends total listening time to a combined 33 hours. A travel bag is included in the box, and voice prompts help guide the user through device functions and connection status.

On the technical side, the Honor Earbuds S use Bluetooth 5.3 with a maximum wireless range of 10 m and connect via USB Type-C for wired charging, with fast charging also supported. Sound is handled by a 12.4 mm driver unit covering a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, while active noise cancellation and passive noise isolation work together to reduce unwanted ambient sound. Four microphones are built in, including noise-canceling mic support for clearer calls, and an ambient sound mode allows environmental audio to pass through when needed. The earbuds carry an IP54 rating, offering resistance to sweat and light moisture.

Pros
  • Active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction work together to block out unwanted sound during use
  • Four microphones with noise-canceling support contribute to clearer voice pickup during calls
  • The charging case holds enough power to bring total battery life to 33 hours, making longer use between wall charges possible
  • Fast charging is supported, reducing the time needed to restore battery levels
  • IP54 rating provides reliable sweat resistance, making the earbuds suitable for physical activity
  • A travel bag is included in the box, offering a convenient way to carry and store the earbuds
Cons
  • No wireless charging support for the case, requiring a USB Type-C cable every time
  • Bluetooth range is limited to 10 m, which may restrict movement when the source device is left behind
  • No support for high-resolution audio codecs such as LDAC, aptX HD, or AAC, limiting audio transmission quality options
  • Spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and Dirac Virtuo are all absent, offering no immersive or virtualized sound processing
  • Fast pairing and NFC pairing are not available, making the initial connection process more manual
Who is this for?

The Honor Earbuds S are well suited to users who want a capable daily pair of wireless earbuds for commuting, working out, or office use. The combination of active noise cancellation and IP54 sweat resistance makes them a practical choice for people who move between noisy environments and physical activity. With 33 hours of total battery life and fast charging support, they also work well for users who need reliable all-day listening without frequent interruptions. The four-microphone setup with noise-canceling support makes them a reasonable fit for those who regularly take calls or participate in voice meetings on the go, and the included travel bag adds convenience for users who carry their earbuds in a bag or backpack daily.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who prioritize high-resolution audio transmission will find the Honor Earbuds S limiting, as the earbuds lack support for LDAC, aptX HD, AAC, and all other advanced codecs beyond the standard Bluetooth connection. Listeners who value immersive or three-dimensional sound experiences will also be underserved, given the absence of spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and Dirac Virtuo. The 10 m Bluetooth range may frustrate users who prefer to leave their source device in one room while moving freely through a larger space. Additionally, those who want the convenience of wireless case charging or fast NFC pairing will need to look elsewhere, as neither feature is available on this model.

Design:

Fit In-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP54
water resistance Sweat resistant
weight 10.6 g
has no wires or cables ✓
are neckband earbuds ✕
wingtips included ✕
has RGB lighting ✕
has stereo speakers ✓
has UV light ✕
Has a display ✕

The Honor Earbuds S feature an in-ear fit and are true wireless, meaning they operate entirely without cables or a neckband. Each earbud weighs 10.6 g and includes a stereo speaker, while wingtips are not part of the design. For moisture protection, they carry an IP54 rating, making them sweat resistant during physical activity. The earbuds do not include RGB lighting, a UV light, or a display, keeping the design focused and straightforward.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC) ✓
has passive noise reduction ✓
driver unit size 12.4 mm
lowest frequency 20 Hz
highest frequency 20000 Hz
supports spatial audio ✕
has Dolby Atmos ✕
has Dirac Virtuo ✕
has a neodymium magnet ✕

The Honor Earbuds S are equipped with a 12.4 mm driver unit and cover a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Both active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction are supported, giving the earbuds two layers of sound isolation. Spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and Dirac Virtuo are not available, and the driver does not use a neodymium magnet.

Power:

Battery life 9.5 hours
Battery life of charging case 33 hours
charge time 1.5 hours
battery power 45 mAh
battery power (charging case) 500mAh
has wireless charging ✕
Has a solar power battery ✕
has a battery level indicator ✓
has a rechargeable battery ✓

The Honor Earbuds S have a 45 mAh rechargeable battery that delivers up to 9.5 hours of playback, and the 500 mAh charging case extends the total to 33 hours. A full charge takes 1.5 hours, and fast charging is supported for quicker top-ups. A battery level indicator is included to keep track of remaining power, while wireless charging and solar charging are not available.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing ✕
Has USB Type-C ✓
Bluetooth version 5.3
has LDAC ✕
has LDHC ✕
has Bluetooth LE Audio ✕
has aptX Adaptive ✕
has aptX Low Latency ✕
has aptX HD ✕
has aptX ✕
has aptX Lossless ✕
has aptX Voice ✕
has Auracast ✕
maximum Bluetooth range 10 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC ✕
Can be used wirelessly ✓
has AAC ✕

The Honor Earbuds S connect wirelessly using Bluetooth 5.3 with a maximum range of 10 m, and the charging case uses USB Type-C for wired power delivery. Fast pairing and NFC pairing are not supported, and the earbuds do not include AAC, LDAC, LDHC, or any variant of aptX, including aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, and aptX Voice. Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are also absent from the feature set.

Features:

has ambient sound mode ✓
Supports fast charging ✓
can read notifications ✕
Has a built-in translator ✕
has a mute function ✓
can be used as a headset ✓
control panel placed on a device ✓
Has voice prompts ✓
travel bag is included ✓
Has an in-line control panel ✕
Has a temperature sensor ✕
Has a built-in camera remote control function ✕

The Honor Earbuds S include ambient sound mode, allowing environmental audio to pass through when needed, along with a mute function and voice prompts for general usability. They can be used as a headset for calls and feature a control panel placed directly on the device, though an in-line control panel is not included. Fast charging is supported, and a travel bag is included in the box. The earbuds do not offer notification reading, a built-in translator, a body temperature sensor, or a camera remote shutter function.

Microphone:

number of microphones 4
has a noise-canceling microphone ✓

The Honor Earbuds S are fitted with 4 microphones and include noise-canceling microphone support, which helps reduce background noise during calls and voice interactions.

Final Verdict

The Honor Earbuds S present a well-rounded set of specifications for users seeking a dependable pair of true wireless earbuds for everyday use. With active noise cancellation paired with IP54 sweat resistance, the earbuds cover two of the most practical needs for commuters and active users alike, while the 33-hour total battery life and fast charging support add a meaningful layer of day-to-day reliability. The four-microphone noise-canceling setup further strengthens their case as a solid hands-free option. Where the earbuds fall short is in audio codec support and the absence of immersive sound technologies, which places them outside the consideration of more discerning listeners. Overall, the Honor Earbuds S represent a competent, feature-conscious option for users whose priorities center on noise management, endurance, and practical usability rather than audiophile-grade audio reproduction.