This is a good time to be in the market for a pair of true wireless earbuds. Early generations suffered from a slew of issues ranging from miserable battery life to latency issues (particularly frustrating if wearing them to watch streaming video). They had a cool factor — elevated by the appearance of Apple’s AirPods — but even the best were tough to recommend. Recent developments like Bluetooth 5.0 with its improved range, lower power use and higher data throughput have had a big impact on wireless earbuds. Helm Audio’s True Wireless 5.0 Headphones are part of this new wave and it feels like true wireless earbuds have finally arrived.
Helm Audio True Wireless 5.0 earbuds earbuds and charge case.
Brad Moon
Comfort, Range and Battery Life
True wireless earbuds have a reputation for being uncomfortable and difficult to fit securely. They’re bigger than wired buds because the housing has to incorporate not just the drivers, but also a battery, radios and controls. The Helm Audio True Wireless 5.0 Headphones are big and chunky, but the design (which incorporates a small, integrated silicone fin) meant they fit very comfortably and held securely. The company includes a selection of silicone ear tips in varying sizes to ensure a good fit.
As comfortable as these earbuds were, like many wireless earbuds the buttons are their Achilles Heel. It’s nice to have the functionality (including the ability invoke Siri or Google Assistant), but pushing the button requires a little effort and that means pressure on the earbuds. That can be painful and can also cause the buds to come loose.
The unusual diamond pattern shell resists fingerprints, while the integrated fins help keep the buds … [+] securely in place.
Brad Moon
That chunky design includes an unusual diamond pattern on the shell. They definitely stand out from the pack with this look, but it also serves a functional purpose, resisting scratches and fingerprints which can become very noticeable on earbuds with smooth, glossy shells.
Range is significantly improved over older versions of Bluetooth. With wireless headphones, I can typically leave my iPhone in my office, but if I go further than the floor below the connection will cut out. With the new Helm earbuds which use Bluetooth 5.0, I was able to move throughout the entire house — including several floors below to the basement — without the connection dropping. However, when I did wander out of range, the earbuds did not automatically reconnect to my phone. In fact, I would usually have to put them back in their charge case, then remove them to initiate auto-pairing (an issue that’s noted in the manual).
Battery life was another strong point. With most first generation true wireless earbuds, I counted myself lucky to get three hours of use on a charge. Even today, four or five hours is considered to be good. Helm claims six to eight hour battery life, and in my testing (typically with volume at between one third and half maximum levels), I consistently hit seven hours of use on a charge. That is excellent.
Audio Performance
Despite a very reasonable $129.99 price tag, audio performance was an unexpectedly strong point with the Helm Audio True Wireless 5.0 Headphones.
They use Bluetooth 5.0, with both AAC and aptX support, so they’re working with high quality streams, if your source device supports it. Helm also employs proprietary drivers for what it calls “TRUE” sound quality. The combination delivers sound that’s full of energy. And in a rarity for earbuds — which are often defined by various degrees of bright, tinny sound — there is actual bass! It’s not going to knock you down and it’s not dialled up to the point where it’s thumping or overwhelming the mix, but it is there. Listening to music doesn’t feel like a wireless trade-off. And that alone is enough to make these wireless earbuds stand out, especially in their price range.
I tested Netflix streaming 1080p video on an iPhone XS Max and the video remained solidly in sync with the audio. So if you want wireless earbuds that can be used to watch video while running on a treadmill at the gym, these will do quite nicely.
Charge Case
I have mixed feelings about the Helm Audio True Wireless 5.0 Headphone charge case.
It’s functional, but the Helm Audio charge case is chunky and opening the lid can be an exercise in … [+] frustration.
Brad Moon
It’s big and bulky in comparison to the charge cases for other other wireless earbuds I’ve tried recently. Charging is by Micro USB instead of USB-C. It has a tinted clear plastic lid that does let you see the earbuds inside without opening the case, but it looks a little low rent. The lid is also the worst I’ve ever had to deal with in terms of trying to get it open. It’s a struggle. Helm is obviously aware of the issue, noting in the user manual that the “charging case becomes easier to open over time.”
That’s the bad. On the good side, it holds 30 hours of charge, enough to recharge the ear buds four or five times. The buds easily slot into place for charging, aided by magnets — there’s no fumbling required to get them properly positioned. Helm also puts the charge indicators (four bright LEDs) on the front of the case where they’re clearly visible.
Key Specs:
- TRUE sound with proprietary high-powered rare polymer and alloy enhanced drivers
- Diamond pattern shell is fingerprint resistant
- Dual mics for voice calls, voice assistants (supports Siri and Google Assistant)
- Bluetooth 5.0 + HELIX antenna for range of up to 60 feet
- AAC and aptX support
- 6-8 hours of battery life, plus 30 hours of battery in charge case
- IPX rating is rain, sweat and mud resistant
- Includes charge case, cable and four sets of ear tips
- MSRP $129.99
Recommendation
There is a lot to like about the Helm True Wireless 5.0 earbuds, including price, fit, battery life … [+] and audio performance.
Brad Moon
Helm Audio’s True Wireless 5.0 earbuds don’t solve all the issues with the true wireless form factor. They’re still easy to lose, they’re relatively large, and bringing the bulky charge case along with you is a necessity for extended listening.
However, these true wireless earbuds offer great battery life, excellent audio — including honest to goodness bass — they are lag-free, water resistant, and they’re comfortable to wear. Add in the $129.99 price tag, and the Helm Audio True Wireless 5.0 Headphones should be on your short list if you’re shopping for a new set of wireless earbuds.
It’s worth noting that I loaned the review units to one of my teenagers and he glommed onto them immediately. The comfort and strong bass performance were quick wins, with battery life that’s long enough to get through a day of school (apparently they don’t listen in class any more) being something he was very happy with.
Disclosure: Helm Audio provided earbuds for evaluation but had no input into this review.
