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TOZO T20 Review

Last updated: 1 year ago
11 min read
Editor
rating
4.0
TOZO T20 on a rock

TOZO T20 are all-around decent budget earbuds with a flexible sound and a long 10-hour battery. However, at $40, they hold an awkward spot between earbuds at $30 and more feature-rich ones at $50.

TOZO T20 are new true wireless earbuds from a well-known manufacturer of affordable audio gear. They’re a sort of an upgrade over the TOZO T10 we tested last year.

T20 have a sleeker design and a more stable fit while retaining the same level of water resistance (fully waterproof with an IPX8 rating).

Furthermore, they gain TOZO app support, allowing you to update firmware, customize touch controls, and adjust frequency response.

However, despite the obvious benefits of upgrading from TOZO T10, spending an extra $10 gives you TOZO NC7 with active noise canceling and ambient sound mode.

Is it reasonable to get the TOZO T20 over other (slightly pricier) alternatives? Are those alternatives even worth it? Find the answers below.

Price:

We test and evaluate headphones using a standardized 9-point methodology. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Pros & Cons:

  • Fun, albeit not the most detailed sound
  • Comfy enough for long listening sessions
  • Full water resistance with an IPX8 rating
  • Long battery life of 10 hours per charge
  • TOZO app support with a fully customizable EQ
  • Slightly above average passive noise isolation
  • Stability & seal aren't ideal for active users
  • Overly sensitive touch controls

Category ratings:

Editor
rating
4
By HeadphonesAddict
User
ratings
4.5
User Ratings: 8
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    4.5
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    5.0
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    3.5
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    4.5
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    4.0
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CONTENTS (show more)

    Sound

    Star Rating
    3.5 Almost Great

    TOZO T20 have a very U-shaped sound signature with a slightly recessed midrange. Tweaking their sound in the app helps make them more balanced and less fatiguing.

    Hear the difference: The TOZO T20 – A/B sound test:

    TOZO T20 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict

    TOZO continues tuning its budget/affordable line of earbuds with a U-shaped frequency response. TOZO T10 and NC7 also have it.

    While many non-demanding users desire the loud bass boost, the overly shimmery treble gets less love. It is precisely the latter that is causing the biggest imbalance in the TOZO T20.

    Unfortunately, even custom EQ can’t entirely fix the sound and make the earbuds more Hi-Fi.

    One thing worth mentioning is the inconsistency in official tech specifications and marketing info. The latter claims these earbuds have 10mm dynamic drivers, whereas tech specs have a “7mm speaker” written in them. IP ratings are equally confusing, but more on that later.

    TOZO T20 frequency response

    TOZO T20 frequency measurement
    Fortunately, the sub-bass hump isn’t as massive as seen in this measurement. Sadly, the treble peak is.

    Bass: Well-extended but sloppy

    Having 10mm dynamic drivers, the TOZO T20 produce a weighty bass punch. If you enjoy pop or hip-hop music, you will enjoy a thumping performance of these earbuds.

    Moreover, lowering the quantity with the custom equalizer reveals slightly more nuances in the rumble and bass guitars.

    On the other hand, bass performance could be faster and more agile. Listening to double-pedal drum kicks at the beginning of “My Selene” by Sonata Arctica appears sloppy and indistinct.

    Overall, expect an enjoyable rumble and punch but not as many details.

    Note that the bass frequency measurement in the graph above is exaggerated. It’s probably due to a tighter seal when using artificial ears. Human ears are slightly slippery due to sweat and earwax, so they typically don’t fit as tightly.

    TOZO T20 in miniDSP
    Sometimes, earbuds give a better seal in artificial ears than real ones, which results in a slightly different measurement.

    Midrange: Somewhat balanced but also recessed

    Midrange frequencies are decently balanced and don’t sound too off. However, they’re noticeably quieter compared to the rest of the response.

    Vocals are particularly quiet, so they need some boosting in the app’s equalizer. That also helps them sound slightly fuller/clearer.

    Instruments like electric guitars sound fuller, too, although they could use more energy. However, the app’s EQ isn’t precise and can quickly boost frequencies you don’t want to—more on that in the treble sections.

    Treble: Too much shimmer & too little detail

    By default, the lower treble is relatively balanced, except for the 6kHz boost, which adds a little more energy to the cymbals.

    Then, there’s a dip around 8kHz, which is standard in well-tuned audiophile headphones. It avoids adding artificial clarity to the sound and lets the treble show its details.

    However, a massive peak in the upper treble (13.3kHz) adds a ton of shimmer. A little shimmer is fine, but too much makes the sound fatiguing and harsh.

    Moreover, it masks finer sound details, which there are none in TOZO T20. There’s also very little texture in cymbal hits.

    Due to frequency bands in the app’s EQ, boosting vocals also boosts lower treble, which adds even more shimmer to cymbals. Even if you lower the 12.8kHz band by 5dB, you can’t fix the treble issues entirely.

    TOZO T20 on a branch
    TOZO T20 do most of the things right, except for the treble.

    The soundstage is decent in size and rounded in shape, meaning equal width and depth. It makes you hear as if the sound is playing slightly out of your head, but don’t expect a concert-like experience.

    Likewise, the imaging is also reasonably accurate. However, there are audible blind spots between the left/right and center channels. Sounds playing from those directions appear softer.

    Listen to our custom EQ and other EQ presets from the TOZO app:

    TOZO T20 Custom EQ & Presets Comparison – HeadphonesAddict

    In conclusion, the TOZO T20 are a sonic upgrade over the T10. While their sound quality isn’t for audio purists, casual listeners who are into bassier music genres might prefer their punchier performance over the NC7 and T10, which sound less full.

    Comfort & Fit

    Star Rating
    3.5 Almost Great

    TOZO T20 have an ergonomic, oval design, which fit the ears and ensures excellent comfort. However, their stability could be better, making them unsuitable for use during intense workouts.

    New TOZO earbuds closely resemble AirPods Pro. They have a shorter stem and a bean-shaped housing with an oval ear tip.

    TOZO T20 design AirPods Pro
    The similarities between T20 and AirPods Pro, but the latter have a slightly more tilted stem.

    Because of that, they sit comfortably in your ears without pressuring against your earlobes. Thus, they maintain comfort during long listening sessions.

    TOZO is also generous with the silicone ear tips, providing 6 pairs. That way, you can get the right fit for you.

    That said, while they fit comfortably, they don’t fit very securely. While they’re stabler than EarFun Free Pro 3, I still advise against using them for sports.

    TOZO T20 in ears
    Earbuds fit comfortably and look classy but don’t hold to ears extremely well.

    The initial fit is great, and at that point, you also hear the most substantial bass response. However, as soon as you smile or turn your head a bit faster, the fit loosens, which audibly reduces bass quantity.

    Adding sports activities into the equation will further loosen the grip. They fall out of my ears relatively quickly during the head-shaking test after just a few swings.

    In conclusion, the TOZO T20 offer excellent comfort, so you can use them for listening to music all day long. But remember that they don’t grip your ears that well during sports activities.

    Durability

    Star Rating
    4.5 Almost Perfect

    TOZO T20 feel pretty well-made for earbuds that cost less than $40, from earbuds to the charging case. However, there’s some confusion about whether these earbuds are waterproof or water-resistant.

    IP ratingIPX8
    In-hand feelRobust, without
    visible weak points

    Earbuds are glued together from 4 plastic parts, which seems excessive. However, overall they feel robust. It would be hard to open them unintentionally, even if your pet starts chewing them.

    TOZO T20 earbud
    Earbuds are made of 4 parts yet feel robust.

    Silicone ear tips are also quite stretchy and should withstand some pulling. However, that will rarely happen as they don’t require too much force to take them off the nozzle.

    Looking through the nozzle reveals a direct visual of the 10mm dynamic driver inside. Fortunately, unlike Sony WF-1000XM5, the nozzle has a protective mesh, which is tested for an IP rating. But it’s hard to tell which rating that is.

    However, there’s probably a printing error on the box, and the earbuds truly have an IPX8 rating.

    TOZO T20 nozzle opening
    The “Exposed” driver unit is protected by a very fine mesh that prevents water from entering.

    Moving to the charging case, it feels solid and less hollow sounding compared to more expensive offers (Sony WF-1000XM5 or SoundPEATS Air4 Pro). Unlike the TOZO T10, it lacks an IP rating.

    The lid’s hinge is plastic and very thin, so it could be the first thing to break if the case accidentally falls on the floor.

    Furthermore, a spring doesn’t hold the lid open, like in some charging cases. Instead, it quickly closes when you tilt the case. That can be pretty annoying when taking earbuds out of the case. At least the magnets hold it shut securely.

    In conclusion, the TOZO T20 earbuds have a robust build and fully waterproof design, whereas the charging case could use a slightly thicker hinge.

    Battery

    Star Rating
    5.0 Perfect

    TOZO T20 give a long battery life of 10 hours and 2 minutes and support Qi wireless charging. The case even has an LED digital display showing the charge. There is no official mention of fast charging, though.

    Tested battery life10h 2min
    Charging time2 hours (for earbuds)
    1.5 hours (for charging case)

    TOZO T20 battery comparison

    TOZO T20 battery comparison

    T20 don’t have any special features or sensors that would eat away their battery. Consequently, every drop of it goes into music playback. I’m glad to see they last close to what’s advertised.

    In our battery life test, we left the earbuds playing music at 50% volume. TOZO T20 last for approximately:

    • 10 hours and 2 minutes on a single charge.

    That’s only 28 minutes shy of the official 10.5-hour claim, which still places them among the best true wireless earbuds, especially in the price range under $40.

    The charging case holds another 38 hours of battery juice, which is also a lot. Opening the app reveals the remaining battery in each earbud but not the remaining battery in the case.

    Fortunately, the latter has an LED display in front that tells precise battery percentages of the case. Separately, you see individual battery indicators for earbuds with 4 increments.

    Staying with the case, it also supports Qi wireless charging. However, fast charging support isn’t mentioned. TOZO only reveals that it takes:

    • 2 hours to fully charge the earbuds.
    • 1.5 hours to fully charge the case.
    TOZO T20 Qi wireless charging
    Despite costing less than $40 (on Amazon), the TOZO T20 still support Qi wireless charging.

    In conclusion, TOZO T20 easily beat their competitors in battery life, with JLab Go Air Pop being the closest with 9 hours and 16 minutes.

    Features

    Star Rating
    4.0 Great

    TOZO T20 have all the most helpful features you need, like the ability to customize sound and controls. You also get to listen to soothing sounds and make good-quality phone calls.

    For under $40, the TOZO T20 have everything that modern true wireless earbuds need: a companion app with a good level of customization. Zero gimmicky features that you use once and never again:

    TOZO T20 front page app

    Sound Effects

    The feature offers 16 EQ presets or sound profiles, ranging from “Standard” default to “Treble –”tuning. They give you a decent range of sound signatures, but none is particularly good.

    There’s also a 17th custom option, which lets you tweak 10 frequency bands in -/+5dB increments:

    • 20Hz
    • 50Hz
    • 100Hz
    • 200Hz
    • 400Hz
    • 800Hz
    • 1.6kHz
    • 3.2kHz
    • 6.4kHz
    • 12.8kHz

    Here are our custom EQ settings:

    TOZO T20 custom EQ settings

    Unfortunately, I can only post a screenshot of my custom EQ settings, as you can’t see the exact dB value when adjusting frequencies.

    If you don’t wish to fiddle with custom settings, switch preset EQ to the default “Standard” for the optimal sound.

    Touch Control

    Control customizer offers a full range of commands and gestures. That way, no command is left unused. Furthermore, each gesture is customizable, which Sony and JBL could learn from.

    The only limitation is with the long press gesture, which only allows to change volume settings.

    Here are all the gestures you can customize:

    • Play/pause
    • Repeat/previous/next song
    • Voice assistant
    • Volume up or down

    To control phone calls:

    • Answer – tap once
    • Reject a call – long press for 2 seconds
    • End a call – long press for 2 seconds
    TOZO T20 custom controls

    It’s worth noting that the touch-sensitive area is awkwardly placed near the top of the earbud (above the grill that protects the small LED).

    The controls are very sensitive, and I often activate them when readjusting the earbuds. There’s no setting to adjust the sensitivity.

    Relaxing sounds

    The final feature involves playing soothing tunes to help you relax and fall asleep. In the app, tap the “Explore” widget at the bottom.

    Below, you will find 4 categories of sounds:

    • Soothing
    • Relax
    • Hypnotic
    • Absolute

    Currently, there are 49 relaxing audio tracks that vary in length from 30 seconds to more than 5 minutes.

    TOZO T20 soothing sounds

    When picking a track, make sure to set it in a loop so that the changing tracks don’t distract you. Also, you can now set the timer when to pause the playback to avoid playing the tunes all night.

    Note that you can’t play all the tracks. Some load but refuse to play. We’ve seen this with other TOZO headphones. It could a temporary glitch.

    Microphone quality

    TOZO T20 have a good call quality, especially when speaking in a quiet room. When exposed to loud background noise, the added distortion doesn’t hurt your voice too much.

    TOZO T20 microphone test (no noise test from 0:00-0:18, with background noise test from O:18-0:52):

    The microphone performs well when speaking someplace quiet. Your voice is decently clear and full, making it easy to understand.

    Clarity slightly worsens when moving into loud or windy environments. While “dual mic call noise ENC algorithm” technology works well at canceling outside noise, it also makes your voice a bit muffled and distorted.

    Fortunately, it never gets so distorted to be hard to understand. Consequently, you can still use the T20 in noisy situations. Although, it’s best to avoid them for the best call quality.

    TOZO T20 microphone hole
    The microphone hole is located next to the two charging pins.

    Noise Isolation

    Star Rating
    3.5 Almost Great

    TOZO T20 have an above-average passive noise isolation of 21,32 dBA on average. It requires a perfect seal that is rather tricky to maintain.

    Measured average noise isolation21,32 dBA

    Based on response measurements, passive noise isolation is really strong. However, that’s heavily dependent on the fit and seal.

    TOZO T20 Passive isolation
    In reality, lower frequencies are slightly less reduced, as it looks like in this graph.

    The latter must be perfect, which, if you read our “Comfort & Fit” section, is easy to achieve but hard to maintain. In reality, you should expect noise isolation to be slightly worse.

    Still, earbuds should block enough outside noise to let you listen to music in peace. Unfortunately, loud engine rumble might remain distracting. T20s don’t have active noise cancellation, you must get the TOZO NC7.

    Here’s a table of how effective is TOZO T20’s passive noise isolation at blocking specific frequencies:

    FrequencyNoise reduction
    dB SPL
    Noise reduction dBA
    (A-weighted)
    100 Hz-4.5 dB-14.6 dBA
    200 Hz-7.6 dB-3.2 dBA
    400 Hz-7.5 dB2.7 dBA
    600 Hz-6.1 dB3.9 dBA
    1 kHz-6.3 dB6.3 dBA
    2 kHz-28.5 dB29.7 dBA
    4 kHz-43.6 dB44.6 dBA
    6 kHz-43.9 dB44 dBA
    10 kHz-43.8 dB41.3 dBA
    15 kHz-46.7 dB40.7 dBA
    Average21,32 dBA
    A-weighted values from the International standard IEC 61672:2003

    What about sound leakage?

    Sound leakage of TOZO T20 is minimal, so others shouldn’t hear your music unless you’re in a library or someplace quiet.

    Bluetooth

    Star Rating
    4.5 Almost Perfect

    TOZO T20 boast a robust indoor Bluetooth connection range of 55 feet and zero lag when watching videos. However, earbuds lack multipoint and a gaming mode to reduce gaming audio latency.

    Test results:

    Bluetooth range (indoor,
    passing 2 brick walls)
    55 ft (16.7 m)
    Audio lag (Video, YouTube, social media)Unnoticeable
    Audio lag (mobile games)Noticeable – short delay

    Like most new earbuds, the TOZO T20 also come with Bluetooth 5.3. That ensures good connection stability without random dropouts due to interference.

    TOZO T20 in the case
    TOZO T20 have a robust Bluetooth connectivity.

    The next good thing is the range. While the TOZO T10 and NC7 offered average Bluetooth range results, the T20 performed much better. In our indoor Bluetooth range test, we got:

    • 55 feet (or 16.7 meters) of distance between the smartphone and earbuds before the latter stopped working.

    There were minor audio hiccups at 50 feet, but the audio picked back up, and the earbuds kept playing normally.

    How to pair TOZO T20?

    1. When pairing them for the first time, peel the protective plastic off the earbud’s connectors and place them in the charging case. Close and reopen the lid. Blinking LEDs on the earbuds indicate they’re in pairing mode.
    2. To pair them to another device, ensure that any device they’re already paired to has Bluetooth disabled. With earbuds inside the case, open the lid and wait a few seconds for the LEDs on the buds to start blinking.
    TOZO T20 blinking LED
    A blinking LED under the mesh indicates that the earbuds are in pairing mode.

    What Bluetooth codecs do they use?

    SBC, AAC, LC3: TOZO T20 keep it simple by providing essential as well as new Bluetooth codecs, LC3 is the new standard Bluetooth codec.

    Earbuds of this class wouldn’t benefit from having higher audio quality codec with higher bitrates.

    Is there an audio lag?

    There’s no visible audio lag when watching video content on social media and YouTube. On the other hand, there’s a noticeable delay when playing mobile games.

    That said, the delay would only bother competitive gamers where a split of a second means winning or losing. Unfortunately, there’s no “Game mode” feature in the app.

    Should You Get TOZO T20?

    Star Rating
    4.0 Great

    At $40, TOZO T20 are great budget earbuds that have a couple of advantages above the competition. However, for just $10 more, you get a more feature-packed TOZO NC7.

    So, it all comes down to what you’re looking for. I recommend them to:

    • Casual users who enjoy extra bass punch.
    • Users who often forget to charge their gadgets thanks to their very long battery life.
    • Clumsy users who want something more durable and waterproof (based on the official website).
    TOZO T20 charging case
    The charging case shows the battery status of both earbuds and the remaining percentage in the case.

    On the other hand, I can’t recommend them to:

    • Active users since earbuds don’t have the most secure fit.
    • Frequent airplane travelers or commuters due to the lack of active noise cancellation (although earbuds have pretty good passive noise isolation).

    On the other hand, TOZO T20 already cost $30 on Amazon. So, if you find them at a discount, don’t hesitate as they’re an excellent deal.

    Top deals today:

    How do TOZO T20 compare to the competition?

    • The big battery life of 10 hours is higher overall than what competitors offer.
    • TOZO app provides custom EQ settings and customizable controls, which is rare for under $40.
    • Earbuds have slightly above average passive noise isolation among earbuds from all price ranges.
    • They have a rich selection of ear tips (6 pairs of different sizes), whereas competitors typically have only 3 pairs.
    • Sound quality is good for the price and easily matches competitors for under $40.
    • Some competitors (like SoundPEATS Clear) have much better stability for sports activities.
    • Many competitors have a Game mode to reduce mobile gaming latency, which is quite noticeable in TOZO T20.

    TOZO T20 alternatives

    SoundPEATS Clear

    SoundPEATS Clear in the case

    Going slightly cheaper (at $30), the Clear have a darker but less fatiguing sound. The app offers less customizability, but you at least get the gaming mode. While “only” having IPX5, they sport better stability, making them more suitable for sports.

    SoundPEATS Clear review

    TOZO NC7

    TOZO NC7 in hands

    Going slightly higher (at $50), the NC7 have an equally bright sound but with more detailed treble and bass. Moreover, earbuds have ANC and transparency mode, making them better for commuting. They also last long, with 9 hours per charge with ANC and up to 18 hours without it.

    TOZO NC7 review

    What’s in the Box?

    TOZO T20 accessories
    • TOZO T20 true wireless earbuds
    • Charging case
    • USB-A to USB-C charging cable
    • 6 pairs of silicone ear tips (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL)
    • Quick guide & user manual

    Specifications

    Type: True wireless
    Connection: Bluetooth 5.3
    Back design: Closed-back
    Drivers: 10mm dynamic
    Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Impedance: n/a
    Weight: 0.14 ounces (or 4 grams) per earbud
    Mic & Controls: Yes
    Water resistance: IPX8
    Battery life: 10h + 38.5h in case
    Charging time: 2h – USB-C & Qi wireless charging
    Active noise cancelling: No
    Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, LC3
    Wireless range: 55 feet (or 16.7 meters)
    Microphone: Dual-mic ENC call noise reduction

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