Tozo Golden X1 Review: Premium Sound Without the Premium Price?

Are you tired of paying flagship prices for good earbuds? The Tozo Golden X1 says you don’t have to. It gives you LDAC support, dual drivers, and noise cancellation at a much lower price than the big brands.

I looked at the specs, owner feedback, and expert tests to see if these earbuds live up to the claims. This review covers sound, comfort, battery, and the things Tozo got wrong, so you can decide fast.

In a Nutshell

• Dual driver sound: The Golden X1 pairs a 12mm dynamic driver with a custom Knowles balanced armature driver. You get deep bass and clear, detailed highs. Most reviewers say the sound gets much better after a firmware update and some EQ tuning.
• LDAC and Hi Res Audio: The earbuds support LDAC streaming at up to 990 kbps. That means 24 bit/96kHz audio on supported Android phones. iPhone users get AAC instead.
• Decent noise cancellation: Tozo claims up to 42dB of ANC, with several modes, including a wind noise mode and a transparency mode. It handles fans and engines well, but it does not beat Sony or Apple.
• Smart charging case: The small case has a built in digital display that shows the battery level of each bud and the case. It also supports Qi wireless charging.
• Battery is just okay: Tozo says 8 hours per charge and 32 hours in total. Real world tests show about 4 to 5 hours with ANC and LDAC turned on.
• Missing extras: There is no wear detection, no fast charging, and no find my earbuds feature. These gaps are the main tradeoff for the lower price.

Tozo Golden X1 Overview

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Tozo Golden X1 is the flagship model from Tozo. Tozo is known for cheap earbuds that sell very well on Amazon. With the Golden X1, the brand aims higher and goes after audiophile listeners on a budget.

The list price sits at about $229.99 on Amazon. In practice, the earbuds often sell well below that price thanks to regular discounts and coupons. Check the current price before you buy, because it changes often.

So what do you get? The core feature is the hybrid dual driver setup. A 12mm dynamic driver with a carbon nanotube diaphragm handles the bass. A Knowles balanced armature driver handles the treble and fine detail.

Tozo lists a frequency response of 12Hz to 44.1kHz. That range goes past what human ears can hear. The extra range mostly matters for high resolution files, not for everyday Spotify streaming.

Here are the key specs at a glance. You get Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint pairing, six microphones, IPX6 water resistance, and wireless charging. The box includes five sizes of ear tips, so most people will find a good seal.

Tozo backs the earbuds with a one year warranty and a 30 day money back promise. That gives you time to test them and return them if they don’t fit your ears.

In short, the Golden X1 packs a long feature list into a small package. The real question is how well those features work day to day. Let’s dig in.

Design and Build Quality

The Golden X1 looks different from the usual stem style earbuds. Each bud has a very short stem and a wide, flat touch panel. Some reviewers say the shape reminds them of the Beats Studio Buds Plus.

The finish is a black and gold matte look. It feels solid and resists fingerprints. Some testers say it feels a little less premium than glossy rivals like the Nothing Ear (2), but it still looks classy.

The real star of the design is the charging case. It is small, oval, and curvy. It slips into a jeans pocket with no trouble, and it is one of the smaller cases in this price range.

On top of the case sits a small digital display. Open the lid, and it shows the battery level of the left bud, the right bud, and the case. You don’t need to open an app to check your battery.

The display also shows a little charging animation when you drop the buds in. It is a small touch, but it makes the product feel thoughtful and fun to use.

The earbuds carry an IPX6 water resistance rating. That rating protects them from heavy sweat and strong splashes. It is better than the IPX4 rating on many pricier earbuds, so gym use is no problem.

One small complaint is the packaging. One reviewer noted a tough plastic wrap over the box that you cannot recycle. It is a minor issue, but worth a mention.

Overall, the build feels solid and well made. The case design stands out as one of the best parts of the whole package.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort matters a lot. Great sound means nothing if your ears hurt after an hour. The good news is that the Golden X1 is comfortable for long sessions.

The buds are small and light. The short stem keeps them from poking out of your ears. Most testers report no ear fatigue, even after several hours of music or calls.

Tozo includes five pairs of silicone ear tips in the box. Take five minutes to try different sizes. A good seal improves both bass and noise cancellation, so this step really pays off.

The buds sit snugly once you find the right tip. They stay put during walks, light jogs, and gym sessions. Paired with the IPX6 rating, they work well as workout earbuds too.

The touch panels are wide, which makes taps easy to land. You can also remap the controls in the app. That way, you can set up the gestures that feel most natural to you.

One thing to note is the lack of wear detection. When you pull a bud out, the music keeps playing. You have to pause it by hand with a tap or from your phone.

This is a small annoyance, but you notice it if you come from AirPods or Galaxy Buds. Most people get used to it in a few days.

If you have small ears, the compact shape is a plus. If you have larger ears, the bigger tip sizes should still give you a secure fit. Either way, comfort is a clear strength of the Golden X1.

Sound Quality

This is the main reason people buy the Golden X1. So, how does it sound? In a word, impressive, but only after some setup.

Several reviewers say the sound feels flat and a bit lifeless right out of the box. The vocals sound clear, but the bass lacks punch. Don’t judge them too early.

Here is the fix. Download the Tozo Sound app, update the firmware, and pick an EQ preset you like. After these steps, most testers say the sound improves a lot.

Once tuned, the bass hits deep and clean. The 12mm dynamic driver delivers thumping lows that work well for hip hop, EDM, and pop. Some listeners even call the Golden X1 a bass lover’s delight.

The Knowles balanced armature driver shines in the treble. Cymbals and strings sound crisp and tight. Reviewers describe the treble as clean and satisfying, without harsh peaks.

Vocals come through clear and natural. Podcasts, audiobooks, and pop vocals all sound full. The soundstage feels fairly wide for earbuds, and instruments are easy to pick apart.

One quirk stands out. The bass changes with the noise cancellation. With ANC on, the bass can feel a bit too strong. With ANC off, you may want to switch on a bass boost preset.

To hear the full detail, you need the right gear. LDAC only works on Android phones that support it. You also need a high resolution source, such as Tidal, Qobuz, or Amazon Music.

Overall, the Golden X1 sounds like earbuds that cost far more. Just give yourself ten minutes with the app first.

Top 3 Alternative for Tozo Golden X1

The Golden X1 is a strong pick, but it is not the only option. Here are three alternatives worth a look, each with a different strength.

Sony WF 1000XM5

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The Sony WF 1000XM5 is one of the best earbuds you can buy. Its noise cancellation is far stronger than the Golden X1. It also supports LDAC and has excellent call quality.

It costs more, but you get wear detection, great battery life, and a polished app. Pick this one if ANC is your top priority and you have a bigger budget.

Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC from Anker is a budget favorite. It offers adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts to your surroundings. It also supports LDAC.

Its biggest win is battery life. Anker claims up to 50 hours in total with the case. Choose it if you want long battery life and strong ANC at a low price.

Nothing Ear (2)

Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Nothing Ear (2) stands out with its see through design. It offers a balanced sound, wear detection, Google Fast Pair, and a find my earbuds feature.

Reviewers at Pocketnow liked its sound and features a little more than the Golden X1. Pick it if you want style and smart extras in one package.

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode

Tozo claims the Golden X1 blocks up to 42dB of noise. That number sounds big. In real use, the ANC is good, but not class leading.

The earbuds handle steady, low sounds very well. Air conditioners, fans, and engine hum fade into the background. One tester said the noise of a washing machine down the hall simply disappeared.

Sharp, sudden sounds are harder. Keyboard taps, loud voices, and heavy traffic still come through a bit. Testers who use the AirPods Pro 2 say Apple still blocks more noise.

Tozo gives you several ANC modes in the app. There is a strong mode, a lighter mode, and a wind noise reduction mode. The wind mode helps a lot on windy walks or bike rides.

There is also a transparency mode. It lets outside sound in, so you can hear traffic or a quick chat without taking the buds out. It works well enough for safety on the street.

The ANC kicks in quickly when you switch modes. You may not hear a big change between modes while music plays. The difference becomes clear when the music is paused.

Remember the bass quirk too. ANC adds extra bass, so you may want to tweak the EQ after you turn it on.

For the price, the noise cancellation is solid and useful. It is great for offices, homes, and commutes. If you fly often and want near total silence, the Sony WF 1000XM5 is the better choice.

Tozo Sound App and EQ Settings

Many budget earbuds come with weak apps. The Tozo Sound app is different. It is clean, easy to use, and really helps the listening experience.

The app offers 16 EQ presets. You get options like Classical, Hip Hop, Deep, Piano, and more. You can also build your own EQ curve, save it, and delete the ones you don’t use.

A handy tip: set your phone’s own EQ to flat when you use the app EQ. Two EQs at once can fight each other and muddy the sound.

The app also has a hearing test. You listen to beeps at different pitches and tap when you hear them. The app then adjusts the sound to fit your hearing. It takes only a couple of minutes.

One tester noted the high pitched beeps felt a little uncomfortable. Turn the volume down a bit before you start the test.

Other app features include touch control remapping, ANC mode switching, and firmware updates. Firmware updates matter a lot here, since early units sounded much better after an update.

You don’t need to create an account to use the main features. That is a nice privacy touch. You only need an account for things like customer support requests.

The app runs on both Android and iOS. It is well illustrated and simple to learn. In short, the app turns the Golden X1 from good earbuds into great earbuds. Don’t skip it.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is where the Golden X1 is a bit weaker. Tozo claims 8 hours per charge with ANC off. The case adds more, for about 32 hours in total.

Real world numbers are lower. Pocketnow measured about 4 hours with ANC on and about 5 hours with ANC off. Another reviewer got close to 4 hours with both ANC and LDAC running.

Why the gap? LDAC uses more power than standard codecs. Noise cancellation also drains the battery. If you use both at once, expect shorter sessions.

Here is a simple way to stretch your battery. Switch to AAC or SBC when you don’t need high resolution sound. Turn off ANC in quiet rooms. These small steps add real time.

The case makes up for some of the weakness. It holds enough charge for several full refills. The digital display shows you exactly how much power is left, so you never get caught off guard.

Charging is easy. The case uses a USB Type C port, and the cable comes in the box. It also supports Qi wireless charging, so you can drop it on any standard charging pad.

A full charge takes about 2 hours for both the case and the buds. There is no fast charging feature. You cannot get an hour of music from a five minute charge like some rivals offer.

For most daily commutes and work sessions, the battery is fine. Long haul flyers may want a model with more stamina, such as the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.

Call Quality and Microphones

The Golden X1 uses six microphones in total, three per bud. These mics help with both noise cancellation and voice calls.

In quiet rooms, calls sound clear and natural. People on the other end can hear you without trouble. Reviewers describe the mics as decent and fine for daily calls.

In noisy places, the results are mixed. The mics pick up some background sound on busy streets. Your voice still comes through, but it may sound a bit thinner.

Wind can be an issue on calls too. The wind noise mode helps with music, but strong gusts can still affect your voice during a call. Step into a quieter spot for important calls.

For work calls, the Golden X1 does a good job. Zoom, Teams, and phone calls all work well from a home office or a quiet café. The multipoint feature also helps here, which we cover next.

You can also use a single bud for calls. Mono listening works, so you can keep one ear free. This is handy when you need to hear what is going on around you.

If calls are a big part of your day, the Golden X1 is good enough. It won’t beat the call quality of the Sony WF 1000XM5 or the AirPods Pro 2. Still, for the price, the mics are solid and reliable.

Connectivity, LDAC and Multipoint

The Golden X1 runs on Bluetooth 5.3. Testers report fast and stable connections. Pairing takes seconds, and dropouts are rare, even when your phone is in your pocket.

The earbuds support three codecs: SBC, AAC, and LDAC. SBC is the basic option for any device. AAC works best with iPhones. LDAC is the high quality option for Android.

LDAC is a codec made by Sony. It can stream at up to 990 kbps. That allows 24 bit/96kHz audio over Bluetooth, which is much more data than SBC or AAC can carry.

Not every phone supports LDAC. Most modern Android phones from Samsung, Google, Sony, and OnePlus do. iPhones do not support LDAC, so iPhone users get AAC.

The Golden X1 also has multipoint connection. You can pair it with two devices at the same time. For example, connect your laptop and your phone. Music plays from the laptop, and a phone call switches over on its own.

This feature is great for people who work from home. You don’t have to unpair and repair every time you switch devices.

A few connection extras are missing. There is no Google Fast Pair and no Microsoft Swift Pair. There is also no find my earbuds feature. If you lose a bud, you will need to search the old fashioned way.

Overall, connectivity is a strong point. The LDAC and multipoint combo is rare at this price.

Pros and Cons of Tozo Golden X1

Every product has strengths and weaknesses. Here is a clear look at both sides of the Golden X1.

Pros

• Excellent sound once tuned. The dual driver setup delivers deep bass and crisp treble after a firmware update and EQ tweak.
• LDAC and Hi Res Audio support. Android users can stream high resolution music at up to 990 kbps.
• Smart charging case. The built in display shows the battery level of each bud and the case at a glance.
• Strong water resistance. The IPX6 rating protects against sweat and heavy splashes.
• Comfortable fit. Small buds and five ear tip sizes make long sessions easy.
• Great companion app. You get 16 EQ presets, a custom EQ, a hearing test, and remappable controls.
• Multipoint and wireless charging. These are handy extras for daily use.

Cons

• Shorter real world battery. Expect about 4 to 5 hours with ANC and LDAC on.
• No wear detection. Music does not pause when you remove a bud.
• No fast charging. You need about 2 hours for a full charge.
• No find my earbuds feature. Lost buds are harder to track down.
• ANC is good, not great. It trails Sony and Apple in loud places.
• Flat sound out of the box. You need the app to get the best sound.

The pros clearly outweigh the cons for most buyers. The missing features are convenience extras, not deal breakers. If sound quality is your top priority, these tradeoffs feel fair.

Who Should Buy the Tozo Golden X1?

The Golden X1 is not for everyone. But for the right person, it is a fantastic value. Here is who will love it most.

Android music lovers are the perfect match. If your phone supports LDAC, you get the full benefit of the dual drivers. Pair them with Tidal or Qobuz, and the detail really shines.

Budget audiophiles will also be happy. You get Knowles drivers and high resolution support without paying flagship prices. Few earbuds at this price offer this kind of hardware.

Gym goers and runners should take a look too. The IPX6 rating and snug fit make the Golden X1 great for sweaty workouts. The short stems also keep the buds stable.

Remote workers will enjoy the multipoint feature. Switching between a laptop and a phone is smooth. The mics handle home office calls well.

Now, who should skip them? iPhone users lose the LDAC advantage. AirPods may serve them better thanks to Apple’s ecosystem features.

Frequent flyers who want maximum silence should look at the Sony WF 1000XM5. Its ANC is a level above.

People who want long battery life should consider the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC instead. And if you love smart extras like wear detection and find my earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2) fits better.

In short, buy the Golden X1 if sound per dollar matters most to you.

Final Verdict

So, is the Tozo Golden X1 worth buying? For most people who care about sound, the answer is yes.

Tozo has built earbuds that sound like they cost much more. The 12mm dynamic driver and Knowles balanced armature combo delivers rich bass and clean highs. LDAC support lets Android users hear every detail.

The design is another win. The small case with its battery display is useful and fun. Add in IPX6 water resistance, wireless charging, and multipoint, and the feature list is long.

The Golden X1 is not perfect. Battery life drops a lot with ANC and LDAC on. There is no wear detection, no fast charging, and no find my earbuds feature. The noise cancellation is good, but it won’t silence a plane cabin.

You also need to put in a little effort. Update the firmware and use the app EQ to unlock the best sound. Skip this step, and you may feel let down.

Price is the deciding factor. At full list price, the Golden X1 faces tough rivals. At its usual discounted price, it is one of the best value earbuds around.

My advice is simple. Wait for a sale, grab a pair, and spend ten minutes in the app. You will likely be very happy with what you hear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Tozo Golden X1 work with iPhone?

Yes, the Golden X1 works with iPhone. It connects through Bluetooth and uses the AAC codec. iPhones do not support LDAC, so you won’t get the full high resolution experience.

How long does the Tozo Golden X1 battery last?

Tozo claims up to 8 hours per charge and 32 hours in total with the case. Real world tests show about 4 to 5 hours with ANC and LDAC turned on.

Is the Tozo Golden X1 waterproof?

The earbuds have an IPX6 rating. They resist sweat and strong water splashes. Do not swim with them or put them under water.

Does the Tozo Golden X1 have wear detection?

No, it does not. Music keeps playing when you remove a bud. You need to pause it by hand with a tap or from your phone.

Can I connect the Tozo Golden X1 to two devices?

Yes. The Golden X1 supports multipoint connection. You can pair it with a phone and a laptop at the same time and switch between them easily.

How do I improve the sound of the Tozo Golden X1?

Download the Tozo Sound app and update the firmware. Then pick an EQ preset or build your own. Also try different ear tips to get a tight seal.

Does the Tozo Golden X1 support wireless charging?

Yes, the case supports Qi wireless charging. You can also charge it with the included USB Type C cable. A full charge takes about 2 hours.

Is the Tozo Golden X1 better than the Sony WF 1000XM5?

The Sony model has stronger ANC, better call quality, and more smart features. The Golden X1 offers similar sound quality at a much lower price. Pick based on your budget and priorities.