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UliX Rider - 3.5mm Review

These simple, inexpensive wired earbuds sound amazing, fit comfortably, and the price is right
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UliX Rider - 3.5mm Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $18 List
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Manufacturer:   UliX
By Graham Faulknor, Genevave Bradshaw, and Clark Tate  ⋅  Sep 28, 2024
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 31
  • Sound Quality - 40% 8.0
  • User Experience - 20% 5.6
  • Noise Cancellation - 15% 2.5
  • Battery life - 15% 10.0
  • Call Quality - 10% 8.5

Our Verdict

Music lovers and audiophiles will be impressed by the crisp and precise sound reproduction and power of the Ulix Rider earbuds. This wired option sounds exceptional, standing out among the top-ranked earbuds with their richly layered yet balanced and natural sound. These earbuds excel across a wide range of genres, providing a wide-open soundstage for groovy hip-hop like “Kool On” by The Roots, atmospheric folk like “Those Were the Days” by Angel Olsen, and smooth R&B like Russ's “Wife You Up.” With their powerful output, warm and punchy bass, and natural, in-the-room-with-the-band sound, these earbuds truly rock. You can crank the volume to impressive levels, but they do not excel at blocking ambient noise, lacking both active noise canceling and adequate noise isolation. They don't offer manual equalization controls either. That said, when earbuds sound this good at this price point, it's easy to give up a few extras.
REASONS TO BUY
Amazing sound
An enticing low price
Excellent fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Wires are cumbersome
Poor noise blocking
No manual equalization

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ulix rider - 3.5mm
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UliX Rider - 3.5mm
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Wired Earbud
Best Buy Award
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Best Buy Award
Best Wireless Earbuds on a Tight Budget
Price $18.00 List
$17.97 at Amazon
$200 List
$164.90 at Amazon
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$150 List
$90.00 at Amazon
$50 List
$24.99 at Amazon
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Bottom Line Forgoing flash for a great fit and impressive sound at a great price, these wired earbuds are hard to argue withLong lasting battery life, impressive water resistance, comfort, and great sound quality make these an easy choiceThese are comfortable with reasonable audio quality at a lower price point than mostThese buds offer an impressive soundstage and sturdy construction — if they fitIf you don't need noise cancelation or top-notch audio, these are a good deal
Rating Categories UliX Rider - 3.5mm Jabra Elite 8 Active Samsung Galaxy Buds... Jaybird Vista 2 Amazon Echo Buds
Sound Quality (40%)
8.0
7.3
6.4
7.7
5.0
User Experience (20%)
5.6
8.9
7.7
6.4
6.2
Noise Cancellation (15%)
2.5
5.6
6.1
3.6
2.3
Battery life (15%)
10.0
9.1
5.8
5.2
5.0
Call Quality (10%)
8.5
5.8
9.0
8.2
6.7
Specs UliX Rider - 3.5mm Jabra Elite 8 Active Samsung Galaxy Buds... Jaybird Vista 2 Amazon Echo Buds
Active Noise Cancelling No Yes Yes Yes No
Earbud Location Tracking No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Measured Battery Life N/A 11.9 hr 7.5 hr 6.3 hr 5.9 hr
Waterproofing N/A IP68 IPX7 IP68 IPX2
Measured Weight 0.62 oz 0.18 oz 0.19 oz 0.24 oz 0.18 oz
Quick Charging N/A 5 mins = 1 hr 5 mins = 1 hr 5 mins = 1 hr 15 mins = 2 hrs
Charges Per Case N/A 3 3 2 3
Wired Charging Port 3.5mm jack USB-C USB-C USB-C USB-C
Wireless Charging Option No Yes Yes Yes No
Claimed Battery Life N/A 14 hrs 8 hrs 8 hrs 5 hrs
Charging Carrying Case N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes
Transparency Mode No No Yes Yes No
Multipoint No Yes No No No
In-ear Detection No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Multiple Ear Tips Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Rider earbuds are a simple, wired option focused solely on delivering excellent audio quality. Despite their old-school appearance and feel, they provide one of our favorite neutral soundscapes, letting your favorite songs shine just as the artists intended.

Performance Comparison


We set up the wired Rider buds just like every other set in this selection. Connecting to the Bruel and Kjaer 5128-B head simulator so that it can record the data we need, we then utilized specialized software to produce graphs that give you the analytical data you didn't know you wanted.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Sound Quality


Okay, we're impressed. These unassuming, old-school, wired earbuds sound amazing. The equalization (EQ) mix is nearly perfect, balancing all frequencies to create a neutral profile that lets music shine, regardless of genre. This balance ensures that tracks don't sound overly sculpted or forced into a specific sonic profile. Tracks like the trap-influenced “Bankroll” by Nic D & Connor Price or straight hip-hop like “In This House” (featuring Gucci Mane) by Lil Wayne sound natural and authentic.


The only issue we foresee with the Rider earbuds' sound quality is for listeners who prefer exaggerated basslines. The lower frequencies are powerful but balanced and natural, maintaining quality across all levels without overwhelming other frequencies. Unfortunately, there's no EQ adjustment to boost the bass for a bass-heavy workout or dance session.

Expert Panel Sound Quality Ratings
ProductBassMid-RangeTreble
Best8.79.08.7
UliX Rider - 3.5mm8.88.08.0
Average6.77.16.8
Worst2.03.53.0

The bass is punchy and warm, making it suitable for a wide range of genres, from classical and jazz to metal, EDM, and rap. We have a blast dancing around to hip-hop bops like “Big Booty” by Gucci Mane (featuring Megan Thee Stallion), “Violet” by Connor Price and Killa, and “Spinnin” by Connor Price and Bens.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - here's the deceivingly simplistic design. pretty wild that these...
Here's the deceivingly simplistic design. Pretty wild that these buds hold that high sound quality even when we start to crank them up.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The mid-frequencies are full and clear, with natural sound reproduction for the most part. High-mids can sound elevated in the mix at times and occasionally distorted at higher volumes. The low-mids are amazing though, with a super warm and power sound signature. Centered songs like “Billie Bossa Nova” by Billie Eilish sound fantastic.

The treble range is crisp and strong yet balanced in the mix. At high volumes, it can become brassy, but at normal levels, it remains nuanced and full. Abby Webster's high twang sounds superb in “Tall Boy” and the bright high notes pop in “Sunny” (featuring Connor Price) by Boney M.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - our bruel and kjaer 5128-b head simulator, also known as darwin...
Our Bruel and Kjaer 5128-B Head Simulator, also known as Darwin, joined the expert panel to provide the ultimate objective ear.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Wired earbuds usually offer more power than their Bluetooth counterparts, and these are no exception. While the maximum volume is impractically high and clarity diminishes at the top levels, the sound quality carries when they're loud, but not when they're cranked all the way to the top volume.

The soundstage of the UliX Rider is so immersive that it'll have you dancing at the office.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Soundstage


It's hard to imagine small, in-ear speakers replicating a live music experience, where the instruments surround you, creating an immersive experience. But, with technological improvements, earbuds are getting better at taking the music out from between your ears and making it seem like it's coming from the world beyond. The term used to describe where the music seems to originate in space is known as the soundstage.

Soundstage Ratings
ProductSoundstage Rating
Best10.0
UliX Rider - 3.5mm9.0
Average7.4
Worst4.0

The brilliant sound profile of these earbuds creates depth and range with clearly identifiable bass, mid, and treble layers in the profile. The result is an expansive soundscape that even the choosiest audiophiles are likely to enjoy. Their excellent clarity evokes a wide open space rather than sounding dense and packed in, like it's all in your head. This broad, expansive soundstage makes these earbuds a lot of fun to listen to.


The Rider earbuds' frequency response curve above shows the relative sound levels of the bass, mid, and treble ranges. It's joined by the GearLab House Curve, which is the ideal frequency response curve for earbuds, in our opinion.

The results are somewhat surprising. While the bass isn't the most powerful in the test, it shows it cranked up in the chart, suggesting it might overpower other segments of the soundscape. However, we couldn't be more elated by the depth and range these buds provide. The mid and treble frequencies are even more differentiated, rising and dipping at different rates and frequencies, but we can reassure you that both sound pleasing to our ears. This result illustrates the importance of testing the earbuds both in the lab and in real-world scenarios.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - we play darwin pure tones across all frequencies in the audible...
We play Darwin pure tones across all frequencies in the audible spectrum. The machine then records, and SoundCheck audio software charts decibel levels of each frequency.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

User Experience


It doesn't get much easier than this. To use these earbuds, simply plug them into your device, slide them into your ears, and go. There's no app to worry about and no batteries to charge. In a world of increasingly complex tech, this straightforward approach is refreshing.

User Experience Ratings
ProductComfortStabilityCustomization
Best10.010.07.5
Average7.375.2
UliX Rider - 3.5mm8.08.00.0
Worst5.04.00.0

Comfort


Of all the wired earbuds we've tested, these are the easiest to place in your ear. With no wings or over-the-ear attachments, you can have them in place in seconds. They come with three silicone covers to help you find the right fit, and all our testers found an acceptable setup. Once in place, they're quite comfortable, fading into the background nicely. We can easily wear them for over an hour at a time.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - with three well-designed silicone tip sizes to choose from, it was...
With three well-designed silicone tip sizes to choose from, it was easy to find a good fit.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What we can't ignore are the two chords dangling from your face. Since we wear wireless earbuds more often these days, we noticed how easy it is to twist them up in your clothes. These cords are unique, feeling more like strings than traditional wires and tangling a bit more easily.

The most straightforward wired earbuds in the test, these are comfortable and easy to place.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Stability


Despite their simple design, these earbuds stay put. As long as we mind the wires, they stay put when we're on the go. Still, we don't love to wear them on active days filled with bike riding, rock climbing, or running — wireless buds have ruined us. We couldn't find any information on their water resistance, so it's best to avoid sweat and rain splashes.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - these earbuds stay put, but the dangling wires leave plenty...
These earbuds stay put, but the dangling wires leave plenty opportunities to accidentally pull them out of place.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Customization


Wireless, Bluetooth-enabled earbuds usually require an app to operate, offering greater control over your listening experience, including the ability to manually equalize (EQ) the mix. These earbuds don't give you that kind of control.

That said, the mix is so masterful that we wouldn't touch the controls even if we had them. These earbuds are compatible with Apple and Android devices, and adapters allow you to access your phone, even if without an audio jack. The microphone hanging on the left wire doubles as a remote control, enabling you to answer calls and pause or play music.

If your device has a headphone jack, using these earbuds is as easy...
If your device has a headphone jack, using these earbuds is as easy as plugging them in.
Have no fear, if your new-fangled phone doesn't have an audio jack...
Have no fear, if your new-fangled phone doesn't have an audio jack, there's an adapter for that.

Noise Cancellation


These earbuds have a singular focus — play music. They don't offer much else, including active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out low, droning sounds like engines or heating systems. While they do physically block some noise, they are not the top performers in this category.


The main advantage of ANC is its ability to block distractions, allowing you to immerse yourself in music, focus in a noisy office, or relax on a plane. These earbuds just don't offer that service. If you need it, you should look elsewhere.

These earbuds don't block as much ambient noise as we'd like.
Credit: GearLab Staff

Their passive noise isolation is also subpar, as demonstrated in the video above. They help to subdue the clacks of the plates, but it doesn't provide much else in the way of a barrier to the chaotic cafe.


Aside from testing these earbuds in noisy environments ourselves, we also used the high tech SoundCheck sound-measuring software to objectively judge how much noise they block. As you can see above, the data mimics what we hear during our daily lives with these buds. The results shown in the chart above are not impressive. The Riders only block 15 decibels or less of frequencies well above 1,000 Herz. Few other options performed this poorly.

Battery Life


Yes, wires can be annoying, but so is constantly charging your devices. The best thing about wired earbuds is their lack of batteries. As long as they're plugged into your phone or computer, they're always ready to use, earning them top scores in this category.


You also don't have to worry about depleting the battery with high volume levels, which is a significant concern with wireless earbuds.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - the rider earbuds don't have a battery and don't need to be charged...
The Rider earbuds don't have a battery and don't need to be charged. Just plug them in and you've got music.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Call Quality


Wired earbuds have been around for a while, leading to effective designs. This seems to be the case with the Ulix Rider earbud's ability to isolate your voice from surrounding sounds. These earbuds excel at transmitting clear phone calls, regardless of your environment.

Call Quality Ratings
ProductSubwayOfficeBaseline
Best9.09.09.5
UliX Rider - 3.5mm8.09.09.0
Average6.77.98.2
Worst2.05.07.0

To further test this metric, we played sound copies of a male and female voice through a speaker. We played them in a quiet room, with light office noise, and with a loud Subway in the background. They performed well in every circumstance.

These are one of the few earbuds that excel in our Subway phone call test.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

These handled the Subway situation gracefully, cancelling just enough ambient noise to be understood. The video clip above may not sound impressive, but trust us, it's far better than most.

These earbuds isolate your voice marvelously from background offices sounds. You can barely hear the hum in the background, that is not the case with every set of earbuds in the test.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

With light office noise, a bit of background buzz is audible, but the voices remain clear and understandable in the video above.

These earbuds transmit voices clearly on a phone call in a quiet room.

Both the male and female voices are clear and easy to hear through the microphone in a quiet room, as demonstrated in the audio above.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - the microphone on the left wire works well to isolate your voice...
The microphone on the left wire works well to isolate your voice from background noise, making phonecalls a pleasant affair.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Ulix Rider?


If you want near top-of-the-line sound quality at one of the lowest price points we've seen, we think you'll love these earbuds. Their main downsides are the wires, lack of active noise cancellation, and minimal ambient sound blocking. All told, if you don't mind the wires, the incredibly low-cost barrier makes the Rider earbuds a great entry point into the mobile audio world. They also make excellent backups for when your wireless options run out of battery.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - there is a microphone and remote control on one wire, allowing you...
There is a microphone and remote control on one wire, allowing you to answer and end calls and to start or stop music.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other Earbuds Should You Consider?


The Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X earbuds don't match the Ulix Rider in sound quality, but they offer better noise isolation and slightly superior call quality for phone calls at a similar price. For those seeking wired earbuds to use as in-ear stage monitors, the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro earbuds are our top pick due to their lightweight, breathable fit. If you prefer a wireless experience, the Beats Studio Buds + earbuds offer a good value, though they are a step down in sound quality and a significant step up in price. For truly booming bass and enhanced sound, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is an excellent choice, albeit at a higher cost.

ulix rider - 3.5mm - darwin and our panel of human audio experts agree, these earbuds...
Darwin and our panel of human audio experts agree, these earbuds sound great!
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Graham Faulknor, Genevave Bradshaw, and Clark Tate