Noise Buds VS104 Max Review

The Quick Verdict

Noise has quietly become one of India's most reliable budget audio brands, and the VS104 Max shows why. The 13mm drivers deliver balanced sound — not bass-heavy, not tinny, just pleasant. The quad-mic ENC setup genuinely improves call clarity, especially in moderately noisy environments like cafes or buses.

Who Should Buy?

Design and Build Quality

The Noise Buds VS104 Max follows the brand's now-familiar design language — a compact pebble-style charging case with a matte finish that resists fingerprints reasonably well. The case is pocketable, lightweight, and easy to operate with one hand, which matters more than people realise when you are fumbling for your earbuds at a traffic signal or in a crowded metro compartment.

The earbuds themselves sit comfortably in the ear thanks to an in-ear silicone tip design. Noise includes multiple ear tip sizes in the box, which is a thoughtful touch at this price point. A secure fit is essential not just for comfort but also for passive noise isolation, which works in tandem with the electronic noise cancellation to block out ambient sound. The build is plasticky, as expected, but there are no creaks or loose panels that suggest premature wear. The stem-style design also places the microphones closer to your mouth, which is a functional decision rather than a purely aesthetic one.

Touch controls are embedded on the outer face of each earbud. They respond reliably to taps and long-presses, though as with most budget touch-controlled earbuds, there is a slight learning curve to avoid accidental triggers when adjusting the fit. The controls cover the essentials — play/pause, track navigation, call management, and toggling the ENC mode.

Sound Performance

The standout feature of the VS104 Max is its 13mm dynamic driver. In a market saturated with budget earbuds that artificially boost bass to mask technical deficiencies, Noise has taken a more mature approach. The sound signature is balanced, with a fairly natural presentation across the frequency range. Bass is present and punchy when the track demands it, but it does not overwhelm the midrange or bleed into vocal territory.

The midrange is where these earbuds shine. Vocals — whether in Bollywood melodies, indie acoustic numbers, or podcast dialogue — come through with clarity and adequate warmth. The treble is reasonably crisp without being fatiguing, though at higher volume levels you may notice a slight harshness on poorly recorded tracks. Audiophiles will not be impressed, but the target audience — casual listeners and daily commuters — will find the sound profile more than satisfactory.

The soundstage is narrow, as is typical for true wireless earbuds in this segment. Instrument separation is adequate for casual listening but falls apart on busily produced tracks. For the price, however, the overall tonal balance is commendable. If you prefer a V-shaped sound signature with thundering bass, you may want to explore alternatives or use a third-party equaliser app to tweak the output to your liking.

Call Quality and ENC

This is where the quad-mic setup earns its keep. The Noise Buds VS104 Max uses four microphones — two on each earbud — combined with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) algorithms to isolate your voice during calls. In practice, this works quite well in moderately noisy environments. Phone conversations from a cafe, an office corridor, or an auto-rickshaw are noticeably clearer than what you get from most standard budget earbuds without ENC.

That said, ENC is not a magic wand. In extremely noisy settings — such as a busy market or a construction zone — the algorithm struggles to fully separate your voice from the din. Wind noise, in particular, can still cause issues. But for the typical use cases most Indian buyers will encounter — work-from-home video calls, Zoom meetings, casual phone chats while commuting — the call quality is above average for the segment.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is a strong selling point for the VS104 Max. The earbuds deliver a solid stretch of playback on a single charge, and the charging case provides multiple full recharges, giving you a combined playback time that should easily last a week of moderate use without needing a wall outlet. This is the kind of practical endurance that matters to students, professionals, and anyone who does not want to babysit their earbuds' battery levels daily.

Charging is handled via a USB Type-C port, which is now the standard and makes it easy to share a cable with your phone or laptop. There is no wireless charging, which is hardly a surprise at this price. A quick-charge feature gives you a short burst of playback from just a few minutes of charging — useful when you realise your earbuds are dead just as you are about to leave for work.

Connectivity and Features

The VS104 Max pairs over Bluetooth and maintains a stable connection within the standard range. Initial pairing is straightforward, and once paired, the earbuds reconnect quickly when you open the case. There is no dedicated app support for advanced features like custom equaliser settings or firmware updates, which is a limitation worth noting if you like fine-tuning your audio experience.

Gaming latency is average. For casual gaming and single-player mobile titles, the delay is not particularly noticeable. However, competitive gamers who rely on split-second audio cues — think BGMI or Call of Duty Mobile — may find the latency insufficient for serious play. This is not a gaming earbud, and Noise does not market it as one.

How to Choose Budget Earbuds in India

When shopping for budget truly wireless earbuds in India, it helps to prioritise your needs. If call clarity is your top concern, look for models with quad-mic ENC. If battery life matters more, check the combined playback figures and whether the case uses Type-C charging. For sound quality, trust your ears over spec sheets — a 13mm driver is a good indicator, but tuning is what truly matters.

Also consider after-sales support. Noise has built a reasonable service network across India, which gives buyers some peace of mind compared to importing obscure brands with no local warranty presence. A one-year warranty is standard, and Noise generally honours replacement claims for manufacturing defects.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Balanced sound signature that suits most genres
• Quad-mic ENC improves call clarity in moderate noise
• Excellent battery life with Type-C charging
• Comfortable fit with multiple ear tip options
• Reliable touch controls and quick Bluetooth pairing

Cons:

• No dedicated app support or custom EQ
• Build quality is plasticky and feels budget
• Not suited for competitive gaming due to latency
• ENC struggles in very noisy or windy conditions
• No wireless charging support

Buying Tips

Before purchasing, check for seasonal sales on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon India and Flipkart, where Noise products frequently receive significant discounts. Combo offers with Noise smartwatches or accessories are also common during festive sales, which can provide additional value if you are building a budget gadget ecosystem.

Check the seal of the ear tips carefully once you receive the product. A poor seal dramatically affects both sound quality and noise isolation. Try all included tip sizes before settling on one. If you plan to use the earbuds primarily for calls, test them in your typical calling environment rather than a quiet room.

Alternatives to Consider

The sub-₹2,000 true wireless segment in India is crowded. If the VS104 Max does not quite fit your needs, consider alternatives from brands like boAt, Boult, and pTron. Some competitors offer higher bass output, while others bundle app support with custom equalisers. However, finding a combination of balanced sound, quad-mic ENC, and long battery life at this price is not easy, which is where the VS104 Max holds its ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Noise Buds VS104 Max support active noise cancellation?

No. The VS104 Max features Environmental Noise Cancellation for calls, which is different from ANC. ANC reduces background noise for your ears while listening, whereas ENC primarily filters noise for the person on the other end of a call.

Can I use a single earbud independently?

Yes, you can use either earbud on its own for calls or music, which is useful for extending battery life or maintaining situational awareness while commuting.

Is there a warranty?

Noise typically offers a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Check the warranty terms and service centre availability for your location before purchase.

Bottom Line

The sensible choice, not the exciting one. Buy if you want balanced sound, good calls, and maximum battery life. Skip if you're a bass head or competitive mobile gamer. Rating: 3.75/5

Rating: 3.75/5