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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering the Apple Earpods and Moondrop Chu, the Earpods have an open enclosure design which can offer a more natural sound experience but provide less noise isolation, making them better for environments where you want to remain aware of your surroundings. The Moondrop Chu, with its closed design, offers better noise isolation which can be preferable in noisy environments. Additionally, Moondrop Chu generally offers superior overall sound quality and build quality, but their larger size could affect comfort and portability compared to the smaller Earpods. The Earpods, on the other hand, score higher for calls and meetings and their microphone quality is slightly lower than the Chu's. Neither of the models have wireless capability, they both have a detachable cable and dynamic driver type, but they differ in size, weight, and specific form factor. If microphone quality for calls is paramount and you prioritize portability and staying aware of your surroundings, the Apple Earpods could be more suitable. However, if you're after better sound quality and noise isolation for an immersive listening experience, the Moondrop Chu might be the better choice, despite being slightly more expensive. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Earpods
- The Apple Earpods has no clear advantages over the Moondrop Chu.
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
- The Moondrop Chu has no clear advantages over the Apple Earpods.
Key differences
Phone Calls
8.0
8.8
The Moondrop Chu and Apple Earpods are both very good for phone calls, though the Moondrop Chu is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Moondrop Chu is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The Moondrop Chu has very good build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.9
The Moondrop Chu and Apple Earpods are both good for music.
Gaming
8.3
8.0
The Apple Earpods and Moondrop Chu are both very good for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
7.6
The Moondrop Chu and Apple Earpods are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.4
7.5
The Moondrop Chu and Apple Earpods are both good for TV and video.
Cost
$20
$18
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Moondrop Chu costs $18.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $18 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | In-Line | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
Moondrop Chu
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
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About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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