Let’s rewind the clock a bit. It’s July 2023. I pick up a pair of Oraimo FreePods Lite for about KES 1,900 (or roughly $14). Fast forward two years and some change, and here we are—2025—and these budget buds are still hanging in there.
I’ve been using these buds for two years. Not daily (I’ve got a few others in rotation), but often enough to give you the full scoop on how they’ve aged, what still works, what doesn’t, and whether they’re still worth your money in this new era of AI, flying taxis, and phones that fold like chapati.
Where to Get Them and How Much They Cost
You can still get these earbuds on the Oraimo Kenya website or the Oraimo Store app. Last I checked, they were still going for around KES 1,900, which is a steal.
They come in three colors:
- Phantom Black (the one I have).
- Nebula Blue.
- And that icy-looking blue.
Pick the one that vibes with your aesthetic. Personally, I stick with black—classic, lowkey, and doesn’t scream “I bought budget earbuds.”
Use my discount code ABUGA at checkout and you’ll get 5% off. That’s not just marketing fluff—that’s real money you can put towards your next lunch.
Let’s Talk Sound Quality
These won’t blow audiophiles’ socks off, but if you’re just trying to listen to music, binge YouTube, or vibe with a podcast, they absolutely hold their own.
- Bass is solid. Not brain-rattling like some premium sets, but good enough for Afrobeats and hip hop.
- Treble and vocals are clear.
- No weird distortion, even at high volumes.
And if you’re feeling fancy, you can download the Oraimo Sound app to tweak the EQ settings, remap touch controls, and do other techy things. But me? I never use it. I just plug and play. Ain’t nobody got time for setting up virtual sliders unless you’re DJ Khaled.
Battery Life (Still Strong After 2 Years)
Now, here’s the part that shocked me: the battery is still going strong.
On a full charge, I get around 6 hours of playback, sometimes more if I’m not cranking the volume to 100%. That’s per charge. The case gives you around 5 full recharges, so you’re looking at 30+ hours total.
Sure, I’ve noticed slightly reduced battery life compared to 2023, but it’s so minor I only pick up on it when I’m using them nonstop for hours. If you’re a casual listener, you probably won’t notice a thing.
And charging? About 1.5 to 2 hours max.
Comfort and Fit (For Big and Small Ears Alike)
Comfort-wise, these FreePods are light—just 4 grams per earbud, and less than 50 grams total with the case. You can wear them for a few hours before they start bugging your ears. And that’s true for pretty much all earbuds—wear anything too long, and your ears will file a complaint.
They come with three ear tip sizes (small, medium, and large). I use the medium and they’ve never slipped out, even while jogging or aggressively nodding to Burna Boy.
Basically:
- They don’t fall out
- They don’t stab your ears
- And you can dance with them on (I’ve tested this repeatedly)
Touch Controls: Pretty Intuitive
The default controls are super simple:
- Double tap either side to play/pause.
- Long-press right to skip forward.
- Long-press left to go back.
- Double tap during calls to answer or hang up.
If you want to change those, the Oraimo Sound app lets you customize. But again… I’ve never needed to. They work great out of the box.
Call Quality (Works, But Don’t Expect Miracles)
These come with something called Environmental Noise Cancellation—a fancy term that means it tries to cut background noise when you’re on a call.
In real life? It’s okay.
Not crystal clear, but people can hear me even in noisy places like matatus or while walking along the highway with cars passing by.
But let’s be honest, even Apple’s AirPods struggle with call quality sometimes. For the price, this is more than acceptable.
Any Downsides?
Yep—nothing is perfect, especially not budget earbuds. Here are a few quirks you should know about:
1. They Look a Bit Chunky
They stick out of your ears a little. If you’re trying to look sleek or low-profile, you might feel a bit self-conscious. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
2. No Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Don’t expect to drown out your screaming neighbor’s kids or the guy on the bus playing loud gospel on speakerphone. This ain’t the Sony XM5s. You get passive noise isolation and that’s it.
3. Latency for Gamers
There’s a tiny delay when watching videos or playing games. They do have a Game Mode (activated by triple-tapping), but it only helps a bit. If you’re a competitive gamer, you’ll want something faster. But if you’re just watching
TikTok or catching up on Netflix, you’ll barely notice.
Why They Still Slap in 2025
Here’s the bottom line:
- They’re cheap.
- They still sound good.
- They haven’t fallen apart after two years.
- And they just work.
That’s more than I can say for half the gadgets I’ve reviewed.
Are there better earbuds out there? Sure. Are there better ones at this price point that have stood the test of time like these? Doubt it.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Oraimo Freepods Lite?
Yes. If you’re looking for budget-friendly earbuds that are reliable, sound decent, and won’t quit on you after a few months, the Oraimo FreePods Lite are still worth it in 2025.
Remember to use my discount code ABUGA at checkout for 5% off—because who doesn’t like saving money?
And hey, if you’re more of a visual learner, watch my full video review. I cover all this (and more) with actual footage of the FreePods Lite in action.
Do you have questions? Go to the YouTube video and leave a comment. I’m always happy to help you pick your next gadget without the BS.
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Oraimo FreePods Lite
If you're looking to get earbuds that just work without all the bells and whistles at a good price. I highly recommend the FreePods Lite.
The Good
- Affordable
- Decent sound quality
- Durable
- Userfriendly
- 3 color options
The Bad
- A bit chunky
- No ANC
- Noticeable gaming latency
