Oraimo has been stirring up the budget earbuds scene, and their new SpaceBuds Z are here to shake things up again. Promising premium features without the premium price tag, these earbuds seem too good to be true. So, I tested them—sound quality, comfort, battery life, and all the little quirks in between.
If you’re eyeing these, they’ll set you back KES 3,500 ($27)—which is ridiculously cheap for ANC earbuds. But are they worth it, or are we looking at another case of “you get what you pay for”? Let’s break it down.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Right out of the box, you get:
- The Oraimo SpaceBuds Z inside their shiny charging case
- A USB-C charging cable (because we’re finally done with micro-USB, thank goodness)
- Three pairs of ear tips (small, medium, large—choose your fighter)
- A user manual (which, let’s be honest, you’ll probably never read)
First thought? The charging case looks sleek, thanks to its transparent lid. But here’s the problem, this thing picks up scratches faster than a cheap phone screen without a protector.
I’ve dropped mine a couple of times, and while the buds survived, the case looks like it went through a minor war. Maybe Oraimo should consider selling protective covers?
Design & Comfort: Feels Good, Scratches Easily
The SpaceBuds Z are compact, lightweight, and surprisingly comfy. I’ve used them during workouts, casual listening, and even while pretending to work, and they stayed snug in my ears. If the default ear tips don’t fit, Oraimo gives you backups, so no excuses.
Compared to the original Oraimo SpaceBuds which I reviewed here, these are slightly more compact. Plus, they come in multiple colors—because black isn’t the only option in life.
The Oraimo SpaceBuds Z come with an IPX4 rating, meaning they’re splash-proof and can handle sweat or light rain. However, they’re not fully waterproof, so avoid submerging them in water.
Sound Quality: Punchy Bass, Okay Calls
Let’s talk about the important part, do they sound good?
For music? The SpaceBuds Z deliver deep bass, crisp mids, and decent highs. Right out of the box, they sound good, but if you want to tweak the audio (because you’re an audiophile or just picky), the Oraimo Sound App lets you adjust the equalizer.
For calls? Not so much. The microphone makes you sound like you’re speaking from another dimension. If your life involves a lot of phone calls, you might want to look elsewhere.
ANC & Transparency Mode: Surprisingly Good for the Price
For KES 3,500, I wasn’t expecting much from the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), but guess what? It works. It won’t match AirPods Pro or Sony’s fancy noise-canceling tech, but it blocks out a decent amount of background noise.
Need to hear what’s happening around you? Transparency Mode amplifies outside sounds so you don’t get run over while crossing the street. Safety first.
Battery Life: All-Day Power, No Complaints
Oraimo didn’t cheap out on battery life. I pushed these to the limit testing them at 100% volume, and here’s what I got:
- 7 hours 44 minutes on one earbud.
- 7 hours 15 minutes on the other (because earbuds are dramatic and never die at the same time).
- 30 hours total with the charging case.
Please note that I tested the earbuds at full volume which means the SpaceBuds Z can last well over 8 hours without returning them to the case at moderate to high volumes. I won’t be surprised if you cross the 9-hour mark.
Charging is quick and painless. The case takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to juice up, and the buds charge super fast inside. Just avoid fast chargers—stick to the included cable unless you want to gamble with their lifespan.
Customization & Extra Features
The Oraimo Sound App is where things get interesting. Here’s what you can tweak:
- Equalizer Settings: Adjust sound to your liking.
- Game Mode: Reduces audio delay for gaming (because lag ruins everything).
- Dual Device Connection: Connect to two devices at once (laptop + phone = smooth workflow).
- Spatial Audio Mode: Tries to simulate 3D sound (don’t expect Apple’s Spatial Audio, though).
- Touch Controls: Customize tap functions (play/pause, volume, etc.).
Health & Maintenance: Because Oraimo Cares About You
Oraimo threw in some health reminders in the app—because we all need someone to tell us we’re listening to music too loud.
- Warns you if your volume is too high for too long.
- Reminds you to take a break after 4 hours of continuous use.
- Suggests cleaning your earbuds every 30 days (which, let’s be honest, no one does).
The Downsides: Not Perfect, But Still Worth It
For KES 3,500, the SpaceBuds Z are great, but let’s be real—they aren’t perfect. Here’s what might annoy you:
- Call Quality is Meh – The mic isn’t the best. If calls matter a lot, these aren’t for you.
- Charging Case Scratches Easily – Looks great at first, then turns into a fingerprint magnet.
- Spatial Audio Feels Gimmicky – It works… kind of. But don’t expect an IMAX-level experience.
Final Verdict: Worth Buying?
If you’re after budget-friendly earbuds with great sound and ANC, the Oraimo SpaceBuds Z are a no-brainer. You’re getting customizable sound, long battery life, and ANC—features normally found in pricier models.
However…
- If you need top-tier call quality, look elsewhere.
- If you hate scratches, be ready for some case battle scars.
For KES 3,500 ($27), they’re one of the best budget ANC earbuds out there.
Where to Buy & Get Discounts
If you’re ready to grab a pair, here’s how to get a discount:
- Kenya & Nigeria – Use my link to get a 5% discount.
- Discount Code – Enter ABUGA at checkout for 5% off.
- Extra 10% Off – Download the Oraimo Store App for a first-time bonus.
Oraimo SpaceBuds Z
The Oraimo SpaceBuds Z are one of the best sounding ANC earbuds you can get without breaking the bank. They also offer a bunch of nifty extra features.
The Good
- Affordable
- Sleek design
- Deep bass and quality sound
- Useful app features
- Great battery life
- 4 color options
The Bad
- Dodgy call quality
- Case is prone to scratches
- Poor spatial audio
