Baseus AQY-S2 Gaming Earbuds Review: Low-Latency TWS

On JD.com, the Baseus AQY-S2 has accumulated over 5,000 reviews with a 96% positive rating. Users consistently praise the low-latency gaming performance and comfortable fit, though average microphone quality is a recurring complaint. The earbuds also enjoy strong word-of-mouth on Xiaohongshu, where students and budget gamers alike are calling it the go-to pick for dorm-room gaming without breaking the bank.

Specifications

Spec	Baseus AQY-S2	Soundcore VR P10	Edifier GX	Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed
Driver Size	13mm	11mm	10mm	13mm
Latency (Gaming Mode)	~40ms	~30ms	~45ms	~25ms
Connectivity	BT 5.3	2.4GHz + BT	BT 5.2	2.4GHz + BT
Battery (Earbuds)	5h (8h w/o ANC)	6h	6h	5h
Battery (Case)	30h total	24h total	28h total	20h total
Water Resistance	IPX5	IPX4	IPX5	IPX4
Touch Controls	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Charging	USB-C + Wireless	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Price	¥129 (~$17.92)	¥499 (~$69.31)	¥249 (~$34.58)	¥899 (~$124.86)

Design and Build Quality

The AQY-S2 features a sleek, compact design with a matte finish charging case. The earbuds themselves have a stem-style design reminiscent of AirPods Pro, with a subtle gaming aesthetic through LED indicators rather than aggressive RGB. The case is pocket-friendly and supports both USB-C and wireless charging.

Build quality is good for the price point. The earbuds are lightweight at approximately 4.5g each, making them comfortable for extended wear. The IPX5 water resistance rating means they can handle sweat and light rain — sufficient for gaming sessions and light exercise.

The included ear tips are silicone in three sizes. The fit is secure enough for general use and moderate movement, though they may loosen during intense gaming sessions with head movement. Touch controls on each earbud handle playback, calls, and mode switching.

Performance

The AQY-S2’s gaming low-latency mode reduces latency to approximately 40ms, which is a significant improvement over standard Bluetooth (~200ms+). In practice, audio syncs well with gameplay in mobile FPS titles. While not as low as dedicated 2.4GHz solutions like the Soundcore VR P10 (~30ms) or Razer Hammerhead (~25ms), the latency is acceptable for all but the most competitive mobile gamers.

Sound quality is typical for budget TWS earbuds. The 13mm dynamic drivers produce a bass-heavy sound signature that works well for explosive game sounds and music genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, midrange clarity is compromised — footsteps and dialogue can sound recessed. The soundstage is narrow, making precise audio positioning challenging.

Microphone quality is adequate for calls and in-game chat but muffled in noisy environments. The battery life is decent at 5 hours per charge with the charging case providing 30 hours total. The low-latency mode reduces battery life to approximately 4 hours.

What Chinese Users Say

🎮 Gaming Performance

JD.com reviewers are nearly unanimous on one thing: the low-latency mode actually delivers. A verified buyer who plays Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile shares:

“Gaming on Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile is excellent — audio syncs perfectly with the screen, and I can barely perceive any delay. The fit is secure too; they stay in place even during intense gameplay. Battery lasts several days on a single charge. Absolute steal at this price.” — JD verified purchase

Another verified gamer connected theirs to a Nintendo Switch:

“After turning on latency mode, I genuinely can’t feel any delay — Zelda and Mario Kart run perfectly smoothly. Sound quality is average, no surprises at this price, but it’s plenty for gaming. The downside: microphone pickup is mediocre — teammates say I sound muffled during voice chat.” — JD verified purchase

A returning Baseus customer who primarily plays FPS titles adds:

“This is my second pair of Baseus earbuds — my last pair lasted six months before I lost them. The gaming mode is seriously impressive for FPS — positional audio is spot-on, and directional footstep cues are crystal clear. Battery is even better than my old pair. The charging case feels a bit plasticky, but at this price I’m not complaining.” — JD verified purchase

Over on Xiaohongshu, the dormitory gaming crowd weighs in. User 游戏耳机控 writes:

“Over-ear gaming headsets feel overkill in a dorm — these in-ears are just right. After turning on low-latency mode, PUBG footstep audio is super clear, and squad gaming with roommates works great. Battery is solid — about 5 hours of gaming, and the case handles several top-ups easily.” — 小红书用户@游戏耳机控

Another Xiaohongshu poster, 数码玩家, notes the difficulty of finding low-latency true wireless at this price:

“It’s genuinely rare to find true wireless earbuds with this low latency at this price point. I mainly play Peacekeeper Elite — after enabling low-latency mode, there’s basically no perceivable delay, and directional audio does the job. They don’t fall out even when I’m lying sideways gaming on my phone.” — 小红书用户@数码玩家

🔋 Battery & Build

JD reviewers consistently rate the battery life as a strong point. The 5-hour per-charge figure holds up in real-world use, and the 30-hour case total means most users charge only once or twice a week. The USB-C port is widely appreciated, and several reviewers noted wireless charging as a nice bonus at this price.

On build quality, feedback is mixed but pragmatic: “The case feels plasticky” is a recurring mention, almost always followed by “but at ¥129, it’s fine.” The earbuds themselves get more consistent praise for lightweight comfort, with several users noting they can wear them for 2-3 hour sessions without discomfort.

💰 Value

Value is where the AQY-S2 truly shines in Chinese user reviews. Across both JD.com and Xiaohongshu, the verdict is remarkably consistent: at ¥129, the earbuds are punching well above their weight class. Users frequently compare them to models costing 2-5x more and conclude the gap in real-world gaming performance is surprisingly small.

The single most common sticker price reaction: “还要啥自行车” (literal translation: “why would you want a bike too?” — a popular Chinese idiom meaning “what more could you ask for at this price?”).

Pros & Cons

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Genuinely usable low-latency gaming mode (~40ms)	Soundstage narrow for positional audio
Excellent value at ¥129 — real-world savings vs ¥250-900 competitors	Mic quality is average; teammates report muffled voice chat
Secure fit even during intense gameplay	Charging case feels plasticky
IPX5 water resistance	Sound quality lacks midrange clarity
30-hour total battery life (verified by users)	Touch controls can be accidentally activated
USB-C + Wireless charging	No companion app customization
Lightweight and comfortable for extended sessions	Gaming mode reduces battery life to ~4h
Strong vocal presence on JD (5,000+ reviews, 96% positive)	No active noise cancellation

vs Competitors

The Baseus AQY-S2 sits at the budget end of the low-latency TWS gaming earbud market. Here’s how it stacks up against the competition:

• vs Soundcore VR P10 (¥499): The VR P10 justifies its 4x price premium with a dedicated 2.4GHz USB-C dongle for ~30ms latency and a more refined audio experience. However, JD user reviews suggest the AQY-S2 delivers 80% of the gaming experience for 25% of the price. The AQY-S2 actually wins on total battery life (30h vs 24h) and adds wireless charging.

• vs Edifier GX (¥249): At roughly double the price, the Edifier GX offers better sound quality and a more premium build. The latency is comparable (~45ms vs ~40ms). If ¥249 fits your budget, the GX is a worthwhile upgrade. At ¥129, the AQY-S2 is the smarter choice for budget-first buyers.

• vs Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed (¥899): The Hammerhead’s 2.4GHz connection provides genuinely imperceptible latency (~25ms) and better microphone performance. It also offers ANC. But at nearly 7x the price, it targets a completely different buyer. The AQY-S2 doesn’t compete here; it offers a different value proposition entirely.

FAQ

Q: What latency can I expect from the Baseus AQY-S2? A: In gaming low-latency mode, approximately 40ms. Standard Bluetooth mode is around 200ms+. The gaming mode is activated by tapping the left earbud four times. Chinese users confirm this works well across mobile FPS titles and Nintendo Switch.

Q: Do the AQY-S2 earbuds work with PC and Nintendo Switch? A: Yes. They connect via Bluetooth 5.3 and work with any Bluetooth-compatible device including PC, Nintendo Switch, and Android/iOS phones. JD reviewers have specifically confirmed positive experiences with Switch gaming (Zelda, Mario Kart).

Q: How does the battery life compare to the Soundcore VR P10? A: The AQY-S2 offers similar per-charge life (5h vs 6h) but a longer total battery life via case (30h vs 24h). However, the VR P10’s 2.4GHz dongle provides lower latency and more stable connection.

Q: Are the earbuds good for music listening? A: Acceptable but not great. The bass-heavy tuning works for action games and pop music, but classical, acoustic, and vocal-forward tracks lack detail and clarity. JD reviews describe the sound profile as adequate for gaming but not critical listening.

Q: Do the AQY-S2 earbuds have active noise cancellation? A: No. They have passive noise isolation from the silicone ear tips but no active noise cancellation (ANC). The IPX5 rating means they handle sweat well.

Q: How bad is the microphone, really? A: This is the most consistent complaint across both JD.com and Xiaohongshu. The microphone is usable for calls and in-game chat in quiet environments, but teammates will notice your voice sounds muffled. In noisy settings, speech clarity drops significantly. It’s the AQY-S2’s weakest point.

Rating

Score: 4.0/5

Category	Score	Notes
Latency	4.0/5	Good for Bluetooth, not 2.4GHz class
Sound Quality	3.5/5	Bass-heavy, lacks midrange detail
Build Quality	4.0/5	Solid budget construction; case feels plasticky
Battery Life	4.5/5	Verified 5h + 30h case by real users
Fit & Comfort	3.5/5	Decent but not secure for active use
Value	5.0/5	Outstanding at ¥129 — best in class for the price

The final call: 4.0/5 — A budget champ with real substance.

Who Should Buy the Baseus AQY-S2

• 💰 Students on a tight budget — If you’re gaming in a dorm and don’t want to blow your entire monthly allowance on earbuds, the AQY-S2 is perfect. Xiaohongshu users consistently recommend it for this exact scenario.
• 📱 Mobile FPS gamers — Players of PUBG Mobile, Peacekeeper Elite, Honor of Kings, and Call of Duty Mobile will appreciate the low-latency mode and secure fit. JD reviewers confirm clear footstep audio and lag-free gameplay.
• 🎮 Casual Switch and PC gamers — If you play games where audio timing matters but competitive edge isn’t critical, the AQY-S2 delivers more than enough performance.
• 🔄 Returning Baseus customers — The brand has strong loyalty on JD.com, with users upgrading from older Baseus models and reporting improved battery life and latency.

Who Should Skip

• 🎧 Audiophiles and competitive FPS pros — The narrow soundstage and compromised midrange make precise audio positioning difficult. If you need to hear exactly which pixel a footstep came from, invest in the Soundcore VR P10 or a wired solution.
• 🎙️ Heavy voice chat users — If your gaming sessions revolve around coordinated squad communication, the average microphone will frustrate your teammates. Consider earbuds with better mic performance.
• 🏃 Active users or gym gamers — While the fit is secure for desk gaming, intense head movement during exercise may dislodge them. Look for wing-tip designs.
• Premium seekers — If ¥129 earbuds simply can’t be “good enough” in your mind, you’ll be happier with the Edifier GX at ¥249 or the Soundcore VR P10 at ¥499.

Verdict

The Baseus AQY-S2 offers remarkable value for ¥129, bringing genuinely useful low-latency gaming audio to the true wireless form factor. Chinese user reviews across JD.com (5,000+ reviews, 96% positive) and Xiaohongshu confirm what the specs suggest: the gaming mode actually works, the fit is comfortable, and the battery life is solid. The compromises — average mic quality, plasticky case, narrow soundstage — are predictable at this price. For budget-conscious mobile gamers who want wireless freedom without the latency penalty of standard Bluetooth earbuds, the AQY-S2 hits the mark.