Final Audio isn’t a brand typically associated with ultra-budget wireless earbuds. Known for its more refined approach to sound tuning, the Japanese manufacturer has built a reputation among enthusiasts who value musicality over gimmicks. That’s exactly why the ZE300 is such an interesting product.

At around $50, expectations should be modest. And yet, the ZE300 manages to challenge those expectations in ways that genuinely caught me off guard.

First impressions & packaging

The ZE300 arrives in a compact, minimalistic box that reflects Final’s understated design philosophy. Inside, everything is neatly arranged: the earbuds, a lightweight charging case, documentation, and a small selection of ear tips.

The Final Audio ZE300 comes in a small white-gray box made of sturdy and fairly thick cardboard. The brand logo is located on top, and in the center is an image of the headphones in the color that is inside the box; in my case, it is the black version.

Notably, there’s no charging cable included—something Final Audio has done across multiple products. While that may frustrate some users, it aligns with the brand’s philosophy of reducing unnecessary accessories.

The included ear tips are limited but sufficient, and overall, the package contains exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.

When opening the box, the first thing we see is the documentation. Next is a thin protective layer of parchment, under which a case with headphones is located in a special foam mold - they are securely fixed, so they do not move during transportation. Below is a small black box with accessories. — When opening the box, the first thing we see is the documentation. Next is a thin protective layer of parchment, under which a case with headphones is located in a special foam mold – they are securely fixed, so they do not move during transportation. Below is a small black box with accessories.

Design & comfort

The first thing that stands out is just how compact these earbuds are. Both the case and the earbuds themselves are among the smallest I’ve tested in the TWS category.

The case is exceptionally pocket-friendly, weighing under 40 grams with the earbuds inside. It opens easily with one hand and feels surprisingly well-built, with no creaks or looseness—something even pricier models don’t always get right.

The case opens quite easily even with one hand. There is a deep groove on the front of the lid, which allows you to conveniently pick it up with your finger or nail. A little lower is the charge level / charging process indicator, but it is not very informative, as it has only two colors: white - when the charge is from 10 to 100%, and orange - when the charge drops below 10%. — The case opens quite easily even with one hand. There is a deep groove on the front of the lid, which allows you to conveniently pick it up with your finger or nail. A little lower is the charge level / charging process indicator, but it is not very informative, as it has only two colors: white – when the charge is from 10 to 100%, and orange – when the charge drops below 10%.

Final uses a textured matte plastic that feels closer to a “dry soft-touch.” It resists fingerprints, doesn’t feel slippery, and gives the ZE300 a slightly more premium tactile impression than expected at this price.

The earbuds follow a similar design language—small, discreet, and ergonomic. They sit comfortably and securely in the ear without creating pressure, even during extended listening sessions. Their low-profile shape also makes them practical for use with hats or in everyday situations where bulkier designs become annoying.

As for materials and build quality, there are no questions at all. Rough plastic with a fine texture is used, which resembles a “rough” soft-touch.

Features & usability

The ZE300 keeps things simple—and that’s both a strength and a limitation.

There’s no companion app, no EQ customization, and no advanced personalization. Everything is controlled directly via touch gestures on the earbuds. The controls are comprehensive but require a bit of familiarity, as they rely heavily on multi-tap inputs.

Bluetooth 5.4 ensures fast and stable pairing, and in daily use, the connection is quick and reliable.

The case has a glossy surface inside - this is a very common solution, especially in the budget segment, so you shouldn't expect anything else here. — The case has a glossy surface inside – this is a very common solution, especially in the budget segment, so you shouldn’t expect anything else here.

Noise cancellation & transparency

Active noise cancellation is present, but expectations should be realistic. It effectively reduces low-frequency noise and slightly softens midrange sounds, but higher frequencies remain largely unaffected.

Transparency mode is functional but underwhelming, with limited clarity and volume. In both cases, these features feel more like useful extras than core selling points.

Despite the compact size, the depth of fit here is average - the headphones sit in the ear quite deeply, but without discomfort. — Despite the compact size, the depth of fit here is average – the headphones sit in the ear quite deeply, but without discomfort.

Microphone quality

Call quality is decent for the price. Voices come through clearly, though slightly processed, and background noise suppression is minimal. It’s perfectly usable—but not a standout feature.

Battery life

Battery performance is solid given the size:

~5 hours per charge (ANC off)
~4.5 hours with ANC
Up to ~21 hours total with the case

Considering how small the earbuds are, this is genuinely impressive and competitive with more expensive models.

Genre-wise, the headphones are quite versatile, with a small adjustment: they produce a detailed and bright sound in the midrange and high frequencies, rather than massive and heavy.

Sound quality

This is where the ZE300 truly earns its place.

At first glance, the tuning leans toward a mild V-shape—slightly elevated bass and treble—but the actual presentation is far more refined than that suggests.

Overall presentation

The sound is clean, spacious, and surprisingly mature. It doesn’t scream “budget” at all. Instead, it feels controlled, balanced, and intentionally tuned—something Final Audio is known for.

There’s a noticeable focus on clarity and separation rather than sheer impact, which makes the ZE300 stand out in a segment often dominated by bloated bass and harsh treble.

Bass

Bass is tight, controlled, and moderately deep. It doesn’t overwhelm the mix, which allows other frequencies to breathe. It won’t satisfy hardcore bass-heads, but for most listeners, it strikes a very musical balance.

Midrange

The midrange is where the ZE300 really shines. Vocals are clear, slightly forward, and well-defined. Instruments sound clean and articulate, with an emphasis on detail rather than warmth.

This level of midrange clarity is rare at this price.

Treble

Treble is slightly elevated, adding air and definition without becoming overly sharp. It enhances perceived detail and contributes to the overall sense of openness, though very sensitive listeners may occasionally find it a touch bright.

I can definitely say that if I had an extremely limited budget, I would have taken them for myself, weighing all the pros and cons.

Genre performance

The ZE300 performs best with:

Pop & electronic music – clean, energetic, detailed
Acoustic & instrumental – surprisingly natural and nuanced
Rock – clear and engaging, though lacking some scale and weight

These are not “fun-first” earbuds—they’re clarity-first, which makes them more engaging over time.

Conclusion

The Final Audio ZE300 is a rare example of a budget product that doesn’t feel like a compromise in its core purpose: sound.

Yes, the feature set is basic.
Yes, ANC and transparency are average at best.

But the sound quality? That’s where these punch far above their price.

If you’re looking for feature-packed earbuds, there are better options.
If you’re looking for genuinely good sound at $50, the ZE300 deserves serious attention.

Overall, I came to the conclusion that if I had a limited budget, I would definitely buy them.

Pros

Surprisingly refined, clean sound
Excellent midrange clarity
Ultra-compact and comfortable design
Solid battery life for the size
Great build quality

Cons

No app or EQ customization
Average ANC and transparency
Limited microphone noise reduction

Instead of chasing features, Final Audio focused on sound. And in doing so, they’ve created one of the most musically convincing budget TWS earbuds you can buy right now.

Final Audio ZE300

8.5