Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 Review: Long Battery Life and Satisfying Sound for $150

Published April 29, 2025 | Updated April 29, 2025

The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review reveals a pair of earbuds that break the mold in the crowded $150 price bracket. While most competitors in this range offer merely adequate performance, Audio-Technica has focused on delivering exceptional battery life—up to 25 hours on a single charge—alongside their signature warm sound profile. The innovative Magnetic Switch technology that powers down the earbuds when snapped together further extends usability, creating a compelling package for budget-conscious listeners who prioritize longevity and audio quality over premium design elements.

The Battery Life Breakthrough: 25 Hours Between Charges

The standout feature in this Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review is undoubtedly the exceptional battery performance. With up to 25 hours of playback on a single charge without active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled, these earbuds offer nearly double the runtime of most competitors in the $150 price range. Even with ANC activated, users can expect an impressive 15-hour battery life—a figure that rivals or exceeds many premium models costing twice as much.

During our testing, these claims held true, with the earbuds consistently delivering on their promised endurance. The charging case adds approximately 40 more hours, bringing the total potential usage time to 65 hours before requiring access to a power outlet. For frequent travelers, commuters, or anyone who dislikes the constant need to recharge devices, this extraordinary battery performance alone makes the ATH-CKS50TW2 worthy of serious consideration.

This exceptional longevity represents a significant engineering achievement for Audio-Technica, effectively addressing one of the most common pain points for wireless earbud users. While some may wonder if this extended battery life comes at the expense of other features or sound quality, our testing suggests the company has largely managed to balance these priorities successfully.

Magnetic Switch Technology: Power Management Innovation

Complementing the impressive battery specs is Audio-Technica’s innovative Magnetic Switch technology—a clever feature highlighted in this Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review that helps users maximize their battery life through improved power management. Unlike conventional earbuds that only power down when placed in their charging case, the ATH-CKS50TW2 can be turned off simply by snapping the two earbuds together with their built-in magnets.

This design choice serves multiple practical purposes. First, it eliminates battery drain when the earbuds are temporarily not in use but not stored in their case. Second, it prevents unnecessary recharging cycles when the earbuds are already sufficiently powered. Since lithium-ion batteries have a finite number of charge cycles before degradation occurs, this feature may potentially extend the overall lifespan of the earbuds themselves.

The magnetic connection between the earbuds creates an automatic power-off function when not in use, preserving battery life without requiring the charging case.

In practical use, this feature proves genuinely useful. Rather than fumbling to place small earbuds into a case during brief conversations or interruptions, users can simply connect them magnetically and hang them around their neck or place them on a desk with confidence that battery power isn’t being wasted. While this may seem like a minor convenience, for those who frequently remove their earbuds throughout the day, it adds meaningful value to the overall user experience.

Sound Quality Assessment: Audio-Technica’s Signature Warmth

Our Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review testing confirms that the company’s reputation for producing earbuds with excellent sound quality remains intact with this model. The sound signature features the warm, inviting profile that Audio-Technica is known for, with a balanced approach that doesn’t artificially boost any particular frequency range. Bass remains punchy when the track calls for it but doesn’t overwhelm more delicate elements of the music.

Testing across multiple music genres revealed the versatility of these earbuds. On bass-heavy tracks like Kendrick Lamar’s “tv off,” the low-end provides satisfying impact while allowing hi-hats, claps, and vocals to remain distinct and clear. Switching to acoustic-focused music like Turnpike Troubadours’ “Be Here,” the earbuds showcase their balanced tuning, giving appropriate weight to each instrument without artificially emphasizing any particular element.

When compared to premium models like the Technics AZ100 or Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, the ATH-CKS50TW2 lacks some of the nuanced detail and soundstage depth that justify those earbuds’ higher price points. However, within its price bracket of $150, these may offer the best overall sound quality available, making them an exceptional value for audio enthusiasts on a budget.

Design and Comfort Considerations: Bulk vs Battery Trade-off

The most significant drawbacks revealed in our Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review relate to their physical design. By 2025 standards, these earbuds are undeniably bulky compared to competitors, with a form factor that feels somewhat dated. The weight distribution also presents challenges, as much of the mass sits outside the ear’s natural contours, creating an unbalanced sensation during wear.

This design choice likely represents a conscious trade-off to accommodate the larger batteries necessary for the impressive runtime. For many users, the exceptional battery life will justify the increased size and weight. However, those seeking the most comfortable or discreet earbuds available in this price range should consider whether this compromise aligns with their priorities.

The physical control buttons also suffer from the design’s shortcomings. Positioned along the top edge of each earbud, the small buttons require users to stabilize the earbuds with one hand while pressing with the other—a cumbersome process exacerbated by their size and unbalanced weight distribution. This makes quick adjustments during activities like running or workouts more challenging than with better-designed control systems.

Feature Set Analysis: What’s Included and What’s Missing

Despite some design limitations, our Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review found an impressive array of features packed into these earbuds. The companion app offers substantial functionality, including active noise cancellation, a Hear-Through ambient sound mode, a five-band equalizer, and soundscapes for relaxation or focus. Additional features include customizable media controls, battery updates, a “private timer” function, and low latency mode for gaming or video watching.

The inclusion of a quick-attention Talk-Through mode that reduces volume and activates ambient sound is particularly useful for brief conversations. The app even allows for microphone testing to determine if noise reduction is needed during calls and offers customizable volume adjustment steps. Wireless charging capability for the case adds further convenience to the overall package.

The most notable omission is wear detection—the ability to automatically pause audio when an earbud is removed and resume when replaced. This feature has become increasingly common even in budget models, making its absence in a $150 product somewhat disappointing. Additionally, the lack of multipoint connection capability means users cannot simultaneously connect to both a phone and laptop, requiring manual disconnection and reconnection when switching between devices.

Final Verdict: Do the Pros Outweigh the Cons?

After thorough testing for this Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review, it’s clear that these earbuds represent a specific value proposition that will appeal strongly to certain users while being less compelling for others. Their extraordinary battery life and the intelligent Magnetic Switch feature create a usage experience that minimizes the frustration of frequent recharging—a genuine benefit that many will appreciate in daily use.

The sound quality delivers the pleasing, balanced profile Audio-Technica is known for, outperforming most competitors at this price point. While not matching the refined detail of premium models costing twice as much, they offer excellent value for everyday listening across diverse musical genres.

The bulky design and somewhat awkward controls represent the most significant drawbacks, along with the absence of wear detection and multipoint connectivity. For users who prioritize comfort during extended wear or need the most compact option available, these limitations may prove decisive.

Ultimately, at $149, the ATH-CKS50TW2 delivers exceptional value by excelling in the two areas many consider most important: sound quality and battery life. For those willing to accept some design compromises in exchange for these strengths, these earbuds represent one of the most compelling options available in the mid-range market.

Competitive Analysis: How the ATH-CKS50TW2 Stacks Up

To provide context for this Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 review, it’s worth comparing these earbuds to key competitors in the $150 price range. While each alternative offers different strengths, the ATH-CKS50TW2’s combination of battery life and sound quality creates a distinctive position in the market.

While competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE offer more compact designs and the Jabra Elite 4 provides multipoint connectivity, none can match the ATH-CKS50TW2’s combination of exceptional battery life and Audio-Technica’s refined sound quality. For users who prioritize these specific attributes over a sleeker form factor or additional connectivity options, the ATH-CKS50TW2 represents an outstanding value.

In conclusion, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds deliver extraordinary battery performance and satisfying sound quality at a reasonable price point. While design limitations and missing features prevent them from being the perfect all-around option, they excel in addressing two of the most important aspects of wireless earbuds: how they sound and how long they last between charges. For many users, these strengths will far outweigh the compromises, making the ATH-CKS50TW2 a standout choice in the increasingly competitive $150 price segment.