When you picture the top names in earbuds, Oppo probably doesn’t make your shortlist. The Enco Air 5s might change that. These buds pack real-time adaptive noise cancellation, a semi-in-ear fit similar to the AirPods 4, plus extras like spatial audio and a dedicated gaming mode.
All of that comes in at under $70. If any pair of earbuds is going to put Oppo on the map, this could be it. The question is whether Oppo crammed in too many features for a budget product. I spent a few weeks testing the Enco Air 5s to find out.
Oppo Enco Air 5s Full Specs
Oppo Enco Air 5s Design
Just like the AirPods 4, the Oppo Enco Air 5s use a semi-in-ear design. They rest inside your ear instead of pushing into the canal. That approach splits opinion. It feels less invasive than buds that dig deep into your ear, but some people find semi-in-ear styles less secure, with poorer sound quality to match.
I went in skeptical. I’m used to fully open-ear buds like the Shokz OpenDots Air, or canal-sealing options like the AirPods Pro, so this middle ground felt unfamiliar at first.
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The Enco Air 5s won me over on comfort, though. Even after wearing them for hours, they stayed put. I never once worried about them slipping out, which is impressive given each bud weighs only 3.9g.
Each earbud also comes with its own customizable controls, managed through Oppo’s Hey Melody app. Android users will find these settings built right into the Bluetooth menu instead.
You can assign functions like play/pause, track skipping, or your voice assistant of choice to single, double, or triple taps. Swiping along either bud adjusts volume, and holding down switches between noise cancelling modes. If you’d rather skip all that, you can turn the controls off completely and stick to your phone.
The charging case matches the buds in weight, coming in at just under 40g. It has a USB-C port for charging and a button for Bluetooth pairing.
Oppo Enco Air 5s Features
Given the £70 price tag, Oppo packed in far more than expected with the Enco Air 5s. You get real-time adaptive noise cancellation, spatial audio which Oppo calls it Alive Audio, and a dedicated gaming mode that sharpens sound effects like footsteps and gunshots.
You can control all of this through the Hey Melody app on iOS or Android. The app keeps things simple. Nearly everything you need, including noise control and audio effects, sits right on the home page.
It’s a bit surprising that a semi-in-ear design even supports noise cancelling or spatial audio, since that fit usually works against immersive features like these.
Still, Oppo Alive Audio caught me off guard. It genuinely changes how music sounds. Oppo admits it won’t work perfectly with every track, but in my experience, it adds energy to most songs compared to having it switched off.
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It’s worth noting that Enco Air 5s work with both iPhone and Android. I tested mine on an iPhone. Own an Oppo phone, though, and you unlock an extra perk: AI-powered live translation.
Oppo says the battery lasts up to 48 hours, and that claim holds up in daily use. I’ve had my review pair for a bit over two weeks now, using them nearly every day, and I’ve only had to charge the case once in that time.
Oppo Enco Air 5s Sound Quality
Overall sound quality left me happy, especially once I factored in the price. As I mentioned, I keep Oppo Alive Audio switched on most of the time since it gives tracks a nice lift, and I generally stick with Oppo’s Ultimate Sound EQ preset too.
When I tried switching the EQ to Thundering Bass for Brianstorm by Arctic Monkeys, I couldn’t really tell a difference. Either way, the track kept its energy, and the drums stood out nicely. It’s not the most immersive listen compared to other buds, but it’s still enjoyable.
Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter came through vibrant too. The buds handled the high notes cleanly without turning harsh.
Alter Ego by Doechii and JT was probably my favorite listen, especially with Alive Audio on, which added a real sense of depth to the track. I wasn’t exactly front row at a Doechii show, but it made my commute a lot more fun.
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Call quality is where things fell short. I could hear the other person clearly, but my own voice came through quiet and muffled on their end. Voice notes had the same problem. Since that’s how I usually communicate, the buds struggled to pick up my voice properly, and eventually I just stopped using them for that altogether.
Oppo Enco Air 5s Noise Cancellation
Noise cancelling on the Enco Air 5s is good, though not top of the class. They handle general train noise well enough, but chatter and other background sounds sneak through now and then. It’s not constant, but it happens enough to make you reach for the volume, or side-eye whoever’s chatting loudly on the morning commute.
The tube is a different story. The Enco Air 5s just can’t keep up with underground train noise. I kept checking the app to confirm noise cancelling was actually on; that’s how weak it felt. If you’re on the tube often, especially a noisier line, these might disappoint you.
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Canary Wharf’s shopping centers told a better story. Walking through that maze, the buds blocked out most of the noise, with only the occasional bit of chatter slipping through.
Transparency mode works well too. It lets in enough of the outside world without drowning out your audio.
Oppo Enco Air 5s Verdict
At £70, the Oppo Enco Air 5s clearly deliver more than their price suggests. They won’t rival the best wireless earbuds out there, but they still offer an enjoyable listen, a comfortable fit, and battery life that holds up. Overlook the shaky call quality and average noise cancelling, and you’ve got a solid choice for anyone on a budget who just wants decent earbuds without overspending.
Pros |
Cons |
| Lightweight design | Noise cancelling struggles on public transport |
| Energetic sound quality | Voice sounds muffled in calls |
| Very affordable |
Final Thoughts
The Oppo Enco Air 5s caught me off guard, in a good way. They sound great, give tracks an energetic feel, last a good while on battery, and stay comfortable through long wear. Noise cancelling won’t blow you away, but for £70, you could do a lot worse.
