Hw S60A Honest Review — Is the Hype Justified?

Introduction

I've been using the Hw S60A true wireless earbuds for several months now. I bought them when I was looking for a budget-to-midrange pair that promised active noise cancellation, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for daily commuting and workouts. In my experience, the S60A is neither a miracle nor a dud — it's an interesting mix of thoughtful design choices and a few compromises that become obvious after weeks of real-world use. Below I break down what I liked, what bothered me, and whether the hype around the S60A is justified.

What I tested and how I used them

Over the course of about four months I used the S60A in multiple scenarios: my daily commute on trains, a few long walks, short runs, phone calls, and prolonged listening sessions at my desk. I paired them with an Android phone and a laptop (no special dongles) and used the companion app for EQ adjustments and firmware updates when available. My primary music genres during testing were indie rock, electronic, and podcast talk shows — a mix that reveals strengths and weaknesses across vocals, bass, and midrange detail.

Design and build quality

Right out of the case, the S60A feels lighter than I expected. The buds are compact with a slightly elongated stem which houses touch controls. The charging case is small enough to fit in my jeans pocket comfortably; it has a matte finish that hides fingerprints nicely. I appreciated the fact that the case lid has a satisfying hinge action — not loose, not overly stiff.

What I found was that the plastic used feels like durable, cost-conscious material rather than premium metal or high-end polymer. That’s not a surprise at this price point, but after a few drops from pocket height the finish did show tiny scuffs. For everyday carry I didn't worry about it, but if you treat your gear roughly you should expect this kind of wear.

Comfort and fit

Fit is where the S60A surprised me in a good way. The silicone tips and contoured shape meant I could wear them for multi-hour sessions without ear fatigue. I swapped through the provided tip sizes and found a secure seal with the medium tips. During 25–45 minute runs they stayed in place for me, although aggressive movement might dislodge them for some ear shapes.

One thing that bothered me occasionally was the touch-control sensitivity. A light accidental brush when adjusting my hair would sometimes pause playback or trigger voice assistant. After a while I learned to palm the stem or use the physical controls on my phone for critical moments.

Sound quality — what I heard

My expectations were cautious: many earbuds at this price point exaggerate bass or suffer from muddy mids. What I found with the S60A is a generally balanced signature with emphasis on punchy lows and a slightly forward midrange. Vocals came through clearly in podcasts and indie tracks, and electronic music had enjoyable punch; however, very detailed acoustic pieces revealed limits in upper-frequency air and fine detail. In short:

• Bass: Impressive for the class — impactful without bleeding into the mids when the seal is good.
• Mids: Present and vocal-forward, which helps spoken content and singers to stand out.
• Highs: Slightly rolled-off compared to higher-end earbuds; cymbals and very bright synths lacked the last layer of shimmer.

I used the companion app EQ to nudge the highs up a bit, which improved perceived clarity for vocal tracks. If you like a V-shaped sound (accentuated bass and treble) you can get there with the EQ, but the stock tuning is safer and more versatile for everyday listening.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and ambient modes

ANC was one of the headline features that motivated my purchase. In my experience the S60A's ANC works well for mid-to-high frequency noises: it reduces chatter in cafes and lessens bus engine hum while still letting very low, deep rumbles pass through. It’s effective for reducing distraction on commuter trains, especially at moderate volume levels.

However, I noticed ANC struggles a bit with low-frequency, continuous sounds like heavy subway rumble or distant thunder. It’s not on par with flagship ANC implementations, but for the money it meaningfully improves focus. The transparency/ambient mode is usable and natural enough for quick conversations; it doesn’t introduce heavy processing artifacts, though it can sound slightly hollow compared to hearing unaided.

Call quality and microphones

Call performance is one of the areas where budget earbuds often disappoint, so I paid particular attention. During quiet indoor calls my voice sounded clear to others. In outdoor calls with slight wind my voice became a bit muffled and the other party reported background noise bleeding through. The S60A seems to use a mix of beamforming and single-mic input that’s fine for normal use but not great for very windy conditions.

For voice notes and quick meetings the performance is acceptable; for professional calls where clarity in all environments matters, I would be cautious.

Battery life and charging

In real-world use I got roughly 6–8 hours of continuous playback per earbud on a single charge at moderate volume, and the case provided about two full additional charges for a total of roughly 18–22 hours of listening before the case needed recharging. These numbers matched my daily usage: a few hours of commuting, conference calls, and background music during the day. Charging the case from empty to full took around 90–110 minutes with a standard USB-C adapter.

I appreciated the fast top-ups — giving the case a 10–15 minute charge would reliably provide an extra hour or more of playback which is handy for short commutes.

Connectivity and latency

Pairing with my phone was painless; the S60A supports SBC and AAC codecs and I used AAC mostly. Bluetooth range was typical — about 8–10 meters in busy environments without direct line-of-sight and a bit more in open areas. For watching video on my laptop I noticed occasional audio sync drift during fast-cut scenes; latency is fine for casual video but not ideal for competitive gaming or latency-sensitive content.

Software and companion app

The companion app offers firmware updates, EQ presets, and a few toggles for ANC and touch control customization. What I appreciated was the straightforward layout: you don't need to be an audiophile to find what you want. What I found disappointing was the lack of advanced features like multi-device switching or detailed latency modes. Firmware updates were infrequent but did address a couple of early bugs I encountered.

Durability and water resistance

The S60A advertises an IP rating for sweat and splash resistance; in my usage during workouts and rainy walks there were no issues. I rinsed them lightly after an intense gym session and they kept working. Long-term exposure to heavy sweat or submersion is another matter — I wouldn't use them for swimming or high-pressure water exposure.

Price-to-performance and real-world value

When I purchased the S60A they were marketed as a value option with ANC and long battery life. In my experience, they deliver solid value if you prioritize comfort, satisfying bass, and usable ANC for commuting. If you prioritize audiophile-level detail, best-in-class ANC, or the absolute clearest call performance in windy situations, there are better but more expensive options. For everyday users who want capable, comfortable earbuds without breaking the bank, the S60A is a practical choice.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Comfortable fit for long listening sessions
  • Good bass and vocal clarity for the price
  • Effective ANC for mid/high frequency noise
  • Small, pocketable charging case with quick top-ups
  • Simple companion app with useful EQ presets
• Cons:
  • ANC struggles with very low-frequency rumble
  • Touch controls are too sensitive and trigger accidentally
  • Call quality degrades in windy outdoor conditions
  • No advanced features like multipoint pairing or ultra-low latency mode
  • Plastic finish shows light scuffs after months of pocket carry

How the Hw S60A compares to alternatives

To put things in perspective, I compared the S60A against two generic alternatives I also tested: a midrange competitor with stronger ANC and a budget model focused on battery life. The comparison below is based on my hands-on impressions rather than lab tests.

Buying guide — what to consider before you buy

Buying earbuds today means balancing sound, ANC, battery life, and special features. Based on my experience with the S60A, here are the practical factors I recommend you weigh:

• Primary use: Do you need earbuds mainly for commuting and podcasts, or for critical music listening? The S60A leans toward everyday use and commuting.
• ANC importance: If you need flagship-level noise cancellation for airplane travel or heavy subway rumble, consider spending more. The S60A is effective for conversation-level noise and office/chair commuting.
• Fit and comfort: Longevity of use matters. If you plan multi-hour sessions, prioritize comfort and try tip sizes. I found the S60A comfortable, but ear shapes vary.
• Call quality: If you take many outdoor calls in windy places, try to hear a demo or check microphone tests. The S60A is fine for casual calls but will show limits outdoors.
• Battery needs: Consider how often you'll charge. If you want days-long battery without charging the case, a larger battery-focused model may suit you better.
• App features: EQ and firmware updates can extend the life and usefulness of earbuds. The S60A's app provides basic but helpful options.
• Durability: If you carry earbuds in pockets and use them daily, expect surface scuffs. Consider a case protector if looks matter to you.

Final thoughts and conclusion

After several months with the Hw S60A, what I found was a product that hits a practical sweet spot: comfortable fit, enjoyable sound for everyday listening, and ANC that meaningfully reduces distractions during commutes. The touch controls and wind-call performance are the main pain points for me, but they didn't outweigh the everyday convenience and value.

If you're looking for a pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver a satisfying all-around experience without demanding a flagship budget, the S60A is a solid choice. If your priorities are advanced ANC, pro-level call clarity in all conditions, or the absolute finest audio detail, you may want to look a bit higher up the price ladder.

Ultimately, the hype around the S60A is partially justified: it delivers the core features most people care about and does so with a comfortable design. It's not flawless, but in my experience it strikes a very usable balance between features and price — and that's why I kept using them long after the novelty wore off.