Right, let’s get into it. It’s a Tuesday morning here at Coolsmartphone Towers, and the postie has just dropped off something that—at first glance—looks like it’s come straight out of a sci-fi movie from the late 90s. We’re talking about the Groov-e Neo Buds.
Now, usually, budget earbuds are as exciting as a wet weekend in Bognor Regis. You get a plastic box, two plastic beans, and sound quality that makes your favorite tunes sound like they’re being played through a tin can at the bottom of a well. But Groov-e, the UK’s champions of “affordable but cool,” have decided to shake things up by slapping a smart display screen right on the front of the charging case.
Yes, you read that right. A screen. On your earbud case. Samsung doesn’t do it. Apple definitely doesn’t do it (they’re too busy making sure your charging cable costs thirty quid). But for a mere £39.99, Groov-e is giving us the future.
The Specs (The Boring Bit, but Necessary)
Before we dive into whether these things actually sound any good, let’s look at what’s under the hood:
- Price: £39.99 RRP
- Battery Life: 22 hours total (buds + case)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Features: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), Smart LCD Display, Touch Controls, Clear Call Mics
- Colors: Black or Sand
Good Points
- The Screen: It’s actually useful. You can control your music, check the battery, and—wait for it—play a knock-off version of Flappy Bird.
- Price: At under £40, it’s a total bargain for the features you’re getting.
- Comfort: The stemmed design is lightweight and doesn’t feel like you’ve shoved a pair of marbles into your ear canals.
- ANC at this price: Getting actual Active Noise Cancelling for forty quid is rare, and it does a decent job of masking the hum of a busy office or a train.
Bad Points
- Build Quality: It’s very… plastic-y. If you drop this on a pavement, you might have a bad time.
- Sound is “Average”: It’s fine for podcasts and pop, but audiophiles will find the bass a bit “bloated” and the highs a bit “scratchy”.
- Touch Controls: Sometimes they’re a bit too sensitive, or not sensitive enough. It’s a bit of a lottery.
- Battery Life: 22 hours is “okay,” but plenty of rivals are pushing 30+ these days.
The Smart Display: A Gimmick or a Game Changer?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the screen on the box. Groov-e has clearly looked at the JBL Live Beam 3 (which costs about £150 more) and said, “We can do that for the price of a decent Sunday roast”.
The screen is small, vibrant enough, and surprisingly feature-rich. You can toggle your ANC settings, adjust the EQ modes, and control your music playback without even touching your phone. This is actually brilliant when you’re out for a walk and your phone is buried deep in a pocket under three layers of winter gear.
But it’s the “extras” that make us smile here at the Towers. There’s a flashlight feature (basically the screen turns bright white), a timer, and even a camera remote (though, in our testing, it mostly just fiddled with the volume instead of taking the photo—standard budget tech behavior). And yes, the game. It’s a Flappy Bird clone. Is it playable? Barely. Is it hilarious to have on an earbud case? Absolutely.
Sound Quality: Don’t Expect Abbey Road
Look, we have to be honest with you. These aren’t going to replace your £300 Sony cans. Out of the box, the sound is a bit heavy on the low end. The bass has “weight” but isn’t exactly “agile”—it’s a bit like a Labrador puppy; it’s got plenty of energy but it’s a bit clumsy.
However, if you dive into the settings on that fancy case and switch the EQ to “Popular” mode, things clean up a bit. Voices become clearer, and that “dark low-end” stops trying to drown out the rest of the track. For listening to the Coolsmartphone Podcast or catching up on YouTube, they’re perfectly adequate. If you’re trying to pick out the subtle vibrato of a cello in a classical masterpiece, you’re looking at the wrong product.
Verdict: Should You Buy Them?
If you’re the type of person who loves a gadget that does something a bit different, the Groov-e Neo Buds are a no-brainer. For £39.99, you’re getting a conversation starter, a functional set of earbuds, and a way to play games on your bus commute without ever getting your phone out.
Are they perfect? No. The sound is just “okay,” and the build is a bit budget. But they’re fun. And in a world of boring, identical tech, we’ll take “fun and flawed” over “perfect and dull” any day of the week.
Right, you’re sold on the “Flappy Bird” earbuds then? Excellent choice. If you want to grab a pair of the Groov-e Neo Buds without traipsing around the high street, here are the best places to find them online right now.
Prices are hovering around the £30 to £40 mark, which is a steal considering you’re basically getting a tiny smartphone case for your ears.
1. Ryman (Best Price Right Now)
Ryman seems to be the place to go if you want a bargain. They often have them listed below the RRP.
- Price: Usually £29.99 (Reduced from £39.99).
2. Amazon UK
The old reliable. If you have Prime, you’ll probably get these delivered before you’ve even finished your next cup of tea.
- Price: Typically £39.99.
3. Robert Dyas
Another classic British stockist. They’ve got them listed at the full RRP, but they often have “MyDyas” points or local click-and-collect if you’re passing by a store.
4. Official Groov-e Website
If you want to go straight to the source or check out their other “weird and wonderful” gadgets, head to the official site.
Top Tip from the Towers: If you’re a student or know someone who is, Ryman usually offers a 10% student discount, which could knock these down to about £27. That’s basically the price of a couple of pizzas for a pair of ANC earbuds with a screen. Hard to argue with that!
