Our Verdict
Below-average mixed usage headphones. They aren’t the best sounding headphones, and our test unit was mismatched, which won’t be suitable for critical listening. Their design doesn’t isolate enough low frequencies for daily commuting, but their portable design makes them a decent option for sports if you use a bigger sized tip for stability at the cost of comfort. The in-ear fit might also not be comfortable for a whole work day at the office. Their poor sub-bass will make movies lack punch, and their small cable range won’t be great for watching TV or for gaming.
- Minimal leakage
- Compact and comfortable design
- Poor noise isolation
- Sub-par audio reproduction.
Sub-par for neutral listening. Their sound signature isn’t flat, and they sound mostly muddy while lacking sub-bass and being too sharp in the treble range. Our test unit also had mismatched drivers which creates a bad stereo image. They also don’t have a companion app since they are wired and passive in-ears.
Mediocre for commuting. They don’t isolate much noise and won’t be a great choice for a daily commute since they let in engine rumbles. The in-ear fit might not be comfortable for long flights. On the upside, they are very portable, and you can mask more ambient noise by raising your listening volume since they don’t leak too much.
Decent sports headphones. They are very portable and breathable which is great for sports. Unfortunately, they aren’t the most stable headphones and can easily pop out of your ears during physical activity.
Below-average for office use. They don’t isolate ambient chatter well, and the in-ear fit might not be the most comfortable for a whole work day. On the upside, they don’t leak too much so you can listen to your music at higher volumes without bothering colleagues and you won’t have to worry about battery life since they are wired, passive headphones.
Mediocre for gaming. They are wired headphones, so you don’t get any latency issues, and they have a decent microphone that works with consoles and PCs. However, their sound signature is sub-par, and our unit had mismatched drivers, which would make it difficult to pinpoint where video game sound effects like footsteps are coming from.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Dec 13, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Dec 11, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The 1More Piston Fit are cheap wired in-ear headphones that are similar to the Piston Classic. They have a disappointing sound signature and are fairly cheaply-made when compared to the less expensive Classics. However, they are comfortable for in-ears and have angled earbuds that some may find more comfortable. Unfortunately, they don’t isolate much noise, and our test unit had mismatched drivers and poor stereo image. They are budget headphones but their performance is sub-par when compared to other models in the same price range. See our recommendations for the best cheap earbuds and the best wireless earbuds under $50.
The 1More Piston Classic are better headphones than the 1More Piston Fit. The Classic perform better in pretty much every test over the Fit, which is surprising since they are a cheaper variant. The Classic are better-built thanks to a braided cable and metal parts, have a more balanced sound, and even come with a good hard case. On the other hand, the Fit have an angled earbud design and a slightly better microphone for calls.
The Anker SoundBuds Curve 2017 are way better headphones than the 1More Piston Fit. The Anker are more comfortable, better built, have great audio reproduction, and shouldn't have any stereo image issues. The 1More are wired, so they don't have latency issues like the Anker, have a better in-line microphone, and you won't have to worry about battery life. This shouldn't outweigh the better sound and comfort of the Anker. Even if the Anker are a bit more expensive, they provide a better value to performance overall.
The Skullcandy Jib Wireless are better headphones than the 1More Piston Fit. These wireless headphones are more stable for sports, have better sound quality, and don't have mismatched drivers like the Piston Fit. On the other hand, they are cheaply made and have a sub-par battery life, unlike the wired Piston Fit.
The Sony MDR-XB50AP Extra Bass are better headphones than the 1More Piston Fit. They have a more balanced sound, isolate more ambient noise, and barely leak. The Sony also feel more durable than the 1More. On the other hand, the 1More feel more comfortable thanks to their very small and lightweight earbuds, and they have a better microphone for calls.
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