I tested these wired earbuds from Panasonic and, unfortunately, their super-low price comes at a cost

Panasonic RP-TCM225 review

If you’re on the lookout for some ultra-cheap wired earbuds, the Panasonic RP-TCM225 may well catch your eye. They carry a temptingly low price tag of just £11.99 / AU$34.25 (about $15) and promise both “rich sound” and “clear calls”. But in reality, these buds show that sometimes, what you get is what you pay for.

But before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s start with what’s in the box here. You’re getting a pair of wired earbuds that weigh a standard 17g, a collection of different sized eartips, an in-line mic and a controller. Now, for some buds that cost about as much as three cups of coffee, that sounds like a sweet deal to me.

And I won’t deny that there are some real positives here. The buds offer a snug in-ear fit and the choice of large or small-sized eartips, meaning everyone can find a feel that suits them – something that many of the best wired earbuds deliver on. I did discover, though, that the default medium size worked perfectly for me. I also liked how cable noise wasn’t all too prominent with these buds. Sure, you’re going to hear some, but this can be almost unbearable with other budget models. Pair that with their fairly lightweight feel and the Panasonic RP-TCM225 are a pleasingly comfortable pair of in-ears.

In addition, the attached controller is both attractive and easy-to-use, with a sleek metallic-looking finish and satisfyingly shaped buttons. Its central button can be used to control playback or even pick up calls, which is handy.

Overall, I’d say these earbuds are pretty decent-looking. The rounded cable doesn’t bend too easily and the USB-C connector has the same finish as the nifty controller. Casing around the buds, unfortunately, isn’t so nice. This is plasticky and sticks out from the ear a fair bit – making for a less discreet look than I’d like.

But reader, I don’t want to get too caught up on design here. I think it’s time for the main event – sound quality. Now, Panasonic promises both “rich” and “superior” sound from the RP-TCM225, but as you may suspect, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. The first thing that struck me about these buds is that they offer relatively hard-hitting bass given their budget cost. When tuning into Come On Back With Your Love (Sunrise Mix) by Kolter, low-end output resonated with significant clout and impact – essential for a dance track like this.

Having said that, you’re not going to get the most dynamic, responsive sound in the world here across the frequencies. For instance, when tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the depth of the drum machine was actually impressive, but the agility you’d get from more sonically astute buds was missing, meaning the track lacked its nimble, rhythmic edge. Perhaps a larger issue, though, was that sound quality in the mid-range and above was a little underwhelming. The dramatic strings at the beginning of the track sounded restricted and higher-pitched vocals could sound abrasive at high volumes.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom, however, as these buds did have some redeeming features. For instance, I occasionally picked up on some neat details, like more subtle, background samba drums in SAMBA DO MARCOS by Sadao Watanabe, which played into the tune’s funky vibe nicely. But unfortunately, I did find the lead percussive elements sounded a little harsh, which didn’t exactly entice me to lock in for long listening sessions.

Ultimately, the soundstage can get a tad cluttered too. I found that vocals in the mid-range could often get lost in the mix, since these buds put almost all of their focus on deep bass and clear – albeit sometimes harsh – treble. In general, you can’t expect a brilliantly balanced sonic experience with the Panasonic RP-TCM225. If you’ve got a pair of the best wireless earbuds and they’re all out of battery, then sure, these will get the job done – just don’t expect above-average audio.

Although the sound quality is flawed, there are some redeeming factors. I’m afraid the same can’t be said about the inbuilt microphone. Whether I was on a phone call or taking a voice recording, my voice sounded tinny, unclear and sometimes a little choppy too. That’s pretty disappointing given a model like the JBL Tune 310C – which has a very similar price – includes a mic capable of plating up clean, distinct vocals.

One aspect that is decent overall, though, is passive noise isolation. You’re not going to get that near-silent effect that the best noise cancelling earbuds can muster – or even some elite wired options, like the Shure Aonic 3, are capable of. But sounds like my colleagues typing or people speaking in my local town centre were dulled effectively simply because of the fit of the buds.

All in all, the Panasonic RP-TCM225 don’t really live up to the expectations they set for themselves. Bass output is nothing to be sniffed at, but otherwise, audio is average at best and lacks the control needed for anyone hoping to engage in a longer, more indulgent listening session. Microphone quality is poor too, meaning you’ll likely just be better off using your phone’s mic as is.

And in the end, even these earbuds’ low price didn’t wow me. That’s because there are rivals in the same ballpark that far outperform the RP-TCM225. The JBL Tune 305C and 310C, for example, have cleaner audio, EQ options and stronger mics. Given they’re only a few pounds more, there’s not much of a reason to recommend these Panasonic buds. Yes, if you need a quick fix in a situation where you’ve lost your Bluetooth earbuds or they’re out of juice, these would suffice as a short-term stand-in, but there are better alternatives out there, unfortunately.

Panasonic RP-TCM225 review: Price and release date

• £11.99 / AU$34.25 (about $15)
• Launched in 2024

The Panasonic RP-TCM225 sit in the uber-cheap bracket for wired earbuds. They’re available now in the UK and Australia for £11.99 / AU$34.25, but I’ve previously seen them go for less than £10 at Amazon UK, so keep your eye out for a sale.

Competitors in this bracket include the massively popular Sony MDR-EX15AP and the fairly modern JBL Tune 305C. Both of these, like the Panasonic RP-TCM225 will totally get the job done, but neither plate up particularly great audio – something quite commonplace in this price range.

Panasonic RP-TCM225 review: Specs

Should I buy the Panasonic RP-TCM225?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Panasonic RP-TCM225 review: Also consider

Panasonic RP-TCM225 review: How I tested

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office and while on walks
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Panasonic RP-TCM225 across a week-long period. I used them for a range of activities including music listening, watching YouTube videos and taking phone calls. I mainly had these buds connected to the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, but I also tried them out with my Windows Laptop.

When listening to music, I made sure to run through tracks in the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – read our guide on how we test earbuds for more. I did, however, also spend hours tuning into songs from my personal library. For the most part, music performance was tested via Tidal. I also took the RP-TCM225 with me everywhere for this review, whether on walks near busy roads or while cracking out some reviews in the office.