Marshall Marshall Minor IV True Wireless Earbuds Review

You're paying for the Marshall logo, not great sound. For $100, skip these and get a pair of Nothing Ear (a) earbuds instead.

The Marshall Minor IV are a classic case of style over substance. They look cool, they've got that Marshall rock 'n' roll branding, and they're comfortable enough. But the one thing you need to know is this: for $100, you're paying a premium for the logo. The sound is fine, but it's not great, and everything else about them feels like it's stuck in 2020. If you're buying these, you're buying the look, not the performance.

Honestly, nothing about the performance surprised us in a good way. The sound lands in the 40th percentile, which is just okay. The bass is there, but it's a bit muddy, and the highs can get sharp. The connectivity is in the bottom 25th percentile, and we had a few more random dropouts than we'd like from a modern pair of buds. The battery life is decent at over 30 hours with the case, but that's about the only spec that doesn't feel dated.

Not worth it. At $100, you're in a crowded field with some seriously talented competitors. The Minor IV feel overpriced for what you get, which is essentially a decent fit, okay sound, and a brand name. You can find better all-around performers for the same cash, or even less.

The most obvious competitor is the Nothing Ear (a). For around the same price, you get a more modern feature set, better sound customization, and generally snappier performance. If you care about sound quality above all, the Technics EAH-AZ100 is a step up in audio fidelity, though it costs more. But the real kicker is looking at budget options like the Cillso earbuds, which offer similar core features for half the price, making the Marshall's premium hard to justify.

If you're looking for the best sound or features for your money, this isn't it. Go get the Nothing Ear (a) instead. Also, skip these if you need reliable connectivity for calls or videos, or if you want any form of noise cancellation.

We can't recommend the Marshall Minor IV. Unless you are absolutely, completely married to the Marshall aesthetic and are willing to pay extra for it, there are better choices at every turn. For $100, you should expect better sound, more reliable connectivity, and features like ANC. These buds deliver on style and fit, but fall short on almost everything else that matters in 2024.