Belkin Belkin SoundForm Rhythm True Wireless Earbuds Review
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm earbuds offer stellar build and Bluetooth 5.3 for just $28, but their music performance and comfort lag behind. A solid pick for calls and the gym, not for audiophiles.
The 30-Second Version
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm are a connectivity champ with mediocre sound. For about $28, you get fantastic build quality, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and solid battery life. Buy them for calls and the gym, but skip them if music is your top priority.
Overview
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm are true wireless earbuds that promise a lot for the money. They're built for commutes, workouts, and calls, packing Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and IPX5 sweat resistance into a compact case.
At their core, they're a connectivity-first pair of buds. Our data shows they score exceptionally high in build quality and connectivity, landing in the 94th and 89th percentiles respectively. But the story gets complicated when you look at their sound and comfort scores, which are much lower.
Performance
Performance is a mixed bag, and it really depends on what you prioritize. The connection is rock-solid with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint, and the 8-hour earbud battery with a 20-hour case is genuinely good. The mics are decent too, scoring in the 79th percentile for call quality. The problem is the sound. It lands in the 36th percentile, which means it's fine for podcasts and calls, but music lacks the detail and punch you might want. And the comfort score is even lower at the 24th percentile, so some ears might find them a bit of a chore to wear for long sessions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent build quality feels durable. 94th
- Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint works flawlessly. 89th
- Battery life is solid for the price. 84th
- IPX5 rating makes them great for workouts. 80th
Cons
- Sound quality is mediocre for music. 25th
- Comfort can be an issue for some ears.
- No active noise cancellation to speak of.
- Some users report persistent connection drops.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Wearing Style | Dual Ear True Wireless Earbud |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Range | 10 |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 8 |
| Fast Charging | 10min=1.5hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 20 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | No |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Volume Limiting | No |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 |
Value & Pricing
At around $28, the value proposition is simple: you're paying for great connectivity and build, not for audiophile sound. If your main uses are calls, podcasts, and gym sessions where you need a reliable, sweatproof connection, they're a steal. But if you're buying earbuds primarily for music, you can find better-tuned options even at this price point. You get what you pay for, and here you're paying for the fundamentals.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up against giants like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or AirPods Pro, there's no contest on sound or features—you're paying ten times less. The real competition is in the budget arena. Compared to something like the Jabra Evolve2 Buds (which cost much more), you lose out on dedicated office features but gain a lower price. Against other $30 buds, the Rhythm's standout build and connectivity scores give it an edge, but you might sacrifice a bit of comfort or bass response that competitors offer.
| Spec | Belkin Belkin SoundForm Rhythm True Wireless Earbuds | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Apple Airpods Pro 3 Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless MagSafe Charging | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A UC Earbuds with USB-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 20 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: How is the noise cancellation?
They don't have active noise cancellation (ANC). They rely on a passive seal from the eartips, which our data shows performs in the bottom 36th percentile for noise blocking.
Q: Can you use them for phone calls?
Yes, call quality is one of their stronger points. The microphone system scores in the 79th percentile, meaning it does a decent job reducing background noise for the listener.
Q: How long does the battery last?
You get about 8 hours from the earbuds and a total of 20 hours with the charging case, which is above average and lands in the 84th percentile for battery performance.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're a music lover. With a sound score in the 36th percentile, they're tuned for clarity on calls, not for rich, detailed music. Also, if you have sensitive ears, the 24th percentile comfort score suggests you might find better-fitting options elsewhere. For pure audio enjoyment, your $30 can go further.
Verdict
Buy these if you need a reliable, well-built pair of buds for calls, the gym, or podcasts, and your budget is tight. The connectivity and battery are legitimately great for the price. But if you're an all-day music listener or have picky ears, the mediocre sound and comfort scores are a real warning sign. Look for something tuned better for audio.