Current testing methodology is v1.2
July 26, 2023
$24.99
3.52 oz
5.31 x 2.95 x 1.14 in
Moondrop recently released the Space Travel last July, and I’m glad I finally got one of my own.
This is my very first unit from Moondrop, and based on reviews online, it has a good reputation and most people who bought it didn’t have any regrets or complaints with the Space Travel. In addition, they also said that this is a great option aside from the Moondrop Nekocake.
So, let’s explore the performance of the Moondrop Space Travel and find out if it really deserves some recognition.
Moondrop Space Travel
A great TWS earbuds option under $30
TL:DR;
The Moondrop Space Travel is a TWS earbud that costs around $25. For its price, it has Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, which are features that you’ll rarely see with budget TWS earbuds. It has a balanced sound profile that has warmth and naturality to it. More tuning configurations can also be accessed within the Moondrop Link App.
The Specs
- Type: True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones
- Drivers: 13mm Dynamic Driver
- Supported Protocols: A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/HSP/SBC/AAC
- Connection: Bluetooth 5.3
- Distance: About 10m (Barrier Free Open Environment)
- Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Waterproof: No
- Control button: Touch Sensitive Earphones
- Charging Port: USB Type-C
- Earbuds Battery Capacity: 37mAh
- Charging Case Battery Capacity: 380mAh
- Earbuds Charging Time: About 1 hour
- Charging Case Charging Time: About 1.5 hours
- Working Time: About 4 hours
- Wireless Charging: No
What’s in the Box?
- Moondrop Space Travel earbuds
- USB Type-C charging cable
- 4 pairs of ear tips
- Instruction manual
- QC pass
- Card
- After-sales booklet
Stuff I like
- Balanced sound and natural sound
- Useful features
- Useful features
Stuff I like less
- Needs more volume, especially when outdoors
- Subpar transparency mode
- A bit muddy bass
- Detail and resolution are slightly lacking
- Low battery capacity
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
Like the Space Travel, the Moondrop Nekocake also has a balanced sound. It’s priced around $42 and also has an ANC feature.
The Anker Soundcore P20i is also a great option if you’re a fan of app-dependent wireless earbuds to bring out more options and features. Sadly, it doesn’t have an ANC and Transparency Mode option, but the Soundcore app lets you customize its controls and equalizer tunings.
Review Metrics
First Impressions
I saw the teasers posted online by Moondrop, and at first glance, I was impressed with the Space Travel’s appearance. It comes in transparent PVC packaging that shows the Space Travel inside and the formed cardboard boxes containing the paperwork and inclusions.
Due to its unique charging case and build, the Moondrop Space Travel doesn’t have the usual wireless earbuds experience when setting them up. To use the earbuds, I have to slide them up from their case, imitating a rocket being launched, living up to its name the Space Travel.
Inside the cardboard boxes, I was welcomed with the inclusions: a USB-C cable for charging, three additional pairs of ear tips, some paperwork, and a card that shows a QR Code that leads to some sort of a Chinese messaging app and a waifu showing the proper way of wearing the Moondrop Space Travel.
Build Quality
The Moondrop Space Travel is built differently than other wireless earbuds. It has a unique charging case that resembles a very NASA-like vibe. The charging case has a resin material on the upper part of the case that protects the earbuds from falling out.
Meanwhile, the bottom part of the case, which is some type of matte plastic, contains the magnetic pins that charge the earbuds. Despite the charging case’s absence of a lid, the magnets secure the earbuds very well (just don’t shake them hard).
The earbuds have the same matte plastic build from the stem to the earbuds’ shell. Also, the nozzle on each earbud has this oblong shape, making it hard to put the ear tips. The stock ear tips are okay and of decent quality. They also take the shape of the elliptical nozzles of the earbuds.
Fit and Comfort
The Moondrop Space Travel’s shell is bigger than usual earphones or earbuds. The wearing comfort isn’t bad but it’s also not great. It fits nicely in my ears, but there’s this feeling of unwanted pressure in my ears that can be unbearable at times.
What’s great about the Space Travel is that it’s lightweight and doesn’t give any unwanted weight when worn. The ear tips were also great in terms of fit, I’m using the stock medium-sized tips, and they give a good amount of seal.
Moondrop Link App
Having the Moondrop Space Travel also means installing their app that brings out more features of the wireless earbuds. The Moondrop Link app is available for both iOS and Android, and it’s a great addition if you like customization options.
The app lets you map the earbuds’ touch controls depending on your preferences. The app also features a software update for your Moondrop wireless devices.
The feature I love the most about this app is the tuning configuration. This feature provides three different tunings for your Moondrop Space Travel: Reference, Basshead, and the Monitor. I hope Moondrop will add more equalizer configurations for the app in future updates.
ANC and Transparency Mode
I won’t explain these features in depth but I think the Noise Cancellation of the Space Travel is good enough for its price. It blocks most noise from the environment but struggles with higher-frequency noises.
For its Transparency Mode, it doesn’t really help me hear stuff from the outside. It’s more of a white noise that makes people I’m talking with very inaudible.
Sound Quality
The overall presentation of the Moondrop Space Travel is pure bliss. It falls under the warm-sounding category with a balanced tuning combined with its naturality. My only concern is the need for more volume with the Space Travel as it doesn’t block most of the noise when I’m outdoors.
Going to the Space Travel’s technicalities, they’re good for a TWS but they simply can’t beat the wired ones within the price range or lower than them.
The timbre with the Space Travel is decent enough and doesn’t sound unnatural. The resolution and clarity also fall in the average range but could be better.
The sound staging has an okay-ish width and height. Even though it’s not up to my standards, it’s sufficient to let me know where the instruments are coming from. The sound separation and layering are nice in that they keep up with the most complex tracks.
For a TWS with average technicalities and performance, I won’t complain that much as it delivers for what it’s worth.
Bass
The bass of the Moondrop Space Travel is impactful enough to give energy to what I’m listening to.
It has a nice rumble and texture, especially with bass-prominent tracks like EDM and rap. Another notable characteristic of the Space Travel is that it doesn’t bleed into the midrange. It’s more of a thick bass than a deep one. It can also be slow at times with genres that require fast-paced bass.
I also like how the bass sounds with the “Reference” tuning in the Moondrop Link App. The “Reference” tuning slightly elevates the bass region but doesn’t improve its technicalities, while the “Basshead” tuning just reduces the midrange and treble instead of boosting the bass. And with the “Monitor” tuning, the bass is flat and monotonous.
Midrange
This is where the Moondrop Space Travel excels in my opinion.
It’s very clear and delivers both male and female vocals nicely. There’s also an elevation going towards the treble that I’ve seen from available graphs online. Male vocals are thick and have a body with a lot of energy, while the female ones are prominent with a lot of clarity.
The overall presentation of the midrange is smooth and doesn’t get shouty with the vocals. There’s also no sibilance with the midrange, which makes the Space Travel a decent pair of wireless buds.
Treble
The Moondrop Space Travel’s higher ends also perform well enough for its price and can keep up with the midrange’s performance.
It has a decent treble extension without suffering from any harsh peaks or sibilance. Each note of the electric guitar is on point without losing micro-details. The treble can also get airy when needed with each cymbal crash.
Though, it can be muddy at times, specifically with faster-paced tracks. It’s more of a minor problem to me, as it’s a common issue with wireless earbuds.
Conclusion
With everything being said, I think that the Moondrop Space Travel is an excellent budget TWS with great specs and technicalities.
Would I recommend the Space Travel? If you’re an audiophile on a tight budget, it’s a great option as it performs decently and could go head-to-head with other earbuds at the same price point. In addition, you’ll also get an ANC feature and a cool-looking charging case.
On the other hand, if you really want wireless earbuds with a more promising performance and better specs, the Moondrop Space Travel isn’t for you.
Shaik, a college student, part-time musician, and proud fur parent. Currently pursuing his degree in architecture.
As a part-time musician, Shaik enjoys expressing his self creatively through music. Whether it's writing original songs or performing covers, music is a significant part of Shaik's life
This post was last updated on 2025-02-03 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.