FIIL Atom TWS Review | Peak Innovation

I am back with a review for one of my favourite earbud manufacturers from the Chinese land known as FIIL. This time, it is FIIL’s ear-clip TWS earbud known as FIIL Atom. We are quite familiar with the company since we did a review of its early earbuds known as FIIL T1 Lite back in 2021. You can check the review here. That is why we know how underrated this manufacturer and its earbuds are.

Disclaimer: I received the FIIL Atom as a review unit from FIIL and paid customs duties as well. So this review will be completely unbiased, similar to all other reviews on this blog.

About FIIL

If you don’t know what FIIL is, here’s a brief introduction:

FIIL is a Chinese audio brand established in 2015 by headphone pioneers and music professionals with a strong background in music, design, and consumer electronics.

The product lineup includes on-ear, over-ear, in-ear, neckband, and true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. Signature models feature hybrid active noise cancellation, Hi-Res audio compatibility, and ergonomic designs. Notable products include the FIIL CC Pro2, FIIL Key Pro, FIIL GS, FIIL Belt, FIIL T1 XS, and so on.

Specs Sheet

Physical

Feature	Specs
Earbud Dimensions	26 x 26 x 15 mm (clip included)
Charging Case Dimensions	62 x 47.5 x 26 mm
Model	FIIL Atom (F047)
Earbud Weight	5.3 g (per earbud)
Charging Case Weight	31.6 g
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 45°C (typical consumer range)
Charging Temperature	0°C ~ 40°C (typical consumer range)

Audio & Wireless

Feature	Specs
Audio Quality	20 Hz – 20 kHz, 11mm dual-magnetic driver
Microphone Type	Omnidirectional
Mic Sensitivity	Not officially specified (average for TWS: around -38 dBV/Pa)
Maximum SPL	Not officially specified
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	Not officially specified (est. ≥ 60 dB)
Gain Levels	Not user-adjustable
Noise Cancellation	ENC (Environmental Noise Cancelling) for calls only; no ANC
Reverb	Not supported
Wireless Modulation	Bluetooth 5.4
Wireless Transmission	2.4 GHz ISM band Bluetooth
Transmission Range	Up to 10 m (33 ft) line-of-sight

Power & Battery

Feature	Specs
Earbud Battery Capacity	40 mAh per earbud
Charging Case Capacity	500 mAh
Earbud Battery Life	Up to 8 hours (6 hours in low-latency mode)
Charging Case Recharges	~3.5 times full recharges
Charging Time	~1.5 hours (earbuds), ~2 hours (case)
Charging Interface	Type-C

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Others

Feature	Specs
App	FIIL+
Accessories	2 × Earbuds 1 × Charging Case 1 × USB-A to Type-C Charging Cable 1 × Quick Start Guide
Price	$35–45 (varies by retailer)

The Unboxing

Starting the review with the unboxing, the FIIL Atom comes inside a white square-shaped box. I love how innovative they went with the illustration on the box. Instead of showing the product picture and model, they made the diagram of an atom, where the nucleus represents O of the word AtOm, and inside it is FIIL’s branding.

The left side of the box has the product name FIIL Atom.

On the right side, the type of TWS earbuds is mentioned, which is clip-style.

The back of the box has the diagram of actual earbuds in the case with the highlights and QR codes for its app (iOS and Android). There’s also the transmission range, the model number, which is No.F047, and the IPX5 certification.

The above side has the FIIL Logo, and the bottom side has the trademarks, EAN, and product SN.

Removing the front lid by pulling up, first, we see the quick guide on top.

Removing that, we see the FIIL Atom resting in the charging case surrounded by the plastic tray (feels a bit cheap, but fine for the price).

The earbuds come with a few accessories, which include:

1. The earbuds and the charging case itself
2. Quick Start Guide
3. USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable

Overall, I like the presentation of the box. It’s a compact box with good illustrations. The first impression evokes thoughts of a product related to Sci-Fi and so on. It’s quite refreshing to see this innovation instead of seeing the product image on the front.

Design & Appearance

This is literally one of the most innovative earbuds I have ever seen. I have already seen other ear clip-style earbuds, like SoundPEATS Pop Clip, but I could never have imagined designing something like this. Clip-on earbuds that make others think whether I am wearing earbuds or a fashion accessory. If I have one word to describe the design, it’s:

Minimalistic

The earbuds with the clip-on style have three parts:

• The Earpiece (with AirPods-like open speaker design)
• The neck (Titanium wire covered with silicon
• The box

They are highly curved from every side, whether it be the round earpiece unit, the silicon-coated titanium neck, or the curved rectangular battery and charging box that rests behind your ear.

These are perhaps the most ergonomic (smallest in the clip-style category) and one of the lightest earbuds (5.3 grams) I have ever worn.

They are the cleanest clip-style earbuds—no L or R labels (can be worn without the R and L differentiation), FIIL written near the earpiece (barely visible), nothing at all.

FIIL Atom is available in two colors: Black and Beige. I have the black color variant, though it looks more like a matte space grey. I prefer this instead of the usual black color because the color matches the design language of the earbuds, reflecting a sci-fi and futuristic product.

The matte color might fool you into thinking that these clip-style earbuds are made of aluminum, but they are not. Everything apart from the middle clip is made of plastic.

Feature	FIIL Atom	SoundPEATS Pop Clip	Edifier LolliClip	Truefree Clip C10
Clip Design Style	Titanium wire ear-clip	Secure ear-clip	Clip-on, earring-like	Soft flexible clip
Dimensions (earbud)	26mm x 26mm x 15mm (clip included)	30mm x 18mm x 15mm	32mm x 20mm x 18mm	28mm x 22mm x 16mm
Weight (per earbud)	5.3g	6-7g	8-9g	8.3g
Price Range	$35–45 USD	$35–40 USD	Titanium wire ear clip	$40–50 USD
Water Resistance	IPX5	IPX5	IP56	IPX5
Key Features	Secure comfort, touch controls	Basic controls, solid fit	ANC, sensors, EQ	Dual-driver, spatial audio
Highlight	Ultra-light, universal wear	Popular for comfort, some loose fit	Feature-rich, slightly pricier	Good for sports and daily use

The earbuds sit close but do not enter the ear canal, offering a design that blurs the line between in-ear and on-ear. I tried to push the earpiece inside my ear canal, but it slipped and returned to the original position.

On the battery box, there’s a small hole from which the LED status light glows. Here is what it means:

• When charging inside the case – red light
• Once fully charged, the LED turns off.
• During pairing or Bluetooth connection, the LED flashes white and blue.
• When low on battery, the LED flashes red to indicate charging is needed.

In short, the FIIL Atom clip-style earbuds are quite futuristic yet minimal-looking, which eliminates the problem of always wearing distinguishing the left and right earbuds. One will definitely get attracted to these. I wished them to be in metal, but I guess for this price, the plastic body is also acceptable.

★★★★

Comfort & Wearing Experience

AirPods-style earbuds aren’t suited for my ears, and there is always a fitting problem. One of the rants I did when I was writing the Edifier X2 review. The same is the case with FIIL Atom, but the rounded design makes it slightly better and closer to my ear canal. I think it is just me who likes an eartip design. Do you also prefer that? Do comment.

However, unlike the Edifier X2, these earbuds don’t have a half stem, but instead a clip to attach to the outer ear. The length of the clip is 62mm, which is longer than the SoundPEATS and Truefree. Because of the clip, the fitting around the ear is perfect. If I have to describe the grip, it would be somewhere between those sport earbuds with an earhook and the half-stalk or no-stalk earbuds. I think this design solves the fitting problem for me regarding those old AirPods-like open speaker designs.

Since the Atom earbuds don’t go inside the air canal, the breathability while wearing them is quite good. So no more of that weird feeling when you take your silicon tips earbuds out after long usage.

Again, as said in the previous section, they are the lightest and the most rounded earbuds with the clip design, so their presence around your ears won’t bother you that much.

FIIL Atom earbuds have an IPX5 water resistance rating, which means they are protected against water jets from any direction. This makes them suitable for use in rain and during sweaty workouts without worrying about water damage. However, they should not be submerged in water or exposed to heavy water pressure.

• Jogging and running: They seem quite stable and do not loosen up or fall.
• In Gym: sweat-proof, so yeah, gym-friendly.
• In Rain: works fine, and no rainwater entered the earbuds.

★★★★★

Charging Case

Feature	FIIL Atom	SoundPEATS Pop Clip	Edifier LolliClip	Truefree Clip C10
Case Dimensions (mm)	Approximately 62 x 47.5 x 26	Approx. 60 x 50 x 25	Approx. 70 x 55 x 35	Approx. 71 x 50 x 26
Case Weight (g)	31.6 g	40 g	70 g	~45 g
Case Design	Curved rectangular, snap/ click closure, matte-finish look	Compact rounded pod, plastic body with magnetic lid	Jewelry-inspired compact design, minimalist with magnetic closure	Rectangular, compact, plastic with matte finish and magnetic lid
Battery Capacity	500mAh	400mAh	500mAh	Secure snap-close design, sleek matte finish, and LED status
Charging Port	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Additional Features	Secure snap-close design, sleek matte finish, LED status	Magnetic lid, LED status	Protective, elegant design	LED indicators, durable build

Similar to the design of earbuds, the plastic charging case of the FIIL Atom also comes with the same space grey matte color. It’s a well-rounded charging case with no pointy edges, making it perfect for tight pockets. It might not be the smallest in the list, but it definitely is the lightest case.

On the front, we have the brand’s name written.

The most distinctive feature of the case is that it doesn’t have a lid. This breaks the norms of the earbuds industry. The earbuds rest on the top of the charging case, and there’s an LED status light in the middle of it.

• Typically, a solid or blinking light represents different battery charge levels (3 lights full, 2 medium, 1 low)
• The LED lights up when the case is connected to a power source for charging.

If you look at the charging case while the earbuds rest in it, it looks like the case has ears.

The magnetic power to hold these earbuds inside is medium. It’s strong enough that the strong jerks and small drops won’t cause the earbuds to come out. However, a drop from your pants pocket to the floor will make these come out.

Another problem is that of charging case is so curved, it is hard to make it stand straight since the base isn’t flat enough.

Since it has a matte finish and a plastic body, you don’t need a case cover to prevent it from scratches.

Also, I noticed it later, the trademark, certification, and QR code that are present usually under the charging case, this time FIIL manages to put them hidden inside the earbuds’ charging holes.

There’s no reset button on the charging case as well. You can only reset via the App.

★★★★

Hardware & Connectivity

Feature	FIIL Atom	SoundPEATS Pop Clip	Edifier LolliClip	Truefree Clip C10
Audio Drivers	11mm custom liquid crystal dual-magnetic circuit	10mm dynamic driver	10mm composite driver	12mm dual-driver
Bluetooth Version	5.4	5.3	5.2	5.4
Codec Support	AAC, SBC	AAC, SBC	AAC, SBC	AAC, SBC
Latency	Low-latency mode	Low latency mode	Not specified	Low latency mode
Connection Type	Dual-device connection	Single device	Single device	Dual-device connection

FIIL Atom comes with an 11mm custom liquid crystal dual-magnetic circuit unit that focuses on clarity. Furthermore, it has a Bluetooth module of v5.4 with a standard range of 10 meters.

The biggest highlight of the earbuds is that they allow dual-device connection so that you can seamlessly switch between two devices, such as a smartphone and tablet. You can activate that from the app (mentioned in the app section).

The audio chip isn’t mentioned by the manufacturer. However, it supports AAC and SBC codes.

Once you pair them, they are connected within 3 seconds of taking them out of the charging case.

Thankfully, there’s no concept of master-slave functionality. Since there’s no discrimination between left and right earbuds and the design is the same for both, this allows both of them to be used with the same functions.

I have checked the device support, and they connect successfully with both of my phones (Xiaomi 10T and iPhone 14 Pro), Windows PC, and my LG OLED TV.

★★★★★

Latency

FIIL Atom comes with a low-latency mode that can be activated from the app. While watching movies on a smartphone, there’s no delay at all, even without the low-latency mode. However, while gaming and using these on devices that have old Bluetooth modules (Windows PC and TV), turn this mode on.

With the latency mode, while playing PUBG, there’s no delay while firing via any gun (maybe around 60ms, but it’s hard to measure).

★★★★★

Sound Quality

The sound profile of the FIIL Atom clip-on earbuds is best appreciated when the earbuds are perfectly fitted around the ear clip. When properly worn, the earbuds deliver clear, balanced sound with a crisp, full range from deep bass to sharp highs thanks to the high-precision 11mm dual magnetic circuit drivers.

At the start, I had the same experience with my Edifier X2, but slightly adjusting these by pushing them inside my ear and letting them come out, the sound quality became exactly as described. Also, the customizable equalizer helps a lot. I boosted the bass and mi

However, you can never achieve the sound profile of an in-ear earbud or IEMs from the open-ear styled earbuds.

Low-Frequency Response (Bass):

The bass is present but controlled, not overpowering. It provides enough depth and punch to feel satisfying without overwhelming the mids and highs. Because these are open-fit, clip-on earbuds, the bass doesn’t have the sealed intensity of in-ear models but still offers a natural, clean rumble.

Mid-Frequency Response (Vocals and Instruments):

Mids are well emphasized, making vocals (male and female) clear and detailed, probably the best in any open-ear earbuds. Just love it. Instruments also sound natural, with moderate warmth. The midrange is slightly recessed compared to bass and treble, maintaining clarity without sounding hollow.

High-Frequency Response (Treble and Airiness):

Treble and highs are crisp and airy, but can become slightly harsh at higher volumes. These frequencies provide good detail and sparkle, enhancing soundstage and openness typical of open-fit designs. However, sibilance or sharpness may appear during complex or windy instrument passages.

Soundstage and Openness:

The soundstage is spacious with a good sense of positioning and air around instruments, a common advantage for open and clip-on earphones. This openness provides a pleasant, natural listening experience and reduces listening fatigue.

Volume and Clarity:

Volume levels are adequate but not excessively loud. Clarity is generally high when the earbuds fit securely. However, optimal sound depends heavily on the secure clip fit around the ear to avoid sound leakage.

Overall, these earbuds offer a minimalistic yet satisfying sound experience, excelling in comfort and wearability rather than bass-heavy or highly immersive audio.

Sound Ratings:

• Volume: 7/10
• High-Frequency Response: 7/10
• Mid-Frequency Response: 7/10
• Low-Frequency Response: 6/10
• Soundstage: 7/10
• Treble: 7/10

The FIIL Atom’s sound profile is mid boosted, bright, and sharp, with vocals always in front, while the bass gets shadowed. Its main strength lies in comfort and acoustic openness rather than deep bass or heavy isolation. 

★★★

Songs Played On Edifier X2 Earbuds

• Hootie & The Blowfish – Hold My Hand (instrument-rich) (Yes, PC Principal :D) – Crisp, slightly sharp at high volume, soundstage is excellent, quite airy around the instrument
• Future – Mask Off (bass heavy) – Never listen to this on open-ear earbuds. Barely any bass but voice at the start is quite layered and deep with these earbuds. Overall, the details and bass are missed, but whenever the singer’s voice comes, it’s incredible and to the face.
• Imagine Dragons – Natural (vocal heavy) – Similar to the previous song, incredible details in the singer’s voice, on front vocals throughout the song, the bass thump is missing when the drums are hit.

ANC

The earbuds do not have an ANC mode

Gaming Experience

Just a mediocre experience on these. Low latency improved the latency. However, playing PUBG mobile on this, I miss the footsteps approaching detail, details of bass-heavy guns like AWM. The surrounding sounds improved a bit, but the gameplay wasn’t that immersive.

★★★

Talking & Calling Experience

90% of the earbuds aren’t good when it comes to recording and calling. I have recorded my voice on these earbuds:

With Fan Directly Pointed To Me

Voice with no wind

Via my iPhone 14 Pro microphone

Clarity: The voice is moderately clear but highly muffled; it lacks the sharpness and crispness found in higher-end microphones. Some words may sound a bit blended or fuzzy.

Background Noise: After the fan was switched off, the background noise is low, showing effective ambient noise reduction, though the mic picks up some room echo or reverb.

Volume: The voice volume is adequate but not very strong or punchy, which can make it sound distant or soft in the recording.

Tone: The tone is natural without harshness, but the mic does not emphasize vocal warmth or brightness strongly.

Distortion: No noticeable distortion or clipping; the mic handles normal speaking volumes well.

It’s similar to most earbuds; you can talk with these earbuds for basic communication, but don’t expect much.

★★

Controls

FIIL Atom allows you to customize the earbuds with three options:

1. one touch
2. 2x touch
3. hold for 2s
4. 3x touch

However, to use the touch control, you have to touch on the box section, which is placed behind the ears while using it, so that is a bit inconvenient. Also since there are no L or R earbuds this time so the function will be the same on both earbuds.

These are the control options:

1. Play/Pause
2. Low Latency Mode
3. Previous Song
4. Next Song
5. Volume Up
6. Volume Down
7. Voice Assistant
8. None

You can only set any four from the list. Phone answer/end call is set to 2 clicks and can’t be changed. Same for phone reject, you have to hold for 2s to reject a call.

Also, to set the controls in the app, you have to take both earbuds out; otherwise, it won’t let you customize them.

Four options make it simple for me to use all the controls I need, and usually, when I have different controls for left and right earbuds, I get confused a lot. This is what most people will prefer – customized but simple controls, the same on both earbuds.

★★★★★

Battery Life

Battery Aspect	FIIL Atom	SoundPEATS Pop Clip	Edifier LolliClip	Truefree Clip C10
Earbud Battery Capacity	~40mAh per earbud	Not specified (~35-40mAh est.)	Not specified (~40mAh est.)	Not specified
Earbud Playback Time	8 hours per charge	5-6 hours	6-7 hours	6-7 hours
Charging Case Capacity	500mAh	400mAh	~500mAh estimated	300mAh
Total Playback Time	36+ hours (8h earbuds + 3.5 charges)	20+ hours total	~39 hours total	~28 hours total
Charging Time (Earbuds/Case)	~1.5 hours / ~2 hours	~1.5 hours / ~2 hours	~2 hours / ~2.5 hours	~1.5 hours / ~2 hours
Charging Port	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C

FIIL Atom has a 40mAh battery in each earbud, which allows an advertised battery life of 8 hours on a single charge. This is the highest in the clip-on earbuds.

Meanwhile, the charging case has a battery capacity of 500mAh that allows the earbuds to charge 3.5 times. The total time taken to charge the earbuds is 1.5 hours, and 2 hours for the case via Type-C cable.

In low-latency mode, the battery life of the earbuds decreased to 6 hours.

★★★★★

App

FIIL Atom can be used with its app called the FIIL+ Global Edition, which is available on both: Android and iOS.

After 7 days of using FIIL Atom on both iPhone 14 Pro and Mi 10T, I didn’t experience any problems with the app.

I don’t know why I can’t auto pair directly from the App (had to pair it from the Bluetooth settings).

After pairing, the App detects your earbuds.

Once detected, you will see the main page indicating the battery status of each earbud and the case. It also shows the product with the selected color option. There’s a status section as well, highlighting what is turned on and off. This is the battery page.

Pressing the EQ tab from the bottom, we are moved to the Equalizer. I love how many of the presets these earbuds have in the app. We have three tabs in EQ:

1. Official EQ (Bass, Original, Treble)
2. Preset EQ (12 genres EQ)
3. Customized EQ (five frequencies)

This is probably the most EQ customization I have ever seen for an earbud under $50.

Selecting the three dots on the top right, we have the touch operation settings, Bluetooth multipoint connection, low latency mode, voice and prompt sound settings, and OTA upgrade and reset options.

Similar to the EQ, the touch controls are highly customizable as well.

Overall, the app is perfect and how it should be with almost every earbuds irrespective of the price.

★★★★★

Our Verdict

The FIIL Atom earbuds stand out with an innovative, minimalistic clip-on design that excels in comfort and secure fit, making them perfect for active daily use. Their lightweight build (5.3g) and ambidextrous wear provide a fatigue-free experience, setting them apart in the clip-style category.

The sound quality is clear and balanced, though the bass is moderate due to the open-ear design, and the mic is adequate but not exceptional for calls.

Battery life is excellent, offering 8 hours per charge with a total of 36+ hours using the charging case. The IPX5 water resistance adds durability for workouts and outdoor use. Some minor drawbacks include a plastic body design, a limited volume range, and the absence of ANC.

Overall, they offer great value with a futuristic style and practical features for users who prioritize comfort, sound clarity, and long playback over heavy bass or noise cancellation.

Edifier X2 Comparison With Other Earbuds

FIIL Atom vs SoundPEATS Pop Clip

FIIL Atom:

• Lighter and more ergonomic (5.3g per earbud) with an innovative clip-on design
• Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-device connection, better customization via app
• Much longer battery life (8 hours per charge, 36+ hours total)
• Clear, mid-focused sound with good clarity and openness, but moderate bass
• Touch controls with customizable options

SoundPEATS Pop Clip:

• Slightly heavier (~4.7g) but also comfortable with a secure ear-clip
• Bluetooth 5.3, single-device connection only
• Shorter battery life (5-6 hours per charge, ~20+ hours total)
• Balanced, airy sound but less detail and bass than Atom
• Physical button controls, more basic app features

FIIL Atom vs Edifier LolliClip

FIIL Atom:

• One of the lightest clip-on earbuds, minimal plastic design, easy fit
• Bluetooth 5.4, dual device, touch controls via app
• 8 hours per charge, 36+ hours with case
• Bright, clear, open sound—vocals in front, bass slightly recessed
• No ANC or sensor features

Edifier LolliClip:

• Heavier earbuds, bulkier case due to ANC and sensors
• Bluetooth 5.2, no dual-device support
• About 6-7 hours per charge, up to 39 hours total
• Richer, more immersive sound profile with deeper bass and EQ options
• Active noise cancellation and biometric sensor features

FIIL Atom vs Truefree Clip C10

FIIL Atom:

• Sleek, ultralight clip-on design, ambidextrous (no L/R markings)
• Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device, customizable touch controls
• 8 hours per charge, 36+ hours total (best in category)
• Balanced, transparent sound with clear mids and highs, moderate bass
• Great for daily wear and exercise

Truefree Clip C10:

• Sturdier, sport-oriented clip, slightly heavier (8.3g)
• Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device, app for sound customization
• Up to 7 hours per charge, 28 hours total
• Dual drivers for spatial audio and punchier bass
• Focused on durability and energetic sound for sports

Price & Availability

FIIL Atom is priced between $35 – $45. You can get them internationally via AliExpress (the best price, I think).