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Budi EP18W True Wireless Earbuds | Bluetooth 5.3 | Qi Wireless Charging Case | 13mm Drivers | USB-C Port
Drop the pod onto a mat or attach a cord, then move from matatu ride to treadmill to client meeting with nothing tangled.
Condition: New
Note: price and availability are subject to change without prior notice
Budi EP18W True Wireless Earbuds are now in stock at Mascom International for KSh 2,800, brand new and sealed. The Budi EP18W connects over Bluetooth 5.3, runs 13mm dynamic drivers, and sits inside a 250mAh charging pod that accepts a USB-C cable or any Qi wireless charging mat. Each bud carries a 30mAh cell rated for 3 hours of music playback or 2.5 hours of talk time, with 30 hours of standby. Frequency response covers 20Hz to 20kHz at 32 ohms impedance. Collect the Budi EP18W at Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD.
University students at Strathmore, USIU, and Kenyatta University buy the Budi EP18W as a first pair of true wireless buds. Sales representatives, boda riders running errands between Industrial Area and Mombasa Road, and gym members in Kilimani reach for it too. The problem this pair solves is a small one that bites daily: cheap buds die because the case runs flat and the cable is at home. The Budi EP18W charging pod refills on the same Qi mat that tops up a phone, so one mat on a desk keeps both devices alive.
At Mascom International, we are seeing Qi charging move from high-end audio into the sub-KSh-3,000 bracket, and the Budi EP18W is one of the first pairs to bring it here. Other electronics retailers in Kenya stock buds at this price with a plain USB-C port and nothing more. Users consistently report that the wireless pod is the feature they end up using every day. Walk into our Kimathi Street store in Nairobi CBD to test the Budi EP18W against your own phone before you pay, or order it for pay-on-arrival delivery countrywide.
Common Questions About the Budi EP18W
Does the Budi EP18W charging case really work on a Qi wireless pad?
Yes. The Budi EP18W pod supports Qi wireless charging, so it refills on the same flat mat you use for a phone, no cable needed. A USB-C port on the back handles cable charging when you prefer it. Both routes take roughly 1.2 hours for a full pod. This is unusual at KSh 2,800, where most buds in Kenya ship with a USB-C port only and no wireless option at all.
What is the difference between the Budi EP18W and the Budi EP19W?
The split is runtime versus refill convenience. The EP19W runs about 5 hours per bud and roughly 25 hours with its case, but charges by cable only. The Budi EP18W runs about 3 hours per bud with a smaller 250mAh pod, and adds Qi wireless charging plus a 13mm driver. Pick the EP19W for long travel days. Pick the Budi EP18W if you sit near a charging mat and want a bigger driver.
How much listening time do you get before the pod runs empty?
Each bud gives about 3 hours of music or 2.5 hours of talking. The 250mAh pod holds roughly three extra full refills for the pair, putting realistic total runtime near 12 hours. That covers a full lecture day or a working shift with the pod in your bag. Standby sits at 30 hours, so buds left in a closed pod overnight are ready the next morning.
Can I connect the Budi EP18W to a laptop for Zoom or Teams classes?
Yes. Budi lists iOS, Android, and Windows as supported systems, and the HFP profile handles microphone input on video calls. Pair it from Windows Bluetooth settings the same way you would pair a mouse. One caution: the Budi EP18W holds one active connection at a time, so you disconnect from the phone before joining a laptop call. Students running late-evening Zoom sessions on Safaricom or Airtel home fibre use it exactly this way.
Is Bluetooth 5.3 worth caring about on earbuds at this price?
It matters for two practical reasons. Bluetooth 5.3 pairs faster after the pod lid opens and holds a steadier link across the 10-metre range quoted by Budi. It also draws less idle power than the 5.0 chips still common in budget buds, which is part of why the small 30mAh cells reach 3 hours. In a crowded matatu with dozens of phones broadcasting, the newer radio drops out less often than older sets.
Will the Budi EP18W survive sweat, rain, and Nairobi dust?
Budi publishes no IP rating for the Budi EP18W, so treat it as sweat-tolerant rather than waterproof. The ABS housing wipes clean and handles gym use, but heavy rain on Thika Road or a full soaking will damage it. Keep the pod closed in dusty conditions, since grit in the charging contacts is the usual cause of a bud failing to charge.
How much audio delay is there when watching video or gaming?
Bluetooth 5.3 keeps lag low enough that YouTube, Netflix, and Showmax stay in sync with on-screen lips, since video apps compensate automatically. Casual mobile gaming on titles like Candy Crush or racing games is fine. Fast shooters such as Call of Duty Mobile will show a slight gap, because Budi does not publish a dedicated low-latency gaming mode for the Budi EP18W. Competitive mobile gamers should budget for a pair with a stated gaming mode.
Who should buy the Budi EP18W at KSh 2,800?
Buy it if you already own a Qi charging mat or plan to, and you want buds that never need a second cable on your desk. It suits students, office staff on calls, and gym users who charge nightly at one spot. Skip it if you travel upcountry for days without power, where the EP19W's 25-hour reserve serves better. At KSh 2,800 it costs roughly KSh 8 per day across a year of use.
Technical Specifications
Sound Output and Driver Hardware
- 13mm dynamic driver per bud, larger than the 10mm units common in buds under KSh 3,000.
- Frequency response spans 20Hz to 20kHz, covering deep bass through to the top of human hearing.
- Speaker sensitivity rated at 105dB plus or minus 3dB, loud enough over matatu and generator noise.
- Impedance of 32 ohms matches phone and laptop outputs directly, needing no separate amplifier.
- A2DP and AVRCP profiles carry stereo music and let you skip tracks from the bud itself.
- Amplified sound chamber behind the driver adds low-end weight for gengetone, bongo, and hip-hop tracks.
- Tuning leans warm rather than flat, which suits streaming on Boomplay, Spotify, and YouTube Music.
Bluetooth Standard and Device Pairing
- Bluetooth 5.3 chip pairs in under three seconds once the pod lid opens near a known phone.
- Quoted wireless range reaches 10 metres in open space, less through the concrete walls of Nairobi flats.
- TWS+ protocol means neither bud is a fixed master, so either one works alone.
- Supported systems cover iOS, Android, and Windows, so iPhone, Samsung, Tecno, and laptops all connect.
- HFP and GAVDP profiles handle call audio and microphone routing for WhatsApp and Teams calls.
- AVDTP and AVCTP profiles manage the stream itself and the remote commands sent from the buds.
- One active device connection at a time, so switching from phone to laptop needs a manual disconnect.
Power Cell Capacity and Refill Methods
- 30mAh cell per bud produces roughly 3 hours of music or 2.5 hours of continuous talking.
- 250mAh charging pod holds around three additional full refills, taking realistic total runtime near 12 hours.
- Qi wireless charging on the pod means any phone charging mat also refills the earbuds.
- USB-C port on the pod provides the cable route from any 5V phone charger or laptop.
- Full pod charge takes about 1.2 hours, quicker than the typical two-hour wait in this bracket.
- Standby time of 30 hours means buds seated in a closed pod stay ready between uses.
- Buds start charging automatically the moment they are seated and the pod lid closes.
Housing Dimensions and Everyday Handling
- Charging pod measures 54.1 by 46.4 by 21.45mm, small enough for a shirt pocket or handbag.
- ABS plastic shell keeps weight down so buds stay comfortable through long lecture or shift blocks.
- Magnetic seating holds each bud in place, preventing the rattle that loses buds on rough roads.
- White finish shows dirt faster than dark buds, so wipe the pod weekly with a dry cloth.
- Lid hinge stays firm through repeated daily opening, the usual failure point on cheaper pods.
- In-ear silicone tips block a portion of ambient noise passively without any electronic cancellation circuit.
- No IP water or dust rating is published, so treat the pair as sweat-tolerant only.
Tap Commands and Microphone Behaviour
- Touch surface on each bud handles play, pause, and call answering with a single tap.
- Double tap skips tracks forward, useful when your phone stays in a bag on a matatu.
- Press and hold for one to two seconds rejects an incoming call without touching the phone.
- Built-in microphone on each bud supports hands-free calling on Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom lines.
- Voice assistant access works through the same touch surface, reaching Siri or Google Assistant.
- Single-bud mode lets you keep one ear open for traffic while riding or driving.
- Removing both buds and closing the pod disconnects Bluetooth automatically after roughly 180 seconds.
Package Contents
The Budi EP18W arrives in a sealed retail box containing:
- Budi EP18W earbuds, left and right
- Qi-compatible charging pod
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- Spare silicone ear tips
- User manual and warranty documentation
Note:No wall adapter or Qi mat is included. Any 5V USB charger or existing wireless pad works.
Warranty
The Budi EP18W carries a 12-month Mascom International warranty covering manufacturing defects under normal use. Faults affecting either earbud, the charging pod, the USB-C port, or the wireless charging coil are assessed at our Nairobi CBD service desk against your original purchase record. Liquid damage and physical breakage sit outside this cover.
Where to Buy the Budi EP18W in Kenya
Budi EP18W True Wireless Earbuds are available now at Mascom International, Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. Visit Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, to test the Budi EP18W with your own phone and your own charging mat before you buy. Available in White.
Order through any of the following:
- Phone/WhatsApp: +254 708 852 521
- Email: info@mascomintl.com
- Website: www.mascomintl.com
Mascom International ships the Budi EP18Wacross all 47 Kenyan counties with pay-on-arrival delivery you pay only once the earbuds reach you. Nairobi and its environs receive same-day delivery. All other major cities and towns, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kakamega, and Kisii, receive next-business-day delivery. Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Lamu, Tana River, and Turkana receive delivery within 2-3 business days.
Every pair leaves our counter covered by the 12-month warranty stated above, with claims handled directly at our Nairobi CBD service desk. Buyers across Kenya rely on Mascom International for honest specifications, current pricing, and after-sales backing on every pair of earbuds we stock.
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee that the information on this product is 100% correct
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