October 18, 2018, 2:50 pm | Read time: 9 minutes
Under its Basics brand, Amazon has been selling everyday products like cables, headphones, and batteries at low prices for several years. But is the quality up to par? TECHBOOK ordered a few Basics products and tested them over several months.
Items added to the shopping cart included Bluetooth speakers, cables, a tripod, a mouse, and a few headphones. Since particularly cheap devices often work smoothly at first but show signs of wear after just a few weeks, the editorial team used the products in everyday life for several months. Only then could the testers give a genuine purchase recommendation or advise against the Basics. The video also shows all the products in action:
Table of Contents
Bluetooth Speaker
Amazon aims to offer a particularly good price-performance ratio with its Basics products. This also applies to the small Bluetooth speaker BSK30, available in red, blue, and black for 24 euros. Visually, the device makes a good impression: It looks simple–almost minimalist–and is impeccably crafted. The functions are very basic: on/off switch, volume buttons, and a button for answering and rejecting calls. The connection worked smoothly in our test, with the device being immediately recognized by the iPhone upon turning it on. However, it didn’t always connect automatically after being activated from standby mode. Alternatively, there’s a 3.5-mm jack input for connecting audio devices via cable. The tiny speaker is supposed to last up to 12 hours before needing a recharge.
Photo: TECHBOOK
And then came the sound. Suddenly, the good first impression vanished. What comes out of the box sounds more like elevator music than entertainment: no bass, weak treble, and an emphasis on the midrange. While this provides good speech intelligibility, we’re not looking for clear train station announcements; we want music that excites us. Perhaps you just can’t expect that for 23.99 euros–it’s Basic, after all.
What else is missing: splash protection for outdoor use, in case it unexpectedly rains or things get a bit wild by the water.
Lightning Cable
With the Lightning cable, Amazon offers a cheap alternative to the original accessories for iPhone, iPod, and iPad. The Apple-certified Amazon cable (MFi) costs only 6.59 euros for a length of 0.9 m, making it significantly cheaper than the original at 25 euros (same price for 0.5m and 1m). The charging cables, available in white and black, also come in lengths of 10 cm (6.99 euros), 1.8 m (9.64 euros), and 3 m (10.76 euros), making them perfect for various applications such as desk work. In comparison, Apple offers only a 2-meter cable for a hefty 35 euros as an alternative to the 0.5- and 1-meter cables.
The cable looks identical to the Apple original. Only an Amazon Basics logo on the Lightning connector makes the difference clear. In terms of quality, it is in no way inferior to the original. On the contrary, the Amazon version impressed in the long-term test, as the rubber coating did not tear at the bend points even after months–a problem many Apple customers complain about with the original.
Power Adapter/Charger with 2 USB Ports (24 Watt)
In addition to the Lightning cable and, of course, for all other smartphone cables, Amazon Basics also offers a power adapter/charger. We especially recommend that every iPhone owner replace the included original Apple charger with a more powerful adapter. The Apple standard product only delivers a meager 5 watts. For comparison: While the Apple adapter takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge an iPhone 8 Plus, a 24-watt adapter takes just over two hours. This result is also delivered by the Amazon Basics charger in conjunction with the Basics Lightning cable.
With the tested version featuring 2 USB ports priced at about 12 euros, you can charge two devices simultaneously–each with 24 watts. If one USB port is sufficient, you can opt for the cheaper version for just under 10 euros (in a two-pack for 13 euros). All in all, it’s an affordable and useful power adapter alternative that also impressed in the long-term test (since November 2017).
In-Ear Headphones for Sports
Amazon wants around 16 euros for its sports headphones. They are protected against sweat and rain showers according to theIPX5 standard. The cable includes an integrated microphone and a button for answering calls. It can also pause and start music. Unfortunately, the volume cannot be adjusted via the mini remote control. There are six pairs of silicone ear tips–they should fit many ears. In our opinion, they didn’t seal well enough against external noise, but many users prefer it that way.
The cable is routed behind the ear cups to ensure a secure fit. We found it too fiddly to always adjust and bend the cables correctly. Additionally, the cable tangled very easily. If you don’t have high demands for sound quality and just want musical accompaniment while exercising, you can go ahead and buy these, as the headphones sound clean and balanced overall. However, we found the sound too flat, not dynamic, not engaging, and the maximum volume too low.
Premium Over-Ear Headphones
The word premium doesn’t really belong in the name of these 20-euro headphones. The headband is made of rough hard plastic, the cups of shiny hard plastic, the cushions of faux leather, and the connecting cable doesn’t seem particularly stable, especially at the jack connection. We were all the more surprised by the sound. The first tones came through surprisingly powerful and bass-heavy, making it quite enjoyable. The volume is more than sufficient.
Photo: TECHBOOK
However, voices are poorly reproduced. They sound nasal, as if behind a thick curtain, lacking authenticity and detail. This is certainly not for discerning music listeners. But if you’re looking for headphones that provide good isolation without expensive noise cancellation (Noise Cancelling), you can try these. We found the pressure of the headband on the head too high. Since the headband is made of hard plastic, it cannot be stretched without risking a break.
Amazon Basics Tripod
The “Amazon Basics Lightweight Tripod” comes with a carrying case, swivel head, and integrated level. TECHBOOK used the tripod for numerous video shoots. It became apparent that video recordings are only possible from a fixed position, as pans or movements with the head are simply too jerky. The integrated level works inaccurately.
Amazon states the maximum load capacity as 3 kilograms. But even with an entry-level DSLR camera with a lens, the construct seems rather shaky. Therefore, you should avoid loads of more than 1500 grams and choose a more robust tripod. At a price of around 24 euros, however, anyone looking for a stable, fixed camera position can confidently go for it. But don’t expect more than a price-performance product.
How good is noise canceling on the AirPods 4, really?
These devices can be connected to a smartphone via cable.
HDMI Cable
The HDMI cable costs a slim 6 euros for a length of 1.8 meters, with longer cables available for a small additional charge. The cables meet the current HDMI 2.0 standard, meaning they also transmit 4K and 3D content. Good: Both connectors are secured with plastic caps and coated with a layer of gold. Caution: Although cable manufacturers often claim that gold connectors provide better picture and sound signals–that’s not true! However, the gold coating makes the cable less susceptible to corrosion and is a quality feature not every cable in this price range has. In the test, it performed its duty without issue, had no dropouts, and didn’t kink. Recommended purchase!
Photo: TECHBOOK
Gaming Mouse
19 euros for a gaming mouse–sounds too good to be true? It is, because while the mouse comes in a gamer-typical look with colorful LED lighting, it unfortunately relies on a cheap sensor. Otherwise, the formula seems right. The plastic feels very high-quality, and the left and right mouse buttons have a smooth and precise pressure point, as well as an indentation for the fingers to fix their position. The thumb buttons are optimally accessible, but have a glossy look on the top that not everyone likes. The braided cable rounds off the external impression with an elegant touch.
Photo: TECHBOOK
The free software, which can be downloaded from the Amazon product page or installed from the included CD, has a very clear interface with many settings. With the program, all mouse buttons are freely programmable. The sampling rate (DPI) can also be changed with the software. The colors of the LEDs for the logo and the scroll wheel are independently configurable and can be set with effects like pulsing or blinking at different intervals. To save individual settings, you can create up to five profiles and even set a macro button to switch directly between profiles.
We noticed the heavy weight of the mouse and its sheer size negatively. For people with small hands, the mouse is a no-go. You should also have strong fingers, as the middle click on the scroll wheel can only be triggered with considerable effort. But we were particularly disappointed by the sensor. Although it is in a good position and recognizes movement quite precisely, the maximum tracking speed is so low that small, quick movements can often result in errors. Here, Amazon saved at the wrong end and opted for a cheap sensor that is more suitable for office use, but not really for gaming.