Lenovo HE05XII Review: These £35 Magnetic Neckband Earphones Are the Commuter's Best Friend

True wireless earbuds have dominated the conversation for years. But anyone who's ever watched a £150 AirPod bounce across train tracks understands the anxiety. Neckband-style earphones - the kind that rest around your collar - solve this completely. They don't fall out because they're tethered. The Lenovo HE05XII Wireless Earphones (£35.49) bring Lenovo's build quality to this practical form factor, and at 472 sold, they're clearly catching on.

The design: A flexible neckband with magnetic earbuds that click together when not in use - no tangled cables in pockets or bags. Bluetooth pairing is straightforward, dynamic drivers deliver clear audio, and onboard volume controls mean you never reach for your phone mid-run.

The HE05XII uses dual dynamic drivers (2 drivers per side) with an impedance of 32Ω and a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz. In plain English: the sound is clear, balanced, and perfectly adequate for podcasts, calls, and casual music listening. Bass is present but not booming - don't expect Beats-level thump. Mids are where these earphones do their best work, making vocals and spoken word crisp and intelligible.

Active noise cancellation is listed in the specs, but manage your expectations: at £35, it's software-based ANC, not the sophisticated multi-microphone cancellation you'd get on £200 Sony or Bose sets. It takes the edge off low-frequency hum (traffic, train rumble) but won't silence a crying baby or loud conversation. Think of it as noise reduction, not noise elimination.

Battery life is rated at 4-5 hours of continuous playback, charging via a standard cable. That's enough for a commute both ways plus a gym session. The neckband itself is lightweight plastic - you'll forget you're wearing it after five minutes. It sits comfortably under a collar or hoodie without catching.

The magnetic clip is the standout feature. Pop the earbuds out of your ears, they snap together around your neck. No pocket-fumbling, no tangled cables, no losing one earbud in the gap between train seats. For anyone who's ever lost a true wireless bud, this alone is worth the switch.

IPX water resistance means sweat and light rain are fine. These are built for gym use. The microphone handles calls adequately in quiet environments - wind noise at cycling speeds is a challenge, as with most earphones at this price.

The HE05XII comes in Blue (£35.49), White (£34.99), Black (£35.95), and Green (£35.50). Blue is the standout - it's bold without being loud, and the colour looks more premium than the price suggests. Black is the safe choice for anyone who wants their earphones to disappear. White looks clean matched with light-coloured gym kit. Green adds personality for those who want something different.

All four variants share identical specs, so your choice is purely aesthetic. Prices vary by less than a pound between colours.

Buy if: you commute by train or bus and want earphones that can't fall onto tracks, you exercise regularly and need sweat-resistant audio that stays put, or you're tired of losing expensive true wireless earbuds. At £35.49 with free tracked UK delivery and 30-day returns, these are one of the lowest-risk audio purchases you can make.

Skip if: you're an audiophile chasing rich, layered soundscapes, you need top-tier ANC for flights or noisy offices, or you're committed to true wireless earbuds and willing to pay more for the form factor.

The bottom line: The Lenovo HE05XII doesn't try to compete with £200 flagships. It competes with the frustration of lost earbuds and tangled cables. For £35, it wins that fight decisively. Browse the full range at the Lenovo HE05XII Wireless Earphones page. Related reading: Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Cycling: What to L · Smart AI Glasses With Camera & Translation: What Y