Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd offer an AirPods Pro clone in their joint online shop. What good are the cheap headphones for 20 euros?
Bluetooth headphones in earbud format are often on sale at discounters Aldi. TECHBOOK has already tested two models, now the BIK-4 model from the manufacturer Maginon is available at a reasonable price. But are the 20-euro headphones any good and are there perhaps even better alternatives?
Aldi online shop with its own AirPods clones
These headphones are available in Aldi online shop currently for 19.99 euros instead of an RRP of 49.99 euros. The retailer thus advertises a saving of 60 percent. However, this comparison is not entirely correct, as Bluetooth headphones have always been cheaper. In January of this year, for example, they were on sale for EUR 24.99.
At first glance, the Maginon BIK-4 look confusingly similar to the AirPods Pro. They are not the first earbuds from the manufacturer Maginon to be based on Apple headphones. TECHBOOK has already tested the BIK-40, which was also on sale at Aldi for 19.99 euros and also looks like AirPods Pro. But while the BIK-40 actually has its own product page on Maginon’s website, there is only an EU declaration of conformity for the BIK-4. To all appearances, the latter model is a custom-made product for Aldi.
Maginon BIK-4 vs BIK-40
But how do the exclusive Aldi offer BIK-4 differ from the BIK-40? As I said, both models are externally based on Apple’s AirPods Pro. But there is already a difference in the charging case. While the BIK-40 has a silver hinge that sits above the case lip like the AirPods Pro, the BIK-4’s hinge is white plastic and sits underneath.
The earbuds themselves have some visual differences. The BIK-40 have the same long line on the inside of the headphones that the AirPods Pro have. On the BIK-4 there is a dot here instead. On the outside, however, the latter are more similar to Apple’s earbuds, being completely rounded with no protruding elements. With the BIK-40, on the other hand, the handle is continued here, so that two protruding “humps” can be seen.
Different specifications
Since the BIK-4 is not listed on the Maginon site, we have to be satisfied with the data sheet from the Aldi online shop. However, some important points, such as the frequency range, are not specified therein.
| specifications | Maginon BIK-4 | Maginon BIK-40 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth version / range | Bluetooth 5.0 / 15 meters | Bluetooth 5.0 / 15 meters |
| Playback time Earbuds / Case | 4 / 20 hours | 3 / not specified |
| Charging time earbuds | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Battery capacity earbuds / case | 30 / 400 milliamp hours | 30 / 300 milliamp hours |
| charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
| service | touch surfaces | touch surfaces |
| voice assistants | Siri + Google Assistant | Siri + Google Assistant |
| frequency range | n/a | 20 – 20,000 Hertz |
| Dimensions earbuds / case | 3.3×2.5×2.1cm / 6×4.7×2.6cm | 3.2 x 2.3 x 2.2cm / 6.0 x 5.0 x 2.4cm |
| Weight earbuds (both) / case | 8 / 36 grams | 7.6 / 29 grams |
| Active noise canceling | no | no |
| transparency mode | no | no |
Maginon BIK-3: “Discounter AirPods” for 20 euros in the test – is it worth buying?
Is the Maginon BIK-4 worth buying?
Although they differ in details, the BIK-4 are very similar to the BIK-40 that TECHBOOK tested, not only in name but also in functionality. The setup is easy, the operation okay, the workmanship is quite good for the price. The limitations in sound quality that we noticed with the BIK-40 should also apply to the BIK-4. Whether highs, mids or lows – in this price category everything is often just a blur. Precise separation of instruments and clear tones are only available at significantly higher prices.
Also, the price is no longer a unique selling point for Aldi headphones. Because many manufacturers are entering the market with increasingly cheaper alternatives. The Soundcore Life P2 Mini is often available for just under 30 euros – with 8 hours of battery life and Bluetooth 5.2. Xiaomi’s Redmi Buds 3 Lite are even cheaper and also offer Bluetooth 5.2 and longer playback times, as well as an IP54 rating. These models also have their own design and don’t look like AirPods Pro clones. So it’s definitely worth looking for alternatives before hitting the Aldi offer.