Between the school run, the commute and late-night tidying, small tech wins matter more than you think.
You probably want music, podcasts and calls without faff, yet you also need kit that survives family life and tight budgets.
Price pressure is real
Premium earbuds often creep beyond £150. That stings when you’re juggling lunches, bus fares and a weekly shop that grows dearer by the month. So a pair at £19.99 feels like a dare: how much can you really cut without sacrificing the basics?
That’s where The Range Touch Screen Ear Buds slot in. They aim squarely at everyday listening: short bursts of audio between chores, quick catch-ups while queuing, and a solo soundtrack when the house finally goes quiet.
£19.99 buys wireless listening, a lightweight fit and a case with touch controls you can use without your phone.
What the touch screen case actually changes
Most budget buds bury controls behind taps on the earpiece. These put key actions on the case. You pause, skip and answer with a quick tap, whether your phone is deep in a tote or charging on the counter.
- Play/pause and skip from the case, not the phone.
- Pick up calls quickly when your hands are busy.
- Avoid digging around menus when you’re in a rush.
For parents pushing a pram, cyclists at a red light, or anyone juggling two shopping bags and a coffee, that simple change trims friction from the day.
No fishing for a handset. No clumsy taps on tiny stems. Just a case that acts like a remote.
Comfort first, style follows
The buds use lightweight materials and a shape that sits softly in the ear. You feel less pressure on longer listens and fewer micro-adjustments on the move. The compact black case slides into a jeans coin pocket, the corner of a handbag, or the side pouch of a rucksack without hogging space.
Tangles vanish with wireless design. That matters when you’re lacing shoes in the hallway or racing for the 07:42 train. Pull them out, pop them in, and you’re off.
Sound that beats the price tag
Under £20 rarely means clarity. Yet these buds bring steady, clean audio, ideal for podcasts and the sort of playlists that power a kitchen clean-up. Speech stays crisp. Acoustic tracks keep their shape. The Range’s set avoids the distracting crackle and mid-track dropouts that dog pound-shop pairs.
Are they tuned for the widest, richest stage? No. They favour balance over bravado. That’s a smart choice for phone calls and spoken-word listening, which make up so much of everyday use.
Who they suit, and who should wait
The sweet spot user
These buds suit anyone who needs a fuss-free companion for errands, childcare, commutes and workouts without heavy rain. They slide easily into a busy routine, and they don’t feel precious. If a child borrows them, you won’t flinch at the risk.
When to hold fire
If you’re chasing advanced noise cancellation, specialised EQ presets or a companion app with deep controls, you’ll likely look higher up the market. Musicians, gamers seeking ultra-low latency, or frequent flyers who need cabin hush might prefer to keep saving.
Real-life moments they handle well
- Kitchen calls while you stir a pan and set the timer.
- Podcasts on the school run without untangling leads at the door.
- Quick music breaks during a desk job without rummaging for a phone.
- Voice notes in the park while the kids charge around.
They’re not status symbols. They’re daily drivers for normal life, priced so you can relax if one goes missing.
How they save money beyond the sticker price
Premium earbuds invite worry: you baby them, buy extra cases, and think twice before lending them. A £19.99 pair lowers that mental tax. You share more freely. You carry them more often. You stop delaying the podcast because the “good buds” are charging.
The case-as-remote setup also shortens interactions. Fewer unlocks and swipes mean less screen time, which can gently nudge battery savings on your phone across a working week.
The quick spec story you can trust
The Range highlights three pillars: a lightweight build for long wear, clear and consistent sound at a budget price, and a touch-enabled case that controls playback and calls without the phone. The case is compact and pocketable, and the buds hold steadily in the ear while walking or commuting.
Common questions answered
Do they replace premium sets?
Not on advanced features. On everyday practicality, they come surprisingly close. For many people, that’s what counts Monday to Friday.
What about durability?
There’s no claim of ruggedisation here, so treat them as you would any lightweight electronics. Keep the case closed in a bag, avoid moisture, and wipe ear tips with a dry cloth after use.
Calls and meetings?
Speech-focused sound suits voice well. They do the job for quick team calls, school admin chats and family catch-ups, especially in quieter spots.
What you actually get for £19.99
- Wireless earbuds with a secure, comfortable fit for long stretches.
- A compact black charging case that adds touch controls for play, pause, skip and calls.
- Clear, consistent audio without the crackle common to ultra-cheap models.
- Everyday reliability for commutes, chores and on-the-go listening.
How to make a budget pair work harder
Fit check
Seat the bud and twist slightly to lock the shape into the ear’s natural curve. A stable fit boosts perceived bass, reduces fatigue and prevents fiddling mid-journey.
Volume discipline
Keep volume just high enough to hear speech clearly. Your ears will thank you after a month of podcasts and playlists. It also preserves clearer detail at quieter settings.
Care habits
- Store in the case between uses to avoid knocks.
- Wipe contacts and tips with a lint-free cloth weekly.
- Avoid pockets with coins or keys to protect the case screen.
A small upgrade with outsized daily impact
When tech gets out of the way, you notice the day more than the device. These earbuds back that idea: simple controls, stable sound and a price that frees you to use them often. For parents, students and anyone counting pennies, they turn spare minutes into listening time without the stress of a luxury purchase.
For £19.99, you get comfort, style and sound designed for everyday life — and a case that finally does something useful.
Helpful extras to think about next
If you share devices at home, label the case to stop mix-ups, and set a “dock spot” near the front door so they’re always charged before you leave. If you switch between calls and music, try a short playlist of speech-first tracks for focus and a second list for energy; a single tap on the case becomes your mode switch. Parents lending buds to teens might add a quick listening rule: volume at 60% max and no use while crossing roads. Those two habits extend comfort and keep attention where it belongs.
Honestly, this is the kind of frill-free gadget families need. The case-as-remote idea is clever—no more fishing my phone out with sticky hands. If the buds really avoid crackle and stay comfy on long school runs, £19.99 feels like a steal. I don’t care about audiophile staging; I just want calls and podcasts clear. Only worry is durability in drizle and the mic at a windy bus stop—any real-world tests?
Touch-screen case sounds neat, but how’s battery life and pocket scratches? Also, does the mic cut through traffic noise or do calls get mushy?