Rowkin Surge Charge hands-on

Rowkin's first new true wireless offering for the year is the Surge Charge, which is essentially the Rowkin Charge before it, but with an included battery charging case. In looking at the two models, they're one and the same considering they feature the same design.

Thankfully, this time around we're presented with an actual battery charging case, which definitely comes in handy when it comes to storing them when they're not being used, as well as actively charging them. With last year's Rowkin Charge, we were a bit annoyed that it didn't come with anything at all – including a travel pouch or case of some kind. So yes, we're ecstatic that these now come with it, but we still feel that the wired microUSB connection is a little antiquated in comparison to other charging implementations we've seen in the true wireless space. But hey, at least you can charge your other microUSB devices as well.

Secondly, these feature a water-resistant design because they're IPX5 compliant. For those thinking about using them for workouts and during exercises, they'll be pleased by the snug and secure fit – thanks in part to its firm silicone ear tips and the adjustable clips attached to them. Audio quality is decent at best, as there's some bass accompanying it, but we're just annoyed by the spotty connection. Moving our smartphone farther away from the headphones degrades the connection even more! It's not like it goes in-and-out every hour or so, which wouldn't be too bad, but the frequency of it dropping is much higher in this case.

And lastly, the Rowkin Surge Charge has a lower starting cost of $119.99, whereas the Rowkin Surge before it was priced at $129.99. These are priced a lot better than the previous ones, especially now that it comes with a battery charging case for less than the cost of just the headphones with the Rowkin Surge. The discount here is no doubt appreciated, but even at that price point, it can prove to be a hard sell considering the spotty connection. Plus, there are a handful of other options that offer better performance and more features – so it's a really tough sell! Then again, if you prefer the styling of these headphones, then definitely check them out.