Sourcing Wireless Earbuds (TWS) from China: Wholesale Guide

True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds are one of the most competitive categories in Chinese electronics manufacturing. Shenzhen alone produces a significant share of global TWS output. The technology is mature enough that even mid-tier factories produce usable products, but the gap between a $5 factory unit and a $25 factory unit is enormous.

The competition in this space is fierce and the quality range is wide. This guide helps you find where the real value is and what to check before you commit to a batch.

Understanding the TWS Supply Chain

Shenzhen is the center. The chip makers (Qualcomm, MediaTek, Realtek, Bluetrum, BES/Bestechnic, Airoha) are either based there or have design centers there. The factory ecosystem — casing manufacturers, battery suppliers, foam and silicone tip producers — is clustered within a few hours’ drive.

This concentration is good for buyers. It means you can find factories at every quality tier without traveling far, and the supply chain is fast. Lead times for stock modifications (custom color, logo imprint) are typically 25–35 days. Full custom designs take 60–120 days.

Factory Tiers

Budget tier ($2.50–6 factory cost): The vast majority of TWS on AliExpress. Generic earbud shape, single driver (usually 6mm or 8mm), BT 5.0 chip from unknown or low-tier vendors, claimed battery life of 4–6 hours (actual is often 2.5–3.5 hours). These aren’t designed to compete on audio quality — they compete on price. Suitable for promotional use, very price-sensitive markets, or buyers who understand what they’re getting.

Mid-tier ($6–18 factory cost): This is where the market gets interesting. Better drivers (10mm or larger), name-brand chips (Realtek RTL8763, Qualcomm QCC30xx series, BES2300/2500), actual tuning, better seal and fit. Some units include ANC (active noise cancellation) using inexpensive single-mic implementations. Battery life claims of 6–8 hours per bud (4–5 hours realistic). This tier includes a lot of the unbranded Amazon product and the factories that OEM for third-tier consumer brands.

Upper-mid to premium ($18–45 factory cost): Larger drivers (12mm+), multi-driver configurations (BA + dynamic), name-brand chips (Qualcomm QCC5xxx, Airoha AB1562), multipoint connection, LDAC or aptX Adaptive codec support, ANC that actually works, IPX4–IPX5 ratings that hold up to testing. Some factories at this level produce for established brands. Lead times are similar but quality control is tighter.

Specs That Determine Whether a TWS Is Worth Selling

Codec support. SBC is the Bluetooth baseline. Everything supports it. AAC is better for Apple devices. aptX and aptX HD improve audio on Android. LDAC is Sony’s high-res format and generally indicates a higher-quality chipset. A factory claiming aptX but using a chip that only supports SBC is a common bait-and-switch. Test codec negotiation with a device that supports aptX and use an app like SoundID Reference to confirm what codec is active during playback.

Chipset. The chip determines most of the functional quality — codec support, latency, Bluetooth stability, power efficiency. Ask the factory directly which chip they use. Look up the chipset datasheet. Common good options at various price tiers: Realtek RTL8763E (budget), BES2300Z (mid), Qualcomm QCC3050/3056 (mid-premium), Qualcomm QCC5141 or Airoha AB1562E (premium).

Driver size and type. Larger dynamic drivers typically produce better bass. Balanced armature (BA) drivers produce better detail and treble but less bass. Hybrid configurations (one of each) are common in the $15–30 factory range. A 6mm dynamic driver in a budget earbud will sound thin.

Battery life (actual, not claimed). Run both earbuds simultaneously playing pink noise at 50% volume. Time to cutoff. Then test case charge cycles — how many full bud charges does the case provide? Budget cases often hold 1.5–2 charges despite claiming 3–4.

Latency. Standard Bluetooth has ~200ms of latency — visible as lip sync problems in video. Gaming or low-latency modes reduce this to 40–60ms. If the factory claims a low-latency mode, test it with a video. Cheap implementations of “gaming mode” don’t actually reduce latency.

Fit and ear tip options. Earbuds that don’t fit stay, don’t sell well. Check that at least three sizes of ear tips are included. Test the stem depth and angle. The AirPods Pro-style in-canal fit is what most buyers now expect; shallow-fit styles (original AirPods shape) are harder to sell outside premium brand territory.

IPX rating. Same advice as for speakers: test it, don’t trust the label. IPX4 is the minimum for sports marketing. IPX5 is better. Budget earbuds with IPX4 claims often fail a basic sweat test.

Certifications Required

FCC Part 15 (mandatory, US market): Non-negotiable for anything with Bluetooth. Verify the FCC ID at fcc.report. If the factory doesn’t have one, budget $800–1,500 for testing at an accredited lab. Without FCC, CBP can and does seize shipments.

CE + RED directive (EU/UK): Required for European sales. The Radio Equipment Directive covers Bluetooth devices. CE also requires SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) testing for devices worn in or near the ear. This adds testing cost vs. speakers. Budget $1,500–2,500 for full CE/RED certification including SAR if the factory doesn’t already have it.

RoHS: Standard requirement for both US and EU. Ask for current test report.

Apple MFi (if AirPods-compatible accessories): If any of your product’s features rely on Apple-specific pairing (H1 chip integration, etc.), Apple MFi licensing is required. Most generic TWS do not have this and cannot claim Apple ecosystem integration.

MOQs and Pricing

Stock models with no modifications: 100–300 units from most Shenzhen factories. These are existing designs in existing colors.

Custom logo + packaging: 300–500 units minimum. Good for market testing under your brand.

Custom color + packaging: 500–1,000 units. Requires a new mold color run.

Custom industrial design (new shape): 2,000–5,000 units minimum with tooling fees ($5,000–20,000 depending on complexity).

For a first order, buy stock design with your own box and inserts. If it sells, move to custom color. If it sells well, consider custom design.

Where the Market Is Moving

ANC (active noise cancellation) has dropped from a premium feature to something buyers expect at $30 retail. Factories that didn’t offer ANC two years ago now have catalog ANC products. The challenge is that cheap single-mic ANC implementations can actually make audio quality worse by introducing hiss or artifacts. Test ANC performance specifically, not just whether it exists.

Multipoint connection — pairing to two devices simultaneously — is increasingly expected. Check whether the factory’s implementation actually switches seamlessly or requires manual reconnection.

Spatial audio is being marketed heavily but is mostly a gimmick at the $15–40 price point. Don’t pay a premium for it in sourcing.

Red Flags When Evaluating Suppliers

A factory catalog showing earbuds, keyboards, solar panels, and power banks is almost certainly a trading company aggregating from multiple manufacturers. Legit TWS factories specialize in audio.

Claimed specs that exceed what the chipset can do are a major tell. If they claim aptX HD but the chip they listed doesn’t support it, walk away.

Any factory that can’t provide an actual FCC ID (not just “we can get certification” but an existing filed ID) is either selling you uncertified product or one that was certified under a different configuration. Ask for the specific FCC ID, look it up on fcc.report, and confirm the description matches your product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between TWS and regular Bluetooth earbuds? TWS (True Wireless Stereo) means both earbuds are completely wireless — no cable between them. Each earbud connects to the source device independently (or one connects and relays to the other). Regular Bluetooth earbuds may still have a cable connecting the two ears. TWS is now the dominant form factor.

What Bluetooth codec should I require for mid-range TWS products? At minimum, AAC (for Apple device compatibility) and aptX (for Android). A factory listing only SBC is producing budget-tier product. For upper-mid products, look for LDAC or aptX Adaptive support, which indicates a better chipset and real audio focus.

How do I test TWS battery life accurately? Play audio continuously at 50% volume from a fully charged bud. Record exact time to cutoff. Then charge from the case and repeat 2–3 times to check for consistency. Be aware that many factories test at very low volumes to inflate battery claims.

What is the realistic MOQ for TWS with custom branding? 300–500 units is typical for your logo on existing hardware with custom box. For a new color or custom design, 1,000+ units. Some factories will do lower MOQs for an initial test run if you commit to a larger follow-on order in writing.

Do Chinese factories need FCC certification before I can sell in the US? The product needs FCC authorization before you sell it in the US — it doesn’t have to be filed by the factory. You can obtain authorization as the responsible party. But it’s far easier and cheaper if the factory already has a valid FCC ID. Verify any claimed FCC ID at fcc.report before you order.

Is ANC worth sourcing at the low end of the market? Only if the implementation actually works. Cheap ANC implementations add noise rather than removing it. Always test ANC specifically on your samples: put the earbuds in, play a brown noise track, enable ANC, and evaluate. If external noise bleeds through at the same level or if the audio sounds degraded, the ANC is cosmetic and you shouldn’t market it.