OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
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Westone UM1 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Westone UM1 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Westone UM1
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

7.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 61% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Score components

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.8

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.3

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 70%
7.8

User score

User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 64%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Westone UM1

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Score components:

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.8

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.3

Calls & Controls

5.6
User score
User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.8
Popularity
Popularity
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 56% of models
Popularity:
Westone UM1 has a popularity score of 6.4 points, which is higher than that of 56.3% of products in this category.
6.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
balanced armature
Driver size
?
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
?
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
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Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Westone
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
34 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 34 g, lighter than 82% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Westone UM1 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 84.4% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (34 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    34 g vs 218 g
  • 12 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 11 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 84.4% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (34 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    34 g vs 218 g
  • 12 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 11 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 2.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Westone UM1
    the average pair of headphones
    Westone UM1 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.82 vs 8).
    7.82 vs 8
  • 2.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Westone UM1
    the average pair of headphones
    Westone UM1 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.82 vs 8).
    7.82 vs 8
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

6.0
TotallydubbedHD
≈ estimated
17/10/2017
Hands-on review · sound, isolation and cable tests
Verdict
Westone UM1 is not strongly recommended overall, but it suits musicians who want accurate, detailed sound.
9.0
Martin Ocando
≈ estimated
22/08/2017
Unboxing and quick review · running use and comparison
Verdict
Westone UM1 sounds as good as pricier models, and it is strongly recommended despite cable and case complaints.
Shop video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

cnet.com
08/03/2006
Hands-on review · Budget in-ears
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is a clear, accurate, comfortable in-ear for budget-minded audiophiles, though its earpieces can slip out of place.
techpowerup.com
20/01/2008
Listening test · Single-driver in-ears
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is a warm, smooth in-ear with accurate midrange, though its bass and treble lack the detail of the pricier UM2.
techpowerup.com
20/01/2008
Durability review · In-ear comfort
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is a very comfortable in-ear, light enough to stay in place on foam tips alone, but its nozzle can snap off if dropped or sat on.
techpowerup.com
20/01/2008
Value verdict · Budget in-ears
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is the best value in-ear for the money, with superb comfort and balance, though not as strong as the pricier UM2 in almost every aspect.
glennong.com
24/02/2012
Personal review · Musician earphones
Verdict
The Westone UM1 gives clear sound for speech and video editing, but thin bass disappoints on bass-heavy tracks like pop.
majorhifi.com
26/06/2017
Hands-on review · Budget in-ear monitor
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is a great buy for a budget in-ear monitor, with clear, forward mids and a swappable cable, though its bass is less punchy than dynamic rivals.
M
majorhifi.com
09/07/2017
Summary of the review
2017 Battle of the IEMs: Westone UM1 vs Shure SE215 Review
headfonics.com
01/12/2017
Listening review · Warm entry-level in-ear monitor
Verdict
The new Westone UM1 is a warm, smooth in-ear that causes no listening fatigue and is easy to tune, though its soundstage is intimate and its treble lacks airiness.
audiophile-heaven.com
24/02/2018
Listening review · Entry-level in-ear monitor
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is a tiny, comfortable earphone whose warm, deep sound suits relaxed music and commuting, though it lacks detail and is too mellow for metal.
headfonics.com
16/04/2013
Hands-on review · Single-driver earphone
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is comfortable, clear and easy to drive, but its treble starts rolling off around 10 kHz, limiting its flexibility across genres.
lesnumeriques.com
06/05/2009
Stage test · Musician in-ears
Verdict
The Westone UM1 is a comfortable, affordable stage in-ear for musicians, but its weak bass and muted highs make it a poor choice for everyday music players.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Westone UM1

  • Superb comfort and ergonomic, low-profile fit suitable for long periods or sleeping
  • Excellent noise isolation, especially when used with the included Comply foam tips
  • Lightweight and durable plastic construction that handles daily wear well
  • Balanced, smooth, and 'non-fatiguing' sound signature with a warm midrange
  • Includes a generous selection of high-quality ear tips (foam and silicone)
  • Non-microphonic cable design that minimizes rubbing noise during movement
  • Great value for entry-level monitoring and sensitive enough to be easily driven by smartphones

What customers don't like about Westone UM1

  • Noticeable treble roll-off resulting in a lack of detail and 'sparkle' in high frequencies
  • Limited sub-bass extension and impact (not ideal for bass-heavy genres like EDM or Hip-Hop)
  • Small soundstage with an intimate, 'in-your-head' presentation rather than an airy one
  • Midrange can occasionally sound 'veiled' or 'clouded' due to the warm tuning
  • The 2017 revision's carrying pouch is often described as cheap and undersized
  • Over-the-ear cable orientation may not appeal to all users

Verdict

The Westone UM1 is an entry-level, universal-fit in-ear monitor featuring a single balanced armature driver and a frequency response of 20Hz – 16kHz. Designed for durability and extreme comfort, these lightweight earphones utilize Westone's ergonomic 'True-Fit' technology and provide up to 25dB of passive noise attenuation with included Comply foam and Star silicone tips. Key characteristics include a sensitive 114dB SPL @ 1mW output and a low 19-ohm impedance that makes them easy to drive from any source, paired with a removable MMCX round cable. Main pros are its exceptionally small, fatigue-free fit and a warm, smooth sound signature ideal for onstage monitoring or relaxed long-term listening. However, users may find the sub-bass roll-off and recessed treble lacking for aggressive genres like EDM or metal, and the overall resolution can occasionally feel veiled or dull compared to multi-driver alternatives.

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