If the range can reliably get from my front pocket to my earbuds I'll be much happier with it.

You earbuds are not low-energy, so no change for you.

Welp. I'm sure it doesn't help that I have Soundpeats QY7 earbuds that I got on sale for <$10. Higher end ones must work better?

OTOH my Sony bluetooth speaker has stutters when I'm too far away in a 1-br apartment, so who knows.