It's not all about active noise cancellation – these open-ear earbuds have better sound quality than my Airpods
As someone who loves to go on a Sunday morning run or a mid-afternoon stroll, the ability to remain aware of my surroundings is a huge bonus. When I use my Beats Studio 3 headphones to go for a run I always have to take them off to cross busy roads, and this interrupts my flow. I'm then stuck trying to get the right fit when I put them back on.
But some of the best running headphones are open-ear buds, so it's only right to ditch the overheads for something more fit for purpose. After testing a whole host of open-ear buds, I think I have finally found the ones that I'll be using from here on out: the EarFun Clip earbuds.
The EarFun Clip are waterproof and dustproof open-earbuds that have completely changed my workouts for the better. They block out a little more ambient sound than other open-earbuds on the market but they have incredible sound quality. There is 10-hours playtime on a single charge and an extra 40 with the charging case. For the price, these are an absolute steal.
After previously testing the EarFun OpenJump open-ear buds and not getting on with them since they just didn't fit me at all, I was pretty skeptical about the fit of the EarFun Clips. But as soon as I put the Clips on I knew I was in good hands. From running, hiking, to dancing around my living room to 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers, these buds did not budge. Once they were on, they were on.
With other open-ear clip design buds I have tested, it has been a struggle to get the correct positioning without them slipping. And with other styles of open-ears, like ones that wrap around the top of the ear, I can never get them to stay put.
The EarFun Clips were also super comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I used them throughout my work day and didn't experience any discomfort. The buds are extremely light and it was almost as if they weren't there at all.
The EarFun Clips have a durability rating of IP55. This means that they are resistant to water splashes and sweat, as well as dust.
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The waterproof rating means that any sweat getting on the buds won't affect their performance, and they can withstand water splashes from all angles. For me, this meant I could head out on a walk even if it was lightly raining.
Although they are dustproof, I always make sure my earbuds are in their charging case when I'm not using them. But if they do get left out for whatever reason, I give them a wipe before popping them back in the case to avoid any build-up.
These buds don't behave like open-ears at all. With open-ears I expect to experience some loss in sound quality because the earbuds are using a different method to send the audio into the ear.
The EarFun Clips use air conduction, which means the speaker is directing the sound at the ear canal, which is actually more similar to a traditional earbud. This is unlike bone conduction earbuds like the Shockz OpenRun that are recommended for running by Tom's Guide.
The EarFun Clips are for runners who take music seriously. I can seriously imagine nothing worse than going on a run and not having motivation from my favorite music. And the Clips give me that music with great sound quality. I was also able to use the EarFun app to make sure the EQ settings were perfect for the music I like to listen to.
You can read more about how I got on with the open-ear buds in my full EarFun Clip review.
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Tom's Guide
31-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
It's not all about active noise cancellation – these open-ear earbuds have better sound quality than my Airpods
If you had asked me 3 months ago about what makes a good set of earbuds, good active noise cancellation performance would have been right up there. But now, open-ear earbuds have well and truly won me over — and they let in all of the ambient sound. As someone who loves to go on a Sunday morning run or a mid-afternoon stroll, the ability to remain aware of my surroundings is a huge bonus. When I use my Beats Studio 3 headphones to go for a run I always have to take them off to cross busy roads, and this interrupts my flow. I'm then stuck trying to get the right fit when I put them back on. But some of the best running headphones are open-ear buds, so it's only right to ditch the overheads for something more fit for purpose. After testing a whole host of open-ear buds, I think I have finally found the ones that I'll be using from here on out: the EarFun Clip earbuds. The EarFun Clip are waterproof and dustproof open-earbuds that have completely changed my workouts for the better. They block out a little more ambient sound than other open-earbuds on the market but they have incredible sound quality. There is 10-hours playtime on a single charge and an extra 40 with the charging case. For the price, these are an absolute steal. After previously testing the EarFun OpenJump open-ear buds and not getting on with them since they just didn't fit me at all, I was pretty skeptical about the fit of the EarFun Clips. But as soon as I put the Clips on I knew I was in good hands. From running, hiking, to dancing around my living room to 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers, these buds did not budge. Once they were on, they were on. With other open-ear clip design buds I have tested, it has been a struggle to get the correct positioning without them slipping. And with other styles of open-ears, like ones that wrap around the top of the ear, I can never get them to stay put. The EarFun Clips were also super comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I used them throughout my work day and didn't experience any discomfort. The buds are extremely light and it was almost as if they weren't there at all. The EarFun Clips have a durability rating of IP55. This means that they are resistant to water splashes and sweat, as well as dust. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The waterproof rating means that any sweat getting on the buds won't affect their performance, and they can withstand water splashes from all angles. For me, this meant I could head out on a walk even if it was lightly raining. Although they are dustproof, I always make sure my earbuds are in their charging case when I'm not using them. But if they do get left out for whatever reason, I give them a wipe before popping them back in the case to avoid any build-up. These buds don't behave like open-ears at all. With open-ears I expect to experience some loss in sound quality because the earbuds are using a different method to send the audio into the ear. The EarFun Clips use air conduction, which means the speaker is directing the sound at the ear canal, which is actually more similar to a traditional earbud. This is unlike bone conduction earbuds like the Shockz OpenRun that are recommended for running by Tom's Guide. The EarFun Clips are for runners who take music seriously. I can seriously imagine nothing worse than going on a run and not having motivation from my favorite music. And the Clips give me that music with great sound quality. I was also able to use the EarFun app to make sure the EQ settings were perfect for the music I like to listen to. You can read more about how I got on with the open-ear buds in my full EarFun Clip review. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
CNN
15-07-2025
- CNN
The EarFun Clip have officially made me a believer in open earbuds
I never thought I'd become an open earbuds guy, but the EarFun Clip wireless earbuds just converted me. These $70 clip-ons are the latest in a growing category of wireless earbuds that rest above your ears rather than lodging inside of them, allowing you to easily stay aware of your real-world surroundings while alleviating some of the pressure that turns some folks off to in-ear options. And after spending nearly a week with the Clip, I can see why they're catching on. The EarFun Clip's airy design feels like nothing's even there, and they offer strikingly good sound quality without needing to nestle all the way into your ear canals. The battery life is pretty bonkers too. And while I can't fully drop the AirPods Pro from my daily audio rotation, the Clip have earned a place next to them for those times I could use the extra ambiance. Here's why they're some of the best budget earbuds I've tested. EarFun Clip Open-Ear Earbuds This affordable pair of headphones makes it easy to enjoy your music and podcasts and still stay aware of what's going on around you. A super-comfortable design that keeps you aware I never thought I'd get down with open earbuds (you mean to tell me I have to clip these onto my ears?), but the EarFun Clip have been a joy to wear for the past few days. Their design looked pretty foreign to me as someone who doesn't usually wear these types of buds, but once I figured out how to hook them on, they nestled comfortably and securely on my outer ear to the point where I constantly forgot that they were there. They're also IP55 rated for sweat and water resistance, should you want to take them on a run. So, why wear these types of earbuds? Since the EarFun Clip's audio drivers rest right above your inner ear canals — rather than lodging in them like most earbuds do — you can still hear the outside world with full clarity while rocking out to your favorite songs and podcasts. Sure, most premium earbuds have good ambient noise modes that amplify your surroundings when you need to stay aware, but even the excellent Transparency mode on my beloved AirPods Pro 2 still makes me feel the slightest bit isolated from what's happening around me. There's nothing quite like hearing your surroundings with your actual ears, which is something I've come to appreciate when I'm walking my dog and want to stay aware of oncoming cars and pedestrians, or working from home and don't want to miss an important delivery. And when I run into friends on the street or show up at my local coffee shop, I can start a conversation without fumbling to take the buds off or switch to a transparency mode. Of course, there are plenty of scenarios where I do want to drown out everything around me, but the EarFun Clip truly excel in the environments they're designed for. Shockingly great sound for open-ear buds You would think that a cheap pair of earbuds with an open-ear design would mean less immersive sound … and you'd be wrong. I'm genuinely shocked by the sound quality on the EarFun Clip, which has made my daily playlists sound rich, clear and satisfyingly spacious. When taking in the bright post-rock soundscapes of the new Moving Mountains record, I could easily pinpoint each lush layer of instrumentation — from the dynamic drums and rollicking bass to the piercing lead guitar and subtle piano melodies. Uptempo pop songs had just as much bite and detail, as the appropriately deep bass and haunting synth of Charli XCX's 'Sympathy Is a Knife' had me immediately bopping my head. This is impressive for a set of buds that cost less than $70, let alone ones that don't nestle into your ears at all. While the EarFun Clip sounded great out of the box, you get plenty of options for customizing their output via the free EarFun Audio app for iOS and Android. You can play with various equalizer presets (like Bass Boost, Vocal Enhancement and a range of genre-specific modes) via clear, colorful icons, or you can dig into the custom EQ settings and fine-tune the frequencies yourself. There's also a Theater mode that's designed to create a surround sound-like 3D audio effect, though it mostly just made the music louder and muddier for me, so don't expect anything on the level of Apple's Spatial Audio here. Much more practical is the Privacy mode, which instantly lowers the volume whenever you need to stay extra discreet and be extra aware. Oh, and when I needed to take some calls, the EarFun Clip's microphones proved more than capable. Great battery life and lots of features On top of feeling and sounding great, these buds seem to never run out of battery. The EarFun Clip are rated for 10 hours of continuous use and a total of 40 hours when you factor in the charging case. That more than lines up with my testing. After four days of heavy listening, I've got a full charge in the buds and 55% battery still left in the case. The EarFun Clip are also loaded with way more features than you might expect for a pair of budget-priced earbuds. In addition to the robust sound customization options I mentioned above, these buds offer dual-device connectivity, which made it easy to stay paired to both my iPhone and MacBook, and switch between the two on the fly. There's a handy Find Headphones tool in the app as well that lets you emit a chime from either earbud in the event one or both of them get lost in your couch, a Hearing Health menu that lets you set maximum volume levels and a few different Automatic Shutdown settings for conserving battery. Folks with compatible Android phones get to take advantage of LDAC support for extra-high-resolution sound, as well as Google Fast Pair support for one-touch setup. There's also a Game mode designed to lower audio latency, but even as a fairly avid mobile gamer, I've never felt the need to use this kind of thing. Finally, physical controls! We've long criticized EarFun for the finicky, inconsistent touch controls on many of their earbuds, which is why I was delighted to find that the Clip feature good ole physical buttons. The small little clickers on the buds made it easy to adjust volume and playback on the fly, and better yet, the controls are fully customizable via the EarFun Audio app. No wireless charging (or automatic pausing) There's not much I don't like about the EarFun Clip, though I was a bit bummed when I dropped the case onto my wireless charger only to realize they weren't juicing up. A lack of wireless charging isn't a huge deal breaker for a pair of sub-$70 buds, but it's still disappointing, especially since similarly priced EarFun models like the EarFun Air 2 offer the feature. Another nitpick? These buds don't automatically pause when you take them off, meaning you'll have to manually stop your music if you don't want to unknowingly burn through a whole playlist and waste battery in the process. It's a small inconvenience, but after never having to worry about this sort of thing on my (admittedly pricier) AirPods, it's still a notable one. I miss active noise cancellation This is less of a criticism of the EarFun Clip and more a realization that open earbuds can't be the only earbuds I use. While I love the extra awareness they allow for when walking the dog or working from home, I don't like them nearly as much when I'm commuting, as I was painfully reminded the other day after hearing the ear-piercing sound of a child screaming on the bus. I can definitely see the Clip staying in heavy rotation around the house and around the block, but I certainly won't be taking them on the subway or on a flight anytime soon. The EarFun Clip are some of the best open earbuds you can get for the price, offering incredibly impressive sound quality within an unobtrusive design that's perfect for folks who don't like sticking things in their ears. Their rich feature set and comfy feel belies their $70 price tag, and you can use them for days on end without having to charge them up. There are plenty of other great options in this growing category, from the super-premium and super-stylish Bose Ultra Open Earbuds to the Shokz OpenFit Air that feature even more secure ear hooks for working out. If you want more of a jack-of-all-trades option that can both drown out and let in outside noise, you should check out the excellent noise-canceling EarFun Air Pro 4. But for folks sold on this open design, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better pair for the money than the EarFun Clip. How long do the EarFun Clip wireless earbuds last on one charge? How long do the EarFun Clip wireless earbuds last on one charge? The EarFun Clip are rated to last up to 10 hours on a single charge and can deliver up to 40 hours of playtime when using the case. Are the EarFun Clip wireless earbuds good to use for running? Are the EarFun Clip wireless earbuds good to use for running? Due to their IP55 rating for water resistance and open design that lets in important ambient noise, the EarFun Clip can be a good option for runners. Just make sure you get them on nice and snug before you hit the track or street. Do the EarFun Clip wireless earbuds come with their own case? Do the EarFun Clip wireless earbuds come with their own case? Yep! The EarFun Clip come with a traditional charging case, though don't expect fancy perks like wireless charging. CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Senior tech editor Mike Andronico has been writing product reviews of headphones and earbuds for nearly a decade and is constantly in search of the next great pair that can dethrone his beloved AirPods Pro 2.
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I normally wouldn't recommend these overpriced Beats headphones — but this 51% Prime Day discount makes them a great deal
I am a self confessed Beats stan, and have been using their headphones for too many years to count. And lucky for you, Amazon have some crazy Prime Day deals on one of my favorite models; the Beats Studio Pro. These noise cancelling overhead headphones have had the price slashed by 51%. Right now the Beats Studio Pro are just $169 at Amazon, down from $349. This puts them in direct competition with some of the cheapest wireless headphones, and boy to they come out on top. The Beats Studio Pro headphones have had the price slashed by 51%, and while I wouldn't recommend them at full price, $169 for the Beats sound profile and insanely good ANC is too good pass up. They are available in eight understated colors and are some of the comfiest cans I have ever tried. My favorite thing about the Studio Pros is certainly their sleek look. With some of the colors available being designed in collaboration with Kim Kardashian, being stylish was certainly at the forefront of making these headphones. The Studio Pro offer up to 24 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on, and four hours of playback with just a 10 minute charge. This is ideal for anyone like me who gets ready to go for a run or walk and realizes their headphones are completely out of juice. These cans are the successors to the Beats Studio 3 headphones, and while they look pretty similar, the difference in ANC performance is a staggering improvement. There is also the option for Lossless Audio when using a USB-C cable. I have always loved the sound profile of Beats headphones, and the Studio Pros are no different. The tuning is balanced and perfect for most listening. That being said, if you want in-depth sound that gives you an out of body experience, these aren't the bag. But while they may not be worth their regular $349 price tag, with this reduced price of $169 they become an absolute steal. For more great discounts, check out our Prime Day deals live blog.
