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Yes, cheap open earbuds can be worth buying—but fit and intended use matter more than the feature list. In TechRadar contributor Becca Caddy’s two-week comparison of the TOZO OpenEarRing, Anker Soundcore V20i and Belkin SoundForm ClearFit, the TOZO was her favorite for comfort and everyday listening. The Soundcore was the better choice if she wanted a hook-style fit, while the Belkin fell short for music and exercise in her test. Those are one reviewer’s results, not a guarantee of how any model will fit you.
How the three earbuds performed in the reported test
Caddy compared the three models by listening to music and podcasts over two weeks. Her hands-on experience is useful for identifying trade-offs, but comfort and stability can differ from person to person.
| Model | What stood out in Caddy’s test | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|
| TOZO OpenEarRing | Comfortable clip-on fit for her; enjoyable music and clear podcast vocals. Double-click play/pause sometimes failed to register. | Daily wear and casual listening, if the clip shape suits your ear. |
| Anker Soundcore V20i | Adjustable hooks felt more secure than the Belkin’s, but could still shift on longer, sweatier runs. Controls were sensitive but customizable in the app. | Listeners who prefer hooks and want more ambient sound to come through. |
| Belkin SoundForm ClearFit | Caddy found the hook uncomfortable and the fit unstable during walking and running. Music sounded quiet, tinny or distant to her; podcast speech was clearer. | Possibly spoken audio on walks, if it fits comfortably; it was the weakest overall option in this test. |
Why the TOZO impressed the reviewer
Caddy found the OpenEarRing’s clip-on design comfortable in her concha without sealing the ear canal. She preferred it to hooks, particularly while wearing glasses and thick hair. Music was enjoyable and podcast voices were clear enough for her. The shape is not a universal fit, so try it if you can return it easily.
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Its controls avoid single-tap activation, which helped Caddy avoid accidental touches while adjusting the earbuds. The trade-off was that double-click play/pause could be hard to trigger. TOZO’s specifications list Bluetooth 5.4, AAC and SBC codecs, USB-C and IPX5 water resistance. The manufacturer claims up to 10 hours per charge and 40 hours with the case under AAC, default settings and 50% volume; actual battery life can vary with use. See TOZO’s Open EarRing specifications.
#1 Best Overall
- Ultra-Comfort with Open-Ear Design: Experience matchless comfort even for all-day wear with these non-intrusive, open-ear Bluetooth earbuds.
- Enhanced Situational Awareness: V20i open-ear wireless earbuds let you stay connected to the world while enjoying pristine playback. Ideal for both urban life and outdoor ventures.
- Four Adjustable Positions for a Secure, Comfy Fit: Easily rotate to find the sweet spot for your ears with these bluetooth earbuds, boosting stability and comfort. Listen and move freely with V20i open-ear earbuds throughout the day.
- Powerful Sound with 16mm Drivers: Immerse in rich, resonant bass fueled by V20i's advanced 16mm drivers—featured in these wireless earbuds—with titanium-coated domes and soundcore's proprietary BassUp technology.
- Clear Calls with 4 Mics and AI Enhancement: Equipped with four mics and an AI algorithm, V20i open-ear Bluetooth earbuds ensure crisp and clear calls wherever you are.
When the Soundcore V20i makes more sense
The V20i has hooks that are longer than the Belkin’s and can be adjusted to four angles, according to Caddy’s comparison. She found it more stable than the Belkin, although it still moved during longer, sweatier runs. She described the sound as satisfactory and found its sensitive controls easier to manage than the Belkin’s; app customization was a plus.
That makes the V20i the hook-style alternative in this group, not a proven choice for intense workouts. The comparison did not establish current official V20i specifications, price or stock, so check the manufacturer and retailer for those details before buying.
Why the Belkin struggled in this comparison
Belkin’s listed features look useful, but they did not resolve the fit and sound problems Caddy encountered. She found the hook short and uncomfortable behind her ear, the front unit bulky, and the earbuds prone to slipping and bouncing during a run. Touch controls were too easy to trigger while repositioning them.
Rank #2
- [SUPREMELY COMFORTABLE ULTRA-LIGHT] - Enjoy unparalleled comfort with TOZO OpenEarRing, expertly crafted for high-resilience materials and featuring a secure clip-on design, with a single earbud is only weigh 5.1g, allowing you to enjoy music with a lightweight and pressure-free experience.
- [TOZO EXCLUSIVE ORIGX ACOUSTIC TECH] - Hi-Res Stereo for Audiophiles & Movie Buffs—Our proprietary OrigX tech delivers crystal-clear stereo resolution, capturing every vocal inflection and instrumental layer music lovers crave. For binge-watching or movie nights, it restores vivid dialogue and immersive background details—from subtle rustles to dynamic soundtracks.
- [DIGITAL DISPLAY& 40H PLAYTIME] - Enjoy music for up to 10 hours on a single charge with open ear earbuds. The charging case provides an additional 30 hours of playback, totaling an impressive 40 hours. The compact charging case with digital display and support Type-C charge, don't worry about low battery, enjoy music anytime,and anywhere.
- [TOUCH AND ENJOY] - Simple button controls on TOZO OpenEarRing with your finger, make it easy to switch between answer/hang up calls, with just a press, effortlessly control your music and answer calls, It brings great safety and convenience when you are driving, exercising or running.
- [CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN EQ] - With TOZO APP to customize your favorite EQ mode, there are 32 EQ modes, allowing you to listen to various vocal music more accurately, such as jazz, blues, classical music, etc. Let's start your own music festival with TOZO OpenEarRing!
For music, she reported weak bass and blurred instruments, with tracks sounding quiet at high volume and tinny or distant when pushed louder. Instrumental music was acceptable to her, and podcast vocals were clear enough to suggest a narrow use: spoken audio during walks. These are listening impressions, not measured audio results.
Belkin’s US product page lists Bluetooth multipoint, IPX5 sweat and splash resistance, USB-C fast charging, up to eight hours of playtime plus 18 hours from the case, and a two-year warranty. The page displayed $59.99 when accessed in 2026; that is not a live-price guarantee. Caddy described the tested set as under $40, £35.99 or AU$60 at the time of her August 2026 comparison, so those figures should not be treated as current prices. Check Belkin’s product page for current regional details.
Open-ear listening and awareness: what to expect
Open-ear designs leave the ear canal unsealed, but they do not guarantee that you will hear every surrounding sound. Caddy found the hook-style Belkin and Soundcore let in more ambient sound because they sat farther from her ear. At full volume, the TOZO reduced how much outside sound she noticed, although she could still hear alarms, traffic and shouting. Podcasts left her more aware than music. She described awareness as subjective.
Rank #3
- Ultra-Comfortable and Secure Fit: Experience the lightweight comfort and stability of our open-ear headphones. Featuring a non-intrusive design and soft, flexible ear hooks for a perfect fit—ensuring that you can wear them all day without discomfort, and they remain stable even during exercise.
- Enhanced Awareness: Remain aware of your surroundings, such as public transit announcements and oncoming cars. Stay in touch with the world around you thanks to the open design of soundcore V30i open-ear headphones. Suitable for outdoor leisure, sports, office work, driving, and home entertainment.
- Balanced and Clear Sound: soundcore V30i open-ear headphones feature a 14.2mm bio-material diaphragm that heightens bass output for an audio experience that always hits the right beat.
- All-Day Companion: Enjoy 12 hours of play on a single charge, extending to a total of 36 hours with the charging case. Better yet, a quick 10-minute charge delivers an impressive 3 hours of listening.
- IP55 Dust and Water-Resistant with Exclusive SweatGuard: soundcore V30i uses nano-coating and a unique chamber design for complete protection. Crafted to ensure that critical areas, such as the chipsets and battery compartment, remain sealed.
Audio can also leak from open earbuds, especially at higher volume. Keep playback moderate around traffic and other hazards, and do not treat open-ear listening as a substitute for attention or safe exercise practices.
How to decide whether a pair is worth buying for you
Match the design to what you will actually do with the earbuds. A comfortable pair for podcasts on a walk may not stay put during a long, sweaty run.
Quick Recap
- Check the fit geometry: A clip-on sits differently from an ear hook. If possible, try the shape with your glasses, hair or headwear as you normally wear them.
- Test stability during your real activity: Walk, jog or move your head before relying on a pair for exercise. A fit that feels fine while sitting may shift with sweat and movement.
- Listen at a comfortable volume: Check whether voices are clear and music sounds balanced without turning it up to compensate for weak or distant audio.
- Try the controls: Reposition the earbuds and test playback controls. Sensitive touch areas or difficult double-clicks can be frustrating in regular use.
- Verify the practical details: Check current price and availability in your region, battery claims, water-resistance rating, warranty and return policy. Manufacturer specifications do not establish personal comfort or workout stability.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
