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Cheap open-ear earbuds can be worth buying for walks, podcasts and everyday listening, but fit matters more than the feature list—and a pair that stays put on a walk may not survive a sweaty run. In a two-week comparison published August 30, 2026, TechRadar contributor Becca Caddy found the TOZO OpenEarRing the most comfortable and enjoyable overall, the Anker Soundcore V20i a better-fitting hook-style alternative, and the Belkin SoundForm ClearFit disappointing for fit and music. Those are one reviewer’s hands-on results, not a guarantee of how any pair will fit you.
Which of the three is worth buying?
For everyday comfort and music, Caddy’s pick was the TOZO OpenEarRing. She preferred its clip-on design to ear hooks and found it comfortable in her concha without sealing the ear canal. The Soundcore V20i is the more promising choice if you prefer a hook-style fit: its adjustable hooks gave her a better fit than the Belkin, though it still shifted during longer, sweatier runs. In her test, the Belkin SoundForm ClearFit was the weakest overall option, with poor stability and disappointing music playback.
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That verdict comes from Caddy’s two-week listening and use comparison, published by TechRadar. It reflects one person’s ears, activities and preferences; it is useful as a comparison, not a universal fit test.
How did each pair perform?
TOZO OpenEarRing: best fit for this reviewer
Caddy found the OpenEarRing easy to wear and comfortable in her concha. The clip-on design suited her better than hooks, particularly when wearing glasses and having thick hair. She enjoyed music through the buds and found spoken audio clear enough for podcasts.
#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.
The controls avoid single-tap activation, which helped reduce accidental touches while repositioning them. However, she sometimes struggled to register the double-click used for play and pause. The fit worked well for her; it cannot predict whether the clip shape will feel secure or comfortable on someone else.
Anker Soundcore V20i: the hook-style alternative
The V20i’s hooks are longer than the Belkin’s and can be adjusted to four angles. Caddy found that arrangement more stable and comfortable than the ClearFit. She described the sound as satisfactory and the controls as sensitive, but easier to manage than Belkin’s. She also valued being able to customize the controls in the app.
Its limitation in her test was stability during longer, sweatier runs. Caddy’s assessment makes the V20i a more plausible match for daily wear and moderate activity than intense workouts, but the result depends on how the hooks sit on your ears.
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!
Belkin SoundForm ClearFit: narrowest use case
Caddy found the hook short and uncomfortable behind her ear, while the front unit felt bulky. The earbuds slipped and bounced during her run, and their touch controls were too easy to trigger when she tried to reposition them.
She found most music quiet even at high volume, with a tinny or distant quality when pushed louder, weak bass and blurred instruments. Instrumental tracks were acceptable, and podcast vocals were clear enough. Her limited use case for the ClearFit was spoken audio while walking—not a general recommendation for music or exercise.
What open-ear listening does—and does not—offer
Open-ear designs leave the ear canal unsealed, which can let some surrounding sound reach you. Caddy found that the hook-style Belkin and Soundcore admitted 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. These observations are subjective, not a safety measure.
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.
Open designs also involve trade-offs: keeping earbuds stable while allowing ambient sound through can be difficult, and cheaper designs may leak audio. Do not treat any open-ear pair as a safety guarantee. Keep playback moderate around traffic, cyclists and other hazards, and stay attentive to your surroundings.
What the specifications can tell you
Manufacturer figures can help compare features, but they do not establish how comfortable, secure or good-sounding an earbud will be for you. The following are claims on the brands’ product pages, not independent test measurements:
| Model | Published details | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| TOZO OpenEarRing | Bluetooth 5.4, IPX5 water resistance, AAC/SBC codecs and USB-C. TOZO states up to 10 hours per charge or 40 hours with the case under AAC, default settings and 50% volume. TOZO product page | Playback figures are conditional manufacturer claims. The product page gives conflicting weights—5.6 g per unit in its FAQ and 5.1 g ±0.2 g in its specifications—so weight is omitted. |
| Belkin SoundForm ClearFit | Bluetooth multipoint, IPX5 sweat and splash resistance, eight hours of playtime plus 18 additional hours from the case, USB-C fast charging and a two-year warranty. Belkin product page | The page displayed $59.99 when accessed in 2026; that is not a guarantee of today’s price. The comparison described all three tested sets as under $40 / £35.99 / AU$60 at its August 30, 2026 publication, reflecting that article’s markets and date rather than current pricing. |
| Anker Soundcore V20i | The comparison reports hooks adjustable to four angles and customizable controls through the app. TechRadar comparison | Current official specifications and retailer availability are not established here; check the manufacturer and retailer for current details. |
How to decide if a pair is right for you
Try to judge the earbuds against the activity you actually plan to do. A comfortable podcast pair for walking has different demands from earbuds for a long run or high-impact training.
Quick Recap
- Check the fit geometry: A clip-on rests differently from a hook. If possible, try the shape with your glasses, hair and usual movement in mind.
- Test stability in motion: Walk briskly and move your head before relying on a pair for exercise. A pair that shifts during a short trial is unlikely to improve during a longer, sweatier session.
- Listen at a comfortable volume: Check whether voices are clear and music sounds balanced without turning playback up excessively. More volume can mask the surroundings and does not fix a poor fit or weak sound.
- Try the controls while wearing them: Reposition the earbuds and test the gestures you will use. Sensitive controls can interrupt listening; gestures that are hard to register can be frustrating.
- Compare practical specifications: Look at the manufacturer’s battery conditions, water-resistance rating, warranty and current local price. Those details describe claims and coverage, not personal comfort or exercise 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.
