The Soundcore C50i Open Ear Earbuds are Anker’s answer to the clip-on earbud category that’s taken over running trails and gyms over the last year. The FlexiClip design hooks over your ear rather than going into the canal, so you stay aware of traffic, conversations, and anything else around you while your music keeps playing. They run on Bluetooth, come with a charging case, and are rated for sweat and rain. It’s a setup that solves the main complaint about in-ear buds falling out, without sacrificing wireless freedom.
Earbuds with fantastic all-around sound in a comfortable package
Each earbud is built around a small, flexible arm that hooks over the top of your ear and curves around the back, holding the speaker just outside the opening of your ear canal. Nothing presses into your ear or creates a seal, and the clip stays locked in place no matter how much you move. The drivers project sound directly into your ear without filling the canal. Plus, the clip is shaped to fit most ear sizes without pinching.
The C50i delivers more low-end sound than many competitors. However, bass is a casualty of open-ear design. You get way more situational awareness than with closed-ear headphones, but you don’t get the seal needed for a deep bass response. However, mids and highs are largely unaffected, and the audio holds up well otherwise. Fortunately, the Soundcore app lets you set a custom EQ, helping you get the sound just where you want it.
The earbuds last for around a day of full use, and the included charging case carries enough battery for several recharges. The case uses USB-C, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with a proprietary cord. They’re fairly durable and can withstand sweat and light rain, but you shouldn’t submerge them completely.
Open-ear designs have one notable downside: they leak sound. Anyone near you will pick up faint music when you turn up the volume. Quiet offices or libraries are fine at low volumes, but turn it up, and you become the person playing music out loud.
The Soundcore C50i Open-Ear Earbuds feature a clip-on design that stays put during workouts and lets you hear your surroundings, and at $40, it’s a great deal. If you’ve been putting up with in-ear buds that fall out during workouts or cut you off from traffic on outdoor runs, the $30 off makes this an easy yes.
