My current favorite open-ear earbuds at just $40
With multiple earbuds and headphones in my collection, I choose different pairs depending on my environment. At work, I prefer to block out background noise. But at home, I need to stay aware of sounds like the doorbell—quick reactions are necessary to prevent porch pirates from snatching my packages.
Last month, I impulsively purchased a new pair of open-ear earbuds during Amazon’s Prime Day sale for $40—the Anker Soundcore C50i. To my surprise, they’ve quickly become my go-to favorite.
The sound profile is well-balanced, delivering enough bass to create a pleasant listening experience, while still allowing me to hear the surrounding sounds clearly. In comparison, my JLab Open Sport (another open-ear model) lacks the warmth in the lows and has more pronounced highs and mids. I’d even say the Soundcore C50i come quite close to my Sennheiser HD 599 SE open-back headphones, but at roughly half the price.
Perhaps most importantly, the C50i buds sit loosely around my ears, resembling an advanced version of an earcuff. I’ve worn them through numerous long calls without discomfort or heaviness—no pinching or pain. In contrast, I tend to get headaches after a few hours using the Sennheiser HD 599 SE or JLab Open Sport due to pressure around my ears or on top of my head.
With a playback time rated for seven hours, plus an additional 21 hours from the charging case, I haven’t encountered any battery issues so far. These ratings are based on half-volume listening, which is enough for my typically quiet environment. I rarely use them continuously for more than four to five hours, so the battery has yet to run out.
Although the MSRP is $70, the Soundcore C50i often go on sale for between $40 and $50. Currently, Amazon is offering them at this discounted rate again. At this price point, I’ve recommended them to friends who also want awareness of their surroundings without sacrificing comfort or audio quality.