- Samsung Galaxy Buds On go on sale, in Asia
- OnePlus Buds Clip are revealed, but you can’t buy them either
- The clipping-bud market is getting overwhelming
If you’ve been idly browsing our best open earbuds guide, you might find your job getting a little more tricksy with each passing day. Why? Because it feels like more clip-on open earbuds are launching than there are days in the week. Case in point, two new options are here… sort of.
First up is the Samsung Galaxy Buds On, which we covered the launch of, at the start of the month. These are Samsung’s debut open-ears, and they’re finally going on sale on Tuesday 27th October… in Korea, at least. We’re still waiting on global availability, but apparently some European websites have listed the buds (and have since had said listings quickly removed), which makes it sound like a worldwide roll-out is on the near horizon.
What about a brand new pair? The OnePlus Buds Clip have also been unveiled, and they sound like something I’d love to test. They have dual drivers, sound leakage prevention, an above-average battery life and automatic left-right detection so you can clip either bud on either ear and get the right music.
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The catch? OnePlus retreated from the US and UK earlier this year. While the buds will sell in Asia, Europe and several other regions, you or I won’t be able to buy them. And despite a market that continually makes me ask, ‘How many is too many open earbuds?’ that’s a shame.
You have plenty of other options though, as I mentioned above; the clip-style open earbuds market is absolutely saturated at the moment. In fact, buying a new pair is pretty overwhelming.
Don’t get c-lippy with me
According to sales figures, open earbuds are massive right now, and I get it. They’re comfortable to wear, don’t block out the world around you, have great battery lives (thanks to the typical lack of ANC), often cost less than alike standard in-ear buds, and don’t sound all that bad any more.
This all explains why there are so many open earbuds on the market right now; in fact, most brands have multiple options. Bose recently unveiled two options. Shokz sells the OpenDots Air alongside its premium model. Soundcore recently shook up its range with two near-identical options. Many more entry-level audio companies such as Soundpeats, Baseus and Earfun have even more.
Competition is good, but to a point. Case in point: open earbuds don’t have the scope for variety that, say, in-ear buds do, and 99% of the pairs I test feel largely the same. They fit the same, sound the same and work the same.
So it makes it harder for new buyers to know which pair they should be picking up, and I imagine many people are put off by the deluge. The frequency of releases also means it’s easy to lose faith in your choice; a new option will be on shelves before you know it.
Want my advice? Cut out the noise and just buy from a brand you trust at a price that fits your budget (or use our suggestions below if you need pointers).
The best open earbuds for all budgets
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tom.bedford@hotmail.co.uk (Tom Bedford)
