Open-ear earbuds solve a comfort problem that conventional wireless earbuds can create. Instead of sealing the ear canal with silicone tips, they leave your ears open to conversations, traffic, and announcements. That can make them appealing for long workdays, walking, commuting, and exercise, although the design also brings familiar compromises in bass response, sound leakage, and performance in noisy places.
Price: $79.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
The 1MORE S20 Ultra takes that approach with a clip-on design priced at $79.99. Each earbud weighs 5.5 grams and uses a flexible memory-titanium C-ring that wraps around the outer ear rather than placing anything inside the ear canal.
For buyers who dislike the plugged-up feeling of traditional earbuds, that basic design may matter more than any audio-processing feature.
The Fit Is the Main Selling Point
1MORE calls its fit system BalanceAIR+ 3.0. The company says it uses balanced weight distribution and skin-friendly materials to reduce pressure during extended wear, while the flexible titanium ring is designed to adapt to different ear shapes.
The confirmed details are the 5.5-gram weight and flexible C-ring construction. Claims of all-day comfort and a secure fit are harder to establish from specifications alone because ears vary considerably in size and shape. A clip that disappears on one listener may create pressure on another after several hours.
The open design naturally keeps outside sounds audible without requiring a transparency mode. That can be useful while walking near traffic, working around other people, or exercising outdoors. The same advantage becomes a limitation in louder environments because the S20 Ultra does not physically block surrounding noise like sealed in-ear earbuds.
1MORE Is Putting Serious Audio Hardware Into the Clip
The S20 Ultra uses an 11mm driver with a triple-magnet structure and four-layer diaphragm. It also supports LDAC and Hi-Res Wireless audio, while Bluetooth connectivity is listed as version 6.0.
1MORE promotes its SuperBass 3.0 processing as a way to produce stronger low frequencies despite the open fit. It also includes BISA spatial audio and SDT 2.0 directional-sound technology, which the company says focuses more audio toward the listener while reducing leakage to people nearby.
Those features address two obvious weaknesses of open-ear designs, but the distinction between specifications and performance matters. The driver size, LDAC support, and Bluetooth version are confirmed. Claims about stronger bass, a more immersive soundstage, and reduced leakage still require independent listening tests and measurements.
A sealed earbud has a physical advantage when it comes to bass reinforcement and isolation, so buyers should not assume that codec support or a larger driver automatically eliminates that difference.
IP66 Makes Them a Practical Workout Option
The earbuds carry an IP66 rating, providing protection against dust and powerful water jets. That makes them suitable for sweat, rain, and normal workout use, although IP66 does not mean they are designed for swimming or prolonged immersion.
The clip format may also appeal to people who dislike having silicone tips shift inside their ears during movement. 1MORE says the flexible ring maintains a stable fit during workouts and daily activity, but that will still depend on individual ear shape.
The IP rating is standardized and useful when comparing products. The promise that the clips will remain comfortable and secure for every listener is not something the rating can establish.
Four Microphones Handle Calls
1MORE equips the S20 Ultra with four directional microphones, beamforming, and AI-based noise reduction. The company says the system prioritizes the wearer’s voice while reducing wind and surrounding noise during calls.
That is a reasonable hardware foundation, but microphone count alone cannot establish call quality. Wind handling and speech isolation are best judged from actual recordings, particularly with open-ear designs where the microphones remain exposed to the environment.
For someone planning to use the earbuds for work calls while walking or commuting, independent microphone testing will matter more than the AI label.
Battery Life Looks Competitive on Paper
1MORE rates the S20 Ultra for up to 8.5 hours per charge and 40 hours with its case. Those figures come from AAC playback at 50 percent volume, so real-world endurance will vary, especially with LDAC or higher volume.
Each earbud has a 40mAh battery, while the case holds 400mAh. 1MORE lists charging times of about 90 minutes for the earbuds and two hours for the case.
Who Are the 1MORE S20 Ultra For?
At $79.99, the S20 Ultra targets listeners who want the comfort and awareness of clip-on earbuds without moving into premium-price territory. Its 5.5-gram design, LDAC support, 11mm driver, Bluetooth 6.0, IP66 rating, and claimed 40-hour total battery life make for a competitive feature set.
Price: $79.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
They are less suited to flights, loud trains, and other places where isolation matters. But for walkers, runners, office users, and anyone who dislikes in-ear tips, the open design may be the point.
