These affordable wireless earbuds impressed me in a way most others don’t

Wireless earbuds that clip onto your ears are generally more comfortable than ones that plug them up. But most low-cost ones come with real compromises. The EarFun Clip 2 open-ear buds buck that trend with full sound, useful features, and a reasonable price.

I test dozens of wireless earbuds each year in all kinds of conditions. I've been pleasantly surprised to find that the Clip 2 buds perform like ones that would cost $150 or more. So, their $80 retail price is impressive for the long list of features they include. Plus, they've been on sale for even cheaper.

I specifically like this style of earbuds for running. It's easy to hear cars on the road, and they don't pool sweat in my ears. Of course, there are a few other reasons why the EarFun Clip 2 are worth considering. Above all, they pack a punch.

There are two reasons I like the EarFun Clip 2 for running

My main use for the open-style earbuds is running. Over the years, I've used all kinds of fitness-focused headphones for this task. Having a transparency mode is nice, but nothing beats having your ears unplugged and open.

After putting the Clip 2 to the test across dozens of miles, two things have stood out. The Clip 2 buds work well because they're loud enough to combat road noise, and their physical buttons, one on each side, are easy to use on the move.

These might seem like minor details, but I've used plenty of open earbuds that get drowned out by external noise. That's not helpful. This is most noticeable with podcasts and audiobooks—spoken word content. But I have no problem hearing people talk while using the Clip 2 earbuds outside.

Having a physical button on each bud is important for a couple of reasons. It's hard to use touch controls while running and try to tap your ear multiple times. More importantly, having physical buttons avoids false positives. I've often had touch controls skip tracks or pause from the jostling running creates. The Clip 2 buds don't have that problem.

The buttons on the Clip 2 protrude enough to feel for blindly. I never had a problem clicking them while running. I didn't care for the buttons' default configurations, like raising the volume instead of skipping forward. But they're customizable in the EarFun app.

It's worth noting that these do have an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, so they can handle sweat. Just make sure to wipe them down afterwards so the charging contact pins don't corrode.

The sound quality is good, even though it's not the point

I don't need my running earbuds to have the highest, best fidelity. That's not the point of this open style that doesn't seal in your ears.

What I do need from my exercise earbuds is full sound and energy. If you can't hear or feel the beat, then it's harder to feel motivated. The Clip 2 buds blew me away in the sound department. It's not that open-style buds can't have deep bass or a full sound, but the ones that do usually cost at least $150 or more.

The Clip 2 use 12mm titanium‑composite dynamic drivers. They're capable of Hi-Res Audio and support LDAC when connected to an Android device.

Like EarFun's over-ear headphones, the Wave Pro X, I chose the Pop EQ in the mobile app. I thought that preset was the best option for most music genres. Especially while I was using the Clip 2 indoors, sitting at my desk, the sound was rich, deep, and full of details.

Outside, some of those finer points were lost to environmental noise, but the earbuds still managed to convey energy and a full representation of the songs.

EarFun has a theater mode that you can turn on in its app if you're using the Clip 2 to watch movies. Having your ears open does allow for an airy, spatial feel. However, I didn't feel like I needed to turn on the special mode to watch movies.

There is a setting in the app to limit volume for sound leakage, but I didn't find it necessary. I had to turn the volume up past 70% before I could begin to hear it in a quiet room.

Surprisingly, you get around 11 hours of general listening time. With the included USB-C charging case, that number goes to 40 hours.

There are 4 microphones on these buds used for taking calls. In my tests, the mic quality is middle of the road. It's better than expected, considering where they're placed on your ears. Still, recordings sounded a little muffled to my ears.

Are the EarFun Clip 2 earbuds worth buying?

The choices for open-style wireless earbuds are expanding rapidly. I've tried dozens of them this year. It's clear that this category is getting better in a hurry. The EarFun Clip 2 aren't overly unique in a crowded field. Instead, these earbuds sound very good, wear comfortably, and include all the features most people want.

For those reasons, the Clip 2 earbuds are a great value. They deliver better performance at a lower price than most competitors. Whether you want open earbuds for a more comfortable fit or for environmental awareness while running, these are a great choice.