I'm gradually becoming a fan of on-ear headphones, thanks to this excellent option from Soundcore.

The Anker Soundcore AeroClip offers clear and immersive audio quality, as well as excellent call quality and a comfortable fit, all at a reasonable price. While they lack certain features and their water resistance could be better, and the battery life leaves something to be desired, they perform well in the essentials, making them an interesting option for open-ear headphone enthusiasts.

Pros and Cons

Advantages:

• Immersive and clear audio
• Secure but comfortable fit
• User-friendly companion app

Disadvantages:

• Only have an IPX4 water resistance rating
• Significant sound leakage to the outside
• Lack active noise cancellation, which some competitors do offer

These headphones are ideal for those who engage in sports activities or regularly go to the gym. The AeroClip manages to deliver solid sound and a comfortable fit, along with some useful features from the companion app. Priced at $129.99 / £129.99 (around AU$210), they present a valid option.

A common drawback of open-ear headphones is the lack of isolation, allowing a lot of ambient noise to enter. While this characteristic can hinder a full-quality audio experience, the Anker Soundcore AeroClip surprisingly performs well in terms of sound quality.

From the outset, a clean and immersive audio quality is noticeable, enhancing songs like "Não Tem Nada Não" by Marcos Valle. During the test of "Remind Me" by Patrice Rushen, the vocals were clear and distortion-free, blended with well-controlled bass and percussion. Even at high volumes, the vocals maintained clarity, and the high-pitched percussion did not sound metallic.

While they lack sophisticated audio codecs like LDAC for a more detailed sound experience, the AeroClip stands out compared to other similarly priced models that struggle to deliver balanced sound. However, while listening to "wyd?" by wev, some weaknesses in the sound were noted, particularly in the low and high frequencies.

Thanks to the Soundcore app, equalization options can be customized, allowing users to adjust the sound profile to their liking. You can choose from various presets or create a custom one that emphasizes certain frequencies, thus providing a more dynamic listening experience.

The open design of the Soundcore AeroClip is an aspect that can enhance or ruin the listening experience. The lack of a proper seal allows outside noise to enter, which can be useful when running on the street, but may be bothersome for those who prefer to enjoy music without auditory distractions.

The options available in the app are also limited. While the touch controls are effective, I would have liked to see additional features such as automatic pause when removing the headphones. In terms of battery life, they offer about eight hours of playback time with a maximum of 24 hours with the charging case, which is less than the 40 hours offered by some competitors.

Regarding design, the IPX4 water resistance rating limits their use in certain conditions, as it only provides protection against sweat and splashes, whereas alternatives like the Huawei FreeArc offer higher levels of resistance.

Despite their disadvantages, the microphone quality is noteworthy and allows for clear calls, a feature that can be crucial for many users.

In summary, the Anker Soundcore AeroClip is an interesting option to consider at $129.99 / £129.99 if you’re looking for an open design with good sound quality. However, those seeking noise cancellation or a more premium design may prefer other options.