Open-ear comfort with firm bass, stable fit, and marathon battery life.
You want to hear the world and your music at the same time. On runs, rides, or long workdays, sealed earbuds can feel unsafe or fatiguing. That’s where open-ear designs shine. In this Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review, I break down how these earbuds keep you aware without giving up sound quality or call clarity. If you juggle workouts, Zoom calls, and commuting, and you hate ear pressure, these could be the sweet spot.
Is Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Good?
Yes—if you want situational awareness with real bass and a rock-solid fit. In my testing for this Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review, the open-ear design kept my ears pressure-free while the secure hooks stayed put during sprints. The sound is lively with stronger low-end than most open-ear rivals. Dual mics handled wind and city noise better than I expected, and Bluetooth 5.3 plus multi-point kept my laptop and phone connected at once.
It depends if you need isolation. If you want a sealed, studio-like soundstage, open-ear is not that. But for runners, cyclists, dog walkers, and remote workers who take calls all day, these hit the balance. The 35 hours total playtime meant I charged the case once a week. For this Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review, that endurance stood out.
My First Impression for Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones
The box felt premium and tidy. Inside, the charging case had a soft matte finish with a satisfying hinge. The earbuds looked sleek with curved ear hooks and smooth edges. On first touch, the build felt sturdy but light. I liked the gentle pressure of the hooks—secure without pinching.
Pairing took under a minute. They connected fast and held the link with no dropouts in my apartment’s crowded Wi‑Fi. My first run test surprised me. The bass had punch, and vocals stayed clear even with street noise. I started this Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review curious, and I ended that first session impressed by comfort and fit. I felt excited to keep testing.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Open-ear design with secure ear hooks for pressure-free comfort and awareness
- Bluetooth 5.3 with multi-point to connect two devices at once
- Up to 35 hours total playtime for fewer charges
- Dual mic system for clearer calls on the move
- Sweat-resistant build for workouts and outdoor use
- Preset EQs to tweak sound to your taste
- Stable fit that stays put during runs and rides
What I Like
- Comfort all day with no ear canal pressure
- Secure hooks that never budged on hill sprints
- Surprisingly full bass for an open design
- Multi-point makes switching from laptop to phone seamless
- Clear calls; people heard me well in light wind
- Long-lasting battery that matches busy weeks
- Easy preset EQs to quickly tune sound
What Could Be Better
- Sound leakage at high volume in very quiet rooms
- Open design means little isolation on planes or trains
- Wind noise can creep in at bike speeds
My Recommendation
If you want open ears, secure comfort, and easy device switching, this is a strong pick. Runners, cyclists, and parents will love the awareness. Remote workers who bounce between phone and laptop will love multi-point and the clear mics. If you crave heavy isolation, consider closed earbuds instead. For this Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review, the value comes from a rare blend: comfort, stability, and endurance.
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Running and outdoor workouts | Secure hooks, sweat resistance, and open awareness for safety |
| Hybrid work and calls | Dual mics and multi-point keep calls clear and switching simple |
| Long days on the go | Up to 35 hours total playtime reduces charging stress |
Alternative Products You Can Consider
Shokz OpenRun Pro: Best for cyclists and runners who value maximum awareness and a featherweight feel. These use bone conduction, so your ears stay fully open. Bass is lighter than the Cleer ARC II, but fit is ultra-stable and the design is very slim. Choose these if safety and low weight matter most.
Sony LinkBuds: Best for office use and casual listening. Their ring driver keeps your ear open, so you hear surroundings. They are tiny and pocketable, with smart features. Sound is detailed but lighter in bass than the Cleer ARC II. Pick them if you want discreet buds for city life.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Best for premium comfort and style. The open clip design is elegant and very comfortable. Sound is richer than many open-ear options, with strong mids. They cost more than the Cleer ARC II, but you get a luxury feel.
| Product | Best For | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones | Balanced open-ear use: runs, calls, daily wear | Secure hooks, lively bass, 35-hour endurance, multi-point |
| Shokz OpenRun Pro | Safety-first athletes | Bone conduction; lighter bass, very stable and light |
| Sony LinkBuds | Urban commuters and office users | Tiny ring design; discreet, lighter low-end |
| Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | Comfort and style seekers | Premium clip design; richer mids, higher price |
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
For the widest range of people, the Cleer ARC II is the best balance. It blends a secure fit, open awareness, better-than-expected bass, clear calls, and long battery life. If you want one open-ear set for workouts, commutes, and work calls, this is it. My Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review shows it handles most days with ease.
Pick Shokz OpenRun Pro if you want the lightest, safest feel and do not mind lighter bass. Choose Sony LinkBuds for tiny size and city-friendly use. Go Bose Ultra Open Earbuds if you want a premium fit and a richer midrange and can pay more. For most users, the Cleer ARC II nails comfort, stability, and value.
FAQs Of Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review
Do they leak sound?
At high volume in quiet rooms, some sound can leak. Keep volume moderate for libraries or meetings.
Can I use them for running and cycling?
Yes. The ear hooks are very stable, and the open design keeps you aware of traffic and people.
How is the call quality?
The dual mics do well for daily calls. Voices sound clear. Strong wind can add some noise outdoors.
Do they connect to two devices at once?
Yes. Multi-point lets you link, for example, a laptop and a phone. Switching is smooth.
How long does the battery last?
You get up to 35 hours total with the case. In normal use, I charged once a week during this Cleer ARC II Open Ear Headphones Review.
Everett Ashford is a tech reviewer at mytechgrid.com specializing in SSDs, cameras, TVs, earbuds, headphones, and other consumer electronics. He provides honest, data-driven reviews based on hands-on testing and real-world performance analysis. Everett simplifies complex tech details to help readers make smart, confident buying decisions.
