Open-ear earbuds typically mean some compromise on sound, but Huawei’s FreeClip 2 defy that with surprisingly full bass, clever ergonomics, and all-day stamina.
They are not for noisy commutes, but for runners, cyclists, and anyone who seeks music without silencing the world around them: these are some of the most convincing open designs yet.
Design and comfort details of Huawei FreeClip 2
The FreeClip 2 maintain that breathability requirement with a two-part “clip” that locks around the ear via a C-bridge covered in fabric and topped off with a reflective bud on the outside of the ear. Each earpiece is now 9% lighter and 11% smaller compared to the first-gen model, weighing a mere 5.1g per side. In practice, that weight drop makes a difference: pressure is evenly distributed, the buds stay put during workouts, and ear fatigue never truly settles in after wearing these for multiple hours.
The zeroing-in on portability also extends to the charging case. It’s small enough to share a pocket with your keys and features a grippy texture that won’t slip out of your hands — a modest but appreciated usability win. The entire package has a more finished feel than most clip-on options.
Smart controls and connectivity on FreeClip 2
Huawei’s ergonomicists were clearly obsessed with friction points. Either bud can be worn in either ear; orientation is auto-detected, and the case will take each piece interchangeably in any slot. Gone is the rote “L/R” fumbling about, and regular use is all the more murderously fast.
Controls are equally forgiving. You can touch almost anywhere on the bud or C-bridge to play, pause, or skip, with volume controlled by a swipe on the back surface. There are even controls for head gestures to quickly reject calls. Bluetooth 5.4 ensures snappy pairing and reliable multipoint across phone and laptop, and wear detection automatically pauses audio when you pull a bud from your ear — thoughtful touches that pay off in daily use.
Sound quality and tuning for Huawei FreeClip 2
Open-type designs typically choke below 100Hz, but the FreeClip 2 offer surprising bass for their class. Rhythm-forward tracks don’t lose the groove as soon as ambient noise starts to trickle in; kick drums have definition, and basslines sit right there in the mix where they should. You’re still not going to get sub-bass rumble like you’d get from a sealed in-ear, but the improvement over regular open earbuds will be impossible to miss.
Midrange clarity is a strong suit — vocals sit slightly in front of the mix without unpleasant thinness — and treble detail is crisp but not sizzly at moderate volumes. The open design is also something of a gift for spatial cues: imaging is impressive, delivering a convincing sense of width, and everything from podcasts to acoustic sets presents itself a little more out in the room.
Tuning is adjustable in the Huawei Audio app, which uses a 10-band EQ and three quick presets for bass, mids, or treble. Now, there’s a catch: bass output and positioning are inextricably linked — slide the clip just a little bit, and you change the seal against your outer ear and alter low-frequency energy. It’s worth adjusting placement for a minute before you pass judgment on the sound.
Battery life and durability for Huawei FreeClip 2
Stamina is another strength. Huawei promises up to 9 hours of playback per charge and up to 38 hours with the case, which should last a week for mixed use. The buds are rated IP57 and the case is IP54 per IEC 60529 standards, enough that sweat-filled workouts and rainy runs shouldn’t cause any concern.
Open-fit trade-offs and what to expect in use
The obvious compromise is isolation. Without any active noise canceling and a fit that’s designed to be open, train and airplane cabins will drown out your music unless you crank the volume. Office gossip still seeps out, for better or worse. Wind can add a slight whoosh at higher speeds outdoors, and some sound will seep in at loud volumes, so you’ll still want to be kind in your listening.
Fit is more important as well than with silicone tips. If you have very small or very large ears, attaining a bass seal might prove challenging, and the subjective signature can go one way or another depending on precisely where the clip lands on your concha. If you’re sensitive to that, test the fit until you make a skin-level commitment.
Price and final verdict on Huawei FreeClip 2
Priced at £179 MSRP, the FreeClip 2 come in below a couple of their more fashion-forward rivals like Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds, which were released at $299. Given the unexpectedly powerful bass, generous feature set, and true all-day comfort, Huawei’s approach is compelling value — assuming you want environmental awareness more than isolation.
If your daily regimen includes street running, office multitasking, or listening while keeping an ear out for conversations, the FreeClip 2 currently deliver one of the most enjoyable open-ear experiences you can get. But if your world is loud, you’ll still want sealed buds with ANC. For the rest of us, these are the few open earbuds that look better than they sound — and let’s be honest, they already get looks with a little help from superstar design firm Ammunition.