OpenRock E Open-Ear Headphones Review

OpenRock E Open-Ear Sport Earbuds Review

Finding the right headphones for an ultra is always a balancing act. You want something that lasts the distance, doesn’t weigh you down, and, crucially, lets you hear that mountain biker coming up behind you on a single track.

I was recently sent a pair of the OpenRock E open-ear air conduction headphones to test out and review. I’ve been putting them through their paces on the trails to see if these budget-friendly buds can hold their own against the big players in the ultra world.

Design

The first thing you’ll notice about the OpenRock E is the design. They use a clip-on style which I had seen before but never actually used myself. I’ll admit, they take a little getting used to at first, it’s a different sensation than the traditional hook or in-ear bud.

However, once you’re used to them, they are extremely comfy. A massive factor in this is the weight; they come in at only 4g per earbud. When you’re twenty miles into a run, that featherlight feel makes a huge difference and you hardly notice they're there. Because they use open-air technology, they don’t sit inside your ear canal, which is ideal for running when you need to be fully aware of your surroundings, whether that's traffic or nature.

Battery Life

For such small things, the battery stats are impressive. You get 7 hours of playback on a single charge, which is plenty for a solid workout or a mid-sized weekend run. Including the charging case, you get a total of 28 hours, which would easily get you through most ultramarathons.

Speaking of the case, this is actually one of my favourite features. It’s very smooth and small, shaped almost like a little pebble. It’s great when you’re out running as it easily fits in the side pocket of a running vest or belt without taking up much room.

When I reviewed the OpenRock X, one of the things I wasn't keen on was the size of the charging case. It just felt too big and heavy to carry comfortably whilst running. The OpenRock E solves that completely, it’s compact, unobtrusive and trail-ready.

Weatherproofing

Living and running in the UK, we can’t ignore the weather. The OpenRock E buds are IPX4 rated, which is good to know. They should withstand plenty of sweat and the inevitable rain showers when you’re out on the trail.

Sound Quality & Controls

So, how do they sound? Honestly, the sound quality is OK. They aren’t the best in the world, but for something so small, they offer a surprisingly good range of high, mid, and low elements. I also found the volume level was more than enough, even when I was running along a loud and busy road.

The big downside for me, however, is the controls. I’m a huge fan of physical buttons, they are just so much easier to use, especially when you’re running with gloves or sweaty hands. Unfortunately, the OpenRock E uses touch controls instead.

To be fair to them, I understand why they’ve chosen touch controls; the earbuds are so small that fitting a mechanism in might have been tricky. To be honest, they didn’t perform too badly during my testing, so if you don’t mind touch controls (or are used to them), this shouldn’t be a problem. But personally? I’m a sucker for a nice clicky button or two.

What’s in the Box?

Unboxing the OpenRock E is a pretty minimal affair. You get the headphones, the charging case, and the instructions. There is no charging cable included, but they use USB-C, so chances are you’ve already got a dozen of them lying around the house.

I actually think the decision not to include a cable is a good one. It helps to cut down on e-waste and, importantly, helps to lower the cost of the product to the consumer.

Verdict: Are OpenRock E Open-Ear Clip-on Headphones Good For Running?

This leads me nicely onto the price. At £36, I think these are great value.

Would I wear them for a 100-miler? I think for long ultras I’d probably stick with my primary gear just for the button controls and absolute familiarity. However, if you are looking for a spare pair of lightweight budget headphones for shorter runs, training days or the gym, these are absolutely worth considering.

Pros:

✅ Incredibly lightweight (4g)
✅ Compact "pebble" case fits anywhere
✅ Comfortable
✅ Excellent value for money

Cons:

❌ Touch controls (give me buttons!)
❌ Sound is good, but not audiophile level

OpenRock E Dicount Code

If you want to give them a try, OpenRock have provided a discount code for GBUR users. To get 15% OFF use code: GBUR

OpenRock E Clip-On Headphones

OpenRock E Headphone - £36.50

Extra 15% OFF use code: GBUR