Budget open earbuds face-off: Tozo beats Anker and Belkin in hands-on test

Open earbuds have become a mainstream category, and budget options are plentiful. TechRadar's Becca Caddy spent two weeks testing three models under $40/£40—the Tozo OpenEarRing, Anker Soundcore V20i, and Belkin SoundForm ClearFit—to see if they could deliver stable fit, enjoyable audio, and reliable ambient awareness.

Belkin's SoundForm ClearFit were the weakest of the trio. Their short ear hook and bulky front module created poor weight distribution, making them slip and bounce during walks and runs. The touch controls were overly sensitive, so simply adjusting the buds triggered accidental play/pause and track skips. Audio quality was disappointing: even at maximum volume they sounded quiet, tinny, and distant, with little bass and blurred instrument separation. They leaked the most sound, though podcast vocals remained clear.

The Anker Soundcore V20i improved on that formula. Longer ear hooks and a customizable base—offering four different wearing angles—kept them more stable, though they still felt a bit unsteady on long, sweaty runs. Sound was noticeably louder, with more bass weight, making them fine for workout playlists if you don't need a thumping low end. Leakage was moderate: not audible from two feet at medium volume, but faintly audible from three to four feet at full volume. Controls were sensitive but customizable via the companion app.

The Tozo OpenEarRing, a clip-on design, was the standout. It sits closer to the ear without creating a seal, and Caddy found it comfortable even while wearing glasses and having thick hair. The fit was stable with no complaints. Sound was the best of the three: it achieved high volumes, offered surprising clarity and instrument separation for the price, and allowed easy EQ tweaks in the app. The treble became bright and fatiguing after several hours, and bass lacked weight, but for the price it impressed. Despite higher output, leakage was similar to the Anker—faint at a couple of feet in quiet environments. Controls avoid single-tap activation to prevent accidental touches, though the double-tap play/pause sometimes failed to register.

In terms of environmental awareness, the hook-style Belkin and Anker let in more surrounding sound because they sit farther from the ear. The Tozo at full volume reduced awareness, but podcast listening allowed full environmental perception. Caddy notes that fit is crucial for safety: she briefly lost focus on traffic while fiddling with the Belkin.

Caddy recommends the Tozo OpenEarRing for most budget buyers, especially those who prefer clip-on designs. The Anker Soundcore V20i is a reasonable hook-style alternative if your workouts aren't too intense. The Belkin is only worth considering for podcast listening during walks.

This is a subjective, hands-on comparison rather than a lab test; individual experience may vary based on ear shape and usage.