OVERVIEW
The Edifier R1’s are comfortable and budget-friendly clip-on style open-ear earbuds that are ideal for those who don’t like in-ear options. Whilst the sound quality is decent, it is lacking in bass, especially at higher volumes. Overall, they’re a good option for casual listening, particularly for those with larger ears.
✅ Pros:
- Comfortable
- Symmetrical design with auto-channel switching
- IP56 water and dust resistance
❌ Cons:
- Bass is weak, especially at high volumes
- No custom EQ in the app
- Larger size may not suit all users
Edifier R1 Clip-On Earbuds
Design & Comfort
The Edifier R1’s clip directly onto your ears, making them a great option, not only for those that dislike traditional in-ear buds, but also for those that wear glasses and find hook style open earbuds uncomfortable. They also only weigh 5.8g each, so they feel light on the ears as well. While they are slightly larger than other clip-on earbuds, which makes them a great choice for those with larger ears, they still remain comfortable for smaller ears also.
One standout feature is their symmetrical design. This isn’t just a cosmetic design choice either as the earbuds are symmetric in use too, meaning there’s no designated left or right earbud. No matter which ear you place each earbud on, the earbuds will automatically switch the audio channels around to always ensure that the right (or left) channel is going to the right (or left) ear! This is a feature that I’ve not seen on clip-on earbuds before and makes them an absolute breeze to use, especially when placing them back in the case.
Controls & Features
The Edifier R1’s feature some of the easiest touch controls I’ve ever used as they allow you to tap anywhere on the earbud clip to trigger an action. You don’t have to be fiddling around trying to find the touch pad on the front or back of these earbuds. That’s a great design choice that I wish more companies did.
With just double and triple tap options available, accidental touches are minimized, making them easier to use than many competitors. You can customize these controls in the Edifier ConneX mobile app.
They come with an IP56 rating that makes them makes them dust and water resistant, perfect for workouts or rainy days. There’s even a drainage function in the app that helps shake out any water.
Other features include Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint support, wear detection, and a low-latency gaming mode (though Edifier doesn’t specify the exact latency level). And whilst the mic quality on these isn’t exceptional, it’s certainly more than adequate for taking the occasional call.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery life is solid, with the Edifier R1’s offering 7 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 28 hours with the case. A quick 15-minute charge also provides 3 hours of use. Whilst the case does support USB-C charging (and a cable is provided with these earbuds in the box), they don’t support wireless charging. That is however pretty typical for open-ear earbuds.
Sound Quality
Equipped with 12mm dynamic drivers, the Edifier R1 delivers clear audio, though the bass is lacking—a common issue with open-ear earbuds. For those that want to customize the sound, the Edifier app does include four EQ presets: Classic, Bass Boost, Vocal Boost, and Treble Boost, that does provide some minor tweaks to the sound. However, with no custom EQ option, you’ll have to rely on your music app’s built-in equalizer if you want to make further adjustments.
For best results, keeping the Bass Boost EQ on, at low to medium volumes, is ideal. At high volumes, bass tends to disappear, and treble can become harsh. This makes the Edifier R1’s best for casual listening, such as walking or jogging, while staying aware of your surroundings.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Edifier R1s offer a practical, comfortable, and easy-to-use clip-on design with solid features. Their $50 price makes them easy on the wallet too. While their sound isn’t bass-heavy, they’re a good enough option for those who want open-ear earbuds without breaking the bank—especially if you have larger ears.
If you’re considering alternatives, the Soundpeats PearlClip Pros are worth a look. They offer better sound but have a less impressive app experience.