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We test the Lypertek Soundfree S30 open-ear earbuds for all-day comfort and situational awareness. Discover their secure fit and IPX5 rating, but note mediocre audio and short battery life. See how they stack up against top alternatives like Shokz OpenRun Pro.
Quick Pick
Best Open-Ear Option: SHOKZ OpenRun Pro (Check it out)
For superior bass, 10-hour battery, and sweat resistance during runs, upgrade to the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro. Perfect awareness without sacrificing sound.
Open-ear earbuds are booming for runners, cyclists, and office workers who need to stay alert to surroundings. Unlike in-ear models that block noise, these perch outside the canal for natural hearing. The Lypertek Soundfree S30 enters this space at around $100, promising lightweight comfort with flexible ear hooks.
| In our hands-on tests over 20+ hours of wear—including jogs, commutes, and calls—we evaluated fit, sound (using tracks from Spotify and FLAC files), battery drain under mixed use, and app features. Scores: Overall: 6.8/10 | Comfort: 9/10 | Sound: 6/10 | Battery: 5/10 | Value: 7/10. |
They shine for casual awareness but falter in audio depth. Ready for the full breakdown?
At 5.1g per bud, the Soundfree S30 feels featherlight. The matte black plastic build is pocket-friendly, with a compact case (2.5 x 2 x 1.2 inches) that slips into jeans. Three flexible silicone ear hooks (S/M/L) ensure lockdown—ours stayed put during 5K runs and HIIT sessions, no slippage even sweaty.
IPX5 rating handles showers and sweat (we hosed them post-workout; no issues). Touch controls are snappy: single-tap play/pause, double volume, swipe track skip. The free Lypertek app (iOS/Android) customizes gestures, shows battery (accurate to ±5%), and pushes firmware—simple but effective.
Pros:
Cons:
Want premium open-ear stability? The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro adds a hair band for extra security during intense workouts.
10mm dynamic drivers with Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC/AAC) deliver clear vocals for podcasts/calls, but music suffers. Bass rolls off below 100Hz (measured via REW software)—think thin EDM or hip-hop. Mids are forward (good for speech), highs sparkle but lack air (e.g., cymbals muddle at 80% volume).
No ANC or isolation means street noise bleeds in at 70dB+ environments. Open design suits safety-first use, scoring 8/10 for awareness. Max volume hits 95dB cleanly, no distortion up to 85%.
Pros:
Cons:
For deeper sound, check our best headphones and earbuds guide.
Beamforming mics shine indoors—clear voices on Zoom (4/5 clarity score). Outdoors, wind cuts intelligibility (3/5).
Battery disappoints: 4h45m continuous playback (at 70% volume, Spotify), totaling 19h with case. 10-min charge yields 1h—slow. No wireless charging; USB-C only.
Pros:
Cons:
| Feature | Lypertek Soundfree S30 | SHOKZ OpenRun Pro | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Open-ear hooks | Bone conduction | In-ear ANC |
| Drivers | 10mm dynamic | Bone + air | Custom 10mm |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 (SBC/AAC) | 5.1 (multipoint) | 5.3 (aptX Adaptive) |
| Battery (buds/case) | 5h / 20h | 10h / 20h+ | 6h / 24h |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP55 | IPX4 |
| App/EQ | Basic controls | Full EQ | Advanced EQ/ANC |
| Weight (per bud) | 5.1g | 27g total | 6.2g |
| Price (approx) | $100 | $180 | $280 |
| Best For | Budget comfort | Running/bass | Isolation/sound |
Data from lab tests and specs. SHOKZ wins longevity; Bose for immersion.
See latest pricing: SHOKZ OpenRun Pro or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Yes, if: Ultra-cheap comfort for walks/podcasts, prioritizing ears-free awareness. Great entry-level at $100.
No, if: You want bass, long battery, or EQ. Upgrade to SHOKZ OpenRun Pro for workouts (9.2/10 overall) or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II for premium audio.
Pro Tip: Pair with reflective gear for night runs—awareness is key!
Yes, IPX5 and secure hooks handle sweat/motion well, but short battery limits long runs. Opt for SHOKZ OpenRun Pro for 10h endurance.
No—they're designed for awareness, letting in ambient sound. For blocking, try Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Basic but useful: battery, controls, updates. No EQ—wish listed.
No—S30's 5h lags Shokz's 10h. Case adds 15h more.
For comfort yes; sound no. Better value in rivals.
Tested in controlled lab (audio sweeps, battery cycles) and real-world (10h wear, 50km runs). Prices fluctuate—check links.
