There are headphones and earbuds on the market with different attributes to suit different situations. If you want something that’s cushioned and comfortable, you can find it. If you want to listen to music or podcasts but still have situational awareness, that’s available, too. Soundcore has combined those things and more with C40i open-ear clip earbuds.
What Are They?
C40i open-ear clip-on earbuds are Soundcore’s latest clip earbuds. Unlike traditional earbuds, these slip over the ear cartilage rather than sitting in the ear canal, which has both positive and negative attributes.
Each earbud has a small speaker at the front, which has been engineered to direct the sound directly into the listener’s ear, maximising what is heard by them and minimising it for others around them.
The back of each earbud has a physical button, which can be used for things like play/stop, volume up and down, and call answering. If you don’t like how these are set up, you can individualise most actions within the app to make them work more intuitively for you. The reassuring button click as it is pressed or held is a welcome change to the sometimes frustrating series of taps and press-and-hold scenarios used by some. It also reduces the number of accidental presses as they get knocked or brushed.
The earbuds connect to your phone or laptop via Bluetooth and can be set up and adjusted within the associated Soundcore app.
What Features Do Soundcore C40i Clip-on Earbuds Offer?
One of the nice things about the C40i clip-on earbuds is their simplicity. After initially pairing them to your device, which is very simple, just open the case, and they will connect to your phone if Bluetooth is switched on. Then, you’re ready to go.
If the sound isn’t quite to your liking, open the app and try the different settings to adjust the sound. I preferred having the 3D Surround Sound setting switched on, but that’s all about personal preference.
Having the earbuds clip to your ear has the advantage of making them much more comfortable for longer wearing times. You pretty much forget you’re wearing them after a while. It was, however, only after first trying the C40i that I learned that my ears are slightly different shapes. The left earbud sat nicely and had decent sound quality. The right, however, just doesn’t sit quite so well, making the sound a little less intense and creating a slightly unbalanced sound overall. I tried out the clear ear grips, which are included, to try to resolve the issue, and it helped a little.
C40i can be connected to two devices without needing to unpair them, which is a nice feature that allows you to switch easily from your phone to your laptop.
The C40i earbuds don’t have noise cancellation or transparency modes that can often be a little flawed, as they aren’t trying to block out ambient noise. They come into their own in environments where you want a little audio entertainment but are fully aware of what is happening around you and can easily hold a conversation.
These work well if you’re in the office or out for a walk, run or cycle, but they won’t fit the bill if you’re on a plane or train.
What’s the Battery Life Like?
We haven’t tested the battery life to the max, but Soundcore assures us that C40i provides up to 7 hours of playback at 50% volume, with the earbuds being charged by the case for a total of 21 hours of playback time. If you’re hopping over to Spain for your summer holiday, then fully charge them before you go, and you’re unlikely to need to mains charge them until you get home.
If you need a top-up via the case, pop them back in for about 10 minutes, and playtime should be extended by around 2 hours.
How Do They Charge?
The earbuds charge using the carry case, which connects to a power source using a USB-C cable. The case’s gently pulsing LED indicator lets you know when it’s charging and switches off once it’s done.
What’s the Sound Quality Like?
Getting high-quality sound when the earbud or headphones don’t create a seal with your ear will always be a big challenge. C40i do a fairly good job, thanks to the directional speaker that sends the sound into the ear. If, like me, you struggle to get them to sit in quite the right position, the sound is weaker and less impactful.
Moving the earbuds just a little further into my ears, I can appreciate the change in sound quality, so if you have the right shaped ears, these will be a great option, particularly at the price point of £99.
The sound quality of voice calls is reasonably good, with both parties able to hear clearly. A single press of either button will answer an incoming call, and a double press either declines or ends the call.
Soundcore C40i Clip-on Earbuds: What’s the Verdict?
If noise cancellation isn’t an important factor but awareness of your surroundings is, then these are a good choice. However, they aren’t going to work for everyone. Getting the perfect placement for the most balanced sound quality might take a bit of trial and error.
Once you do find that sweet spot, wearing them will be easy and comfortable. While a little unusual-looking compared to the headphones
and earbuds we’re used to seeing, they are still fairly minimal and unobtrusive.
C40i clip-on earbuds are well-suited to an office environment or when you’re walking or exercising and want some background music. They aren’t the best choice for those looking for complete sound clarity and isolation, but that isn’t their intended purpose. In the right situation, C40i will perform well, bringing the quality that Soundcore is known for to this innovative earbud design.
Tested: Soundcore C40i Clip-on Earbuds
Price: £99
Average Joe Rating: ★★★☆☆
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