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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-18 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M — biggest strength: Ultra-thin housing and a genuinely light 0.7 oz (20 g) build with a 1.2 m cord, so it's a grab-and-go wired option with a wide 16 Hz – 24,000 Hz frequency range and a very low 20 ohm impedance.
• Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M — biggest trade-off: It's wired, has no noise control and no battery, so everything depends on the device you plug the 3.5 mm jack into.
• CYBERDOT Open EarBuds — biggest strength: True wireless open-ear design with Bluetooth, a wireless charging case, LED power display and touch controls, plus 16.3 mm dynamic drivers and angled ear hooks.
• CYBERDOT Open EarBuds — biggest trade-off: Open-ear means you hear everything around you by design, and its frequency range tops out at 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz with a shorter three-month warranty.
• Who should pick the ATH-EQ300M: Anyone who wants a light, simple, wired headphone for a player, laptop or phone with a headphone jack.
• Who should pick the CYBERDOT Open EarBuds: Runners, cyclists and anyone who wants to stay aware of their surroundings while taking calls wirelessly.
The ATH-EQ300M is built around one idea: get out of the way. The housing is ultra thin and the whole thing weighs 0.7 oz (20 g), which is the kind of spec that matters when you wear something for hours and don't want pressure building up. Audio-Technica describes the playback as clear with less strain on the ears, and the ear-fit shape (rounded tips, ear placement listed as in-ear) suggests a light resting fit rather than a deep seal. It's a purple unit with a black faux-leather carrying case, and it's sold as a Japan import.
What it does best is simplicity. There's no pairing, no charging, no firmware, no battery to think about. You plug the 3.5 mm jack into a phone, laptop, handheld console or audio player and you're done. The 1.2 m cord gives you enough slack to move your head without tugging, and the 20 ohm impedance plus 16 Hz – 24,000 Hz frequency range means it plays nicely with ordinary headphone outputs rather than demanding a headphone amp. The dynamic driver is a conventional, well-understood design.
Who should buy it: people who already own a device with a headphone jack and want a light, corded headphone for commuting, desk work, podcasts or casual listening. It's also a sensible pick if you dislike managing battery levels or you want something you can leave plugged into a computer permanently.
Who should skip it: if you need wireless, you'll be disappointed — there's no Bluetooth here. There's also no noise control, so it won't block out a noisy train or a busy office, and it won't isolate you from what's happening around you. And if you want built-in call controls on the headphone itself, this isn't that product; the control method is listed as a wired remote, not a full touch interface.
The CYBERDOT Open EarBuds go the opposite direction: they're about staying connected while staying aware. The ear placement is open ear with angled hooks, so the buds rest outside the ear canal instead of plugging it. CYBERDOT's own framing is air conduction — ambient sound reaches your ears, which is exactly why runners and cyclists like this category. You hear approaching traffic, alarms and people talking to you without pulling anything out of your ears.
Feature-wise, this is a modern wireless package. Bluetooth handles the connection, the buds auto-pair with the last device once you take them out of the case, and the case itself can be charged either with the included USB C cable or on a wireless charging pad (which isn't included). There's an LED display on the case showing battery level and charging status, and a multi-functional touch button on the buds for music, calls and a voice assistant. The 16.3 mm dynamic drivers are large for this format, and CYBERDOT claims they help both music reproduction and call clarity. Frequency response is 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz, and the whole thing is described as waterproof, which fits the sport/workout positioning. It's a blue plastic build.
Who should buy it: runners, walkers, gym-goers, delivery riders and anyone who works in a space where they need to hear what's going on. It's also the better pick if you take a lot of calls, since the touch controls and microphone are built in, and if you like the convenience of a charging case you can top up on a pad.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for lightweight comfort → Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M. At 0.7 oz (20 g) with an ultra-thin housing, it's about as unobtrusive as headphones get.
• Best for wireless freedom → CYBERDOT Open EarBuds. Bluetooth, auto pairing and no cable to snag on anything.
• Best for situational awareness → CYBERDOT Open EarBuds. The open-ear, air-conduction design is specifically built to let ambient sound in.
• Best for zero-maintenance listening → Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M. No battery, no charging case, no pairing — just a 3.5 mm plug.
• Best for calls on the move → CYBERDOT Open EarBuds. Built-in microphone, touch controls and a voice assistant button.
• Best for wide frequency range → Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M. 16 Hz – 24,000 Hz versus 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz.
• Best for bigger drivers → CYBERDOT Open EarBuds. 16.3 mm dynamic drivers in an open-ear shell.
• Best for workouts and wet weather → CYBERDOT Open EarBuds. It's described as waterproof and shaped with angled hooks for movement.
• Best for plugging into older gear → Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M. Any device with a 3.5 mm jack works, no compatibility questions.
In my opinion, the right answer depends entirely on whether you want a cable. If you want the simplest, lightest, most forgettable headphone and you own a device with a headphone jack, I'd buy the Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M — 20 g, a 1.2 m cord and a 16 Hz – 24,000 Hz range are a lot of practicality with nothing to charge. If you run, ride, work out or take calls and you want to hear the world around you, I'd buy the CYBERDOT Open EarBuds — the open-ear design, charging case and touch controls are built for exactly that life. Neither is "better"; they're for different days.
No. It's a wired headphone with a 3.5 mm jack and a 1.2 m cord. That means no Bluetooth pairing and no battery, but also no charging case to carry.
No — the opposite. The open-ear, air-conduction design is meant to let ambient sound reach your ears, which is why it's popular for running and outdoor work where awareness matters.
The CYBERDOT Open EarBuds. Angled ear hooks, a waterproof build and a wireless charging case all suit movement, whereas the ATH-EQ300M is a corded headphone with no water-resistance claim in its specs.
I deliberately don't quote prices here, since they change often and vary by seller. Check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before you decide.
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