If you want in-ear earbuds with active noise cancelling for PS5, choose Belkin SoundForm Pulse ANC; if you need open-ear clip-ons that leave you aware of your surroundings, choose Baseus Bowie MC1. For PS5, I’d make the decision around whether you want a sealed, noise-reducing fit or an open design—not assume either pair is a dedicated gaming headset.
Belkin SoundForm Pulse ANC vs Baseus Bowie MC1 at a Glance
• Belkin SoundForm Pulse ANC: Hybrid active noise cancelling, an in-ear fit, multipoint connection, and Qi wireless charging are its main strengths; its sealed fit is less suited to someone who wants to hear their surroundings.
• Baseus Bowie MC1: Open-ear clip-ons, IP57 protection, and up to 40 hours of stated playtime suit outdoor use; they do not offer active noise cancelling for listening.
• Belkin suits: Listeners who want in-ear earbuds and ANC for commutes, focused listening, or compatible-device switching.
• Baseus suits: People who prefer an open fit for walking, running, and cycling, and who want their ears uncovered.
• For PS5: Choose based on fit and listening needs, and check console compatibility before treating either as a gaming headset.
Belkin’s key advantage is the combination of an in-ear design and hybrid active noise cancelling. That makes the SoundForm Pulse ANC the more natural fit if you want earbuds that help reduce ambient noise while you listen. The case supports Qi wireless charging, so you can use a compatible wireless charger rather than relying only on the included USB-C cable. Three pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes are included, giving you a few options for finding a fit that feels secure.
The 35-hour battery figure is useful context for people who want to carry the charging case between commutes, workouts, and days out. Belkin also lists six microphones with a noise-reduction algorithm and a mono mode, allowing you to listen through one earbud or both. Multipoint can connect the earbuds to two devices at once, which is handy if you move between a phone and another compatible device. Bluetooth 5.2 and Google Fast Pair for compatible Android devices round out the connection features.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
The IPX5 rating means the earbuds are designed to resist sweat and water splashes, making them more practical for exercise or rainy conditions than earbuds without a stated resistance rating. Still, IPX5 is not the same as dust protection or a claim that they can be submerged. Their in-ear fit and ANC are also trade-offs: if you want to stay aware of nearby traffic and conversation, an open-ear design may feel more appropriate.
Who should skip this: Skip the Belkin if you specifically want open-ear listening, dust protection, or a design that keeps your ear canal uncovered.
The Baseus Bowie MC1 takes the opposite approach. Its open-ear clip-on design leaves the ear canal uncovered, so you can hear more of your surroundings while listening. That can be useful on a walk, run, or bike ride when you do not want the isolating feel of in-ear earbuds. Baseus also describes the MC1 as compatible with glasses and says it is not recommended for side sleepers, a helpful distinction for anyone considering wearing earbuds while resting.
Its 40-hour playtime is a notable part of the package, though that figure alone does not explain how long a single listening session lasts before the case needs attention. The MC1 uses Bluetooth 5.4, physical buttons, and multipoint connection. Buttons may appeal if you prefer a press rather than touch controls when managing playback or calls. The Baseus App allows control customization, and volume can be adjusted by long-pressing the earbuds.
For exercise and outdoor use, the IP57 rating covers dust and water protection, including sweat and rain. The open-ear sound is described as balanced, with adaptive bass rather than a heavy-bass emphasis; directional sound is intended to reduce leakage. Two microphones with DNN noise reduction are focused on calls, not professional recording. Importantly, this is call noise reduction, not ANC for your music. You should not expect the MC1 to quiet surrounding sounds the way the Belkin’s active noise cancelling is designed to.
Who should skip this: Skip the Baseus if you want active noise cancelling, a sealed in-ear fit, or stronger emphasis on deep bass and isolation.
• Best for listening with active noise cancelling → Belkin SoundForm Pulse ANC. Its hybrid ANC is the clear choice if reducing ambient sound is a priority.
• Best for hearing your surroundings → Baseus Bowie MC1. Its open-ear clip-on design is intended to preserve awareness rather than block the world out.
• Best for outdoor movement in dust or rain → Baseus Bowie MC1. Its IP57 rating includes dust protection; the Belkin is rated IPX5 for sweat and water resistance.
• Best for switching between two devices → Either. Both list multipoint connectivity, so the choice comes down to fit, controls, and noise handling.
• Best for wireless charging → Belkin SoundForm Pulse ANC. Its case supports Qi wireless charging, a feature not listed for the Baseus.
• Best for longer stated playtime → Baseus Bowie MC1. It lists 40 hours, compared with 35 hours for the Belkin.
• Best for Android setup convenience → Belkin SoundForm Pulse ANC. Google Fast Pair is listed for compatible Android devices.
• Best for physical button controls → Baseus Bowie MC1. Its buttons avoid relying solely on touch control, while the Belkin uses touch controls.
Buying Considerations
Start with where you expect to listen most. For a noisy commute, shared room, or focused listening session, the Belkin’s in-ear fit and hybrid ANC have a clear role. For walking, running, or cycling, the Baseus’s open-ear design is the more logical option when hearing nearby sounds is important. Those are different priorities, not two versions of the same feature.
Think about the fit you will tolerate for longer sessions. Belkin includes three sizes of silicone ear tips, which gives you a choice within its in-ear design. Baseus clips onto the ear instead and is described as compatible with glasses, but its own guidance says it is not recommended for side sleepers. Neither design is universally more comfortable; the right one depends on whether you prefer an ear tip in the canal or an open clip-on.
Battery figures are worth comparing, but they do not settle every practical question. Baseus lists 40 hours of playtime and Belkin lists 35 hours. Belkin separately offers Qi wireless charging for its case, which may matter if you already use a compatible wireless charger. Baseus includes a USB-C charging cable, while its stated battery figure is the longer of the two.
Finally, distinguish call handling from noise cancellation. Belkin’s hybrid ANC is intended to affect ambient sound during listening, and its six microphones support call features and mono mode. Baseus uses two microphones with noise reduction for calls, but that is not active noise cancelling for music. If your priority is reducing the sound around you, the distinction is decisive. If your priority is keeping your ears open, the Baseus design is the point.
I’d choose the Belkin SoundForm Pulse ANC for PS5-adjacent listening if I wanted an in-ear fit and active noise cancelling, while first confirming the connection works with my setup. Its ANC, multipoint, and Qi charging case make it the more flexible choice for quiet listening across compatible devices. I’d choose the Baseus instead for outdoor use, dust protection, open-ear awareness, and its longer stated playtime. My pick is the Belkin when reducing background noise matters more than hearing the surroundings.
FAQ
The Belkin is the only one of these two with an in-ear design. It also has hybrid ANC, but the available product information does not establish PS5 compatibility, so confirm that separately.
No. The MC1’s microphone noise reduction is designed for calls; it is not ANC for music. Its open-ear design is meant to leave you more aware of your surroundings.
Both list multipoint connectivity. Belkin lists six microphones and mono mode, while Baseus lists two microphones with DNN noise reduction for calls. Choose according to your preferred fit and listening style, and check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button if price is part of your decision.
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