If you want a dedicated pair of open-ear headphones designed for immersive gaming and all-day video calls with deep bass, choose Cleer ARC II Gaming; if you need a portable Bluetooth transmitter to stream high-quality audio from an airplane seat or legacy device to your existing headphones, choose Avantree Relay & Voyager. These two products solve completely different problems, and picking the right one depends entirely on whether you are looking for a wearable headset or a wireless adapter.
• Cleer ARC II Gaming: Delivers ultra-low latency (under 67ms) and 35 hours of battery life in an open-ear design, but it is a standalone headphone set that requires a full purchase rather than an add-on accessory.
• Avantree Relay & Voyager: Offers premium aptX Adaptive audio and an OLED screen for monitoring battery levels on a compact travel adapter, but it functions only as a bridge between devices and does not include earbuds.
• Who this is for: The Cleer pick suits gamers and remote workers who need comfort and situational awareness during long sessions, while the Avantree option is strictly for travelers needing to watch movies or listen to music on planes using their own headphones.
The Cleer ARC II Gaming is built for people who spend hours staring at screens, whether that means playing competitive titles on a console or participating in back-to-back professional meetings. Its defining feature is the open-ear design, which uses adjustable soft ear hooks to keep the ear canal clear. This isn't just about comfort; it is about safety and awareness. You can hear the game sound coming through the dynamic drivers without blocking out the real world, making it ideal for those who need to monitor their environment while staying immersed in digital audio.
For video calls specifically, this unit shines because of its specific microphone technology. It utilizes Qualcomm cVc noise echo cancelling and noise suppression to ensure your voice comes through crystal clear, even in busy rooms. The Snapdragon Sound platform with aptX Lossless technology ensures that the audio quality remains rich and detailed, preventing the compressed, tinny sound often found in standard conference headsets. If you are looking for wireless headphones for video calls where clarity matters more than isolation, this design prioritizes natural sound transmission over silence.
However, this product is not for everyone. If you require active noise cancellation to block out a noisy office or a crying child, the open-ear design will let everything in. Furthermore, while it supports multi-point pairing across Android, iOS, and Windows, it relies on Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio rather than a wired connection. You also need to consider the form factor; the ear hooks and plastic construction are durable, but they are distinctively "gaming" gear. If you prefer a traditional in-ear fit that seals the ear completely, these might feel too exposed. But for extended wear without the pressure of in-ear buds, the ergonomic shape allows for eight hours of continuous play before the case needs a recharge, totaling 35 hours of playback.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The Avantree Relay & Voyager serves a very specific niche: it is a tool to modernize older audio setups or bring high-fidelity streaming to environments where Wi-Fi or direct connections don't exist. This is not a pair of headphones; it is a dongle that plugs into a 3.5mm AUX jack. Its primary use case revolves around travel and legacy compatibility. Imagine sitting on an airplane where the entertainment system only has analog audio outputs. By plugging this adapter into the seat jack, you can instantly stream high-quality audio to your favorite Bluetooth headphones, including AirPods or Bose models.
This device is powered by a premium Qualcomm chipset that supports aptX Adaptive and HD Audio. This combination is crucial for anyone chasing a crystal clear calls earbuds experience, but in this context, it refers to the source audio quality. The adapter ensures that when you transmit music or movie audio from the plane's system, you aren't stuck with low-bitrate MP3s. The OLED screen on the device itself adds a layer of utility, letting you see exactly how much battery is left on both the adapter and your connected headphones, so you never get caught off guard mid-flight.
You should buy this if you are a frequent flyer or a traveler who wants to use their current high-end headphones with older equipment. It is also useful for gym sessions where you have a TV or machine with only a 3.5mm output. However, it is not a standalone solution. If you do not already own a pair of Bluetooth headphones, this product alone will not give you audio; you must pair it with a separate receiver. It is also not compatible with phones, car stereos, or hearing aids, limiting its scope strictly to AUX-equipped sources like aircraft seats or older televisions. If you need a deep bass headset for video calls that includes the speakers, this is not the device you want.
• Best for Battery Life → Cleer ARC II Gaming offers 35 hours total with 8 hours on the earbuds alone, whereas the Relay relies on the battery life of whatever headphones you plug it into.
• Best for Video Calls → Cleer ARC II Gaming includes dedicated microphones with noise suppression for talking, while the Relay is purely for listening to audio from other devices.
• Best for Travel → Avantree Relay & Voyager is pocket-sized and designed specifically for airplane AUX jacks, making it far more practical for transit than carrying a full headset.
• Best for Immersion → Cleer ARC II Gaming features ultra-low latency under 67ms, essential for synchronized gameplay, while the Relay focuses on stable transmission rather than interactive timing.
• Best for Situational Awareness → Cleer ARC II Gaming keeps your ears open with its open-ear design, allowing you to hear traffic or colleagues while listening to audio.
• Best for Legacy Compatibility → Avantree Relay & Voyager bridges the gap between old 3.5mm systems and modern Bluetooth headphones, a function the Cleer earbuds cannot perform.
• Best Value for Gamers → Cleer ARC II Gaming provides a complete package with USB-C dongles for PC and Switch support, whereas the Relay is an accessory only.
• Best for Comfort During Long Sessions → Cleer ARC II Gaming is ergonomically designed for hours of wear with soft ear hooks, avoiding the fatigue of in-ear pressure.
After analyzing the specifications and intended use cases for both units, I would buy the Cleer ARC II Gaming if my goal was to improve my daily communication and gaming setup. It is a complete, self-contained solution that directly addresses the need for wireless wireless headphones for video calls, offering superior microphone performance and all-day battery life. The Avantree Relay & Voyager is an excellent accessory for a specific scenario, but it cannot replace a headset. For anyone needing a primary audio device for work, play, and calls, the Cleer option provides the necessary hardware to deliver a deep bass headset for video calls experience without the need for extra adapters.
Yes, the Cleer ARC II Gaming is equipped with cVc noise echo cancelling technology specifically to handle phone calls and meetings clearly. The Avantree Relay is a transmitter only and does not have a microphone for taking calls.
Absolutely. The Avantree Relay & Voyager is an adapter that connects to a 3.5mm jack; it does not include earbuds. You must already own a pair of Bluetooth headphones to use it.
The Cleer ARC II Gaming provides up to 35 hours of total playback time with its charging case, ensuring you can go days without recharging. The Relay's duration depends entirely on the battery capacity of the headphones you connect to it.
The Avantree Relay & Voyager is explicitly designed for airplanes, working with seatback AUX jacks. While you could technically use the Cleer earbuds on a flight, they lack the specific airplane adapter functionality and are bulkier to pack.
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