We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-18 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a lightweight, app-controlled open-ear hook set from a legacy audio brand with a charging case that triples your listening time, choose Maxell OWS Pro Open-Ear; if you need longer total battery life, a newer Bluetooth version, an IPX5 waterproof rating, and a mic-equipped design built for sweaty workouts and commutes, choose CNBRO Open Ear Headphones.
• Maxell OWS Pro Open-Ear — biggest strength: a genuinely open hook design that sits on the outer ear and keeps you aware of your surroundings, plus 18 hours total playtime via the charging case and app-based media control.
• Maxell OWS Pro Open-Ear — biggest trade-off: no water-resistance rating is listed, noise control is "None," and single-charge life is 6 hours versus the CNBRO's 5 — but the CNBRO wins on total battery.
• CNBRO Open Ear Headphones — biggest strength: 24 hours total battery life, Bluetooth 5.4, an IPX5 waterproof rating, directional sound for private listening, and a built-in microphone.
• CNBRO Open Ear Headphones — biggest trade-off: controls are push-button only (no app), and the design leans toward sport and commute use rather than all-day desk listening.
• Who each is for: Maxell for people who want an open, aware listening experience with app control and a lighter, ear-hugging fit; CNBRO for runners, cyclists, drivers and gym-goers who need sweat resistance and maximum total runtime.
The Maxell OWS Pro is built around one idea: you should never have to take your earbuds out to hear what's happening around you. The hooks rest gently on your outer ear rather than plugging into the canal, so traffic, a colleague's question, or a gym announcement still comes through while your music plays. Maxell frames this as "Hear the World Around You," and the design backs that up — this is awareness-first listening, not isolation.
Buy the Maxell if you want an open-ear hook set with app control, a secure curved fit, and a case that stretches 6 hours into 18. Skip it if you need a waterproof rating for heavy sweat or rain, want a microphone for calls, or need more than 6 hours before you're back near the case. Note that no water-resistance level is listed here, so treat it as a fair-weather, indoor-leaning companion rather than a rain-runner.
CNBRO Open Ear Headphones: Who It's For
The CNBRO Open Ear Headphones are aimed squarely at movement. The spec sheet reads like a sports checklist: Bluetooth 5.4, an IPX5 waterproof rating, a 10-meter wireless range, a built-in microphone, and an ear-hook design the brand says is ergonomically shaped to stay stable even during intense exercise. If your listening happens on a run, a ride, a drive, or a gym floor, this is the profile you want.
Battery is where the CNBRO pulls ahead on paper. It lists 5 hours of single-charge playtime and up to 24 hours with the charging case — six more total hours than the Maxell. Charge time is listed at 1 hour, so a quick top-up gets you back out. The open-ear design keeps you aware of your surroundings, which the brand ties directly to running, cycling, driving and commuting. Meanwhile, directional sound technology channels audio toward your ear canal for private listening with less leakage — a nice touch if you don't want your podcast shared with the treadmill next to you. The audio story is rounded out by what CNBRO calls 360° ACS immersive audio for a richer, more vibrant sound.
Buy the CNBRO if you want maximum total battery, a waterproof rating, a microphone, and a stable fit for sport. Skip it if you prefer app-based control — this one is push-button only — or if you want the lightest possible hook, since it lists at 18.14 g.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for sweat and rain → CNBRO Open Ear Headphones (IPX5 waterproof rating; no water-resistance level is listed for the Maxell).
• Best for app control → Maxell OWS Pro Open-Ear (media control via app vs. push-button on the CNBRO).
• Best for calls → CNBRO Open Ear Headphones (microphone included; the Maxell sheet lists no mic).
• Best for newer wireless tech → CNBRO Open Ear Headphones (Bluetooth 5.4 vs. standard Bluetooth on the Maxell).
• Best for lighter, ear-hugging comfort → Maxell OWS Pro Open-Ear (0.09 kg / 90 g listed weight, TPE-and-plastic enclosure, weight distributed across the ear).
• Best for commuting and driving → CNBRO Open Ear Headphones (designed around awareness plus directional private listening and a 10-meter range).
• Best for desk, travel and all-day wear → Maxell OWS Pro Open-Ear (the brand lists meetings, working from home and resting among its use cases).
In my opinion, the CNBRO Open Ear Headphones are the safer pick for most people. The combination of 24 hours total battery, an IPX5 waterproof rating, a microphone, and Bluetooth 5.4 covers more real-world situations — sweaty workouts, rainy commutes, phone calls — than the Maxell manages on paper. I'd choose the Maxell OWS Pro only if app-based control and a lighter, softer ear-hook fit matter more to you than water resistance and total runtime. Both are open-ear designs that keep you aware of your surroundings; the CNBRO simply does more of the practical jobs. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing that can tip this either way.
The CNBRO. It lists an IPX5 waterproof rating and an ergonomic hook designed to stay stable during intense exercise, plus a microphone. The Maxell has no listed water-resistance level, so it's better suited to indoor and fair-weather use.
The Maxell OWS Pro lists 6 hours per charge and up to 18 hours with its charging case. The CNBRO lists 5 hours per charge and up to 24 hours with its case, with a 1-hour charge time.
The CNBRO specifically lists directional sound technology that channels audio into your ear canal to keep listening private and reduce leakage. The Maxell emphasizes awareness and immersive sound but doesn't list a directional or leakage-minimizing feature.
The CNBRO, because its feature list includes a microphone. The Maxell OWS Pro spec sheet doesn't list a microphone, so it's the weaker choice if calls matter to you.
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