We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a dual-mode gaming headset you can also take calls on, choose Middle Rabbit SW5; if you need all-day open-ear comfort with a clip-on fit that keeps your ear canal free, choose INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On. These two are built for completely different owners, and the touch control story on each one tells you almost everything you need to know.
• Middle Rabbit SW5 — biggest strength: A 2.4G dongle plus Bluetooth 5.4 dual-mode connection, 20ms low latency, and four built-in mics with AI-enhanced voice pickup. It is a gaming-first product that also handles phone calls.
• Middle Rabbit SW5 — biggest trade-off: In-ear tips mean you are sealed off from your surroundings, and the 8-hour average battery life is per charge rather than per day.
• INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On — biggest strength: An open-ear clip-on structure that sits around the outer ear instead of inside the canal, at roughly 9.93g per earbud, which is the whole point of the design.
• INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On — biggest trade-off: No dongle, no low-latency gaming mode, and a 40ms latency figure that is fine for podcasts and calls but not built for competitive play.
• Who each pick is for: Middle Rabbit SW5 → gamers, PC/PS5/PS4/VR users, and anyone who wants one headset for play and work. INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On → women, small ears, glasses wearers, commuters, and anyone who dislikes the plugged-up feel of in-ear buds.
The SW5 is a gaming earbud that refuses to be only a gaming earbud. Its headline trick is dual-device connectivity: you can be connected to two devices at once and switch between console play and a phone call without unpairing anything. For someone who games on a PS5 or PC and keeps a phone on the desk, that removes a genuinely annoying ritual.
The spec sheet backs up the gaming claim. There is a 2.4G dongle in the box alongside Bluetooth 5.4, and latency is listed at 20ms with the LC3 codec. A 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, 32-ohm impedance, and a dynamic driver are standard, sensible numbers for this category. Multiple EQ modes (Music, Game, Podcast) plus custom EQ in the Middle Rabbit app let you tilt the sound toward whatever you are doing, and OTA firmware upgrades mean the software side is not frozen at purchase.
Controls are where this product gets interesting for anyone researching touch control headphones. The SW5 stacks three control methods: media control, touch control, and app control. In practice that means you can tap the earbud for playback, but you also have the app as a fallback and as a customization layer. It also includes active noise cancellation, which is the opposite philosophy from an open-ear bud.
INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On: Who It's For
The INSONIXN is solving a different problem: the ear fatigue that builds up after hours of in-ear buds. The clip-on structure rests around the outer ear and leaves the ear canal open, so you get audio without the sealed-in pressure. That single design decision defines who this product is for.
The company names its audience directly: women, small ears, and glasses wearers. If you have ever had earbuds pop loose the moment you put on frames, or had a tip that simply would not seal in a smaller ear, the ear cuff approach sidesteps that. At about 9.93g per earbud, the fit is meant to feel light rather than clamped. The purple finish and jewelry-like look are part of the pitch — this is a product people wear visibly, not hide.
The rest of the spec sheet reads like a daily-life device. Bluetooth 5.2 with a 33-foot range, a 6mm dynamic driver, passive noise cancellation (meaning the open design simply lets sound in), and touch control for play/pause, calls, track changes, and voice assistant. A 40ms latency figure and a 20Hz frequency response round it out. The carrying case is compact at roughly 2 x 2 x 1.5 inches, so it drops into a bag without a second thought. Charging takes about an hour.
Who should buy it: commuters, walkers, students, office workers, travelers, and light-workout users who want background audio plus awareness of what is around them. Glasses wearers and small-eared listeners especially. Who should skip it: competitive gamers, anyone who needs active noise cancellation to focus, and buyers who want a dongle-based low-latency connection.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for gaming and low latency → Middle Rabbit SW5. A 20ms figure and a 2.4G dongle versus 40ms and Bluetooth-only on the INSONIXN.
• Best for all-day comfort and open-ear awareness → INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On. Clip-on around the outer ear, canal left open, passive noise cancellation by design.
• Best for calls and voice chat → Middle Rabbit SW5. Four built-in microphones with AI-enhanced pickup, plus dual-device switching.
• Best for noise blocking → Middle Rabbit SW5. It has active noise cancellation; the INSONIXN deliberately does the opposite.
• Best for travel and pocket carry → INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On. A compact 2 x 2 x 1.5 inch case versus a rigid package with a dongle, adapter, and eartips.
• Best for app-based customization → Middle Rabbit SW5. EQ modes, custom EQ, battery monitoring, and OTA firmware upgrades via the Middle Rabbit app.
• Best for a lighter, more stylish everyday look → INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On. Metal enclosure, purple finish, jewelry-inspired styling.
On the touch control question specifically: both products use touch input, but they treat it differently. The SW5 treats touch as one of three control layers — touch, media control, and the app — which gives you a way out if a gesture misreads. The INSONIXN leans almost entirely on touch, so if you dislike tap gestures, that is a real consideration. If you want to know how to disable touch controls on headphones generally, the honest answer is that it varies by model and firmware, and the Middle Rabbit app is the most likely place to adjust or reassign controls on the SW5. The INSONIXN's control method is listed as touch only, so there is no documented second path.
In my opinion, I would buy the Middle Rabbit SW5. The reason is simple: it does more jobs. Dual-mode 2.4G plus Bluetooth 5.4, 20ms latency, four mics, active noise cancellation, multiple EQ modes, and app control with OTA updates make it the more capable device for anyone who games, takes calls, and wants one pair to cover both. I would only steer you to the INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On if open-ear comfort is your non-negotiable — if you wear glasses, have small ears, or simply cannot stand in-ear tips, the clip-on design is the better fit for your day, and no amount of latency spec changes that. Pick based on your ears, not the numbers.
FAQ
how to disable touch controls on headphones
what is touch control on headphones
Touch control means the earbud surface responds to taps and gestures rather than physical buttons — typically play/pause, track skipping, answering calls, and waking a voice assistant. Both products here use it: the SW5 combines touch with media control and app control, while the INSONIXN relies on touch alone for play/pause, calls, track changes, and voice assistant.
why are my headphones controlling my phone
That is the intended behavior, not a fault. When earbuds are paired over Bluetooth, they send media and call commands to the connected device, which is why a tap can start music or answer a call. The Middle Rabbit SW5 takes this further with dual-device connectivity, letting it stay linked to two devices and switch between them.
are open ear clip-on earbuds good for gaming
For casual gaming and video, the INSONIXN Open Ear Clip-On is workable, and its open design keeps you aware of your surroundings. For competitive play, the latency gap matters: the SW5 is rated at 20ms with an LC3 codec and a 2.4G dongle, while the INSONIXN is rated at 40ms over Bluetooth only. If reaction timing is the priority, the SW5 is the better pick.
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