If you want open-ear comfort with a more secure hook fit and stronger stated water resistance, choose Monster Open Ear AC317; if you need longer total playback from the case, choose Monster Open Ear AC210. For Xbox, I’d lean AC317 for its flexible ear hooks and Bluetooth 5.4, while keeping in mind that neither sheet specifies Xbox compatibility.
• Monster Open Ear AC317’s strength: Bluetooth 5.4, flexible ear hooks, and up to 24 hours of combined listening; trade-off: up to 7 hours per charge and no stated Xbox-specific support.
• Monster Open Ear AC210’s strength: up to 30 hours with its case and 12 mm dynamic drivers; trade-off: Bluetooth 5 and IPX5 water resistance, rather than the AC317’s Bluetooth 5.4 and IPX6.
• The AC317 suits listeners who want an open fit that stays secured by hooks and value a shorter stated case charging time.
• The AC210 suits listeners who prioritize longer combined playback and want an open-back design without an ear hook described in its product details.
• For Xbox: AC317 is my closer fit on paper for a more secure design, but neither product sheet confirms console pairing or gaming-chat compatibility.
The AC317 is an open-ear, hook-style wireless earbud. Its flexible ear hooks and balanced earbud weight are intended to hold it in place without entering the ear canal. That layout can suit someone who wants to listen while remaining aware of nearby sounds, rather than sealing off the ear. The silicone cushions are described as soft, and the compact earbud design keeps the product focused on a lightweight, less enclosed style of listening.
For day-to-day use, its stated battery figures are up to 7 hours from the earbuds and up to 24 hours total with the charging case. The case is specified to charge fully in one hour using Type-C, while the product information separately lists a two-hour battery charge time. Because those figures differ, I would treat the one-hour claim as applying to the case’s stated fast charge and avoid assuming it describes every charging situation. Bluetooth 5.4 and touch controls round out the feature set; the listed controls cover music, volume, calls, and voice-assistant access.
The AC317 also lists AI noise reduction for calls and IPX6 resistance to water and sweat. That rating makes it the more compelling of these two on the supplied water-resistance figures, though it is not a reason to treat the earbuds as suitable for submersion. Skip the AC317 if your main priority is the longest combined playback figure, or if you need confirmed Xbox pairing and chat support.
The AC210 uses an open-back design that sits outside the ear canal. Its product information describes silicone construction and an open-ear earpiece shape, but does not specify the AC317’s flexible ear-hook structure. That difference matters if your choice depends on a particular way of securing earbuds: the AC210’s sheet supports its open fit, but offers less detail about retention.
Its clearest advantage is the stated battery total: up to 6 hours of listening per charge and up to 30 hours when combined with the charging case. The AC210 also lists 12 mm dynamic drivers and a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Those are concrete hardware specifications, but they do not establish how the two models will sound in a particular game, room, or listening setup. Touch control is included, and Bluetooth 5 is listed for wireless connectivity.
The AC210 is specified as IPX5 water resistant. That supports choosing it for ordinary listening where splash resistance matters, but the AC317’s IPX6 specification is stronger on the information provided. The AC210’s charging time is listed as six hours, so buyers should not assume it charges as quickly as the AC317’s stated one-hour case charge. Skip the AC210 if you want the stronger listed water-resistance rating, Bluetooth 5.4, or a specifically described flexible ear-hook fit.
• Best for longer total playback → Monster Open Ear AC210. Its case-inclusive figure is up to 30 hours, compared with up to 24 hours for the AC317.
• Best for longer listening between case visits → Monster Open Ear AC317. It lists up to 7 hours per charge, against up to 6 hours for the AC210.
• Best for the stronger stated water resistance → Monster Open Ear AC317. It specifies IPX6, while the AC210 specifies IPX5.
• Best for a clearly described hook fit → Monster Open Ear AC317. Its flexible ear hooks and balanced earbud weight are specifically described.
• Best for stated driver details → Monster Open Ear AC210. It lists 12 mm dynamic drivers and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range.
• Best for the newer listed Bluetooth version → Monster Open Ear AC317. It uses Bluetooth 5.4; the AC210 lists Bluetooth 5.
• Best for a short stated case charge → Monster Open Ear AC317. Its case is described as fully charging in one hour through Type-C, although the product information also lists a two-hour battery charge time.
• Best for Xbox based on the available fit details → Monster Open Ear AC317, with a caveat. The hook design may appeal for a more secure-feeling fit, but neither sheet confirms Xbox compatibility, microphone behavior on Xbox, or gaming latency in that setup.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-15 · 15 min read · Independent comparison
Buying Considerations
Open-ear headphones also make a different listening trade-off from closed or over-ear headphones. They are designed not to enter the ear canal, and the AC317 explicitly emphasizes awareness of surroundings. That can be useful when you need to hear what is happening around you, but the sheets do not claim either model blocks outside noise. If you are searching for the best over ear headphones for Xbox, note that neither of these is an over-ear design. They are open-ear earbuds, so their fit and sound isolation are not the same.
The same distinction applies to searches for the best sports earbuds for Xbox. The AC317’s hook fit and IPX6 rating make its stated design more sports-oriented on paper, while the AC210 lists IPX5 resistance. Neither specification means the products are intended for every workout or exposure to water. For anyone looking for the best USB-C charging over ear headphones for Xbox, both models list Type-C charging, but both remain open-ear earbuds rather than over-ear headphones.
Sound claims deserve a measured read. The AC317 describes a digital audio processor and drivers intended to emphasize mid-to-high frequencies, while the AC210 supplies driver size and frequency-range details. Those are different kinds of specifications, not a direct, standardized comparison of sound quality. Fit, game mix, room noise, and the open design can all affect what a listener perceives; the supplied facts do not establish which will sound better to every buyer.
Battery figures also need context. AC210 leads in total stated playtime with its case, while AC317 lists a longer single-charge figure and a faster case charge claim. Think about your routine: someone who can return the earbuds to the case between sessions may care more about total playback; someone who tends to wear them for longer stretches may value the per-charge figure. Neither number guarantees the same result at every volume or in every use pattern.
In my opinion, I’d choose the Monster Open Ear AC317 for Xbox if I were picking between these two, mainly for its flexible hook fit, Bluetooth 5.4, and IPX6 specification. That is a design-based preference, not a claim of confirmed Xbox compatibility. I would verify the console’s Bluetooth and chat support first. If longer case-inclusive playback matters more than those points, I’d choose the AC210 instead.
The AC210 lists up to 30 hours when used with its charging case, compared with up to 24 hours for the AC317. Per charge, the AC317 lists up to 7 hours and the AC210 up to 6 hours.
Neither product sheet specifically confirms Xbox compatibility. Both list Bluetooth connectivity and no headphone jack, so check your Xbox model’s supported audio connections before buying, especially if you need microphone and chat support.
The AC317 lists AI noise reduction for calls, while the AC210 describes HD clear calls. Neither lists noise control for listening, so neither should be treated as noise-canceling headphones. Their open-ear designs also leave the ears less enclosed.
The AC317 lists IPX6 water and sweat resistance and a flexible hook fit; the AC210 lists IPX5 water resistance. Those specifications favor the AC317 on paper for a more active use case, but they do not establish suitability for submersion or every kind of workout.
g
If you want open-ear comfort with flexible hooks and stronger stated water resistance, choose Monster Open Ear AC317; if you need longer total playback with the charging case, choose Monster Open Ear AC210. For Xbox, I’d lean AC317 for its hook-style fit, but neither product’s specifications confirm Xbox compatibility or gaming-chat support.
• AC317’s strength: Bluetooth 5.4, flexible ear hooks, and up to 24 hours of combined listening; trade-off: up to 7 hours per charge and no stated Xbox-specific support.
• AC210’s strength: up to 30 hours with its case and 12 mm dynamic drivers; trade-off: Bluetooth 5 and IPX5 water resistance, compared with the AC317’s Bluetooth 5.4 and IPX6.
• Choose the AC317 if you want an open fit with hooks designed to help keep the earbuds in place.
• Choose the AC210 if longer case-inclusive playback matters more than the AC317’s fit and water-resistance details.
• For Xbox, the AC317 is my closer fit on paper, but neither product sheet confirms console pairing or chat compatibility.
The AC317 is an open-ear, hook-style wireless earbud. Its flexible hooks and balanced earbud weight are designed to hold it in place without inserting into the ear canal. That layout may suit someone who wants to listen while remaining aware of nearby sounds rather than sealing off the ears. The product also describes soft silicone cushions and a compact earbud design.
Its battery figures are up to 7 hours from the earbuds and up to 24 hours total with the charging case. The case is described as fully charging in one hour using Type-C, while the product information separately lists a two-hour battery charge time. Since those figures differ, I would not assume the one-hour case claim applies to every charging situation. Bluetooth 5.4 and touch controls are also listed; the controls cover music, volume, calls, and voice-assistant access.
For calls, the AC317 lists AI noise reduction. It also specifies IPX6 water and sweat resistance, a stronger stated rating than the AC210’s IPX5. That makes it the more appealing option on paper for active use, though the rating is not a claim that the earbuds can be submerged. Skip the AC317 if your priority is the longest combined playback figure, or if you need confirmed Xbox pairing and chat support.
Monster Open Ear AC210: Who It's For
The AC210 has an open-back design that sits outside the ear canal. Its product information lists silicone construction and an open-ear earpiece shape, but does not describe the same flexible ear-hook structure as the AC317. If a particular way of securing the earbuds matters to you, the AC210’s open fit is clear, but its retention details are less specific.
Its main advantage is the stated total battery life: up to 6 hours per charge and up to 30 hours when combined with the charging case. It also lists 12 mm dynamic drivers and a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Those details describe the hardware, but they do not establish how the AC210 will sound in every game or listening environment. Touch controls and Bluetooth 5 are listed as well.
The AC210 specifies IPX5 water resistance, which may suit ordinary listening where splash resistance matters. On the provided specifications, however, the AC317 has the stronger water-resistance rating. The AC210’s charging time is listed as six hours, so I would not choose it expecting the AC317’s stated one-hour case charge. Skip the AC210 if you want Bluetooth 5.4, the stronger listed water-resistance rating, or an explicitly described flexible hook fit.
• Best for listening between case visits → Monster Open Ear AC317. It lists up to 7 hours per charge, versus up to 6 hours for the AC210.
• Best for stronger stated water resistance → Monster Open Ear AC317. It specifies IPX6; the AC210 specifies IPX5.
• Best for a clearly described hook fit → Monster Open Ear AC317. Its flexible hooks and balanced earbud weight are specifically described.
• Best for stated driver details → Monster Open Ear AC210. It lists 12 mm dynamic drivers and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range.
• Best for the newer listed Bluetooth version → Monster Open Ear AC317. It lists Bluetooth 5.4, while the AC210 lists Bluetooth 5.
• Best for the shortest stated case charge → Monster Open Ear AC317. Its case is described as fully charging in one hour via Type-C, though the product information separately lists a two-hour battery charge time.
• Best fit for Xbox on paper → Monster Open Ear AC317, with a caveat. Its hook design may appeal if you want a more secure-feeling fit, but neither sheet confirms Xbox compatibility, chat support, or gaming latency in that setup.
For Xbox, distinguish general Bluetooth connectivity from confirmed console compatibility. Both models list Bluetooth and a 10-meter range, but neither specification sheet names Xbox as a supported device. Neither has a headphone jack, and neither lists a dedicated gaming mode or console dongle. Check your console’s supported audio options before choosing either, particularly if game chat is essential. The AC317’s low-latency wording refers to audio and video synchronization; it does not confirm performance with Xbox.
Open-ear earbuds also involve a different listening trade-off from closed or over-ear headphones. They do not enter the ear canal, and the AC317 specifically emphasizes awareness of your surroundings. That can be useful when you want to hear nearby activity, but neither product claims to block outside noise. If you are searching for the best over ear headphones for Xbox, note that these are open-ear earbuds, not over-ear headphones. Their fit and isolation will be different.
The same distinction matters if you are looking for the best sports earbuds for Xbox. The AC317’s hook fit and IPX6 rating make its stated design more suited to active use on paper, while the AC210 lists IPX5 resistance. Neither rating means the earbuds are suitable for submersion or every workout. And if your search is for the best USB-C charging over ear headphones for Xbox, both models list Type-C charging, but neither is an over-ear headphone.
Sound specifications are worth reading carefully. The AC317 describes a digital audio processor and drivers intended to emphasize mid-to-high frequencies. The AC210 gives a driver size and frequency range. These are not directly comparable measures of sound quality, and the provided details do not prove that one will sound better for every game or listener. Open-ear fit, room noise, and the audio mix can all shape what you hear.
Battery life comes down to how you use the case. The AC210 leads in its stated total playback time, while the AC317 lists a longer single-charge figure and a shorter case charging claim. If you often return earbuds to the case between sessions, the AC210’s total may matter more. If you tend to listen for longer stretches before charging, the AC317’s per-charge figure may be more relevant. Actual listening time can vary with use, and neither specification promises the same result in every situation.
In my opinion, I’d choose the Monster Open Ear AC317 for Xbox because its flexible hook fit, Bluetooth 5.4, and IPX6 specification make it the more compelling match on paper. That is a design-based preference, not confirmation that it pairs with Xbox. I’d check the console’s Bluetooth and chat support before buying. If longer case-inclusive playback is your main priority, I’d choose the AC210 instead.
The AC210 lists up to 30 hours combined with its case, compared with up to 24 hours for the AC317. Per charge, the AC317 lists up to 7 hours and the AC210 up to 6 hours.
Neither product sheet specifically confirms Xbox compatibility. Both list Bluetooth and have no headphone jack, so check your console’s supported audio connections before buying, especially if you need microphone and chat support.
The AC317 lists AI noise reduction for calls, while the AC210 describes HD clear calls. Neither lists listening noise control, so neither should be considered noise-canceling. Their open-ear designs also leave the ears less enclosed.
The AC317 lists IPX6 water and sweat resistance and a flexible hook fit; the AC210 lists IPX5 water resistance. Those details favor the AC317 on paper for active use, but they do not establish suitability for submersion or every type of workout.
• best crystal clear calls wireless earbuds for flights
• our Beebang Headset vs Earbay Headset pick
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.