How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• nwm ONE biggest strength: A dual-driver audio system (a 12mm tweeter plus a 35mm woofer, each on its own amplifier) plus PSZ leakage-reduction tech that keeps your music private despite the open design.
• nwm ONE biggest trade-off: At roughly 185g with no water-resistance rating listed, it's a sit-and-listen headphone, not a gym or rain-run companion.
• Plufunex biggest strength: An ultralight 32g hook design with an IP68 rating and a bone conduction driver, so sweat, rain, and dust aren't a problem.
• Plufunex biggest trade-off: A 13-hour battery, a 16mm bone conduction driver, and no leakage-suppression technology mean less audio refinement for quiet, shared spaces.
• Pick nwm ONE if you want the best sound and the most advanced features for work, commuting, and long listening sessions.
• Pick Plufunex if you want a rugged, forget-you're-wearing-it sport headphone for running, cycling, and the gym.
The nwm ONE is built around sound quality first. It packs two drivers into each earpiece: a φ12mm tweeter for extended highs and a φ35mm woofer for low frequencies with minimal distortion, each driven by its own amplifier with DSP processing to keep things clean even at high volume. The frequency range runs 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. That's a genuinely unusual setup for an open-ear headphone, and in my opinion it's the main reason to pick this one over a typical sport-focused pair.
The other headline feature is PSZ (Personalized Sound Zone) technology from NTT, which uses inverse waves to reduce sound leakage — the classic weak point of open-ear designs. There's also Magic Focus Voice, which isolates your own voice during calls and online meetings, plus multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 so you can stay connected to a phone and a PC at once. You also get 360 Reality Audio support, LE Audio/Auracast readiness, app-based EQ through nwm Connect, and a USB-C audio option. Battery life is up to 20 hours, and a full charge takes about 90 minutes. Weighing roughly 185g with a soft dual-loop design and light side pressure, it's meant to disappear on your head over a long workday.
Plufunex Open Ear Headphones: Who It's For
The Plufunex pair is a sport tool, and it's honest about that. At 32g it's dramatically lighter than the nwm ONE, and the hook-style open-ear fit is designed to stay put through climbs, descents, and corners. The IP68 rating covers sweat, rain, and dust, though the brand is clear that it's not for underwater swimming or full immersion.
Audio comes from a 16mm bone conduction driver with 8-ohm impedance, 91 dB sensitivity, and a 20 kHz frequency ceiling. That's a fundamentally different approach from the nwm ONE's dual-driver setup — bone conduction trades some richness for that open, ears-free awareness. A 35-degree adjustable design lets you switch between Open Mode for environmental awareness and Immersive Mode for more focus. Connectivity is Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint, rated for a 33-foot range, and there are physical buttons for tactile control even with sweaty hands. Battery life is up to 13 hours, with a 10-minute quick charge for top-ups, and a full charge takes about 2 hours.
Who should buy it: Runners, cyclists, and gym-goers who want to hear traffic and surroundings while training, and who need a headphone that survives weather and sweat. Who should skip it: Anyone prioritizing sound quality for music listening, calls in noisy shared spaces, or long desk sessions — the shorter battery and lack of leakage-suppression tech make it a weaker fit there.
• Best for sound quality → nwm ONE. The dual tweeter/woofer setup with separate amplifiers is a more sophisticated audio design than a single bone conduction driver.
• Best for battery life → nwm ONE. Up to 20 hours versus up to 13 hours.
• Best for calls and meetings → nwm ONE. Magic Focus Voice isolates your voice and cuts ambient noise, which the Plufunex doesn't offer.
• Best for keeping music private → nwm ONE. PSZ technology actively reduces leakage, the main compromise of open-ear listening.
• Best for fast top-ups → Plufunex. A 10-minute charge adds listening time, useful before a quick run.
• Best for wired-style flexibility → nwm ONE. It supports USB-C audio in addition to Bluetooth, and its 6.35mm... wait — the Plufunex lists a 6.35mm jack in its specs while the nwm ONE has no jack. Check the exact connectivity you need on the product page.
• Best for staying aware outdoors → Plufunex. The 35-degree Open Mode is explicitly designed for environmental awareness during training.
My Verdict
In my opinion, most people should buy the nwm ONE. The dual-driver audio, PSZ leakage control, Magic Focus Voice, multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, app EQ, and 20-hour battery make it the more complete headphone for daily life — work, calls, commuting, and long listening sessions. I'd only steer you to the Plufunex if your priority is training: its 32g weight and IP68 rating are genuinely better for running and gym use, and that's a real advantage the nwm ONE can't match. Decide based on whether you're buying for your desk or your workout.
how to open ear headphones work
Open-ear headphones sit outside your ear canal rather than inside or over it, so sound reaches your ears while ambient noise still gets in. The nwm ONE does this with dual drivers and PSZ technology to limit leakage, while the Plufunex uses a bone conduction driver that sends vibrations through your cheekbone.
how to wear open ear headphones
Hook-style models like the Plufunex rest over the top of your ear with the driver against your cheekbone, and the 35-degree adjustable design lets you angle it. The nwm ONE uses a dual-loop design that sits around your head with light side pressure and no pressure on the ears.
how to use open ear headphones
Pair over Bluetooth, then use the physical or touch controls for playback and calls — the Plufunex has buttons that work with sweaty hands, and the nwm ONE uses an app for EQ plus multipoint switching between devices. The nwm ONE can also connect via its included USB-C cable for audio.
Yes — the Plufunex is purpose-built for it with a 32g hook fit and IP68 sweat and rain resistance, keeping you aware of traffic. The nwm ONE is better suited to desk and commuting use since it lists no water-resistance rating and weighs around 185g.
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See also: Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear vs Flemikie Bone Conduction Headphones, ARTIX Headphones vs Acjohtin Open Ear Headphones, coioc Open-Ear Headphones vs JKNKCO NE80