We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-04 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a lightweight, bass-forward ear-clip headphone with no microphone to fiddle with, choose PHILIPS Philips Shs3300wt; if you need a wired open-ear headphone with an inline mic, volume control and active noise cancellation for calls and workouts, choose GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones. Both are non in ear headphones aimed at people who dislike things shoved into their ear canals — and for seniors in particular, that open, pressure-free fit is often the whole point.
• PHILIPS Philips Shs3300wt — biggest strength: a genuinely simple wired ear-hook design with 27mm dynamic drivers, bass beat vents and neodymium magnets, built around comfort and stability rather than features.
• PHILIPS Philips Shs3300wt — biggest trade-off: it has no microphone and no noise control, so calls and noisy environments are not its job.
• GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones — biggest strength: an inline noise-canceling mic with volume and track controls, plus active noise cancellation and a rotatable ear hook that adjusts to different ear shapes.
• GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones — biggest trade-off: it is the busier product — more controls, more moving parts, and a sound profile tuned with bass and treble emphasis rather than the Philips' straightforward bass push.
• Who each is for: the Philips suits someone who wants a basic, comfortable ear-clip pair for music and radio outdoors; the GZCRDZ suits someone who takes calls, wants control at their fingertips and moves between phone, tablet and laptop.
This is the stripped-down option, and I mean that as a compliment. The Philips SHS3300WT is a wired ear-hook headphone with a 3.5mm jack and a 1.2m cable — long enough to run from a pocket to your ears without tugging, which is exactly what you want for walking, gardening or sitting on a porch. The 27mm dynamic drivers, bass beat vents and neodymium magnets are all aimed at one thing: a warm, bass-forward sound rather than analytical detail.
The fit story is where it earns its place. Contoured ear hooks sit over the ear and hold the earpieces in place, and the silicone-and-plastic build keeps the weight down — the whole thing is listed at 0.02 kg, so it essentially disappears once it's on. Ear cushions are included and are there to improve both comfort and bass response. The asymmetric cable is a small but thoughtful touch: it keeps the wire out of the way instead of dangling across your chest.
Who should skip it: if you need to take calls, this is the wrong pick. The style is explicitly "No Mic," there's no noise control, and the control method is a remote media control rather than something on the earpiece itself. It's a listening device, not a headset.
GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones: Who It's For
The GZCRDZ pair is the more feature-loaded of the two, and it's clearly designed for people who use one headset for everything. It's a wired open-ear headphone with rotatable ear hooks, soft silicone, a braided cable and a 3.5mm plug that works with phones, tablets, laptops and MP3 players alike. The rotatable hook is the detail I'd highlight for anyone with an unusual ear shape or who has struggled to get ear hooks to sit right — it adjusts rather than assuming one size fits all.
Audio-wise it uses a 16mm composite film driver with what the spec sheet calls ACS 3D acoustic resonance, tuned for a wide, immersive presentation with prominent bass and clear treble. Impedance is 16 ohm, which is low, so it doesn't demand much power from a phone or laptop headphone jack. The frequency range is listed as 20–20,000 Hz.
The part that separates it most from the Philips is the inline module. You get a noise-canceling microphone, volume control, play/pause, track skipping and call answer/end — all by clicking the cord rather than reaching for your device. The spec sheet also lists active noise cancellation as the noise control type. For a senior who wants one headset for phone calls and music without learning a touch interface, physical inline buttons are usually easier than touch controls on a neckband.
Who should buy it: people who take calls, want volume and track control on the cable, and want an open-ear fit they can adjust. It's pitched at gym sessions, cycling, commuting and office use, and the open design keeps you aware of your surroundings.
Who should skip it: if you want the absolute simplest possible pair with nothing to press or configure, the extra controls are more than you need. And if you dislike silicone against your ears, note that skin-safe silicone is central to the design.
• Best for calls and video meetings → GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones. It has a built-in noise-canceling microphone; the Philips has none.
• Best for on-cable control → GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones. Volume, play/pause, track skip and call handling all sit on the inline remote.
• Best for bass-forward music listening → PHILIPS Philips Shs3300wt. Bass beat vents, neodymium magnets and ear cushions are all working toward low-end output.
• Best for noise control → GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones. It lists active noise cancellation; the Philips lists none.
• Best for the lightest possible wear → PHILIPS Philips Shs3300wt. Listed at 0.02 kg with contoured hooks and included ear cushions.
• Best for adjustable fit across ear shapes → GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones. The rotatable ear hook is the deciding feature here.
• Best for cable length on the move → GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones. Its cable is 1.3m versus the Philips' 1.2m — a small but real difference if you keep your phone in a bag.
• Best for a single-purpose, distraction-free setup → PHILIPS Philips Shs3300wt. Nothing to press, nothing to charge, nothing to think about.
For most buyers — and especially for seniors who want one headset to cover both music and phone calls — I'd pick the GZCRDZ Open-Ear Headphones. The inline mic and volume control, the active noise cancellation and the rotatable hook do more for day-to-day use than any single spec on the Philips. But I'd genuinely recommend the PHILIPS Philips Shs3300wt to anyone who only wants to listen: if calls aren't part of your routine, the simpler, lighter, bass-tuned ear-clip design is the more relaxing thing to live with. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since that's the one variable that can flip this call either way.
FAQ
how do non ear headphones work
They rest outside your ear canal instead of sealing inside it. The Philips does this with contoured ear hooks and ear cushions; the GZCRDZ uses rotatable silicone ear hooks that hold a small driver near the ear opening. Both let ambient sound in, which is why they're popular for outdoor use.
You'll see them described as open-ear headphones, ear-hook headphones, ear-clip headphones or bone-conduction-style headphones. The Philips is listed as an ear-hook design; the GZCRDZ is listed as open-ear with ear hooks. The common thread is that nothing is inserted into the ear canal.
what are the best open ear headphones
There's no single answer — it depends on what you need. In my opinion, the GZCRDZ is the better pick if you want a microphone, inline controls and active noise cancellation, while the Philips SHS3300wt is the better pick if you want a light, bass-forward ear-clip pair for listening only.
how to wear in ear headphones
If you've only used in-ear buds, the adjustment takes a moment: the hook goes over the top of your ear and the driver sits just outside the canal. The GZCRDZ's rotatable hook lets you angle it to your ear shape, while the Philips relies on its contoured hook and included cushions to hold position.
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