We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a pair of in-ear buds that quietly do a few clever things your phone can't — like scrolling TikTok and Shorts without touching the screen — choose Promise Earbuds; if you need open-ear headphones that stay put for long days, calls and workouts, choose Monster Open Ear AC310.
• Promise Earbuds — biggest strength: a smart remote-control feature for TikTok and YouTube Shorts, plus 13mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.3 and up to 40 hours of total playtime with the case.
• Promise Earbuds — biggest trade-off: the noise control is ENC, which only cleans up your voice on calls. It is not ANC, so it won't silence the world around you.
• Monster Open Ear AC310 — biggest strength: an open-ear fit that keeps your ears uncovered, with Bluetooth 5.4, HiFi sound, IPX5 resistance and up to 60 hours of playtime.
• Monster Open Ear AC310 — biggest trade-off: open-ear design means less bass isolation and more outside sound leaking in, and it charges slower at around 2 hours.
• Promise Earbuds is for you if: you want sealed, in-ear bass and hands-free social video control.
• Monster Open Ear AC310 is for you if: you want to hear your surroundings and wear something for very long stretches.
Promise Earbuds are a traditional in-ear pair with a rounded-tip shape and a matte white charging case. The headline idea here is unusual: a remote control built for scrolling and liking videos on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. If you've ever propped your phone up while cooking, working out or lying in bed and wished you didn't have to reach over and touch the screen, that's the exact problem this feature solves. It's a niche trick, but it's a genuinely useful one for a certain kind of buyer.
The call system is ENC, not ANC. That distinction is worth repeating because it's the most common misunderstanding with this product: ENC filters background noise on your end so the person you're talking to hears you more clearly. It does not block out noise for you. So if you want quiet on a plane or a loud train, this isn't that product. Promise also leans on US-based support and a warranty, which is worth knowing if you'd rather troubleshoot with a human. I'd recommend these for commuters, gym-goers and short-video fans who want sealed in-ear sound. I'd steer you away if blocking out the world is your priority.
Monster Open Ear AC310: Who It's For
The Monster Open Ear AC310 takes the opposite approach. It's an open-ear design, meaning the driver sits outside your ear canal rather than sealing inside it. Nothing plugs your ears. In practice that means you can hear traffic, a training partner, a coworker or your surroundings while audio plays — the reason runners, cyclists and people who work in shared spaces tend to prefer this shape. It also tends to be more comfortable for hours at a time, because there's no pressure building inside the ear.
The spec sheet backs up the endurance angle. Monster quotes up to 60 hours of playtime, which is a lot of listening between charges, though you should expect to pay for that with a longer charge time — roughly 2 hours to refill. Bluetooth 5.4 is the newer standard here, and the range is listed at 33 feet, matching the Promise. IPX5 resistance means it handles sweat and light splashes, which lines up with workout and outdoor use. Call clarity comes from ENC as well, and noise control is listed as passive — that's simply the natural effect of an open-ear fit, not active blocking.
Touch controls are built in for playback and calls, and you get HiFi sound tuning, though an open-ear design is never going to deliver the same thump as a sealed in-ear bud. The color is light white and the body is plastic. I'd recommend the AC310 for runners, cyclists, office workers who need to stay aware, and anyone who finds in-ear tips uncomfortable after an hour. I'd skip it if deep, isolated bass is what you're chasing.
• Best for battery life → Monster Open Ear AC310. Up to 60 hours versus up to 40 hours on the Promise.
• Best for bass and sealed sound → Promise Earbuds. In-ear fit plus 13mm drivers versus an open-ear design that lets sound in.
• Best for hearing your surroundings → Monster Open Ear AC310. Open-ear is the whole point here.
• Best for hands-free social video → Promise Earbuds. The TikTok and Shorts remote control is unique to this pair.
• Best for workouts and sweat → Monster Open Ear AC310. IPX5 resistance is rated for it; the Promise sheet lists no water resistance.
• Best for newer Bluetooth → Monster Open Ear AC310. Bluetooth 5.4 versus 5.3 on the Promise. Both are current and stable.
• Best for fast top-ups → Promise Earbuds. About 1 hour to charge versus roughly 2 hours.
• Best for long wear comfort → Monster Open Ear AC310. No tips pressing into your ear canal.
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd take the Monster Open Ear AC310. In my opinion, the combination of an open-ear fit, Bluetooth 5.4, IPX5 resistance and up to 60 hours of playtime covers more of the day for more people — workouts, commutes, desk work, errands — without ever plugging up my ears. The Promise Earbuds are the better call only if you specifically want sealed in-ear bass or the TikTok remote control feature. That's a real reason, just a narrower one. If you're torn purely on cost, check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since both sit in the budget-friendly range.
FAQ
No. It uses ENC, which reduces background noise on your calls so the other person hears you clearly. It is not ANC, so it won't block out surrounding sound for you.
Yes, in my opinion. The open-ear fit stays aware of traffic and surroundings, and IPX5 resistance handles sweat and light rain. The 60-hour playtime also means fewer charging stops.
Monster. The AC310 is rated up to 60 hours of playtime, while the Promise Earbuds are rated up to 40 hours total with the case. The Promise charges faster, though — about 1 hour versus 2.
Yes, that's a built-in feature. You can scroll and like videos on TikTok and YouTube Shorts without touching your phone, which is handy while cooking, working out or lying in bed.
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