If you want a convertible headset for calls, commuting, and quieter listening, choose Rand McNally ClearDryve 220; if you need sweat-ready over-ear headphones for training, choose H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT. For teens, the decision comes down to whether everyday calls and a changeable listening setup matter more than workout-focused cushions, transparency mode, and longer battery life.
The ClearDryve 220 is the more adaptable pick, while the Zwift x RIPT is built around exercise and active use. Neither is a universal answer to the search for the best active noise cancelling earbuds for teens: both are over-ear headphones, and their strengths point to different routines.
Rand McNally ClearDryve 220 vs H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT at a Glance
• H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT: Its standout feature is its workout-focused design, including washable, sweat-resistant silicone cushions and a transparency mode. Its trade-off is that it is oriented toward exercise rather than the ClearDryve’s call-focused, convertible setup.
• Choose the ClearDryve 220 if you want a headset for calls that can also become stereo headphones.
• Choose the Zwift x RIPT if you want over-ear headphones designed for training, with two cushion options and longer stated battery life.
The ClearDryve 220 makes the most sense for someone who wants one device to serve two roles. Use it as a single-ear headset, then swap the headpad for the second ear cup to use it as stereo headphones. That flexibility could suit a teen who takes calls on the way to school, listens to podcasts at home, and does not want a separate headset for each activity. It connects over Bluetooth 5.0 and has a stated wireless range of 10 meters.
Its call features are a central part of its appeal. Dual microphones are described as reducing up to 95% of ambient noise, helping make the wearer’s voice easier to hear in noisy surroundings. Active noise cancellation is aimed at reducing environmental sound while listening, and accessible audio controls let the wearer adjust playback without reaching for a phone. The stated battery life is 20 hours, with a two-hour charging time.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-23 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
I would consider this model for a teen who has frequent calls, listens to talk radio or podcasts, or values the option of using one ear rather than both. The product information also describes five preset equalization settings, including options intended to emphasize voices or reduce boominess. I would skip it if the main priority is a headphone designed around sweaty workouts: the ClearDryve 220’s listed features do not include washable, sweat-resistant cushions or a transparency mode.
The Zwift x RIPT is aimed squarely at active listening. Its removable silicone ear cushions are described as sweat-resistant, washable, and suitable for workouts; a second pair of leatherette cushions is included for travel, recovery, or everyday wear. That gives a teen a way to switch the contact surface to suit the setting rather than using the workout cushions for every activity.
It also offers active noise cancellation described as reducing noise by 30 dB, plus a transparency mode for letting in ambient sound. A button cycles between noise cancellation on, noise cancellation off, and transparency. That is a useful distinction for anyone who might want a quieter indoor workout one day and more awareness outdoors another day. Its stated battery life is up to 50 hours, and Bluetooth 5.2 supports connecting to two devices simultaneously. The built-in microphone supports hands-free calls.
I would consider this model for a teen who trains regularly, wants washable workout cushions, or values the ability to switch between noise cancellation and transparency. Its custom 45 mm drivers have a listed frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, but that specification alone does not establish how a particular listener will judge the sound. I would look elsewhere if the deciding need is a convertible single-ear headset; that is the ClearDryve 220’s more distinctive design feature.
• Best for switching between a mono headset and stereo headphones → Rand McNally ClearDryve 220. It converts from single-ear use to two-ear listening by swapping the headpad for the second ear cup.
• Best for workout-oriented cushion options → H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT. It includes removable, washable, sweat-resistant silicone cushions, plus leatherette cushions for other settings.
• Best for longer stated battery life → H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT. Its listed figure is up to 50 hours, compared with 20 hours for the ClearDryve 220.
• Best for a feature focused on noisy calls → Rand McNally ClearDryve 220. Its dual-microphone system is described as reducing up to 95% of ambient noise for callers.
• Best for choosing between noise cancellation and hearing more surroundings → H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT. Its transparency mode can let ambient sound in, and a button switches among the available listening modes.
• Best for connecting to two devices at once → H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT. Its Bluetooth 5.2 connection supports multipoint use with two devices.
• Best for teens who mostly listen to podcasts or take calls → Rand McNally ClearDryve 220. Its convertible design, call-focused microphones, and voice-oriented EQ presets fit that mix of uses.
• Best for teens seeking the best gaming headphones for teens → neither is a clear gaming-specific choice based on these features. The Zwift x RIPT lists low-latency Bluetooth, while the ClearDryve 220 offers Bluetooth 5.0; neither product’s listed features make it a dedicated gaming headset.
These are both over-ear models, not earbuds, so shoppers specifically searching for earbuds should keep that difference in mind. Likewise, the ClearDryve 220 should not be confused with the best noise canceling on ear headphones for teens: its listed design is over-ear, as is the Zwift x RIPT. The useful comparison is not about which label sounds more impressive; it is about whether the teen’s routine is mostly calls and general listening or sweat-heavy training and varied outdoor awareness.
Noise-control figures also need context. The ClearDryve 220’s claim about reducing up to 95% of ambient noise applies to its dual microphones and the experience of callers hearing the wearer. It is not the same claim as the Zwift x RIPT’s stated 30 dB active noise cancellation for the listener. Those figures describe different functions, so they should not be treated as a direct, like-for-like contest.
Battery life gives the Zwift x RIPT a clear advantage on the stated specifications, but daily habits still matter. Someone who charges headphones regularly and values call handling may find the ClearDryve’s 20-hour figure sufficient. A teen taking long trips or using headphones across multiple training sessions may care more about the Zwift x RIPT’s up-to-50-hour figure. Actual use can depend on settings and listening habits; the published figures are the comparison available here, not a guarantee of identical results for every person.
I would choose the H2O Audio Zwift x RIPT for a teen whose routine includes regular workouts. The washable, sweat-resistant silicone cushions, transparency mode, and longer stated battery life make its purpose especially clear. For teens, I think that combination is more useful than a general-purpose design when training is the main reason for buying over-ear headphones. I would choose the ClearDryve 220 instead for a teen who takes frequent calls and wants the option to switch between a single-ear headset and stereo listening.
The Zwift x RIPT is the more workout-focused option. It has removable silicone cushions described as sweat-resistant and washable, with leatherette cushions included for other settings.
The Zwift x RIPT is listed for up to 50 hours of playtime per charge. The ClearDryve 220 is listed for 20 hours and a two-hour charging time.
Which is better for calls in a noisy place?
I can’t determine which is better value without knowing the current prices and the buyer’s priorities. Check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button, then weigh it against the features that matter most: convertible call use, workout-ready cushions, transparency mode, or stated battery life.
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