How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wired, foldable neckband that never needs charging and stays put while you move, choose RCA HP245; if you need open-ear, non in ear headphones with a clip-on jewelry look, Bluetooth 6.0, and a 60-hour charging case, choose NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds.
• RCA HP245 — biggest strength: A wired behind-the-neck design with a foldable neckband, 3-foot cable, and 98 dB output. Nothing to charge, nothing to pair.
• RCA HP245 — biggest trade-off: It's a wired on-ear headphone with a 3.5 mm jack and a different jack type listed as RCA on the sheet, so you need the right connection. No Bluetooth, no case, no water rating.
• NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds — biggest strength: Open-ear clip-on design that doubles as ear jewelry, plus Bluetooth 6.0, 55 ms low latency, ENC call noise reduction, IP65, and a 60-hour charging case.
• NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds — biggest trade-off: The clip-on fit depends on your earrings (it's made for round earrings or fastenable earrings, not studs), and 55 g in the case is bulkier in a pocket than a folded neckband.
• Pick RCA HP245 if you want a lightweight, wired, no-battery backup for phones, tablets, MP3 players and handheld gaming.
• Pick NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds if you want non in ear headphones that stay open, look like an accessory, and run all day on a charge.
The RCA HP245 is a behind-the-neck headphone with a neckband that's built to stay in place for unrestricted mobility. The band folds, which is the whole point of the design — it compacts down to fit in a pocket or a purse, so it travels without a case. The cable runs 3 feet total, and the earpieces sit on the ear with an ear hook / wing shape rather than pushing into the canal. That's the essence of non in ear listening: sound goes to your ear, not inside it.
Audio-wise, this is a straightforward wired setup. Dynamic drivers, a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range, and up to 98 dB of output. There's a media control built into the cable for remote control. Noise control is listed as sound isolation, which is exactly what an on-ear fit gives you — some blocking from the physical seal, not active cancellation. The enclosure is plastic in black and silver, and RCA lists compatibility with smartphones, tablets, MP3 players and handheld gaming.
NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds: Who It's For
The NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds take a completely different approach. These are open-ear, non in ear headphones built around a Z-shaped clip that also works as an ear ring. The idea is a headphone-and-accessory fusion: you listen to music while the piece reads as jewelry. Free combination styling means they're meant to slot into casual, commuting and party outfits. One important note straight from the product details — they suit round earrings or earrings that can be fastened onto the clip, not stud earrings.
Comfort is the second pillar. The clip is a zero-pressure design, tuned through mechanical simulation to manage clamping force so long wear doesn't hurt. Each side weighs only 5 grams. The sound is semi-enclosed and micro-encased, embedded slightly into the ear to sit closer to the canal, which the brand says solves the amplification and leakage problems older clip designs had. There's built-in intelligent EQ that adjusts across pop, classical and rock, and ENC call noise reduction that blocks 80% of background noise for calls.
On the tech side: Bluetooth 6.0 with transmission delay as low as 55 ms for gaming and video sync, IP65 dust and water resistance for sweat and splashes, and seamless switching that keeps two devices connected and swaps automatically by scenario. The charging case delivers 60 hours of play time, with a 1.5-hour charge time. Impedance is 16 ohm. There's a 2-year manufacturer warranty, touch and button controls, and the package is presented as gift-ready for holidays, birthdays and anniversaries [this is what the sheet says, not my claim]. Color is red, and the housing is ABS and polycarbonate.
Who should buy it: someone who wants open, non in ear headphones that don't disappear into a gym bag — a commuter, a runner who wants to hear traffic, a student, or anyone who treats their audio gear as part of the outfit. Who should skip it: people who only wear stud earrings, anyone who wants a traditional in-ear seal, and buyers who prefer a wired connection with no charging routine.
• Best for battery life → NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds. A 60-hour charging case with 1.5-hour charge time beats a wired headphone with no battery at all.
• Best for never charging → RCA HP245. Wired, 3.5 mm, no power needed. Plug in and go.
• Best for open-ear, non in ear listening → NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds. The clip sits off the canal; the HP245 rests on the ear.
• Best for travel packing → RCA HP245. The foldable neckband collapses into a pocket or purse. The NEXOSYNTH case is 55 g total.
• Best for calls → NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds. ENC call noise reduction blocks 80% of background noise. The HP245 has media control but no call-noise feature listed.
• Best for gaming and video sync → NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds. Bluetooth 6.0 with 55 ms latency keeps audio and video lined up. The HP245 relies on a wired connection, which is inherently in sync but tethered.
• Best for sweaty workouts and rain → NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds. IP65 dust and water resistance. The HP245 has no water rating listed.
• Best for style as a feature → NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds. The ear-ring fusion is the entire design premise.
• Best for older players and handhelds → RCA HP245. Explicitly listed for MP3 players and handheld gaming with a 3-foot cable.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds. In my opinion, the combination of true open-ear, non in ear comfort at 5 grams per side, Bluetooth 6.0, IP65, ENC call noise reduction and a 60-hour case covers far more of a normal day than a wired neckband can. I'd only steer you to the RCA HP245 if you specifically want a foldable, battery-free wired headphone for a tablet, MP3 player or handheld — that's a real job, and the HP245 does it well. For most people reading this, the NEXOSYNTH pair is the more useful purchase. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing that can tip the decision either way.
FAQ
how do non ear headphones work
what are non in ear headphones called
They're usually called open-ear, clip-on, ear-clip, bone-conduction (a different mechanism), or on-ear headphones. The NEXOSYNTH model is an open-ear clip-on; the RCA HP245 is an on-ear behind-the-neck style. Neither is an in-ear or earbud-seal design.
what are the best open ear headphones
In my opinion, "best" depends on your priority. If you want long battery, IP65, low-latency Bluetooth 6.0 and a jewelry-style clip-on, the NEXOSYNTH Jewelry-Inspired Clip-On Earbuds fit that brief. If you want wired, foldable, no-battery open listening, the RCA HP245 fits that instead. Match the spec to your routine rather than chasing one winner.
how to wear in ear headphones
That's the fit these two avoid, but it's worth knowing the difference: in-ear headphones push a tip into the canal for a seal. The NEXOSYNTH clip-on hooks over the ear and works with round or fastenable earrings — not studs — while the RCA HP245 sits on the ear with its hook shape. If you dislike canal pressure, the non in ear route is the one to take.
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.
See also: GenXenon Clip vs HYGAMOCC AI OWS Language: OWS Earbuds, EarFun Free 2S vs Kinglucky Clip-On Earbuds: Wired in Ear, Kinglucky mini Clip-on Earbuds vs LICAEVEY Earbuds