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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want dramatically longer battery life and a charging case that shows you its remaining power at a glance, choose ShuQiaoSi Open Ear Headphones; if you need a lighter, sweat-resistant pair with a bigger driver and true wireless ear hooks for workouts, choose Hivox Open Ear Earbuds.
• ShuQiaoSi's biggest strength: battery endurance — up to 10 hours per charge, roughly 40 more from the case, plus an LED digital display so you can see the charge level instead of guessing.
• ShuQiaoSi's biggest trade-off: it's the more feature-loaded, bulkier proposition — a cat-ear themed over-ear design with a magnetic case, and no water-resistance rating is listed.
• Hivox's biggest strength: a purpose-built sport fit — lightweight open-ear hooks, IP54 water and sweat resistance, and a 16x13mm dynamic driver for fuller sound.
• Hivox's biggest trade-off: shorter battery life — about 6 hours per charge and roughly 30 hours total with the case, with no on-case display.
• Choose ShuQiaoSi if long listening sessions, calls, and device-hopping (phone, laptop, PC, TV) matter most to you.
• Choose Hivox if you want a discreet, sweat-proof pair for running, the gym, and all-day casual wear.
ShuQiaoSi's pitch here is endurance and flexibility. The earbuds sit on top of the ear using an air-conduction, fully open design, so nothing plugs your ear canal — the brand's angle is avoiding the fatigue and discomfort that come with jammed-in buds over long stretches. That's a real consideration if you wear headphones for hours at a time, and it also means you stay aware of traffic, coworkers, or a doorbell while you listen. The over-ear hook shape and soft silicone build are meant to spread weight evenly, and the spec sheet notes it's designed to work whether you have long hair or wear glasses.
Battery is the headline: up to 10 hours of continuous play per charge, an additional 40 hours from the magnetic charging case, and up to 80 hours of standby. The case charges fully in about an hour via USB-C, and the LED digital display shows the remaining power — a small thing that makes a big difference on trips.
Who should skip it? If you want the slimmest, most understated look, the white cat-ear theme and over-ear enclosure won't be for everyone. And if you need a documented water-resistance rating for heavy sweating or rain, note that no IP rating appears in the specs — Hivox is the safer bet there.
Hivox Open Ear Earbuds: Who It's For
The Hivox OpenFree S2 is built around comfort and movement. It uses the same open-ear philosophy — ear hooks, soft silicone, a featherweight build — but the emphasis is on staying put and staying comfortable during activity. The IP54 rating for water and sweat resistance is the detail that separates it from the ShuQiaoSi pair: this is a set you can wear through a run, a gym session, or a sweaty commute without worrying about moisture.
Audio hardware is spelled out more concretely here. Hivox lists a 16x13mm dynamic driver with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, plus a background noise-cancelling microphone and voice-capture tech for calls. A larger driver generally means more low-end presence, so if you care about music sounding fuller rather than just clear, that spec points in Hivox's direction. Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.3, with the brand highlighting anti-interference and low latency.
Battery is the compromise. You get about 6 hours per charge and roughly 30 hours total with the wireless charging case — the case itself is listed at around 24 hours of stored capacity. That's plenty for workouts and a normal day, but it trails ShuQiaoSi's numbers noticeably. Controls are push-button rather than touch, which some people actually prefer because it's harder to trigger by accident. The color is off-white, and the styling is modern and casual.
Skip it if you're chasing maximum battery life, want a charge-level display, or need a wired option — there's no headphone jack here, Bluetooth only.
• Best for battery life → ShuQiaoSi Open Ear Headphones. Up to 10 hours per charge and about 40 more from the case versus Hivox's roughly 6 plus 30.
• Best for workouts and sweaty use → Hivox Open Ear Earbuds. The IP54 water and sweat resistance is the deciding factor.
• Best for sound hardware on paper → Hivox Open Ear Earbuds. A 16x13mm dynamic driver with a stated 20 Hz–20 kHz range.
• Best for calls and device versatility → ShuQiaoSi Open Ear Headphones. Dual microphones plus Bluetooth 5.4 and wide compatibility across phones, tablets, laptops, PCs, and TVs.
• Best for wired backup → ShuQiaoSi Open Ear Headphones. It includes a 3.5mm jack and an audio cable; Hivox is wireless only.
• Best for charge visibility → ShuQiaoSi Open Ear Headphones. The LED digital display on the case shows remaining power; Hivox has no display listed.
• Best for a discreet, understated look → Hivox Open Ear Earbuds. Modern off-white styling versus ShuQiaoSi's white cat-ear theme.
• Best for control preference → depends on you. ShuQiaoSi uses touch controls; Hivox uses push buttons.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the ShuQiaoSi Open Ear Headphones. In my opinion the battery advantage is the single biggest quality-of-life difference in this category — going from roughly 6 hours to 10 hours per charge, with a case display so you know where you stand, is the kind of thing you notice every single day. Add the wider device compatibility, dual mics, and the wired fallback, and it's the more versatile set for desk work, calls, and travel.
That said, I'd steer anyone who trains hard toward the Hivox Open Ear Earbuds. The IP54 rating and lighter, sport-focused hook design make it the smarter pick when sweat and movement are the priority, and the larger dynamic driver is a legitimate point in its favor. Check the current price on Amazon for each before you commit, since the value call shifts depending on what each is going for when you buy.
FAQ
Yes — that's their strength. The IP54 water and sweat resistance plus the lightweight ear-hook fit are designed for sports and outdoor activity, which the ShuQiaoSi set doesn't document.
Yes. They're listed as compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices including phones, iPads, laptops, PCs, and TVs, and they also include a 3.5mm jack and cable for wired use.
It depends on what you weigh. ShuQiaoSi gives you more battery, a charge display, and wired options; Hivox gives you a sport-ready IP54 build and a larger driver. Check the current price on Amazon for both and match it to the feature you care about most.
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