If you want premium noise isolation and long-haul battery life for focused calls, choose SOMIC Air One ANC; if you need situational awareness and a secure fit for active use while on the phone, choose ROEL-PLAY Open Ear.
• SOMIC Air One ANC: The undisputed champion of battery endurance and immersive audio with 50-hour playtime and hybrid active noise cancellation, but it is an over-ear design that creates physical pressure and blocks out ambient sound entirely.
• ROEL-PLAY Open Ear: A lightweight, open-ear solution designed for safety during runs and all-day comfort with zero ear fatigue, yet it sacrifices deep bass and total silence in favor of hearing your surroundings.
• Who should buy which: Choose the SOMIC for office work, gaming marathons, and travel where blocking the world is essential; pick the ROEL-PLAY for running, commuting in traffic, or any scenario where staying alert to your environment is non-negotiable.
The SOMIC Air One ANC is engineered for the listener who wants to disappear into their audio world. This isn't just about playing music; it is about creating a private sanctuary. The headline feature here is the Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling system, which works alongside Transparency Mode and a standard mode to give you full control over your auditory environment. If you are looking for noise canceling gaming headphones for calls, this unit delivers a level of isolation that allows you to focus entirely on the conversation without the distraction of a bustling coffee shop or a noisy office.
Comfort is a major pillar of this product's design. The manufacturer has opted for memory foam cushions paired with a lightweight ergonomic frame, ensuring that even when you are wearing these for extended periods, the clamping force remains manageable. The over-ear shape wraps around the ears rather than resting inside them, which contributes to the effective seal needed for the noise cancellation to work properly. For those who spend hours on video conferences or long calls, the quad-mic array with AI noise suppression is a game-changer. It actively isolates your voice from wind and background chatter, ensuring that the person on the other end hears you clearly regardless of where you are standing.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-28 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
However, this product demands a specific lifestyle to be truly appreciated. Because it uses an over-ear enclosure, it physically covers your ears completely. This means you cannot hear a doorbell ring or a car honking unless you switch to Transparency Mode. If you need to keep one ear open to the world while working out or walking through a busy city, this form factor will feel restrictive. Furthermore, the battery life is a standout spec, offering up to 50 hours of playtime with ANC off and rapid charging capabilities that can get you back in action after just six to eight hours of plugging in. It is built for the marathon user who refuses to carry a charger or worry about power levels during a long trip.
The ROEL-PLAY Open Ear targets a completely different set of needs, prioritizing safety, breathability, and freedom of movement. These are not traditional earbuds that plug into your canal; they are designed with a three-point ergonomic positioning system that rests lightly against the outer ear. This "open" architecture means there is no pressure buildup, no swelling, and absolutely zero heat retention. For anyone who wears headphones for eight hours straight, the difference between these and an over-ear model is night and day. You can wear these while working at a desk, attending a meeting, or doing chores, and you will barely feel them on your head.
The most critical feature for the best open ear headphones for calls market is the balance between communication and awareness. While these units do not offer the deep, vacuum-like silence of the SOMIC, they utilize dual enhanced noise-canceling microphones to reduce wind and background noise effectively. This ensures your voice comes through clearly even on a windy street or in a busy office. More importantly, the open design lets you hear traffic, approaching colleagues, and your own footsteps. This makes them the ideal choice for runners, cyclists, or anyone who commutes by foot or bike. The Bluetooth 5.4 chip ensures a stable connection with ultra-low latency of just 38ms, which is vital for gamers or streamers who need perfect audio-video sync without the lag that older models suffer from.
Durability and convenience also play a significant role here. The sweatproof construction means you don't have to worry about moisture damage during an intense workout, and the LED power display on the charging case removes the guesswork from battery management. You can see exactly how much charge is left in both the case and the buds. The design supports single or dual ear use, giving you flexibility if you only need to listen to a podcast while keeping one ear free. However, because the drivers are exposed to the air rather than sealed in an ear cup, the bass response, while punchy thanks to the composite diaphragm, lacks the physical impact of a sealed over-ear system. If you are an audiophile who demands earth-shattering low-end frequencies, this open design might feel slightly thin compared to a closed-back alternative.
• Best for total silence and immersion → SOMIC Air One ANC: The hybrid ANC and over-ear seal provide a theater-like experience that the open-ear design simply cannot match.
• Best for situational awareness and safety → ROEL-PLAY Open Ear: The open design allows you to hear traffic and surroundings, making it the safer choice for outdoor activities.
• Best for long-distance travel and flights → SOMIC Air One ANC: With 50 hours of battery life and superior noise cancellation, it blocks out engine hum and crying babies effortlessly.
• Best for workouts and running → ROEL-PLAY Open Ear: The secure, sweatproof fit and lack of ear pressure make it far more comfortable for high-movement scenarios.
• Best for multi-tasking in an office → SOMIC Air One ANC: The ability to block out distractions while maintaining crystal-clear call quality via the quad-mic array is unmatched.
• Best for all-day comfort without pressure → ROEL-PLAY Open Ear: The open-ear form factor eliminates the "hot ears" feeling common with over-ear headphones after several hours.
• Best for gaming with low latency → ROEL-PLAY Open Ear: The 38ms latency is specifically optimized for seamless audio-video synchronization in games.
• Best for battery longevity → SOMIC Air One ANC: The 50-hour average life and rapid charge capability mean you charge less frequently than with most competing earbuds.
I would personally choose the SOMIC Air One ANC if my primary goal was professional productivity and high-quality calls in distracting environments. The combination of the quad-mic array, the hybrid active noise cancellation, and the massive 50-hour battery life creates a tool that is built for serious work and deep listening. It solves the problem of isolation perfectly, allowing me to focus on the conversation without fighting background noise.
However, if I were planning to use these devices primarily for running, cycling, or working in an open-plan office where I need to stay aware of my surroundings, I would immediately pivot to the ROEL-PLAY Open Ear. Its safety features and comfort for extended wear are superior for an active lifestyle. Ultimately, for calls specifically, the SOMIC offers a more controlled and professional audio experience due to its superior noise isolation and microphone array, making it the better choice for business and focused communication.
Yes, both models address this well. The SOMIC Air One ANC uses a quad-mic array with AI noise suppression specifically designed to isolate your voice in windy conditions, while the ROEL-PLAY Open Ear features dual enhanced noise-canceling microphones to block wind and background noise during outdoor calls.
The ROEL-PLAY Open Ear headphones utilize directional sound transmission technology to significantly reduce sound leakage, helping to protect your privacy while still allowing you to hear your environment through the open-ear design.
The SOMIC Air One ANC offers a substantial advantage in battery life, providing up to 50 hours of playtime with ANC off, whereas the ROEL-PLAY Open Ear focuses on a long-lasting composite battery life suitable for all-day use but does not specify a comparable hour count in its data sheet.
While the SOMIC Air One ANC features a flexi-fold design and memory foam for comfort, its over-ear design is better suited for stationary activities like gaming, traveling, or office work rather than high-intensity exercise where sweat and fit security are concerns.
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