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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• SQERO Case — biggest strength: A hard, waterproof EVA shell with a soft padded lining, molded specifically around Beats Studio Pro, Solo 4, Solo 3 and Studio3. It's protection first, and it does that job with room to spare for cables and small accessories.
• SQERO Case — biggest trade-off: It makes no sound. It's a storage bag, so if you don't already own one of those Beats models, it does nothing for you.
• JJLFresheners Black Retro — biggest strength: It's a real, lightweight, wired on-ear headphone with an adjustable headband, an open-ear architecture and a 3.5 mm jack that works with basically anything.
• JJLFresheners Black Retro — biggest trade-off: No noise cancelling, no wireless, and an open-back design that lets sound in and out by nature.
• Who SQERO Case is for: Someone who already has Beats on-ear headphones and wants to carry them safely.
• Who JJLFresheners Black Retro is for: Someone who wants a cheap-to-own, plug-and-play pair of on-ear headphones for commuting, travel or desk listening.
Let's be clear about what this is, because the name similarity to a headphone can confuse people scanning search results. The SQERO Case is a carrying case — a hard-shell travel bag custom-dimensioned for Beats Studio Pro, Solo 4, Solo 3 and Studio3 on-ear headphones. The beige frosted shell has a nice matte texture and clean lines, and at 0.18 kg it adds almost nothing to your bag.
What it does best is protection. The construction is dual-layer: an outer shell made of EVA, which is waterproof and impact-resistant, wrapped around a soft padded lining. That combination matters for on-ear headphones specifically, because the folding hinges and the headband are the parts that take abuse when a bag gets tossed around. A soft pouch absorbs nothing; this does.
The capacity is the quiet selling point. There's a molded spot for the headphones themselves, plus enough leftover room for a charging cable, a USB cable and a headphone cable — the small stuff that otherwise ends up loose at the bottom of a backpack. If you travel with Beats on-ears and you're tired of the folding mechanism rattling against everything else you own, this is a sensible buy. Skip it if you don't own one of the four compatible Beats models, because the fit is customized and won't suit random headphones.
This one is the opposite half of the equation: it's the thing you actually listen through. The JJLFresheners Black Retro is a wired on-ear headphone with a retro-inspired look, an open-ear architecture, and a 3.5 mm jack. It's built from plastic, fabric and silicone, so it stays light, and the adjustable headband lets you tune the fit for longer sessions.
The design choices here are deliberate and worth understanding. Open-ear (open-back) headphones don't seal your ear canal or clamp your ears shut. That means two things: you stay aware of your surroundings — traffic, announcements, a colleague saying your name — and heat builds up far less over a long session than it does with closed cups. The trade-off is the mirror image: sound leaks out, and outside noise leaks in. On a noisy train, you'll hear the train.
Inside, it's a dynamic driver rated from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which is the standard full-range window. There's no noise cancelling and no Bluetooth — the connectivity is wired only, and the controls are push-button and remote style. That's the honest picture. What you get is a simple, portable, plug-in pair of on-ear headphones for daily commutes, travel and casual listening at home, compatible with anything that has a 3.5 mm jack.
Buy it if you want a lightweight, no-battery, no-pairing pair of on-ears you can leave in a bag. Skip it if you need isolation, wireless freedom or a sealed fit.
• Best for protecting existing Beats on-ears → SQERO Case. It's molded for Studio Pro, Solo 4, Solo 3 and Studio3 specifically.
• Best for actually listening to music → JJLFresheners Black Retro. The SQERO Case produces no audio at all.
• Best for travel durability → SQERO Case. Waterproof EVA outer shell, impact-resistant, soft padded lining.
• Best for lightweight portability while wearing → JJLFresheners Black Retro. Lightweight build with an adjustable headband.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → JJLFresheners Black Retro. The open-ear architecture keeps you tuned in to what's around you.
• Best for extended-session comfort → JJLFresheners Black Retro. On-ear cushions plus open-back ventilation to cut heat build-up.
• Best for carrying cables and small extras → SQERO Case. The interior has room beyond the molded headphone slot.
• Best for device compatibility → JJLFresheners Black Retro. Any device with a 3.5 mm headphone jack works; the case only fits four Beats models.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you own a pair of Beats on-ears, or do you need a pair of on-ears?
If you already own Beats Studio Pro, Solo 4, Solo 3 or Studio3, I'd buy the SQERO Case — a hard, waterproof, padded shell is exactly what those folding hinges want, and the extra room for cables is a genuine convenience.
If you don't own Beats and you just want portable on-ear headphones, the JJLFresheners Black Retro is the one that makes sound, and the wired, open-ear, adjustable-headband formula suits commuting and desk listening well. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the one number that can shift either way.
what are the best open ear headphones
That's a matter of fit and priorities rather than one universal answer. In my opinion, the JJLFresheners Black Retro is a reasonable open-ear choice if you want a wired, lightweight, adjustable pair that keeps you aware of your surroundings — but "best" depends on whether you value awareness over isolation, and this one deliberately gives up isolation.
are on ear headphones good
On-ear headphones rest against the ear rather than around it, which keeps them lighter and more portable than over-ear designs. The JJLFresheners Black Retro adds a soft cushion and an open-back build to reduce heat build-up over long sessions. The catch is less passive isolation, so noisy environments will bleed through.
are open ear headphones good
Open-ear designs trade isolation for awareness and comfort, which is exactly what the JJLFresheners Black Retro does with its open-ear architecture. They're great for commutes where you need to hear what's happening and for long listening sessions where sealed cups get hot. They're a poor fit if you want to block out a loud room.
what are the best in-ear headphones
I can't rank in-ear models here — neither product in this comparison is an in-ear design. The JJLFresheners Black Retro is an on-ear, open-back headphone, and the SQERO Case is a storage shell for Beats on-ears. If in-ear is what you want, this isn't the comparison for you.
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