For sports, Cleer ARC 5 is my pick among waterproof wireless earbuds for sports, with an open-ear hook fit and IPX7 protection.
QXUFV is the runner-up if you’d rather have in-ear noise cancellation and a charging case with built-in touch controls.
• Cleer ARC 5 — best for outdoor workouts; pick this if you want an open-ear hook design, IPX7 protection, and long total battery life.
• QXUFV Earbuds — best for tuning out distractions; pick this if you want in-ear ANC, transparency mode, and five EQ presets.
• VISOUND Air Skin Tones — best for discreet, lightweight wear; pick this if you want a stemless fit, two included ear-tip sizes, and IPX5 protection.
• VISOUND Air Skin Tones — best for a Light Bisque color option; pick this if you want the same compact design and features in that shade.
The Cleer ARC 5 takes a different approach from a conventional in-ear sports earbud. Its open-ear design uses hooks to hold the earbuds in place while leaving the ear canal open. I’d start here if awareness of your surroundings matters during a run, a bike ride, or outdoor training. The hook-style fit also makes sense for movement, where a loose earbud can become an unwanted distraction.
The IPX7 rating is a standout for a workout-focused pick. Cleer describes the earbuds as suited to sweat and rain, so they’re a strong match for training in changing weather.
Battery life is another reason I put the ARC 5 first: the listed total is up to 60 hours with the charging case. A five-minute charge is said to provide up to two hours of playback, which could help when you discover the earbuds need a quick top-up before heading out. Physical controls, app-based EQ customization, and a touchscreen on the case add more ways to manage listening without relying only on a phone.
The trade-off is that open-ear listening is not the same as sealing out noise. The ARC 5 lists no noise control, and its main advantage—keeping your ears open—also means it won’t provide the isolating feel of an in-ear design with ANC. Dolby Atmos and THX spatial audio are also part of its feature set, but those extras may matter less to a shopper whose main priority is a secure, weather-ready workout fit. In my opinion, the ARC 5 is the most compelling choice here when outdoor awareness and water protection come first.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-10 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
They also have a feature-rich charging case. Its touch screen can handle functions such as playback controls, timers, brightness, and language settings. The earbuds offer five EQ modes, so you can select among presets such as Rock or Jazz rather than relying on one fixed sound profile. Bluetooth 5.4 and automatic pairing when the case is opened round out a setup designed to keep routine connections simple.
For workouts, the stated IPX7 rating makes these a plausible sweat-and-rain option. The listed total playback time is up to 48 hours with the case, while a charge of the earbuds is described as providing six to eight hours. Those figures make them appealing for someone who wants a pair to cover exercise, travel, and work between charging sessions. Call noise reduction is also listed, which may be useful for hands-free conversations in busy settings.
The main trade-off is the feature mix itself: there is a lot to navigate, and the in-ear form will not suit someone who prefers an open fit. ANC can be helpful for concentration, but for outdoor sports, a mode that reduces ambient sound may not be the right choice in every setting. The product also promotes real-time translation, but my sports recommendation rests more on the stated water resistance, listening modes, and battery details than on that extra. I’d choose QXUFV over Cleer when in-ear ANC and adjustable EQ matter more to you than an open-ear design.
The Soft Sand VISOUND Air Skin Tones are compact, stemless in-ear earbuds with a flat shape intended to sit discreetly. At three grams per earbud, they are designed to be light, and two included ear-tip sizes give shoppers a choice for adjusting the fit. I’d look at them if bulky earbuds tend to bother you or if you want a low-profile option for a walk, light workout, commute, or desk use.
Their IPX5 rating is described for sweat and splashes. That makes them relevant to exercise, though the stated protection is below the IPX7 rating on the Cleer and QXUFV pairs. Battery life is listed as up to six hours per charge, with another 18 hours from the case, for up to 24 hours total. A digital display on the case shows battery level, a practical touch for keeping track of charging without guessing.
The trade-off is that these are the more modestly protected option in this guide, and their total stated battery life is shorter than the Cleer and QXUFV alternatives. The sheet also describes environmental noise cancellation for calls, but does not list ANC for listening. In my view, Soft Sand is a sensible fit-first choice for light exercise and discreet daily wear, not my pick for someone whose main concern is heavier water exposure.
VISOUND Air Skin Tones
The Light Bisque version has the same core design and listed features as the Soft Sand option: a lightweight, stemless form, two ear-tip sizes, Bluetooth 5.4, and an IPX5 water-resistance rating. The difference specified here is the color. If you prefer Light Bisque, you can choose it without giving up the compact fit concept or the case’s digital battery display.
For daily use, the small shape and low listed weight make this version worth considering for people who want earbuds that are less visually prominent. The two tip sizes offer some room to adjust the fit, while touch controls handle basic interactions. Up to six hours of playback per charge and up to 24 hours in total with the case make the battery setup similar to the Soft Sand version.
Its sports use is best understood as sweat-and-splash protection rather than the stronger stated water protection of the IPX7 options. I’d reserve it for lighter workouts, walks, or everyday wear where its understated form is the draw. It could also make a more discreet office choice than over-ear headphones, but it is not a volume-limiting product; shoppers seeking volume limiting head phones for office use should not assume that feature is included.
The main trade-off is identical to the Soft Sand model’s: IPX5 protection and a shorter stated total battery life than the first two products. Since these two VISOUND listings share the same core feature set, I would choose between them based on which color you prefer rather than expecting a performance difference. In my opinion, Light Bisque is a good fit for someone prioritizing a compact, subtle earbud for lighter activity.
We compared the published design, water-resistance, battery, fit, and listening features for these four listed options.
The order is our independent editorial opinion, based on how well each product’s stated features suit sports use.
No brand paid for placement.
Cleer ARC 5 and QXUFV list IPX7 protection. Both VISOUND options list IPX5, described for sweat and splashes.
They can suit shoppers who want to keep their ears open to surrounding sounds. The Cleer ARC 5 uses an open-ear hook design, but it does not provide the noise-isolating fit of conventional in-ear earbuds.
Cleer ARC 5 lists up to 60 hours with its charging case. QXUFV lists up to 48 hours, while each VISOUND version lists up to 24 hours.
Their listed core features are the same, including the stemless design, two ear-tip sizes, IPX5 protection, and battery details. The specified difference is the color: Soft Sand or Light Bisque.
For sports, I recommend Cleer ARC 5 if you want an open-ear hook fit, IPX7 protection, and the longest stated total battery life in this guide. Choose QXUFV instead if in-ear listening with ANC and transparency mode better fits your routine.
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