How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
These two earbuds sit at opposite ends of a spectrum. The Yamdrok NC1 is built around open-ear comfort and situational awareness — you hear your music and the world at the same time. The Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC is built around shutting the world out, with hybrid ANC rated up to 50dB and a 40-hour total playtime figure. Neither is "better" in a vacuum. They solve different problems.
• Yamdrok's biggest strength: a true open-ear clip-on fit at just 4.98g per ear, with IPX4 weather resistance, Bluetooth 5.4 and dual-device pairing — ideal when you must stay aware of your surroundings.
• Yamdrok's biggest trade-off: open-ear designs leak sound and let ambient noise in by nature, and the 5-hour single-charge / 20-hour total figure trails the Oraimo's 40 hours.
• Oraimo's biggest strength: hybrid ANC that reduces ambient noise by up to 50dB, plus 4-mic ENC for calls and 40 hours of total playtime with fast charging.
• Oraimo's biggest trade-off: it's a sealed in-ear design, so you lose situational awareness, and its Bluetooth spec is listed as 5 rather than 5.4.
• Who Yamdrok is for: runners, cyclists, commuters and outdoor athletes who want music without blocking the world.
• Who Oraimo is for: travellers, office workers and call-heavy users who want quiet and long battery life.
The Yamdrok NC1 is defined by its fit. Each earbud weighs 4.98g and hangs on a medical-grade TPE ear hook reinforced with aerospace aluminum alloy, and the brand says the shape was designed around 50,000+ human ear data models. That's the pitch: a clip-on that stays put through running, cycling or a hockey game without pressing into your ear canal. If in-ear buds normally make your ears ache after an hour, this is the whole reason to look at the NC1.
Sound is handled by 11mm dynamic drivers with PU + titanium composite diaphragms, and the specs list a 20Hz–20,000Hz frequency range, 38 ohm impedance and 125dB sensitivity. Yamdrok also claims 360° spatial audio and directional transmission to reduce leakage. Practical features round it out: Bluetooth 5.4 with the JL7016F6 chip, 0.06s (roughly 80ms) low latency for gaming and video, AAC/SBC codecs, dual-device pairing so you can jump between a phone and a laptop, and the TrueFree app for EQ presets, a ringtone finder for lost buds, spatial audio toggles and game mode. AI-powered ENC dual mics handle wind and traffic noise on calls, and the charging case has an LED display so you always know the battery level.
Buy it if you run, cycle, hike, ski or commute and want music plus awareness. Skip it if your main goal is blocking out engine drone on a flight or open-plan office chatter — open-ear simply can't do that, and the 5-hour-per-charge, 20-hour-total battery is the shortest of the two. IPX4 covers rain, snow and sweat, which is fine for most outdoor use but not for swimming.
The Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC goes the other direction entirely. It's an in-ear design with hybrid active noise cancellation that Oraimo rates at up to 50dB of ambient noise reduction, so it's aimed at people who want the world to disappear — busy commutes, noisy offices, flights. For calls, four microphones with environmental noise cancellation (ENC) work to pull your voice out of a crowded room.
Feature-wise it leans into personality and convenience. The case has a slide-open design, and the earbuds support personalized LED light effects you can match to your mood. There's app-based EQ customization plus heavy-bass tuning for deep, punchy low end, a Smart Chat Mode so you can hold a quick conversation without taking the buds out, and Google pop-up notifications for calls, messages and apps. Battery is the headline number: up to 40 hours of total playtime, and a 10-minute top-up reportedly gives about 2 hours of playback.
Buy it if you want maximum quiet, long battery life and a bit of flair. Skip it if you need to hear traffic, teammates or announcements while you listen — the sealed in-ear fit and ANC are designed to do the exact opposite. Note that Oraimo lists Bluetooth 5 rather than 5.4, and the data sheet gives IP54 water resistance, so it handles sweat and splashes but isn't a swim companion either. The frequency range matches the Yamdrok at 20Hz–20,000Hz.
• Best for staying aware of traffic and surroundings → Yamdrok Open Ear Headphones. The open-ear design is the entire point.
• Best for blocking noise → Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC. Up to 50dB of hybrid ANC is a different league from open-ear.
• Best for long battery life → Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC. 40 hours total playtime and fast charging beat the Yamdrok's 20-hour total.
• Best for all-day comfort without ear-canal pressure → Yamdrok Open Ear Headphones. 4.98g per bud on a TPE hook.
• Best for call clarity in noisy places → Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC. 4-mic ENC versus the Yamdrok's dual AI ENC mics.
• Best for gaming and video sync → Yamdrok Open Ear Headphones. Bluetooth 5.4 with 0.06s low latency and game mode.
• Best for switching between two devices → Yamdrok Open Ear Headphones. Dual-device pairing is listed; the Oraimo sheet doesn't mention multipoint.
• Best for customizable style → Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC. Personalized LED light effects and the slide-open case.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you want to hear the world or block it out?
If you're a runner, cyclist or outdoor athlete, I'd buy the Yamdrok Open Ear Headphones. The 4.98g open-ear fit, IPX4 build, Bluetooth 5.4 and dual-device pairing make it the more sensible everyday companion for training and commuting, and the awareness factor is something ANC earbuds simply can't give you.
If you're a traveller, office worker or someone who lives on calls, I'd buy the Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC. Up to 50dB of hybrid ANC, 4-mic ENC and 40 hours of playtime are built for exactly that life. Different tools, different jobs.
FAQ
Neither is better — they do opposite things. Open-ear like the Yamdrok lets ambient sound in for safety and comfort; ANC like the Oraimo blocks it out for focus and quiet. Pick based on whether you want awareness or isolation.
The Oraimo SpaceBuds ANC, clearly. Oraimo lists up to 40 hours of total playtime with fast charging, while Yamdrok lists 5 hours per charge and 20 hours total with the case.
On paper, yes — four microphones with ENC versus the Yamdrok's dual AI ENC mics. That said, the Yamdrok's open-ear build means your voice isn't sealed in, which some callers prefer for a more natural sound.
The Yamdrok Open Ear Headphones. The clip-on 4.98g fit, IPX4 sweat resistance and situational awareness are built for outdoor training. ANC earbuds like the Oraimo are better for indoor, noisy or travel settings.
I don't list prices here because they change often. Use the "Check latest price on Amazon" button on this page to see the current price for each before you decide.
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.