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Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. As a runner who sweats xenomorphic acid, I have to be careful about the earbuds I use when pounding the pavement. I've ruined more earbuds than I can count because of this. In the end, I can't use any traditional earbuds. If they go into my ear canal, they will most likely fail to function by the end of my run. To mitigate this, about a decade ago, I switched to bone-conducting headphones. The problem with all of the bone-conducting headphones I've used (and I've used several) is that they sound terrible. It's a problem, because I still want halfway decent sound when I run. Also: These $60 wireless earbuds made me question my audio spending habits I eventually switched to open-ear earbuds and found that they weren't ideal either. No matter the make or model, by the end of my run, at least one earbud wouldn't be functioning. Then I discovered the clip-on style of earbud that wraps around your ear with a small "ball" that inserts into the ear (but not the canal). This type of earbud proved to be the solution. They weren't nearly as susceptible to sweat as traditional earbuds, and they sounded much better than bone-conducting earbuds. Typically, those earbuds focused more on the mids and lack punch in the low end, to not drown out ambient noise. Well, my friends, that ends now, thanks to the Baseus Inspire XC1 open-ear clip-on earbuds. My experience Once I paired the buds to my Pixel 9 Pro and clipped them onto my ears, the first song I played was "Happy Birthday," by Devin Townsend. There's just something about the tune that really gets me. But more than anything, the way Devin mastered that recording is brilliant. The song incorporates an acoustic guitar that somehow has a very nice low-end, and it really shone on the XC1 earbuds. That acoustic low-end was smooth and present in a way I've not heard with other clip-on style earbuds. Also: Finally, budget wireless earbuds that I wouldn't mind ditching my AirPods for Since I was on a Devin Townsend kick, I decided to play his epic track, "Singularity," which is roughly 20 minutes of genius. Once again, there was plenty of depth to the track, so I decided to sit back and listen to the song in its entirety. The Singularity test "Singularity" is like several genres of music rolled into one. It's acoustic, metal, Broadway musical, and sprawling concept rock that only Devin can pull off, and the XC1s were up to the task. Sure, I've heard the song sound better through more expensive headphones and speakers, but when you consider that these earbuds (at least for me) are all about being active, you appreciate what Baseus pulled off. Even when "Singularity" rose to the heights of metal-dom, the XC1 earbuds didn't blink. When the song rose to a more choral nature, the XC1s were able to produce all of the voices without getting muddy, which is a feat with this particular track. Also: One of the best pair of earbuds with high-quality sound I've tested are just $70 Even when the track pummeled me with blastbeats, the XC1 earbuds made sure the sound wasn't taxing. What I received was a smooth, yet dynamic presentation of the track's heaviest section. There's a particular section of the song (movement VI. Here Comes The Sun!) that never fails to give me goosebumps, and the XC1 earbuds didn't get in the way. I loved how this particular movement of the track was presented. The entire time I tested the Inspire XC1 earbuds, I kept forgetting I was wearing clip-ons and was fooled into thinking they were more traditional earbuds that were capable of producing accurate and agile bass. This is the first pair of clip-ons that have succeeded in such a glowing fashion. Let's talk comfort If there's one thing I can say about clip-on style open-ear earbuds, it's that they cannot be matched for comfort, and the XC1 earbuds show this aspect off to perfection. I could wear these all day and feel zero discomfort. They are also stable, so I don't have to worry that they'll pop off my ears as I'm running through the city. ZDNET's buying advice If you live an active lifestyle and are tired of earbuds that sound hollow with little or no depth, you should seriously consider a pair of Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds. As for the price and availability, these earbuds seem to sell out quickly (with good reason). As of this writing, I was able to find them on Aliexpress for $167. From my perspective, these earbuds are definitely worth the price. Also: The best earbuds: Expert tested and reviewed If you're looking for what maybe the last pair of earbuds you'll ever need to buy to satisfy your exercising needs, look no further than the Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds. In a nod to irony, as I'm finishing up this review, "Singularity" is coming to a close. And, as Devin says, "May you become a rainbow." Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds tech specs Type - Open-Ear Clip-On EarbudsDrivers - Hybrid 2-Way Driver System (11mm driver and woofer), powered by KnowlesSound Technology - Sound by Bose, Dolby Audio, Hi-Res Audio, LDACMics - 4IP Rating - IP66Weight - 6 gramsBattery - Up to 8 hours of playtime with 40 total hours using the case
