According to the latest update, i want different things based on where I am. At the office, I need to drown out the noise around me. But at home? Hearing UPS ringing my doorbell is vital. (Gotta be quick to beat porch pirates to my packages.). I own multiple pairs of earbuds and headphones.
In a fresh development, to my surprise, they’re my fresh favorites. On a whim last month, I grabbed a fresh pair of open-ear buds during Amazon’s Prime Day sales for $40—the Anker Soundcore C50i.
Industry observers note that meanwhile, my JLab Open Sport (also open-ear buds) lacks the same warmth in the low end. Its highs and mids are also harsher and more dominant. I’d even go as far to say that the Soundcore C50i comes fairly close to my Sennheiser HD 599 SE open-back headphones, but at about half the cost. The audio is balanced, with just enough bass for a smooth vibe, and I can still clearly hear the outside global stage.
As part of the ongoing story, i’ve now worn them for several multi-hour calls, and they haven’t pinched or felt heavy. (In contrast, I get headaches using Sennheiser HD 599 SE and JLab Open Sport after the same amount of time, because of too much pressure on the top of my head or around my ears.). Almost more important, the C50i buds clip loosely to my ears, much like a high-tech version of an earcuff.
As part of the ongoing story, (This rating is based on 50 percent music volume, which has been plenty loud for the quieter environment I use them in.) I’ve haven’t run out of battery yet, especially since I rarely go more than four to five hours with them. Given these buds’ rating of seven hours of playback, plus another 21 through the case, I have had zero complaints about them so far.
Industry observers note that in fact, at the time of this writing, Amazon’s discounted them this much again. At that price, I’ve been recommending them to friends who also need to hear what’s going on around them, but don’t like sacrificing comfort or sound quality. At the MSRP of $70, the Soundcore C50i isn’t exactly an impulse buy—but they often drop down to $40 to $50 on sale.
According to the latest update, since joining the team in 2016, she’s written about CPUs, Windows, PC building, Chrome, Raspberry Pi, and much more—while also serving as PCWorld’s resident bargain hunter (#slickdeals). Currently her focus is on security, helping people understand how best to protect themselves online. Her work has previously appeared in PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine. A 15-year veteran of technology and video platform releases journalism, Alaina Yee covers a variety of topics for PCWorld.