TOZO Open EarRing Review — Why Are These Only $40?

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Open-ear earbuds have become one of the fastest-growing audio categories this year without much fanfare, but most of the “good” ones still cost between $120 and $150.

When TOZO launched the Open EarRing for about thirty dollars, I thought I’d see the usual trade-offs: low volume unclear mids uncomfortable fit… the typical issues with budget open-ear options.

Then I tried them out.

In recent weeks, I’ve found myself picking up the OpenEarRing more than any other pair — not because they beat top-of-the-line earbuds, but because they strike a better balance of comfort sound quality, and clever features than anything else in this price range.

They make you remember why people talk about “hidden-gem brands.”

Let me share my full TOZO Open EarRing Review with you.

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Also see: TOZO NC20 Pro Review

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TOZO Open EarRing – Specifications

Feature	Details
Colors	Black / Khaki / Pink
Driver	12 mm dynamic driver
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Audio Codec	AAC / SBC
Call Noise Cancellation	ENC call noise reduction
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.4
Effective Range	Up to 10 m
Battery Capacity	60 mAh (earbud) / 400 mAh (charging case)
Playback Time	Up to 10 h (single charge) / Up to 40 h (with charging case)*
Charging Time	Earbuds: ~1.5 h · Case: ~2 h
Charging Port	USB Type-C
Water Resistance	IPX5 (earphones)
Weight (each)	5.1 g (±0.2 g)

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Unboxing & First Setup

Inside the box, you get:

• TOZO OpenEarRing earbuds
• Charging case with smart display
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Quick guide + full manual
• Color options: Black, Khaki, Pink

Pairing is instant: take the earbuds out, open Bluetooth on your phone, tap to connect, and the TOZO app recognizes them immediately.

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Design & Fit — Open-Ear Done Differently

Open-ear earbuds usually rest on top of your ear or hook around it, which always feels like a compromise. TOZO took a different approach: a tiny sphere sits gently at the ear entrance — not inside the canal, not dangling above it. It’s genuinely more comfortable than it looks.

You slip the larger back portion behind the ear, similar to a slim ring. No pressure points, no canal plug, no strange “ear vacuum” effect when you talk. After a few minutes, they basically disappear.

What impressed me most is how naturally they coexist with glasses, sunglasses, hats, and helmets. There’s no awkward bumping or adjusting every five seconds. If you’ve struggled with bone-conduction or wrap-around open-ear buds, this design solves a lot of those problems.

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Comfort & Everyday Use

If you hate the muffled feeling of in-ear buds, these are a breath of fresh air. You can talk normally, carry on a conversation, walk through a gym, or bike outdoors, and stay aware of your surroundings. That makes them ideal for:

• Running or outdoor workouts
• Biking (the safest audio style for it)
• Long work calls
• Worn for 6–8 hours without fatigue

They’re extremely lightweight, and not once did they create soreness or the “ear fatigue” that comes with silicone tips.

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TOZO App — Useful Features, a Few Unnecessary Extras

The companion app is where TOZO tries to show off — maybe a bit too much.

The important parts are genuinely helpful:

• 32 built-in EQ presets
• User-created EQ presets
• Touch control customization
• Low-latency toggle
• Firmware updates
• Earbud finder (very loud chirp)
• Water drainage mode

Then you get the more ambitious features:

• Real-time translation
• AI chat
• Meeting recording + transcription
• In-app ambient sound playlists
• A community feed & built-in shopping tab

The translation and meeting tools are surprisingly functional, but the community and store sections feel unnecessary. They don’t hurt anything — you can ignore them — but they make the app feel busier than it needs to be.

If TOZO ever streamlined these into a dedicated “audio-only” app, it would be even better.

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Sound Quality — Surprisingly Loud, Surprisingly Clear

Open-ear earbuds usually share one big weakness: volume and clarity. They either sound thin or struggle to push enough bass without sealing the ear.

TOZO’s 12mm dynamic drivers do better than expected. Music is fuller than I anticipated, vocals stay clean, and podcasts sound like they’re coming from a small speaker positioned perfectly for your ears. They also get loud. Much louder than typical open-ear models in this range.

Don’t expect the airtight bass of in-ear buds, but you do get a healthy low-end boost thanks to TOZO’s “Bass+” tuning. With the right EQ, they can sound quite lively.

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Call Quality — Legitimately Good

Call quality on budget buds is usually hit-or-miss, but people on the other end consistently told me I sounded “normal” — not like I was on Bluetooth, not echoey, not distant.

Even on a noisy street, the ENC microphones cleaned up most background noise. Road noise still creeps in, but it never overtakes your voice. For work calls or quick chats, they perform above their price class.

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Stability for Workouts

I tried everything: running, bench presses, incline work, biking, sit-ups. The OpenEarRing didn’t budge. They’re IPX5 rated, so sweat and light rain aren’t an issue.

Because they don’t plug your ear, you also don’t get that weird “pressure bounce” when jogging — a small detail that matters for long runs.

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Where They Impress the Most

After nearly a month of use, here’s what stood out:

• Ridiculously comfortable
• Natural sound for podcasts & calls
• Better volume than expected
• Stable in workouts
• Great battery life
• Way more features than a $40 product should have

These became my “daily casual use” earbuds — the ones I grab when walking, running errands, or traveling.

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One Area That Needs Improvement

The hardware and audio experience are shockingly good for the price.
The only critique I have is the TOZO app layout.

The utility features are great, but the social feed and built-in shop feel like unnecessary additions that clutter the interface. They’re not harmful, just distracting.

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Final Thoughts

The TOZO Open EarRing isn’t out to compete with high-end in-ear ANC earbuds — it’s tackling a different challenge: comfort, awareness, long wear times, and hassle-free usability.

For the price, the value is almost unbelievable.

You get great sound, clear calls, a smart charging case, a bunch of app features, and a design that fits better than most open-ear buds that cost twice as much.

If you’re looking for open-ear comfort without breaking the bank, this is easily one of the best recommendations I’ve made all year.

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