Best Clip-on Headphones 2023 – Top 10 Picks

The Best Clip-on Headphones? If you had said that fifty years ago you would have got some strange looks. Headphones have become so much a part of our lives these days it seems they have always been here. They haven’t, of course. They have been around for over a hundred years, but it is only fairly recently they have become a consumer product.

And it is very recently since they become what you might call, headphones for all seasons. Who would have thought that we could use headphones to take into the water, for example? But now you can even do that!

There are specialized phones for athletes, pros and amateurs, and those people that just want to keep fit. Phones for travel, phones for airplanes, phones to go to sleep with. So, let’s have a look at one of those specialized markets and find the Best Clip-on Headphones currently available…

Top 10 Best Clip-on Headphones of 2023

1 Aurvana Air Sweat-Resistant Wired Clip-On Earphones

These clip on earphones are designed for the active person who is in search of maximum comfort. You do have to agree that they also look the part. They enjoy a very upmarket style with their champagne gold and polished metal design.

The earpiece design features a Flexnium hook over the ear, which has shape metal memory, which gives a very flexible design. They are very easy to wear and fit comfortably. They do not penetrate the inner ear too deeply and are held in place by their ergonomic design.

The sound is driven by Neodymium magnet drivers. These have very slim diaphragms that are high-performance. The earpieces have bass slots to bring forward the lower frequencies. More on this later.

The frame is made from nickel and titanium, which offers protection from corrosion caused by sweat. They are fitted with an integrated slider, which helps to manage the cables, and you can adjust that to suit yourself. The cables themselves have a thermoplastic coating, which helps to stop tangling.

As you might expect, they are very lightweight, weighing only 6 ounces. They are supplied with an attractive leather carrying pouch for when they are not in use.

Clearly, these phones set a high standard and can be considered as some of the best high end clip-on headphones around. It will be hard for anyone to match their aesthetic look. They just scream, “look at me.” But they do so in an understated, mature way as all quality products do.

Well, maybe surprisingly not as good as they look. They have a frequency response of 20Hz to 20KHz, which indicates a decent bottom end, but it is not quite there. Unusual for sports headphones that are usually heavy in the bass frequencies. The bass is there, but it doesn’t have that rich warmth that some do. High Frequencies and the mids are ok again without setting you alight.

They are a very nice set of headphones, with a stunning look but maybe not as good sounding as you might expect them to be. They are quite expensive.

2 Moffo Sport Stereo in-Ear Earbuds

These are a set of clip-on headphones that are specifically designed for use during sports. They are just great for cycling, running or jogging. Or for the gym and general fitness activity. Whilst they are designed for the active life, they are also great for Yoga or even the commute to work.

They have an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means they can handle sweat and are waterproof as well. The Nano coating is very efficient at handling sweat. If you are outside on a run, then they will also be able to handle a shower. They are suitable for actually taking into the water.

They are very comfortable to wear. In this later version, the ear hooks have been redesigned to be more comfortable. They now offer a more stable and snug fit but without being too tight or invasive. To make sure you get a nice fit, there are three sizes of ear tips enclosed in the box.

The controls are well laid out and easy to use. For music management, you have play and pause. There are also skip tracks and volume control. Taking a call is easy and can be handled without reaching for your phone. It has Bluetooth 4.1 fitted, which will give you hands-free operation up to 30 feet.

They have a lithium battery that will give you up to eight hours of use on one charge. There is a quick charge facility that will give you a further 1.5 hours if necessary. They have noise-canceling built-in.

The sound they produce is what is best described as adequate. At this price, point you wouldn’t expect anything sensational. As with many phones designed for active use, the mids are ignored in terms of overall balance. The bass is prominent, and the high frequencies quite shrill.

As a set of headphones, they are good value for money considering the price. They have some reasonable features and easy to use controls, but the sound is not the best.

3 LETSCOM Bluetooth Headphones

Letscom manufacturers a range of audio fitness related products. They are based in Japan but have connections in the UK, Denmark, and the US.

These headphones are made from good quality plastic and are designed for those running, cycling, or work in the gym. They have an IPX7 waterproof rating. And they have a Nano-coating that is effective in dealing with sweat and other light moisture. They are quite capable of dealing with light rain if you exercise outside and can actually be submerged in water for short amounts of time.

The connections are good, and they have Bluetooth 5.0, which will give you a strong and stable connection. Controls and taking calls hands-free is an easy operation. The one-button control gives you music management options. The sound for calls is very strong and one of the plus points of this headphone.

They enjoy the standard operating distance of about ten meters providing there are no obstacles in the way. They are also noise-canceling if you ensure there is a good snug fit.

Battery life is very good, giving you up to fifteen hours from a single charge. There is also a quick charge facility that will give you an extra two hours if you need it.

These phones have a decent fit, and as they are only four ounces are very lightweight. Providing you get the good fit we previously mentioned, they are quite stable during most activities. The build quality is good enough to ensure they are also quite durable.

For the price point, they are an excellent buy. But if they fall down in an area, it is in the sound. The 11cm drivers in each earbud deliver a rather loud bass sound that is flat sounding and too prominent. The highs as well are very sharp, and the mids are crowded out a bit. If you are not expecting high-quality sound, then the other features of these phones offer good value.

They come with a case for carrying.

4 Philips Earclip Headphones SHS3800

Philips is a very well-known name in consumer audio products. They were founded in Eindhoven, the Netherlands in 1893, and for many years had their base in southern Holland. In fact, one of the top Dutch football teams, PSV Eindhoven, was actually once their works team. They are now based in Amsterdam.

These ear clip headphones are designed with listening in mind rather than too much activity. The fitting is comfortable, and the pads have a soft foam that is very gentle to the touch. It sits very comfortably on the ear. There is an ear hook that goes behind your ear, which keeps them in place.

They are quite stable when you are wearing them. This will allow them to be used for fairly light activity and stay in place. Probably nor suitable for the high-intensity training some do. The cord is longer on one side. This allows you to have the cord behind your neck and out of the way if you choose.

As these are not using Bluetooth or other connections, there is no microphone included. So a lot of attention has been given to the sound.

The drivers have Neodymium magnets, which are known for their sound reproduction qualities. They tend to offer a better bass definition and to support that these phones have bass beat vents built-in. These are an interesting feature and allow the air to move around the drivers. This will produce a better sound.

The sound is very balanced with a warm bass that isn’t overpowering and well-defined mids. The top-end can get a bit bright with volume, but generally speaking, the sound is good. If we are to be critical, then the lack of noise canceling is something that might be missed.

Certainly, at this price point of connection are not important; they are good value and one of the Best Clip-on Headphones in terms of sound quality around.

5 Philips SHS3200BK/37 Flexible Earhook Headphones

These are another set of ear hook headphones from Philips, but this time very much a budget range item. They are simple phones made for those who just might want a cheaper option for listening to music. With no frills attached, they are going to appeal to those people.

They are designed to fit the shape of your ear to make sure the comfort level is high. This allows you to be able to wear them for longer periods of time without suffering fatigue. The contoured ear hook itself is soft and very flexible and clips behind the ear. It makes a stable fit and will, therefore, stay in place for what we might call low-level activity.

There is sometimes a balance to be achieved with the design of headphones like these. They have to be small enough to fulfill their function. But the buds need to be large enough to hold a decent size driver.

In this case, Philips seems to have got it about right. Each bud holds a 15mm speaker that delivers a decent sound. There is also a bass pipe that promotes the lower frequencies. This is an air-channel that pushes the bass notes forward a little. The sound is, therefore, quite balanced with no crowding. As with most products, if this kind, the highs can be a little bit shrill at a higher volume.

The cable connecting the phones is 1.2 meters long, which makes them suitable for outdoor use or when you might need to move around. They have a 3.5mm connector that is copper plated. For the price point, an excellent pair of very basic clip-on headphones.

6 Koss KSC21 SportClip Clip-On Headphones

Koss is a company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1958 and was the company that created the first hi-fi stereophones. Today they still produce audio equipment, including a range of headphones.

The KSC21 SportClip is very much a budget set of phones that offer just the very basic features. They have no Bluetooth capability and, therefore, do not have a microphone. They are though built with a decent level of comfort in mind. The ear cushions are made of soft foam and are extremely soft to the touch.

They are an over-ear design, so comfortable cushions are an important point. They give an open hear-through sound. The ear plates will pivot to suit your wearing style.

They have a frequency response of 20hz-20khz and deliver quite a good sound. Bass is not too prominent, and the mids and highs quite nicely balanced. The sound, of course, is very much in line with the price point, which is very competitive.

These represent great value if you are not looking for anything special. They are simple and with a sound performance that is best described as adequate. They are certainly not going to win any prizes, but for those that want a cheap set of clip-on phones, they are ideal.

7 Moffo Wireless Headphone (2020 Upgrade Version)

Back to Moffo for another set of sport earbuds. These are designed for the active person and have an IPX7 waterproof rating. So when you are running or jogging, on the bike or in the gym, they are secure from any moisture. They will even handle a fairly light shower if you happen to be in the rain and can actually be submerged for a little while.

They are nicely made with an in-ear design that doesn’t penetrate too deeply, and they come with three different sizes of ear tips so you can get exactly the right fit for comfort and sound. The ear hooks are made from soft silicone, and there are no wires dangling because of the neckband design.

The controls are quite extensive and mean you don’t have to use your phone. There are controls for volume, pause, and play, etc. for your music. These as well as call answering and all call management controls. Bluetooth enabled it will pair up with iOS and Android devices quickly and easily. It will operate over the standard thirty feet distance.

Battery life is good, and the Lithium battery will give you up to eight hours on a single charge. There is also a quick charge facility that will give you an extra hour and a half if needed. The remaining battery status will be displayed on your phone’s screen, which is a nice feature. A full charge will take you about two hours.

This is a very good set of phones and will be a contender for the Best Clip-on Headphones for Sports. But we are not finished with the features yet. They also have noise-canceling to cut out any unwanted distractions.

The sound is quite good and about what you expect from headphones for sports use. The low frequencies are a bit overdone, and the highs bright. As usual, the mids are ignored a bit. As the volume rises, the frequencies tend to be rather crowded, especially by the bass.

Nevertheless, a good set of clip-on headphones with many good features and good value at the price point.

8 JVC HAEBR80B Sports Clip Headphones

JVC needs little introduction as an audio manufacturer. At one time, they were one of the big names, but possibly not so much anymore. However, they still produce quality audio products.

These sports clip phones are a good design with a soft rubber ear clip that can be adjusted to hold them in place. There are five different positions to make sure you get a good comfortable, and secure fit. These are designed and built for the sports and fitness enthusiast.

The controls are well placed and easy to use on an inline remote control unit. The basic music management of play, pause, etc. are included. There are also call answering controls that allow hands-free operation. There is a built-in microphone that delivers a decent sound to the listener. The phones are compatible with Apple devices.

They are fitted with 13,5mm neodymium drivers which are larger than you often find in such phones. These deliver a decent sound with enhanced bass frequencies. At 0.46 ounces, they are lightweight and easy to wear, which makes them ideal for your companion on your run or jog.

Set at a very competitive price point, they represent great value. As long as you don’t expect too much from them, you won’t be too disappointed.

9 TaoTronics TT-BH071 Wireless Earbuds

TaoTronics are a Chinese company involved in the manufacture of audio, but specializing in headphones and earbuds for sporting use. They were founded in 2007 and now have representation in the UK, Europe, and the US as well as Japan and Singapore.

These are a very attractive design with a sturdy feel to them. They are made of high-quality plastic finished in black, and they look good. Being plastic, they are lightweight and only weigh five ounces.

Because they are designed for active use and sports, they have an IPX6 rating, which makes them water-resistant They will then adequately cope with sweat generated during your activities. They will also be able to handle a shower if you are outside.

The controls are managed through an inline controller, which is easy to use. It provides all the necessary sound management you will need, including volume, play, etc.

They have Bluetooth 5.0 installed along with the aptX codec, which gives better communications and increased stability of the signal. In doing so, it provides a better sound when streaming music. They are compatible with iOS and Android devices that are Bluetooth enabled.

Another impressive extra that makes this a contender for the Best Noise-Canceling Clip-on Headphones is the inclusion of CVC noise canceling. This can be an important feature when taking calls is concerned as it removes any unwanted external sounds.

The battery life is exceptional and gives you up to 18 hours from a single charge. Also, a nice touch is that the earbuds are magnetized. So when you have finished using them, they will clip together for ease of storage.

The sound, though, is nothing special; indeed, it is probably the weak point. They aren’t the only earbuds with what you might call adequate sound. It tends to be a standard thing with the lower-priced sets.

10 Soundcore Spirit X 2019 Version Wireless Sports Earphones

This is a set of earphones manufactured by Anker but using their brand name of Soundcore. They are another set designed for the sports enthusiast. These have a tough quality about them but are also flexible in the way they fit.

They have Flex-form ear hooks that are made to fit tightly. They are adjustable so you can get the fit exactly right. That is not too tight, but stable enough that they won’t fall off when you are exercising.

These earbuds have an IP68 rating, which is impressive and one of the highest waterproof ratings you can get. They can even be submerged in water, so getting caught out in a shower or even some heavy rain is not going to bother these at all. Complete submersion is possible because of a seal that is impenetrable for water and other liquids.

As far as headphones go, these are certainly some of the Best Waterproof Clip on Headphones you can get. The battery will give you 18 hours of consistent use. You can get an extra three hours from the ten-minute fast charge facility.

Sound-wise they are going to perform like most of the others you find, except these are a step up the quality ladder. The bass is very, very prominent; in fact, it is a real thump. If you don’t like your bass right at the front of the sound, these are not going to be for you.

They also have what is known as ‘Bass-up’ technology, which is designed to project the lower frequencies. We have to say it does rather a good job.

Of course, the sound won’t be too everyone’s taste. But it is normal for sports phones to have an accentuated bass. It doesn’t get much higher than this in the budget levels. A very good set of phones at what is still a very good price point for the qualities they have.

Best Clip-on Headphones Buyers Guide

Looking at Clip-on Headphones

Made for the active life, the clip-on headphone has made a huge difference to some activities. It seems inconceivable that you can submerge them in water. But with some products, you can do just that.

Most of them are designed for use in the gym or in other fitness-based pursuits. They are not really designed for relaxing and listening to music. Though it must be said, there were some we looked at where you could do that.

With these phones, it really is a decision on how tough you want them to be. And whether you want connection via Bluetooth?

Tough, or Not So Tough, That Is The Question?

The extent to which you subject them to the elements and your own physical activity should tell you how strong they need to be. You really don’t want a situation where they are just not suitable. Either not weatherproofed enough or just not strong enough.

Everyone will be different on that issue. There are some very rugged phones we looked at, but there were also some less physically demanding. There were even a couple where a decent walk would be about all they were suitable for. But that’s ok.

The Connections

Some people will want Bluetooth to stay in touch for calls or just for the music. Others will appreciate the distance that wired phones give you. That is, in terms of leaving technology behind for a while. Just exercising and getting away from it all. Nothing wrong with that.

Does The Design Matter?

It will to some people. There were no outlandish designs in what we looked at, but there were some attractive looking headphones. If you want to use them for other things than exercise, then a stylish pair is an advantage.

The Budget

Not much to worry about here. You could go crazy in terms of spending if you want to, but most of the phones we looked at fell in the budget range. None were expensive for what they are, and some were very affordable. You won’t have to spend a lot to get a great product.

So, What Are The Best Clip-on Headphones?

We are going to fall into the category of wanting to get away from technology for a while. We have chosen some phones that are attractive and have a decent sound. They are comfortable and easy to wear and to use.

We have therefore picked the… Philips Earclip Headphones SHS3800

They are well made using quality materials, sound good, and come at an affordable price. Therefore, easily our choice of the best clip on headphones.

Happy listening!