Soundcore AeroClip by Anker

Open-ears – Soundcore leading the way

There are now several models of open-ears in clip design, but no one seems to be pursuing this innovative approach as consistently as Soundcore, Anker’s audio brand. Soundcore C30i, C40i, and now Soundcore AeroClip – each of these products brings new ideas, different materials, and a constantly improving sound. Moving away from bass-light and unbalanced towards full-bodied and assertive.

The open design of open-ears is both a blessing and a curse, presenting developers with numerous challenges. On the one hand, there’s the very comfortable fit, good environmental awareness, and unobstructed airflow in the ear; on the other, there’s the challenge of achieving strong enough bass, solid mids, and treble performance.

The key is to position the drivers as close and as firmly as possible in front of the ear canal – only then can the sound develop to the point where it can truly rival that of leading in-ear headphones. That said, I believe open-ears and in-ears, with their distinct strengths and weaknesses, can coexist peacefully and be used interchangeably.

Soundcore AeroClip – the hardware

The AeroClip come in Midnight, Champagne Mist, or Rosy Brown, along with a non-wireless charging case, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and two pairs of ear grips in L and M made from soft silicone. For users with thinner outer ears, these grips can be slipped over the small, coffee bean-sized rear component of the AeroClip to narrow the clips and secure their position on the ear. Soundcore also includes a quick start guide and cleaning instructions.

The clips are even slimmer and more compact than, for example, the C40i, and the driver openings have been repositioned to sit more precisely in front of the ear canals.

The pressure on the ear is generated by a 0.5 mm thin titanium wire with memory properties embedded in a C-shaped thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) ring. I found it unobtrusive – even after hours of wearing, I experienced no pressure or pinching sensation.

Sometimes I even forgot I was wearing the Soundcore AeroClip at all, thanks to the airy and open feel, with nothing inserted into the ears. The IPX4 rating provides sufficient protection against sweat and rain, making them suitable for outdoor sports activities.

Technology of the Soundcore AeroClip

They connect via Bluetooth 5.4, with sound delivered to the 12 mm dynamic drivers via SBC and AAC codecs. Indoors, the range is around 10 metres or into the next room; outdoors with a clear line of sight, more than double that before the signal starts to stutter. Multipoint connectivity with two devices at once is also supported.

Battery and playback time

Battery life is stated at eight hours at medium volume, with two full recharges from the case, giving a total net playback time of 24 hours without external power. A quick-charge feature delivers three hours of playback after ten minutes in the case. As mentioned earlier, the case does not support wireless charging.

Operation of the Soundcore AeroClip

The AeroClip are controlled via touch-sensitive areas along the entire length of the clips. This works surprisingly accurately and reliably. To reduce accidental touches, the AeroClip do not respond to single taps or tap-and-hold gestures. However, this limits control somewhat, as only two gestures (double-tap and triple-tap) are available. These can be used for play/stop, skipping forward and backward, but not for volume adjustment.

Desired commands can be easily assigned in the Soundcore app, which also provides an 8-band EQ and six sound presets. The “Dual Connection” menu controls multipoint operation, allowing you to pair additional sources during playback, choose which two devices remain connected, or disable the feature entirely.

Other handy features include a “Find My Clip” function, which plays a loud sound to locate a lost clip (provided it’s paired), firmware updates, a sleep timer, and the option to rename the device. One feature I’d like to see is an auto-pause when one or both buds are removed – currently, playback continues.

Sound of the Soundcore AeroClip

With the EQ set to Bass Booster, I can say: another step closer to the sound of comparable in-ears. The Soundcore AeroClip deliver bass that is fuller, rounder, and stronger than the C40i from the same brand. Presence and depth are good to very good in quiet environments, and chart hits like Echo by Tom Walker sound punchy and stable up to around 80% of maximum volume.

Vocals and acoustic instruments are rendered warmly and naturally in the generous mids, while the treble remains clear and fresh – though not entirely open, with a slightly restrained character. Overall, the sound is rich, dense, and loud enough to hold its own in moderately noisy environments.

By design, open-ears keep you more connected to your surroundings than isolating systems. This creates a natural listening experience that is less fatiguing, but it also means that outside noise is less attenuated – at times, such as walking along a busy road, podcasts can become almost inaudible.

On a bike, some wind sensitivity is noticeable, but it’s not the unpleasant technical hiss or whistling you get with in-ears using ANC or transparency mode. Sound leakage to bystanders is better controlled than with other open-ears – people nearby won’t hear your audio as clearly.

Telephony with the Soundcore AeroClip

Four microphones ensure good intelligibility. Voices are described as slightly boxy but largely free from ducking artefacts by the other party. In noisy environments, the person you’re calling benefits from the good noise reduction algorithms more than you do – as the caller, you may struggle to hear in very loud surroundings and need to find a quieter spot.

Conclusion

Open-ears keep getting better, and the Soundcore AeroClip show where this format can go with continuous development. Full, powerful sound that’s increasingly bass-rich and assertive, without losing the airy, open connection to the surroundings or blocking the ears.

Points are lost for the limited remote functionality due to fewer gestures and the lack of auto-pause when removed. Nonetheless, the Soundcore AeroClip are highly recommended for their comfortable fit, secure placement, and suitability for anyone interested in the open-ear concept who doesn’t want to compromise on sound quality.