Haylou Airfree Review: Best Budget Open Ear Clip Earbuds Under $30?

If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed that most good earbuds these days come with a pretty hefty price tag. Whether you’re into open-ear clips for that spacious sound or want something comfortable for long listening sessions, it seems like you have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a decent pair. But what if I told you there’s a game-changer on the market that flips that idea on its head?

That’s where the Haylou Airfree comes in. It’s a new set of open-ear clip earbuds that give you top-notch sound quality—they do it at an insanely affordable price. We’re talking about 30 bucks! which is a steal compared to what’s out there. So, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about these budget earbuds.

Before diving into the specifics of the Haylou Airfree, let’s quickly talk about the brand behind it—HAYLOU. Now, you might not have heard of them before, but trust me, they’ve been around for a while, and they know what they’re doing. HAYLOU has been in the game for nearly a decade, and they’re not just making headphones. They also produce smart wearables, microphones, and other tech gadgets.

What’s interesting is that HAYLOU started out as part of the Xiaomi ecosystem. If you’re familiar with Xiaomi, you already know they’re known for offering high-quality products at affordable prices, and HAYLOU seems to follow the same philosophy. Over the years, they’ve built up quite a bit of experience and even hold more than 100 tech patents, which is pretty impressive.

So, while HAYLOU might not be as big a name as some of the heavyweights in the audio world, they’ve definitely proven themselves. Their products have a reputation for delivering solid performance without breaking the bank, and the Airfree seems to follow that tradition. Let’s see how it stacks up!

Design and Build Quality

Now, let’s dive deeper into the design of the Haylou Airfree. At first glance, these earphones don’t scream “budget.” In fact, the materials and craftsmanship suggest something far more expensive. The overall look is sleek and modern, with clean lines and a minimalist feel. The earphones come in a white and silver finish, giving them a polished, premium vibe—far from what you’d expect for something under 30$.

The lower part of the earphones is a bright white that shines nicely under the light, and the earphone cover is a smooth silver with a mirror-like finish. Honestly, it looks much better than I anticipated at this price point.

The earphones have a two-part design: one part clips behind your ear and holds the battery, while the sound cavity rests right at the opening of your ear canal. This design might seem a little unconventional at first, but it actually works quite well, especially when you’re looking for something lightweight and comfortable.

One thing I immediately noticed is how light they are. The earphones have two main parts: the battery compartment, which sits behind your ear, and the sound cavity, which fits snugly at the ear canal opening. Connecting these two parts is a flexible, elastic band made from TPU material, which is not only durable but super comfy to wear. The outside is coated with a skin-friendly silicone material that adjusts to different ear shapes, making it a pleasant experience even if you’re wearing them for hours.

Speaking of comfort, these earphones really deliver. I’ve worn them for extended periods—while working, commuting, and even during light workouts—and I almost forgot they were on. Thanks to their snug fit, you won’t have to worry about them slipping off, even when you’re on the move. They’re designed to sit comfortably without creating pressure points, which is something a lot of budget headphones struggle with.

One small design quirk worth mentioning is the power indicator on the charging case. While most budget headphones rely on simple colored lights to show battery status, the Haylou Airfree has a neat digital display that tells you exactly how much juice is left. This is something you rarely see in this price range and makes checking battery life so much more convenient.

The touch controls are located on the battery compartment behind your ear, and they allow you to manage most functions without reaching for your phone. You can play or pause music, skip tracks, answer or reject calls, and even activate your voice assistant—all with just a few taps. During my testing, I found the controls to be highly responsive, rarely missing a tap or registering a false one.

Sound Quality and Performance

Alright, let’s get into the meat of this review: the sound quality. For a pair of headphones priced at just under 30$, the Haylou Airfree delivers some surprising performance in this department. While they won’t compete with premium audiophile headphones, for their price point, they pack a serious punch.

First off, bass lovers will be pleased. The Airfree uses a super-sensitive plated diaphragm, which does a great job at handling low frequencies. The bass is strong and punchy—definitely more than I expected for budget headphones. If you’re into music genres like hip-hop, EDM, or anything bass-heavy, these will give you that satisfying, deep thump without sounding muddy.

As for the treble, the high frequencies are crisp and clear, which was another pleasant surprise. The Airfree does a good job of avoiding that harsh, tinny sound that can plague cheaper headphones. Instead, the treble has a smoothness to it, allowing you to hear fine details in vocals and instruments.

The midrange is balanced, with vocals sounding natural and not too recessed. You won’t get that ultra-warm, detailed sound that high-end headphones offer, but for everyday use like listening to pop songs, podcasts, or streaming videos, the sound is more than satisfying. Instruments like guitars, pianos, and strings come through with decent clarity, which makes for an enjoyable listening experience.

What really stood out to me is how well the Haylou Airfree handles sound separation. Despite being budget earphones, they do a great job of distinguishing between different elements of a track. You can easily pick out vocals, bass, and instruments without them clashing together, which makes for a more immersive experience.

One thing to keep in mind is that these are open-back earphones, which means they don’t isolate sound as much as in-ear or closed-back headphones. You’ll be able to hear some of your surroundings, which can be a plus if you’re using them in public or while commuting. However, if you’re looking for total noise isolation, these might not be the right pick.

Bluetooth and Connectivity Features

Let’s talk about one of the coolest features of the Haylou Airfree—its Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. At this price, you wouldn’t normally expect anything beyond basic Bluetooth capabilities, but Haylou has really stepped up here. The Airfree offer reliable connectivity and packs in some advanced features usually found in much more expensive models.

First off, the Bluetooth pairing process is as simple as it gets. Once you take the earphones out of the charging case, they’re ready to connect. If you’ve paired them before, they’ll automatically reconnect to your device without any hassle, saving you from having to dig into your phone’s Bluetooth settings every time.

Now, what really sets the Airfree apart from other budget earphones is its ability to connect to two devices simultaneously. This isn’t just the usual manual switching between two devices, either—it’s a true dual-device connection. What that means is, you can have the earphones connected to your phone and your laptop (or tablet) at the same time. If you’re listening to music on your phone and then a video call starts on your laptop, the earphones will automatically switch to the device that’s actively playing audio.

This feature is a game-changer, especially for people who use multiple devices throughout the day. No more fiddling around to disconnect and reconnect—just pause the audio on one device, and it’ll seamlessly switch to the other. It’s one of those features that, once you’ve used it, you wonder how you ever lived without it.

In terms of range, Bluetooth 5.4 provides a stable connection up to about 10 meters (33 feet). I tested this by leaving my phone in one room and walking into another, and the connection held steady without any noticeable drop in quality. Even in crowded environments with lots of wireless signals, the connection remained reliable.

Another important factor to consider is the AAC codec support, which ensures higher quality audio over Bluetooth, especially for iOS users. This codec delivers better sound quality while keeping latency low, making it ideal for streaming videos, gaming, or even just listening to music without that annoying lag.

Call Quality and Noise Reduction

When it comes to call quality, open-back earphones usually face a challenge. Due to their design, background noise can often interfere with conversations, especially in busy or outdoor environments. So, how does the Haylou Airfree stack up in this regard?

Surprisingly well, actually! The Haylou Airfree is equipped with a MEMS high-precision ultra-sensitive microphone and an AI-powered noise reduction algorithm. For the price, I wasn’t expecting much, but this setup does a solid job at minimizing background noise while keeping your voice clear during calls.

I tested the Airfree in different environments—quiet indoor spaces, noisy coffee shops, and even outdoors with wind and traffic. In all cases, the person on the other end of the line could hear me clearly without needing to ask me to repeat myself. The noise reduction worked particularly well in moderately noisy places, blocking out most of the ambient noise so that only my voice came through. While it’s not at the level of high-end noise-canceling headphones, it’s definitely impressive for something this affordable.

One thing to keep in mind is that these earphones are open-back, which means you’ll still hear some of your surroundings. That’s great for situational awareness but can be a little distracting if you’re in a very loud place. However, the Airfree balances this out nicely by focusing on improving voice pickup with its MEMS microphone and noise reduction technology, ensuring you can be heard clearly, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Additionally, if you’re someone who makes a lot of outdoor calls, the AI noise reduction algorithm is a lifesaver. It actively filters out wind noise and other background sounds like traffic or chatter, so your voice remains the primary focus. I even tried making calls while walking down a busy street, and the performance was pretty consistent—my voice stayed clear, and the background noise wasn’t too overwhelming.

App Integration

Now, if you’re the kind of person who likes to tweak their settings, the Haylou app is where things get even more interesting. Through the app, you can customize the touch shortcuts to suit your preferences. For example, if you prefer double-tapping to skip a track instead of activating your voice assistant, you can change that directly in the app. It’s a feature that gives you more control over how you use your earphones, which is impressive considering the price.

The app also lets you check the battery status for each earphone and the charging case, ensuring you never run out of power unexpectedly. Additionally, there’s an option to modify the sound effects to suit different listening styles from the EQ settings in the app lets you adjust the sound profile to your liking.

One of the standout features in the app is the ability to modify the touch sensitivity. If you find the controls a bit too sensitive or not sensitive enough, you can fine-tune them. This level of control is rare in budget earphones and makes the Airfree feel much more premium than its price suggests.

Battery Life and Charging Case Features

Let’s move on to another crucial aspect of any wireless earphones: battery life. The Haylou Airfree performs quite well in this department, especially when you consider its budget price point. These earphones give you around 5 hours of playback on a single charge, which is pretty solid for everyday use.

But here’s where it gets even better: the included charging case extends the total battery life to about 20 hours. This means that with a fully charged case, you can get several full charges before needing to plug it in again. This translates to multiple days of usage without having to worry about running out of battery. In addition to the solid battery life, the Haylou Airfree supports fast charging, meaning that even a quick 10-15 minute charge, can be fully charged in about 1.5 hours via USB-C.

Now, let’s talk about one of my favorite features of the Haylou Airfree: the digital display on the charging case. Unlike most budget earphones that rely on vague LED indicators, this case has a clear digital power display that shows you exactly how much charge is left in the case. It’s a simple addition, but one that really sets the Airfree apart from its competitors in the same price range.

Conclusion and Buying Advice

So, after exploring all the features and performance of the Haylou Airfree, it’s clear that these earphones deliver exceptional value for their price. At around $30 USD, the Airfree offers much more than what you’d typically expect from budget earphones.

If we take a look at the sound quality, the Haylou Airfree holds its own against more expensive competitors with its balanced audio performance. While they might not satisfy hardcore audiophiles, they’re perfect for everyday listening. In terms of comfort, these earphones are a winner, especially with their lightweight and open-back clip-on design. This alone sets them apart from many budget alternatives, which can feel bulky or irritating after long periods of use.

The standout features—like Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-device connection, touch controls, and app integration—are rarely found at this price point. When it comes to battery life, the 5 hours of playback on a single charge and 20 hours with the case should be more than enough. And let’s not forget the digital display on the charging case—a small but incredibly useful feature.

So, who should buy the Haylou Airfree? If you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to compromise on key features like sound quality, comfort, and connectivity, these earphones are a fantastic choice. Now I can tell you that Haylou Airfree is easily one of the best value-for-money wireless earphones out there right now. For under 40$, you’re getting features and performance that often only come with much pricier models. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on quality, these are definitely worth considering.