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The Belkin SoundForm ClearFit are budget open-ear earbuds with great build quality and useful multipoint Bluetooth, but they're held back by terrible battery life and mediocre sound. They work for casual outdoor use where awareness matters more than audio quality. Most people will be happier spending a bit more elsewhere.

Let's talk about what these actually do well. The build quality is a genuine standout, landing in the 91st percentile of our database. These things feel well put together, which matters when you're tossing them in a gym bag or wearing them through sweaty workouts. The ANC score sits at the 74th percentile, which is respectable for open-ear buds, though it's worth noting this is Environmental Noise Cancellation for calls, not active noise cancellation for your music. Don't expect these to block out a busy gym.

Sound quality is where things get shaky. The ClearFit lands in the 29th percentile for sound, which translates to underwhelming audio compared to most earbuds we've tested. The 14.2mm drivers push out sound that's serviceable but not impressive. Battery life is the real problem though. At the 2nd percentile, it's one of the worst we've seen in this category. The claimed 8 hours per bud plus 18 in the case sounds fine on the spec sheet, but real-world performance appears to fall well short of what competitors offer.

Stacked against the Soundcore P31i, the ClearFit wins on build quality but loses badly on battery life and sound. The P31i is a closed design, so it's not a direct form-factor match, but it's the more practical choice for most people. The Sony WF-C700N is in a different league for audio quality and noise cancellation, though it costs more and doesn't offer the open-ear awareness benefit. The Technics EAH-AZ80 is a premium option that beats the ClearFit in nearly every category, but it's also several times the price.

For open-ear specifically, the ClearFit's main competition comes from brands like Shokz, which several reviewers mention directly. The ClearFit is larger and doesn't stay on ears quite as well as Shokz models, according to customer feedback. If you're committed to the open-ear form factor for safety during outdoor workouts, the ClearFit is a budget entry point, but it's not the best execution of the concept.

At around $53 USD, the ClearFit is cheap for open-ear earbuds, but you're getting what you pay for in some key areas. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ both offer stronger overall packages in this price range, especially if battery life matters to you. The Sony WF-C700N costs more but delivers dramatically better sound and ANC. If you're strictly looking for open-ear buds and the ClearFit is on sale, it might be worth a shot for casual use. But at full price, the battery and sound compromises are hard to ignore.

The Belkin SoundForm ClearFit sits in that budget-friendly open-ear earbud space, usually around $53 USD or $95 CAD depending on where you're shopping. It's aimed at runners, hikers, and anyone who wants to hear their music without completely tuning out the world around them. The open-ear design means nothing goes inside your ear canal, so you stay aware of traffic, trail sounds, or someone calling your name while you're mid-workout.

Belkin packs in Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint pairing for two devices at once, and IPX5 water resistance. The 14.2mm drivers promise full, balanced audio, and there's Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) on the mics so callers hear you instead of the wind. On paper, that's a solid feature set for the price. But our database tells a more complicated story about how well it all actually comes together.

If you're searching for open-ear earbuds that stay put during vigorous exercise and won't break the bank, the ClearFit looks like a contender. But the numbers suggest you should know exactly what you're getting into before you hit add to cart.

Skip the ClearFit if battery life is a priority, if you care about sound quality, or if you need earbuds for gaming. The 2nd percentile battery score means frequent charging, and the 29th percentile sound won't satisfy anyone who actually enjoys music. Gamers should look elsewhere entirely, the 11.5 gaming score is a real letdown. If you want open-ear buds that stay put during intense workouts, Shokz models are worth the extra money. If you're open to closed earbuds, the Soundcore P31i or EarFun Air Pro 4+ deliver better overall value at similar prices.

Should you buy the Belkin SoundForm ClearFit? If you want open-ear earbuds on a tight budget and you mainly care about build quality and staying aware of your surroundings, these are a reasonable pick. The multipoint Bluetooth is genuinely useful if you bounce between a laptop and phone throughout the day.

But for most people, the battery life alone is a dealbreaker. Landing in the 2nd percentile means you'll be reaching for the charging case far more often than you should. The sound quality is mediocre, the mic struggles, and comfort is below average. Unless you find these heavily discounted, you're better off spending a bit more on something like the Soundcore P31i or saving up for a Shokz model if open-ear is non-negotiable.