As a runner, I know firsthand how important it is to find comfortable earbuds that can keep up with every mile. With the rise of runners around the world, the search for the perfect accessory has become a top priority for many.

In a market filled with wireless earbuds, Xiaomi has taken a smart approach with the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo. This pair of wireless earbuds come with an open-ear design.

Although it faces competition from other open-ear wearables, bone conduction headphones, and traditional in-ear wireless earbuds, the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo strikes the perfect balance.

It fits comfortably between these niche markets, offering a unique blend of comfort, style, function, and cutting-edge technology.

Sleek and stylish

@gadgetmatch Meet the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo, Xiaomi’s newest open-ear earbuds promising all-day comfort ✨ #fyp #fypage #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypシ ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

Taking out the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo out of the box, it came in an oval, sophisticated gray case adorned with a shiny, metallic hinge. It looked like a love child between a banded agate and a smoky quartz.

Inside, you can find an odd-shaped pair of wireless earbuds that looks ritzy. Its sleek and modern design are aesthetically pleasing enough to be worn as an accessory. It perfectly matches my earrings and necklace, which are the jewelry I use when out for a run.

The OpenWear Stereo used flexible plastics and finished the design with soft-touch coatings, making it lightweight and comfortable to wear even for long periods of time.

Ergonomically, it’s designed to conform to the shape of the head and ears, and adapts to different shapes and sizes.

It rested comfortably on my temples and ensured a secure fit, even when I was sprinting or doing plyometrics.

Always hooked

My issue with most wireless earbuds is that they hurt my ears when worn for a long time. If they’re lightweight, they fall off easily, and I risk losing them during strenuous activities.

I often have to remove them whenever someone speaks to me on the street or in the gym.

The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo solves this issue with its open-ear design, allowing me to play music without blocking my ear canals, so I can still be aware of my surroundings.

Previously, I went to the gym before heading straight to judge a Jump Rope Dance Competition. The performances started, and I forgot I was wearing the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo—that’s how featherweight they are.

I could hear the music clearly while getting enchanted by performances from aspiring jump rope athletes. The best part? It didn’t cause ear fatigue.

Music for One (or Two?)

I’m no audiophile, but I do have Spotify playing music for over ten hours a day. With its design and technology, the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo gave me my own little world while still being aware of the world around me.

That’s how richly detailed the sound is—even when cars are honking outside.

When lifting weights or doing a tempo run, I repeatedly listened to BINI’s “Pantropiko” and “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi” without worrying about others hearing, thanks to its 10mm sound leakage reduction.

As long as I maintain my distance, people won’t get distracted by my songs. However, your music can be shared if a friend also owns a pair of OpenWear Stereo.

Both pairs of earbuds should be connected to a Xiaomi smartphone or tablet at the same time, allowing both users to share music and jam together.

Personally, I prefer listening solo, but if you’re someone who likes to share, don’t forget to download the Xiaomi Earbuds app.

The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo’s settings can be customized through the app, which is available in the App Store and Play Store. You can personalize it to suit your preferences, giving you full control of the device and your music.

Run, Boy, Run

I used the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo primarily for strength training and easy runs. It made me approachable in the gym, as I could engage in conversation without removing the earbuds.

I also felt confident running outdoors without worrying about sudden drizzles or near-accidents. It has an IP54 rating, which makes it resistant to water, sweat, and splashes.

When torrential rains poured in Manila, many runners stayed indoors to complete their workouts. I, however, waited for the downpour to ease into a drizzle.

I decided that a 30-minute run in light rain would be the perfect test for the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo.

All eyes were on me and my shiny, shimmering wearable as I dropped everything to meet the rain.

I didn’t need to take out my iPhone while running, as the OpenWear Stereo is compatible with it. The smart touch controls made it easy to skip tracks and find a beat that matched my cadence.

I ended up playing “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan for an extra boost of motivation.

Safe to say, the OpenWear Stereo didn’t malfunction, and it stayed securely in place throughout the 5K run. It’s truly ideal for runners—no cap.

Is This Your GadgetMatch?

The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo thrives on flexibility, offering a versatile user experience. It’s not just made for runners but for everyone on the go.

It’s easily a GadgetMatch for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings without compromising sound quality or battery life.

After all, it lasts a full day on a single charge, is comfortable enough to wear for long periods, plays richly detailed music without leakage, and stays securely in place during any activity.

The open-ear design also gives it an edge over similar devices, especially because it comes at a price that won’t break the bank.

The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo retails at PhP 6,199.