All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
HUAWEI FreeClip 2 review: the best open earbuds?
Huawei FreeClip 2
Open earbuds are quickly gaining popularity, thanks to the fact that they let you stay aware of your surroundings while listening to music. The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 are open earbuds with a clip-on style design, and they promise meaningful upgrades from the first generation. Are these contenders for the best open earbuds of 2026? We put them through our SoundGuys lab to find out.
The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 earbuds are for people who want open earbuds that keep their ear canals clear so they can stay aware while listening. They make sense if you value comfort and ease of use, and have the budget for top-of-the-line open earbuds. They’re not for anyone who wants isolation for flights, trains, or loud offices—these earbuds do not block outside noise.
This article was published on January 23, 2026, and this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
What’s it like to use the HUAWEI FreeClip 2?
The FreeClip 2 earbuds look like something out of sci-fi. The reflective metal buds and the fabric C-bridge that clips around your ear draw attention fast. I had multiple people ask what they were and if they could try them. If you like earbuds that double as a fashion statement, these earbuds lean into that.
More importantly, the design works. The C-bridge applies enough pressure to keep the earbuds stable while I move around, without turning painful during long sessions. That’s the hardest part of any clip-on earbud, and on my ears, HUAWEI nails the balance.
HUAWEI says the FreeClip 2 earbuds are 9% lighter and 11% smaller than the previous generation. Each earbud weighs 5.1g, and that shows—after a while, I genuinely forgot I was wearing them.
I’m picky about water resistance because I take earbuds to the gym and I live in a wet climate. The FreeClip 2 earbuds come with IP57 water resistance, and the case has IP54 protection. That combination makes these earbuds feel ready for any environment.
The FreeClip 2 case stays unobtrusive in my pocket, and the grippy exterior helps—other cases have slipped out of my hands more times than I’d like to admit, but this one is easy to hold onto.
What are the best features of the HUAWEI FreeClip 2?
My favorite feature of the FreeClip 2 is the fact that you can use either earbud as the left or right earbud. This is the feature I didn’t realize I wanted until I had it. I can wear either earbud on either side, and the earbuds detect which ear they’re on automatically. Even better, I can drop either earbud into either side of the case. That removes a constant “left/right” annoyance I deal with on most true wireless earbuds.
The onboard controls are also very intuitive. Instead of forcing me to tap a tiny “correct” spot, the FreeClip 2 earbuds let me tap basically anywhere—front, back, or even the C-bridge—to control playback. Volume control still uses a specific gesture (a swipe up/down on the back of either earbud), but that gesture feels natural.
The earbuds also support head gestures for calls (for example, shaking my head to reject a call). I treated this as a bonus rather than a must-have, but it worked well enough that I actually used it.
You’ll want to download the HUAWEI Audio app to unlock all the features of the FreeClip 2. HUAWEI gives you three EQ presets (bass, midrange, or treble emphasis) plus a 10-band custom equalizer, which is great for those who care about sound quality.
How do the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 connect?
HUAWEI uses Bluetooth 5.4 here, with support for the SBC and AAC codecs. I would’ve liked to see Bluetooth 6, given the price, but in real use, stability matters more than the version number, and I didn’t encounter any connection issues. The FreeClip 2 earbuds also support Bluetooth Multipoint, which lets me stay connected to my phone and laptop at the same time.
To pair the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, follow these steps:
- Ensure the earbuds and case are both charged.
- Place the earbuds inside the charging case and open the case lid.
- Press and hold the pairing button on the case for at least two seconds.
How long do the HUAWEI FreeClip 2’s battery last?
HUAWEI advertises 9 hours from the earbuds and up to 38 hours with the case. In my experience, the FreeClip 2 easlily last a full day of normal use. The case charges up over USB-C or via wireless charging.
How well do the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 block out noise?
Loading chart ...
The FreeClip 2 don’t block out noise—and that’s the point.
These are open earbuds, so outside noise reaches your ears freely. That makes them great for staying aware, but it also means your environment competes with your music. In an office, I heard chatter clearly. Outdoors, I heard traffic easily. If you want quiet, you want sealed earbuds with ANC instead.
How do the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 sound?
The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 suffer from the same benefits and drawbacks as most open earbuds when it comes to sound quality. You get a very immersive listening experience, but at the expense of low-end punch. That said, I did find the FreeClip 2 offer a bit more bass than other earbuds of this style.
Reviewer’s notes
Editor’s note: this review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.
Can you use the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 for phone calls?
The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 have onboard microphones that work well for taking calls, if you are in a quiet environment. On the other hand, the microphones do struggle a bit to block out background noise, so I wouldn’t suggest taking a call while walking around noisy streets.
HUAWEI FreeClip 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
HUAWEI FreeClip 2 microphone demo (Office conditions):
HUAWEI FreeClip 2 microphone demo (Street conditions):
HUAWEI FreeClip 2 microphone demo (Windy conditions):
HUAWEI FreeClip 2 microphone demo (Reverberant space):
Should you buy the HUAWEI FreeClip 2?
If you want open earbuds and you like the clip-on style, I think the FreeClip 2 earbuds make a compelling case—comfort is excellent on my ears, the earbuds are intuitive to use, battery life is strong, and the sound quality is superior to other clip-on earbuds I’ve tried.
I don’t recommend them for everyone. They’re expensive, they don’t block out noise, and the sound depends on fit. If you commute in loud environments or you want consistent sound every time you put earbuds on, sealed earbuds with ANC will make more sense. But if you value awareness and you want open earbuds, the FreeClip 2 earbuds belong on your shortlist.
Would you buy the HUAWEI FreeClip 2?
HUAWEI FreeClip 2 review: FAQs
The FreeClip 2 earbuds are lightweight and have strong water resistance, making them great for working out, if they stay securely on your ears.
No, the FreeClip 2 earbuds do not have active noise canceling.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.