TOZO have been quite a few open ear type of earbuds, and the TOZO Open EarRing is their take on increasingly popular ear-ring style of earbuds. The TOZO Open EarRing retails for ~S$63 which puts it in affordable open-ear category, an is an option for those promising comfort and awareness of the environment.
Build quality and battery life
Right out of the box the TOZO Open EarRing has a pretty decent construction. Each earpiece weighs just over 5 grams and uses a two-part design: a rounded inner section that houses the 12mm dynamic driver, and an outer module that contains the battery and electronics. These are connected via a flexible loop that allows the EarRing to wrap securely around different ear shapes without requiring any piercing or in-ear insertion.
Materials are largely polycarbonate, but they feel sturdy when handling them. The flexibility of the connecting loop allows for repeated bending and adjustment without feeling fragile, and once clipped on, the EarRing maintains its shape well. The charging case is compact and solid, with a built-in LED display that shows remaining battery levels which is a nice touch at this price point. Charging is handled via USB-C.
Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours at moderate volume, which is pretty competitive for the category.
Fit and comfort
Comfort and fit is where the TOZO Open EarRing truly stands out. Because the earbuds do not enter the ear canal at all, there is none of the pressure, fatigue, or “plugged ear” sensation commonly associated with in-ear earbuds. They are really lightweight in your ears as well.
The flexible loop allows the EarRing to accommodate both small and large ears. There is some tension to the loop so once you dial in the fit, it really kind of just stays there. During my testing, the fit remained stable even with head movement, and they managed to stay quite steady even when taking them out for my runs. TOZO could in future versions, line the inner part of the earbuds will rubber or silicon so that it can stay more secure during workouts.
Sound quality
The sound quality of the TOZO Open EarRing is pretty decent for a pair of open-ear earbuds. It’s not the best I’ve heard but is good enough for the average user. The 12mm dynamic driver sits close to the ear canal and is angled in a way that directs sound more effectively into my ears. Volume output as a result is also stronger than average for open-ear earbuds, making them usable even in moderately noisy environments.
The overall tuning leans balanced with a slight brightness. Bass is present but understandably lacks the sub-bass depth of traditional earbuds. The midrange is clear enough, allowing vocals and instruments to come through cleanly without sounding too thin. I did find more complex musical can impact clarity and separation. Treble is airy, giving an open presentation, the high-hats aren’t too well defined. Overall, the TOZO Open EarRing still has above average sound as doesn’t sound thin like some other open-earbuds. Of course, manage your expectation accordingly if you have not used a pair of open-ear earbuds before.
App Support
TOZO offers a companion app for both iOS and Android, adding useful customization to the Open EarRing. Within the app, users can choose from a variety of EQ presets or create and save custom EQ profiles to better suit personal preferences.
The app experience is largely straightforward and also offers touch control customisation. There is even a setting to do some sort of water drainage which could be handy after every workout done with the Open EarRing.
Conclusion
The TOZO Open EarRing is a product that prioritises comfort and awareness that still offers decent sound quality to the extent as other open designs do. At ~S$63, it is a good entry price for one to test out the ear-ring concept of earbuds and explore the usability and comfort that comes with it.