Maxell OWS Pro Open Wireless Earhooks Are Our New Favorite Headphones for Wireless Listening
Over the years, I've tried countless varieties of Bluetooth headphones, from over-ear and on-ear varieties to in-ear earbuds and more, but despite everything, I still preferred using my wired earphones whenever I can.
When I'm working at my desk on the computer, I like to use the classic EarPods, and I even have the a pair with a Lightning Connector so I can plug into my iPhone for easy listening. Maybe it's because I have small, sensitive ears, but most options tend to either be too heavy or too snug, and even earbuds that fit comfortably make me hear my pulse in my ears in a way that drives me nuts.
So when the team at Maxell reached out to be to see if I'd be interested in covering their OWS Pro Open Wireless Earhooks, I was a little reluctant, but intrigued. They're innovative earbuds that hang around the ear, delivering immersive sound into the ear without being inside the ear. The brand was kind enough to send me a couple of pairs to try for myself, and I can officially say I'm a wireless headphone person.
The Earhooks
Maxell's OWS Pro Open Wireless Earhooks are Bluetooth headphones that fit securely on the outside of the ear. Despite not actually going in your ear, they're designed to sound great, providing high-quality, immersive sound without blocking out your surroundings. They come in a case that doubles as a charger, offering six hours of playtime, extended to 18 hours with two charges via the case. The case also charges quickly via USB-C, so you rarely have to worry about low batteries.
At the time of this writing, the headphones are available on Amazon in Arctic (clear) for $29.74, with Ocean (blue) and Bubble Gum (pink) color options on the way.
(via Amazon)
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The Experience
My Maxell OWS Pro Open Wireless Earhooks arrived partially charged and ready to go as soon as I removed them from the case, and connecting them to my phone was a breeze compared to other Bluetooth headphones I've used. The included pamphlet told me I'd find it as "Maxell OWS" on my Bluetooth list. Instead, I found it listed as "CO1," but once I selected that, the earhooks were connected and ready to use.
I'll admit that it did take me a minute to acclimatize myself to the unique shape of the earhooks and how to put them on. As a newbie with earhooks, I didn't immediately find the design intuitive, but it only took wearing them a couple of times for it to click, and now I don't even have to think about it when I put them on.
More importantly, though, they sounded incredible. The audio was high-quality, pumping sound right into my ear, without actually being in my ear. Whether I was listening to my favorite music, a podcast, watching videos on YouTube or enjoying guided meditations, they did the job beautifully without blocking out the sounds of my surroundings. They can also get quite loud—louder than I'd ever want or need to use them—but if you prefer high volumes, these won't let you down.
(via Maxell)
Being just outside your ear also makes them great for activity and exercise, since they let you maintain situational awareness and movement doesn't really impact the sound, like you might experience exercising with in-ear headphones. Even better, they never make me hear my own heartbeat in my ears. Not to mention, they're quite comfy.
Since they go over my ear, rather than inside of it, they never feel like they're stretching or straining my ear, and the over-the-ear position makes them comfortable to wear for hours, even layered with my glasses above them. In fact they feel like nothing, so I can often forget I'm even wearing them. This makes them great for listening to soothing music or a meditation to help me get to sleep. And even though I tend to toss and turn a lot, these earhooks stay in place and are still right where I left them when I wake up.
It also helps that their battery life seems to go on forever. Each earhook lasts for about six hours before depleting, though I've never used them that long in a row. When they're not in use, putting them back into their convenient carrying case also disconnects and charges them, so each earhook can operate for a total of 18 hours on a single charge of the case. That's even more convenient if you, like me, often only use one earhook at once. I just have to occasionally charge the case via USB-C when I notice the earhooks aren't charging when they're put away (indicated by flashing lights), which only takes 90 minutes or so.
(via Amazon)
Each earhook is also equipped with a single button that provides access to basic functions. A short press on either will pause or play your music, while you can adjust the volume by double-clicking the right ear hook to make it louder, and the left to make it quieter. Triple-clicking the left earhook will also skip a track, while triple-clicking the right one will go to the previous track.
The earhooks can also be used to accept, end or reject calls, as well as access voice controls, though I wish this could be disabled somehow. Early on in my experience with them, I discovered it was a little too easy to mistakenly start calls without knowing it, accidentally calling my cousin in the process. Since then, I've learned to handle the earhooks more carefully when putting them on or taking them off, carrying them by the loop that goes over the ear, rather than the speaker portion, and I haven't repeated that mistake. After dozens of hours of listening, they're easily my new favorite pair of headphones.
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Bottom Line
Overall, I'd recommend Maxell's OWS Pro Open Wireless Earhooks to pretty much anyone who's looking for a great headphone option outside of the traditional headset-style headphones or earbuds. They come at a great price, sound fantastic and are comfortable while being convenient to sync and charge. Unless you're looking for something super specific, like noise canceling options, these are a great option, and for just around $30, they're worth every penny.
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