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Today I want to talk to you about a new pair of open earbuds — yes, another pair of open earbuds. It feels like the market is going absolutely crazy for this type of design lately, and I completely understand why. Open-ear earbuds are becoming the go-to option for people who want comfort, awareness, and freedom while listening.

A few weeks ago, the brand UGEE reached out to me to introduce their FRESOUND Inspiration Open Earbuds. I’ve been reviewing earbuds for years, and I’ve seen the market evolve from simple true wireless buds to this new open-ear generation that prioritises comfort and real-life usability over complete isolation.

So, I received the FRESOUND Inspiration earbuds, tested them in my daily routine — from long writing sessions to walks with my dog here in Bristol — and here’s my honest review of this pair of super affordable open earbuds.

Packaging & First Impressions

Let’s start with the packaging — because honestly, it’s really cute.
Okay, this might not be the most masculine design out there, but it’s undeniably charming. The FRESOUND Inspiration Open Earbuds come in a box decorated with a soft floral theme, and I have to say, it instantly caught my eye.

I actually like when brands put a bit of thought into their packaging. It tells you something about how they see their product — not just as a tech gadget, but as something that can make a nice gift too. In this case, UGEE went for something playful and delicate rather than minimalist or ultra-techy, and I kind of love that.

If you’re looking for a present for your wife, partner, or daughter, these earbuds make perfect sense. The box is cute, full stop — and it gives off a nice “feel-good” vibe even before you open it.

Design & Comfort

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Now let’s talk about the design — starting with the charging case.
Obviously, due to the shape of the earbuds, the case is larger than your traditional AirPods-style case. But that’s expected with open earbuds. What surprised me, though, is how good it feels in the hand. The matte white plastic has a soft, premium touch to it, and the UGEE silver logo on the lid adds a nice touch of class. It’s simple, minimal, and feels far from cheap.

Once you open the case, you’ll find the earbuds sitting neatly inside. They’re easy to remove, and immediately you can tell how well they’ve been designed. I’ve tried quite a few open-earbuds over the past year, and honestly, these are among the lightest, cutest, and best-made I’ve seen.

They’re incredibly flexible, adapting effortlessly to the shape of your ears. You don’t feel that “pressure” or fatigue that you get from traditional in-ear designs. In fact, they’re so light that I can wear them all day long — from morning writing sessions to evening walks with my dog — without even thinking about them.

And if you wear glasses, no worries at all. They sit perfectly around the ear without interfering with the arms of your frames — something I always pay attention to, since I wear glasses myself.

UGEE really did something right here. The design and comfort are spot on, and it’s clear that they’ve put genuine thought into how people actually use these earbuds in everyday life. Skin-friendly comfort. Full-wrap liquid silicone and as light as 8.7g.

Sound Quality & Performance

me wearing the Fresound

The Fresound Inspiration Open Earbuds are really comfy

Of course, it’s difficult to compare an $80 pair of earbuds (currently discounted to around $32 for Halloween) with more premium models from big audio brands. But honestly, for the price you pay — especially with that discount — the sound quality is solid.

Yes, it lacks a bit of bass, as most open-ear designs do, but the mids and highs are well balanced and clear. Voices come through naturally, and there’s a nice openness to the sound that works perfectly for podcasts, calls, or casual music listening. There’s no companion app to customise the EQ, but honestly, I didn’t feel it was missing. Straight out of the box, these sound surprisingly good for what they are. The Fresound Open Earbuds are custom-tuned HiFi. Expert-tailored for creators.

They can also get very loud, but you’re never cut off from your surroundings — which is exactly the point of open earbuds. You can hear what’s going on around you while still enjoying your music, which makes them ideal for running, cycling, or working from home when you still want some awareness of what’s happening nearby.

Call quality is good, and I had no issues with people hearing me clearly on the other end. The touch controls work fine once you get used to them, and the Bluetooth connection to my iPhone was instant and stable every single time. Battery life is solid, too — enough for a full day of listening without worrying about recharging.

Of course, if you’re chasing the ultimate audiophile experience or that deep, punchy bass, the FRESOUND Inspiration won’t replace your premium headphones. But if you’re after a comfortable, lightweight pair of earbuds for everyday use, with a design that keeps you connected to the world around you — at this price, it’s what I’d call an absolute steal.

Final Thoughts

After spending a good couple of weeks with the FRESOUND Inspiration Open Earbuds, I have to say I’m impressed — not because they’re perfect, but because they’re so much better than you’d expect for the price. UGEE has clearly managed to take the know-how from their tech background and deliver something that feels thoughtful, well-made, and genuinely pleasant to use day after day.

I’ve used them while writing at home, taking my dog out for a walk through the lanes of my town here in Bristol, and even while cooking in the kitchen — and each time, they’ve delivered that perfect balance between sound and awareness. You can enjoy your music or podcasts without completely cutting yourself off from what’s happening around you.

They’re light, flexible, and comfortable enough to wear all day, and for that reason alone, I think they’ll appeal to anyone who finds traditional in-ear earbuds uncomfortable. Add the cute packaging, the stable connection, and the very fair price, and you’ve got a pair of open earbuds that really deserve attention.

No, they’re not here to rival your £200 audiophile buds. But they don’t need to. They’re fun, affordable, and practical — and that’s exactly what makes them worth it.

So, if you’re after a budget-friendly, all-day-comfort pair of open earbuds that look good, feel good, and sound perfectly decent, the FRESOUND Inspiration by UGEE are well worth a try. Available at Fresound.com (here) with a huge 60% off!

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Extremely lightweight and comfortable — even with glasses
Cute, thoughtful packaging (great gift idea!)
Solid sound quality for the price
Instant Bluetooth connection and stable touch controls
Good battery life and reliable call quality
Perfect for working from home, walking, or running while staying aware of surroundings

Cons:

Limited bass (as expected with open-ear design)
No companion app or EQ customisation
Case is a bit larger than standard in-ear models
Not designed for full noise isolation

Jerome.

Disclaimer: UGEE kindly sent me the FRESOUND Inspiration Open Earbuds for review purposes. As always, all opinions in this post are my own. This article also contains affiliate links — meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.