Compare Cleer ARC 5 vs H2O Audio Tri Run

The app and case provide substantial EQ flexibility, including custom tuning and multiple bands. Reviewers liked the control, although the available band count is not class-leading.

The sound is fixed out of the box because no EQ tools are provided. Listeners who dislike the stock tuning have no way to correct the weak bass or grainy treble.

The microphone system usually suppresses wind, traffic, construction, and other background noise effectively while keeping speech understandable. Very loud surroundings can still intrude because the ears remain open.

Wind handling is weak. Outdoor callers may hear wind and footstep noise more clearly than the wearer’s voice.

Reviewers who discussed imaging found it easy to locate instruments and effects, with precise stereo placement and clear directional cues.

Layered guitars and rhythm sections can collapse into a cloudy mix. The headphones struggle to keep instruments distinct when tracks become dense.

Multipoint switching between phones, tablets, and computers is consistently viewed as convenient and seamless, reducing the need to re-pair devices.

Simultaneous connection to two devices could not be established. One tester viewed the missing multipoint function as a minor limitation rather than a deal-breaker.

Call quality is widely praised, with voices coming through clear and natural during walks, workouts, and public use. Outdoor performance is generally above average for open-ear earbuds.

Call performance is inconsistent and often poor outdoors. Two callers heard fuzzy, distant, or underwater-sounding speech, although another listener considered the headset suitable for calls and spoken voices.

Fast charging is highly practical, restoring roughly two hours from a five-minute top-up. The main complaint is the lack of wireless charging.

Charging works, but the proprietary four-pin cable, USB-A connection, and lack of quick charging are frequent frustrations. Losing the cable can create an inconvenient replacement problem.

Bass is generally punchier and fuller than expected from an open design, and several reviewers liked its warmth and workout-friendly impact. The main caveat is limited deep-bass rumble, with one reviewer finding the low end poorly defined and too dominant.

Low-end performance is the clearest audio weakness: bass is usually described as light, muddy, or missing impact. A few tracks retained audible bass lines, but dense music and windy conditions exposed the limitation.

Battery life is a standout strength, commonly lasting a full workday and reaching about 60 hours with the case. Reviewers repeatedly described the endurance as impressive or category-leading.

Real-world battery life centers on roughly five to six hours, and the product generally meets that rating. Several competitors run substantially longer, though one tester considered six hours reasonable for such a light headset.

The Cleer+ app offers extensive control over EQ, gestures, case settings, battery information, and health features. Most found it useful, though one reviewer criticized its confusing layout.

There is no companion app. That keeps operation refreshingly simple, but it also removes control remapping, extra features, and software-based personalization.

Most reviewers found the ARC 5 unusually capable for open-ear earbuds, with several calling the sound excellent or class-leading. One detailed test strongly disagreed, criticizing weak definition, limited vibrancy, and performance below the premium price.

Spoken audio, vocals, and lighter pop can sound clear enough, but most listeners found music quality only average for the price. Bass-heavy and layered tracks often turn muddy or thin, while one assessment was far more positive about clarity.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive for comfort-first, awareness-focused use, with repeated praise for features, battery, and usability. Satisfaction drops among listeners who prioritize audiophile music quality, deep bass, compactness, or low price.

Overall opinion is split between a capable, simple entry-level workout headset and an underperforming alternative to stronger rivals. Secure fit and awareness earn praise, but sound, calls, battery, and charging keep enthusiasm in check.

Physical buttons complement the touch controls and give users flexible ways to manage playback and calls. Most found them useful, though one reviewer needed time to learn the case and control layout.

Physical buttons are widely preferred for workouts and are often easy to reach without breaking stride. Experiences were not uniform: some volume controls felt finicky or sticky, and one wearer could not find a reliable track-skip command.

Pairing is quick and straightforward, and basic use requires little setup. The deeper feature set can become more complex once app, case, gesture, and spatial options are explored.

Daily use is mostly simple: power on, connect, and start the workout. One reviewer found the initial two-button pairing method confusing, but most considered setup effortless.

Vocals and mids usually come through clean, natural, and forward enough for podcasts, calls, and music. Reviewers especially liked the clarity of male and female voices.

Vocals, podcasts, and other mid-focused content are a consistent strength. Voices sit forward and remain easy to understand even when the rest of the mix sounds clouded.

The ARC 5 looks cleaner, slimmer, and more premium than earlier open-ear designs. Reviewers liked the polished styling and refined hook profile.

The slim wraparound form is familiar, flexible, and unobtrusive during exercise. It creates a secure athletic fit, but the neckband style itself remains a matter of personal preference.

Bluetooth is mostly stable, quick to pair, and free of noticeable lag. One outdoor range test reported dropouts at roughly 32 feet, so long-range performance may vary.

Pairing is usually quick and reliable across everyday devices. One tester found the two-button connection process unintuitive, but the others reported seamless or trouble-free Bluetooth use.

Android users receive the fullest codec experience, including LDAC and Snapdragon-related options. iOS remains usable and solid but is limited to SBC and AAC.

Pairing with a Samsung Galaxy phone worked without issues in the available Android test. No broader Android-specific problems were reported.

Treble is commonly described as clean, detailed, and non-fatiguing rather than sharp or sibilant. One reviewer heard reduced energy and buried higher details in denser songs.

High frequencies drew conflicting reactions, ranging from clear and distortion-free to grainy. Simpler pop and spoken content fare better than demanding music.

Comfort is the strongest consensus: the thinner hooks, open fit, and balanced design remain comfortable for full workdays, workouts, travel, and long listening sessions. Many reviewers said the earbuds nearly disappear once worn.

Most wearers found the headset extremely light and comfortable for long runs, rides, and hour-plus sessions. The neckband and cheek transducers remain subjective, especially with certain head shapes, hair, collars, or piercings.

Value is the most divisive issue. Supporters believe the comfort, battery, codecs, spatial audio, and smart case justify the premium, while critics say better music quality is available for much less.

Value depends heavily on a firm $99 budget ceiling. Some see a strong entry point with excellent weather protection, while others argue that spending only a little more brings much better sound, battery life, controls, and fit options.

At about 11.5 grams per earbud, the ARC 5 generally feels light and low-pressure. A few reviewers still noticed the size or weight, especially when the fit was imperfect.

The low weight is a major advantage, with several wearers barely noticing the headset once it was on. Evenly distributed weight helps it stay comfortable during extended exercise.

The box includes the expected charging cable, guide, case, and earbuds. The printed multilingual instructions were considered useful but somewhat difficult to follow.

A silicone tightening accessory is included for smaller heads. It produced a perfect fit for one wearer but failed to resolve another wearer’s fit concerns.

Most reviewers found the fit exceptionally secure during running, jumping rope, gym sessions, and normal movement. One tester experienced an unstable, front-heavy fit on one ear, suggesting ear shape matters.

Stability is excellent for most runners and cyclists, including uneven trails and intense sessions. Head shape and high collars can still affect how securely the neckband sits.

Volume is strong enough for quiet and moderately active settings, but open-ear physics limits it around traffic, transit, and other loud environments. One reviewer found the maximum level unable to compete outdoors.

Output is adequate on quiet paths and can sound loud indoors, but wind and traffic often overpower it. One account found it capable of cutting through ambient noise, making this strongly environment-dependent.

Materials and construction feel premium, with soft-touch surfaces, sturdy components, and a design that avoids looking cheap. Reviewers generally considered the build suitable for regular active use.

The flexible silicone and rubberized construction feels light yet sturdy rather than cheap. Coatings held up during testing, and the frame was repeatedly described as dependable for active use.

IPX7 protection makes the earbuds well suited to sweat, rain, and demanding workouts. Reviewers treated them as durable for active use, while still advising against swimming.

IPX8 protection is one of the strongest features, giving broad confidence against heavy sweat, rain, and rinsing. The rating does not make Bluetooth playback usable underwater.

The open-ear fit keeps traffic, coworkers, family, and other surroundings audible without requiring a transparency mode. Reviewers repeatedly called this especially useful for running, cycling, office work, and all-day listening.

Open-ear awareness is a standout strength. Traffic, other people, and surrounding activity remain audible, making the headset especially suitable for outdoor running and cycling.

The ARC 5 works across iPhone, Android, computers, and other Bluetooth sources. Reviewers valued the flexibility for switching between work, entertainment, and mobile devices.

The headset paired successfully with iPhone, Samsung, Garmin, and Amazfit devices. That broad compatibility makes it practical across phones and fitness watches.

The AMOLED touchscreen case is one of the most praised features, offering useful phone-free access to battery, playback, EQ, spatial settings, and more. Its size and reversed left/right docking orientation are the main annoyances.

The frame generally rests gently without pinching or excessive pressure. The cheek drivers also avoid pressing hard enough to cause normal-use discomfort.

Codec support is unusually broad for the category, including premium Android-oriented options. Reviewers saw this as a major strength, though the open design may limit how much fidelity is realized in noisy places.

Replacement support can become expensive outside the home market. One UK tester found the shipping cost for a low-priced replacement charging cable unreasonably high.

The Find My function grows progressively louder and can help locate misplaced earbuds around a home. Reviewers found it practical, with the sensible warning not to activate it while wearing them.

One intensive sweat test produced no connection dropouts. Audio stayed stable even as moisture ran down the wearer’s head and face.

The wraparound frame works comfortably with glasses, hats, helmet straps, and eyewear arms. These accessories did not make the fit feel crowded in the tests that covered them.

The silicone tightening band can transform the fit for a smaller head, but it did not solve the problem for everyone. Fit adjustment is useful yet not universally effective.

Head-gesture controls work reliably for actions such as changing tracks or answering calls with a nod. They are convenient hands-free, though one reviewer felt repeated head movements could look awkward in public.

High volume can create the characteristic bone-conduction tickle along the cheeks or jaw. For some it stays mild, but others found the vibration distracting or intense enough to stop listening.

Maximum-volume performance varies sharply. Some upper frequencies stay clear without distortion, while another listener encountered tinny rattling and severe vibration at full output.

Passive isolation is intentionally minimal because the earbuds leave the ear canal open. That supports awareness but makes them a poor choice for buyers wanting outside sound blocked.

There is no onboard storage, so playback depends on a phone or connected watch. That prevents underwater listening and true phone-free use, though it matters less for athletes who already carry a connected device.

The redesigned case is easier to carry than earlier ARC generations, but opinions depend on the comparison point. Some called it compact and pocketable, while another considered it unusually large and heavy for earbuds.

The default flat tuning earned praise, and the rock preset helped bring guitars and vocals forward. Another reviewer found the presets made little noticeable difference, so their usefulness appears listener-dependent.

Sound leakage and driver positioning were judged better than average for the open-ear category in the one detailed assessment. The design still cannot contain sound like sealed earbuds.

Several reviewers heard a wide, spacious presentation with convincing directional placement, especially in movies and games. One critical review found the soundstage unexpectedly narrow and lacking expansion.

Spatial audio is a major differentiator, producing convincing depth and positional effects for movies and games. Music reactions are more mixed, with some reviewers preferring standard stereo or questioning the value in noisy environments.

Touch controls are responsive and easy to trigger without many accidental taps. The control scheme may take a day or two to become natural, but customization helps.

Standard USB-C charging is missing. The proprietary cable and USB-A end feel dated and add another accessory to keep track of.

Voice commands worked smoothly for playback and volume changes, making hands-free control especially useful during outdoor work and daily routines.