What’s up, TM Nation! In this video I’m reviewing the brand new Raycon Essential Open Earbuds after testing them for about two weeks—everything from jumping rope and workouts to voice calls and daily leisure listening. The biggest thing that surprised me is how much they’ve changed my perspective on open earbuds. A lot of open designs I tried before just couldn’t hang with in-ears on clarity, but these are definitely moving in the right direction with crisp, clear sound that doesn’t come off super airy or tiny. I break down the comfort and fit (Raycon’s “feather light” feel is legit), plus the real-world use cases where open earbuds make the most sense—morning walks, commuting, and work environments where you need to stay aware. You’re getting 36 hours total battery with the case (about 8 hours per charge), IPX5 water resistance, multipoint, and Bluetooth 6.0. I also cover the three sound profiles (Balanced is my go-to), touch controls, and call quality, along with the trade-offs: no onboard volume controls, no companion app, and no hi-res codecs like aptX/LDAC. For the price, especially with the discount bringing them down near $60, I think they’re a strong budget open-ear pick for most people.