1More S20 Ultra Review: Lightweight Open-Ear Workout Earbuds

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The 1More S20 Ultra is a budget open-ear clip-on earbud aimed at runners, cyclists, and commuters who want to stay aware of their surroundings. The listing highlights an ultra-light 5.5g per earbud design, an 11mm triple-magnet driver, and support for LDAC Hi-Res audio. A charging case extends total battery life to a published 40 hours, and the earbuds carry an IPX5 water resistance rating in the feature bullets.

This product does not use an active noise cancelling system, which is an intentional choice for open-ear listening. The listing instead promotes BISA spatial audio and SDT 2.0 directional sound to manage soundstage and leakage. Buyers who want a sealed fit with strong bass isolation will need to look elsewhere, but those who need situational awareness may find the design appealing.

Sound Quality

The published driver configuration is an 11mm triple-magnet design with a 4-layer diaphragm. The listing says this setup supports SuperBass 3.0 for powerful low frequencies, clear vocals, and crisp highs. LDAC support is a meaningful inclusion at this price tier, because it allows higher bitrate wireless audio from compatible Android devices than the baseline SBC codec.

Open-ear earbuds do not seal the ear canal, so bass perception often depends on how well the driver output is directed. The listing states that SDT 2.0 directional sound reduces leakage and concentrates audio toward the ears. BISA spatial audio is said to build a multi-layer soundstage, but the listing does not publish a frequency response graph or distortion figures, so real world performance remains unverified.

On paper, the combination of a large 11mm driver and LDAC suggests the 1More S20 Ultra should sound clearer and more detailed than many budget open-ear models. However, buyers who expect the deep sub-bass of a sealed in-ear monitor may be disappointed. The open design prioritizes environmental awareness over low-end impact.

Comfort and Fit

At 5.5g per earbud, the S20 Ultra is impressively light on paper. BalanceAIR+ 3.0 is described as an ergonomic layout with balanced weight distribution to relieve ear pressure. The clip-on design uses flexible memory titanium C-rings that bend to the shape of the ear, which may help avoid the pinching or fatigue that some rigid ear hooks cause.

The listing mentions breathable, skin-friendly materials for all-day wear. A secure fit is claimed for gym sessions, commutes, and daily movement. Fit is individual, and no earbud works for every ear shape, but the memory titanium material suggests the C-rings can adapt without requiring constant adjustment.

The claim of cloud-like comfort is common in open-ear marketing, and the 5.5g weight is among the lightest in this category. Without in-person testing, the true long-term comfort can only be confirmed by individual wearers, but the published design choices are sensible for reducing pressure points.

Noise Control and Features

The term noise control here applies to call clarity and directional sound, not active noise cancellation. The listing does not state that the S20 Ultra has ANC. Instead, four directional beamforming microphones with AI noise reduction are designed to lock in the voice and suppress wind and surrounding noise during calls.

The open-ear design provides natural ambient awareness, which the listing frames as a safety benefit for commuters, runners, and outdoor workers. SDT 2.0 directional sound is intended to reduce audio leakage, though some sound will always escape an open earbud. The feature set also includes BISA spatial audio and LDAC, but no companion app or touch control customization is described.

• Open-ear ambient awareness for safety
• Four microphones with AI noise reduction for calls
• LDAC and BISA spatial audio support
• IPX5 water resistance for sweat and rain
• SDT 2.0 directional sound to reduce leakage
• No active noise cancelling listed

Battery, Bluetooth and Connectivity

Battery life is a strong point on paper. The listing states 8.5 hours of playback per charge and up to 40 hours total with the charging case, with SuperBass 3.0 enabled. That is enough for several workouts or a full workday with the case providing top-ups.

Bluetooth connectivity includes LDAC and SBC codec support, but the listing does not publish a Bluetooth version number. There is no mention of multipoint pairing, a wired option, quick charging, or wireless charging for the case. Buyers who need confirmed app control or low-latency gaming mode will not find those details in this listing.

The absence of a published Bluetooth version is not unusual for budget listings, but it makes on-paper comparisons harder. LDAC requires a compatible source device, and SBC remains the fallback. For most everyday use, Bluetooth reliability will depend on the device and environment, which the listing does not address.

Build, Design and Portability

The earbuds use a clip-on open-ear form factor with memory titanium C-rings and skin-friendly materials. The listing says the single earbud weighs 5.5g, and the overall design is meant to be flexible and secure. A gold color option is mentioned in the listing title.

Water resistance is listed as IPX5 in the feature bullets, which covers sweat, rain, and light splashes. The listing title says IPX54, which is a different rating, so buyers should clarify which rating applies before purchase. The charging case is included, but its size, weight, and durability are not published.

Call Quality and Daily Use

Call quality on paper is a highlight because of the four directional beamforming microphones and AI noise reduction. The listing claims the system eliminates wind and surrounding noise while locking in the voice, which suggests usefulness for runners, cyclists, and outdoor workers who take calls in noisy environments.

Daily use is supported by open-ear awareness, so you can hear traffic, announcements, and conversations without removing the earbuds. The lightweight clip design may stay comfortable during long wear. However, no mention of sidetone, muting, or call controls means buyers should verify those functions if they are important.

The open-ear form factor also means you hear your own voice naturally, which can reduce the occlusion effect found in sealed earbuds. The AI noise reduction is described as working in real time, but the listing does not publish microphone frequency response or sample audio, so call performance remains an estimate.

Who Should Buy It

The 1More S20 Ultra is best suited for people who want open-ear audio while exercising or moving through the city. Runners and cyclists can keep hearing traffic, gym users get a secure clip fit, and commuters can listen without blocking train announcements or conversations.

Budget-conscious buyers who value LDAC support and long battery life may also find this model attractive. It is not for those who need deep noise isolation or heavy bass, but it fills a clear niche for lightweight all-day open-ear wear.

If you have tried in-ear monitors and found them uncomfortable or isolating, the S20 Ultra may solve those problems. It is also worth considering as a secondary pair for runs or bike commutes when you want to keep your primary noise cancelling headphones at home.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If you need active noise cancelling, over-ear models like the Bose QuietComfort 45 or Sony WH-1000XM5 are safer choices for travel and office use. Those headphones block far more sound and provide a sealed listening experience, but they are not open-ear clip earbuds and they cost more.

In-ear options like the Apple AirPods Pro offer ANC in a compact form, though they seal the ear canal. For wired critical listening, the Sennheiser HD 560S and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x remain reference points for open-back and closed-back sound, but they are not wireless or designed for workouts. The Anker Soundcore Space One is another budget over-ear with ANC if you want noise control without moving to a premium price.

Verdict

The 1More S20 Ultra earns an 80 out of 100, based on its strong published comfort, battery life, LDAC support, and water resistance. The open-ear design is a deliberate trade-off, and the listing is clear about the lack of active noise cancellation. Buyers who understand that limitation will likely see good value in this budget model.

The main uncertainties are the missing Bluetooth version, app support, and the inconsistent water resistance rating between the title and bullets. Those are not dealbreakers for everyone, but they prevent a higher score. Overall, the S20 Ultra looks like a practical open-ear option for active users who want quality wireless audio without blocking the outside world.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Corsair HS35 v3

Budget conscious gamers who want a wireless headset that works across PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile.

Read the Corsair HS35 v3 review →

Fosi Audio K5 Pro

Wired desktop gaming and music listening with high impedance headphones and powered speakers.

Read the Fosi Audio K5 Pro review →

1More Triple Driver Headphones Earbuds

Budget conscious wired listeners who want a triple driver IEM with Hi Res Audio, inline controls and a USB-C adapter for music, gaming or calls.

Read the 1More Triple Driver Headphones Earbuds review →

Head-to-Head Comparisons

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Questions Buyers Ask