Belkin Belkin SoundForm ClearFit True Wireless Open-Ear Review

The Belkin SoundForm ClearFit are affordable open-ear true wireless earbuds. They let you hear your environment, which is great for outdoor safety, but the sound and microphone quality are just average. Buy them if situational awareness is your main goal on a tight budget.

If you're looking for a pair of open-ear earbuds under $50, the Belkin SoundForm ClearFit is probably on your radar. These true wireless buds are designed for commutes and exercise, letting you hear your surroundings while you listen. They pack 14.2mm drivers for what Belkin calls 'Signature Sound,' and they're IPX5 rated for sweat and splash resistance. For the price, you get Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connection for two devices, and up to 18 hours of playback with the case. It's a straightforward pitch: awareness-focused audio that won't break the bank.

Our testing puts the SoundForm ClearFit's performance in perspective. Its sound quality lands in the 40th percentile compared to other wireless earbuds, which means it's fine for podcasts and casual listening but won't wow audiophiles. The bass is present but not deep, and the open-ear design naturally sacrifices sound isolation and richness. The microphone scores in the 34th percentile, so while the 'Clear Call Quality' feature does reduce some background noise, don't expect crystal-clear calls in very windy or loud environments. Battery life is a relative strength at the 60th percentile, so you'll get a solid day's use.

At around $45 to $48, the Belkin SoundForm ClearFit sits in the ultra-budget tier of true wireless earbuds. You're paying for the basic feature set of wireless audio and an open-ear design. For the same money, you could look at more traditional in-ear buds from brands like JBL or Anker that might offer better sound, but you'd lose the situational awareness. It's a trade-off. If the open-ear fit is a must-have for your safety during outdoor activities, this is one of the cheapest ways to get it.

The main competition here isn't other open-ear buds, but budget in-ear options. The JBL Tune Buds 2, for example, often dip near this price and will deliver significantly better sound and actual ANC, but they seal your ear canal completely. If you want to stay open-ear, you're looking at more expensive bone conduction headphones. Compared to the Nothing Ear (a), another popular budget pick, the Belkin loses on sound quality and features but wins on keeping you aware of your environment. The CMF Buds Pro 2 is in a different league feature-wise but costs more. It really comes down to whether you value awareness over audio fidelity.

Skip the Belkin SoundForm ClearFit if you want immersive sound for music, need top-notch call quality for work, or plan to use them in very noisy environments. They're also not for gamers due to high latency. If those are your needs, look at standard in-ear buds like the Nothing Ear (a) or JBL Tune Buds 2 instead. This product is specifically for people who need to hear the world around them first and foremost.

Should you buy the Belkin SoundForm ClearFit? Only if your top priority is staying aware of your surroundings for under $50. For runners, cyclists, or people who walk in busy areas, the open-ear design is a legitimate safety feature that's hard to find at this price. But you have to accept the trade-offs: the sound is just okay, the mic is fine, and the build feels budget. If you mostly listen at home or in the office, or if you care about sound quality at all, you can get a much better listening experience from a similarly priced pair of standard in-ear buds. This is a niche product that does its one job decently.