Open-ear earbuds have been a growing category, but most of them ask you to trade audio quality for awareness. The Cleer Audio Arc 5 at $220 is making a serious argument that you shouldn’t have to pick.
Design & Build
The Arc 5 uses a flexible earhook design that rests the speaker module just outside your ear canal rather than inside it. At 11.5 grams per earbud, they’re noticeably lighter than previous ARC models, and the thinner hook reduces pressure during longer sessions. The redesigned acoustic structure also repositions the driver for improved sound projection. We’ve worn them through full workday commutes and workout sessions without feeling any fatigue. They come in Black and White.
The charging case is one of the most distinctive in the category. It’s compact, features an AMOLED HD touchscreen for EQ adjustments, playback control, and battery monitoring, and adds UV-C sterilization when closed. It’s a lot of case for the money, and it genuinely earns the premium feel.
Setup
Pairing is standard Bluetooth 5.4 and takes seconds. The Cleer+ app handles EQ customization, touch control remapping, and battery monitoring. LDAC requires an Android device; iOS users are limited to SBC/AAC but the experience is still solid.
Features & Performance
The Arc 5 is the first earbud to carry both THX Spatial Audio certification and Dolby Atmos optimization. In practice, the spatial presentation is noticeably wider than most open-ear competitors, which typically struggle to create depth. Head tracking means the soundstage shifts as you move, which is especially effective for games and cinematic content. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform with aptX Lossless support rounds out the codec story for Android users.
Bass is a known weak point in open-ear designs, and Cleer addresses it with DBE 4.0 Dynamic Bass Enhancement. It adds low-end weight without muddying the mids. The dual ENC microphones handle calls well, even in noisy environments. Battery life has been exactly what the spec sheet promises: 12 hours on a charge, with days of reserves in the case.
Early Verdict
The Arc 5 is among the most complete open-ear earbud we’ve spent time with. The spatial audio implementation is genuinely impressive, and the AMOLED case sets a new bar for what a charging case can do. We’re still evaluating long-term comfort through varied conditions and want more time with the LDAC codec on a range of source material before drawing final conclusions.
