Huawei’s new FreeClip 2 headphones have launched, and their collab with Les Néréides means you can accessorise your earphones like jewellery – so I put them to the test
If you spend a lot of time wearing earphones at the gym, during your commute, in the office or walking the dog, you’ll know that after a while, they can start to feel irritating or painful. Whether you prefer a large over-ear headphone or an in-ear earphone, prolonged wear can leave your ears feeling tender and generally become a pain to wear.
Which is why when Huawei’s new FreeClip 2 headphones promised to feel like wearing nothing at all, I couldn’t wait to put them to the test; especially when Huawei timed their launch with a new collaboration with Les Néréides jewellery brand that lets you accessorise them. Comfort, style and practicality? Consider me already on board.
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The new Huawei FreeClip 2 headphones
- 38 hours battery life
- Dust and water resistant
- Dual device connection
- AI-powered algorithms automatically switch between low, medium, and high noise modes
- Adaptive volume
- Adaptive voice enhancement
- Four colours to choose from; blue, white, black and rose gold
- Priced at £179.99
- Limited‑edition bundle available, which includes two pairs of FreeClip 2 earphones and a set of Les Néréides earbud accessories (worth up to £80) for £319, saving you £120
- Until March 1, purchases via the Huawei Store can take advantage of a £20 launch coupon, plus 12 months of Loss Care and 10x HUAWEI Reward Points to put towards a future purchase.
Do they work?
The new FreeClip 2 headphones sit like an ear cuff around the outer rim of your ear, and work with bone conduction to give you clear sound whilst still letting you be aware of your surroundings. Unlike Apple AirPods which sit right into your ear canal and can be irritating after wearing them for a while, the new Huawei earphones gently sit outside of your ear for a more comfortable experience.
These conduction-style headphones are my preferred style of headphones, especially when spending a lot of time outdoors in the dark of winter walking the dog or exercising in the gym. They let me stay aware of everything around me, whilst still allowing me to listen to podcasts and music without disturbing anyone around me.
They are a little fiddly to fit into the charging case, and you will need to remove the additional jewellery to make them fit snugly back inside. The ear buds may be also slightly on the big side if you have smaller ears, although they’re easy to move around until you find the perfect placement to suit your ears.
And whilst I’ve been a die-hard fan of Shokz Openrun Pro 2 Orange Headphones for this reason for a few years now, the looped attachment between the two earpieces gets in the way when leaning my head against equipment in the gym, or trying to wear a hat in the cold. However, the FreeClip 2 headphones really do feel so lightweight and comfortable you forget you’re wearing them.
I can wear them under hats and when lying back on benches or on mats at the gym, and they sit so nicely in my ear that they don’t irritate it even after wearing them for hours on end. The sound is still crystal clear, but I’ve got a good awareness of everything around me at all times, which is key to staying safe and comfortable when out and about.
Collaboration with Les Néréides
The FreeClip 2 headphones already have a chic design on their own, with a chrome loop that sits around your ear just like a stylish ear cuff would, and they come in four chic colourways. But to really step it up a notch Huawei collaborated with the French jewellery brand Les Néréides so you can accessorise your headphones even further.
You can currently choose from three different accessories (priced between £80-£100) which slot directly onto the cuff part. You can choose from a pair of irises, cherry blossoms or cherries, and you can wear them on their own or stack them up for a layered look.
The clips are secure and snug, with no slipping around or moving, and you don’t need to worry about losing them. I love that they’re totally customisable and let you bring a little bit of added flair and style even when you’re just out on your dog walk or exercising.
