1MORE Fit SE Open Earbuds S30 Review: Lightweight Open-Ear Audio for Runners

Introduction

Sports headphones have come a long way from the wired earbuds of years gone by, and open-ear designs are quickly becoming the go-to choice for runners and cyclists who want music without losing awareness of the road. The 1MORE Fit SE Open Earbuds S30 are the latest entry in this category, promising a compact design, strong sound, and a very reasonable $59.99 price tag. After testing them over several mixed-terrain miles in changing weather, they make a genuinely convincing case.

Who This Product Is For

The S30 is aimed squarely at runners, cyclists, and gym-goers who want to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while still hearing traffic, other path users, and the world around them. If you have ever felt uneasy about sealing both ears off while training on open roads, an open-ear design like this solves that problem directly. It is also a sensible pick for first-time sports headphone buyers, or anyone looking to replace an older pair, and it would make a solid gift for the runner in your life.

How Open-Ear Design Works

Rather than sitting inside your ear canal, the S30 earbuds hook over your ears with the speaker resting just outside, keeping the canal completely free. You get your music and still hear surrounding traffic, which makes for a much safer way to listen while exercising outdoors.

The sound is delivered by two 14.2mm dynamic drivers, supported by a dbb low-frequency enhancement algorithm for extra low-end power and a broader sound. An advanced directional audio technology also reduces sound leakage, adds privacy, and improves the overall listening experience. Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the connection to your phone simple and stable, and four built-in microphones with an intelligent noise-cancelling algorithm filter out environmental noise during phone calls so your voice comes through clearly.

Fit and Everyday Controls

Fit has been a weak point on some open-ear headphones, with buds shifting around mid-run. That was not the case here: the S30 feels secure around the ear with no noticeable movement, even on uneven ground with steep climbs and descents. At just 10 grams per earbud, they are light enough that you can almost forget you are wearing them.

Controls take a little time to master but become simple quickly. Tapping the front panel of each earbud handles play and pause, volume changes, and skipping tracks, and you can answer calls the same way. The 1MORE mobile app also lets you customise the control settings so the earbuds work exactly the way you want.

Sound Quality on the Road and Trail

Testing started with a podcast alongside a busy road in blustery conditions, a scenario that has challenged some open-ear headphones in the past. The S30 held up well: volume was loud and clear with no problem hearing speech over passing traffic. Switching to music, the bass and treble both sounded good, with audio quality that sits comfortably among the better sports headphones recently tested.

There is one caveat worth knowing. In genuinely strong wind, some audio gets lost, and turning the volume up to maximum was needed to keep the music fully audible. Once there, everything sounded loud and clear again, but riders and runners in very exposed, windy conditions should be aware of that limit.

Battery Life and Build Quality

Battery life is impressive for such a small pair of earbuds. Fully charged, the earbuds themselves deliver 10 hours of listening, and the included protective charging case extends that to 30 hours of total use. Real-world figures will vary with outdoor temperature and volume level, which is normal for any wireless earbud. Charging is handled over USB-C, with the cable included in the box.

Build quality also stands out. The fit and finish feel solid and well put together, with good attention to detail, so they should hold up to the wear and tear sports headphones typically endure. They carry an IPX5 waterproof rating, which means they will cope with hot, sweaty summer runs and wet, windy winter outings alike.

Buying Advice

At $59.99, the 1MORE Fit SE Open Earbuds S30 offer a lot for the money: a secure and genuinely comfortable open-ear fit, strong volume and clarity, solid call quality, generous total battery life, and a waterproof rating suited to year-round training. The main trade-off is wind noise in exposed conditions, where maximum volume becomes necessary. If you are buying your first pair of sports headphones or upgrading an old set and staying aware of your surroundings matters, these are an easy recommendation.

Conclusion

The S30 nails the fundamentals that matter for training: a lightweight 10g-per-bud open-ear design that stays put, clear and loud audio, useful call handling, and 30 hours of battery with the case. Add the fair price and solid construction, and it earns a spot on any shortlist of affordable open-ear sports earbuds.