GOG100, GOJ05, S7, Ola 1 or Open2: which open-ear sport earbuds to choose
In short
All five models leave the ear free, so you hear traffic and people around you while you listen. The differences are in the hold, water resistance, weight, battery and sound.
The GOG100 for sprints, the gym and rain. The GOJ05 for long runs, the lightest of the hook models. The S7 for sound aimed at the ear, so people nearby hear less. The Ola 1 for anyone who wears glasses or a bike helmet. The Open2 for fuller bass and calls in the wind.
The hold
The GOG100 and GOJ05 have a hook behind the ear. On the GOG100, the hook has a flexible titanium core that holds the bud firmly through sprints, jumps and burpees. The GOJ05 are lighter and suit steady running over long distances.
The Ola 1 clip onto the rim of the ear rather than behind it, so they do not clash with glasses arms or bike helmet straps. For anyone who cannot stand anything behind the ear, the clip is usually the more comfortable choice.
Water and dust resistance
The GOJ05 are IPX4: they handle sweat and splashes from any direction, enough for the gym and light rain. The GOG100 and Ola 1 are IPX5, resistant to water jets, for heavy rain. The S7 are IP55 and the Open2 IP56: the first digit, 5, also means dust protection, useful on trail paths and country roads.
None of them is made for swimming. For what each code means, see our guide to IPX4, IPX5, IP55 and IP67.
Weight
The Ola 1 are the lightest, 6.8 g a bud. Next come the GOJ05 at 8.1 g, then the Open2 at 9.2 g, the GOG100 at 9.4 g and the S7 at 9.9 g. A 3 g difference does not seem much, but after an hour of running you feel it, especially with buds that sit on the ear rather than in it.
For runs of over an hour, the GOJ05 and Ola 1 are the least noticeable. For short, intense workouts, stability matters more than the extra gram.
Battery
On one charge: the S7 last 12 hours, the Open2 11, the GOG100 10, the Ola 1 9 and the GOJ05 8. With the case, the total reaches 48 hours on the S7, 44 on the Open2, 42 on the GOG100, 36 on the Ola 1 and 32 on the GOJ05.
Even the GOJ05's 8 hours are enough for a marathon. The difference shows mostly for people who also wear the buds outside sport, all day, or on long bike rides.
Sound
Open-ear buds have, by nature, less bass than buds that go into the ear. Bigger drivers help: the Open2 have 18 mm, the largest of the five, and the fullest bass. The S7 have 17 mm directional drivers that aim sound at the ear, so people next to you hear less of your music.
The GOG100 have a 16.2 mm driver, the GOJ05 14.2 mm, and the Ola 1 a 12 mm dual-magnet driver. For podcasts and music at moderate volume, all sound clear; the differences show mostly in the bass and in loud traffic.
Calls and connection
For calls in the wind, the Open2 have three microphones on each side, which help your voice come through clearly. The S7 and Open2 also support the LC3 codec, for phones with LE Audio. The GOG100, S7, Ola 1 and Open2 have Bluetooth 5.4, and the GOJ05 Bluetooth 5.3.
All of them connect to iPhone and Android and use the SBC and AAC codecs.
What to choose, by sport
Sprints, the gym, CrossFit, rain: the GOG100. Long runs, marathons: the GOJ05. City running where you do not want to disturb others, or dusty trails: the S7. Cycling with a helmet, sunglasses or glasses: the Ola 1. Running and long walks with bassy music and calls on the way: the Open2.
If you are torn between two, choose by the hold: a hook for maximum stability, a clip for glasses and helmets. Our guide to running earbuds that do not fall out explains how to choose the hold in detail.
Every model is in the shop, under open-ear sport earbuds.