Perfection is hard to find in life, and so it is with the world’s many and varied earbuds. In my hands-on Edifier Comfo C earbuds review, I look at how the supremely comfortable and secure the clip-on wireless earbuds fit, making them a solid choice for many active users. And yet for me, that same fit keeps the sound quality from being all it could be, which makes me less likely to wear the buds.
Edifier Comfo C/R1 Open-ear Wireless Earbuds (clip on)
As someone who’s frequently on the move, I notice that finding comfortable, secure-fitting earbuds with excellent sound and a nice slate of features can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Enter the Edifier Comfo C wireless clip-on earbuds (also branded as R1 in different colors). They’re a promising contender in the world of portable audio — for someone. But not really for me. After a week of putting these little gadgets through their paces, I’m ready to spill the beans on why they might be great for some people but not me.
Comfort: A clip above the cut
The moment I unboxed the Comfo C earbuds, I was struck by their unique clip-on design. Skeptical at first, I felt unsure how to wear the sort of double-budded earbuds. So I clipped them on while looking in the mirror, noting where the speaker is supposed to face (into my ears), as opposed to the Edifier branding, no doubt meant to face outward and be visible to others. Putting the buds on is the sort of thing that seems incredibly weird for a moment but then soon becomes second nature.
When you’re wearing the buds, the loop bit connecting the speaker section to the larger part behind the earlobe is mainly what you see. And the buds feel quite light in weight, with even weight distribution. So I found I could walk briskly or exercise at the gym without the buds falling out. Or without me quite even noticing them, really. I caught myself reaching up to make sure they were still there even as proof of their security came through the sound in my ears.
Having tried numerous wireless earbuds, I can say Comfo C stands out in the comfort department. Unlike traditional in-ear buds that can cause discomfort over time, or over-ear hooks that can interfere with glasses, these clip-ons offer an unusual solution that’s both secure and gentle on the ears.
Fit and sound quality: Here’s the problem for me
Photo: Edifier
But let’s talk audio — after all, that’s why we’re here, right? The Comfo C earbuds deliver a surprisingly robust sound for their size, with 12mm dynamic drivers. It’s typical for open buds to have larger speakers than in-ear buds. With these, the audio is well-balanced across the spectrum. And it’s crisp and clear. But for me, it’s only excellent when I push the speakers further up against my ear canal than they want to go naturally.
So for me, these buds are nonstarters because I prioritize great sound above everything else. I love how comfortably the buds sit on my ears. But no amount of adjustment brought the volume and clarity I crave. That became obvious once I repeatedly adjusted them and found they’d never stay quite where I found the sound quality ideal. Close, but no cigar, as they say.
Let it be noted that I have a large head, and perhaps my ears are bigger than average, too. They don’t look it, but who can say when they’re attached to that massive melon? But for someone who prioritizes a lightweight, secure fit, especially for heavy exercise, Edifier Comfo C/R1 earbuds could be great. And if their petite ears make it so the speakers sit flush against the ear canal, all the better, because they’ll get closer-to-maximum sound quality than I do.
The earbuds works with the Edifier ConneX app, so you can adjust audio settings, such as Classic, Vocal or bass or treble boosts, or enter Game mode for low latency.
Smooth connectivity and strong battery life
Pairing the Comfo C earbuds was a breeze. Once connected to my iPhone 16 Pro, they remembered the device and auto-connected seamlessly each time. And they simultaneously connected to my M1 iPad Air 5 through multiconnect functionality, too. Throughout my week of testing, I experienced zero dropouts or connectivity issues — a huge plus for uninterrupted listening.
Edifier claims up to 7 hours of playtime (21 hours with charging case). I’m happy to report that’s not just marketing fluff. During a long walk followed by a bunch of errands, these little troopers kept the tunes flowing all day. And occasionally I would press them slightly further into my ears when I wanted to hear more than I was hearing.
Natural noise cancellation: Hear what you need to
While open buds like these don’t feature active noise cancellation, Comfo C’s design strikes a balance between isolation and awareness. Audio flowing into your ear canal naturally blocks some ambient sound. During my workouts at the gym, they blocked enough noise to keep me focused without completely shutting out my surroundings.
These earbuds truly shine when you’re on the move, as they stay put and you may not even remember you’re wearing them.Plus, their IPX5 water resistance means you don’t have to worry about sweat or light rain messing up the buds.
Edifier Comfo C/R1 clip-on earbud features:
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
- Open-ear clip-on design offers comfort.
- Smart audio channel detection for interchangeable use of left and right earbuds.
- Directional acoustic technology minimizes sound leakage and enhances sound quality.
- 12mm dynamic driver with titanium-coated composite diaphragm delivers detailed and powerful sound.
- AI algorithm ensures clear phone calls.
- IP56 dust and water resistance helps ensure durability.
- Multipoint connection enables smooth devices switching.
- Wearing detection pauses/resumes music.
- Bluetooth V5.4 for seamless audio streaming and a stable connection.
- Compatible with the Edifier ConneX App for additional functions after registration (drainage function, personalize audio settings, find your earbuds, etc.).
Conclusion: A solid choice for active users who prioritize comfort
After several days with Edifier Comfo C/R1 wireless clip-on earbuds, I’m impressed despite my criticisms. They excel in comfort, stay secure during intense activities and provide a balanced audio experience. But I found the fit takes away from the audio clarity I prioritize. So while they may not be the go-to choice for audiophiles seeking the ultimate in sound quality, they’re an excellent option for active individuals who prioritize comfort and practicality.
And they’re a good deal, especially now. You can pick up Edifier Comfo C/R1 wireless clip-on earbuds on Amazon in the gray color for $59.99 $48.99 (with 20% off coupon). According to the company, the Comfo C-branded buds will also come in black, starlight, green and pink. The R1 version comes in gray and ivory.
★★★☆☆
Buy from: Amazon
Edifier provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
