Xiaomi has been expanding its audio product lineup for some time, and its latest release, the OpenWear Stereo Pro, is an intriguing addition. Open-ear headphones have long struggled to balance comfort and sound quality, often sacrificing performance for situational awareness, with few achieving a balance that makes them stand out from other options. After testing the OpenWear Stereo Pro for several weeks of daily use, I found that this model bridges the gap in a way that feels genuinely practical.
The OpenWear Stereo Pro builds on everything Xiaomi learned from its earlier attempts, refining those lessons into a design that truly works for everyday listening, even on the go. According to the company, Xiaomi moved beyond simply shrinking existing designs and instead built these earbuds around multiple drivers, Harman tuning and LDAC support. The result is an open-ear experience that doesn’t force you to choose between hearing your surroundings and enjoying your music.
Unboxing the earbuds, you’ll find the OpenWear Stereo Pro maintains the familiar design and conceptual elements we’ve come to expect from Xiaomi. Each earbud houses an 18-by-13-millimetre multi-armature dynamic driver paired with a piezoelectric ceramic tweeter, producing a frequency response range from 20 Hz to 40 kHz. That’s not typical for open designs, which usually sacrifice clarity for comfort. For this review, I tested the Sand Gold version, though Xiaomi also offers the earbuds in Graphite Black and Titan Gray for those who prefer a more understated look.
The Harman AudioEFX team tuned these earbuds, and that collaboration shows. Mid-range tones come through clean and forward, making podcasts and voice calls sound natural and free of strain. Highs are crisp, thanks to the dedicated tweeter, giving acoustic instruments and cymbals real presence. Bass remains the expected challenge for open-ear designs, but Xiaomi gets closer than most. The low end is present and defined, though listeners seeking deep sub-bass rumble may want to look elsewhere.
The OpenWear Stereo Pro feel excellent both in the hand and while worn, once again showcasing Xiaomi’s attention to quality and build. Each earbud weighs just 9.7 grams, including the drivers, flexible cable and battery. A titanium wire runs through the soft TPU cable for added durability, resulting in a design that rests on the ear without creating pressure.
Because the earbuds hook over the back of the ear, the battery pod settles behind in a way that balances the weight almost perfectly. The Sand Gold finish blends naturally with skin tones, making the earbuds less noticeable during calls or commutes. The charging case features vegan leather on the exterior and a suede lining inside, protecting the earbuds from scratches while maintaining the premium feel Xiaomi is known for.
While it’s commonplace among most earbuds, the OpenWear Stereo Pro handles sweat and weather thanks to its IP54 dust- and water-resistance rating, making it suitable for gym sessions and outdoor runs. The earbuds stay secure during movement, though sudden or intense head turns can cause minor shifts. For regular workouts and commutes, they remain comfortably in place.
I was initially concerned that the open design would let everyone nearby hear my podcasts and music. Thankfully, unlike typical open-ear models, the OpenWear Stereo Pro includes active leakage reduction to compensate for sound that naturally escapes. At normal volumes, people sitting nearby won’t easily hear what you’re playing, making these earbuds suitable for offices and public spaces where traditional open designs might be too disruptive. Push the volume high and some leakage returns, but for everyday listening, the system delivers on its promise.
“Even the call quality on the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro impressed me, delivering a clear and consistent experience overall.”
Xiaomi has also added several extra features to the earbuds to enhance the experience for users who watch a lot of media on their mobile devices. Dimensional Audio tracks head movements using built-in accelerometers, shifting the soundstage as you turn. The effect works smoothly with movies and spatial content, though it isn’t as dramatic as some competing systems. LDAC support enables high-resolution streaming on compatible devices, and the improvement is noticeable when paired with quality source files.
Even the call quality on the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro impressed me, delivering a clear and consistent experience overall. Voices sound natural on both ends, and AI processing helps reduce background noise for the person you’re speaking with. The independent recording feature allows each earbud to store up to 120 minutes of audio, capturing calls, voice memos and conversations directly. While the recording quality drops from the original source, it’s still useful for quick notes and interviews.
Battery life reaches about 8.5 hours per charge, with the case extending total playback to roughly 45 hours. A quick 10-minute charge provides around two hours of listening. The case charges via USB-C but lacks wireless charging, which feels like a missed opportunity. During a long flight from Toronto to Tokyo, the earbuds lasted most of the journey, needing only a brief break for a quick top-up.
Touch controls handle the usual tasks through taps, double taps and holds, all customizable in the Xiaomi Earbuds app. The app is available on both iOS and Android, offering EQ presets, Dimensional Audio settings and gesture configuration. Dual-device connection also lets you switch between a phone and a laptop with ease.
There’s a lot to like about these earbuds, and I have to admit, I’m starting to appreciate the open-ear style—even if it doesn’t deliver the same loudness you’ll find with in-ear models. With everything on offer and a price of about $179 USD, the OpenWear Stereo Pro make a compelling choice for anyone who wants quality sound without the common drawbacks of in-ear headphones.
The OpenWear Stereo Pro achieves something that once seemed difficult for this category: delivering genuine audio quality without sacrificing situational awareness. Xiaomi could have produced another forgettable pair of open-ear earbuds, but instead created something that works for commuters, runners and anyone who values both sound and safety. These are among the most capable open-ear earbuds I have tested, offering clarity and features that justify their premium pricing.
