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Over, on or in-ear – most people are familiar with these kinds of headphones. But there is another way, a ring that wraps around the ear. This unusual format can be found in the Moto Buds Loop from Motorola, which cost from US$150 up.
These earbuds are definitely eye-catchers. They consist of a small ball containing the speaker that is connected to a square box that holds the batteries and charging ports.
The ball goes into your ear and the box goes behind your ear. Putting them on is a bit fiddly at first, but gets easier with time. But how do they sound?
Motorola is marketing the Loops to people who listen to music and podcasts on the go, do not want to be constantly putting on and taking off earbuds while working, and who also want to remain aware of their surroundings. The Loops’ open design addresses these needs.
If you do not turn the volume up too loud, you can easily hear the conversations of your neighbours at the table. The Loops are also a surprisingly practical headset for video conferences and phone calls on the computer.
And because the Loops simply hang on your ear, without pressing or pinching anywhere, and do not seal off the ear canal, they can be worn very comfortably even for extended periods. It does not matter if you do not use them for a while – they are still decorative.

However, the open design comes with disadvantages too. The sound is not particularly rich compared to traditional earbuds, and audiophiles will miss the finer details.
If you listen to music loudly, those around you will clearly notice it in quiet office spaces. At the same time, as soon as you exceed a certain volume, you will not hear anything from outside.
There is a switch on each earbud that controls play, pause, skipping to the next song and going back to the start.
You can reject or accept calls by shaking your head and nodding – which sometimes works and sometimes does not. Clicking and swiping generally work better on other manufacturers’ earbuds.
With select Motorola smartphones, the Loops also connect to the smartphone’s AI system. A long press and you can give commands by voice and hear responses.

Those who download the earbuds’ Android app can also adjust the sound using the equaliser, set dynamic volume and configure gestures. Users of iPhones do not have these options.
What do the Loops have over their many competitors? They are large and visible for one thing. They do not hide away, nor do you have little sticks protruding out of your ears. It all depends on personal taste whether you find them eye-catching or crazy-looking and weird.
If you really want to make a fashion statement you can shell out US$299 and get a version encrusted with glittering Swarovski crystals.
However, the sound of the Moto Buds Loop seems secondary to their looks. The audio is good enough, but cannot compete with AirPods and the like. They were not designed for audiophiles, but the Loops decorate the ear and are comfortable and versatile.
If you are someone who leans towards beauty when weighing up style and functionality then they are definitely worth checking out.


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Motorola Moto Buds Loop review: stylish and functional, but average sound

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Motorola’s Moto Buds Loop are designed to be worn all day and allow users to hold conversations while wearing them. Photo: Nico Tapia/dpa

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The small ball contains the speaker and the box holds the battery and charging port. Photo: Nico Tapia/dpa

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Lifestyle

The Moto Buds Loop are designed to be worn all day and allow the wearer to hold conversations without turning off their music or podcast


The Moto Buds Loop are designed to be worn all day and allow the wearer to hold conversations without turning off their music or podcast.


Technology

Motorola Moto Buds Loop review: stylish and functional, but average sound

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Moto Buds Loop are designed to be worn all day and allow the wearer to hold conversations without turning off their music or podcast

The Moto Buds Loop are designed to be worn all day and allow the wearer to hold conversations without turning off their music or podcast