The Breakdown
Let’s start here: I wasn’t expecting much. Not because QCY hasn’t impressed me before—they have—but because budget open-ear earbuds tend to be… hit-or-miss. Usually more miss. They either don’t stay in place, sound anemic, or feel like you’re wearing plastic clothes pegs on your ears. The QCY Crossky C50, though? These took me by surprise.
Not because they’re revolutionary—don’t get me wrong, they’re not—but because they get the basics right in ways that matter more than specs on paper. I’ve been using them for the past two weeks: daily dog walks, back-to-back Zoom calls, house chores, podcasts while on the beach. Real-world stuff.
Here’s what stood out. And what didn’t.
First Look: QCY’s Best-Looking Earbuds?
Out of the box, the C50 makes a great first impression. The packaging isn’t flashy, but it’s clean, minimal. QCY clearly knows its target audience—people who appreciate decent design without paying a premium for it. The case, though, is where I raised an eyebrow. Faux-leather finish, handwritten-style slogan (“Be Creative, Go Beyond”), and a subtle embossed QCY logo on the back. It’s oddly chic. I’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best-looking cases I’ve seen under $50. It doesn’t support wireless charging—so, practical folks, take note—but it’s got USB-C and feels solid. Snappy hinge, too. It clicks shut like a tiny accessory case. I kind of love it.
Inside, the earbuds are perched almost like earrings on display. Open-ear design, no silicone tips. They use a flexible clip-on style that hugs your ear rather than plugging into it. I’ve seen similar designs fail before, but this one… works. At least, for me.
Fit and Wearability: Genuinely All-Day Comfort
Now, comfort is subjective. But I’ll just say this: I’ve worn these for hours—during work, while walking, even lying on the couch—and I barely noticed them. Compared to the earlier C30S model, the C50 has a more adaptable shape. It flexes slightly to the contours of your ear, which makes a surprising difference. They’re stable, too. No slipping, even while jogging.
They don’t isolate sound, of course. But that’s the point. They’re open-ear, designed for situational awareness. If you’re crossing streets, walking your dog, or need to hear when the kettle’s boiling—these are ideal. The automatic left-right detection is another neat touch. You just pick one up, clip it on, and it figures out which side it’s on. Sounds small, but these little conveniences add up.
Call Quality: Budget Hardware, Premium Clarity?
Honestly? Calls were better than expected. I don’t usually trust mic arrays in earbuds under $50, let alone sub-$30. But these surprised me. The Crossky C50 uses four microphones with wind noise reduction. Marketing jargon? Usually, yes. But I tested them on a breezy morning dog walk, talking to Karel Balac about a project deadline, and they could hear me clearly. No “robot voice,” no constant background hiss.
Even indoors, during a couple of long video calls, nobody asked me to switch mics or repeat myself. I wouldn’t use them for podcasting, but for daily conversations, they’re reliable.
Sound Quality: Functional, Not Flawless
Okay, this is where expectations need to stay grounded. These aren’t Hi-Res certified like the older Crossky C30S, and that does show. QCY says the C50 has bass boost tech, and it does help—but there’s only so much bass you can squeeze out of an open-ear design. Still, I found the sound pleasant. Balanced, with enough low-end warmth to make music enjoyable. Not punchy. Not thrilling. But listenable.
Vocals are crisp, and podcasts sound clean, which is really all I wanted during long errands or casual background listening. Music with heavy production—like electronic or hip-hop—does feel a bit thin. But acoustic, lo-fi, jazz? Surprisingly nice. That said, if you care more about immersive audio than comfort or situational awareness, you’ll probably be underwhelmed. The C30S is still better for pure sound quality.
Battery Life: Decent, Not Spectacular
QCY claims up to 7.5 hours on a single charge, and around 35 total with the case. In my experience, that checks out—maybe even slightly better on low volume.
I’d get through a full workday (on and off use), plug them in overnight, and repeat. No drama. No stress. There’s no battery anxiety here, unless you plan on running a marathon. Still, I wouldn’t call the battery “exceptional.” It’s just… fine. Exactly what you’d expect from earbuds at this price point. They charge fast, though. USB-C helps a lot here.
Other Features and Specs
Here’s the basics:
- Bluetooth 5.3 (the product page lists 6.0, which might be a misprint—5.3 is standard right now)
- IPX5 water resistance (splash-proof, not swim-proof)
- Auto on/off when you open the case
- No companion app (which is a shame—you can’t customize EQ or controls)
And no, there’s no active noise cancelation. But again, these are open-ear. ANC wouldn’t make sense here.
Final Verdict: Style, Comfort, Simplicity—Just Know What You’re Getting
So, would I recommend the QCY Crossky C50? If you’re looking for open-ear earbuds with a bit of style, surprisingly good call quality, and real all-day comfort—yes. Absolutely. For $30-ish, they punch above their weight. They’re not audiophile gear. They’re not for bassheads or noise isolation junkies. But for walking, talking, light workouts, or background listening while working from home? They’re excellent.
There’s something refreshing about a product that doesn’t try to do everything. The QCY Crossky C50 isn’t trying to compete with AirPods Pro or Sony’s latest flagship. It just wants to sit comfortably on your ears and not bother you—and in that, it succeeds.
I’ll keep using them. Not every day, but most days. And when I want to actually enjoy music deeply? I’ll reach for something else. But for now, these stay clipped to my work bag. That says a lot.
