EKSA S30 Wireless Headset: Open-Ear Design Review and Experience

Explore the comfort and sound clarity of the EKSA S30 wireless headset with its unique open-ear design and advanced noise-cancelling microphone.

A Fresh Take on Wireless Headsets: The Open-Ear Design

The standout feature of the EKSA S30 wireless headset is its open-ear design. If you're hunting for a light and airy alternative to bulky headphones with cushioned ear cups or in-ear models, this could be the perfect fit. Unlike many top Bluetooth headsets that come as a single piece leaving one ear open (and vulnerable to office distractions), the EKSA S30 features two separate earbuds—one for each ear—with a movable microphone on the left piece.

Interestingly, EKSA claims its open-air conduction microphone system blocks out 99.9% of ambient noise, even though the earbuds rest over the ears. However, it lacks active noise cancellation (ANC) for the audio playback, which might be seen as either a plus or a drawback depending on your preferences.

The EKSA S30 retails for around $150 but can sometimes be found on Amazon for roughly $100. But how does this headset perform in real life? I put it through multiple meetings to verify EKSA’s claims.

Unboxing the EKSA S30: First Impressions

The headset arrives in a neat, bright orange box—a color theme that carries through the buttons and the logo on the case. Alongside the headset, you'll find a user manual and warranty papers in a separate envelope—a nice touch that adds to the unboxing experience, reminiscent of Apple's famously polished packaging.

Inside the well-padded transport case, two earbuds sit snugly in a removable molded base that also provides charging functionality. Magnets keep the earbuds firmly in place, preventing any accidental shifts. The base’s front houses a single orange power button for turning the earbuds on or off. A USB cable is neatly stowed in a recessed compartment beside it.

This case strikes the right balance between lightweight portability and durable protection. Even after subjecting it to significant wear, its sturdy structure stayed intact—ideal for daily commutes or office storage.

Design and Controls: Lightweight and Functional

The earbuds themselves are super light. Their front and back shells are plastic, connected by flexible rubber-coated ear hooks that you can adjust for a perfect fit. I didn’t feel any uncomfortable pressure or insecurity during use—the fit was just right.

Textured orange control buttons live on the underside of each earbud. The placement is well thought-out, though I found the buttons a tad stiff, lacking the tactile feedback I’d like when toggling power or controls. This made me rely on the LEDs to check if the headset was ready for a meeting.

Speaking of indicators, the LEDs also show battery status—flashing red when the battery runs low. The charging case has its own LED to indicate battery health with green, orange, or red colors.

The left earbud features a rotatable microphone arm with an orange mute button near its tip. Thankfully, this button offers a satisfying click, unlike the firmer controls elsewhere.

One notable downside is the lack of external USB-C port access on the charging case. You need to remove the charging base to plug in the charger. A design similar to Xbox Elite controllers, with a rubber flap covering the port, would make charging more convenient and compact.

Using the EKSA S30: Comfort and Sound in Action

So, beyond the design, how does the EKSA S30 wireless headset fare day-to-day? I was particularly curious about the open-air conduction system. As someone who rarely takes off my full-sized Anker Q20 headphones, I wanted to see if this headset could offer a more breathable experience, especially during hot days.

I was pleasantly surprised. Sitting on my ears, the EKSA S30 felt remarkably comfortable—so light that I almost forgot I was wearing them. An entire hour-long podcast went by without me adjusting or shifting the earbuds once. If you plan to wear them for meetings all day long, they won’t weigh you down.

But the EKSA S30 isn't just a desktop or laptop companion. Since it’s a Bluetooth device, it connects to your phone, letting you answer calls, play or pause music and YouTube videos, adjust volume, or activate your phone’s AI assistant. These functions worked seamlessly.

More importantly, the sound quality impressed me. Thanks to the “TubeBass” technology touted by EKSA, voices sounded natural and realistic, free from the tinny distortion some headsets exhibit. During calls, I heard others clearly, and participants complimented the crisp mic audio. I even recorded myself to verify the sound, and it was equally clear.

EKSA claims the headset’s AI-powered microphone offers up to 99.9% environmental noise cancellation (ENC). As a skeptic, I tested this by playing a TechRadar video at varying volumes during calls. Once I stepped about half a meter away from the sound source and started talking, no one could hear background chatter.

Where some might struggle transitioning from traditional headphones is the lack of active noise cancellation in the earbuds themselves. But that’s probably part of the charm of the EKSA S30’s open design—it avoids the isolation tunnel effect of fully blocked ears, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings.

Final Verdict: EKSA S30’s Unique Appeal

Light, comfortable, and breathable with solid sound quality—EKSA S30 ticks the boxes for anyone wanting a headset for all-day meetings.

While the price is a bit steeper than some competitors, you get a well-designed molded charging case for secure transport and smart internal tech delivering clear audio and mic quality.

The absence of active noise cancellation might turn off some users. However, in relatively quiet workspaces, this headset performed flawlessly. Thanks to AI-driven ENC on the mic, your meeting participants won’t pick up distracting background noise—even if you notice it yourself.

“EKSA S30 offers comfort and sound clarity without isolating you from the world around you.”
— Headset Reviewer

FAQs about EKSA S30 Wireless Headset

• How effective is the noise cancellation on the EKSA S30?
  The EKSA S30 uses AI-powered environmental noise cancellation on its microphone, blocking up to 99.9% of background noise during calls, ensuring clear communication.
• Does the headset provide active noise cancellation (ANC) for listening?
  No, the EKSA S30 does not feature active noise cancellation for audio playback, aligning with its open-ear design philosophy.
• Is the EKSA S30 comfortable for long wear?
  Yes! The lightweight and adjustable ear hooks make the headset very comfortable, even for extended hours of use.
• Can the EKSA S30 connect to smartphones?
  Absolutely. It pairs via Bluetooth and supports call answering, media playback control, volume adjustment, and voice assistant activation.
• How is the battery charged on the EKSA S30?
  The earbuds charge in a molded case, but you need to remove the internal charging block to access the USB-C port for charging.

Ready to enhance your audio and meeting experience? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store and add some style to your space: Architeg Prints.