viaim OpenNote AI Recording Earbuds Review

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The viaim OpenNote AI Recording Earbuds are unlike anything I’ve used before. Over the past few weeks, I’ve integrated them into my daily routine for everything from running and work calls to late-night video watching and keeping track of ideas and meetings. Here’s a full breakdown of my experience, including both what impressed me and where I think they could be improved.

Design & Fit of the viaim OpenNote Earbuds

Right out of the box, the OpenNote earbuds stood out. They don’t sit inside your ears like most wireless buds; instead, they rest above the ear canal and loop over your ear. For me, this design solved a big problem, comfort. I’ve never liked how traditional earbuds feel or how easily they fall out during runs or longer sessions. These stayed in place no matter what I was doing, and I didn’t have to readjust them once.

They’re also light, flexible, and easy to wear with glasses. The case has a clean, faux-leather look with magnetic slots that hold the buds firmly in place. Overall, it feels like a premium product.

Ideal for Running

As someone who runs several times a week, I really appreciate earbuds that let me stay aware of my environment. The open-ear design on the OpenNote makes it easy to hear traffic, footsteps, or bikes coming up behind me, something you can’t say for most in-ear headphones.

They’re IP55-rated, so sweat and light rain aren’t an issue. Even during longer, high-effort workouts in hot weather, they held up perfectly. The fact that they’re comfortable, secure, and allow situational awareness makes them an excellent choice for outdoor activity.

Late-Night Use

I also find them perfect for watching videos or listening to podcasts at night. Since they don’t block out all outside sound, I can still hear what’s going on around me if someone in the house needs me or calls my name. At the same time, they’re quiet enough not to disturb anyone nearby. My ears also don’t feel fatigued, even after extended use.

viaim OpenNote Controls & Features

Controls are intuitive and easy to learn. Single, double, and triple taps let you play/pause, skip tracks, or go back, and you can press and hold to change volume or activate the AI recording features. The layout is customizable in the app, and I had no trouble setting things up to my liking.

The FlashRecord feature is a standout. All you have to do is press and hold and you instantly begin recording audio, even without your phone nearby. For work calls, quick thoughts, or in-person meetings, it’s super convenient. All recordings are later synced to the app where you can review and organize them.

AI Tools & Transcription

The built-in AI functionality is more than just a gimmick. It transcribes recordings accurately and quickly. Even better, it auto-generates summaries and action items, something I’ll relying on after meetings to avoid missing follow-ups. You can also translate recordings in real time, which I tested with Ukrainian. It worked better than expected and could be really helpful for cross-language communication.

One clever feature: You can share a live transcription link with someone else, which is ideal for collaborative note-taking or interviews.

Sound Quality of the viaim OpenNote Earbuds

This is one area where expectations need to be managed. The sound is clear, especially for voices and spoken content. Music sounds decent, though bass is understandably limited because of the open-ear design. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall clarity, even while outside.

There is a small amount of sound leakage, especially at higher volumes in quiet rooms. Also, since you’re not sealing your ears, noisy environments will compete with your audio.

Battery Life & Connectivity

Battery life is one of the best parts. The earbuds last about 19 hours on their own, and the charging case brings the total to around 53 hours. I haven’t needed to charge the case more than once a week.

Connectivity is fast and stable thanks to Bluetooth 5.3. I have mine connected to both my phone and laptop at the same time, and switching between them is seamless. Voice commands like “play music” or “start recording” are responsive and surprisingly useful.

Areas for Improvement

No product is perfect, and there are a few things I’d like to see improved in a future version. The case doesn’t support wireless charging, minor, but worth noting. Volume control via press-and-hold works, but it’s a bit slow for large adjustments. A swipe gesture or dedicated volume buttons would’ve been better.

Lastly, there’s no auto-pause when you take them off, which is a small but noticeable omission.

The Verdict on the viaim OpenNote Earbuds

The viaim OpenNote earbuds deliver a unique and well-rounded experience that combines open-ear comfort, safety for outdoor activity, and truly helpful AI-powered tools. If you’re someone who takes frequent meetings, records a lot of audio, or just wants situational awareness during workouts or commutes, these are worth considering.

If you’re tired of uncomfortable in-ear headphones and want something smarter, more versatile, and just easier to live with, the OpenNote may be the upgrade you’ve been looking for. They’re currently priced at $219 on viaim’s site at store.viaim.ai and are also available on amazon.com. For the features you get, especially the transcription and recording, it feels like solid value.