Review: TCL CrystalClip

Design

TCL CrystalClip definitely stands out from the crowd. These are not a pair of traditional headphones trying to blend in; rather, the design is a major part of the product itself. The headphones are made from a combination of TPU and polycarbonate and utilize a flexible construction with titanium reinforcement. The result feels well-thought-out and relatively solid despite the low weight. It is primarily when the Swarovski crystals are attached that the CrystalClip gains a bit more character. They give the headphones a more exclusive, almost jewelry-like feel, and I can certainly understand the idea behind them. At the same time, I personally find them completely unnecessary. While they look nice when worn, the fact that the decorations must be removed before placing the headphones back in the charging case quickly becomes impractical. Sooner or later, it feels almost inevitable that one or both will go missing. It is a fun idea and nicely executed, but for my part, I would rather have been without them.

CrystalClip uses an open-ear design with 10.8 mm dynamic drivers and support for features such as 3D Spatial Audio. Each earbud weighs only 5.5 grams, and battery life is rated at up to eight hours on a single charge, or a total of 36 hours with the charging case. Additionally, 15 minutes of fast charging is said to provide about three hours of listening. The headphones are IPX4-rated, which in practice means they can withstand sweat and minor water splashes, but they are not waterproof, so you should not swim, shower, or wear them in heavy rain.

Sound Profile

In terms of sound, however, I am not particularly impressed. The audio is by no means bad, but it is not quite where I had hoped it would be. Since the CrystalClip is an open-ear model and does not create a seal in the ear canal, some of the weight and presence that I associate with good in-ear headphones is lost. To my ears, the result is a somewhat flat sound profile where bass and depth, in particular, take a back seat. The open construction also results in fairly noticeable sound leakage. The person next to you can hear a surprising amount of what you are listening to, especially when the volume is turned up. This is worth considering if the headphones are to be used in, for example, the office, on the train, or other places where you sit close to others.

TCL offers both Spatial Audio and ENC for calls, but the open-ear design puts natural limits on how isolated the audio experience can be. For me, the fit also means that Spatial Audio does not quite reach its full potential. ENC works reasonably well, but the person on the other end of the call still perceives that they hear a lot of the noise around me.

Usage & Comfort

Here, the experience becomes very individual. The CrystalClip clips around the ear instead of being placed in the ear canal, which on paper sounds like a comfortable solution. For me, unfortunately, it was the opposite. After a while, I started to feel the pressure, and these are not a pair of headphones I would personally want to wear for extended periods. At the same time, ears are different, and I can well imagine that the design fits someone else significantly better. The problem is that the fit also affects the audio experience. When the headphones are not positioned optimally against the ear, the sound loses even more richness, and Spatial Audio has less opportunity to make a significant difference.

TCL CrystalClip therefore feels a bit like a product where design was prioritized over the listening experience itself. They feel well-built, look unique, and the Swarovski details undeniably provide a more exclusive impression. But for me, the inconsistent fit, sound leakage, and the rather flat sound profile carry more weight. It is not a bad pair of headphones, but they are also not entirely convincing.

APP

CrystalClip uses the TCL HOME app, and was truly super easy to pair with. In the app, you can, among other things, activate 3D Spatial Audio and Bass Enhancement, and choose between EQ modes like Bass Boost, Balanced sound, and Vocal clarity. It is also possible to customize the touch controls and set up access to the phone’s voice assistant. The app is simple and provides the most important settings for customizing the headphones to your liking, even if the options are not particularly extensive.

Battery & Charging

The battery life is up to 8 hours on a single charge (which aligns reasonably well with reality); I needed to recharge after around 7.5 hours. Total battery life is around 36 hours with the charging case, which is perfectly acceptable. There is also fast charging, where 15 minutes in the case is said to provide about 3 hours of listening. However, a major downside for me is that the charging case lacks wireless charging and must be charged via USB-C. In this type of product, I would have expected the ability to just place the case on a charging pad. It is not a catastrophe, but definitely something I miss.

Summary

TCL CrystalClip is a pair of headphones that primarily stands out with its well-thought-out design and unique shape. The Swarovski crystals provide a more luxurious look but simultaneously feel more like a fun detail than something practical. The sound is acceptable, but the open-ear design and fit cause the sound profile to lose some depth while allowing quite a bit of sound to leak out to the surroundings. The comfort did not work particularly well for me during extended use, although this is obviously individual and may work significantly better for others. Overall, CrystalClip is an interesting idea with a stylish design and acceptable sound quality, but the comfort, sound leakage, and a few impractical design choices mean the overall experience does not quite reach further than that.

TCL sent review units for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.