The Huawei FreeArc and the Baseus Inspire XC1 are both open-ear wireless earbuds that skip active noise cancelling. They aim at the same user: someone who wants to stay aware of their surroundings during runs, commutes, or desk work. But they take different routes on price, battery, and audio hardware, and the choice comes down to what you value more: a lighter fit with longer battery life, or a more established brand with a lower asking price.
Price and positioning
The Huawei FreeArc lists at $99, while the Baseus Inspire XC1 asks for $107. That is an $8 gap, which is close enough that price alone should not decide it. Both sit in the mid-range of the open-ear category, under the premium flagships but above the cheapest no-name options. The FreeArc is positioned as a sports-first earbud with a rugged IP57 rating, while the Inspire XC1 leans on a dual-driver hybrid design and LDAC support to justify its slightly higher price. Neither has a transparent price advantage once you factor in what each offers.
The scores, side by side
The HearWiki headline scores are 80/100 for the FreeArc and 79/100 for the Inspire XC1. That is a one-point gap, which is effectively a tie. Do not read more into it than that. The sub-scores tell a more interesting story. The FreeArc scores 8.1/10 for sound, 6.7/10 for battery, 7.4/10 for calls, and 8.0/10 for value. The Inspire XC1 scores 7.7/10 for sound, 8.1/10 for battery, 7.8/10 for calls, and 6.6/10 for value. The ANC sub-score is not listed for either product because neither has active noise cancelling. The headline score is a buyability measure based on published reviews and price, not a weighted average of those sub-scores, so do not try to reverse-engineer it.
Sound
The FreeArc uses a single 17 mm driver, while the Inspire XC1 uses a 2-driver hybrid setup. In published reviews, the FreeArc earns a sound sub-score of 8.1/10, slightly ahead of the Inspire XC1's 7.7/10. That is a modest gap, not a landslide. The FreeArc's single driver is praised for being well-tuned for an open-ear design, with decent clarity for its class. The Inspire XC1's hybrid drivers aim for more detail, and it supports LDAC, which can deliver higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth if your phone supports it. However, LDAC only matters if your source and player cooperate, and the FreeArc is limited to SBC and AAC. For most listeners on an iPhone or a standard Android phone, the AAC codec will be the practical ceiling, and the difference in sound quality between the two will be small. If you are an Android user with LDAC-capable hardware, the Inspire XC1 has a technical edge, but the FreeArc's higher sound sub-score suggests reviewers found its tuning more consistent out of the box.
Noise cancelling and battery
Neither earbud has active noise cancelling. That is a given for open-ear designs, which rely on leaving your ear canal open. The ANC sub-score is not listed for either, so there is nothing to compare there. The battery, however, is a clear differentiator. The FreeArc offers 7 hours per charge, with 28 hours total including the case. The Inspire XC1 offers 8 hours per charge, with 40 hours total including the case. That is a significant advantage for the Baseus: one extra hour per charge, and 12 extra hours in the case. If you travel or forget to charge your case, the Inspire XC1 will go further. The FreeArc's battery is not bad, but it is modest for the category. The Inspire XC1's 40-hour total is strong for an open-ear earbud. Neither supports wireless charging, so you will be plugging in a cable either way.
Calls and everyday use
Both earbuds have four microphones and support multipoint, so neither gets credit for that. For calls, the FreeArc scores 7.4/10, while the Inspire XC1 scores 7.8/10. That is a small gap, but the Baseus edges ahead. Published reviews note that the Inspire XC1 handles voice pickup reasonably well for an open-ear design, while the FreeArc is adequate but not outstanding. In everyday use, the FreeArc is lighter at 8.9 grams per earbud, but the Inspire XC1 is even lighter at 5 grams. That is a meaningful difference for all-day wear. The FreeArc has an IP57 rating, which means it can survive dust and water immersion up to a metre. The Inspire XC1 has IP66, which is dust-tight and resistant to powerful water jets but not immersion. For running in the rain, both are fine; for swimming, neither is designed for that. The Inspire XC1 has no transparency mode and no wear detection, and those are not listed for the FreeArc either, so do not assume either has them. The Baseus has a reported issue with a slippery case and some companion app software problems, which is worth noting if you plan to rely on the app for EQ or firmware updates.
Which one should you buy?
If you want the longest battery life and the lightest earbuds, get the Baseus Inspire XC1. The 8-hour per-charge and 40-hour total battery is a real advantage, and the 5-gram weight makes it nearly forgettable in your ears. The LDAC support is a bonus if you have compatible hardware. If you want a lower price, a slightly better sound sub-score, and a more rugged IP57 rating, get the Huawei FreeArc. The $99 price is easier to swallow, and the 7-hour battery is fine for most daily commutes or workouts. The one-point headline score gap is not enough to call a winner; the choice depends on whether battery or price matters more to you. For a deeper look at the numbers, see the full comparison table. You can also browse other open-ear options or see how these fit into the best true wireless landscape.
FAQ
Do these earbuds have active noise cancelling?
No. Both the Huawei FreeArc and the Baseus Inspire XC1 are open-ear designs without ANC. They let ambient sound in by design, which is useful for running or cycling but not for blocking out a noisy office.
Which has better battery life, the FreeArc or the Inspire XC1?
The Baseus Inspire XC1 has better battery life. It offers 8 hours per charge and 40 hours total with the case, while the Huawei FreeArc offers 7 hours per charge and 28 hours total with the case.
Are these earbuds good for phone calls?
Both are acceptable for calls, with four microphones each. The Baseus Inspire XC1 scores slightly higher for call quality at 7.8/10, compared to the Huawei FreeArc's 7.4/10, but neither is a standout for voice pickup in noisy environments.
