These earbuds look good – but do they really deliver?
22/4/2026
Translation: Natalie McKay
Pictures: Pia Seidel
Motorola’s moto buds loop – studded with Swarovski crystals – fall somewhere between a gadget and an accessory. I tested how well this combination really works.
An article my colleague Laura wrote in January was the first time I’d ever heard of such a thing: sparkling ear cuffs – earbuds and jewellery combined. I immediately decided I had to buy some. I’ve been wearing Motorola’s moto buds loop – studded with Swarovski crystals – almost daily for over three months now. So it’s time to ask: are they just pretty to look at – or do they actually sound good too?
Comfort that impresses in daily use
Pairing via Bluetooth worked right away without any issues. It was just a bit fiddly putting them on my ears for the first time. After a few tries, I finally got the hang of it – and ever since then, it’s been second nature. The earbuds automatically detect which ear they’re being worn on. There’s no need to struggle to find tiny R or L markings, which is especially convenient in stressful situations on the go or in the dark, like before falling asleep.
I originally wanted to try them out because they’re so pretty, but now I appreciate the moto buds loop just as much – if not more – for how comfortable they are to wear. When there’s no sound playing, I sometimes forget I’m wearing them. The ear cuffs sit securely without pinching. Nothing sticks into your ears, and nothing presses against your head. They don’t slip out of place even when you’re jogging or doing pilates, and they won’t get in the way of your glasses, large earrings or hairstyle.
I now use them in all sorts of everyday situations: for instance, while cleaning, during my skincare routine, at the office, or when falling asleep – I find them comfortable even when I’m lying on my side. You can control tracks directly on the earbuds using easy-to-learn button combinations, without having to pick up your smartphone.
The battery life’s also good enough for my daily routine. About eight hours of playback easily lasts me several days. And if you ever find yourself running low on power, Motorola says that just ten minutes of charging will add another three hours of battery life. By the way, the earbuds charge automatically as soon as they’re placed in the case – as long as the case still has enough battery power.
Pleasant sound quality, but not for fans of noise cancellation
While Swarovski brings the bling, the sound technology comes from Bose. But it’s important to note that the moto buds loop have an open-ear design. In other words, they don’t sit inside the ear canal, but in front of it. This has its advantages and drawbacks. For instance, they generally offer a less immersive sound experience than traditional in-ear models, but they allow you to be more aware of your surroundings. So if you like to completely block out the outside world and rely on functions such as noise cancellation, these aren’t the right earbuds for you.
For me, however, active noise cancellation often makes me feel a little queasy. So I don’t really know what to make of it anyway. Also, I feel safer in public spaces when I’m aware of what’s going on around me. When I’m at the office, too, I prefer it when my coworkers don’t have to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention.
So the moto buds loop are a great fit for my preferences. The sound’s natural, clear and balanced. As is to be expected with open-ear models, the bass is somewhat subdued, but it isn’t so weak that it bothers me. For podcasts or listening to background music in everyday life, the sound quality’s more than adequate. When I’m really focusing on the music I’m listening to, I prefer to do this at home through speakers anyway.
Air travel takes them to their limits
Another criticism of open-ear models is that sound escapes more easily and can be heard by others. So I tested them in the office to see how noticeable this effect is with the moto buds loop. At a moderate volume, my colleagues couldn’t hear anything, even in a quiet environment and even though I was sitting right next to them. However, when the volume was turned up and the surroundings were silent, my music was audible to others.
In my opinion, the moto buds loop really start to struggle in very noisy environments. On a plane, for example, the engine noise is simply too loud. On noisy trains or in heavy city traffic as well, the music’s sometimes drowned out by outside noise to a distracting degree, even if you’re playing it at high volumes. On the other hand, they generally work well for listening to podcasts, even in noisy environments. Whether you’ll be happy with the moto buds loop depends largely on when, where and for what purpose you use them – and what your expectations are.
That bling comes at a price
As practical as they may be, the strongest selling point of the moto buds loop Swarovski remains their design. Even the way they’re clipped on is reminiscent of decorative ear cuffs, and with 34 sparkling Swarovski crystals on each earbud, the gadget’s clearly positioned as an accessory. One that attracts curious glances and, as I’ve learned from my own experience, the occasional compliment.
The fact that these ear cuffs aren’t just audio devices but also pieces of jewellery is what makes them so appealing – and also justifies their high price tag: the Swarovski version costs more than three times as much as the regular moto buds loop. Whether it’s worth it ultimately depends on the role you want the earbuds to play in your daily life. Anyone who views them mainly as a functional gadget will probably not see any added value here. On the other hand, those who like to make a gadget part of their personal style certainly will.
Restrictions for Apple devices
The biggest drawback of the moto buds loop – with or without Swarovski crystals – is probably that the accompanying app isn’t currently available for iOS. As an Apple user, this means I’m missing out on a wide range of features. For example, custom sound settings and adjustments to button combinations can only be controlled via the app, as can the feature for locating lost earbuds and enabling multipoint pairing, which allows you to switch automatically between two connected devices.
Since I generally view app fine-tuning as extra hassle rather than added value, this limitation doesn’t bother me. I can pair my moto buds loop with my iPhone and MacBook without using the app – I just have to manually select the device I want to switch to. All it takes is two or three clicks and I’m done.
In a nutshell
Stylish earbuds designed for a specific target group
The bottom line is the moto buds loop Swarovski are exactly what they set out to be: practical open-ear cuffs with decent sound – and a striking fashion statement to boot. Plus, they sit extremely comfortably and securely on my ears. While the limited app support on iOS isn’t a big issue for me, it’s likely to be a real dealbreaker for some. If your top priority’s excellent sound quality, there are definitely cheaper options out there. But if you have a soft spot for pretty things, these earbuds are an unusual mix of gadget and jewellery.
Pro
- Jewellery and earbuds in one
- Clear, balanced sound
- Super comfortable
- Stay in place securely – also suitable for sports
Contra
- Not exactly cheap
- Not ideal for very noisy environments
- Accompanying app isn’t available on iOS
Header image: Pia Seidel
Has endless love for shoulder pads, Stratocasters and sashimi, but a limited tolerance for bad impressions of her Eastern Swiss dialect.
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