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The best noise-canceling earbuds are designed to insulate you from distractions, but there are times when tuning
out your surroundings isn’t an option. From running outdoors to listening for the next station on a train commute, the best open-ear earbuds and headphones allow for situational awareness without compromising audio quality.
At a Glance: Best Open-Ear Earbuds
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Shokz OpenFit 2
Nothing Ear (Open)
Shokz OpenDots One
Baseus Bowie MC2
Soundcore AeroClip
Soundcore AeroFit 2
Sony LinkBuds Clip
Suunto Spark
It’s a niche but growing market, with brands offering more open-ear options than ever. Open-ear earbuds comprise a broad range of styles, ranging from clip-style ear cuffs, earbuds with ear hooks, and bone-conduction headphones. What they have in common is leaving the ear canal open.
There are a variety of advantages to open ear earbuds. The biggest advantage is allowing the wearer to be attuned to their surroundings, which is why they’re particularly popular with runners and cyclists who work out outdoors. They’re not just for athletes, though — staying aware can be useful at work, on commutes, or while simply walking around the neighborhood. In addition to awareness, open-ear earbuds can be useful for those who struggle to find comfortable-fitting in-ear earbuds.
How We Picked the Best Open-Ear Earbuds
To find the best open-ear earbuds, we started with brands we trust and have used in the past. I put all of the options below to the test, trying them in a variety of settings, ranging from outdoor bike rides to office work. I evaluated them on audio quality, comfort, workout-friendliness, and portability. These are our top picks for the best open-ear earbuds of 2025.
The Best Open-Ear Earbuds
From well-known brands like Bose and Sony to niche brands like Baseus, these are some of our favorite open-ear earbuds of 2026.
BEST OVERALL
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Pros: Great sound, compact design
Cons: Steep price
Quick Summary: Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds are very pricey, but the combination of sound quality, comfort, and portability makes them one of the best pairs I tested.
Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
Stated Battery Life: 7 hours continuous, 19.5 with the case
The steep price tag may cause hesitation among runners and cyclists worried about dropping these down a runoff grate, and the IPX4 rating is middling. But despite these drawbacks, Bose’s Open Earbuds were the pair I reached for most often, including for workouts.
These earbuds are surprisingly secure, despite the unusual fit that clips around the ear. They were able to handle sweaty bike rides across uneven terrain with minimal movement, and the relatively compact case makes them easy to take on the go.
The earbuds have a physical playback button, which comes in handy in preventing accidental touches during workouts. The drivers do a good job of angling the sound toward the ear while leaving the ear canal open. Crucially, Bose put audio quality first in designing the Open Earbuds, meaning they’re not just for workouts.
The unusual design may take some getting used to — they can exert some pressure on the outer ear, but they get more comfortable with wear. The biggest drawback is the price — $300 at retail is steep for a pair of earbuds. It’s the same price as Bose’s QC Ultra earbuds, which have noise cancelling.
The strong audio performance, portability, and usefulness for workouts and everyday wear ultimately put the Bose Open Earbuds over the top, despite their steep price tag.
RUNNER UP
Shokz OpenFit 2
Pros: Good fit, controls, sound
Cons: Limited colors
Quick Summary: Shokz OpenFit 2 earbuds pack great sound into a lightweight, workout-friendly package.
Water-resistant rating: IP55
Stated Battery Life: 11 hours continuous, 48 hours with the case
Shokz earbuds have been popular with runners and cyclists for over a decade, and the brand pioneered the bone conduction category. The brand’s OpenFit 2 earbuds, released in 2025, use “air conduction” instead, essentially a driver placed near the opening of the ear canal. The result is a crisper, less muddy sound compared to the somewhat muffled performance of true bone conduction headphones.
The OpenFit 2 earbuds come in a compact charging case that’s easy to take on the go, unlike the brand’s OpenRun headphones, which have a band connecting the two earbuds. They’re among the best-sounding earbuds in this category, but you lose out on some fidelity like any open earbuds.
The OpenFit 2 earbuds are designed with workouts in mind, but that’s not their only use case. They’re comfortable enough for all-day wear at the office, and the open design keeps you aware of any conversations. Plus, multipoint compatibility makes it easy to stay connected to your phone and laptop for any calls.
The standout feature for me is the controls. Shokz added both a touch sensor and a physical button. The sensor can be turned off or used for a voice assistant, while the customizable button controls (on each bud) control playback and volume.
BEST DESIGN
Nothing Ear (Open)
Pros: Stylish, good sound
Cons: Protrude from ear
Quick Summary: Nothing’s Open earbuds feature a stylish, eye-catching design and all-day comfort, with sound that’s crisp and clear.
Water-resistant rating: IP54
Stated Battery Life: 8 hours continuous, 30 hours total with the case
Nothing is known for its use of transparent, see-through plastic that creates a boldly minimalist look, and they applied that design to the Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds. They’re among the best-sounding open-ear earbuds, and at $149, they’re more affordable than Shokz or Bose.
The case is long but impressively slim, making it fairly easy to slip into a pocket. The earbuds themselves also feel lightweight, and the earhooks keep them secure. That said, the drivers tend to jut out from the ears, making them slightly conspicuous.
Like my other favorite earbuds from Shokz and Bose, the Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds feature a physical, tactile button. It’s a welcome feature on any workout earbud, as it helps prevent accidental touches. The button is somewhat small and hard to find at first, but the controls are easy to get used to, and they’re also customizable.
The earbuds have a decent 8 hours of playback with the earbuds or 30 hours with the case, and the IP54 water-resistant rating is sufficient for most workouts.
MOST VERSATILE
Shokz OpenDots One
Pros: Great sound, comfortable fit
Cons: Pricey, awkward controls
Quick Summary: If you like the clip-on style of Bose’s Ultra Opens, but are looking to save a Benjamin, Shokz’s new OpenDots One are a very worthy alternative
Water-resistant rating: IP54
Stated Battery Life: 10 hours continuous, 40 hours total with the case
Shokz’s OpenDots One earbuds feature a similar clip-on design to Bose’s Ultra Open earbuds, but they beat Bose in a few key categories. For starters, they offer better battery life and wireless charging capabilities, and the improved IP rating makes them more suitable for intense workouts. They’re also $100 cheaper.
I would give the edge to Bose for sound quality, but the OpenDots One aren’t far behind. They’re among the best-sounding open-ear earbuds. The bass-forward audio is adjustable through the app’s EQ settings, but it sounds clear and detailed enough out of the case. In short, they’re not just for workouts; they’re an excellent option for the office or everyday use for anyone who prefers to stay aware of their environment.
These earbuds also have some unusual features; wear detection pauses the music when you remove a bud, a common feature on in-ear earbuds but rare on open-ear styles. These earbuds are also interchangeable. There is no dedicated left and right earbud — instead, the audio automatically switches channels based on which earbud you’re wearing.
Where these earbuds fall short is controls; the tap controls are finicky, slow to respond, and prone to accidental taps. And at $200, these are still a pricey pair of earbuds. Still, after testing them on a long bike ride and at the office, I found them to be a comfortable and great-sounding option for various settings, and worth the splurge despite minor flaws.
BEST VALUE
Baseus Bowie MC2
Pros: Affordable, comfortable, good call quality
Cons: Sound isn’t mind-blowing, case is large
Quick Summary: If you’re looking for an affordable option, Baseus’s Bowie MC2 is a solid pick. They’re intuitive to use, comfortable, and the call quality is sharp. Others sound better, but those picks cost more, too.
Water Resistant Rating: IP67
Stated Battery Life: Up to 13 hours, up to 60 hours with the case
Open-ear earbuds are unlikely to be anyone’s first pair of earbuds, which is why it’s understandable to not want to spend too much. Baseus’s Bowie MC2 earbuds retail for $60, but they have decent sound quality, great comfort, and surprisingly crisp microphones for phone calls.
The earbuds have a similar clip-style design that’s lightweight, although bulkier than other options. I found them comfortable, but those with smaller ears might find them slightly cumbersome.
The sound quality is decent, although not as clear and clean as options from Bose and Shokz. The bass is surprisingly boomy for a pair of clip-on earbuds, although they don’t sound as crisp in higher frequencies like female vocals. The call quality was solid, even in slightly noisy environments.
The app is clean and easy to use, and you can customize the left and right controls separately. As for those controls, they consist of a single button on each earbud. I generally prefer physical controls for this kind of earbud, and these are well implemented. While there are better-sounding options for more money, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option at this price.
GREAT FIT
Soundcore AeroClip
Pros: Comfortable, good sound
Cons: Awkward controls
Quick Summary: Soundcore’s AeroClip earbuds are among the brand’s best-sounding, and the clip-on design is comfortable yet secure.
Water-resistant rating: IPX4
Stated Battery Life: 8 hours continuous, 32 hours total with the case
Soundcore, frankly, might make too many earbuds. But the AeroClip earbuds are a hit, and a genuine surprise. They’re similar to the C40i earbuds or Bose’s Ultra Open earbuds, with a clip-on design that grips the ear’s antihelix. The clip-on style is a great option if you feel like earbuds with ear hooks compete with the precious ear real estate that’s shared with glasses.
What makes these stand out is the sound quality. While Anker’s earbuds have always excelled in battery life, comfort, and features, sound quality wasn’t always its strongest suit. With the AeroClip earbuds, Anker has stepped up its game, delivering impressively crisp audio performance for a pair of open-ear earbuds.
They’re also surprisingly comfortable, exerting minimal pressure on the ear without sacrificing a secure fit. Several ear grips are included to suit different ear sizes. The case itself is too bulky for a pair of pants pockets, although it could reasonably fit into a jacket pocket.
The controls are on the cuff itself, with a customizable double or triple tap. There’s no single tap option, and the earbuds are somewhat slow to respond to taps, making the controls somewhat awkward.
WORKOUT READY
Soundcore AeroFit 2
Pros: Adjustable fit, long battery
Cons: Bulky case
Quick Summary: Anker’s Soundcore brand continues to impress as one of the best values for wireless earbuds, and the AeroFit 2’s $100 price point belies an impressive number of features and a thoughtful design.
Water Resistant Rating: IP55
Stated Battery Life: 10 hours on a single charge, 42 hours with the case
The AeroFit 2 features ear hooks for a secure, workout-friendly design. The earbuds have an impressive battery life, and they’re comfortable, too, thanks to the flexible silicone hooks and contoured design that alleviates pressure on the tragus.
The earbuds are also adjustable, with four positions that click distinctly, making it easier to find the most comfortable position. They have a variety of features that you might not expect to find on $100 earbuds. The case features wireless charging, and the earbuds have multipoint pairing for seamless connections with multiple devices like laptops and phones. The intuitive app also features customizable EQ and a variety of sound profiles.
Like all earbuds with ear hooks, they can interfere with eyewear, though I found these to be relatively easy to wear with sunglasses. Soundcore’s audio quality didn’t blow me away, but it wasn’t tinny, unlike other budget earbuds.
The comfortably designed earpieces contour to the shape of the ear, and the earbuds sound clear enough for outdoor workouts without compromising awareness. Combined with Soundcore’s great app features, the AeroFit 2 is a top contender for the best open ear earbuds.
GREAT SOUND
Sony LinkBuds Clip
Pros: Great sound, stylish design, secure fit
Cons: Pricey, call quality is subpar
Quick Summary: The LinkBuds Clip feature the great sound Sony is known for. The earbuds have customizable controls and in-depth EQ options, but the subpar call quality and steep price are considerations.
Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
Stated Battery Life: Up to 9 hours, 37 hours with the case
Sony’s take on the clip-on earbud trend features the great sound the brand is known for, and the Sony LinkBuds Clipearbuds are available in a range of fun, poppy colors. The biggest drawback is the price; at $229, they’re only rivaled by Bose’s $300 Ultra Open earbuds, although they do go on sale for less than that.
Wearing them, they feel snug, secure, and fairly comfortable. The earbuds utilize tap controls, which are on the band itself. The controls are customizable, with preset modes to choose from for both the left and right earbuds. Sony’s Sound Connect app also features customizable 10-band EQ, although I found them pleasant-sounding out of the box.
Speaking of sound, it’s crisp and clear for earbuds of this style, although the low-end lacks some thump. Still, these are among the best-sounding earbuds in this class, which isn’t too surprising coming from Sony. Where they falter is call quality. I could hear myself clearly in a quiet environment, but when I recorded myself on a busy street, I had a hard time making out my voice.
Overall, these are some of the best clip-on style earbuds I’ve tested, and the eye-catching colors are a plus.
MOST SPORTY
Suunto Spark
Pros: Sport-focused design, comfortable fit
Cons: Sound could be punchier
Quick Summary: Suunto’s sport-focused Spark earbuds are a solid over-ear style for workouts, particularly running, although others have more impressive sound quality.
Water Resistant Rating: IP55
Stated Battery Life: Up to 7 hours, 36 hours with the case
Suunto is a sport-focused brand, known for making workout watches and swim headphones, so it’s no surprise that the brand touts the Spark earbuds for running. The earbuds feature a similar over-ear design to Shokz’s OpenFit earbuds, with a hook-style fit that sits behind the ear.
They’re comfortable, and while I didn’t test them on a workout, I don’t doubt that they would stay secure during a run or bike ride. The sound quality is decent enough for outdoor or workout use, although it’s not as detailed as picks from brands like Sony and Bose.
The app lets you customize the earbuds, including the ability to use gesture controls to control playback. The app does require that you sign up with an email, which is a pet peeve of mine, but it does offer plenty of features.
If you’re particularly invested in having a pair of workout-focused earbuds, Suunto’s Spark earbuds are a solid option.
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