In a feat of engineering that borders on magic, the best wireless earbuds can silence the noisy world around you at the tap of a finger. So, why would you buy open earbuds, which are specifically designed to let in environmental sounds?
Frankly, I didn’t understand the appeal of them either until I started testing them, and now I use open earbuds even more than my noise-cancelling earbuds. For situations from hiking to running errands, these are the headphones you should be wearing. Here’s what you’re missing out on, and a few of the best pairs to try.
Why you want open earbuds
Ordinary earbuds essentially cram a tiny speaker into your ear canal, which creates that plugged-up feeling that disconnects you from your environment, and makes your voice sound weird. Open earbuds keep your ear canals unobstructed using innovative designs that locate that speaker element outside the ear. Wearing them feels less like entering a telephone booth, and more like carrying a speaker nobody else can hear.
They fit and perform very differently from regular earbuds, and even semi-open models such as Apple’s standard AirPods. They don’t sound as full or bassy, but they also tear down the wall between you and your environment, inviting you to use them in situations where ordinary headphones would be inappropriate.
Think of cycling and still being able to hear traffic, fixing dinner while still keeping track of the kids, or going for a dog walk while still being able to chat with neighbors. Call it sonic multi-tasking: open earbuds let you carry on with life while discreetly still enjoying music, podcasts and videos.
Of course, it’s not easy delivering good sound or accessible controls in buds designed to virtually disappear on your ears. I’ve been testing headphones and earbuds for over a decade, so I’ve come to appreciate everything a great pair can provide. After testing dozens of open earbuds, I’ve only found a few that hit all the right notes.
At a glance:
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The best open-ear earbuds in the US
Best overall open-ear earbuds:
Soundcore Aeroclip Earbuds
Soundcore
Aeroclip Earbuds
from $149.99
Soundcore’s Aeroclip were among the first clip-on style earbuds I tried, and while many have followed, none I’ve tested can match their mix of value, sound quality, comfort and convenience. Like an oversized fake earring, a C-shaped loop clips on to your ear for a light yet secure fit. Tapping anywhere along the ring provides responsive playback control, something most open earbuds struggle to accomplish.
They resist dust and water, and deliver up to eight hours of playtime, or 24 hours with their metallic charging case (which is hearty, but prone to scuffs). Their ultra-light fit and well-tuned drivers provide hours of satisfying listening, with full and expressive sound across an expansive stereo image, anchored by better bass than most rivals. It’s a loaded package worthy of its not insignificant price tag.
Soundcore
Aeroclip Earbuds
from $149.99
Best premium open-ear earbuds:
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Bose
Ultra Open Earbuds
from $199
The Bose Ultra Open’s list price may look excessive, but they earn their expense with posh style, unique design and the best sound quality I’ve heard in the genre. The secret is a blend of Bose’s legendary physics wizardry with a novel coil frame that creates a custom clip-on grip. It expertly targets your eardrums – once you’ve mastered placement, that is. It took me a while to get the fit right with every listen, but it soon became second nature.
A control key on the barrel-like back piece lets you adjust volume with a double-tap and hold. Bose’s spatial audio feature creates a compelling 3D effect, but I prefer the stereo sound, which provides precise dynamics, clear and textural instrumental timbres, and full-bodied sound across registers. They come as close as I’ve found to the rich sound of traditional buds, making them a worthy purchase for picky listeners, especially now with $100 off for a limited time.
Bose
Ultra Open Earbuds
from $199
Best budget open-ear earbuds:
Acefast AceFit Air Open-Ear Headphones
Acefast
AceFit Air Open-Ear Headphones
$21.99
You’ll find piles of open earbuds under $100, but none I’ve encountered provide as much value per dollar as Acefast’s Acefit Air. These buds deliver some of the best sound I’ve heard in the budget space, and somehow do it for less than a takeout meal for two. They’re comfy and surprisingly chic, though it takes some fiddling to align them, and their control sensors are touchy. Despite the buds’ larger wraparound design, Acefast slimmed the charging case down to a stylishly thin sandwich. You get six hours of battery life per charge, and up to 25 with the case.
Music is clear, with tactful expression of vocal and instrumental entrances, and a relatively full-bodied lower register. Sharper instruments can sometimes sound thin and brittle, but it’s hard to complain at this price. I can’t imagine a more guilt-free buy.
Acefast
AceFit Air Open-Ear Headphones
$21.99
Best budget clip-on open-ear earbuds:
EarFun Clip 2 Earbuds
If you’re looking for bargain buds in a more minimalist, clip-on form factor, Earfun’s Clip 2 are a good buy, and they’re often on sale. Push-button controls and a lightweight nickel-titanium design provide among the best comfort and usability available at their price point.
Like most budget open earbuds, the Clip 2’s sound is light on lower bass, and the treble can occasionally distort, but their new driver housings provide better clarity and more finesse for instruments and dialogue than the previous pair. Perks include a “game mode” for low-lag playback, spatial audio for virtual 3D listening, a headphones finder, and solid dust and water resistance. Battery life of up to 11 hours per charge and 40 hours with the case is among the best in class, making these a surprisingly loaded budget pick.
Best in-ear open-ear earbuds:
Sony Linkbuds Open
Sony
Linkbuds Open
from $228
For open buds that fit more like traditional buds, try Sony’s Linkbuds Open. Unlike clip-on or wrap-around buds, they sit inside your ear without obstructing it thanks to specialized ring-shaped drivers. The fit isn’t as airy as clip-ons, but their closer proximity provides boosted bass to go along with solid detail in the upper registers.
This second generation of Sony’s hole-y buds offers some intriguing features. Highlights include a feature that lets you tap the side of your cheek to control playback, which works surprisingly well for controlling them on the go, and adaptive volume control that raises or lowers volume based on your environment. You’ll also get about eight hours of playtime (up to 22 with the case), and impressive call quality. Sony’s Linkbuds line now includes a solid clip-on pair as well, but if you’re after in-ears, these fit the bill.
Sony
Linkbuds Open
from $228
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