Open-Ear Headphones Are Becoming More Popular — Here's Why They're Worth Switching To

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Headphones and earphones with open-ear design and fit are the polar opposite of standard wireless earbuds with silicone ear tips. By ditching the latter, open-ear headsets allow users to stream content while remaining constantly aware of their surroundings. Their design and fit make them ideal for working out indoors and outdoors, commuting, and working in open office spaces.

The best open-ear headphones have audio drivers sitting close to the ears. The setup is different from that of bone-conduction headphones, which, as their name suggests, relay sound through vibrations in the wearers' cheekbones. It gives open-ear earbuds an edge in audio performance without sacrificing situational awareness even one bit.

Until not too long ago, open-ear headphones were niche offerings that weren't easy to recommend. However, the past year has been eventful for the product category. Leading brands like Bose, JBL, and Soundocre, among other brands, launched feature-packed earphones in various form factors and price points. To determine the best open-ear headphones worth buying, I spent a month testing open-ear earbuds nonstop.

The Best Open-Ear Headphones

• Best Overall: Soundcore AeroFit Pro

• Best Budget: Soundcore V30i

• Best Comfort and Durability: Shokz OpenFit

• Best Premium: Bose Ultra Open

• Best Neckband: Oladance OWS Sports

What to Consider

First, the Open-Ear Design Shortcomings

There are two very important things you need to know before beginning your open-ear headphones shopping journey, with lower bass output expectations being the first one. Because they lack the seal that the in-ear fit and the silicone tips of standard earbuds create, open-ear earbuds can't produce the same low-end rumble even at max volume.

The bass delivery of all products on this list is sufficient but not enough to satisfy an avid basshead. If you or the giftee are one, tone down your expectations and enjoy the awareness brought by the open-ear form factor.

Speaking of awareness, open-ear headphones provide it 100% of the time when you wear a set. If you or the recipient are frequent fliers or need to use your earphones during a long flight or to focus on work, skip an open-ear headset for one with noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and the Sony LinkBuds S wireless earbuds deliver a fine balance between strong noise cancellation and reliable awareness mode. The last-mentioned bit can't match the open-ear fit, however.

Sound

Open-ear earphones have larger audio drivers than their standard siblings, so their size shouldn't be a factor in your purchase decision. Before making your decision, I suggest you look for support for spatial audio and high-resolution streaming. A companion app with tools for customizing the sound is also essential, and thankfully, all the products I picked have one.

Spatial audio is rightfully a buzzword in the consumer world. Leading Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, headphones, and earbuds have the functionality with or without the Dolby Atmos tag. Spatial audio translates into a multi-dimensional sonic experience that makes any audio content — especially live music and movie audio — more lifelike and entertaining.

Durability

All open-ear headphones on this list are water- and sweat-resistant and have an official rating that proves this. The higher the rating, the better. However, due to their unique design, open-ear earbuds are typically not dustproof like many regular ones. If, say, you or the giftee are frequent trail runners, I suggest ordering a tougher set of active earbuds like the Jabra Elite 8 that can withstand exposure to water and dust.

Ergonomics

The open-ear headsets I tested have around-ear hooks or a clip-on fit. Both layouts are comfy and won't cause pesky fatigue during prolonged use. Unless you are shopping on a tight budget, look for open-ear headphones with clicky button controls. The setup is more reliable than touch-sensitive controls, especially during workouts.

How We Tested

I spent at least a couple of weeks — or longer — with every entry on this list, keeping a close eye on its design, ergonomics, and audio performance. While evaluating the sound quality of each set, I kept in mind the benefits and shortcomings mentioned above of the open-ear design.

My audio testing routine included streaming an eclectic playlist of handpicked tracks from Tidal, listening to podcasts, and watching videos on a phone or a tablet. I used each earbud's companion app to evaluate the sound customization tools it offers. I also made calls across various platforms with every set on this list to ensure its microphones performed reliably.

Now that you know what to look for, find a great set of open-ear headphones for yourself or as a tech gift for someone else among the thoroughly tested products below. And be sure to keep an eye on this guide, as we'll update it frequently.

AeroFit Pro Open-Ear Headphones

Anker’s Soundcore AeroFit Pro open-ear headphones are the best for most upgraders. The earphones are stylish, comfy, durable, and capable of delivering great sound for their form factor. Not to mention, they have fantastic battery life. Starting well below $200, the AeroFit Pro buds are reasonably priced, too. You can order a set in black, white, blue, or purple with a matching case neckband.

The earphones’ large drivers produce a vibrant sound that’s the best on this list in terms of transparent audio fidelity. Unlike its rivals, the Soundcore AeroFit Pro is also capable of delivering Hi-Res audio over Bluetooth via the LDAC codec, so long as you are using an Android phone. Streaming my go-to audio testing tracks in lossless treated me to a detail-rich sonic experience that exceeded my expectations.

Spatial Audio, including the option to enable dynamic head tracking, is another cool sound feature the Soundcore AeroFit Pro earbuds have. Available via the Soundcore app, the functionality worked well during my testing, and I like that it has a dedicated movie mode. However, it couldn’t match the immersion that pricier earphones (with and without open-ear design) can deliver.

In terms of ergonomics, the AeroFit Pro earphones impressed me with a comfy fit and clicky button controls that are customizable via their app. Having actual buttons makes controlling the audio playback and taking calls easier, especially with sweaty hands while exercising. I also tip my hat to Anker for including a removable clip-on neckband that’s handy for keeping the AeroFit Pro handy when you or the giftee remove it.

The cheaper Soundcore AeroFit earphones are a solid alternative if you don’t prioritize lossless and spatial audio or clicky button controls. The cheaper offering has touch controls and lower battery life but a comfier fit and a higher rating for water resistance.

V30i Open-Ear Headphones

For less than $50 before additional discounts, the Soundcore V30i open-ear headphones are great for delivering audio entertainment without detaching you or your gift recipient from your surroundings and, crucially, breaking the bank. The impulse-buy earphones are comfy, durable, and capable of producing robust sound for the money.

Sound-wise, the V30i delivered a powerful experience that’s easily customizable via the Soundcore mobile app. Music and podcasts sounded crisp and enjoyable, if not as detail-rich as on the pricier Soundcore AeroFit duo. Spatial Audio isn’t available either, though I didn’t feel a need for the feature while I tested the product.

The V30i exceeded my expectations in terms of ergonomics. The earphones’ battery isn’t integrated into the back of their ear hooks like on the rest of the Soundcore lineup, so placing them on and taking them off was faster and easier.

Given its impulse-buy price, the V30i is perfect for experiencing open-ear headphones before spending more on a higher-end product with more features. The earphones’ shortcomings, such as a slightly dull design and finicky touch controls, are not glaring and perfectly offset by their low cost.

OpenFit Open-Ear Headphones

The OpenFit earphones by Shokz — a brand with a long history of making bone-conduction headphones — are the strongest alternative to our top pick from Soundcore. The open-ear headphones deserve your attention (and money) for offering a noticeably powerful bass, a comfy around-ear fit, and a supremely durable build. Unlike its water-resistant-only rivals, the IP54-rated Shokz OpenFit can also withstand exposure to dust. Their two-year warranty is also longer than the 18-month coverage of their Soundcore competitors.

I was pleasantly surprised by the powerful bass of the Shokz OpenFit the moment I began using the earphones. The low-range output is noticeably stronger than the Soundcore AeroFit Pro’s. Combined with the enhanced durability, the bass makes the OpenFit earphones more suitable for exercising. The earphones’ sound is customizable via the Shokz app.

Weighing only 8.3 grams apiece, the Shokz OpenFit earphones are considerably lighter and, therefore, comfier than the 12.3-gram Soundcore AeroFit Pro. However, the lighter build has taken a toll on the battery endurance. With up to 7 hours of playback between charging case trips, the OpenFit can’t compete with the 14-hour AeroFit Pro battery life.

The Soundcore earphones can also produce a more detail-rich sound, especially when linked to an Android phone. Their clicky button controls are also more convenient than the touch-sensitive ones of the Open Fit.

Still, if bass output, comfort, and durability are your main priorities, the Shokz product is your best option. You can order the OpenFit in black or beige with a matching case.

Ultra Open Earbuds

The Bose Open Ultra true wireless earbuds are the priciest on this best open-ear headphones list, but thanks to their immersive sound, excellent quality, striking design, amazing button controls, and flawless brand cachet, they're worth splurging on. Available in black or white, the Bose earphones deliver the most powerful bass and the best spatial audio experience in this product category. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them if their $300 sticker fits your upgrade or gifting budget.

An eye-catching design and a clip-on ear fit set the Bose Ultra Open apart from its rivals on this list. The earbuds’ low-key fit and branding make them look like fashion accessories instead of high-tech audio accessories. I can vouch that you or the giftee are all but guaranteed to get compliments (and questions) from friends and coworkers who spot you wearing them.

In addition to reducing fatigue better than a set with ear hooks, the clip-on fit allows the Ultra Open earbuds to produce significantly stronger bass than their rivals. Having their audio drivers better aligned with the ear canal has a major impact on their low-range output.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are also the best in their class when it comes to spatial sound capabilities. Dubbed Bose Immersive Audio, the product’s spatial audio feature utilizes onboard processing. It can work with any content with or without dynamic head tracking. Switching between the audio modes is available in the Bose Music app or via the buds’ clicky button controls.

Considering their price tag, I wish the Bose Ultra Open earbuds had longer battery life and a wireless charging-capable case. Still, I found the buds’ amazing comfort and sound prowess worth the extra coin.

REVIEW: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

OWS Sports Open-Ear Headphones

The Oladance OWS Sports open-ear headphones are the best option with an integrated neckband. The last-mentioned bit makes the earphones bulkier than true wireless sets but worth buying if you or the gift recipient need a more secure fit for intense exercising. Such a form factor is particularly convenient for users who remove their headset frequently but need to keep it handy around their necks. It is faster (and easier) to put neckband earphones on than finding and placing two separate buds sitting in a storage case.

I like the earphones’ sleek design, comfy fit, and clicky button controls, which are easy to access with sweaty hands and during outdoor workouts in rainy weather. Speaking of rain, the product's IPX8 rating is the highest on this list, ensuring that these over-ear headphones can endure complete submersion under water.

Featuring large and uniquely shaped audio drivers, the Oladance OWS Sports delivered a stellar sonic experience during my testing, though not quite on the same level as the Soundcore AeroFit Pro true wireless earphones. The sound is customizable via a companion app, but there’s no option to enable spatial audio or high-fidelity streaming. Still, the OWS earphones reliably kept me entertained and aware of my surroundings during outdoor walks and gym sessions.

The earphones' 15-hour battery life is solid, but I’m not a fan of their proprietary charger. Thankfully, their stylish storage case has a dedicated slot for it, so it’s easy to keep it in place.

There are several eye-catching colors to consider: gray, silver, pink, and yellow (pictured here). A true wireless version is also available, but it costs $50 more.

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