Best open-ear headphones and earbuds

Open-ear headphones and earbuds are a unique breed of audio gear designed to allow you to simultaneously listen to audio while keeping your ears open to environmental sounds around you. Unlike traditional headphones and earbuds that cover or insert into the ear canal, open-ear models leave your ears completely exposed.

Here at SoundGuys, we have tested dozens of open-ear headphones and earbuds to determine the top picks. In our lab, we measure battery life, sound quality, and isolation to see which open earbuds are the top performers. Below, we’ve rounded up our top choices as selected by our team of experts.

The quick answer

For a quick guide to the best open-ear headphones and earbuds, check out our top picks below. Each has a link to our full review.

Best for iPhone: AirPods 4

Best features: Sony LinkBuds Open

Best budget: Soundcore Aerofit 2

Best clip-on earbuds: HUAWEI FreeClip 2

The In-depth answer

Below you’ll find our in-depth coverage of each of the best open-ear headphones and earbuds. Each model has been rigorously tested, ensuring you can trust our recommendations.

Best open-ear headphones overall: Nothing Ear (Open)

The Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds stand out as the best overall open-ear option thanks to their thoughtfully engineered design that positions drivers closer to the ear canal than competitors, delivering surprisingly strong bass response—a rarity in this category. With an IP54 rating for both earbuds and case, they’re built to handle sweaty workouts and outdoor activities while maintaining comfort during extended wear. The standout feature is the Nothing X app’s advanced parametric EQ that gives users full control across the entire frequency range.

Multipoint connectivity, Google Fast Pair support, and customizable pinch controls round out a feature set that earned the highest MDAQS score we’ve recorded for open-ear earbuds. At $149.99, they deliver premium performance with a futuristic design aesthetic that doesn’t compromise on durability or comfort, making them the ideal choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who refuse to sacrifice sound quality for situational awareness.

• Read our full Nothing Ear (Open) review

Best unsealed earbuds for iPhone: Apple AirPods 4

The Apple AirPods 4 represent the best value in Apple’s earbud lineup, offering premium features like the H2 chip and improved acoustic architecture at an entry-level price point of just $129. The redesigned shape, informed by scanning thousands of ears, offers better comfort and fit than previous generations. However, the one-size-fits-all approach, without swappable ear tips, means trying them before buying is essential. Apple’s ecosystem integration remains unmatched, with seamless device switching, automatic firmware updates, spatial audio with head tracking, and convenient features like Find My support and Siri head gesture controls.

The IP54 rating makes them suitable for workouts. At the same time, Adaptive EQ technology automatically adjusts the sound to account for fit variations, delivering surprisingly good audio quality with detailed mids and highs despite the unsealed design. At 4.3g per earbud with 6+ hours of battery life and 30 hours total with the case, they’re the ideal choice for iPhone users who prefer an open, awareness-friendly design, especially those who find traditional ear tips uncomfortable.

• Read our full Apple AirPods 4 review.

Best features for open-ear earbuds: Sony LinkBuds Open

The Sony LinkBuds Open stand out with thoughtful design features and forward-looking technology. The flexible silicone stabilizer fin provides a secure yet comfortable fit that accommodates various ear shapes and sizes. At the same time, the unique wide area tap control allows you to tap the skin near your ear instead of potentially dislodging the earbuds themselves.

Sony’s implementation of LE Audio with LC3 codec support delivers reduced latency on compatible Android devices, and Bluetooth Multipoint enables seamless device switching without the frustration of constant re-pairing. With an impressive 9.5-hour battery life, IPX4-equivalent moisture protection for workouts, and creative features like the background music effect that spatializes audio to simulate different listening environments, plus head gesture controls for calls through the Sony Sound Connect app, these $199.99 earbuds pack premium functionality into a compact, marble-patterned case. While they share the typical tradeoffs in open-earbud sound quality, they’re perfect for cyclists, gym-goers, and anyone who needs constant situational awareness without sacrificing modern wireless conveniences.

• Read our full Sony LinkBuds Open review

Best budget open-ear headphones: Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2

The touch controls are highly responsive (perhaps too much so), and microphone performance holds up reasonably well even in windy conditions. For listeners curious about the open-ear lifestyle but hesitant to invest heavily, the AeroFit 2 represents an affordable gateway with enough adjustability to accommodate various ear shapes and listening preferences.

• Read our full Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 review.

Best clip-on earbuds: HUAWEI FreeClip 2

If you are looking for clip-on earbuds that leave your ear canal completely open, the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 are our top choice. In my testing, I found the lightweight clip-on design easy to forget after a few minutes, even during long listening sessions, and the IP57 water resistance makes them reliable for workouts and wet weather. Battery life is strong for open earbuds, and thoughtful features—like being able to use either earbud in either ear—remove a lot of everyday friction compared to typical true wireless earbuds.

Fit matters, but when positioned well, they deliver more bass strength than I usually expect from a clip-on design, while maintaining good clarity and a convincing sense of width and spatial depth. They don’t block outside noise at all, which is exactly the point, making them ideal for runners, commuters, or anyone who values situational awareness. They’re expensive, but if you want premium open earbuds that prioritize comfort, awareness, and above-average sound, the FreeClip 2 are among the best options available right now.

• Read our full HUAWEI FreeClip 2 review.

Want something different? Try bone conduction headphones

Bone conduction headphones offer a distinctive approach to listening that bypasses the eardrum. Instead, they transmit sound directly to the cochlea through vibrations on the cheekbones. This unique method makes them an intriguing option for those seeking open-ear audio products, combining situational awareness with a form of hearing that’s accessible even to those with certain types of hearing impairments. See our picks of the best bone conduction headphones to get started.

The best open-ear headphones: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore AeroFit ($129.99 at Amazon): Considering the AeroFit’s open-ear design, secure over-the-ear fit, and IPX7 protection rating, these earbuds are best suited for outdoor fitness enthusiasts.
• Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299 at Amazon): If you are looking for clip-on earbuds, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a good option, though they are expensive.
• Shokz OpenFit 2+ ($199.95 at Amazon): The OpenFit 2+ distinguishes itself with exceptional AI-powered call quality that aggressively filters background noise, wireless charging convenience, and significantly reduced sound leakage compared to competitors, making it ideal for professionals who need reliable communication alongside workout audio.
• Shokz OpenFit 2 ($179.95 at Amazon): The OpenFit 2 delivers exceptional 11-hour battery life and superior physical button controls that trump touch-only competitors, making it the best choice for endurance athletes who need reliable, glove-friendly operation during long training sessions.

How we test open-ear headphones and earbuds

At SoundGuys, we put open-ear headphones through a variety of objective tests to measure their performance characteristics like battery life, Bluetooth connectivity, microphone quality, and, most importantly, their sound quality and frequency response. While judging audio fidelity is inherently subjective, we utilize advanced measuring tools and software to obtain objective data on their sound reproduction capabilities.

We then combine these objective test results with real-world listening experiences and use cases to provide a comprehensive review that covers all the strengths, weaknesses, and unique attributes of each product.

How we choose the best open-ear headphones

When selecting the best open-ear headphones, we look for models that achieve their intended purpose of allowing environmental awareness during activities like running, cycling, and other exercise.

The top priorities are a secure, stable fit that won’t easily dislodge during motion, an open earcup design that provides good ambient noise passthrough, and, ideally, some level of water/dust protection. Battery life, wireless connectivity performance, and physical control options are other key factors.

While not expecting audiophile sound quality, we still evaluate their frequency response, clarity, and overall audio performance realistically within the constraints of the open-air design.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

The SoundGuys team has many years of combined experience reviewing and testing consumer audio products of all types. We have sophisticated facilities for objectively measuring audio gear and follow strict ethical principles to remain impartial and unbiased in our reviews and recommendations.

All products are purchased through normal retail channels or provided as temporary loaners directly from manufacturers. We maintain full editorial control over the review process, forming our own opinions and ratings that are never influenced by any outside parties.

Frequently asked questions