Noise-canceling headphones have dominated the headphone market for some time now, but open-ear headphones have become a much more prevalent option for people looking for headphones that leave their ears open to their surroundings. Open-ear headphones can include bone-conduction headphones, but more options provide better sound quality if bone conduction is not your style. Whether you are going for a run, have kids you need to keep an ear open for, or want a new option, there is an excellent open-ear headphones option for everyone.
The Best Open-Ear Headphones For 2024
Shokz OpenFit
OpenFit continues the Shokz open-ear concept, letting users enjoy all-day comfort and hear their own soundtrack while staying open to the world around them. It offers an ultra-lightweight, open-ear construction, allowing users to hear both their own audio and every sound around them with crystal clarity.
- Battery Life
- 7 hours/28 hours with charging case
- IP Rating
- IP54
- Bluetooth
5.2
- IP54 rating
- Secure over-ear hooks
- Accurate touch controls
- Straightforward app and EQ
- The sound quality is not the best
Shokz has made a name for itself with its excellent bone-conduction headphones, so it makes sense that they were also amazing when they transitioned to open-ear designs. If you are looking for excellent all-around open-ear headphones that excel in various use cases, from day-to-day use to outdoor adventuring, the Shokz OpenFit is easily one of the best options.
If you have never used a pair of headphones that loop over your ear before, the fit does take some getting used to, but the OpenFit makes finding a comfortable fit reasonably easy. Some users might find a bit of strain on the tragus (the little flap that covers the earhole) at first, but it doesn't ruin the overall enjoyment of these headphones too much. To make up for that bit of growing pain, the OpenFit is incredibly stable. Whether you want to go for a run, bike ride, or just jump up and down a lot, these headphones stay locked in through it all.
Like all open-ear headphones, sound quality depends heavily on the surrounding environment; because your ears are unblocked, none of these headphones will sound as good in a quiet environment as they do in a loud one. That being said, these headphones don't deliver the best sound available when compared to other open-ear headphones, but they do deliver a very consistent sound that is quite enjoyable to listen to.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds' cuff-like fit leaves your ears totally open, so you can still hear the world around you. OpenAudio technology provides rich, private sound. These earbuds are incredibly comfortable and can easily be worn all day.
- Compatability
- AAC, SBC
- Battery Life
- 7.5 hours
- IP Rating
- IPX4
- Bluetooth
5.2
- Clip-on fit
- Comfortable for long periods of time
- Decent microphone performance
- Very good sound quality for open-ear headphones
- Expensive
- Design might not fit with everyone's style
With the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds making a splash in the open-ear headphone scene, it begs the question: what kind of headphones can't Bose make? The Ultra Open is an excellent option if you want a premium open-ear headphone experience through and through; these headphones sound stunning, and the clip-on design, while unconventional, is surprisingly comfortable.
These headphones are unlike most others on the market. Each earbud is split into two barrels, one holding the battery and wireless components and the other housing the speaker driver unit. They are connected by a flexible rubber joint. The learning curve of putting on these headphones is even greater than the ear-loop design of the Shokz OpenFit. Sitting around the bottom part of your ear, these headphones are fairly comfortable, and despite the look, they don't really pinch or clamp too hard.
The Ultra Open's sound quality is about as good as it gets when it comes to open-ear headphones. There is an ample amount of bass, everything comes through clearly, and most songs have a nice wide presence. Of course, some of that nuance is lost when you are in a louder environment, but at about 60% volume, most people will be able to comfortably hear their music even when their environment is fairly loud.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro
The AeroFit Pro open-ear headphones utilize a non-intrusive design to eliminate discomfort and allow you to enjoy a breathable listening experience while leaving your ears open to hear your surroundings. Using air-conduction technology, these earbuds deliver fuller and clearer audio compared to bone-conduction headphones.
- Battery Life
- 14 hours / 46 hours
- Supported codecs
- AAC, SBC, LDAC
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- IP Rating
- IPX5
- Secure fit
- IPX5 protection rating
- Excellent battery life
- LDAC codec support
- Custom EQ is not very powerful
- No "previous track" control option
Some of Soundcore's most recent earbuds and headphones have focused heavily on ANC, so it's nice to see they are also offering fantastic open-ear headphone options. The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is a perfect mid-range option if you are looking for a mid-range option that is not too expensive but still offers more premium features you expect to see on higher-end options.
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These headphones are not quite at the same level of stability compared to the Shokz OpenRun or OpenFit. However, most people will probably find that just using the earbuds works well enough. The soft TPU ear loop does a great job of grabbing onto your ear, but it's not so tight that it becomes uncomfortable. Plus, with the included magnetic strap, you can secure these headphones around your neck if you are worried about one of them getting away during more rigorous exercise.
The AeroFit Pro delivers a rich and loud sound that is very enjoyable to listen to, no matter the genre. Of course, with the open-ear design, the sound quality is also reliant on your surroundings. While a song might sound amazing while running on a trail, that same song might not live up to the same standards while running next to traffic. These headphones are not going to the same level as the Bose Ultra Open in louder environments, but when you are in quieter places, they sound pretty fantastic. However, they can be easily helped with some more EQ support in the Soundcore app.
Anker Soundcore C30i Open Ear Headphones
Enjoy unparalleled comfort with soundcore C30i open ear earbuds, expertly crafted for breathability and featuring a secure clip-on design. The impressive 12mmx17mm drivers deliver powerful and rich sound so you can enjoy open-ear listening even in louder environments.
- Battery Life
- 10H/30H
- IP Rating
- IPX4
- Bluetooth
5.3
- Very affordable
- Clear and great sound quality
- Decent microphone performance
- Compact design
- Can be a bit too large for some users
- Some compression at higher volume
Posed as the budget version of the Bose Ultra Open, the Soundcore C30i had some large shoes to fill. While they don't punch way above their weight class, it is hard to beat the performance of these little clip-on style open-ear headphones for $70. These headphones are an excellent option if you are looking to get into the world of open-ear headphones but don't want to spend an arm and a leg but still want some solid performance.
Instead of using a flexible rubber clip, the Soundcore C30i uses a build of all hard plastic for the frame, which does make it feel a bit more rigid, but it does create some weird fitting issues. There is no way to adjust the size of each earbud, but most users should be able to find a secure fit by moving them up and down on your ear until they feel snug. If they still feel a bit too big, Soundcore does include an additional grip to make the gap a bit smaller and also give them a bit more texture to create a more secure fit.
Being such an affordable option, the C30i's sound quality will not blow you away like that of the Bose Ultra Open, but that being said, they are no slouch either. The bass is fairly underemphasized, and they have some clarity issues, but they deliver a very warm sound that highlights vocalists in a very pleasant way. If you listen to lyric-focused music or podcasts, these headphones deliver a very enjoyable listening experience across multiple locations.
OpenRock Pro
The OpenRock Pro are open-ear headphones design with powerful dynamic drivers that deliver high resolution audio that bone conduction headphones cannot really compete with. The lightweight design and ear hook loop style make the OpenRock Pro incredibly comfortable, and you can easily wear these headphones all day with a 19-hour battery life.
- Compatability
- aptX / AAC / SBC
- Battery Life
- 19 hours/60 hours with case
- IP Rating
- IPX5
- Bluetooth
5.2
- Competitive price point
- Comfortable fit
- Incredible battery life
- Sleek design
- Air conduction audio is a bit finicky at times
- They can pull on longer hair
The OpenRock Pro is an excellent pair of open-ear headphones built to stand up to the elements. Not to mention, they sound pretty decent, and they have one of the most impressive battery life ratings for headphones of this size. They can last up to 19 hours on a single charge and up to 60 hours with the charging case. These earbuds are perfect if you listen to your headphones all day long and only want to charge them once a week.
Despite its beefy battery life and slightly larger form factor, the OpenRock Pro is easily one of the most comfortable headphones in this guide. They are pretty lightweight, and once you figure out your best fit, it is pretty easy to forget you are wearing them. These headphones grip your head and remain pretty steady even through rigorous movement; however, if you have longer hair, you may find that the grips on the inside of these headphones can pull at your hair from time to time.
Touting the exciting TubeBass technology, these headphones provide a fair bit more bass response than most other open-ear headphones, but it does overrun the mids and highs quite a bit. The OpenRock Pro are not audiophile-level headphones when it comes to sound quality, but for people who like to have music as their backing track or want some tunes for their workout, the sound quality is more than serviceable.
Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones
The Shokz OpenRUN Pro headphones redefine everything about open-ear listening. While the drivers are 20% smaller than previous models, they still feature Shokz's signature open-ear design and deliver all-day comfort. Crush training goals while jamming to some music, but stay aware of traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, and more with OpenRun Pro.
- Connectivity Technology
- Bluetooth 5.1
- Play Time
- 10 Hours
- Waterproof?
- IP55 Water-Resistant
- Weight
- 29 grams
- Charging Type
- Proprietary Charging
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Good sound for bone conduction
- Multipoint connectivity
- IP55 rating
- Every button press has a beep with it
- Poor microphone quality
Many open-ear headphones are great for running, but few are better than the Shokz OpenRun Pro. The titanium headband and rubberized grips guarantee a secure fit no matter how much movement and sweat they encounter. No headphones are perfect, but if you are looking for your next running companion, the OpenRun Pro gets pretty close.
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Experience your favorite music in a different way with the best wireless bone conduction headphones.
These headphones are designed from the ground up for running, but they are also an excellent option if you cycle or rock climb. They are incredibly lightweight, and once you get them on, they are easy to forget about at times. However, for cyclists, your helmet can interfere with the headband at times, but if you can tuck it under your helmet, that usually yields the most comfortable results. The Shokz OpenFit or OpenRock Pro might be a better fit for cyclists.
This is one of the best-sounding bone-conduction earbuds currently available. It isn't quite at the same level as these other open-ear headphones, but compared to a vast majority of other bone-conduction options, these sound incredible. The bass is surprisingly present and even powerful for bone-conduction earbuds. Plus, the new rubberized coating keeps the sound more consistent because it doesn't move around as much.
Key Factors For Choosing The Best Open-Ear Headphones
- Form Factor: Because open-ear headphones are relatively new to the market, there are many different form factors to choose from. You can either get the clip style, like the Bose Ultra Open Ear, or you can get one with the ear loop style, like the Shokz OpenFit. The best form factor depends on what you would find the most comfortable and what activities you plan to do with them. For example, if you plan on running, the ear loop style will give a more secure fit.
- Sound Quality: When it comes to sound quality, open-ear headphones sit in the middle ground between in-ear earbuds and bone-conduction headphones. Most of these headphones will not sound as good as similarly priced in-ear earbuds, but they don't mean they sound bad. An excellent set of open-ear earbuds should have a good amount of power behind them, and the frequency response should be pretty balanced for the best results.
- Battery Life: As with all wireless headphones, battery life is essential for an excellent experience. These types of headphones generally have more battery life than earbuds, and a good range to look for is about 7 hours on a single charge.
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FAQ
Q: Are open-ear headphones better than bone-conduction headphones?
Since open-ear headphones do not have to go through your bones to transmit sound, they can comparatively deliver a much richer and full sound. That being said, bone conduction headphones still have their advantages, especially for athletes who need that extra water and dust resistance that other headphones can't provide.
Q: Can others hear open-ear headphones?
Thanks to clever driver design, most of the headphones in this guide have minimal leakage for most volume levels. That said, if you are absolutely blasting music at 100% volume, there will be a fair amount more sound leakage compared to a pair of in-ear earbuds at the same volume.