The best open earbuds work differently to traditional in-ear designs. Instead of blocking your ear canal, they deliver sound through innovative speakers that sit outside the ear and fire sound towards you, without that sound spilling out to everyone else.
Some of the best open-ear headphones hook around your ear for stability, which others clip to the side, and some rest gently in your ear’s concha. These are different to bone conduction headphones, which also don't block your ear, but don't fire sound at you in the same way – we do have one bone-conduction model here, though.
The best open earbuds are ideal for commuting, working out or running in urban environments where staying aware of your surroundings is essential. That’s why open earbuds are starting to shake up our best running headphones and best workout headphones guides too.
The open earbud market has exploded in 2025. That’s why countless audio brands are now releasing open earbuds aimed at general lifestyle use rather than just for fitness fans, and we’ve been testing them. If a pair doesn't perform, it doesn't make this list. At TechRadar, our team of audio experts rigorously reviews every set of earbuds we recommend. You can read more about this process in our how we test earbuds at TechRadar guide.
So when we say these are the best open earbuds you can buy right now, it’s because we’ve worn them, worked out in them and pushed them through real-life scenarios to make sure they deliver.
The quick list
Best overall
These are the best open earbuds we've tested so far. They sound great, fit well and don't cost a bomb. Just watch out of you're an Android user, as you might run into app problems.
Best affordable clip design
Clear audio in a secure and comfy clip-on design – great for workouts, too. They’re not super-cheap, but they look good and they're the most affordable option worth buying in this design.
Best premium clip design
Bose has packed its signature stellar sound into this increasingly popular clip-on design, making these our top pick if you’re happy to pay a premium – pricey, but worth every penny.
Best for Apple fans
Not as 'open' as others on this list, but a solid choice if you want to avoid fully sealed in-ear buds. You’ll get impressive ANC, enjoyable sound, and great Spatial Audio – but most features require Apple gear to use.
Best for ANC
The noise-cancelling tech here is seriously impressive, and these are suited for Android users, unlike the AirPods with ANC. They also offer a secure fit for workouts and, unexpectedly, a live translation feature.
Best for battery
With 19 hours of battery from the buds and a massive 46 hours with the case, these are the best pick if you want open earbuds that can easily handle all-day wear. They're comfortable and good value, too.
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Best for calls
The most stylish and understated option? Not quite. But with great comfort, clear voice quality, and a handy detachable mic arm, these buds with ear hooks are our top pick for podcasts, calls, and using at the office.
Best for runners
Shokz has long led the way in workout headphones, and these are the best open pick for runners. You’ll get a smart design, comfortable fit, and long battery life. They’re pricey, but serious runners will find them well worth it.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
May 30, 2025
We reshuffled this list a lot, based on recently reviewed open earbuds. We removed the Shokz OpenFit and the 1More Fit S50 from our main guide and added them to our 'More open earbuds we've tested' section. We then added in fresh entries, including the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, AirPods 4 with ANC and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. We also moved the Huawei FreeArc to our 'best overall' spot. Several other open earbuds we've tested recently made it to our ''More open earbuds we've tested' section too, such as the Anker Soundcore C40i.
The best open earbuds you can buy
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best earbuds in the Quick List. We've tested each one extensively, remember – so check out the linked reviews at your leisure.
Best open earbuds overall
✅ You still care about sound: You don't have to sacrifice quality sound for an open design with these buds, they're among the best we've heard.
✅ You want solid all-rounders: You'll see specific picks for ANC or battery or running below, but if you want no-nonsense buds that do the basics well, pick these.
❌ You're a non-techy Android user: Installing the app on Android is frustrating. If you like the design, take a look at the Honor Earbuds Open at #5 instead.
❌ You want to listen in crowded places: Not ideal in noisy environments. Either don't go for open buds or choose an ANC pick, such as the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC at #4 on the list.
The Huawei FreeArc might just be the first truly great example of open earbuds that are affordable and still worth the price. They’ve got a lot going for them: they don’t break the bank, they fit well, and the audio quality is so impressive we often forgot we were wearing an open design. Yes, there’s actual bass weight – and it really does rival more traditional in-ear buds.
That said, the feature set is a little limited here compared to flagship models in 2025, which now include things like noise cancellation (even without a proper ear seal) and AI transcription tools. Plus, the app is frustratingly difficult to install on Android, because it's not available on the Google Play Store. You need to side-load it, if you want to use its features – but you can pair and use them without the app.
For comfort, durability and pure sound-per-pound value, the Huawei FreeArc feels like a turning point for tech that keeps your ears open without sacrificing on sound. That's why they’re our current top pick for most people. If you want a fuller set of features (especially on Android) or want to try a clip-on design, you might want to explore other options in this guide. Otherwise, you’re in for a surprisingly good open-ear experience.
Read our full Huawei FreeArc review
Best affordable clip design open earbuds
✅ You want buds for work and working out: They're stable and have an IPX4 rating, meaning they'll do for everyday wear and the gym.
✅ You wear glasses: Ear hooks tend to interfere with glasses – like those on the Huawei FreeArc at #1. This clip-on design is much comfier.
Open earbuds have traditionally come in ear-hook or bone-conduction neckband designs. But it’s 2025, and this sleek, comfy clip-on style is having a moment. We’ve tested plenty recently, and the Anker Soundcore AeroClip stands out. Especially if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to the premium (but excellent) Bose pick at #3.
As with most open-ear designs, you won’t get audiophile-level sound. But we were pleasantly surprised during testing, as these buds do deliver crisp audio with rich bass, clean mids, and nicely controlled treble. Plus, the Soundcore app offers both preset and custom EQ options to fine-tune your listening experience.
The fit is comfortable and secure, making them a solid choice for workouts. They’re IPX4-rated for water resistance – not quite as rugged as the Huawei FreeArc’s IP57 rating, but still capable of handling sweat and light rain. And since they don’t seal your ears, you’ll stay aware of ambient noise, which is ideal for city runs or busy commutes.
They’re not flawless. Sound leakage is noticeable, and they lack some of the advanced features found in newer rivals. And while they’re our top affordable clip-on pick, they’re not exactly “budget.” But if you’re curious about the clip-on trend, these are a great way to try it without splurging.
Read our full Anker Soundcore AeroClip review
Best premium clip design open earbuds
✅ You want great sound quality: All of the buds in this list sound good, but pay for a premium Bose set of buds and you'll get the best.
✅ You want a solid fit: All open earbuds are a bit of a gamble fit-wise, but the clip design with the build quality of Bose is likely to be reliable.
❌ You're on a budget: If you want a similar design for less, go back to the Anker Soundcore AeroClip at #2. They're not cheap, but they're cheaper.
❌ You want them for intense workouts: They fit well but we're not sure they'd feel as stable during a run. Take a look at the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 at #8 instead.
Bose is one of the most respected names in audio tech, so it’s no surprise that its first open earbuds are seriously impressive. During our testing, they checked all the boxes. But, as you'd expect, they do come with a high-end price tag to match, which is why they enter our guide as the best premium pick.
Like the Anker Soundcore AeroClip at #2, these buds feature a clip-on design that attaches to the side of your ear. It’s a sleek and comfortable approach to open earbuds – especially compared to traditional ear-hook styles, which don’t work for everyone. During testing, they did feel a little wobbly at first, but never actually came loose – you might just need a little time to get used to how they feel.
As you’d expect from Bose, the audio quality is outstanding. In our review, we wrote: "With their immersive sound-stage technology providing spatial audio that’s ideal for home media, as well as pumping tunes during a 10K."
Overall, these are the open earbuds to beat in 2025. The only real drawback? The price. They’re significantly more expensive than most rivals, so they’re best suited to those ready to pay a premium – ideally after trying them on for fit.
Read our full Bose Ultra Open review
Best open earbuds for apple fans
✅ You have smaller ears: It's not always easy to find buds that work well for smaller ears, but the design of these buds makes them a solid option.
✅ You want high-end features: As long as you've got an iPhone, there's auto-switching between devices, Spatial Audio, Find My support and way more here.
❌ You don't have an iPhone: They still pair with other phones, but you'll miss out on a bunch of the best features.
❌ You don't want anything touching near your ear canal: They may not go inside the ear canal, but they still sit in the concha – some options here don't touch this area at all.
The AirPods 4 with ANC may not look as open as other designs in this guide, but they don’t create a full seal, allowing some environmental sounds to pass through and avoiding the pressure of tighter, in-ear fits – so they still fit the bill.
Despite this looser fit, they still offer effective active noise cancellation. In our testing, the ANC did a good job of reducing ambient sound. You won’t get the same cocoon-like immersion as you would with the fully sealed buds in our list of the best noise cancelling earbuds, but it’s still impressive.
There are also multiple listening modes, including full ANC, Transparency mode, and conversational awareness, which dims ANC when it detects a conversation. However, to get the most out of the best features, such as switching between modes and head-tracked Spatial Audio, you’ll need an Apple device. They do work with Android, but it’s far harder to justify them.
We described the audio as “clear and rich” in our review, with deep bass and a dynamic, balanced mix. All genres sound good, and even without a tight seal, the audio profile holds up well – just be aware that higher volumes can lead to some sound leakage.
Design-wise, they look similar to previous AirPods but with a more compact charging case. The buds rest comfortably in your ear concha thanks to their small, ergonomic shape and stayed secure during long walks and even workouts.
Overall, the AirPods 4 with ANC are a feature-rich, great-sounding pair of buds ideal for Apple users who want an open fit without sacrificing ANC or that signature Apple design.
Read our full Apple AirPods 4 with ANC review
Best open earbuds for anc
✅ You want open ANC: Another pair of open earbuds that come with effective ANC. If you want some noise dampening, you'll find it here.
✅ You love the idea of an onboard translator: A unique but extremely cool feature. If you like the idea of on-the-go translation, you'll love them.
❌ You prioritize all-day listening: The battery life here isn't bad, but it's not the best in this guide. Look at the OneOdio OpenRock Pro at #6.
❌ You like to tweak your audio: There's no in-app EQ setting to play with here. Not a dealbreaker for most people, but some will miss it.
We know it’s a bold claim. Open earbuds that sound as good as ones that create a physical seal between the bud and your ear canal? And yet, somehow, Honor has pulled it off here. The Honor Earbuds Open sound genuinely great, and that’s praise we can rarely give to open designs. Expect punchy bass, crisp treble and a soundstage that would be impressive in traditional earbuds, let alone open-ears with no physical barrier to work with.
The most impressive feature here is active noise cancellation. Yes, it seems counterintuitive for open-ear buds – the whole point is to hear the world around you. But in practice, it works surprisingly well, reducing background hum without closing you off entirely.
The fit is also worth shouting about. Comfort is often the downfall of otherwise excellent open earbuds, but here, Honor has nailed it. We often forgot we were even wearing them – even on treadmills, during yoga, and out on long bike rides.
There are a few drawbacks. Battery life is limited, the on-ear controls can be fiddly, and there are now some solid cheaper alternatives, like the Huawei FreeArc above. These keep the Honor Earbuds Open from taking our top spot. But make no mistake, they’re still among the best-sounding open earbuds available right now and our top pick if it’s ANC you need – no other open earbuds do it quite as well as Honor, at least not yet.
Read our full Honor Earbuds Open review
Best open earbuds for battery
✅ You want an adjustable fit: Not all earbuds with a hook design can be adjusted a little for a more stable fit – these can.
✅ You need long-lasting listening: They're our top pick for battery life for a reason. Expect 19 hours from these buds, the best of the bunch.
❌ You have long hair or wear glasse: Buds with hooks don't play nicely with either. Try a clip design, like the Anker Soundcore AeroClip at #2 instead.
❌ Audio quality is a priority: They're not the best-sounding of the bunch – the Huawei, Bose and Honor buds all easily outperform these.
The OneOdio OpenRock Pro earbuds are one of the oldest picks in this guide, so don’t expect the latest features. But they shine when it comes to battery life, delivering 19 hours from the buds and 46 hours with the case. That makes them a great pick for more than just workouts, easily covering commuting, a full workday and a gym session. This means they might be the best option for anyone tackling long-distance hikes, ultramarathons or other endurance challenges.
The earhook-style design is similar to the Huawei FreeArc at #1 and it was extremely comfortable in testing. We even called them some of the best-fitting workout buds we’ve tried. They stayed secure through long walks and workouts, even in the rain, and were so light, we often forgot we were wearing them.
Audio quality isn’t their strongest suit, but it’s good enough for most. The max volume is relatively low too, which helps protect your ears and limit sound leakage, though it can make audiobooks or podcasts harder to hear in noisy environments.
For those wanting background music or a solid audiobook companion, especially for workouts, they’re a reliable pick. While not the best-sounding buds here, their dependable fit and standout battery life make them a top choice for all-day wear.
Read our full OneOdio OpenRock Pro review
Best open earbuds for calls
✅ You want buds for the office: They're got a sensible corporate-friendly design and are great for calls.
✅ You want clear sound: The sound here isn't the best of the bunch, but we did give it high marks for sheer clarity during our testing.
❌ You want to wearing them for working out: They're fine in an office or on walks, but not the most stable choice for movement. Try the Honor Earbuds Open at #5 instead.
❌ You want great sound and ANC: Sound is fine here, but not the best by far, and there's no ANC tech either.
The Emeet Airflow buds have an advanced algorithm to make calls as clear as possible, as well as a detachable mic to boost call performance, which is why they're our top choice for making calls and office use.
But that doesn't mean these open ear buds don't perform well across the board. They have another ear hook-style design that's stable, despite some minor issues when our reviewer was wearing glasses, but that's occurred with almost all rivals too. Glasses issues aside, they were incredibly comfortable to wear, with soft and flexible earhooks. They may not look interesting, but the design was subtle enough to fit in a range of environments.
In our review, we commented that sound quality was "clear and detailed with some richness and even bass – especially at higher volumes". There are some great features here that make them ideal for long hours while you work, like multi-point connectivity and a decent eight hours of battery from the buds and 40 if you count the case.
These might be our favorite option if you want open ear headphone that aren't just made for the gym, but will suit walking, commuting and using regularly at the office for calls, too.
Read our full Emeet Airflow review
Best open earbuds for runners
✅ You're serious about running: With a stable, lightweight fit and solid battery life, they're the best choice.
✅ You want quality sound: All of the buds here sound solid, but combining two types of audio tech means you'll get some of the best here.
❌ You're on a budget: For serious runners, they're worth the money. But if you're only looking for a cheap option, they're not for you.
❌ You want something unobtrusive: The neckband is comfy and fairly minimal, but the clip design from the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at #3 will blend in better.
We enjoyed testing the clip and earhook-style buds in this guide, but Shokz has long been the leader when it comes to neckband-style workout headphones. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 buds continue that legacy, offering standard and mini-sized headbands to suit different people.
As always with Shokz, comfort levels here are excellent. The neckband design adds extra stability, making these ideal for running and intense workouts. At just 30g, they’re also incredibly lightweight and easy to wear for long periods.
That’s why they’re our top pick for runners and anyone who prioritizes a secure, barely-there fit during exercise. The IP55 rating means they can handle sweat, rain, and the elements with ease, and the battery life is more than enough for most – unless you’re running an ultramarathon.
What makes these headphones stand out is their hybrid approach. Shokz combines its signature bone conduction tech with air conduction elements, similar to those used in the other buds in this guide. This pairing improves overall audio quality and helps reduce the distracting vibration sensation that people often report with bone conduction headphones. In short, these are hybrid headphones, not pure bone conductors and they sound much better because of it.
Audio-wise, the mids shine, but the highs and lows can sound a little boxy. They’re a good choice for workouts, but they probably won’t replace your go-to earbuds if you’re after immersive listening and you will get some sound leakage. There are preset EQ modes in the app, as well as a customizable five-band EQ if you want to fine-tune the sound to your liking.
They’re on the pricey side, so best suited to those serious about workout performance and a stable fit. But if your budget can stretch, we’ve always said that Shokz is brand well worth investing in.
Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review
More open earbuds we've tested
1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: A slick-looking pair of open earbuds that hook around your ears. We rated them for decent sound and battery life but they're not as stable as other options we've tested, especially for fitness. Take a look at our full 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 review for all of the details.
AceFast AceFit Pro: These buds offer a decent fit, but they fall short overall – especially with the strong competition in this guide. As we cover in our full AceFast AceFit Pro review, limited battery life and some design flaws hold them back.
Anker Soundcore C40i: You'll get solid bass and a good app, but these buds fall short on comfort and battery life. With stronger clip-style options in this guide, they didn’t quite make the cut – check our full Anker Soundcore C40i review for all of the details.
Earfun OpenJump: These open earbuds feature a simple, lightweight open-ear design that hooks around your ears, plus an advanced equalizer and long battery life. However, as you'll see in our Earfun OpenJump review, the audio falls short of rivals, and the fit – while decent – isn’t perfect.
Edifier LolliClip: These open earbuds certainly have plenty going for them – impressive sound, adaptive ANC, and health features. So why aren’t they on the main list? Limited EQ options, a clunky app, and tough clip-on competition. Having said that, they’re still well worth a look if you’re set on this style though, so check out our full Edifier LolliClip review.
Happy Plus Clip: These buds are lightweight and have a nice-looking open design, but that's all they really have going for them. Audio quality was poor and the app wasn't up to scratch. Read about our full testing experience in our Happy Plus Clip review.
JLab JBuds Open Sport: These cheap open-ear buds fall short when it comes to audio performance, with the treble feeling a bit sharp and the midrange cluttered. They're also not the most secure in your ears. But they do offer decent battery life, good EQ options, and a low price, so they’re still worth a look. Get the full scoop in our JLab JBuds Open Sport review.
OpenRock S: Great price, comfy fit and an impressive 19-hour battery (plus 60 with the case). But the sound let the OpenRock S buds down. They lacked volume and overall quality compared to other picks. If you're looking for a budget pair of open earbuds though, take a look at our full OpenRock S review.
Shokz OpenFit: We loved testing the Shokz OpenFit with their great sound and solid build quality (as you'd expect from Shokz). They weren’t always the most secure fit, and while there's nothing majorly wrong with them, newer options edge them out. Which means we do still recommend you take a look at our full Shokz OpenFit review if you're keen to see all your options.
Shokz OpenFit Air: TIf you find them on offer, these summer 2024-issue sports-focused open earbuds are still well worth a look – and one of the team absolutely adored the pink colorway too. Read more in our Shokz OpenFit Air experiential.
How to choose the best open ear headphones for you
Open earbuds have been around for a few years, but only recently have audio tech companies, both big and small, started investing serious time and energy into developing them – and that momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
In just the past few months, we’ve seen the category evolve from earhook-style designs, like the Huawei FreeArc and Honor Earbuds Open, to new clip-on styles, like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Anker Soundcore AeroClip. Neckband-style options, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, have also remained popular, but you'll see fewer of them from now on.
This expansion is great news for buyers, as there’s now more choice than ever. You can pick the style that suits you best, though the challenge working out which that is.
Clip-style designs are gaining popularity for general use, but earhooks are still a favorite for running. That said, if you wear glasses, you might find earhooks less comfortable due to the limited space behind your ears, which is something to keep in mind.
We’ve highlighted our top picks above to help guide your decision. The Huawei FreeArc are our best all-round performers and likely to suit most people, but we’ve also included options that prioritize ANC, battery life or a stable running fit, depending on your preferences.
Of course, budget is always a factor. As more brands enter the open earbuds space, we're seeing increased variety at different price points. But if great sound at a low cost is your priority, a pair of the best budget wireless earbuds might offer better value overall.
Finally, consider whether open earbuds are right for your lifestyle. The tech is improving, the designs are sleek – especially the clip-on styles – and they offer decent sound… but there are trade-offs.
Open earbuds are improving all the time but they don’t generally deliver the same audio punch as the best earbuds, and they simply can't offer the same isolation from the world as the best noise-cancelling earbuds.
Which is fine – they’re designed for people who want to stay aware of their surroundings – but just make sure you know what you're buying.
How we test the best open earbuds
We've tested every set of open earbuds in this guide – and as with every headphone design, we are working on reviewing many more. This means we know what to expect from the best open earbuds and open headphones when it comes to key features, design, fit, battery life, audio performance and more.
During our testing, we focused a lot on fit. Open earbuds face a unique challenge in that they need to stay put on your ear and yet don't have a snug over-ear design or in-ear bud to keep them in place. Brands have compensated for this with ear hooks, clip-on designs, headbands or other methods, but they don't always suit everyone.
With this in mind, we paid close attention to their fit in a range of scenarios, including working, commuting, walking and working out. We made sure to put all of the earbuds that are designed with working out in mind through their paces with several different gym routines, outdoor runs and exercises.
We also assess the buds for audio quality, checking whether there's decent sound and clarity on offer, even if it's not as immersive as an in-ear design might be – and as much bass as possible given the nature of the design. We also weighed this audio performance up against the amount of ambient noise you can hear and whether each pair of buds made us feel more aware of our surroundings, as they're designed to do.
With several open earbuds now offering ANC, we've been keen to put that tech to the test. No, they won't give us the same immersive, cocoon-of-silence experience as the best noise cancelling headphones will. But there's a serious step up in tech here and we've been very rigorous about not only putting that through its paces, but applying the context we know about this emerging category.
As we do in all of our reviews, we've not only extensively tested each pair of open earbuds, but we've considered them in relation to each other. This is how we've not only decided which buds made the final cut for this guide, but which we can confidently say are the 'best overall' or which really can hold the title as 'best for runners'. Our years of audio tech reviewing experience allows us to do this with a lot of confidence.
For more information about our reviewing and guide selection process, take a look at our dedicated how we test earbuds at TechRadar guide.
Latest updates to our best open earbuds guide
May 30, 2025
We reshuffled this list a lot, based on recently reviewed open earbuds. We removed the Shokz OpenFit and the 1More Fit S50 from our main guide and added them to our 'More open earbuds we've tested' section. We then added in fresh entries, including the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, AirPods 4 with ANC and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. We also moved the Huawei FreeArc to our 'best overall' spot. Several other open earbuds we've tested recently made it to our ''More open earbuds we've tested' section too, such as the Anker Soundcore C40i.
