Best Open Earbuds for 2025 do sex sex to

If you don't like having true-wireless earbuds with silicone ear tips jammed in your ears, open earbuds are a good alternative, though the lack of a tight seal allows ambient sound to leak in. That can become a problem in noisy environments, but it's also an important safety feature for runners, bikers or anyone who prefers to stay tuned in to their surroundings. While noise-canceling earbuds with silicone or foam tips tend to deliver richer sound with more bass, in recent years the sound of open earbuds has improved and the best models now serve up good sound in comfortable, lightweight designs that will fit your ears securely, making them excellent options for running and working out. I've personally tested all the earbuds on this list and fully reviewed some of them. Our Picks Best new open earbuds with ear hooks Shokz OpenFit 2 Jump to details $180 at Amazon Jump to details Best open earbuds with active noise canceling Apple AirPods 4 with ANC Jump to details $169 at Amazon Jump to details Best-sounding open earbuds with a clip-on design Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Jump to details $299 at Amazon Jump to details Best new premium clip-on earbuds Shokz OpenDots One Jump to details $200 at Amazon Jump to details New Anker Open Wireless Earbuds Soundcore by Anker AeroFit 2 Jump to details $100 at B&H Photo-Video Jump to details Best clip-on earbuds from Anker Soundcore by Anker AeroClip Jump to details $170 at Amazon Jump to details Top affordable clip-on earbuds Baseus Bowie MC1 Jump to details $50 at Amazon Jump to details More affordable Shokz open buds with ear hooks Shokz OpenFit Air Jump to details $120 at Amazon Jump to details Best new midrange clip-on open earbuds Edifier LolliClip Jump to details $130 at Amazon Jump to details Best open earbuds with a smart case Cleer Arc 3 Jump to details $180 at Amazon Jump to details Best new open earbuds from Sony Sony LinkBuds Open Jump to details $170 at Amazon Jump to details Top budget open earbuds from Amazon Amazon Echo Buds 2023 Jump to details $50 at Amazon Jump to details Top lightweight earbuds with ear hooks Nothing Ear (Open) Jump to details $129 at Amazon Jump to details Best cheap open earbuds Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS Jump to details $43 at Amazon Jump to details Excellent sound for open earbuds Beyerdynamic Verio 200 Jump to details $180 at Amazon Jump to details Show 10 more Table of Contents Best Open Earbuds for 2025 Best open earbuds of 2025 Best new open earbuds with ear hooks Best open earbuds with active noise canceling Best-sounding open earbuds with a clip-on design Best new premium clip-on earbuds New Anker Open Wireless Earbuds Best clip-on earbuds from Anker Top affordable clip-on earbuds More affordable Shokz open buds with ear hooks Best new midrange clip-on open earbuds Best open earbuds with a smart case Best new open earbuds from Sony Top budget open earbuds from Amazon Top lightweight earbuds with ear hooks Best cheap open earbuds Excellent sound for open earbuds Factors to consider when buying open earbuds How we test open wireless earbuds Other open wireless earbuds we've tested Open wireless earbuds FAQ Read more: Best True Wireless Earbuds for 2025Best open earbuds of 2025 Photo Gallery 1/1 Best new open earbuds with ear hooks Shokz OpenFit 2 Pros Slightly improved design and comfort Impressive sound for open earbuds Improved battery life New physical control button Cons Somewhat pricey Shokz has released the second-gen OpenFit 2 with a slightly upgraded design, upgraded drivers that noticeably improve the sound quality, better battery life and a new physical control button. The changes don't seem huge on the surface, but the improvements are significant. They fit my ears more comfortably than the originals and have superior sound quality with more bass and better clarity. They sound excellent for open earbuds -- at least in quieter environments. Get it now $180 at Amazon $180 at B&H Photo-Video $180 at Target Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 11 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds with Ear HooksWater Resistant Yes (IP55 splash- and dust-proof)Price $$ Learn more Shokz OpenFit 2 review Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best open earbuds with active noise canceling Apple AirPods 4 with ANC 8.8 /10 SCORE Pros Same H2 chip found in AirPods Pro 2 More compact design Active noise canceling that works Improved sound Excellent voice-calling performance Personalized spatial audio Case has wireless charging and speaker for Find My Cons Battery life could be a little better Noise-canceling isn't as good as AirPods Pro 2's If you're looking for basic AirPods, the standard AirPods 4 ($129) certainly have their appeal and should cost closer to $100 during flash sales. They may not be quite as cheap or as small as the AirPods 2, but they sound a lot better and have a lot more features.Ultimately, however, the AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation are simply more special. They're the first open buds I've tried to have active noise canceling that actually works. That makes them the first noise-canceling earbuds for people who don't like having ear tips jammed in their ears. That's pretty cool and worth the extra $50 if you can afford it. Get it now $169 at Amazon $179 at B&H Photo-Video $180 at Best Buy Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 5 hours with ANC off (4 hours with it on)Noise Cancelling Yes (ANC)Bluetooth Multipoint Yes (only for Apple devices)Headphone Type Open True-Wireless EarbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IP54 splash-proof and dust-resistant)Price $$ Learn more Apple AirPods 4 with ANC review Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best-sounding open earbuds with a clip-on design Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 8.0 /10 SCORE Pros Innovative clip-on fit Comfortable to wear Very good sound for open earbuds Decent voice-calling performance Cons Expensive Look may not appeal to everyone Not great for noisy environments The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have one of the most unusual designs of any earbuds I've tested over the last several years. They literally clip onto the side of your ears, kind of like earrings, and their open design has micro speakers that fire sound into your ears while still being able to hear what's happening around you. They're still true wireless earbuds, and at $299, they're somewhat overpriced. Otherwise, there's a lot to like about them, including a surprisingly comfortable, secure fit and very good sound quality for open buds. Get it now $299 at Amazon $299 at Bose $299 at Walmart Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 7.5 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Clip-On True Wireless EarbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 splash-proof)Price $$$ Learn more Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best new premium clip-on earbuds Shokz OpenDots One Pros Good sound for clip-on open earbuds Comfortable, secure fit Good battery life Wireless charging Cons Pricey Voice-calling performance could be a little better The well-designed OpenDots One are among the best open earbuds out there right now. While they don't sound quite as good as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, they're pretty close and fit my ears slightly better and have better battery life. Like the Ultra Open Earbuds, which list for $299 but are currently on sale for $249, they're overpriced, but at least they cost less than the Bose and their case does have wireless charging. Read review.  Get it now $200 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 8 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Clip-on true-wireless open earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IP56 splash-proof and dust-resistant)Price $$$ Learn more Shokz OpenDots One review Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 New Anker Open Wireless Earbuds Soundcore by Anker AeroFit 2 Pros Comfortable, secure fit Improved sound with more bass Good battery life Well-priced Cons A little heavier than Shokz models Anker's Soundcore AeroFit 2 open earbuds have been completely redesigned and look quite different from the original AeroFit buds, which also listed for $100. The second-gen Aerfit are not only more comfortable but look sleeker, sound significantly better and offer all-around improvements. The buds aren't as light as the Shokz OpenFit 2 buds and don't sound quite as good, but they cost quite a bit less and offer good all-around performance with augmented bass response. Available in multiple colors, they're a good option for those looking for ear-hook style open earbuds with a fairly premium design and good sound quality without the high price tag of top-end models. Get it now $100 at B&H Photo-Video $130 at Amazon $130 at Crutchfield Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 10 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type True Wireless Earbuds with Ear HooksWater Resistant Yes (IP55 splash-proof)Price $$ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best clip-on earbuds from Anker Soundcore by Anker AeroClip Pros Good sound quality for clip-on earbuds Nicely-designed with comfortable, secure fit (flexible joint) Good voice-calling performance Cons Somewhat pricey The Soundcore by AeroClip are Anker's current flagship clip-on earbuds. Not only do I like their design -- they have a premium look and feel -- but they're comfortable to wear and feature very good sound for clip-on buds. Equipped with 12mm drivers, they serve up ample bass with good volume and decent clarity. The buds sound fuller and more open than many cheaper clip-on buds and are among the better sounding open earbuds I've tried (Android users should note that they have support for Sony's high-quality LDAC audio codec). I also thought they worked well for making calls. For the most part, callers said they could hear me clearly -- even in noisier environments like the streets of New York City (Anker says they have 4 beamforming mics, wind-blocking meshes and advanced AI). Battery life is rated at up to 8 hours at moderate volume levels and the buds are IPX4 sweat- and water-resistant (they're splash-proof). Their only drawback is their somewhat high price tag. Get it now $170 at Amazon $170 at Walmart Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 8 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Clip-on true-wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 splash-proof)Price $$$ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Top affordable clip-on earbuds Baseus Bowie MC1 Pros Affordable Comfortable, secure fit Decent sound Good battery life Cons Somewhat generic design Baseus is known for its value earbuds, power banks and charging products. While its Bowie MC1 aren't in the same league as Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds, they cost around a sixth of the price and sound pretty decent for this style of of clip-on earbuds, particularly with less demanding tracks that don't feature heavy bass and a lot of instruments playing at the same time. On Amazon, you'll find clip-on buds with a similar design, including the Tozo OpenEarRing ($30) and Amazfit Up ($50), so they're a little generic. But I found the sound quality to be slightly better many competing clip-on value buds. I also liked that they have a single physical control button on each bud for controlling playback and adjusting volume levels.Battery life is rated for up to 9 hours at moderate volume levels, which is good, but expect to get les than that because you do tend to have to listen to open earbuds at higher volumes, especially in noisier environments. With an IP57 certification, the buds are splash-proof and dust-proof, making them suitable for runners and bikers. Voice-calling capabilities are also decent though don't expect business-class performance. Get it now $50 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 9 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type True-wireless clip-on earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IP57 splash-proof and dust-proof)Price $ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 More affordable Shokz open buds with ear hooks Shokz OpenFit Air Pros Lightweight and very comfortable Excellent design Good sound for open earbuds Good call quality Cons Sound quality and battery life is slightly better with step-up OpenFit model Shokz, the company formerly known as AfterShokz, has long been the leader in bone-conduction headphones. However, this model, like Shokz's step-up OpenFit true-wireless earbuds, doesn't use bone-conduction technology. They have an open design that fires sound into your ears using custom speaker drivers, which Shokz dubs "air conduction" technology.While Shokz' flagship OpenFit 2 buds sound slightly better, have better battery life (up to 11 hours instead of 6 at moderate volume levels) and a physical control button, the Open Fit Air cost around $60 less and are a tad lighter and quite comfortable to wear. Available in three color options, they're lightweight (8.5 grams) and comfortable, and I liked how the ear hooks felt soft but had just the right amount of rigidity. They're IP54 splash-proof and dust-resistant and their charging case is fairly compact for this style of sports buds with ear hooks.While the earbuds sound quite good for open earbuds, they don't sound quite as good as a set of noise-isolating earbuds in this price range (they're a tad bass shy). Nor do they sound as good Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds, which do cost more and serve up a little more bass and fuller sound (the Bose also sound slightly better than Shokz Open Fit buds). Equipped with two microphones in each bud, the Open Fit Air offer good voice-calling performance. Additionally, the feature multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can pair them to two devices simultaneously. Get it now $120 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 6 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Open-Ear True-Wireless Earbuds with Ear HooksWater-Resistant Yes (IP54 splash-proof and dust-resistant) Price $$ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best new midrange clip-on open earbuds Edifier LolliClip Pros Comfortable, secure fit Very good sound for clip-on open earbuds Active noise canceling Spatial audio with head tracking Heart-rate and blood oxygen detection Cons Noise canceling isn't all that effective Touch controls are a little finicky Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds may be the best-sounding and most comfortable clip-on earbuds. But they list for $300. In contrast, Edifier's new LolliClip buds cost $130 and their sound is pretty close to what you get with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds -- and they're almost as comfortable to wear while fitting my ears securely. They also have some features the Bose buds don't have, including active noise canceling (it's not all that effective but you do sense it muffling some noise in the lower frequencies), a heart-rate monitor, blood oxygen sensor and spatial audio with head-tracking. There's also a low-latency mode for gaming and support the LDAC audio codec for Android users. The buds have a battery life rating of up to 6 hours with noise canceling on and 9 hours with it off at moderate volume levels. As for water-resistance, their IP56 rating means they can withstand a sustained spray of water and they're also dust-resistant. As I said, I was overall impressed with the sound quality. It's not going to be quite as good as what you get with noise-isolating earbuds with silicone ear tips that you jam in your ears, but for open buds it's quite good. With these type of buds, which allow you to hear the outside world for safety reasons, the bass tends to be a little weak. But the LolliClip buds output ample bass (you have a few EQ settings to choose from, including a bass boost mode) and offer decent clarity. Note that you will have to play around with the fit of the buds on your ears to optimize the sound quality -- a little adjustment can make a significant difference. Voice-calling performance was good but not exceptionally so. My only gripe is with the touch controls. They're a little finicky (you have to figure out just what is the touch zone), but you do get several customization options in the Edifier ConneX companion app. Get it now $130 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 7 hoursNosie Canceling YesBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Clip-on true-wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IP56 splash-proof and dust-resistant)Price $$ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best open earbuds with a smart case Cleer Arc 3 Pros Comfortable fit Good sound Loaded with features Touchscreen in charging case Built-in voice controls Dolby spatial audio with head tracking Cons Somewhat pricey Case is a little large Cleer's Arc 2 earbuds were among the best-sounding open wireless earbuds with an ear-hook design. Among this style of open buds, the new Arc 3 buds are still near the top for sound but other companies like Shokz and Bose have caught up and arguably sound slightly better. But the Cleer Arc 3 buds have something that other buds of this ilk don't have: a touchscreen LCD built into its charging case. It allows you to control playback and access the buds' features, including EQ settings and even use the case as a remote to snap a photo on your smartphone. In fact, the Arc 3 are probably the most feature-rich open earbuds out there right now -- and they're fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating. They have built-in voice-controls to raise and lower volume and skip tracks forward and back as well as Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head-tracking. Additionally, you can nod your head twice to take a call or shake your head back and forth to reject it (this feature is referred to as "gesture" controls). And finally, the UV light that sterilizes the buds when they're in the case and a step counter. While the sound can be a tad uneven from track to track and the buds' bass lacks a little punch compared to what you get with a good set of noise-isolating buds in this price range, they fit my ears comfortably and securely. They also offered solid voice-calling performance. They're a little expensive but their price seems to be creeping down a bit. Get it now $180 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 10 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type True Wireless Open Earbuds with Ear HooksWater Resistant Yes (IPX7 -- fully waterproof)Price $$$ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best new open earbuds from Sony Sony LinkBuds Open Pros Smaller ring-shaped driver and new Air Fitting Supporters create a more comfortable, secure fit Improved sound Decent voice-calling performance Built-in voice controls Cons May not fit some ears comfortably Fairly pricey While the LinkBuds Open retain the ring-shaped open driver of the original LinkBuds, it's slightly smaller than the original's driver (11mm versus 12mm). Also, the Air Fitting Supporters are an improvement over the original's Arc Supporters, which were quite slim and didn't conform to the shape of your ear as well as these new supporters do. The combination of the slightly smaller driver design and the new supporters should allow the buds to fit more ears more comfortably and securely. However, those with smaller ears may have some issues with them.I personally got a very secure fit and was able to run with the buds without a problem (they're IPX4 splashproof). The originals created some pressure points for some wearers. I had to fiddle around with their positioning in my ears from time to time, but I didn't experience any pain points with the LinkBuds Fit. However, Apple's new AirPods 4 were slightly more comfortable in my ears, though they didn't fit as securely. Aside from the fit, the other big change is to the sound quality. It's definitely improved. Despite the smaller drivers, the buds play more loudly and also deliver a little more bass. The buds are equipped with Sony's V2 digital processing chip and Sony says the driver's have a "high-compliance diaphragm and powerful neodymium magnet" that were "specifically selected to reproduce clear mid- and high-frequency sound." I also liked the built-in voice controls. Get it now $170 at Amazon $180 at Best Buy $170 at Target Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 8 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type True Wireless Open EarbudsWater Resistant Yes (IPX4 splash-proof)Price $$$ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Top budget open earbuds from Amazon Amazon Echo Buds 2023 7.8 /10 SCORE Pros Well-designed inexpensive earbuds Good sound for open earbuds Strong feature set, including hands-free Alexa Cons May not fit everyone's ears comfortably Not a ton of bass No ANC (they're open earbuds) Amazon's 2023 Echo Buds impressed me in a few ways that I wasn't expecting. For starters, they sound good for inexpensive open earbuds, delivering decent clarity and ample bass. But they also have a robust feature set, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, hands-free Alexa and ear-detection sensors that pause your audio when you take one or both buds out of your ears. Their sound falls short of that of Apple's AirPods 4, which deliver better bass performance and overall fuller, cleaner sound (they're better at handling more complicated music tracks with a lot of instruments playing at the same time). But the AirPods 4, even the entry-level model ($129), cost significantly more.In short, if you're looking for open earbuds -- or "semi-open" as these types of earbuds are sometimes called -- the Echo Buds are good value at their $50 list price and even easier to recommend when they go on sale for $30. Get it now $50 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 5 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type In-Ear True Wireless EarbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX2 splash-resistant)Price $ Learn more Amazon Echo Buds 2023 review Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Top lightweight earbuds with ear hooks Nothing Ear (Open) Pros Lightweight and comfortable, secure fit Attractively designed Good sound Easy-to-use pinch controls Decent battery life Cons Some competitors sound slightly better The Nothing Ear (Open) buds may not sound quite as good as Shokz' OpenFit 2 buds, but they do offer very respectable sound for open earbuds and I found them lightweight and comfortable to wear (the overall fit and where the buds end up sitting on your ears will impact sound quality, particularly when it comes to bass performance). Overall, the buds are well-designed and feature Nothing's signature translucent plastic on the exterior of the bud. They're IP54 certified, which means they're splash-proof and dust-resistant.Aside from their design, I liked their pinch controls and slim, elongated case. Voice-calling performance was also good, though it can be a little harder to hear callers in noisy environments because these are open earbuds. Battery life is rated at 8 hours at moderate volume levels with an additional 22 hours in the charging case. While there's a bass boost mode as part of the equalizer settings in Nothing's companion app for iOS and Android (there's also a "low-lag gaming mode), the buds can deliver only so much bass. But I was happy wearing them nevertheless. Get it now $129 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 8 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint NoHeadphone Type True Wireless Earbuds With Ear HooksWater-Resistant Yes (IP54 splash-proof)Price $$$ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Best cheap open earbuds Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS Pros Surprisingly good sound for inexpensive open earbuds Decent call quality Support Sony's LDAC audio codec for Android devices Cons The charging cases of lighter-colored versions show some grime Open design allows sound to leak in and out What makes these Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS buds special is that they sound surprisingly good for open earbuds -- they're pretty close to what you get from Apple's AirPods 3 for sound. On top of that, they support Sony's LDAC audio codec for devices that offer it. Not too many cheap open earbuds have good sound but these Soundpeats have good bass response and clarity. They're also good for making calls and have a low-latency gaming mode. Battery life is rated at 5 hours at moderate volume levels, and these are IPX4 splash-proof.And be sure to activate the instant 10% off coupon to save a few bucks at checkout on Amazon. Get it now $43 at Amazon $50 at Walmart Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 5 hoursNoise Cancelling NoBluetooth Multipoint NoHeadphone Type In-Ear True Wireless EarbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 splash-proof)Price $ Add to compare Photo Gallery 1/1 Excellent sound for open earbuds Beyerdynamic Verio 200 Pros Good build quality Excellent sound for open buds Good voice-calling performance Comfortable fit Cons Don't fit all ears equally well Somewhat pricey Case is a little large Beyerdynamic is known for its sound quality, so it's not surprising the Verio 200, its first open earbuds with ear hooks, deliver top-notch sound with nice depth and richness. They have very good clarity and bass performance for this type of open earbuds and match the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenFit 2 for sound quality, and they may sound slightly better than those models depending on the fit you get. Unfortunately, how they fit your ears is the one big caveat about these buds. While they fit my ears comfortably and securely, they bent the top of my ears back a little so I looked a little funny wearing them. That said, they fit my wife's smaller ears perfectly.I should also note that they feature good build quality and voice-calling performance, but their feature set is somewhat limited (they support the AAC audio codec as well as the highest tiers of AptX, including AptX Lossless). I also found their touch controls a little finicky at first but then I got them working well by holding onto the outside of the bud as I tapped on them. The long and short of it is these will be very good open earbuds for some people but not everybody. Get it now $180 at Amazon $220 at B&H Photo-Video Specs & Configurations Battery Life Up to 8 hoursNoise Canceling NoBluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Open Earbuds with Ear HooksWater Resistant Yes (IP54 -- splash-proof)Price $$$ Add to compareFactors to consider when buying open earbuds BudgetBefore anything else, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on new open wireless earbuds. The quality of value-priced earbuds and headphones continues to improve, so you can find good affordable sports buds for less than $75. The premium models, which offer better build quality and performance, tend to cost more than $100 and sometimes more than $150.Fit, aka comfortIt's key that open wireless earbuds fit your ears not only comfortably but securely. They should offer a comfortable fit that allows you to wear the earbuds for long periods without any irritation. Since all the buds on this list have an open design, they should stay in your ears well. Some will fit in your ears more comfortably than others. DurabilityYou want open wireless buds that hold up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality and a good water-resistance rating.Return policyIt's critical to buy your open wireless earbuds at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case you have buyer's remorse. Some people who are having trouble deciding between two models sometimes buy both, try them out for a few days, and then return one. Show more How we test open wireless earbuds We test open wireless earbuds based on five key criteria, comparing similarly styled and priced models. These criteria are design, sound quality, features, voice-calling performance and value.DesignWe assess not only how comfortable the earbuds fit (ergonomics) but their build quality and how well the controls are implemented. We also look at water- and dust-resistance ratings.Sound qualityWe evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the open earbuds to top competing products in their price range. Sonic traits such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and how natural the headphones sound are key factors in our assessment.FeaturesSome great-sounding open earbuds aren't loaded with features, but we do take into account what extra features are on board. These include everything from noise-canceling and transparency modes (ambient sound mode) to special sound modes to ear-detection sensors that automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off your ears.Voice-calling performanceWhen we test voice-calling performance, we make calls in the noisy streets of New York and evaluate how well the earbuds reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear your voice.ValueWe determine value after evaluating the strength of the earbuds against all these criteria and what the buds are able to deliver compared to other models in their price class. Our reviewer David Carnoy testing voice-calling performance on the noisy streets of New York.  David Carnoy/CNET Other open wireless earbuds we've tested 1More Fit SE S30: 1More makes a few open sports earbuds with ear hooks, including the newer Fit SE S31 ($50). The Fit S50 ($100) feature a little better sound than the Fit SE S30, have a more premium design and are fully waterproof (IPX7 rating). But I like the fit a little better on the step-down S30, which is IPX5 splashproof (it can sustain a spray of water) and costs less than $40, making it a better value.Soundcore by Anker AeroFit Pro: The AeroFit Pro are among the better open-ear "air conduction" earbuds, with a premium look and feel, and are comfortable to wear. (I had no problem keeping them on my ears while running or working out.) On the downside, they're expensive, but they do feature strong audio quality for these types of earbuds, with ample bass and volume, plus decent clarity. They're good for making calls (they do a pretty good job reducing background noise reduction) and also offer strong battery life of up to 14 hours at moderate volume levels.Sony Link Buds: The LinkBuds are, in a sense, Sony's answer to Apple's standard AirPods. While they don't sound as good as Sony's flagship WF-1000XM5 noise-isolating earbuds, they offer a discreet, innovative design and a more secure fit than the AirPods, as well as good sound and very good voice-calling performance.Cleer Audio Arc 2 Sport: Cleer's original Arc earbuds were solid sport earbuds that featured decent sound for open-style buds that sit on top of your ears and fire sound into them. This new-for-2023 model steps up the sound quality and offers additional refinements and feature upgrades, including a new "enhanced" charging case with UV sterilization and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3), all of which makes for a significantly improved product.Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Samsung's bean-shaped earbuds were a hit when they came out in 2020, but they've become outdated. Like the standard AirPods, they have an open design, so you don't jam an ear tip into your ear. They're comfortable to wear and fit my ears more securely than the AirPods. These wireless buds are discreet and basically sit flush with your ear, which reduces wind-noise while biking. I regularly use them for running and biking, and they're great for sporting activities if they fit your ears well. But one warning: Some people won't get a secure fit, so buy them from a retailer that has a good return policy. Open wireless earbuds FAQ Are open earbuds worth buying? It depends. Open earbuds are an excellent solution for activities that require some situational awareness; working in the office, walking around town, running outside with traffic or even hanging out at home. For those who want to hear the world around them while listening to music, open earbuds are your best option. But if you do your best work without distractions (think writing an essay or editing a spreadsheet) or just prefer to focus on the music, you may want to opt for something else. Because open earbuds don't include noise canceling (or noise cancelling, if you're from the UK), outside, ambient noise can creep in through the cracks. Consider your work style and needs before choosing some open earbuds. Show more Which is better: open or closed earbuds? It's a matter of personal preference, but many people prefer an open headphone design to a closed. Open or semi-open designs can offer a more comfortable fit as they don't seal off the canal with a squishy silicone tip. Because they don't seal off your ear canal, they let ambient sound in so you can hear what's going on around you. That can be an important safety feature for some people, including runners and bikers who want to hear cars approaching.However, the downside to their openness is that if you're in a noisy environment, the ambient sound will make it harder to hear what you're listening to. Also, open earbuds have a harder time producing strong bass, which affects sound quality. I suggest trying both open and closed true-wireless earbuds to see which design you prefer for everyday use, or switch between the two depending on your daily needs. Show more How do I keep open earbuds from falling out of my ears? With open earbuds, it's important that you get the right fit so they not only stay in your ears but so they sound and perform at their best. If you have trouble keeping earbuds in your ears, your best bet is to look for a model that includes wingtips or actually integrates them into the buds' design. You can also get earbuds that have ear hooks that wrap around the top of your ears. Several sports buds feature this design. It can be particularly appealing to bikers who can't afford to have their earbuds drop out of their ears while riding at high speed. Ensure you're choosing a pair with a secure design, like those with ear hooks that wrap around the back of your ear, and adjust the placement so that they comfortably grip the outer part of your ear without placing too much pressure on the ear canal. You can also try wearing a headband or ear warmers for an extra boost, especially during physical activity. In some cases, like with regular AirPods models, you may find that a secure fit isn't entirely within the cards. AirPods have never fit all ears equally well, and a lot of people complain that they won't stay securely in their ears. You can buy third-party wingtips -- sometimes called sport fins -- that lock the buds in your ears. But you have to take them off every time you use your buds because they won't fit in the case. Show more Should I use open earbuds or bone conduction headphones? While both open earbuds and bone conduction headphones allow you to hear outside noise, the better option depends on your needs. Because open earbuds send vibrations directly to the ear canal via air conduction, they provide a much higher quality of overall sound -- great for music lovers. They're also ideal for all-day comfortable wear, especially for active people and runners. Still, some people find anything in or on their ears for long periods of time uncomfortable. Because bone conduction headphones deliver sound through your cheekbones, those who find ear tips difficult to manage may prefer their off-ear design. Also, higher-pitched sounds and voices are especially clear on bone conduction headphones, so they're great for listening to podcasts or taking phone calls. If you're looking to explore this option more, check out our roundup of the best bone conduction headphones this year. Show more How do I clean my open earbuds? We have an article on how to clean your AirPods that also applies to other open earbuds. But if you don't want to read that, the condensed version is this:Wipe down both the buds themselves and ear tips with a slightly dampened soft, dry, lint-free cloth (like the kind you use to clean glasses or your phone's screen) and avoid using any soap or harsh cleaning liquids. A 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or a Clorox disinfecting wipe is OK but avoid getting too much moisture in any ports or inside the buds themself. You can also use a toothpick for any little crevices or a Q-tip with a bit of alcohol on it. Avoid saturating the Q-tip with alcohol. Finally, wait a few minutes until any moisture evaporates before using the buds. Show more What is considered good battery life for open earbuds? A battery life rating of five hours is considered adequate, but many of the latest buds offer 10 hours or more. If you plan on using your open earbuds for long periods of time, we highlighted several models that are suitable for double-digit use like the Anker AeroFit Pro or the 1More Fit SE S30. Show more