The Best Open Ear Headphones of 2025

Want headphones that keep you connected to your surroundings? Open ear styles are hugely popular in 2025. They offer good sound without blocking out the world. This makes them ideal for city travel, working in an office, or staying active. We tested many models to find the best open ear headphones right now. Our guide includes high-end options with ultimate noise control and affordable picks that are easy on your budget.

Standard earbuds seal your ear canal. Open ear designs rest outside or lightly on your ear instead. This lets outside sounds come through naturally. Tech got way better recently. Big names and new companies now offer great choices. This means that you now have an unlimited amount of models to choose from!

The Quick List of Top Open Ear Headphones

1. Huawei FreeArc – The perfect all-rounder with exceptional sound quality, comfortable ear hook design, and IP57 water resistance. Ideal for everyday use and light workouts with 7 hours of battery life.
2. Bose Ultra Open – Premium clip-on design with Bose’s signature sound quality and minimal sound leakage. Perfect for those willing to invest in top-tier audio performance and comfort.
3. Honor Earbuds Open – Innovative model featuring effective ANC despite the open design, IP57 water resistance, and a built-in translation feature. Great for Android users who want premium features.
4. Anker Soundcore AeroClip – Affordable clip-style option with secure fit, IPX4 water resistance, and customizable EQ. Delivers impressive sound without the premium price tag.
5. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 – Runner’s favorite with neckband design, hybrid bone conduction technology, and 12-hour battery life. Extremely secure fit for intense workouts and outdoor activities.

What Are Open Ear Headphones and How Do They Work?

What are open ear headphones? They’re audio devices playing sound without blocking your ear. This keeps you aware of your environment while listening. It’s great for city travel, working near others, or outdoor activities.

Standard earbuds seal inside your ear canal. Open ear designs sit outside or rest lightly on your ear instead. This allows outside noise to come through naturally. How do open ear headphones work? They position small speakers near your ear, directing sound towards you. Some use air conduction technology; others use vibrations on your skull bone.

Key benefits of open ear headphones include:

• Enhanced safety – Stay aware of traffic, announcements, or colleagues while listening to audio
• Improved comfort – No ear fatigue or pressure that comes from traditional in-ear designs
• Hygiene benefits – Less ear wax buildup and reduced risk of ear infections
• Social advantages – Easier to maintain conversations without removing your headphones
• Versatility – Perfect for various activities from office work to running

Best Open Ear Headphones for Every Need

Best Open Ear Headphones for Most People

Huawei FreeArc

Pros:

• Outstanding sound quality with surprising bass
• Comfortable ear hook design for all-day wear
• Excellent water and dust resistance
• Secure fit for light workouts
• Competitive price point

Cons:

• App installation issues on Android
• Average battery life compared to competitors
• Limited advanced features

The Huawei FreeArc represents a turning point for open ear technology. These headphones deliver sound quality that’s genuinely impressive – something that’s been a challenge for open designs in the past. The bass response in particular stands out, rivaling many traditional earbuds despite the lack of ear canal seal.

The ear hook design strikes a perfect balance between security and comfort. During testing, we found them comfortable for hours of wear, though glasses wearers might experience slight pressure points. Their IP57 rating means they’ll handle sweat, rain, and dust without issue – making them versatile for both daily commutes and light workouts.

Where these headphones really shine is in their overall value. They offer premium sound and build quality at a mid-range price point, making them our top recommendation for most users. The only significant drawback is the app situation on Android, which requires sideloading rather than a simple Play Store download.

Best Premium Open Ear Headphones

Bose Ultra Open

Pros:

• Superior sound quality with spatial audio features
• Minimal sound leakage compared to competitors
• Sleek clip-on design that works well with glasses
• Intuitive controls and companion app
• Premium build quality and materials

Cons:

• High price point
• Slightly uneven weight distribution
• Only IPX4 water resistance

Want open-ear audio that feels genuinely luxurious? Bose nails it again. For pure high-end appeal and sound, the best open ear headphones right now might just be the Bose Ultra Open. Forget bulky hooks – these clip discreetly and elegantly onto the side of your ear. It’s a sleek, modern look that feels more like jewelry than tech.

The sound? It’s pure Bose magic. Expect their signature clear, balanced audio, but the real star is the spatial sound. Even though they’re open, music feels surprisingly immersive and dimensional – a neat trick. And here’s the thing that amazed us: very little sound leaks out. Seriously, you can use these in a quiet library without bothering your neighbor, which is rare for open-ear designs.

That unique clip design solves a real headache: they play perfectly with glasses. No more annoying pressure points! Sure, the fit feels different at first – it takes a minute to get used to – but once you do, it’s incredibly stable and comfy for hours.

Best Open Ear Headphones with Mic for Calls

Emeet AirFlow

Pros:

• Exceptional call clarity with detachable mic
• Clear, detailed sound profile
• Comfortable for extended wear
• Excellent battery life with fast charging
• Good value for the features offered

Cons:

• Utilitarian design lacks style
• Not ideal for intense workouts
• No active noise cancellation

Emeet’s AirFlow open ear headphones with mic nail it, especially with that clever detachable mic arm. Clip it on for crystal-clear calls, pop it off when you just want to listen. Simple genius.

Comfort is key for long workdays or marathon calls, and the AirFlow delivers. The ear hooks are seriously comfortable, even after hours. Bonus: they play surprisingly nice with glasses!

Sound-wise, think clarity king. Voices in calls and podcasts cut through beautifully, making every word easy to catch. Music sounds good – clear and balanced – though if you crave deep, thumping bass, these lean more towards crispness than richness. Perfect for understanding, maybe less for bass-heavy immersion.

The real star for hybrid workers? Multi-point connectivity. Seamlessly switch between your laptop for Zoom and your phone for personal calls without missing a beat. It just works.

Best Budget Open Ear Headphones

Anker Soundcore AeroClip

Pros:

• Impressive sound quality for the price
• Comfortable and secure clip-on design
• Lightweight construction (only 6g per bud)
• User-friendly companion app with EQ options
• Great value for money

Cons:

• Limited water resistance (IPX4 only)
• Noticeable sound leakage at high volumes
• No active noise cancellation

Want great open-ear sound without draining your wallet? The Anker Soundcore AeroClip proves budget doesn’t mean boring. These clip-ons deliver surprisingly clean, balanced audio with a punch of bass you wouldn’t expect at this price – all while keeping your ears open to the world.

Forget bulky hooks. The AeroClip’s design clips securely onto the curve of your ear (the concha). It’s stable, comfy, and won’t fight your glasses. Plus, at a feather-light 6 grams per bud? Seriously, they disappear after a minute. Perfect for all-day wear without that nagging pressure.

The real game-changer? The Soundcore app. Getting EQ settings like this on affordable headphones is rare. Tweak the sound with presets or go fully custom – it adds serious versatility usually found in pricier models.

Now, they’re not magic. You won’t find fancy ANC here, and IPX4 means they handle sweat or light rain, not a downpour. But if you’re looking for the best open ear headphones value – a comfy, stable, great-sounding entry into open-ear tech without the premium price tag – the AeroClip is incredibly hard to beat.

Best Wired Open Ear Headphones

Oladance OWS Pro

Pros:

• No battery anxiety or charging required
• Consistent, latency-free audio performance
• Excellent sound quality with rich mids
• Lightweight and comfortable design
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• Cable can be cumbersome during movement
• Limited water resistance
• No smart features or app integration

In a world dominated by wireless options, wired open ear headphones offer distinct advantages – zero latency, no charging required, and often better sound quality per dollar spent. The Oladance OWS Pro delivers these benefits in a comfortable ear hook design that sits securely without applying uncomfortable pressure.

The sound quality is impressive, with particularly rich midrange performance that makes vocals in music and podcasts sound natural and present. The 14.2mm drivers deliver surprising power for an open design, though bass response is naturally more limited than sealed earbuds.

The lightweight construction and adjustable hooks make these comfortable for extended listening sessions, and the tangle-resistant cable includes an inline remote for convenient control. While they lack the convenience of wireless models for active use, they’re perfect for desk work, relaxed listening, or anyone who prefers the reliability and simplicity of a wired connection.

Top Open Ear Headphones for Running

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Pros:

• Extremely secure fit for intense movement
• Excellent awareness of surroundings
• Long battery life with quick charging
• Lightweight and comfortable design
• Available in multiple sizes

Cons:

• Neckband design less sleek than newer clip styles
• Premium price point
• Sound quality good but not audiophile level

Running demands gear that stays put and feels good mile after mile. For security and comfort that truly holds up, the top open ear headphones many serious runners swear by are still the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. Forget flimsy clips or hooks – these use a clever, lightweight neckband design that just won’t budge, no matter how hard you push.

Think sweat, sudden rain, or dusty trails? No problem. An IP55 rating means they shrug it all off. And that battery life? A solid 12 hours easily carries you through marathon training days or back-to-back workouts. Sure, new designs pop up, but for runners who need to stay aware of their surroundings without sacrificing sound or security, these remain the best open ear headphones out there.

Open Ear Headphones Review: Are They Good for You?

After extensively testing dozens of models, we can confidently say that open ear headphones have evolved from a niche product to a legitimate alternative to traditional earbuds. But are open ear headphones good for everyone? The answer depends on your priorities.

If environmental awareness is important to you – whether for safety during outdoor activities or situational awareness at work – open ear designs offer significant advantages over traditional earbuds. The ability to hear ambient sounds naturally while enjoying your audio can be genuinely liberating after years of sealed-in listening.

Sound quality has improved dramatically in recent generations. While early open ear models suffered from thin, tinny audio and virtually no bass response, today’s premium options deliver surprisingly rich sound profiles. That said, physics remains undefeated – without a seal in your ear canal, bass response will never match the best traditional earbuds, and sound isolation in noisy environments remains limited.

Comfort is another major advantage. Without anything entering your ear canal, many users find open ear designs more comfortable for extended wear. They also eliminate the “plugged” feeling and potential pressure discomfort associated with traditional earbuds.

For specific use cases like running, cycling, or office work where awareness matters, open ear headphones are not just good but potentially superior to traditional designs. However, for commuting on noisy public transit or focused listening in loud environments, traditional noise-cancelling earbuds still hold the advantage.

How to Choose the Best Open Ear Headphones

Finding the right open ear headphones requires considering several factors beyond just price. Here’s how to open ear headphones work for your specific needs:

1. Consider your primary use case – Different designs excel in different scenarios. Clip-on styles like the Bose Ultra Open work well for general use and comfort with glasses, while neckband designs like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 offer unmatched stability for running and high-impact activities.
2. Evaluate fit preferences – Open ear headphones come in three main designs: ear hooks that wrap around your ear, clips that attach to your ear’s concha, and neckbands that wrap around your head. Each offers different comfort and stability tradeoffs, so consider what will work best for your ear shape and activities.
3. Balance audio quality expectations – Open designs have inherent limitations in bass response and isolation. If you prioritize audiophile-quality sound or need significant noise isolation, you might need to compromise in other areas or consider traditional earbuds instead.
4. Consider battery life needs – Battery performance varies widely, from around 5 hours per charge to 19+ hours on models like the OneOdio OpenRock Pro. Be realistic about your usage patterns and whether frequent charging will be an issue.
5. Don’t forget water resistance – If you’ll be using them for workouts or outdoors, look for at least IPX4 rating (splash resistant), while IPX5 or higher offers better protection for running in rain or intense sweating.

FAQs

What Are Open Ear Headphones?

Think of them as headphones that don’t plug your ears. Instead of sealing you off, they sit near your ear, playing sound towards it while letting all the normal sounds around you – traffic, conversations, birds chirping – come through naturally. You stay aware of your world while listening to your tunes or podcast.

How Do Open Ear Headphones Work?

You’re right, there are two main ways these pull it off:

• Air Conduction: Tiny speakers aim sound directly at your ear canal (but not in it). Like a mini speaker next to your ear.
• Bone Conduction: These skip the ear canal entirely. They rest gently on your cheekbones and send vibrations through your skull bones straight to your inner ear.

Some newer, best open ear headphones even mix these two tricks for better sound.

Are Open Ear Headphones Better Than Traditional Earbuds?

“Better” really depends on what you need them for:

• Choose open ear if: You need to hear your surroundings – running near roads, working in an office, cycling, or just staying safe. Awareness is their superpower.
• Stick with traditional earbuds if: You crave deep bass, total quiet in noisy places (like planes), or that immersive “sealed-in” sound. They still win on pure isolation and thump.

Are Open Ear Headphones Good for Calls?

Absolutely! Many are great for calls. In fact, the open design can be an advantage – you hear your own voice naturally, so you won’t feel like you’re shouting. Look for models boasting clear microphones and noise-cancelling tech (like the Emeet AirFlow) if calls are a big deal for you. Top picks handle this really well.

What Are the Best Open Ear Headphones for Running?

Running demands gear that stays put and laughs at sweat. Stability and water resistance (IP rating!) are key. For high-impact runs, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is a top contender. Its neckband design is incredibly secure. If you prefer super lightweight hooks, the Honor Earbuds Open (IP57 rating) is another excellent, sweat-proof choice. Both let you hear traffic clearly – super important – while delivering solid sound. These are genuinely among the best open ear headphones runners rely on.