The 8 Best Open-Ear Headphones in 2025

Shokz OpenFit earns the Best Overall spot by nailing what most people actually want: comfort, awareness, and dependable sound. The open-ear, compact earbud design with ultra-soft silicone cushions feels like it disappears after a few minutes, so you can wear them for long walks or all-day use without fiddling. DirectPitch technology delivers surprisingly full, clear audio for an open-ear form factor, so music and podcasts come through with good body while your ears stay free.

Where these shine is the balance between staying connected to your surroundings and enjoying quality sound — perfect for commuting or running where situational awareness matters. The ergonomic, flexible ear hook and balanced weight keep them secure without pressure. Battery life is solid: about seven hours per charge and up to 28 hours with the case, plus a useful five-minute quick charge trick.

On the flip side, because they’re open-ear, expect average passive noise isolation and middling call isolation compared with in-ear ANC models. Overall, they’re a comfortable, practical pick.

Placed in the Best Premium slot, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds earn that spot by delivering a rare mix: the freedom of an open-ear fit with surprisingly rich, immersive sound. Bose’s OpenAudio and Immersive Audio make music feel spacious and present without isolating you from your surroundings, and the flexible, light-as-air fit actually stays put for long walks or commutes. Multipoint Bluetooth, SimpleSync with Bose speakers, and the app-driven updates all reinforce the premium experience, and the charging case extends usability far beyond a single outing. IPX4 protection and acoustic mesh add practical durability for everyday use.

There are a few trade-offs to note. Immersive mode trims battery life to around four hours, IPX4 is splash-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and open-ear designs inherently give up some bass punch and can leak sound compared with sealed in-ear options. Still, for anyone prioritizing situational awareness, comfort, and class-leading spatial audio, these earbuds justify their premium position.

These AeroFit 2s feel like a thoughtful compromise built around comfort and practicality. The open-ear, air-conduction design with a double-curved surface and soft adjustable hooks makes them easy to forget you’re wearing them — great for long commutes, outdoor runs, or desk days when you still need to hear traffic or conversations. That openness is the point, though it also means they won’t isolate you from loud surroundings the way in-ears or ANC cans would.

Where they shine is the sound and everyday usability: the racetrack drivers plus BassTurbo and LDAC deliver surprisingly full, clear audio for open-ear buds, with respectable low end, crisp mids and airy treble. Battery life (10 hours, 42 with the case) and wireless charging keep them fuss-free, and the four beam-forming mics plus AI filtering make calls reliable even outdoors. For anyone valuing comfort, situational awareness, and solid audio without breaking the bank, AeroFit 2 is a strong value pick — just don’t expect sealed-in bass or noise cancellation.

If long runtimes are your priority, the OpenRock Pro really delivers where it counts. The claimed 19 hours of playback at 70% volume on a single charge is impressive for open-ear headphones, and the additional 27 hours from the portable charging case means you can realistically get up to around two days of heavy use without hunting for an outlet. That combination of solid on-device stamina and a substantial backup pack makes these a reliable choice for long commutes, full workdays, or multi-day outdoor trips.

Beyond the battery, they pack sensible extras: a comfortable open-ear fit that stays airy during extended wear, aptX 576 kbps support and TubeBass tech for fuller low end than you’d expect from open designs, and a quad-mic cVc 8.0 setup for clearer calls. A couple of caveats are typical — actual runtime will vary with volume, usage and codec — but overall the battery performance, paired with the practical charging case, is what earns these a top spot in the Best Battery Life category.

These headphones are a great pick if you want the benefits of bone conduction without fiddling with buds. The OpenRun Pro nails comfort with a bud-free, open-ear design and an included Shokz headband that helps them stay put through sweaty workouts. Because they sit outside the ear, you retain awareness of your surroundings — a real plus for runners and cyclists who need to hear traffic.

Where they stand out is sound and fit: Shokz’s ninth-generation bone conduction and TurboPitch tuning deliver clearer mids and surprisingly punchy bass for this category, and the lightweight titanium frame keeps the headset stable during intense sessions. Battery life is a solid 10 hours and a 5-minute quick charge for 1.5 hours is genuinely useful. The trade-offs are the usual ones for open-ear devices — you won’t get the isolation or absolute low-end impact of sealed in-ears or over-ears, and battery life is competitive but not class-leading. Overall, a top choice for safe, comfortable active listening.

If you’re ranking headphones by water resistance, the OpenRun (Aftershokz Aeropex) is an easy pick for workouts where sweat and weather are a concern. The IP67 rating means it’s fully protected against dust and can handle immersion up to a meter — in everyday terms, it won’t panic in a heavy downpour or during an intense, sweaty run. I also like the moisture-detection alert that prevents charging when wet — a small but thoughtful safety feature that actually matters.

The open-ear, wraparound design stays put and dries quickly, and bone-conduction transmits sound without blocking your ears, so you stay aware of surroundings in wet conditions. Battery life is solid at eight hours, with a 10-minute quick charge giving 1.5 hours — perfectly practical, though not class-leading. The one real caveat: despite the strong water resistance, these aren’t for swimming. Overall, for runners and gym-goers who need reliable sweat and rain protection, these are a top choice.

For anyone who wants safe, comfortable audio while working out, the Cleer ARC II Sport is a very strong pick. The ultra-light, ergonomic open-ear design makes them easy to wear for long runs or gym sessions and, importantly, keeps you aware of traffic and surroundings — a big plus for outdoor exercise.

They surprise with detailed sound thanks to 16.2mm drivers and Snapdragon support for high-res streaming, and the onboard EQ lets you tune the profile to your taste. Multi-point pairing is handy if you switch between phone and tablet mid-workout, and the mic with cVc delivers clear voice for calls or coaching apps. Battery life is excellent — about eight hours per bud and a total of up to 35 hours with the case.

A few realities: open-ear earbuds won’t produce the same chest-thumping bass as sealed in-ears, and IPX5 means sweat- and splash-resistance but not full submersion protection. Overall, they’re a comfortable, safe, and feature-rich choice for active users.

TOZO’s OpenEgo makes a convincing case for a budget-friendly pick. The 16.2mm dynamic driver and TOZO OrigX tuning give surprisingly clear highs and satisfying lows for the price, and the open-ear design is genuinely useful if you want to stay aware while walking or cycling. Call quality benefits from the dual-microphone noise-cancelling setup, and the included ear supports plus IPX5 sweat resistance mean these actually stay put during workouts.

Where it’s more middle-of-the-road is predictable: an open-ear format won’t deliver the same isolation or thumping bass as in-ear sealed buds, so heavy bass heads might notice that trade-off. Still, the TOZO app with 32 EQ presets is a nice customization perk, and the claimed 80-hour total playtime with an LED case readout is excellent for long commutes or workdays. For budget shoppers wanting safety, comfort, and long battery life, OpenEgo is an easy, well-rounded choice.