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What are open earplugs? And what are clip-on earbuds? There's not much difference between the two, they both have an open-ear design, so they can be understood as the same type. Whilst they have been around for a while, they are still a relatively new concept. If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds, then here's an article you won't want to miss.
Traditional in-ear earbuds do not have sound-isolating silicone earbuds, which typically close the ear canal and support active noise cancellation. If you find earbuds uncomfortable or don't like their listening experience, open earbuds may be a better option. If you're concerned that you won't be able to stay alert while wearing earplugs - for example, if you hear an approaching vehicle while running or cycling - they may be a good option because your ears aren't sealed. For more options for the gym, see our round-up of the best earbuds and headphones for working out.
We tested no less than 20 open earbuds, and here's our compilation of the best ones to use. We've also previously reviewed the best bone conduction headphones for running and the best clip-on earbuds, both of which you can use as a reference.
1. Bose Ultra Open
As one of the leading audio technology brands in the world, Bose’s first open-ear earbuds, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, are naturally impressive. In our review, we found that they meet all the expectations, though the high price tag of Bose is also quite evident.
The Bose Ultra features a hook-over-ear design, with the battery module positioned behind the ear. During testing, we noticed that they felt slightly loose, but they never fell off—perhaps just needing a bit of time to adjust.
Even with an open-ear design, the sound quality of the Ultra Open is exceptional. Its immersive soundstage technology is highly refined, and while the price is relatively high, the audio performance justifies the cost.
Key Features:
- IPX4 water resistance
- Open-ear design for ultimate comfort
- Immersive audio
- Automatic volume adjustment for all-day comfort
- 7.5-hour playback time
2. Nank Ultra
Nank is known for making some of the best bone conduction headphones around, but the Ultra proves that we're just as good at air conduction, with clip-on earbuds that ‘deliver almost as good a sound quality as in-ear headphones’ and are fully aware of their surroundings.
Like the Bose Ultra Open, the earbuds hang on the side of the ear and are stable and comfortable to wear, though they do take some getting used to at first.
The Nank Ultra's price tag isn't too high, so if you're looking for a reliable pair of clip-on earbuds that are comfortable to wear and have consistent sound quality, then these are the headphones for you.
Key Features:
- IPX5 water resistance
- Light and comfortable
- Good sound for the design
- AI call noise cancellation
- 8-hour playback time
3. Anker AeroFit Pro
The Anker AeroFit Pro, as one of the open-ear earbuds, offers an impressive design and comfortable fit. I had no issues wearing them while running or exercising. The downside is that they are on the pricier side, but for this type of earbud, the sound quality is definitely strong. The bass is rich, the volume is ample, and the clarity is quite good. They're excellent for phone calls, with effective background noise reduction, and the battery life is impressive—up to 14 hours on medium volume.
The earbuds use physical buttons to control playback and come with a cord if you prefer to convert them into a neckband-style wireless earbud. It’s also worth noting that they feature spatial audio and support the LDAC audio codec for Android smartphones and other devices with Bluetooth streaming support.
Key Features:
- IPX7 water resistance
- Premium look
- Powerful sound quality
- Good battery life
- Good voice call performance
4. Nank OE Mix
The Nank OE Mix features an earhook design, similar to the Anker AeroFit Pro.
In our testing, we found this design to be very comfortable as well. We'd even go as far as to say that they're one of the best-fitting fitness earbuds we've ever tested, which really does make a lot of sense.
These earbuds are the best value for money, they have the lowest price tag, but the sound quality is great and they don't leak. If you are considering using open earbuds for something other than working out, then these are the headphones for you. These headphones can accompany you on your commute, day at the office, and workout.
Key Features:
- Open ear experience for sports
- 6.7g ultra-lightweight for comfort
- Impressive stereo sound
- Latest Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity
- Long battery life and low-latency gaming
How to choose the best open ear headphones for you？
As our guide above proves, there are a few choices you can make based on your needs, and your options will only increase as more brands enter the field.
The first thing to consider is whether open earbuds are right for you. As you can see from our review above, there's a trade-off between sound quality and fit with open earbud designs, which means you'll need to be aware of what you hear around you.
As always, another major factor to consider is your budget. At the moment we don't have much choice, but there are some cheaper options. For example, the Nank OE Mxi, which not only fits perfectly, but also sounds great. Of course, if you're on a budget and looking for high sound quality, Bose is definitely the best option.
Finally, after reading this article you'll realise that clip-on earbuds and open-ear earbuds can actually be considered one and the same concept, except that they are worn in different positions. So you still need to gauge for yourself which kind of earbuds are best for you.
Conclusion
As our guide above proves, there are a few choices you can make based on your needs, and your options will only increase as more brands enter the field.
