Open earbuds, designed to rest outside the ear, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including clip and ear hook designs. Some are geared towards exercising, while others are suited for everyday wear. The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are a favored option due to their audio performance and range of colors, although they are not the sole choice on the market, nor are they the most affordable at $299.

We have compiled a list of the leading open earbud models for 2025. Black Friday presents an excellent opportunity for savings, with the Bose Ultra Open earbuds available at a $100 discount and Anker Soundcore Aerofit 2 earbuds offered for $77.99 to Amazon Prime members. This guide is continuously updated, and our recommendations may evolve as we evaluate more models.

Open earbuds provide a nearly unobstructed listening experience, positioned just outside the ears, unlike in-ear models that fit inside the ear canal. Some feature ear hooks or cuffs to secure the speaker unit.

Individuals opt for open earbuds for three primary reasons: they enable personal listening while maintaining awareness of the environment, they are generally more comfortable than having an earbud inserted, and their design makes them ideal for remaining secure and alert during physical activities.

Nevertheless, open earbuds often lack active noise cancellation due to their design, which permits sound entry. They might not cater to audiophiles, as they do not offer the same sound precision as in-ear options, although they often deliver better audio quality than anticipated. Many come with equalizers in their accompanying apps to enhance sound performance, and certain models, like the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, include spatial audio. While they typically minimize sound leakage, some pairs may allow sound to escape at elevated volumes. Additionally, models with ear hooks may have bulkier cases, which could be a hassle for light travelers.

Bone conduction earbuds transmit sound waves through the skull rather than projecting sound into the ear. Shokz is a prominent brand in this segment. Although categorized as open earbuds, we have yet to test bone conduction models but intend to do so in the future.

The market for open earbuds is expanding, and we will keep evaluating more models. Upcoming assessments will include budget open earbuds priced under $100 and additional offerings from Shokz. In May 2025, we tested the Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds ($149), Sony Linkbuds Open ($199.99), Anker Soundcore AeroClip earbuds ($169.99), and Shokz OpenFit Air ($119.95). While these models performed adequately, our selections stood out in comfort and sound quality, particularly in relation to their price points.