Best Open Earbuds (2026): Shokz, Bose, Soundcore, and More

Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Open earbuds are the big new thing in headphone land. Unlike in-ear variants, open earbuds are like tiny speakers that rest on the ear and let outside sound in naturally, so you can fully hear the world around you. Some use a hook style that wraps around the back of your ear, while others are clip-ons that look more like statement-piece earrings. Style aside, they are excellent for anyone who finds traditional earbuds uncomfortable or wants full environmental awareness for activities like running, biking, or even just doing chores around the house. I've tested dozens of models since 2022, and while I still recommend having a pair of noise-canceling earbuds , I also love open earbuds for specific use cases. For more headphone recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Wireless Earbuds , Best Workout Headphones , and Best Wireless Headphones . Love WIRED? Add us as a preferred source on Google to see more of us. Best Open Earbuds Overall Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Shokz OpenDots 2 $200 Amazon $200 Shop (Shokz) Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 6.1 Battery life 10 hours, 40 with case Water/dust resistance IP57 Wireless charging Yes The Shokz OpenDots 2 are everything I want open earbuds to be. These are truly take-everywhere, do-anything headphones. That's partly thanks to extremely long battery life—10 hours on a single charge, and 40 hours total with the charging case. They also have an IP57 dust and waterproof rating, the same as premium, flagship earbuds like Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro. I've worn them in the rain, on the beach, and fully submerged them in water multiple times without issue. They're clip-ons that wrap around the earlobe, with the speaker end resting at the ear canal opening and the other end behind the ear. Importantly, the top of your ear is free for glasses, sunglasses, or hats. Like nearly all open earbuds, they let in sound from your surroundings, so don't expect them to be a great companion for long-haul flights or daily gym sessions. They are a bit pricey, though. Shokz recently launched the lower-priced Shokz OpenDots Air and Shokz OpenFit Air 2 —I may update this recommendation depending on how my testing goes. Runner-Up Photograph: Ryan Waniata Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Soundcore by Anker Aeroclip $170 $130 (24% off) Amazon $150 Best Buy $170 $150 (12% off) Soundcore Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 5.4 Battery life 8 hours, 32 with case Water/dust resistance IP55 Wireless charging No Former WIRED reviewer Ryan Waniata is a huge fan of the Soundcore Aeroclip for a lot of the same reasons I love the OpenDots 2. The Aeroclip buds are light, comfortable, and stable on your ear, plus they have stellar battery life and strong water and dust resistance (not waterproof). Waniata used them for daily life: walking the dog, strolling with the baby, riding bikes, making dinner, and hanging out at home—any situation where you want your music but also want to be aware or talk to people. The Soundcore app is easy to use and offers plenty of customization for controls, EQ, and multipoint pairing. The brand recently announced the Soundcore Aeroclip 2 and Aeroclip 2 Pro, which I will be testing soon. Look out for deals on these original Aeroclips as a result. Best Premium Open Earbuds Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $299 Amazon $299 $199 (33% off) Bose $299 $199 (33% off) Best Buy Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 Battery life 7.5 hours, 27 with case Water/dust resistance IPX4 Wireless charging No The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds were a big deal when they launched in 2024—a brand-new design from Bose and one of the biggest swings from a major brand in clip-on open earbuds. Two years later, they are still a solid, if expensive, option. That's mainly because of sound quality—these earbuds have a clearer, more defined sound than most competitors. Another differentiator is physical button controls on each bud, which I find easier to use than touch alternatives, especially when running or biking. Like the Shokz and Soundcore, they are supremely comfortable, so much so that I sometimes forgot I was wearing them. But they are much pricier by comparison, and only worth it if you want the best sound quality in this clip-on form factor. Best Cheap Open Earbuds Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Soundpeats PearlClip Pro $50 $30 (40% off) Amazon Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 Battery life 7.5 hours, 30 with case Water/dust resistance IPX5 Wireless charging No It can be a little nerve-wracking to spend big bucks on a concept (open earbuds) you aren't totally convinced by. That's one reason I love this $50 option—the PearClip Pros aren't super pricey and are a great way to find out if you even like open earbuds in the first place, especially the kind that clip onto the outside of your ear. They are far less refined than Shokz or Soundcore. Things like the app and touch controls can be a little finicky. But that's common at this super-low price point, and you can always upgrade to a more premium earbud if you fall in love with the clip-on form factor. Best Open Ear Headphones Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 $180 Amazon $180 REI Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 Battery life 12 hours Water/dust resistance IP55 Wireless charging No The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are more headphones than earbuds—they have a wraparound headband styling, long battery life, great sound quality (for open headphones), and no charging case. They use a combination of bone conduction (think vibrations) and air conduction (think tiny speakers pointed toward your ears) to deliver sound that's clearer than most smaller open earbuds, especially in noisy environments. That combination of technologies is why these are some of my favorite earbuds for outdoor fitness activities like running and biking. I do wish these headphones were a little cheaper. I'm currently testing the recently released, more affordable Shokz OpenRun Air 2 , and hopeful they can be a budget-friendly alternative. Honorable Mentions Nothing Ear (Open) for $99 : Former WIRED editor Adrienne So loves these earbuds and uses them for almost all her outdoor activities. They are very slim (19-mm wide) and lightweight. They fit slightly inside your ear and, like most Nothing headphones, have a distinct transparent design. The case doesn't clamp shut very firmly, so be careful, but at this price, that's forgivable. JLab Epic Open Sport for $100: JLab’s Epic Open Sport stands out for its controls: the JLab emblem is a touch sensor, and each earbud also has physical buttons on top, making it a breeze to control. What holds the Epic Open Sport back is audio quality—the sound isn't very detailed, and it's generally boring to listen to. Other Open Earbuds I’ve Tested EarFun Clip for $70: For around $70, these are a solid pick for anyone on a budget. Waniata found the overall package punching above its price point, with a snappy, compact case, comfortable fit, push-button controls, and reliable multiple Bluetooth connections. The problem is our budget pick, the Soundpeats PearlClip Pro