6 of the best open-ear headphones
Groove to your favorite tunes or take calls on trips while staying aware of your surroundings.
Anyone who has ever run through a busy airport or toured a crowded city knows how important it is to be aware of your surroundings while traveling—especially when wearing headphones.
Tiny earbuds and cushy headphones with noise-canceling features have their benefits, but open-ear headphones can be better for helping with spatial awareness.
“The main reason and biggest factor for wearing open-ear headphones when you’re outdoors is safety,” says Brian Raffio, senior adventure travel consultant at Climbing Kilimanjaro, a tour company specializing in Mount Kilimanjaro climbs and safaris. “Unlike traditional headphones, these rest on the outside of the ear and allow you to hear ambient sounds—a top concern when spending time outside, especially if you’re alone or unfamiliar with the area.”
Besides allowing you to hear what’s going on around you, the best open-ear headphones have a long battery life, adjustable features, and rich audio. We talked to several outdoor and travel experts who often use open-ear headphones and searched through dozens of models to find the best on the market.
Based on our research and personal experience, we’ve determined that the Shokz Openfit is the best open-ear headphone for most travelers. They have great battery life for a full day of use, a soft grip for a comfortable fit, and artificial intelligence that helps keep phone calls clear. Here’s our full list of top open-ear earphones.
Our picks for the best open-ear headphones
• Best premium open-ear headphones: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
• Best open-ear headphones for battery life: 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50
• Best open-ear headphones on a budget: Soundcore by Anker V30i Open-Ear Headphones
• Best open-ear headphones for large ears: JBL SoundGear Sense
• Best open-ear headphones for calls: Shokz OpenComm2
The best open-ear headphones
We looked at a wide variety of open-ear headphones for this list. The best open-ear buds should have a long battery life, feel comfortable, and provide high-quality sound. Based on those qualities, we found six open-ear headphones to suit most travelers’ needs. Here are the pros and cons for each.
Best open-ear headphones overall: Shokz Openfit
Why we like it: The Shokz Openfit ear buds are made with technologies, including AI, that the company says help improve sound quality. We also like the ergonomic silicone cushioning and flexible hook design that helps balance weight for a comfortable fit. With up to seven hours of audio on one charge (up to 28 hours in the included charging case), there’s plenty of power for long days of exploring.
Keep in mind: These open-ear buds have sensitive touch controls that may take some getting used to.
Product details: Colors: 2 | Weight: 0.6 oz. | Battery life: Up to 7 hours | Charging time: 1 hour | Water-resistant: Yes | Wireless range: 33 ft.
Best premium: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Why we like it: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds topped our list for best premium open-ear headphones for two reasons: Immersive audio and a unique ear-cuff design.
“If sound quality is a priority, these are fantastic. They deliver immersive audio while still letting you hear your surroundings—perfect for strolling around the city or even during a quick café stop, where you want music but still need to be aware of what’s happening around you,” says Salvador Ordorica, a frequent traveler and the founder of translation services agency, The Spanish Group. “They’re a bit of an investment but really provide that rich, full sound experience that Bose is known for.”
Keep in mind: At nearly $300, these open-ear headphones are an investment. Unlike other earphones, they don’t come with tracking in case they get lost.
Product details: Colors: 4 | Weight: 1.9 oz. | Battery life: Up to 7 hours | Charging time: 1 hour | Water-resistant: Yes | Wireless range: 30 ft.
(Enjoy the sound of silence with these noise-canceling headphones.)
Best for battery life: 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50
Why we like it: For many travelers, gear that can get you through long travel days and delays is a priority. “Beyond a comfortable and secure fit with clear audio, I look for extended battery life to avoid charging while I’m away,” says Tom Payne, a travel journalist based in the United Kingdom, about earphones.
With up to 38 hours of battery life via case charging and up to 11 hours without, according to the company, the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 fits the bill. The company says a five-minute top up provides up to two hours of playback—especially handy if you’re in a rush. Reviewers say the hook design fits snugly even with glasses or a helmet.
We also appreciate that these headphones are equipped with 12 studio-level equalization options to help balance sound.
Keep in mind: Reviewers note pairing can be difficult and inconsistent, requiring frequent re-pairing when switching between devices.
Product details: Colors: 3 | Weight: 0.4 oz. | Battery life: Up to 38 hours | Charging time: 1 hour, 20 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes | Wireless range: 33 ft.
Best budget: Soundcore by Anker V30i Open-Ear Headphones
Why we like it: At about $50, these Soundcore open-ear headphones have lots of features and high customer ratings. The lightweight, open-ear design is made with soft, flexible ear hooks and a biomaterial core (generally used to replace things like bone or tissue) that the company says enhances bass. You can adjust the equalizers in the Soundcore app.
We also appreciate that these headphones are constructed to be dustproof and water-resistant, making them great for workouts or exploring on warm days.
Keep in mind: These earphones don’t have deep bass and don’t provide an immersive audio experience.
Product details: Colors available: 1 | Weight: 0.3 oz. | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Charging time: 2 hours | Water resistant: Yes | Wireless range: 33 ft.
(Relax in your hotel room with a top-notch Bluetooth speaker.)
Best for large ears: JBL SoundGear Sense
Why we like it: With adjustable buds and a detachable neckband, the JBL SoundGear Sense offers lots of options for a good fit. There’s enough clearance so you can take in your surroundings, yet you won’t lose audio thanks to the earbuds’ directional sound system.
Keep in mind: The maximum volume may not be loud enough for some travelers. These headphones don’t have noise-canceling features.
Product details: Colors: 1 | Weight: 0.5 oz. | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Charging time: 2 hours | Water-resistant: Yes | Wireless range: 33 ft.
Best for calls: Shokz OpenComm2
Why we like it: These lightweight open-ear headphones are built with an adjustable noise-canceling microphone and user-friendly controls. You get about 16 hours of talk time and up to eight hours of music on a single charge, according to the company. We also like that this headset can connect to two devices simultaneously.
Keep in mind: The adjustable microphone isn’t detachable, so we don’t recommend this headseat for activities such as running or exercising.
Product details: Colors: 1 | Weight: 1.2 oz. | Battery life: Up to 8 hours | Charging time: 1 hour | Water-resistant: Yes | Wireless range: 98 ft.
(These are the best portable chargers for travelers.)
How we chose the best open-ear headphones
To find the best open-ear headphones, we asked several outdoor experts and leaned on personal experience. We also analyzed dozens of brands, listings, customer reviews, and online discussion sites. We based our decisions on these considerations:
Third-party reviews: We examined customers’ real-world experiences with these products, weighing what worked and what didn’t, before choosing open-ear headphones with the best ratings.
Audio quality: It goes without saying that sound quality is an important feature, even in open-ear headphones. We looked for models with outstanding sound based on customer reviews.
Battery life: Open-ear headphones with long-lasting battery life are crucial for travelers, especially during long travel days or delays, when power sources may be difficult to find.
Comfort: Because many travelers wear open-ear headphones for hours, it’s essential to make sure they feel good.
Brand: We prioritized companies with a long record for making high-quality audio products.
Features: In addition to basic qualities like sound, adjustability, and comfort, we also looked at extras, like multiple listening modes and fast charge, that help you get the most out of earphones.
Tips for buying open-ear headphones
These factors are important to consider when shopping for your next pair of open-ear headphones.
Fit
One of the most important aspects to look for in open-ear headphones is stability and comfort. Most open-ear headphones are designed with hooks that attach over the ears to help prevent them from falling out. These hooks shouldn’t feel too tight or too loose.
Battery life and charging time
Battery life is important, especially if you’re traveling or plan to wear them during time-consuming activities like hiking. Look for models that offer at least five hours of playback on a single charge. Fast-charging is also helpful for topping up before catching a connecting flight or train.
Weight
Most open-ear headphones are fairly compact and lightweight, but some can feel heavy in your ears. It’s important to try on ear buds to get a better sense for how they feel, especially if you know you’ll be wearing them for a long time.
Price
As with anything, you get what you pay for. If you’re a heavy headphone user, it may be worth it to splurge on a high-quality pair, like our premium pick, the Bose Ultra, for convenient extras and top-quality audio. Still, there are plenty of wallet-friendly options, including our top budget pick, the Soundcore by Anker V30i.
Water resistance
Many open-ear headphones are made to resist water, making them good options for inclement weather or during activities like hiking, when you’re likely to sweat. Keep in mind that water-resistance doesn’t mean waterproof. If you want open-ear headphones for swimming, look for waterproof earbuds.
Frequently asked questions
What is an open-ear headphone?
Open-ear headphones are ear buds that rest outside of the ear canal, allowing you to hear your surroundings while enjoying music or making phone calls. They’re generally built to hook over your ears, but some are built to wrap around your head for extra security.
“They provide clear sound and situational awareness,” says Ross Cushing, a Maryland-based clinical audiologist. “Open-ear air-conduction headphones provide richer audio with added bass, making them good for general listening.”
Are open-ear headphones better for you?
Open-ear headphones can be better for people who find standard earphones uncomfortable. Compared to in-ear headphones, open-ear headphones allow for situational awareness. They use bone-conduction audio technology, which some say is better for your ears than sound waves going directly into your ear.
Can you run with open-ear headphones?
Yes. Open-ear headphones have a lightweight, ergonomic design that helps keep them in place during activities. Many open-ear headphones are also water-resistant or waterproof so they can withstand sweat or accidental splashes. Check the specifications for the ear bud you’re considering.
