Why Your Next Pair Won't Go Inside Your Ears: Best Open Ear Earbuds 2025 Guide

They're part earbud, part fashion accessory, and they don't block your ears at all. Meet the gadgets challenging the dominance of active noise cancellation (ANC). As personal audio shifts toward environmental awareness, open ear earbuds have emerged as the industry's fastest-growing trend.

What Exactly Are Open Earbuds?

Unlike traditional in-ear buds that sit inside your ear canal, open earbuds utilize air conduction to beam sound directly toward your ears from the outside. Some models, such as the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, use bone conduction technology to transmit vibrations through your skull. The result? You get your own personal soundtrack while remaining fully connected to the world around you.

The Trade-off: Transparency vs. Noise Cancellation

It's important to understand that these aren't meant to block out the world. In fact, true ANC is physically impossible with an open design. Instead, they offer a permanent, natural transparency mode without the electronic hissing found in traditional earbuds. However, this comes with a few compromises: sound leakage can occur at high volumes, and the bass response is often less robust than sealed alternatives.

Top Rated Open Ear Models for Every Budget

• Bose Ultra Open earbuds: The premium choice at $299, featuring a unique cuff design that doubles as jewelry.
• soundcore AeroFit 2: A solid mid-range option at $129.99 with a secure ear hook for athletes.
• EarFun Clip: The best budget-friendly entry point at $69.99.