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 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 . Updated November 2026: I am recommending the Anker AeroClip 2 as the best overall, followed closely by the Shokz OpenDots. I’ve also added the Apple AirPods 5 and CMF Clip Pro as an honorable mention. Best Open Earbuds Overall Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Photograph: Harry Rabinowitz Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Soundcore by Anker AeroClip 2 $170 Amazon $170 Shop Anker Soundcore AeroClip 2 Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 6.0 Battery life 8 hours, 32 with case Water/dust resistance IP57 Wireless charging Yes These are truly take-everywhere, do-anything headphones I would recommend to anyone looking for great open earbuds. They are exceedingly comfortable and easy to use all day, so much so that I sometimes forgot I was wearing them. 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. There are other open earbuds that are nearly as good as these, and some surpass them in areas like sound quality. But it’s a combination of small details that puts the AeroClip 2 at the top. The physical button controls on each earbud are much easier to use than touch-sensitive alternatives, especially when running or exercising outdoors. The charging case is surprisingly small, smaller than most other options on this list. And, importantly, the call quality is great. These buds use the same AI-powered chip as the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro , and while they don’t sound quite as good, they are noticeably better than other open earbuds, especially in noisy environments. The best part? They cost less than many similar competitors I tested. Runner-Up 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) Shokz OpenDots 2 Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 6.1 Battery life 10 hours, 40 with case Water/dust resistance IP57 Wireless charging Yes My former top pick, and still a great option, especially if you value battery life. These earbuds do most of what the Soundcore AeroClip 2 does, just a little larger and a little pricier. The buds are exceedingly comfortable and stable for all-day wear, even during outdoor workouts. What sets them apart from the AeroClip 2 is battery life. They are best in class—10 hours on a single charge, and 40 hours total with the charging case. They also have an IP57 dust and water-resistance 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 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. 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 (2nd Gen) $299 Amazon $299 Best Buy Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 Battery life 6 hours, 24 with case Water/dust resistance IPX4 Wireless charging Yes 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, the brand launched the second-generation version, and they are a solid, if expensive, option. That’s mainly because of sound quality—these earbuds sound clearer and more defined 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 Soundcore and Shokz earbuds, they are very comfortable, so much so that I sometimes forgot I am wearing them. This gen-two version has a more distinct, two-tone material design that is certainly eye-catching, especially in the white colorway. They also now support wireless charging, a big omission in the first generation. 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 Soundpeats PearlClip Pro 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 Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 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 like headphones than earbuds—with a wraparound headband, 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 clearer sound 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 I’m hopeful they can be a budget-friendly alternative. Honorable Mentions Apple AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case for $149 : Apple AirPods 5 are semi-open earbuds—they still go in your ears, but don’t have rubber eartips that block outside noise, meaning you