The 9 Best Open-Ear Earbuds of 2026, Tried and Tested

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The best noise-canceling earbuds are designed to insulate you from distractions, but there are times when tuning out your surroundings isn’t an option. From running outdoors to listening for the next station on a train commute, the best open-ear earbuds and headphones allow for situational awareness without compromising audio quality.

It’s a niche but growing market, with brands offering more open-ear options than ever. Open-ear earbuds comprise a broad range of styles, ranging from clip-style ear cuffs, earbuds with ear hooks , and bone-conduction headphones. What they have in common is leaving the ear canal open.

There are a variety of advantages to open ear earbuds. The biggest advantage is allowing the wearer to be attuned to their surroundings, which is why they’re particularly popular with runners and cyclists who work out outdoors. They’re not just for athletes, though — staying aware can be useful at work, on commutes, or while simply walking around the neighborhood. In addition to awareness, open-ear earbuds can be useful for those who struggle to find comfortable-fitting in-ear earbuds.

To find the best open-ear earbuds, we started with brands we trust and have used in the past. I put all of the options below to the test, trying them in a variety of settings, ranging from outdoor bike rides to office work. I evaluated them on audio quality, comfort, workout-friendliness, and portability. These are our top picks for the best open-ear earbuds of 2025.

From well-known brands like Bose and Sony to niche brands like Baseus, these are some of our favorite open-ear earbuds of 2026.

Quick Summary : Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds are very pricey, but the combination of sound quality, comfort, and portability makes them one of the best pairs I tested. Water Resistant Rating : IPX4 Stated Battery Life : 7 hours continuous, 19.5 with the case

The steep price tag may cause hesitation among runners and cyclists worried about dropping these down a runoff grate, and the IPX4 rating is middling. But despite these drawbacks, Bose’s Open Earbuds were the pair I reached for most often, including for workouts.

These earbuds are surprisingly secure, despite the unusual fit that clips around the ear. They were able to handle sweaty bike rides across uneven terrain with minimal movement, and the relatively compact case makes them easy to take on the go.

The earbuds have a physical playback button, which comes in handy in preventing accidental touches during workouts. The drivers do a good job of angling the sound toward the ear while leaving the ear canal open. Crucially, Bose put audio quality first in designing the Open Earbuds, meaning they’re not just for workouts.

The unusual design may take some getting used to — they can exert some pressure on the outer ear, but they get more comfortable with wear. The biggest drawback is the price — $300 at retail is steep for a pair of earbuds.