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If you don’t like having ear tips jammed in your ears or simply like staying aware of your surroundings, these open and semi-open wireless earbuds are great alternatives.
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What are the best open wireless earbuds overall?
While several excellent open earbuds on the market come in various designs, a couple of newer models stand out. These include Apple’s AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds, which have a unique clip-on design. Both feature top sound for open earbuds and would make for a perfect gift this holiday shopping season.
Unlike earbuds with noise-isolating silicone ear tips that seal off the ear canal (for active noise cancellation), open earbuds don’t have tips that jam in your ears and provide a different listening experience. A lot of people prefer this design and they do have a safety benefit: Because they don’t seal off your ear canal, they let ambient sound in, so you can hear what’s going on around you — basically a more natural sound profile. That can be an important feature for some people, including runners and bikers who want to hear vehicles approaching. If you’re looking for more earbuds to take to the gym, check out our roundup of the best earbuds and headphones for working out.
However, the downside to their openness is that if you’re in a noisy environment, the ambient sound will make it harder to hear what you’re listening to. Also, open earbuds have a harder time producing strong bass, which affects sound quality.
I’ve tested hundreds of headphones over 20 years of evaluating headphones, and I’ve used all the models on this list and fully reviewed many of them. Many of these open wireless earbuds are featured on our other pages, including our best running headphones and best true wireless sports earbuds with ear hooks. I’ll update this list as I test more worthy candidates.
Read more: Best True Wireless Earbuds for 2024
Best open wireless earbuds of 2024
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” page-position linktext=”Read our Amazon Echo Buds 2023 review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/amazons-new-echo-buds-have-2-key-features-missing-from-other-cheap-earbuds/” like=”~Well-designed inexpensive earbuds ~Good sound for open earbuds ~Strong feature set, including hands-free Alexa” dislike=”~May not fit everyone’s ears comfortably ~Not a ton of bass ~No ANC (they’re open earbuds)” additional-author additional-date additional-time can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”44d84e83-2ca6-4238-b263-e31156065355″,”label”:”Amazon Echo Buds (2023)”,”slug”:”amazon-echo-buds-2023″,”edition”:[“us”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:””,”imageHeight”:0,”imageWidth”:0,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:””}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”44d84e83-2ca6-4238-b263-e31156065355″,”slug”:”amazon-echo-buds-2023″,”name”:”Amazon Echo Buds (2023)”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1728753156879}” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” overridecaption=”
The Echo Buds include removable silicone sleeves that help your get a more secure fit.
” imagegroup=”{“imageData”:{“id”:”c01ae8ce-3cf6-46ed-a563-bf808e3b15e6″},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2023-07-05″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”mm7vdvqamhvxbh2″,”type”:”cross-content-listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cross_content_listicle__bfdfe1c9-6779-47d0-956f-36e7f48877eb” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”hv45,freelance-update,bluetooth,bose,samsung,sony,samsung-galaxy” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” imagealttext=”The Echo Buds 2023 are a good AirPods 3 alternative for less”>
Amazon’s 2023 Echo Buds impressed me in a few ways that I wasn’t expecting. For starters, they sound good for inexpensive open earbuds, delivering decent clarity and ample bass. But they also have a robust feature set, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, hands-free Alexa and ear-detection sensors that pause your audio when you take one or both buds out of your ears.
Their sound falls short of that of Apple’s AirPods 3, which deliver fuller bass and overall fuller, smoother sound (they’re better at handling more complicated music tracks with a lot of instruments playing at the same time). But the AirPods 3 cost around $180 and offer only about 15% to 20% better audio. In short, if you’re looking for open earbuds — or “semi-open” as these types of earbuds are sometimes called — the Echo Buds are good value at their $50 list price and even easier to recommend when they go on sale.
The case is bulky and feels a little cheap (the lid is flimsy) but the buds themselves seem sturdily built and the ear hooks are nice and flexible. They have 14.2mm drivers that output decent but not great sound (there’s a bit of distortion at higher volumes), which is par for the course for these types of open buds that sit on top of your ears and fire sound into them. They’re also good but not great for voice calling. A companion app for iOS and Android allows your to tweak the sound with an equalizer and you can update the buds’ firmware. The buds are available in black or white and offer up to 10 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. Currently, you can grab these at a 20% discount, thanks to the on-page coupon.
” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~Comfortable fit ~Affordable price ~Good sound for open earbuds ~Good battery life” dislike=”~Design is a bit plain ~Case lid feels slightly flimsy” additional-author additional-date additional-time can-collapse=”false” can-truncate=”false” truncate-on-page-load=”false” offer=”{“id”:”05f30df6-7a7f-4ee7-a1b3-94ba5f00e052″,”label”:”1MORE Fit SE S30 Open Ear Earbuds, Sports Earbuds Split Design with Ear Hooks, Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones with 4 Microphones for Clear Calls, IPX5, 30-Hour Playtime, Wireless Earbuds, Black”,”slug”:”1more-fit-se-s30-open-ear-earbuds-sports-earbuds-split-design-with-ear-hooks-bluetooth-5-3-headphones-with-4-microphones”,”edition”:[“us”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:””,”imageHeight”:0,”imageWidth”:0,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:””}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”05f30df6-7a7f-4ee7-a1b3-94ba5f00e052″,”slug”:”1more-fit-se-s30-open-ear-earbuds-sports-earbuds-split-design-with-ear-hooks-bluetooth-5-3-headphones-with-4-microphones”,”name”:”1MORE Fit SE S30 Open Ear Earbuds, Sports Earbuds Split Design with Ear Hooks, Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones with 4 Microphones for Clear Calls, IPX5, 30-Hour Playtime, Wireless Earbuds, Black”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1728753156766}” overridecredit=”Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET” overridecaption=”
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1More makes a couple of open sports earbuds with ear hooks. The Fit S50 buds are the flagship ($120) and feature a little better sound than the Fit SE S30, have a more premium design and are fully waterproof (IPX7 rating). But I like the fit a little better on the step-down S30, which is IPX5 splashproof (it can sustain a spray of water) and costs half the price, making it a better value.
The case is bulky and feels a little cheap (the lid is flimsy) but the buds themselves seem sturdily built and the ear hooks are nice and flexible. They have 14.2mm drivers that output decent but not great sound (there’s a bit of distortion at higher volumes), which is par for the course for these types of open buds that sit on top of your ears and fire sound into them. They’re also good but not great for voice calling. A companion app for iOS and Android allows your to tweak the sound with an equalizer and you can update the buds’ firmware. The buds are available in black or white and offer up to 10 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. Currently, you can grab these at a 20% discount, thanks to the on-page coupon.
Budget
Before anything else, you’ll want to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on new open wireless earbuds. The quality of value-priced earbuds and headphones continues to improve, so you can find good affordable sports buds for less than $75. The premium models, which offer better build quality and performance, tend to cost more than $100 and sometimes more than $150.
Fit, aka comfort
It’s key that open wireless earbuds fit your ears not only comfortably but securely. They should offer a comfortable fit that allows you to wear the earbuds for long periods without any irritation. Since all the buds on this list have an open design, they should stay in your ears well. Some will fit in your ears more comfortably than others.
Durability
You want open wireless buds that hold up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality and a good water-resistance rating.
Return policy
It’s critical to buy your open wireless earbuds at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case you have buyer’s remorse. Some people who are having trouble deciding between two models sometimes buy both, try them out for a few days, and then return one.
We test open wireless earbuds based on five key criteria, comparing similarly styled and priced models. These criteria are design, sound quality, features, voice-calling performance and value.
- Design: We assess not only how comfortable the earbuds fit (ergonomics) but their build quality and how well the controls are implemented. We also look at water- and dust-resistance ratings.
- Sound quality: We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the earbuds to top competing products in their price range. Sonic traits such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and how natural the headphones sound are key factors in our assessment.
- Features: Some great-sounding earbuds aren’t loaded with features, but we do take into account what extra features are on board. These include everything from noise-canceling and transparency modes (ambient sound mode) to special sound modes to ear-detection sensors that automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off your ears.
- Voice-calling performance: When we test voice-calling performance, we make calls in the noisy streets of New York and evaluate how well the earbuds reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear your voice.
- Value: We determine value after evaluating the strength of the earbuds against all these criteria and what the buds are able to deliver compared to other models in their price class.
Sony Link Buds: The LinkBuds are, in a sense, Sony’s answer to Apple’s standard AirPods. While they don’t sound as good as Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM5 noise-isolating earbuds, they offer a discreet, innovative design and a more secure fit than the AirPods, as well as good sound and very good voice-calling performance.
Cleer Audio Arc 2 Sport: Cleer’s original Arc earbuds were solid sport earbuds that featured decent sound for open-style buds that sit on top of your ears and fire sound into them. This new-for-2023 model steps up the sound quality and offers additional refinements and feature upgrades, including a new “enhanced” charging case with UV sterilization and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3), all of which makes for a significantly improved product.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Samsung’s bean-shaped earbuds were a hit when they came out in 2020, but they’ve become outdated. Like the standard AirPods, they have an open design, so you don’t jam an ear tip into your ear. They’re comfortable to wear and fit my ears more securely than the AirPods. These wireless buds are discreet and basically sit flush with your ear, which reduces wind-noise while biking. I regularly use them for running and biking, and they’re great for sporting activities if they fit your ears well. But one warning: Some people won’t get a secure fit, so buy them from a retailer that has a good return policy.
Which is better: open or closed true-wireless earbuds?
It’s a matter of personal preference, but many people prefer an open headphone design to a closed. Open or semi-open designs can offer a more comfortable fit as they don’t seal off the canal with a squishy silicone tip. Because they don’t seal off your ear canal, they let ambient sound in so you can hear what’s going on around you. That can be an important safety feature for some people, including runners and bikers who want to hear cars approaching.
However, the downside to their openness is that if you’re in a noisy environment, the ambient sound will make it harder to hear what you’re listening to. Also, open earbuds have a harder time producing strong bass, which affects sound quality.
I suggest trying both open and closed true-wireless earbuds to see which design you prefer for everyday use, or switch between the two depending on your daily needs.
How do I keep true-wireless earbuds from falling out of my ears?
With wireless earbuds, it’s important that you get the right fit so they not only stay in your ears but so they sound and perform at their best (a tight seal is crucial for optimal sound and noise canceling if the earbuds have active noise canceling). If the buds come with silicone ear tips, you should use the bud that’s a little bigger rather than too small for your ear. Also, in some cases, like with the AirPods Pro, you can buy third-party foam ear tips that grip the inside of your ear better and keep your buds from falling out. Note that sometimes people have one ear shaped differently than the other, so you might use a medium tip in one ear and a large tip in the other.
AirPods have never fit all ears equally well, and a lot of people complain that they won’t stay securely in their ears. You can buy third-party wingtips — sometimes called sport fins — that lock the buds in your ears. But you have to take them off every time you use your buds because they won’t fit in the case.
If you have trouble keeping earbuds in your ears, your best bet is to look for a model that includes wingtips or actually integrates them into the buds’ design. You can also get earbuds that have ear hooks that wrap around the top of your ears. Several sports buds feature this design. It can be particularly appealing to bikers who can’t afford to have their earbuds drop out of their ears while riding at high speed.
Wireless vs. true wireless: Are they different?
Before earbuds like the AirPods came along, wireless earbuds had a cord between the buds. They were wireless because they offered wireless Bluetooth streaming and didn’t have a headphone cable that plugged into your device. Some companies still make those types of wireless earbuds — the Beats Flex is one example — and some people like having a cord that allows the buds to dangle from your neck when not in use.
True wireless earbuds have no cord between them. They are entirely cord-free and link wirelessly to create a stereo pair. They are sometimes referred to by the acronym TWS, which stands for true-wireless stereo.
How do I clean my wireless earbuds?
We have an article on how to clean your AirPods that also applies to other earbuds. But if you don’t want to read that, the condensed version is this:
Wipe down both the buds themselves and ear tips with a slightly dampened soft, dry, lint-free cloth (like the kind you use to clean glasses or your phone’s screen) and avoid using any soap or harsh cleaning liquids. A 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or a Clorox disinfecting wipe is OK but avoid getting too much moisture in any ports or inside the buds themself. You can also use a toothpick for any little crevices or a Q-tip with a bit of alcohol on it. Avoid saturating the Q-tip with alcohol. Finally, wait a few minutes until any moisture evaporates before using the buds.
Are wireless earbuds worth buying?
In recent months there has been a bunch of articles about how Gen Z is making the “humble” wired headphones cool again, particularly Apple EarPods (you know, the headphones that used to be included in the box when bought an iPhone but no longer are). That’s fine — and we have nothing against wired headphones — but a cord can be a nuisance. When you’re working out or running, going totally wireless feels liberating. Also, most new phones these days don’t have a headphone jack so you need to go wireless unless you get a Lightning or USB-C headphone or use an adapter for a standard headphone with a 3.5mm plug.
You can get wireless headphones with a cord between the buds. Neckband-style earbuds are still a thing and some people like that style because you can let the cord dangle around your neck when you don’t have the buds in your ears. However, true wireless earbuds ultimately offer more freedom and are stored in a compact charging case that’s convenient to carry. And both the sound quality and reliability of their wireless connection have improved considerably over the last couple of years.
As far as prices go, while you can certainly find plenty of premium wireless earbuds, there are also lots of decent affordable models, some of which cost less than $50.
What is considered good battery life for true-wireless earbuds?
A battery life rating of five hours is considered adequate but many of the latest buds offer six hours or more of battery life with noise canceling on. Battery life increases if you don’t use noise canceling. Some earbuds now deliver over 10 hours of battery life with noise canceling off.