The Best Open Earbuds for Everyone

These are WIRED Editor Adrienne So's favorite buds to work out in, and that means a lot: She spends the majority of her time outside, chasing her family and pets around the Pacific Northwest. She likes that they are slim and comfortable—only 19 mm wide. Unlike most open-ear buds that are round or stick out, these have a tiny directional driver that fits nicely inside your ear, and they fit easily under a hat or a helmet, which makes them a true go-anywhere pair.

These sound pretty excellent, with enough bass to satisfy her bass test, Beyoncé’s “Partition.” In two weeks of testing, they didn't have to recharge—you'll get about 30 hours of playback time. Their IP54 rating means they're protected against dust and water spray, if not direct immersion. Like other Nothing earbuds, there are very thoughtful design choices like a red dot on the right bud so you're not constantly puzzling over where the manufacturer has written the tiny R or L. Her only concern? The case doesn't clamp shut quite as firmly as she'd like, so you'll want to be careful before throwing them around your bag.

If you’re willing to splash out, Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are the top pick. These are simply the best-sounding open earbuds I’ve tried, offering clear and zingy sound with plenty of instrumental detail to elevate your media. Their compact, rollable design clings tightly with minimal pinching, though they require a learning curve to attach properly. You’ll get a few advanced features, including multipoint pairing and Bose Spatial Audio, along with accessible push-button controls for playback, calling, and volume. They’re anything but cheap, but if you want the best sound in a chic design, Bose’s open buds deliver.

These affordable buds from Soundpeats have served me well over many miles of ebike testing, bike rides, and even the occasional boat ride. They are a simple, nondescript pair that cling easily to your ears without a pinching feeling, and they offer shockingly good sound for the price. Sure, you're not getting full fidelity like you would with closed buds, but these have a lot of bass for open-ears, and they do particularly well with the human voices on podcasts or phone calls. They are IPX5 rated for occasional dips (and frequent sweat), and six hours of battery life between trips to the charger means they're ready for a meandering marathon. — Parker Hall

The original Sony Linkbuds were just the second open earbuds I reviewed, and they’re still among the most distinctive. Their claim to fame is a ring-shaped driver with a center hole to let in the world, deviating from most clip-on or wrap-around buds. The Linkbuds Open (7/10, WIRED Recommends) build off the original with an attachable fin to keep them more tightly in place and an updated sound signature for more bass. I felt the need to adjust their EQ for clarity, and their novel touch controls—which let you tap either the buds or the side of your face—aren’t the most responsive. Otherwise, these are a solid option for those who’d rather insert their buds than wrap or clip them on.

Halo-style headphones from Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) aren’t technically open earbuds, but like all models on our list, they keep your ears naturally open for workouts and other activities. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are bone conduction headphones, which use vibrating pads to send sound through your cheekbones rather than your ears. Shokz has perfected the technique to provide a richer and more balanced sound by adding “air conduction” that pairs directional drivers with the pads. WIRED contributor Michael Sawh enjoyed the Pro 2's boosted bass, even if they lost some clarity over the original Open Run Pro. Their design is IP55 dust- and water-resistant in a light and durable circlet to help you push your body while busting your jams.