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Best Bone Conductors
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.
Specs Battery life in buds: 12 hours Battery life with case: N/A IP Rating IP55
Honorable Mentions
Open earbuds are becoming the hot trend in wireless audio, meaning there are plenty of good options that don't make our top list. Here are some other pairs worth considering.
JLab Epic Open Sport for $115: JLab’s Epic Open Sport don’t have standout audio quality or a slimline design, but their mix of a comfy and stable fit and seriously accessible controls makes them worth a look at their price point. Their combination of real buttons and touch pads provides convenient and customizable control on the go, a rarity in this budding genre. I wish they had better call quality, and their lack of instrumental body or detail makes music rather dull, but they get the job done without breaking the bank.
Earfun OpenJump for $80: Earfun’s OpenJump offer accessible sound and impressive waterproofing in one of the most comfortable wrap-around designs I’ve put on. It’s hard to beat their price, but they fall into one of the biggest pitfalls of open earbuds right now: awkward controls with hit-or-miss response, especially on the move. They’re still a decent value, especially on a good sale.
Shokz OpenDots One for $200: Shokz’s first clip-on open earbuds are a solid effort, with great battery life and a sporty design that feels like a mix between Bose’s Ultra and Soundcore’s Aeroclip. Their most intriguing trick is the ability to swap either bud for your left or right ear, which is cool if not all that practical. Their sculpted sound is clear and relatively thumpy, but leaner up top than my favorites. I was hoping for more for the money, along with better call quality and more versatile controls, though features like a wireless charging case add value. If you like the style and don’t mind paying up for swappable buds, they could be worth considering.
Edifier Lolliclip for $130: Edifier’s latest clip-on earbuds are more of a hybrid between open and semi-open, with an AirPods-style tip looped to a backside battery. The fit feels more intrusive than my favorite open earbuds and creates too much wind resistance for biking, but they're comfy enough for general wear and let you swap either bud for left or right. The buds pile on the extras, from multipoint pairing to health features, but their marquee option, noise canceling, does more harm than good in most scenarios. Their best asset is clear sound with relatively beefy bass, which combines with their long battery life for a viable option for the money.
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