Best Open-Fit Earbud Designs – A comparison of different styles of open-fit earbuds

I am currently reviewing the Soundcore c40i open-fit earbuds, the first earbuds I have reviewed in this design. This review made me consider the different designs, their pros and cons, and my personal preferences.

For example, the traditional open design, which is most associated with the Apple AirPods, is by far the most popular design. But for me, I hate them; they fall out of my ears very easily and require constant adjustment. Conversely, my partner prefers them as they stay in her ears better than traditional earbuds with silicon tips.

You then need to consider sound quality. Open-fit earbuds never sound as good as sealed earbuds as the bass response is significantly impacted, and of course, environmental noise affects the overall sound quality.

But, the big benefit of open-fit earbuds is the environmental awareness you get. This has made them particularly popular with women, and the bone conduction style is incredibly popular with runners.

So what options are there, what are the pros and cons, and what are some of the best examples of each design?

Related Reviews

• Nank Runner Diver2 Pro Bone Conduction Headphones Review
• H20 Audio Snowpro Headphones Review 
• Best Bone Conduction Headphones 2023
• Tozo OpenBuds Review
• Anker Soundcore Frames Review

Traditional Open Design /  Apple AirPod Style

The traditional open design was popularised with the Apple AirPods. These have the same basic design as an earbud but omit the silicon tips, creating a seal in your ear. The sealed design helps with bass response but significantly reduces environmental awareness. These rest in your ear canal, allowing environmental noises, but are prone to becoming loose and not great for sports (but some people have no problem doing sports with this design.

Pros

• Excellent awareness of surroundings
• Very comfortable for long periods
• No “plugged ears” feeling
• Good for phone calls due to stem placement
• Easy to insert and remove quickly

Cons

• Limited bass response
• More sound leakage
• Less secure fit for exercise
• May not fit all ear shapes well

Recommendations:

• Apple Airpod 4: These are by far the most popular open with this design and great if you have an iPhone.
• Huawei FreeBuds 5: Have a more curved design that attempts to conform to your anatomy for a more secure fit, and they are a good option for Android users.

Bone Conduction

These devices transmit sound through the bones of the skull, bypassing the ear canal. These are the best option for outdoor fitness as they are less prone to having the audio drowned out by wind noise.

Pros:

• Complete Situational Awareness: Leaves the ears completely open, ideal for environments where hearing surroundings is crucial.
• Suitable for Hearing Impairments: Can be beneficial for individuals with certain types of hearing loss.
• Comfortable for Extended Wear: No pressure on the ear canal, reducing the risk of ear fatigue.

Cons:

• Lower Sound Quality: Generally offers less bass and overall audio fidelity compared to traditional earbuds.
• Vibration Sensation: Some users may find the bone conduction vibrations uncomfortable.

Recommendations:

• Shokz OpenRun Pro or the newer Pro 2: Renowned for its durability and comfort, it is suitable for runners and cyclists.
• Creative Outlier Free Pro Plus: These are the best affordable options I have tried and you can use them for swimming.

Air Conduction Technology

Some earphones are branded as air conduction (instead of bone conduction), but this isn’t some fancy new technology; it is basically the same as normal earbuds. However, as some brands like to market earbuds with this tech, I have created a separate category.

Pros:

• Better sound quality than bone conduction
• Comfortable, lightweight design
• Good for calls and everyday use

Cons:

• May not isolate sound as well as in-ear designs
• Battery life can vary

Recommendations:

• Soundcore AeroFit Pro: Offers a secure fit with an IPX5 water resistance rating, ideal for outdoor fitness enthusiasts.

Ear-Hook Design

These earbuds feature hooks that wrap around the ear, securing the speaker near the ear canal without entering it.

Pros:

• Secure Fit: Ideal for physical activities; the hooks keep the earbuds in place during movement.
• Comfortable Wear: By avoiding insertion into the ear canal, they reduce discomfort over extended use.
• Ambient Awareness: Allows users to hear environmental sounds, enhancing safety during outdoor activities.

Cons:

• Potential Interference with Glasses: The hooks may cause discomfort or fit issues for users who wear glasses.
• Limited Noise Isolation: Not suitable for environments where noise isolation is desired.

Recommendations:

• Shokz OpenFit Air: The Shokz OpenFit is highly regarded for its comfort and sound quality. It’s an excellent choice for those prioritising a secure fit and decent audio performance.
• Nothing Ear (Open): Features a slim design with a hook for stability, providing comfort and ambient sound awareness.

Clip-On or Cuff Design

These earbuds clip onto the outer ear, positioning the speaker near the ear canal without insertion.

Pros:

• Minimal Intrusion: Does not enter the ear canal, reducing the risk of ear fatigue.
• Stylish Appearance: Often designed to resemble fashion accessories.
• Good Sound Quality: Provides a balanced audio experience while maintaining environmental awareness.

Cons:

• Fit Variability: May not fit securely on all ear shapes, potentially leading to instability during movement.
• Limited Bass Response: The open design can result in weaker bass compared to in-ear models.

Recommendations:

• Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Offers impressive sound quality with a unique cuff-like design, though at a premium price point.
• Soundcore C40i or the older C30i: A similar design as the Bose but less than a third of the price

Donut-Hole Design

Features a ring-shaped driver with a central hole, allowing ambient sounds to pass through while delivering audio directly into the ear. As far as I am aware, it is only Sony that has implemented this design with the Sony LinkBuds WF-L900.

Pros:

• Natural Sound Integration: Enables a blend of environmental sounds with audio playback, enhancing situational awareness.
• Innovative Design: Unique aesthetics and functionality appeal to tech enthusiasts.
• Comfortable Fit: Lightweight and designed for extended wear without ear fatigue.

Cons:

• Limited Noise Isolation: Not suitable for noisy environments where isolation is preferred.
• Potential Sound Leakage: Audio may be audible to those nearby at higher volumes.

Recommendations:

• Sony LinkBuds WF-L900: Offers a unique open-ring design that keeps users connected to their surroundings while enjoying music.

Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API