Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: They weren’t the primary clip-on earbuds, however Bose’s Extremely Open Earbuds actually kickstarted this sub-genre of true-wireless earbuds. They’re considerably overpriced, however in any other case, there’s lots to love about them, together with a surprisingly comfy, safe match and excellent sound high quality for open buds. Initially, the buds did not function multipoint Bluetooth pairing, however the function was added in July of 2024. Read my Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review.
JBL Endurance Peak 3: With JBL releasing a brand new Endurance Peak mannequin within the spring of 2026, its Third-gen ear-hook fashion sport earbuds must be obtainable at a good low cost. Out there in black or white, the Endurance Peak 3 buds supply higher battery life (as much as 10 hours with 4 additional prices of their case), improved voice-calling efficiency and an IP68 score that makes them absolutely water- and dust-proof. Additionally they have an Ambient Conscious transparency mode and Speak Via mode that may routinely decrease your music’s quantity degree and open up the buds to the skin world. Meaning you possibly can have a dialog with somebody with out eradicating the buds out of your ears.
Anker Soundcore AeroClip: The Soundcore by AeroClip are Anker’s present flagship clip-on earbuds. Not solely do I like their design — they’ve a premium feel and look — however they’re comfy to put on and have excellent sound for clip-on buds. Geared up with 12mm drivers, they serve up ample bass with good quantity and first rate readability. The buds sound fuller and extra open than many cheaper clip-on buds and are among the many better-sounding open earbuds I’ve tried (Android customers ought to word that they’ve help for Sony’s high-quality LDAC audio codec).
Skullcandy Method 360 ANC: In a shock transfer, Skullcandy joined forces with Bose in 2025 to create a finances model of Bose’s $299 QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds. With “Sound by Bose,” not solely do the Technique 360 ANC buds sound higher than most earbuds on this worth class (they sound similar to Bose’s $170 QuietComfort Earbuds), in addition they match comfortably and securely due to Bose’s Match Package system that options stability bands to lock the buds in your ears. They have been featured on our greatest wi-fi earbuds record and stay a great worth, however Skullcandy has launched the Method 540 ANC in 2026 (it has a 20% slimmer smaller case). Read the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review.
Shokz OpenFit Air: Shokz, the corporate previously often known as AfterShokz, has lengthy been the chief in bone-conduction headphones. Nevertheless, this mannequin, like Shokz’s step-up OpenFit true-wireless earbuds, does not use bone-conduction expertise. They’ve an open design that fires sound into your ears utilizing customized speaker drivers, which Shokz dubs “air conduction” expertise. Whereas Shokz’ flagship OpenFit 2 buds sound barely higher, have higher battery life (as much as 11 hours as a substitute of 6 at average quantity ranges) and a bodily management button, the Open Match Air value about $60 much less and are a tad lighter and fairly comfy to put on. That stated, it seems that they’re being phased out by Shokz.
Edifier LolliClip: Bose’s Extremely Open Earbuds often is the best-sounding and most comfy clip-on earbuds however they record for $300. In distinction, Edifier’s new LolliClip buds value $130 and their sound is fairly near what you get with the Bose Extremely Open Earbuds — and so they’re virtually as comfy to put on whereas becoming my ears securely. Additionally they have some options the Bose buds haven’t got, together with lively noise canceling (it is not all that efficient however you do sense it muffling some noise within the decrease frequencies), a heart-rate monitor, blood oxygen sensor and spatial audio with head-tracking. There’s additionally a low-latency mode for gaming and help the LDAC for Android customers.
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: Jabra billed these buds, which have sadly been discontinued, because the “world’s hardest earbuds,” and primarily based on our exams (they survived a number of drops with out a scratch), that will very effectively be true. Whereas there are two new colour choices, the Gen 2 mannequin does not look any completely different from the unique however it consists of an LE Audio sensible case, permitting wi-fi streaming from any gadget with USB-C or 3.5mm port (I examined it with inflight leisure and it labored effectively, with no audio lag). The Elite 8 Energetic Gen 2 additionally function enhanced spatial sound powered by Dolby Audio “for a greater music expertise,” enhanced Pure HearThrough for higher consciousness when open air, and improved noise-canceling efficiency.
Soundcore by Anker Sport X10: The Soundcore Sport X10 have an attention-grabbing design with rotating swiveling ear hooks that flip up once you’re utilizing them and flip down once you need to set them of their charging case, which has a smaller footprint than quite a lot of buds with ear hooks. So long as you get a decent seal, they sound good, with highly effective, punchy bass and good element. Additionally they have lively noise canceling, which is efficient however not so good as Sony’s or Bose’s noise canceling. They’re additionally absolutely waterproof with an IP score of IPX7, which implies they are often absolutely submerged in as much as 3 toes of water for half-hour. Battery life is rated at as much as eight hours with a further three prices within the charging case.
Shokz Open Move: Shokz’ entry-level OpenMove bone-conduction headphone lists for $80, though we have sometimes seen it drop beneath $70. It replaces the older Titanium mannequin and options some small design upgrades. I discovered it comfy to put on and whereas it does not sound nice, it sounds comparatively good for a bone-conduction headphone — once more, hold your sound high quality expectations in test otherwise you’ll be dissatisfied. It is excellent for listening to podcasts, audiobooks and information broadcasts when you run.
Sennheiser Sport True Wireless: The Sport True Wi-fi bluetooth earbuds (about $130) are primarily Sennheiser’s CX True Wi-fi earbuds with sport fins — for a safer match — and higher sturdiness. They’ve an IP54 score that makes them splash-proof and dust-resistant. The CX True Wi-fi, rated IPX4, do not supply mud resistance.
Skullcandy Push Active : With their ear-hook design, they’re primarily a extra reasonably priced model of the Beats Powerbeats Professional and so they truly match my ears barely higher than the Powerbeats Professional — I am not often a fan of ear-hook fashion buds, however these are one of many higher fashions. Additionally they value lots lower than the Beats.
Cleer Audio Arc 2 Sport: Cleer’s authentic Arc earbuds have been stable sport earbuds that featured first rate sound for open-style buds that sit on prime of your ears and fireplace sound into them. The 2023 mannequin (about $170) steps up the sound high quality and presents extra refinements and have upgrades, together with a brand new “enhanced” charging case with UV sterilization and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3), all of which makes for a considerably improved product.
Beats Powerbeats Pro: Whereas the Powerbeats Professional stay well-liked exercise earbuds, they have been round for a number of years so it is best to purchase them at vital low cost.
JBL Live Pro 2: Through the years, JBL headphones have put out some first rate true-wireless bluetooth earbuds, however nothing that actually received me too excited. That is lastly modified with the arrival of the Samsung-owned model’s new Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 buds. Each units of buds — the Stay Professional 2 have stems whereas the Stay Free 2 have a pill-shaped design — supply a cushty match together with robust noise canceling, excellent sound high quality and voice-calling efficiency, plus a sturdy set of options, together with multipoint Bluetooth pairing, an IP score of IPX5 (splash-proof) and wi-fi charging.
Sony LinkBuds: The LinkBuds are, in a way, Sony’s reply to Apple’s standard AirPods. Whereas they do not sound pretty much as good as Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 or the LinkBuds S noise-isolating Bluetooth earbuds, they provide a discreet, modern design and a safer match than the AirPods, in addition to first rate sound and excellent voice-calling efficiency. Just like the third-gen AirPods, their open design means that you can hear the skin world — that is what the ring is all about. Read our Sony LinkBuds review.
