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All 152 pages on Openear Club, grouped by section.

By Mike M. · Updated September 2026

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Start here

The front door and the method behind every ranking.

  • Openear Club: front pageThe category winners, the latest pages, and how the site ranks earbuds.
  • How we rank earbudsThe seven-metric rubric and its weights, what a score is built from, and what we do and do not claim.

Holiday 2026

The seasonal landing pages: the deals round-up and the gift guide, both built from the site's existing winners.

  • Black Friday earbud deals 2026Every pick grouped by budget with Amazon's live price and live discount against it. No invented discounts, no invented sale dates.
  • Earbud gift guide 2026Under $50, under $100 and the splurge, each pick linked to the review or roundup that explains it.

Open-Ear Earbuds

Best open-ear earbuds, clip-ons, picks for calls and small ears, Shokz vs Bose head-to-heads, and guides on sound leakage and glasses.

  • Open-Ear Earbuds: section frontBest open-ear earbuds, clip-ons, picks for calls and small ears, Shokz vs Bose head-to-heads, and guides on sound leakage and glasses.
  • Best Open-Ear EarbudsTen current open-ear earbuds ranked by fit system and IP rating. The Shokz OpenFit 2 leads on battery, buttons and a hook that doesn't move; the Soundcore AeroFit 2 wins for ears a fixed hook never fits.
  • Best Clip-On EarbudsSix clip-on cuffs ranked by IP rating, weight and battery. The Shokz OpenDots 2 is the first clip-on with an immersion rating (IP57); the Baseus Bowie MC2 is IP67 for a fraction of the price.
  • Best Open-Ear for Phone CallsNine open-ear picks ranked for calls: triple wind-resistant mics on the Shokz OpenFit Pro, a bone-conduction voice mic on the OpenDots 2, SpeechClarity on the Bose 2nd Gen, and a boom on the OpenComm2 UC.
  • Best Open-Ear Under $100Seven budget open-ear picks, every one with a maker-published IP rating: the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2 leads, with Soundcore, JLab, Shokz, Creative and Mojawa behind it.
  • Best Open-Ear Under $150Eight open-ear picks priced under $150 on the day we checked, every one with a maker-published IP rating: the 7.2 g Shokz OpenFit Air 2 leads, the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 is the sweat pick, and the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2 is the budget one.
  • Best Open-Ear for Small EarsEight open-ear picks for small ears, ranked by weight and adjustability. Clip-ons under 6.5 g lead (OpenDots 2, Baseus Bowie MC2); the Soundcore AeroFit 2's four-position hinge is the hook that fits.
  • Most Comfortable Open-EarNine open-ear pairs ranked purely on comfort: grams per side, where the load rests, glasses clearance and hour-three wear. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds leads on independent testing, with the 5.1 g Baseus Bowie MC2 the lightest thing here and the Shokz OpenDots 2 the one you can also sweat into.
  • Best Open-Ear with Noise CancelingSix open-ear picks sorted by what their noise canceling actually does. The Shokz OpenFit Pro is the only one with listener-side noise reduction; the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro seals the ear on demand for true ANC; the rest cancel noise on the microphone, for calls.
  • Best Open-Ear for iPhoneSix open-ear picks judged on what an iPhone supports. The Shokz OpenFit 2 leads on fit, a physical button and 11 hours; the Bose Ultra Open 2 is the sound pick; the OpenDots 2 is the one rated IP57 for sweat.
  • Best Open-Ear for WorkSix open-ear picks for the working day, ranked on talk time, microphone hardware and weight. The Shokz OpenComm2 UC's boom mic and 16-hour talk battery lead; the Bose Ultra Open 2 and OpenFit 2 are the discreet all-day options.
  • Best Open-Ear Under $50Four budget open-ear picks that publish an IP rating: the Soundcore V20i and V30i at $49.99, JLab's Flex Open, and the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2. Only the two Soundcore sets list under $50 at the time of writing.
  • Best Open-Ear for AndroidSix open-ear earbuds ranked for Android phones: the LDAC-equipped Soundcore AeroFit 2 leads on its adjustable hook, the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2 is the budget clip-on with LDAC, and the Cleer ARC 5 carries aptX Lossless and LC3.
  • Best Earbuds Without Rubber TipsSix earbuds with no tip in the ear canal: the Shokz OpenFit 2 hook leads, the IP57 OpenDots 2 is the clip-on to sweat in, and the OpenRun Air 2 neckband is the pick if you want nothing touching your ear at all.
  • Bose Ultra Open AlternativesSix alternatives to the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: the IP57 Shokz OpenDots 2 leads on the sweat rating Bose does not have, the Soundcore AeroClip is the mid-price answer, and the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2 is the budget one.
  • Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ReviewThe Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the clip-on to beat for sound and buttons. The IPX4 rating is the whole caveat: fine for rain and light sweat, not for a soaked hour. The 2nd Gen adds two hours and Bluetooth 5.4.
  • Shokz OpenFit 2 ReviewThe Shokz OpenFit 2 is our best open-ear earbud overall: 11 hours per charge, IP55 buds, a physical button and DualBoost dual drivers. Its unrated case and 9.4 g weight are the two things to know before buying.
  • Nothing Ear (open) ReviewNothing Ear (open): 8.1 g per side, pinch controls, 8 hours per charge, Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint. IP54 is splash-only, which puts it behind IP55 rivals for heavy sweaters. Specs cited from SoundGuys because Nothing's page is script-rendered.
  • Shokz OpenFit Pro ReviewThe Shokz OpenFit Pro is the premium open-ear hook: 12 hours per charge, IP55 buds, three wind-resistant mics, physical buttons and Bluetooth 6.1. Open-ear noise reduction halves the battery to 6 hours, and at 12.3 g it is the heaviest OpenFit.
  • Soundcore AeroFit 2 ReviewThe Soundcore AeroFit 2 is the open-ear hook for ears a fixed hook never fits: four levels of hook adjustment, IP55, 10 hours per charge and 42 with a wireless-charging case, LDAC on Android and 20 x 11.5 mm drivers. Touch controls are the main compromise.
  • Shokz OpenDots 2 ReviewThe OpenDots 2 is the clip-on to buy if sweat is what kills your earbuds: IP57 buds, an IP54 case, 6.4 g per side, 10 hours per charge and 40 with the case, plus a bone-conduction mic for calls in wind.
  • Shokz OpenFit 2 vs Bose Ultra OpenShokz OpenFit 2 (ear-hook, IP55, 11 hours, button) vs Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (clip-on cuff, IPX4, 7 hours, button). The Shokz wins for sweat and battery; the Bose wins for glasses, weight and sound.
  • OpenFit Pro vs Bose Ultra OpenShokz's flagship hook against Bose's flagship cuff. The OpenFit Pro brings IP55, 12 published hours, three wind-resistant mics and an open-ear noise-reduction mode; the Bose brings IPX4, buttons, and a fit GearLab called the most comfortable it has ever tested.
  • Bose Ultra Open vs Shokz OpenDotsBose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen vs Shokz OpenDots 2 vs OpenDots One. The OpenDots 2's IP57 rating and bone-conduction mic beat the Bose for training; the Bose keeps buttons and the sound reputation; the OpenDots One is the deal pick.
  • Bose Ultra Open vs LinkBuds ClipBose's 2nd Gen cuff (IPX4, 9 hours, buttons, SpeechClarity mics, wireless charging) against Sony's LinkBuds Clip (IPX4, 7h10m measured by SoundGuys, tragus tap controls, leakage protection), plus the IP57 alternative both miss.
  • Shokz OpenFit 2 vs OpenFit ProOpenFit 2 (9.4 g, 11 h, dual mics, buttons+touch) vs OpenFit Pro (12.3 g, 12 h or 6 with noise reduction, triple wind-resistant mics) vs OpenFit Air 2 (7.2 g, 8 h). All IP55. The 2 is the default; the Pro is for calls and noisy gyms; the Air 2 for small ears.
  • OpenFit 2 vs OpenFit 2+The narrowest comparison on this site, and that is the finding: the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit 2+ share the hook, the 9.4 g weight, the IP55 rating and the 11-hour battery. The 2+ adds Qi wireless charging and Dolby Audio, and a 3 g heavier case.
  • OpenFit 2 vs OpenFit AirA three-way on Shokz's published figures: OpenFit 2 at 9.4 g, IP55 and 11 hours with dual drivers, against the OpenFit Air 2 at 7.2 g, IP55 buds with an IP54 case and 8 hours, and the older OpenFit Air at IP54 and 6 hours.
  • OpenFit 2 vs OpenDots 2Shokz's ear-hook against Shokz's clip-on: OpenFit 2 at 9.4 g, IP55 buds, 11 hours and a physical button, versus OpenDots 2 at 6.4 g, IP57 buds, an IP54 case, 10 hours and a bone-conduction call mic.
  • OpenDots 2 vs AeroClipShokz's IP57 clip-on with an IP54 case, 10 hours and a bone-conduction call mic against Soundcore's IP55 clip with LDAC, a 12 mm titanium-coated driver and 8 hours, for considerably less money.
  • Soundcore AeroFit 2 vs Shokz OpenFit 2Soundcore AeroFit 2 (adjustable four-position hook, 10 g, 10 h, LDAC, touch) vs Shokz OpenFit 2 (fixed hook, 9.4 g, 11 h, dual drivers, button). The Soundcore fits more ears for less; the Shokz has the button and the extra hour.
  • What Are Open-Ear Headphones?A plain definition and the three designs that qualify: ear-hooks, clip-on cuffs and bone conduction neckbands. What each one does to fit, bass, leakage and awareness, plus who should buy which.
  • Open-Ear vs In-Ear EarbudsOpen-ear leaves the canal open: nothing to work loose, you hear the room, less bass and some leakage. In-ear seals it: isolation and bass, but friction fit and no awareness. A decision table, then two picks per side.
  • Open-Ear Earbuds vs AirPodsAirPods Pro 3 are IP57, better rated than most open-ear earbuds, so water is not the argument. Retention is: nothing hooks, clips or wings them to your ear. Plus what a transparency mode can and cannot replace.
  • Do Open-Ear Earbuds Have ANC?Mostly no: active noise cancellation needs a sealed ear canal to work against, and open-ear earbuds do not have one. What the box usually means is call-microphone processing. Two models on this site are genuine exceptions, for two different reasons.
  • Do Open-Ear Earbuds Fall Out?Why open-ear retention works differently: hooks anchor over the ear, neckbands anchor around the skull, clip-ons grip the outer edge. What each one does under impact and sweat, the three things that genuinely dislodge them, and four pairs that hold.
  • Ear-Hook vs Clip-OnA hook wraps over the ear and hangs a speaker in front of the canal; a clip pinches the rim. Hooks win on driver size, battery and price; clips win on glasses, helmets, weight and (since 2026) water ratings. A decision table, then two picks per style.
  • Open-Ear Sound LeakageEvery open-ear earbud leaks sound; it's the cost of an open canal. What decides how much: volume, driver aiming (Shokz DirectPitch), leakage-control modes (Sony LinkBuds Clip), and whether it's bone conduction. Picks that manage it best.
  • Open-Ear Earbuds With GlassesClip-ons and bone conduction neckbands leave the top of the ear free, so glasses arms sit where they always did. Ear-hooks share that spot; they can work under thin arms with the right order. Picks and the layering trick.

Bone Conduction

Best bone conduction headphones overall, under $100, for swimming and with a mic, Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 head-to-heads, and guides on safety and sound.

  • Bone Conduction: section frontBest bone conduction headphones overall, under $100, for swimming and with a mic, Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 head-to-heads, and guides on safety and sound.
  • Best Bone Conduction HeadphonesTen current bone conduction headphones ranked by fit, IP rating, battery and sound. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 leads on sound and battery; the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 wins for heavy sweaters; the Suunto Wing 2 is the cyclist's pick.
  • Best Bone Conduction Under $100Four budget bone conduction neckbands with published IP ratings: the IPX8 Creative Outlier Free Pro leads on battery and storage; Mojawa Run Plus is IP68 with 32 GB; Shokz OpenMove is the cheapest Shokz; Raycon claims 13 hours.
  • Best Bone Conduction Under $50No bone conduction headphone from a named maker lists under $50. The Creative Outlier Free Pro at $69.99 gets closest and drops below on sale, the Shokz OpenMove is the discount regular, and if $50 is a hard cap the Soundcore V20i is a genuine open-ear alternative at $49.99.
  • Best Bone Conduction for WorkoutsSix bone conduction neckbands ranked for indoor training: the IP67 Shokz OpenRun Air 2 leads because you can rinse it, the OpenRun Pro 2 wins on sound, and the IPX8 Creative Outlier Free Pro is the budget pick that can go in the pool.
  • Best Bone Conduction for GamingFive picks for gaming with an open ear: the Creative Outlier Free Pro is the only bone conduction set whose maker publishes a low-latency mode for games, the OpenRun Pro 2 is the comfort and sound pick, and the OpenComm2 UC brings a boom mic and a USB adapter.
  • Best Bone Conduction for SwimmingFour swim-rated bone conduction headphones with onboard storage. Shokz OpenSwim Pro leads (IP68, 32 GB, Bluetooth 5.4 for dry land); H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro goes deeper and stores streaming playlists; Mojawa and Creative are the budget options.
  • Best Bone Conduction With a MicSix bone conduction headphones ranked for calls: the Shokz OpenComm2 UC's boom mic and 16-hour talk time lead; the OpenRun Pro 2 and Air 2 publish a 25 km/h wind rating; the Suunto Wing 2 claims anti-wind to 30 km/h.
  • Best Shokz HeadphonesNine Shokz models ranked, with the decision tree that matters: OpenRun is the bone conduction neckband, OpenFit is the ear-hook earbud, OpenDots is the clip-on, and OpenSwim and OpenComm are the specialists.
  • OpenRun Pro 2 AlternativesSix alternatives to the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, each one fixing a specific Pro 2 limitation: the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 leads, with the Suunto Wing 2, the IP68 Mojawa Run Plus and Shokz's own ear-hook behind it.
  • Bone Conduction for Big HeadsSix bone conduction picks for larger heads. Shokz Standard is the size to order above 9.25 in; the Suunto Wing 2, Creative Outlier Free Pro and Mojawa Run Plus use titanium alloy frames that flex further than a plastic band.
  • Bone Conduction for Hearing LossFive bone conduction picks for listeners with hearing loss, with the research on what a consumer headset can and cannot do. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 leads on volume and clarity; the OpenComm2 UC is the one for conversation.
  • Bone Conduction Under a HelmetFive bone conduction picks for riders, ranked on frame profile, weight and sweat rating. The Shokz OpenRun Air 2 leads on a 9 percent smaller frame and IP67; the OpenMove is the cheapest way to try the idea. State law on ear devices is summarized.
  • Swimming Headphones for AudiobooksFour waterproof headphones with onboard storage, ranked for spoken word: the Shokz OpenSwim Pro's 32 GB and seven supported formats lead, the H2O Audio TRI 2 PRO records streaming playlists, and the Creative lasts longest per charge.
  • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 ReviewThe Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is our best bone conduction headphone: 30.3 g, 12 hours, USB-C, DualPitch bone-plus-air drivers, wind-resistant mics. IP55 means sweat and rain, not a rinse; the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 is the alternative for that.
  • Shokz OpenRun Air 2 ReviewIP67, 10 hours, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C and a 5-minute charge worth 2 hours, for well under the OpenRun Pro 2. It is the Shokz you can rinse after a soaked run - and it is not actually lighter than the 2019 OpenRun, whatever the marketing implies.
  • Shokz OpenSwim Pro ReviewThe OpenSwim Pro is the one current Shokz rated for the pool: IP68 to 2 m, 32 GB of MP3 storage, 9 hours on Bluetooth and 6 underwater. It costs flagship money, charges on a magnetic cable, and has no on-device playlist control.
  • Creative Outlier Free Pro ReviewThe Creative Outlier Free Pro pairs a submersion rating (1.5 m for up to 40 minutes, fresh water only) with 8 GB of onboard MP3, FLAC, WAV and APE storage, 10 hours per charge and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint, at well under $100.
  • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 vs OpenRunOpenRun Pro 2 (IP55, 30.3 g, 12 h, DualPitch, USB-C) vs OpenRun (IP67, 26.4 g, 8 h, magnetic cable) vs OpenRun Air 2 (IP67, 26.4 g, 10 h, USB-C, Bluetooth 6.0). Pro 2 for sound; Air 2 for sweat; OpenRun only on a deal.
  • OpenRun Air 2 vs OpenRun Pro 2A straight two-way on Shokz's own published numbers: Air 2 at IP67, 26.4 g, 10 hours and Bluetooth 6.0, against the Pro 2 at IP55, 30.3 g, 12 hours and a DualPitch air driver. Sweat points one way, sound the other.
  • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 vs OpenFit 2Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (neckband, 30.3 g, 12 h, DualPitch, no case) vs OpenFit 2 (ear-hook, 9.4 g each, 11 h plus 48 with case, dual drivers). The neckband for fit and no-case simplicity; the hook for sound and glasses-free ears.
  • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 vs Bose Ultra OpenShokz OpenRun Pro 2 (neckband, IP55, 30.3 g, 12 h, wind-rated mics) vs Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (clip-on, IPX4, ~6.4 g each, 7 h plus case). Shokz for sweat, outdoors and fit; Bose for sound, glasses and everyday wear.
  • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 vs OpenMoveOpenRun Pro 2 (12 h, 5-min quick charge, DualPitch, Bluetooth 5.3, wind-rated mics) vs OpenMove (6 h, no quick charge, 7th-gen driver, Bluetooth 5.1). Both IP55 and USB-C. The Creative Outlier Free Pro is the better budget buy than the OpenMove.
  • OpenRun Pro 2 vs OpenSwim ProA two-way on Shokz's own numbers: OpenRun Pro 2 at IP55, 30.3 g, 12 hours and a DualPitch air driver, against OpenSwim Pro at IP68 to 2 m, 27.3 g, 9 hours of Bluetooth or 6 of MP3, and 32 GB of onboard storage.
  • Shokz vs RayconRaycon claims IP68 and 13 hours; Shokz publishes IP67, 26.4 g, 10 hours, Bluetooth 6.0, mic spec, charge times and sizing. A head-to-head on what each company is prepared to put in writing, plus the cheaper third option.
  • Open-Ear vs Bone ConductionBone conduction: neckband, can't fall off, IP55 to IP68, thin bass. Open-ear air conduction: ear-hook or clip, lighter, fuller sound, IP54 to IP67. A 40-word definition, a comparison table, and two picks per side.
  • Are Bone Conduction Headphones Safe?Bone conduction bypasses the eardrum, not the cochlea, so loud is still loud: NIDCD's 85 dBA threshold applies. On the road, an open canal lets traffic through. The caveats (vibration, volume creep, kids), the sources, and when to see an audiologist.
  • Bone Conduction Safe for Kids?Bone conduction sends vibration through the skull to the cochlea, bypassing the eardrum but not the structure that noise actually damages. What it genuinely helps with for a child - no canal, open awareness, nothing to swallow - and why none of these is a volume-limited kids' product.
  • Bone Conduction DisadvantagesNo bass, audible leakage, cheekbone buzz above about half volume, 26 to 31 g of band, zero isolation, a band that fights bench backs and helmets, and a price premium. Which of the seven are fixable, and what to buy if one of them is a deal-breaker.
  • Bone Conduction and Hearing LossBone conduction bypasses the eardrum but ends at the same cochlea, so NIDCD's 85 dBA exposure guidance applies unchanged. What the peer-reviewed work found, where the real risk sits, and the three settings that actually reduce it.
  • Are Bone Conduction Worth It?A straight worth-it verdict: yes for running, cycling, lifting, glasses wearers and anyone whose earbuds fall out; no for music quality, commuting or open-plan offices. Four questions that settle it, plus four picks at three price points.
  • How Bone Conduction WorksThe mechanism in plain terms: transducer, temporal bone, cochlea, with the ear canal bypassed entirely. Why bass is physically limited, how a neckband stays on without touching your ears, and why swimming needs onboard storage.
  • Shokz Standard vs MiniMeasure between the midpoints behind your ears: over 9.25 inches (23.49 cm) takes Standard, 9.25 or under takes Mini. The band-length difference, the symptoms of each wrong size, which models offer both, and what to do if you already bought wrong.
  • Bone Conduction vs Air ConductionAir conduction moves air at the eardrum (every earbud and open-ear hook). Bone conduction vibrates the temporal bone (neckbands). A table of what follows from that: bass, leakage, fit, IP ratings, hearing. Picks for each, including the DualPitch hybrid.
  • Bone Conduction vs EarbudsBone conduction vibrates your cheekbones through a neckband; earbuds push air into a sealed canal. A side-by-side table on fit, sweat rating, bass, leakage and awareness, then a verdict and two picks per side.
  • Bone Conduction vs Over-EarOver-ear cups seal around the ear for isolation and bass; bone conduction vibrates the temporal bone and leaves the ear open. A table covering sound, isolation, sweat ratings, portability and hearing, then a clear verdict.
  • Do Bone Conduction Headphones Sound Good?Bone conduction sounds clear in the mids and highs and thin in the bass; SoundGuys says sub-bass and bass are virtually inaudible. What it suits (spoken word, outdoor music), what improves it (DualPitch, EQ, earplug trick), and the open-ear alternative if sound is the priority.

Workout & Gym

Best workout earbuds, earbuds that don't fall out, sweatproof picks, lifting and CrossFit, ear-hook and small-ear picks, under $100 and noise canceling.

  • Workout & Gym: section frontBest workout earbuds, earbuds that don't fall out, sweatproof picks, lifting and CrossFit, ear-hook and small-ear picks, under $100 and noise canceling.
  • Best Workout EarbudsEleven workout earbuds ranked by retention system and IP rating, open-ear and sealed. The Shokz OpenFit 2 leads for most gyms; the Soundcore Sport X20 is the sealed, immersion-rated pick; the Powerbeats Pro 2 for lifters who want ANC and heart rate.
  • Earbuds That Don't Fall OutTen earbuds that stay in, ranked by retention system: a neckband (Shokz OpenRun Pro 2) can't come off; reinforced hooks (Powerbeats Pro 2, OpenFit 2, Sport X20) are next; clips and wings follow. Why in-ear tips slip and what to buy instead.
  • Best Sweatproof EarbudsNine earbuds ranked by IP rating for people with sweaty ears: the immersion-rated Soundcore Sport X20 leads the sealed picks; the IP67 Shokz OpenRun Air 2 and Baseus Bowie MC2 lead the open ones. IPX4 pairs are not on this list.
  • Best Earbuds for Sweaty EarsIf your ears sweat, the fix is a retention system that does not depend on friction in the canal. Five picks ranked by that plus a rinseable rating: the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 neckband, the IP57 OpenDots 2 clip, the IP67 Baseus cuff, the immersion-rated Soundcore Sport X20 hook, and the IPX7 Cleer ARC 5.
  • Best Earbuds for Gym and RunningFive picks for a week that includes both lifting and road miles: the open-ear Shokz OpenFit 2 as the best single-pair compromise, the AeroFit 2 Pro that switches between open and sealed, the immersion-rated Sport X20 for gym-heavy weeks, the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 for run-heavy ones, and the IP66 value pick.
  • Best Earbuds for LiftingEight earbuds for lifters, hooks and clips only: the Powerbeats Pro 2 for ANC and heart rate, the Soundcore Sport X20 for an immersion rating under $100, the Shokz OpenFit 2 for hearing your spotter. Why neckbands press on the bench and sit this one out.
  • Best Earbuds for CrossFitEight earbuds for CrossFit ranked for impact, sweat and awareness: the IP67 Shokz OpenRun Air 2 neckband leads; the Soundcore Sport X20 and Shokz OpenFit 2 are the hooked picks; the Powerbeats Pro 2 for those who want ANC despite IPX4.
  • Best Earbuds for BoxingFive picks for bag work and conditioning: the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 neckband that cannot be dislodged, the IP57 OpenDots 2 clip-on that works under headgear, the OpenFit 2 hook with a real button, and the immersion-rated Soundcore Sport X20 if you want isolation.
  • Best Ear-Hook Earbuds for the GymTen ear-hook earbuds for the gym, ranked across open and sealed designs: Shokz OpenFit 2, Soundcore Sport X20 with rotating hooks, Powerbeats Pro 2 with nickel-titanium hooks, AeroFit 2, and the lighter and cheaper options.
  • Best Workout Earbuds Under $100Nine workout earbuds under $100 at maker list price, all with a hook, clip or neckband and a published IP rating. The Soundcore Sport X20 leads with immersion rating, ANC and adjustable hooks; open and bone conduction budget picks follow.
  • Best Workout Earbuds Under $50Four workout earbuds under $50 with published IP ratings: the JLab GO Sport+ leads at $31.99 (IP55, 9 hours per bud, a real hook), the Soundcore V20i is the open-ear pick at $49.99, the Soundcore V30i runs longest and the JLab Flex Open covers the cuff.
  • Best Workout Earbuds for Small EarsEight workout earbuds for small ears ranked by weight and adjustability: the 5.78 g Powerbeats Fit with XS tips leads the sealed picks; the 6.4 g Shokz OpenDots 2 and 5.1 g Baseus lead the open ones; the Sport X20's adjustable hooks cover the sealed-hook case.
  • Best Workout Earbuds for WomenSix workout earbuds chosen on size options and weight rather than marketing: the 6.4 g IP57 Shokz OpenDots 2 leads, the Bose Ultra Open 2nd Gen is the lightest cuff, and the OpenRun Air 2 comes in a Mini band size for smaller heads.
  • Best Workout Earbuds With ANCSix noise-canceling workout earbuds that also stay in: the Powerbeats Pro 2 and Soundcore Sport X20 lead the sealed picks; the AeroFit 2 Pro (swing-in ANC) and Shokz OpenFit Pro (open-ear noise reduction) cover people who want awareness most of the time.
  • Best Earbuds for TreadmillSeven picks for indoor cardio, led by the immersion-rated Soundcore Sport X20 and the IP66 JLab Epic Sport ANC 3. Why awareness stops mattering on a deck, why the sweat gets worse indoors, and the open-ear picks for anyone whose footstrike thumps through a sealed tip.
  • Best Earbuds for RowingSeven picks for the rowing machine, led by the IP67 Shokz OpenRun Air 2 and the IP55 OpenFit 2. Why a neckband is fine on an erg and wrong on a bench, why your own breathing gets loud behind a sealed tip, and which pair to buy if you row in a class.
  • Best Workout Earbuds for AndroidSix workout earbuds ranked for Android phones: the LDAC-equipped Soundcore AeroFit 2 leads, the Soundcore Sport X20 is the sweatproof sealed pick, and the Baseus Bowie MC2 pairs IP67 with LDAC for budget money.
  • Best Workout Earbuds for iPhoneSix workout earbuds for iPhone: the Powerbeats Pro 2 leads on hooks, H2 pairing and heart-rate sensing, the Shokz OpenFit 2 is the open-ear pick with IP55, and the AirPods Pro 3 are the ANC and IP57 option with nothing holding them in.
  • Soundcore Sport X20 ReviewThe Soundcore Sport X20 is the adjustable-hook answer for sealed earbuds: hooks that rotate up to 30 degrees and extend 4 mm in four steps, ANC, physical buttons and 12 hours per charge. Its water rating is the one thing to read carefully.
  • Shokz vs AirPodsShokz OpenRun Pro 2 and OpenFit 2 against Apple AirPods Pro 3. Apple takes noise control, chip features and an IP57 rating; Shokz takes retention, awareness and 12 hours of battery. Which one depends on why your last pair failed.
  • OpenFit 2 vs Powerbeats Pro 2Shokz OpenFit 2 (open-ear hook, IP55, 11 hours, buttons and touch) against Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (sealed hook, IPX4, 10 hours, ANC, heart-rate sensing, Apple H2). The sealed pair has more features and the weaker water rating.
  • Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Shokz OpenFit ProPowerbeats Pro 2 (sealed, ANC, heart rate, buttons and rockers, IPX4, 10 h) vs Shokz OpenFit Pro (open, noise reduction, triple wind-rated mics, IP55, 12 h). Beats for isolation and lifting indoors; Shokz for awareness, sweat and calls.
  • Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Bose Ultra OpenPowerbeats Pro 2 (sealed ear-hook, ANC, heart rate, 8.7 g, 10 h) vs Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen (open clip-on, ~5.9 g, 9 h, buttons). Both IPX4. Beats for lifting and isolation; Bose for glasses, awareness and all-day wear.
  • JLab Open Sport vs OpenFit AirJLab Epic Open Sport (IP55, 14 mm driver, LDAC, 7 hours, wireless charging) against the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 (IP55 buds and IP54 case, 7.2 g, 8 hours, Bluetooth 6.1, pressure buttons) and the older OpenFit Air at IP54.
  • Earbuds vs Headphones for LiftingFor lifting, earbuds with a hook or clip beat over-ear headphones on the bench, under the bar and in sweat; headphones win on isolation and sound. When each makes sense, and four earbuds that give up the least.

Running & Cycling

Best open-ear and bone conduction picks for running and cycling, hiking, wind-noise fixes, safety guides and gifts for runners.

  • Running & Cycling: section frontBest open-ear and bone conduction picks for running and cycling, hiking, wind-noise fixes, safety guides and gifts for runners.
  • Best Open-Ear Headphones for RunningTen open-ear headphones for running: the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 leads on battery and wind-rated mics; the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 for rain; the OpenFit 2 for runners who want fuller sound on a hook; the Suunto Wing 2 for dawn and dusk.
  • Best Earbuds for RunningTen running earbuds, open and sealed: the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 for the road, the Soundcore Sport X20 for the treadmill, the OpenFit 2 for runners who want fuller sound with open ears. Ranked for bounce, rain and awareness.
  • Best Bone Conduction for RunningEight bone conduction neckbands for runners: the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 for battery and sound, the IP67 OpenRun Air 2 for rain and weight, the Suunto Wing 2 for dark roads, and the budget neckbands from Mojawa, Creative and Shokz.
  • Best Earbuds for Trail RunningFive open-ear pairs for the trail: the 12-hour OpenRun Pro 2 with wind-rated mics, the IP67 OpenRun Air 2, the Suunto Wing 2 with a 24-hour power bank and cadence LEDs, and the Creative Outlier Free Pro with 8 GB of storage for dead zones.
  • Best Bone Conduction for CyclingSix bone conduction neckbands for cyclists: the Suunto Wing 2 leads with LED lights, head-movement controls and a 30 km/h anti-wind claim; the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 and Air 2 follow with 25 km/h wind-rated mics. Helmet fit and traffic covered.
  • Best Earbuds for CyclingEight open-ear earbuds for cyclists, ranked for wind, helmet fit and traffic awareness: the Shokz OpenDots 2 clip-on leads for riders in glasses; the OpenFit Pro for wind-rated calls; the Suunto Wing 2 and OpenRun Pro 2 for neckband fans.
  • Best Clip-On Earbuds for CyclingFour clip-on cuffs for riding, ranked: the IP57 Shokz OpenDots 2 with a bone-conduction mic, the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2 at a budget price, the LDAC Soundcore AeroClip, and the IPX4 Bose Ultra Open 2nd Gen and where it falls short.
  • Best Earbuds for HikingSeven open-ear earbuds for hikers ranked for battery and weather: the Suunto Wing 2 with its 24-hour power bank leads; the IP67 Shokz OpenRun Air 2 for rain; the Cleer ARC 5 for a 12-hour IPX7 hook; the Mojawa Run Plus for phone-free days.
  • Best Earbuds for WalkingSeven earbuds for walkers, led by the 6.4 g IP57 Shokz OpenDots 2. Why walking is the one page on this site where an IPX4 pair earns a place, how to do the battery math for a daily walk, and what starts to ache at hour two.
  • Best Earbuds for SkiingSeven picks for the slopes, ranked on helmet clearance, glove-friendly controls and cold. The Suunto Wing 2 leads: it is the only pair here with a published cold-weather operating range, it has head-gesture controls you can use in mittens, and LED lights for the last chair.
  • Best Running Earbuds Under $100Eight running earbuds under $100 at maker list price, each with a retention system and a published IP rating: the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2 leads the open picks, the IPX8 Creative Outlier Free Pro the neckbands, the Soundcore Sport X20 the treadmill picks.
  • Best Headphones for Marathon RunningSix picks for marathon distance, ranked on battery against finish time, weather rating and race legality. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2's 12 hours leads; bone conduction is the design most likely to be permitted at your race.
  • Best Running Headphones for KidsFive picks for young runners: the Shokz OpenRun in Mini size leads, with the OpenMove, the Soundcore V30i and two very light open-ear earbuds behind it. Volume limiting is set on the phone, and this page shows how.
  • Can You Hear Traffic With Open-Ear Headphones?Open-ear and bone conduction headphones leave the canal open, so traffic reaches your eardrum at natural volume. What that means on a road, why volume is the rule, how transparency modes on sealed earbuds compare, and why local law matters.
  • Safest Headphones for RunningSafest running headphones by design class: bone conduction (nothing in or near the canal), open-ear hooks and clips (nothing in it), sealed with transparency, sealed with ANC. The volume rule, LED lights, one-ear tricks, and the law.
  • Wind Noise on a BikeWind at cycling speed masks music and swamps mics on any open-ear earbud. What helps: makers' wind ratings (Shokz 25 km/h, Suunto 30 km/h), a bone-conduction voice mic (OpenDots 2), placement, and volume discipline. Four picks that publish a wind answer.
  • Suunto Wing 2 ReviewThe Suunto Wing 2 is the bone conduction set for dark roads: cadence-reactive LED lights, head-movement controls, IP66, 12 hours plus a bundled 24-hour power bank. The audio and the oversensitive gestures are the honest trade.
  • Suunto Wing vs Shokz OpenRun Pro 2Suunto Wing 2 (IP66, 35 g, 12 h + 24 h power bank, LED lights, nod-to-answer) and the cheaper Wing (IP67, 33 g, 10 h + 20 h) against the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (IP55, 30.3 g, 12 h, USB-C, DualPitch). Lights or sound: that's the call.
  • Headphones Under a Cycling HelmetA helmet's strap Y sits just below the ear and its retention cradle wraps the occipital bone - exactly where a neckband and an ear hook want to be. Which of the three open-ear fit systems clears a helmet, in what order to put things on, and picks.
  • Best Clip-On Earbuds for RunningFive clip-on cuffs ranked for running: the IP57 Shokz OpenDots 2 with a bone-conduction mic, the IP67 Baseus Bowie MC2 at up to 13 hours, the LDAC Soundcore AeroClip, the IPX4 Bose 2nd Gen for sound, and the cheapest IP55 cuff we would run in.
  • Best Gifts for RunnersGift headphones for runners, sorted by recipient: the road runner (Shokz OpenRun Pro 2), the dawn runner (Suunto Wing 2), the sweater (OpenRun Air 2), the swimmer (OpenSwim Pro), the glasses wearer (OpenDots 2), the gym-and-run type (Powerbeats Pro 2). What to check first.
  • Gifts for Runners Under $50Four sub-$50 earbud gifts for runners with published IP ratings and a hook or clip: the Soundcore V20i open-ear leads; the JLab Go Sport+ is the sealed pick for treadmill runners; the Soundcore V30i has the longest battery and the Flex Open suits glasses.

Fit, Sweat & Safety Guides

IP ratings decoded, IPX4 vs IPX5 vs IPX7, showering with IPX7, keeping earbuds in, sweat damage, one-ear fixes and hearing safety.

  • Fit, Sweat & Safety Guides: section frontIP ratings decoded, IPX4 vs IPX5 vs IPX7, showering with IPX7, keeping earbuds in, sweat damage, one-ear fixes and hearing safety.
  • IP Ratings ExplainedThe IP code on earbuds, decoded: the first digit is dust (0 to 6), the second is water (0 to 9), X means untested. Splashes at 4, jets at 5 and 6, immersion at 7 and 8. What the tests use, what they skip (salt, soap, heat), and which rating sweat needs.
  • IPX4 vs IPX5 vs IPX7IPX4 is splashing water, IPX5 is a nozzle jet, IPX7 is 30 minutes under a meter. A sweaty hour lands between 5 and 7. One table of what each rating survives (sweat, rain, rinse, shower, pool), the IEC 60529 test conditions, and a pick at each rung.
  • IPX7 Earbuds, Showers and SwimmingIPX7 is 30 minutes at 1 m in fresh water; it isn't a shower rating (soap, heat) or a swim rating (chlorine, depth, Bluetooth). Which IP68 models makers do rate for pools, why they carry onboard storage, the rinse rule, and picks.
  • Waterproof vs Water-ResistantNeither 'waterproof' nor 'water-resistant' is a defined term, so ignore both and read the IP code. What each digit is tested with, which ratings permit a rinse, and why no earbud on sale is genuinely waterproof without onboard storage.
  • How to Keep Earbuds From Falling OutNine fixes for earbuds that fall out, in order: tip size, the twist-and-lock, seat depth, foam tips, wings, hooks, dry ears, cord and case habits, and the point at which you stop fixing and buy a hook, clip or neckband. Three picks for that point.
  • Can Sweat Damage Earbuds?Yes, sweat damages earbuds: it's salty, it pools in contacts and mesh, and the salt stays after it dries. Why IPX4 doesn't cover it, why IP55 is the floor, why the case is the weak link, and the wipe-and-dry habit. Four picks rated for it.
  • Can Sweat Damage AirPods?Yes. AirPods Pro 3 are IP57 on the buds and the case, which is better than most sport earbuds - but every IP test uses fresh water, and dried sweat is hygroscopic salt that corrodes charging contacts and blocks driver mesh. What fails first and how to stop it.
  • IP67 vs IP68 EarbudsIP67 is a standardised test: one metre, 30 minutes, fresh water. IP68 is immersion beyond that at a depth the maker must state, and the statement is the whole value. Why neither covers chlorine, sweat chemistry or soap, and why a swim rating is useless without onboard storage.
  • How to Clean Sweaty EarbudsA four-step after-session routine, split by IP rating: who can rinse under a tap and who gets a damp cloth only. Plus how to clear a blocked mesh, what to do about the smell, and the three substances to keep away from earbuds entirely.
  • How Long Do Earbuds Last?Per-charge figures from maker pages, from 6 hours on a Shokz OpenMove to 13 on a Baseus Bowie MC2, plus why total lifespan is decided by charge cycles, corroded contacts and salt rather than by the driver.
  • Earbud Keeps Falling Out of One EarOne earbud falls out because ears are asymmetric: one canal is narrower, shallower or angled differently. Fixes in order: a different tip size on that side, the one-ear seat test, wax and sweat checks, and adjustable-fit designs that handle each ear separately.
  • Why Do My Earbuds Hurt?Pain from earbuds is mechanical, not mysterious: an oversized tip, pressure on the antihelix, a hook with the wrong arc, a heavy bud, or hours without a break. How to identify which one you have, and the open-ear designs that remove the cause.
  • Open-Ear Headphones and Hearing SafetyOpen-ear and bone conduction headphones aren't hearing-safe by design; NIDCD's 85 dBA guidance applies to any sound that reaches the cochlea. What open designs do change (no sealed canal, natural awareness), the volume-creep trap they create, and the habits that actually protect hearing.

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