The wireless earbud market is undergoing a major evolution with the rise of open models. These new Bluetooth earbuds are radically different from conventional earbuds, offering a balance between music playback and environmental awareness. Open earphones are the perfect alternative for sports enthusiasts, city dwellers and anyone for whom in-ear models are uncomfortable. To help you choose the right non-intrusive Bluetooth earbuds for everyday, take a look at our comparison of the best open earbuds of 2025.
What are open earbuds?
Open earbuds are specifically designed so that they don’t block the ear canal. Unlike the very popular in-ear headphones, which are inserted deep into the ear for excellent passive isolation, open earbuds keeps part of the ear canal free, and are therefore less intrusive. This fundamental principle enables users to hear their external environment (traffic, conversations…) more clearly, while enjoying their music, a podcast or a telephone conversation.
The different types of open earbuds
Understanding the principle of “open” earbuds is essential, but the key lies in distinguishing the technologies available. Open earbuds allow you to listen to music while remaining aware of your surroundings. The most common technology is air conduction, which diffuses sound just in front of the ear canal. It offers a good compromise between audio quality and safety, and comes in a range of designs: with a stem (placed at the ear canal entrance), clip (earcuff style, discreet) or earhook (maximum stability, ideal for sport).
Alternatively, bone conduction (represented in particular by Shokz) transmits sound by vibrations on the bones of the temple, bypassing the eardrum, and is ideal for outdoor safety. A third method, cartilage conduction, is still rare, and uses vibrations transmitted via cartilage for greater discretion.
- Read more: Which earbuds for which uses?
Our selection of open earbuds
The open (air, bone or cartilage) earbuds sector exploded in 2025, offering a wide range of models and brands using different technologies for a variety of uses, from intensive sports workouts to listening to podcasts, learning a language or music playback. Here are the non-intrusive earbuds that stand out in 2025.
Apple AirPods 4
The Apple AirPods 4 open earbuds maintain the brand’s iconic semi-open design, using air conduction. Powered by the H2 chip, they boast Bluetooth 5.3, IP54 resistance and a battery life of up to 5 hours (up to 30 hours with the case). Perfect for versatile use, they offer instant pairing, fluid voice commands and exemplary integration into the Apple ecosystem.
JVC HA-NP1T
The JVC HA-NP1T Bluetooth earbuds feature an elegant clip design, for a jewelry-like look. Using air conduction, these open earbuds deliver clear sound without obstructing the ear canal, preserving environmental awareness. They feature Bluetooth 5.3, support SBC and AAC formats, and boast an autonomy of 8 hours for the earbuds alone (up to 24 hours with case). Weighing in at just under 5g per earbud, they’re perfect for those who care as much about style as they do comfort.
Shokz OpenDots ONE
These True Wireless earbuds from Shokz ditch the traditional headband for a discreet clip-on fastening. The OpenDots ONE use air conduction technology, delivering sound directly to the ear canal without blocking it. Weighing just 6.5g per earbud, with a claimed battery life of up to 10 hours on their own and 40 hours with the case, Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity and IP54 certification, these earbuds are perfect for discreet everyday use (office, short commutes) where environmental awareness is essential, combining the total freedom of wireless sound with excellent non-intrusive comfort.
Nothing Ear (open)
The Nothing Ear (open) non-intrusive earbuds use air conduction to deliver high-quality sound while keeping you aware of your surroundings. Featuring Bluetooth 5.3 and compatible with AAC/SBC codecs, they offer up to 8 hours of autonomy (≈30 hours with the case). Thanks to their IP54 certification, they can withstand perspiration and splashes. Their signature design, true to the brand, and directional diffusion algorithm help minimize sound leakage.
Bose Ultra Open
The Bose Ultra Open earbuds deliver powerful, enveloping sound thanks to their clip-on design. They feature OpenAudio technology, which lets you enjoy rich sound while remaining perfectly attentive to your environment. On the technical side, these earbuds feature Bluetooth 5.3 (AAC/SBC compatible) for a fast, stable connection. Their battery life reaches 7 hours, and up to 27 hours in total with the charging case. IPX4 certified, they are splash and perspiration resistant. Designed for music lovers who want to remain aware of their surroundings, the Bose Ultra Open Bluetooth earbuds combine robustness, style and long-lasting comfort.
Soundcore AeroFit 2
Soundcore’s AeroFit 2 model falls into the open, air-conduction earbud category. With a Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and a battery life of up to 42 hours, they are also aimed at audiophiles on the go. What’s more, they feature a real-time translation function based on artificial intelligence. Finally, the four-position adjustable ear hooks ensure a comfortable fit, even when wearing glasses or on the move.
Beyerdynamic Verio 200
The Beyerdynamic Verio 200 earbuds are premium open-ear models that hook around the ear. They use air conduction with high-quality transducers for a rich, natural sound reproduction. Featuring Bluetooth 5.3, aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC compatibility, they offer up to 8 hours of listening time (35 hours with the case) and IP54 resistance against perspiration. They are aimed at music lovers who want to stay connected to their surroundings without sacrificing quality or comfort.
Shokz OpenFit 2
These Shokz earbuds stand out by using air conduction technology via a soft ear hook. The OpenFit 2 aim to deliver the best possible open-ear audio quality, with
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The OpenRun Pro 2, the brand’s flagship model for intensive sports, uses bone conduction with a rigid headband for a perfect fit. It’s designed with athletes in mind, offering optimized sound quality and more powerful bass thanks to TurboPitch technology, while guaranteeing high water-resistance and total environmental awareness.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones represent the pinnacle of open-ear technology for water sports. Using bone conduction, they guarantee IP68 waterproofing, making them totally submersible and suitable for swimming. Their major asset is their dual functionality: they have built-in MP3 storage so you can enjoy music without relying on Bluetooth, while also offering a classic Bluetooth mode for use out of the water. They are the essential choice for sportsmen and women who want to listen to music while swimming.
Frequently asked questions
Open earbuds don’t block the ear canal. In-ear headphones, on the other hand, are inserted into the ear to isolate the user from surrounding noise by sealing the ear canal.
Air conduction diffuses sound through the air, just in front of the ear canal, while bone conduction transmits sound vibrations through the bones of the skull, bypassing the eardrum.
They help you stay aware of your surroundings, which is essential for safety in town or during sporting activities. They are also more comfortable for people sensitive to in-ear tips, and promote better ear hygiene.
The vibration sensation may be unusual at first, but most users soon get used to it.
Open earbuds, whether air or bone-conduction, allow ambient noise to pass through, which can interfere with the listening experience in particularly noisy environments.
Their concept is based on “open” listening, so active noise cancelling is generally absent or limited to picking up voices during calls. Open earbuds are not designed to offer perfect isolation from outside sounds – quite the contrary.
At high volume, air-conduction models may leak sound. Bone-conduction earbuds, on the other hand, are more discreet, as they transmit sound via vibrations.
Yes, open earbuds are very popular with sportsmen and women, as they enable them to listen to music while remaining aware of their surroundings. Some models are designed specifically for sports (sweat and water resistance).
Yes. Because they don’t block the ear, open earbuds let you hear traffic, voices or audible alerts.
Yes, some bone conduction models have IP68 certification and use an integrated MP3 player to bypass Bluetooth.
Yes, their ability to let ambient sounds pass through makes them particularly effective if you still want to be able to hear your colleagues while listening to a podcast, music or making calls.
Most models are compatible with glasses. The attachment systems are designed to work with thin temples.
