Open-Ear and Bone Conduction Headphones: Who Are They For?

Some people cannot get on with in-ear earbuds. Others want to hear traffic while running. Open-ear audio products answer both needs, but they involve some trade-offs.

Two types of open-ear audio

Air conduction open-ear buds sit outside the ear canal and direct sound toward it. Examples include the Shokz OpenFit 2+, Huawei FreeArc and FreeClip 2, UGREEN HiTune S3 and S5, and Oraimo OpenSnap Air. Many are clip-style or hook over the ear.

Bone conduction headphones, such as the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, send vibrations through your cheekbones. The inner ear picks up the sound while your ears remain open.

Why people choose them

• Awareness: you can hear traffic, conversation and announcements.
• Comfort: nothing is pushed into the ear canal.
• Stability: hook and clip designs tend to stay in place during exercise.
• Hygiene: less sweat in your ears.

They are especially good for walking, running and cycling, though no headphones remove the need to pay attention on Kenyan roads.

The drawbacks

No isolation. In loud surroundings, you may struggle to hear your audio. They are poor choices for busy matatus.

Weaker bass. Open designs generally have less low-end. Shokz and others have improved this, but they will not match a sealed earbud.

Sound leakage. People close to you can hear your audio at high volumes. Quiet offices may be a problem.

How to pick

Try to test the fit. Clip-style earbuds suit some ear shapes better than others. Look at weight, water resistance for running, and microphone quality for calls.

Battery life varies, so check the claimed figures on the listing. For long distance training, choose accordingly.

Pair with a sports watch

If you run or cycle, pairing open-ear audio with a GPS watch makes for a very practical setup. See our Amazfit guide.

Not sure yet?

If you want noise cancellation for commuting, go for in-ear models or over-ear headphones instead. If you like the idea of an open design from Samsung, look at open-fit Galaxy Buds, which offer another take on the same idea.