Open-ear headphones — including the bone-conduction kind — do something ordinary earphones cannot: they leave your ear canals completely open, so you hear traffic, conversation and your surroundings while music plays. That makes them the safe, sociable choice for runners, cyclists and anyone who wants to stay aware. There are two flavours: true bone-conduction models, which rest on your cheekbones and send sound through vibration, and open-ear (air-conduction) designs, which perch tiny speakers just outside the ear. An extensive test of 49 open-style headphones sorted the best, and these are the top picks, checked against current UK prices.
What to Look For
Bone conduction versus open-ear. Bone-conduction headphones (like Shokz) transmit through the cheekbones and stay put brilliantly for sport, but tend to be light on bass. Open-ear designs (like JBL and Earfun) float a small speaker in front of the ear and can deliver more bass, at the cost of a little more sound leakage. The very best, such as the winner here, combine both.
Fit and comfort. Choose between a wrap-around neckband (secure for running), a true-wireless earbud with a charging case, or a clip that pinches gently onto the ear. You will wear these for hours, so comfort and stability matter as much as sound.
Water resistance. This is rated by IP number: an IPX4 rating shrugs off sweat and rain, IP54 and IP55 add dust resistance for gym and trail use, and only a full IP68 or IPX7 rating survives being submerged — essential if you swim.
Battery, charging and features. Battery life ranges widely, from around 15 hours on the buds to 45 or even 72 hours once you count the charging case, and the best top up fast. Swimmers should look for onboard MP3 storage — from 8 GB on older models up to 32 GB on the best — so no phone is needed underwater. Some sets also let you cap the volume at 85 or 95 dB to protect your hearing, and everyone benefits from a good app and clear calls.
The Winner: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (around £169) is the best for most people. This second-generation model cleverly combines a bone-conduction transducer with an air-conduction driver, delivering very good, fuller sound while keeping all the awareness benefits of an open design. It is robustly built, rated IP55 against dust and water jets, and finally charges over USB-C. For running, cycling or all-day wear, it is the class leader. Check the price on Amazon
Best Open-Ear Value: JBL Soundgear Sense
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The JBL Soundgear Sense (around £64.99) is the standout open-ear alternative. It uses air conduction rather than bone conduction, and depending on how you position it in front of the ear it can serve up more bass than many bone-conduction rivals. It comes with extensive app control, an IP54 splash-proof rating and a charging case that tops it up several times over. At this price, it is superb value. Check the price on Amazon
Best for Swimming: Shokz OpenSwim Pro
If you swim, the Shokz OpenSwim Pro (around £199) is the one. It carries an IP68 rating for sustained submersion and — crucially — 32 GB of onboard storage with a built-in MP3 player, so you can leave your phone on the poolside and still have your music. Sound is good, though there can be some interference on calls. For lengths and open water alike, nothing else here comes close. Check the price on Amazon
Best Budget: Earfun OpenJump
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The Earfun OpenJump (around £52.99) is the value pick. These true-wireless open-ear buds deliver very good sound — including on calls — with a very long battery life, an IPX7 rating that survives a dunking, and a charging case that even tops up wirelessly over Qi. For the money, they are hard to fault. Check the price on Amazon
Also Tested
The Huawei FreeClip 2 is the design curio of the group: it simply clips onto your ears, is barely noticeable to wear and leaves your ear canals free, yet delivers surprisingly good sound with a solid bass foundation when positioned just right. The catches are a high price and a fit that can take some fiddling. If a clip-on style appeals it is worth seeking out — check current UK availability, as it is not always stocked.
How to Choose
Start with your activity. For running and cycling, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the safe, secure, best-sounding all-rounder. If you want open-ear sound for less, the JBL Soundgear Sense or the cheaper Earfun OpenJump both impress. Swimmers need the waterproof, MP3-storing Shokz OpenSwim Pro — no other pick will do underwater. Match the water-resistance rating to your use, weigh a secure neckband against pocketable earbuds, and remember that all of these keep your ears open so you stay aware of the world around you.
Verdict
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the open-ear headphone to buy for most people at around £169: dual bone-and-air conduction, a rugged IP55 build and USB-C charging. Save with the excellent JBL Soundgear Sense (about £64.99) or the budget Earfun OpenJump (around £52.99), and swim with the 32 GB, IP68 Shokz OpenSwim Pro (around £199). Whichever you choose, an open-ear design keeps your ears — and your awareness — open.
