What Are Open-Ear Headphones?

Open-ear headphones are earbuds that sit outside your ear canal instead of sealing it. They rest on or around the ear (for example with earclips or an open-air frame) so you can listen to audio while still hearing what happens around you.

Key differences

  • Open-Ear – Sits outside the ear canal, keeps your ears open, and lets in maximum ambient sound
  • Traditional In-Ear – Sits inside the ear canal and creates a seal, blocking outside noise and boosting bass

Choose open-ear if you want comfort, awareness, and a light feel during workouts or daily use. Choose traditional in-ear if you prefer stronger noise isolation and a more immersive sound.