Joybuy Insights

Choosing open-ear headphones: a practical buying guide for sport, calls and everyday use

Open-ear headphones let you listen to music, podcasts or conversations without completely blocking your ear canals. This can be useful when you’re out walking, at the office or working out. However, not all models are the same. Choosing the wrong pair can result in a loose fit, difficult-to-understand phone calls, or damage caused by rain and sweat.

As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, I focus primarily on verifiable specifications. Marketing terms such as “AI”, “noise cancelling” or “professional” mean little on their own. It’s better to look at the construction, IP rating, Bluetooth version, microphones and usage restrictions.

Three common pitfalls with open-ear models

1. Awareness of your surroundings is not the same as road safety

Headphones with an open design leave your ears partially unobstructed, but that does not mean you will reliably hear all traffic sounds. Wind, rain, busy junctions and high volume all affect what you can perceive. Manufacturers warn against using headphones while cycling, driving or in other situations where your full attention is required. Always check the local traffic regulations and switch off audio when necessary.

2. “Water-resistant” can mean different things

An IPX4 or IP55 rating does not mean that a product is suitable for swimming. IPX4 generally indicates protection against splashes. IP55 combines protection against dust with limited protection against water jets. A model with IP67 or IP68 has a higher protection rating, but you should still check the manual: salt water, chlorine, depth and charging contacts may all impose restrictions.

A product marketed as waterproof sports earbuds should therefore be assessed based on its exact IP code and the manufacturer’s conditions. Always allow a magnetic charging port to dry completely before charging.

3. An open design sounds different from a sealed earbud

With open-ear earbuds, ambient sound enters and audio escapes. In a busy station or on a windy cycle route, music may sound less full. Bone conduction headphones also work differently from conventional on-ear speakers. With bone conduction, sound is transmitted through contact points near the head. The listening experience, bass response and fit therefore vary from user to user.

Which specifications should you check?

Wearing style and stability

Pay attention to the difference between supra-aural speakers, ear clips and a hook-style construction. Open-ear headphones with an ear hook may stay more securely in place when running than a loose clip-on model, while a clip may apply less pressure during everyday use.

Also check:

  • the weight of the headphones;
  • whether the band or ear hook is flexible;
  • whether the speaker rests on the ear or makes contact with the bone;
  • whether controls use buttons or touch;
  • whether the fit is suitable for glasses or sunglasses.

A lightweight model is not automatically comfortable. The pressure distribution and shape determine how the device feels after prolonged use.

Water and dust protection

Use the IP code as a practical filter:

  • IPX4: suitable for splashes and light perspiration, but not for immersion;
  • IP55: limited protection against dust and water jets;
  • IP67: dust-tight and resistant to temporary immersion under the relevant test conditions;
  • IP68: higher protection against water, although the precise conditions are specified by the manufacturer.

These ratings say nothing about sound quality or battery life. If the manual instructs you to do so, rinse sports headphones with clean water after exposure to salt or chlorinated water, and only charge them once all contacts are dry.

Bluetooth, battery and calls

Wireless open-ear headphones with Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4 offer a modern connection standard, but range and stability also depend on your phone, obstacles and interference in the surrounding area. For everyday use, look at:

  • the stated playback time per charge;
  • the additional capacity of the charging case or charging station;
  • USB-C or magnetic charging;
  • multipoint support if you switch between a laptop and phone;
  • the number of microphones and the call controls.

Headphones with a microphone are useful for calls, but wind noise and traffic can reduce speech clarity. A higher number of microphones is a technical indication, not a guarantee of a clear conversation in every environment.

Recommendations by usage profile

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Soundcore C40i Open-Ear Wireless Headphones

Soundcore C40i Open-Ear Wireless Headphones

Why it suits this profile: This model combines open-ear listening with Bluetooth 5.4, button controls and a weight of 60 grams. That makes it a straightforward choice for music, calls and everyday use.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The IPX4 rating makes the limitation clear: suitable for splashes, but not for swimming. This allows you to assess its water resistance more realistically.

Key benefit & advantages

Bluetooth 5.4, two microphones, button controls and an included charging station.

Suitable for: Buyers looking for premium quality
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Black

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Black

Why it suits this profile: According to the product information, this open model offers up to 7 hours of playback, Bluetooth 5.3 and IPX4 splash protection. It is designed for listening to music and making calls without an in-ear fit.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The stated IPX4 code prevents splash protection from being confused with suitability for swimming. Intensive water use requires a different type of product.

Key benefit & advantages

Open design, stated battery life of up to 7 hours and Bluetooth 5.3.

Suitable for: Specific uses & intensive users
Mojawa Run Plus Bone Conduction Headphones

Mojawa Run Plus Bone Conduction Headphones

Why it suits this profile: According to the product information, this bone conduction model is intended for running, swimming, cycling and fitness. It has IP68 and 32 GB of built-in storage for listening without a direct phone connection.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The higher IP rating is better suited to water use, but always check the conditions before swimming and dry the charging contacts completely.

Key benefit & advantages

IP68 according to the product information and 32 GB of built-in MP3 storage.

Suitable for: Calls and everyday use
soundcore Aeroclip Headset True Wireless Stereo

soundcore Aeroclip Headset True Wireless Stereo

Why it suits this profile: According to the product specifications, this TWS model uses Bluetooth 5.4, touch controls and four microphones. Its stated playback time is up to 8 hours.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The microphones and touch controls are clearly specified, so you do not have to rely solely on the general claim of “clear calls”.

Key benefit & advantages

Bluetooth 5.4, four microphones and up to 8 hours of stated playback time.

Looking for more options?

We’ve put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about open-ear headphones

Are open-ear headphones suitable for running?

That depends on the fit, weight and stability. A model with an ear hook or bone conduction may stay in place better while running than a loose clip-on model. Do not set the volume too high, and switch off audio in busy traffic. Awareness of your surroundings is no substitute for attentiveness.

How long do wireless open-ear headphones last?

Battery life varies by model and volume. The stated playback time for the models mentioned is around 7 to 8 hours per charge; some models also have a charging case, charging station or built-in storage. Actual battery life may be shorter when making calls, listening at high volume, in low or high temperatures, or when using Bluetooth.

Can I use open-ear headphones while cycling?

First check the Dutch traffic regulations and the warnings in the manual. Many manufacturers advise against wearing headphones while cycling or in other situations requiring increased awareness. Even with an open design, wind and traffic noise affect what you hear. Always give the traffic your full attention and, if in doubt, do not use audio.