There’s nothing like a pair of open ear (sometimes known as open-back) headphones to give you audiophiles that premium music listening experience. The over-ear, open design allows you to immerse yourself in your audio as if you’re at a great party or a concert. However, as this particular headphone style doesn’t close itself around the ear, it allows some sound to leak out and stops you from being totally isolated from the world around you (unlike closed-back headphones). It’s as if you’re listening to music on a hi-fi, on the go! If you consider yourself an audio aficionado or a connoisseur of concerts, you’ll have to invest in a solid pair of open-ear headphones for your listening adventures.
Top 5 Best Over the Ear Headphones of 2021
1. AfterShokz Aeropex Open-back Headphones
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Connectivity: Wireless
If you’re in the market for a great pair of wireless running headphones, these AfterShokz Aeropex headphones are guaranteed to impress. You can run, cycle, or hit the gym while enjoying your favorite tunes with Bluetooth connectivity, multipoint pairing, and high-quality sound definition.
Best features
- Bone conduction technology
- Organic, lightweight wraparound design
2. Sony NWWS413LM Headphones
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Connectivity: Wireless
If you’re looking for the best open-back headphones, then look no further than the Sony NWWS413LM. Offering an ergonomic build, great sound quality, and an affordable price point – if you’re a fitness lover or just enjoy casual listening, you can’t go wrong with these open headphones.
Best features
- Ergonomic design for optimal comfort
- Excellent frequency range
3. NuraLoop Open-back Wireless Earbuds
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Connectivity: Wireless
These NuraLoop open-back wireless earbuds are some of the best open-back headphones on the market. They come at a slightly higher price point than other products on this list. That being said, the slightly higher price reflects their superior sound experience and build quality.
Best features
- Personalized sound for a unique listening experience
- Immersive bass
4. Powerbeats Pro
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Connectivity: Wireless
If you’re in the market for a pair of open-back headphones then you can’t go wrong with Powerbeats Pro from Beats. These totally wireless headphones offer a stylish design, solid build, and exceptional audio performance.
Best features
- Lightweight design with fully adjustable ear hooks
- Audio sharing for simultaneous listening on multiple devices
5. Aftershokz Trekz
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Connectivity: Wireless
Aftershokz Trekz open-back wireless headphones are the ideal choice for fitness lovers seeking quality audio without breaking the bank. They use bone conduction technology to provide listeners with the best in detailed sound listening experiences while allowing them to remain aware of their surroundings.
Best features
- Bone conduction technology
- Premium Pitch technology and rich bass
Considerations for Buying Open Ear Headphones
Connectivity
Connectivity in a lot of open-back headphones can vary, in most cases for more high-quality listening you’re going to have a wired approach, there are some Bluetooth connectivity options in certain headphones but these, in general, are not as good quality as the wired versions.
Sound Quality
A lot of the best open-back headphones are perfect for studio use mixing, mastering, and recording songs. These studio-specific pairs of headphones are going to provide the best audio quality and clarity.
Comfort
Some of the best open-back headphones have been chosen with the best quality materials to provide better comfort when wearing. Advanced materials such as velour and memory foam earcups can help to mold to the contour of your ears.
Noise Isolation and Sound Leakage
Noise isolation and sound leakage are sometimes problems found in open-back headphones. The larger size of the speakers sometimes causes this sound leak which can be annoying to other people who are not listening to the headphones you are using.
Battery Life
Battery life is only a worry when it comes to Bluetooth headphone devices. As the technology has developed you can now buy wireless headphones that equal, if not improve on the sound quality compared to wired versions.
FAQs
Do open-back headphones sound better?
Open-back headphones overall provide a soundstage that is wider with more presence.
What are open ear headphones?
Open-back headphones are designed to allow some outside noise in which mixes with the headphones output.