Hook-Style Open Earbuds: Top 5 Reviewed
TLDR: Tired of uncomfortable in-ear tips or bulky over-ear headphones? Hook-style open earbuds offer a compelling alternative, providing situational awareness and a secure fit for workouts. While they generally compromise on sound quality and noise cancellation compared to traditional options, models like the Shokz OpenFit Pro, Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro, JBL Sense Pro, JLab Epic Open Sport, and Cleer Arc 4 Plus each bring unique strengths. The JLab Epic Open Sport stands out for its exceptional value at $100, while the Shokz OpenFit Pro offers a premium feel and effective noise reduction for office environments at $250.
Embrace Freedom: The Rise of Hook-Style Open Earbuds
For many, the constant pressure of silicone ear tips or the cumbersome nature of over-ear headphones can detract from the listening experience. If you’re seeking a blend of audio enjoyment and environmental awareness, hook-style open earbuds might be your next essential gadget. These innovative devices offer a unique approach to personal audio, keeping your ears open to the world while delivering your favorite sounds.
We’ve taken a deep dive into five prominent models in this category: the Shokz OpenFit Pro, Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro, JBL Sense Pro, JLab Epic Open Sport, and Cleer Arc 4 Plus. Each of these “pros” (and one “plus”) aims to redefine how we interact with our audio. The primary advantages of open earbuds are clear: complete awareness of your surroundings, a secure fit that stays put during intense workouts, and robust water resistance. However, it’s important to note that this design often leads to compromises in sound quality and noise cancellation compared to traditional earbuds, and their aesthetic might not suit every occasion.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to durability and aesthetics, these hook-style earbuds offer a range of options. All models provide excellent protection against water and dust, with ratings of either IP54 or IP55, making them ideal for sweaty workouts. The Cleer Arc 4 Plus stands out with an impressive IPX7 water resistance, compensating for its lack of dust resistance. Beyond the technical specs, the Shokz OpenFit Pro offers a noticeably more premium look and feel. While none of the earbuds feel cheap, the Cleer Arc 4 Plus’s case felt less solid. In terms of color variety, the JBL Sense Pro leads the pack with five different options, whereas the JLab Epic Open Sport keeps it simple with just one. The charging cases vary in size; the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro has the longest case, while the JLab Epic Open Sport is the smallest but a bit thicker. All cases are generally pocketable, though none are as compact as typical in-ear bud cases.
Comfort and Fit
A secure and comfortable fit is a hallmark of hook-style earbuds. Most of these models fit snugly against the ear, staying in place even during vigorous activities. The Cleer Arc 4 Plus, however, was noted to bob up and down during running, though it performs well for other uses. For glasses wearers, the experience can vary. While all models feature thin ear hooks, some slipped on more easily than others with glasses. Generally, it’s more comfortable to put on glasses after the earbuds. The JBL Sense Pro and Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro offer an advantage with adjustable ear hook angles. The Soundcore’s larger case allows you to maintain your preferred angle, while the JBL requires resetting the position before placing it back in the case. The Shokz OpenFit Pro also includes fitting adjustments for a more customized snugness. While comfort is generally high across the board, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro in its A&C mode was uncomfortable for one reviewer, though Soundcore claims it suits 90% of users.
Control Options
These earbuds provide diverse control options, from physical buttons to touch controls, and even a combination of both. A universal convenience across all models is the ability to adjust volume directly from the earbuds, eliminating the need to reach for your phone. The Shokz OpenFit Pro and Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro fully embrace physical buttons, which are reliable and fully customizable via their respective apps. The JBL Sense Pro and Cleer Arc 4 Plus opt for touch controls, which are also reliable, though JBL’s customization is limited to preset profiles rather than individual tap assignments. The JLab Epic Open Sport offers the best of both worlds with both touch and button controls, all customizable in the app. However, a preference for buttons led to disabling touch controls on the JLab model. None of the earbuds allow you to mute the microphone directly from the buds.
Battery Life
Battery performance across these earbuds is respectable, offering between 5 to 9 hours per charge. The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro and Shokz OpenFit Pro include noise reduction capabilities, which will naturally consume more battery. Disabling this feature can extend listening time significantly. Conveniently, all charging cases, except for the Cleer Arc 4 Plus, support wireless charging. Additionally, every model features some form of fast charging, ensuring you can quickly get back to your audio, whether for a workout or daily use.
Call Quality
For phone calls, these open earbuds offer a safe and convenient solution, allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings. In quiet environments, all buds perform well. Most can handle some background noise, but the JLab Epic Open Sport and Cleer Arc 4 Plus are least effective in windy conditions. For consistent call quality across all conditions, the JBL Sense Pro and Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro are the top recommendations. Regarding call controls, the JBL Sense Pro is the most limited, only allowing users to answer or hang up calls. The other models offer additional volume adjustment. However, none of the earbuds provide a direct mute function for the microphone from the buds themselves.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is subjective, especially with open-ear designs that inherently lack the seal for deep bass. However, these earbuds still deliver impressive audio for their form factor. The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro, particularly in its A&C mode, offers the most bass, a notable achievement for open earbuds. For a rich feature set, both JBL Sense Pro and Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro provide extensive audio customization and spatial audio. Spatial audio, in particular, is more impactful on open earbuds, creating a greater sense of space. The Cleer Arc 4 Plus is rated as having the best overall sound, especially when paired with a phone that supports its codecs. The Shokz OpenFit Pro and JBL Sense Pro also deliver good sound for the category. The JLab Epic Open Sport, however, has a distinctively colored sound profile, leaning towards high frequencies and treble.
Connectivity and Features
All five earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing seamless switching between two devices like a laptop and phone. The Shokz OpenFit Pro and Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro enhance this feature by displaying connected devices within their respective apps. A minor drawback for the JLab Epic Open Sport is its pairing process, which requires disconnecting Bluetooth from the current device before entering pairing mode, as there’s no dedicated pairing button or gesture. For gamers, all models include a low latency or game mode. A unique feature of the Shokz OpenFit Pro is its ability to automatically pause music when an earbud is removed and resume playback when reinserted.
Noise Reduction
True active noise cancellation is challenging for open earbuds due to their non-sealing design. Therefore, “noise reduction” is a more accurate term. The Shokz OpenFit Pro and Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro make a commendable attempt at this. They effectively cut out light ambient sounds like air conditioning or subtle engine hums. The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro’s implementation is particularly clever, adjusting noise reduction based on the angle of its adjustable ear hook – closer to the ear activates reduction, further away deactivates it. This allows the Soundcore to cancel more noise than the Shokz. Despite these efforts, it’s crucial to remember that neither of these open earbuds can match the noise-canceling performance of traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Shokz OpenFit Pro | Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro | JBL Sense Pro | JLab Epic Open Sport | Cleer Arc 4 Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 | IP54 | IP55 | IPX7 (No Dust) |
| Case Size | Medium | Longest | Medium | Smallest (Thicker) | Medium (Less Solid) |
| Colors Available | Limited | Limited | 5 | 1 | Limited |
| Fit (Running) | Snug | Snug | Snug | Snug | Bobs up/down |
| Glasses Friendly | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Adjustable Hooks | Yes (fitting adjustments) | Yes (angle, keeps position) | Yes (angle, reset for case) | Flexible | Flexible |
| Controls | Buttons | Buttons | Touch | Touch + Buttons | Touch |
| Volume Control on Buds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fast Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 5-9 | 5-9 | 5-9 | 5-9 | 5-9 |
| Call Quality (Noisy) | Good | Best | Best | Good | Good |
| Call Quality (Windy) | Okay | Best | Best | Least Best | Least Best |
| Call Controls | Answer/Hang up, Volume | Answer/Hang up, Volume | Answer/Hang up only | Answer/Hang up, Volume | Answer/Hang up, Volume |
| Spatial Audio | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bass Performance | Good for form factor | Most bass (A&C mode) | Good for form factor | Less prominent (trebly) | Good for form factor |
| Multipoint Connectivity | Yes (app shows devices) | Yes (app shows devices) | Yes | Yes (pairing issue) | Yes |
| Auto-Pause/Resume | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Game Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Reduction | Decent | Good (angle-based) | Okay | Okay | Okay |
| Price | $250 | $180 | $180 | $100 | $130 |
Final Verdict
Hook-style open earbuds offer a refreshing alternative for those prioritizing situational awareness and a secure fit over absolute sound isolation. They excel in scenarios like workouts, commuting, or simply being at home where you need to hear your surroundings. While no open earbud will fully replicate the immersive audio or noise-canceling capabilities of traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones, the advancements in this category are impressive.
For the budget-conscious and active user, the JLab Epic Open Sport presents an “insanely good value” at $100. It’s a reliable companion for workouts or casual outings, offering solid button controls and a secure, comfortable fit, even if its sound is a bit trebly and wind performance is weaker. If you’re seeking a more premium experience, especially for an office setting where light noise reduction is beneficial, the Shokz OpenFit Pro, at $250, is a strong contender. Its premium build, effective noise reduction, and convenient auto-pause feature make it a durable and high-quality choice.
The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro and JBL Sense Pro both sit at the $180 price point, offering robust features like spatial audio and excellent call quality. The Soundcore stands out with its impressive bass for an open-ear design and superior angle-based noise reduction, while the JBL offers more color options. The Cleer Arc 4 Plus, priced at $130, delivers excellent sound quality but is hampered by a less secure fit during intense activities and the absence of wireless charging.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities. If value and secure fit for active use are paramount, the JLab is hard to beat. If you desire a more premium feel and effective noise reduction for a balanced listening experience in varied environments, the Shokz or Soundcore are excellent options.
Affiliate Links
- SHOKZ OpenFit Pro
- Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro by Anker
- JBL Sense Pro
- JLab Epic Open Sport Earbuds
- Cleer ARC 4 Plus Open Ear Earbuds
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
