As I look back at 2025, there’s one product that stood out a little more than most: open-earbuds. This year, I was introduced to the world of earbuds that let in all of the ambient sound around you, and I have to say, I’m impressed with what they can do.
As someone whose favorite thing about headphones is that they can shut out the world around you, providing a sense of calm while I listen to my favorite songs or a podcast, I was skeptical about the concept of letting all that sound in. But after rigorous testing of some of the best open-earbud releases this year, I might just be a convert. Here is a list of my favorites that I tested this year, and why they’ve taken up a regular spot in my earbud rotation.
