Types of earbuds: Which style of wireless earbuds is right for you?

Thanks to their flexibility and convenience, wireless earbuds are now a staple for many people. Because you’re not tethered by a wire connecting the headphones to a source device, wireless earbuds are ideal for working out, commuting, and just listening to music around the house. Plus, they come with a charging case that lets you power up the earbuds on the go, making them perfect for traveling. 

If you’re in the market for new headphones, there are two types of earbuds available today: in-ear and open-ear styles. Both designs offer unique benefits and features, so it’s important to understand the differences between them when deciding which option is right for you.

When most people think of wireless headphones, they generally picture in-ear earbuds, which have been around for many years. This style of earbud sits directly in your ear and is held in place by soft silicone tips. The tips, which often come in multiple sizes, have an ergonomic design that forms a tight seal inside your ear and funnels audio directly to your ear canal. 

There are a few benefits of the in-ear design that make them a popular choice for everyday use. Because they form a seal inside your ear, they help block out ambient noise, which makes noise cancellation much more effective. Models like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer full active noise cancelling that blocks out the world around you, making it easier to focus if you’re in a busy office, bustling cafe, or on a noisy train or bus. 

If you’re looking for spatial audio earbuds, in-ear models are also a good choice. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer Bose Immersive Audio, which places sound in front of you for a more lifelike experience. It also offers better sound clarity and richer sound quality, so you can enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, and other audio to its full potential. 

For those who want to enjoy their music on the go, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds offer rich audio and best-in-class noise cancellation that elevates your listening experience at a lower price point. They’re equipped with high-fidelity spatialized audio and Bluetooth® multipoint, allowing you to enjoy your music your way. Designed for everyday use, these in-ear headphones are comfortable, easy to use, and deliver up to 8.5 hours of play time, plus two additional charges in their compact carrying case.  

Open-ear earbuds are less common than in-ear headphones, but if you’re someone who uses earbuds all day long, this technology is worth considering. This type of earbud sits outside of your ear, and because the earbuds don’t seal off your ear canal, you’re always able to hear what’s going on around you. This lets you stay aware of your surroundings if you’re walking down a busy street or working out at the gym. As a bonus, these are the type of earbuds that don't fall off thanks to their secure fit, making them more convenient to wear for long periods. 

Open-ear earbuds used to rely on bone conduction, but these models generally aren’t true wireless earbuds and can be uncomfortable because they have to be tightly fitted to your head. For a more comfortable open-ear earbud, the cuff-like design of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds sits on the outer edge of your ear. These innovative earbuds use a tiny dipole transducer system to project audio directly into your ear canal, delivering rich, deep audio that’s private and won’t disrupt the people around you. 

Because of their comfortable cuff design, you can wear the Ultra Open Earbuds for many hours at a time. Some people even leave the earbuds on their ears throughout the day, including when they’re not listening to music — the cuffs are just that comfortable. They’re ideal for use as workout earbuds or any time you need to remain aware of your environment, and they offer the same spatial audio as the in-ear headphones. 

Today’s best wireless earbuds offer high-quality audio and give you the flexibility to listen to your favorite content anywhere, but there are unique benefits to the different types of earbuds. If you want active noise cancellation to tune out the world around you, you’ll want in-ear earbuds like the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the QuietComfort Earbuds. However, if you want to hear what’s going on around you and you’re looking for earbuds with a more comfortable fit for long-term wear, open-ear models like the Ultra Open Earbuds are the way to go.