Open-ear earbuds have become really popular over the last few years, and they are clearly here to stay. The biggest reason people choose them is because they allow you to listen to music while still being aware of your surroundings — making them ideal for running, cycling, gym workouts, commuting, or office use.
Unlike traditional in-ear earbuds, open-ear earbuds sit outside the ear canal, offering better comfort and greater awareness of your surroundings while still delivering a decent listening experience.
However, that convenience comes with a few trade-offs. You won’t get the same level of bass, noise cancellation, or passive noise isolation found in regular earbuds. The sound also feels less immersive overall, and there can be noticeable sound leakage — meaning people nearby may be able to hear what you’re listening to.
With that said, open-ear earphones do have their own unique use cases. Personally, I’d prefer using open-ear earbuds while riding for navigation and music, or even while working at the office. Now, I haven’t personally tried them yet, so I can’t fully comment on how practical they are in everyday use — although I do plan on purchasing a pair soon.
Here I’ll mainly focus on hook-style open-ear earbuds, as they’re generally more comfortable and versatile than clip-style designs. I can also imagine hook-style earbuds working better with helmets, while clip-style earbuds may feel less comfortable.
So, in this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the best top-rated hook-style open-ear earbuds available under ₹10,000 (or under $100).
- The following list has been compiled based on reviews, comparisons, and feedback from audiophile-focused YouTube channels (such as DHRME), along with benchmark and testing platforms (such as RTINGS).
- The ranking is based on my research from reviews, where most reviewers adjusted the equalizer settings to improve the sound quality. Because of that, you may also need to tweak the EQ settings a little if you decide to get one of these earbuds.
Note: The following are listed based on Price (lowest to highest).
1. Soundcore V20i
 | IPX Rating: IP55 |
 | 16 mm Drivers Codec: AAC, SBC |
 | Up to 36 Hours |
The Soundcore V20i is one of the most affordable ways to experience hook-style open-ear earbuds without sacrificing too much on features. The earbuds also come with customizable EQ settings through the Soundcore app, which is uncommon at this price range.
2. Soundcore AeroFit 2
| IPX Rating: IP55 |
| 20 x 11.5mm Drivers Codec: SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Up to 42 Hours |
The Soundcore AeroFit 2 is one of the most feature-packed hook-style open-ear earbuds currently available. It delivers stronger bass than most open-ear earbuds while also offering premium features like LDAC support, customizable controls, and excellent battery life.
3. Nothing Ear (Open)
| IPX Rating: IP54 |
| 14.2 mm Drivers Codec: SBC, AAC |
| Up to 30 Hours |
The Nothing Ear (Open) is arguably one of the best open-ear earbuds under ₹10,000 (or $100), especially for sound quality. Unlike many open-ear earbuds that can sound thin or lacking in bass, Nothing’s design places the drivers closer to the ear canal, resulting in a fuller and surprisingly strong bass response.
4. Shokz OpenFit Air
| IPX Rating: IP54 |
| 18 x 11mm Drivers Codec: AAC, SBC |
| Up to 28 Hours |
The Shokz OpenFit Air is a great “safe recommendation” for most users thanks to its lightweight and extremely comfortable design that makes it ideal for long listening sessions. Shokz is also one of the most trusted brands in the open-ear category.
Leave a Reply