Open-ear earbuds are worth considering when hearing the world around you is part of the goal. They are a different design choice from sealed in-ear earbuds, and the best fit depends on where you listen and what you need your audio to do.
Use Galaxy Buds On as a starting point
Samsung’s October Galaxy Buds On demonstration shows a clip-on design intended to keep the ear canal open. The company also highlights controls and phone-connected AI features. Those details make it a useful example of the category, but we have not independently tested its performance.
Match the design to the environment
For quiet home tasks or situations where you want to hear someone nearby, open-ear listening can be appealing. For a noisy journey, consider whether a sealed design better suits your needs. Start with the environment, then choose the device.
Do not assume that open-ear listening makes an activity automatically safe. Stay attentive to the setting and follow relevant rules. Hearing ambient sound is only one part of awareness.
Try fit before comparing features
Check how the earbud sits with glasses and whether it stays comfortable as you move your head. A clip that feels secure in a brief demonstration may feel different after a long session. Return terms are particularly useful when fit cannot be judged properly in a store.
Think about the controls too. If you often wear gloves or have your hands occupied, voice or gesture controls may be useful. If you work in a shared space, consider whether speaking commands aloud suits that environment.
Check the phone requirements
Separate basic audio playback from optional connected features. A product may play music with one phone while reserving particular assistant or recording features for another configuration. Read the exact compatibility notes rather than relying on a broad “AI” badge.
Make a short test plan
Try speech, music and a call at a comfortable volume. Ask a friend whether they can hear unwanted leakage nearby. Check whether the charging case fits the bag or pocket you use daily. These small practical checks can matter more than a long feature list.
Our recommendation: choose open-ear when that listening style solves a real problem for you. Choose another style when isolation or a different fit matters more. We are not awarding a “best earbuds” title without a comparable hands-on test.
Product source and image: Samsung Global Newsroom. This is a design-based buying guide, not a laboratory review.