10 Best Earbuds That Don’t Go in Ear (Classic Earphones) 2023

In-ears don’t feel right? In this guide we’ll cover:

• The best earbuds that don’t go in the ear (that are comfy & sound great)
• Our honest opinion on each pair of earbuds
• Clear-cut explanation and comparison of non-in-ear and in-ear earphones
• A/B sound tests, so you know exactly how they sound

+Honorable mentions (#7-#10)

Classic earbuds on our list are evaluated based on 9 key factors (Sonic9Score).  The main criteria we looked at to recommend the best are audio quality, comfort & fit, and user experience.

We have tested 192 headphones and earbuds so far. Dozens of them are classic earbuds without ear tips. We compared them and judged them based on the 3 main criteria above. Read more on how we tested and picked them.

And explore our general testing and ranking methodology.

Best Earbuds that Don’t Go in Ear

1. Apple AirPods 3

Apple’s Airpods 3 are the best classic earbuds we’ve tested. They combine a desirable look with an impressive Apple ecosystem integration – Read the Apple AirPods 3 review.

Hear the Apple AirPods 3 A/B Sound Test:

You get a (surprisingly) punchy, somewhat balanced audio quality that is suitable for casual listening. They’re a good choice for music as well as watching videos or listening to podcasts.

These wireless earphones work great with an Apple device. The H1 chip inside makes sure that pairing with an iPhone or MacBook is both super fast and stable.

There are also intelligent touch sensors on the outside of the earphones that work really well. The new 3rd generation AirPods are equipped with a new case that can be wirelessly charged (Qi wireless and MagSafe compatible).

Another improvement compared to the previous generation is that they now support Spatial Audio and have an IPX4 rating, offering full sweat resistance.

Furthermore, earbuds are very comfortable to wear and provide decent stability thanks to the special “grippy” plastic they’re made of.

For top-notch earbuds that don’t go in ears, check them out.

Best Earbuds that Don’t Go in Ear under $50

2. SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS

SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS are the best non-in-ear earbuds under $50 we’ve tested. You get good audio quality and a fully-fledged companion app – SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS review.

Hear the SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS A/B Sound Test:

SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS are, so far, the best neutral-sounding classic earbuds on the market. Even though they only cost $50.

Earbuds produce a relatively full, detailed sound, with natural mids and clear treble. They’re surprisingly clearer than Apple AirPods 3. To get the best result, you should enable LDAC audio codec (standard Air3 Deluxe support aptX Adaptive, which offers better latency).

Furthermore, they have an app that works on iOS and Android, supplying both systems with extra features: Adaptive EQ, Game mode, in-ear detection, and custom EQ.

The latter can make the sound even more natural (you can find our settings in the full review).

On top of that, the wireless earbuds are very comfortable to wear but only passable at providing a secure fit. They also have IPX4, whereas most of the competition is fully waterproof. But the 6-hour+ battery life offers plenty of music.

Nonetheless, for a low price of under $50, the Air3 HS are a top choice for non-inear earbuds.

If you’re looking for value, here are more best earbuds under $50.

Best Non-In-Ear Earbuds for Removing Noise

3. SoundPeats Air4

SoundPeats Air4 are the best classic non-in-ear earbuds for noise we’ve tested. While alternatives don’t block a lot of noise, these do a good job – SoundPeats Air4 review.

It’s a known problem of classic earphones. They don’t isolate much noise. And while the Air4 lag behind the in-ear counterparts, they do a better job than most open earbuds. The addition of active noise cancellation helps, albeit only a little.

What matters more is their full audio quality with strong bass. You can equalize and change it as you like in the companion app.

They’re packed with features, and you can even connect them to 2 devices at the same time (multipoint).

The only caveat is a shorter battery life (all the features eat up power), though 4 hours is still plenty of music.

If you want wireless earbuds that don’t go in ear but still remove noise, the SoundPeats Air 4 are your top choice.

For stronger noise removal, check the best noise cancelling earbuds.

Best Wired Earbuds that Don’t Go in Ear

4. Sennheiser MX 365

The Sennheiser MX 365 are the best wired earphones in our opinion. They sound much better than you might expect.

The soundstage is much better than in most earbuds, and the overall sound signature is quite smooth and balanced. The bass is present and forward enough without sounding exaggerated and over-produced.

Mids are balanced warm, and deliver good vocal clarity that isn’t too sharp. Highs are strong but can sound just slightly turned down, which can work well to combat ear fatigue if you’re listening for a long period.

The plastic enclosure on Sennheiser earbuds feels lightweight, which is ok for comfort and stability. The included foam earpads add a nice cushion if you want to soften the feel of the plastic earbud shell.

We know wired earbuds are out of fashion, but if you’re in the market for a pair, give Sennheiser MX 365 a try.

Best Open Earbuds

5. TOZO OpenReal

TOZO OpenReal are the best open earbuds with surprising sound quality. These are even less intrusive than AirPods as the earbuds barely touch your skin: super comfy and ergonomic – TOZO OpenReal review.

During our testing of the open earbuds we found the sound quality is surprisingly good (better than any bone conduction headphones). They’re great for listening to all music genres, thanks to their balanced signature. More sound details are in the review.

The behind-the-neck design is ergonomic. You can even wear them under a bicycle helmet. So they’re great for activity and on-the-go use.

You get a long 12-hour battery life, which is more than most comparable wireless earbuds. And a long Bluetooth range of 65 feet.

And you can use them under a shower, too. With a high IPX8 water-resistance rating, you can easily take them swimming or wash them under a tap.

The only criticism we can make is their proprietary charger that snaps off due to weak magnets.

Apart from that, the TOZO OpenReal are superb open earbuds that won’t bother your ear canals. Get the details in our review.

See the best open-ear headphones for alternatives that don’t touch your ears.

Best Cheap Non-In-Ear Earbuds

6. Venture Electronics Monks Plus

VE Monks Plus are well-known earbuds in the audiophile community, holding a deserving spot in our best classic earbuds guide. Get them if you want Hi-Fi audio on a tight budget.

Monks are a bit midrange forward, with a warm presentation and smooth, rolled-off highs. The bass response has a punch and a decent speed but doesn’t go very low.

They are overall very dynamic and natural, with a good-sized soundstage, which makes their listening experience enjoyable.

The plastic earbud enclosures feel quite hard and durable. However, the strain relief isn’t very reassuring.

They come in different color choices. With the lightweight housing and foam covers, you don’t even know you are wearing them in your ears.

VE Monks Plus are a quality set of earbuds that you should have even if you already own much more expensive gear. They are a great example of how good the best cheap earbuds can be.

Though, it’s hard to get them nowadays. So they’re not always available (if that’s the case right now, see alternatives in the list).

Or check other cheap options among the best earbuds under $20.

Honorable Mentions (#7 – #10)

7. Apple AirPods 2

8. Apple EarPods Wired

9. TaoTronics SoundLiberty 80

10. The Edifier H180 (P180)

How We Tested and Picked Them?

Each pair of earbuds in our list is objectively tested by measuring frequency response (see graphs in full reviews).

Then, we listen to them personally and describe what we hear. Altogether, we test them on 9 key points: Sound quality, comfort & fit, noise isolation, ANC, battery life, features, etc. (see all of them in our scoring methodology). This helps us objectively compare and pick the best-performing earbuds that we can confidently recommend. Read more on our testing methodology.

How did we choose the models?

As mentioned above, we primarily focused on 3 key points: audio quality, comfort & fit, and user experience.

Audio quality: Many earbuds without eartips lack bass due to their open design. This is why taking into account their sound plays a vital part. We only recommend models that sound good.

Comfort & fit: Ergonomic design isn’t as common as you might think. And for non-in-ear earbuds, it’s more important. Earphones that fall out are too common, and we want you to avoid them.

User experience: This is a combination of many different things. Like how you charge them, how they feel in your hands, is something annoying you, etc. All these things either create a pleasant or lousy experience.

Once we knew what models we wanted to include in the list, we ranked them. We ranked them at different price points and types of headphones. You can find cheaper ones at the bottom.

Why … Didn’t Make The List?

There are many great classic earphones that don’t go in ear that didn’t make the list for one reason. They’re almost impossible to get.

Either because they’re foreign and don’t have a distributor in the USA and Europe or because they’re a smaller company with limited production.

For us, it makes little sense to recommend models that most people won’t have a chance to buy. These models include but are not limited to the likes of: Simphonio Dragon 2+, Yuin OK1, Degauss Labs Pocket, Astrotrotec, Shozy BK, Edifier H180, etc. (actually, these are mentioned because sometimes you can still get them).

Earbuds that Don’t Go in the Ear vs. In-Ear Headphones (In-Ear Monitors)?

What is the difference between classic earbuds and in-ear earbuds (also known as in-ear monitors (IEMs) or in-ear headphones)?

The difference is the design.

• Classic earphones lay on the outside of your ear canal. There is no ear canal irritation, which can occur in in-ears. The classic Apple earbud design is one of the most popular designs to date. These earbuds don’t go into your inner ear but stay on the outside of the ear.

• In-ear earphones enter further in the inner canal. They’re also called in-ear monitors (IEMs). The in-ear headphones come with rubber or foam ear tips that you can replace to adjust the fit. Shure SE215 are one of the most popular in-ear earbuds by musicians and non-professionals alike.

Non-In-Ear vs. In-Ear user experience?

Classic Earphones (don’t go in the ear)

In-Ear Headphones (go in the ear)

The Confusion About the Name

Since the in-ear design (in-ear monitors, in-ear headphones) has become the standard in popular consumer electronics, most people call them just “earbuds”, even though that is technically incorrect.

Among the audiophile community, people understand the difference between earbuds and in-ear monitors and name them accordingly.

Since most people aren’t audiophiles, we use the name “earbuds” for in-ear monitors/in-ear headphones because this is what people understand.

If you go to a store, most people will understand what you mean if you say classic earphones that don’t go in ear or in-ear earbuds.

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Related:

• Best earbuds under $100
• Best headphones for kids

Conclusion

Classic earphones are much comfier and don’t irritate the skin around the ear canal. If you pick one of the above, you’ll make a good decision.

And in our opinion the best choice for most people are the AirPods 3 with all the bells and whistles.