Open earbuds are equipped with many features similar to those found in traditional earbuds, such as multipoint pairing for connecting to multiple devices simultaneously, sensors for auto-pausing, water-resistance, and even spatial audio. They often come with an app offering additional capabilities like an EQ or an earbuds finder and include onboard touch or push controls. Due to the design constraints of open earbuds, their controls may be more restricted or less effective compared to traditional earbuds. However, high-quality open earbuds efficiently address these limitations to provide convenient control.
Noise canceling is generally not a feature users should expect from open earbuds. This technology depends on passive sound isolation and microphones that assess ambient noise and invert exterior sound frequencies to neutralize them. A proper seal is essential for this process to function effectively. Although some semi-open earbuds, such as the AirPods 4, and even some fully open earbuds claim to offer noise canceling, it is typically quite limited to reducing only lower frequencies. For those seeking effective noise canceling, devices like the AirPods Pro, Bose’s highly-rated QuietComfort Ultra, or other recommended noise-canceling models are preferable options.
