Just 3 hours ago I finished my last running training, it was a quiet run through my city and that involves traffic lights that slow you down, cars that you feel passing by, people walking with their dogs... We had been testing headphones for a few weeks to be able to tell you what we think is the best open headphone to train listening to music or podcast but without disconnecting from the outside world. Because let's not fool ourselves, running completely isolated from the environment is dangerous. But at the same time, we don't want a mediocre sound, a headset that moves or falls off or have problems answering urgent calls. At RUNNEA we want to help you clear up these doubts and we have tested three of the best open headphones currently on the market. Our goal is to find the winning combination: good sound, microphone, comfort and good price. I've taken them to run on asphalt, to the running track and even to a shoot on park roads with traffic nearby, to see if they really deliver what the brands promise us.
In this report you will discover my personal experience testing the following models:
- Huawei FreeArc
- Shokz Openfit Air
- Bose Ultra Open
I have taken into account the sound quality in noisy environments, the stability of the headset when running, the battery life, how calls are heard, how the microphone works and, of course, the price. Let's see which one fits you best if you're looking for something different from the typical in-ear (which often completely isolate us from our surroundings).
HUAWEI FREEARC
First impressions
For me, the Huawei FreeArc has a very important detail: its microphone. In my workouts, it is quite common to receive calls from co-workers or family members. With this headset, the person on the other end could barely hear the background noise, even in the middle of the city and with cars passing close to me. Huawei has achieved very solid ambient noise cancellation on calls.
The design seems to me somewhat the largest d elos 3 tested models, but does not become a "brick". I would say that its largest volume is concentrated in the area of the temple, where they integrate the antenna and its touch control system. They weigh about 18 g in total9 grams each), but in the race they do not move one iota. They have a design that "rests" on 3 parts of your ear to get a very good fit without movement.
Sound and fit
As far as audio quality is concerned, I'll take their clarity at medium-high volumes. I have run in different environments with quite a lot of noise around (for example on the treadmill at the gym), and I did not have to turn up the volume to the maximum to hear a podcast for example. Mind you, don't expect super-deep bass (we're talking about an open headset, not a full-canceling in-ear).
I found the in-ear fit to be stable: I've tried sprints, changes of pace and direction, jumps and they didn't move. Volume up/down control is very simple: just slide your finger up or down on either of the 2 earcups. Pause with double tap, and next song with triple tap. And the best part: it works the same on both headphones, you don't get lost with "this one does one thing and the other one does another".
Battery and water resistance
- Battery: up to 7 h with the headphones, and if you count the case it goes to 28 h total. That's enough for a week of training if you run 60 min a day.
- Fast charging: in 10 min, 3 h of music (tested and verified, ideal for emergencies if you forgot to charge them before going out).
- IP57 resistance: withstand sweat, rain and water splashes very well.
Huawei FreeArc verdict
If you want super clear calls, very acceptable sound and intuitive handling, they are the best choice. Maybe their somewhat bulky aesthetics don't appeal to everyone, but I liked their "rugged" feel. For runners who need a top microphone, good sound and do not want to be isolated from traffic, Huawei FreeArc is my recommendation. It is also the cheapest option of the 3
SHOKZ OPENFIT AIR
First contact
The people at Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) are known for their "bone conduction" headphones, but in this Openfit Air they have opted for a more conventional design (open earphone) that hooks to the ear. Its price is around 139 €, placing it as the second cheapest option of the trio we analyzed.
Audio and calls
In terms of sound, I find them to be correct. They have enough clarity to enjoy them without losing contact with the outside. In very noisy environments, it seemed to me that they were a little short of maximum volume (or ability to isolate external noise). But if you're running in a park or low-noise area, they'll do just fine. Listening to podcasts on the treadmill at the gym (between treadmill noise and gym music), they suffer a bit more.
On calls, your mic holds its own, although, as a colleague said to me, "I hear you kind of canned" . It is not as spectacular as Huawei's, but it is more than adequate.
Design and control
Its somewhat less bulky design than the FreeArc is appreciated, although the weight is the same (18 g total). For me, they were very comfortable on all types of runs; I had no discomfort, nor did they fall off in strong changes of pace or jumps. The biggest problem is the control system: each headset has different functions, and you need some practice to avoid getting confused.
Once you get used to it, it's not a drama, but for the first few outings it's not uncommon to make a mistake when trying to skip a song and end up lowering the volume unintentionally.
Battery and endurance
- Up to 6 h without case, and 28 h total with it. Fast charge: 10 min gives 2 h of audio, not bad at all. Waterproof IP54 does not reach the IP57 of HUAWEI, but enough for a day of light rain or sweat.
Verdict Shokz Openfit Air
A very good value for money: if you don't mind sacrificing a bit of call quality and you can get used to their somewhat peculiar control, they are a hit. A reliable "training partner", especially in moderately noisy environments.
BOSE ULTRA OPEN
Expectations
Bose is a brand associated with high-fidelity sound, and we have been able to test their open headphones with these Ultra Open, which do have a starting price of 379 €. The most expensive option of the 3 we have tested. With this price one expects a bomb in audio and microphone. Let's see what happens...
Sound: 2 Modes
Bose offers an immersive mode that, I must admit, is brutal in quality and depth. The problem is that, for an outdoor use, you lose the advantage of an open headset. To me it seems too risky to take that mode in the middle of an urban shooting, it disconnects you too much.
In "normal open" mode, the sound is weaker than in immersive mode (logical) and I honestly don't think it's better than the Huawei. In fact, in environments with traffic, I had a hard time listening to podcasts with the outside noise.
Microphone
Where it has failed me the most is in calls, and that I expected it top. In the different tests we have done in different types of environments, the Bose takes the worst score when it comes to the microphone. Honestly, I don't see it for use in calls while training, for example. We've had something quite frustrating happen to us like having to switch from auriocular mode to normal phone mode during a call because our interlocutor wasn't hearing us properly.
Design and weight
Of course, its design is the best: the most minimalist and elegant of the three. With only 6 g in each earpiece (12 g in total), you hardly notice them. In terms of buttons, you have two on each earpiece, and they are intuitively operated. This is its great success.
Verdict Bose Ultra Open
They have a premium build quality, lightness and a spectacular immersive mode. The other aspects (microphone, outdoor use, price) make me wonder if I want to spend that kind of money (although they are now on sale on Amazon). Surely they are an interesting option for Bose fans who want something different and have no problem spending what they cost.
Our final verdict
Our winners are the Huawei FreeArc headphones: For the balance between sound, microphone, battery and price. It seems to me the most "rounded" of the three.
You know that this is just a comparison and from a personal scope, but we want you to get an idea of where the shots are going in 2025 with open headphones high and mid-range. The "running with music without isolation" is no longer a tall tale, but a reality that each brand approaches in its own way. Choose according to your priorities - price, microphone or lightness - and take to the streets to enjoy your runs with a soundtrack without losing sight of the rest of the world. Oh, by the way, you can compare prices on RUNNEA!
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