This guide was updated on April 19, 2024, to add the Baseus Eli Sport 1 buds.
I have been running on and off for quite some time.
So, I resort to earbuds.
Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo
Youd go for these in situations where you want to stay aware of whats going on around you.
Hence, runners and bikers usually opt for open earbuds.
Most open earbuds dont feature ANC for the same reason.
Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo
An ambient mode helps keep one aware of their surroundings.
If youre shopping on a budget, these are our top picks forwireless buds under $150.
For comparison, most other running buds sport IPX4, including most in this list.
Photo: Caitlin McGarry / Gizmodo
Using these as my daily buds is incredibly convenient because they require being replenished just once a week.
I will admit, though, that they arent as inconspicuous as the Bose Ultra Open.
They dont even budge when I sprint across Pier 80.
Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo
I found theFit Pros battery life to be as good as promised.
I could go weeks in between charges, which is ideal.
The Beats Fit Pros tight seal means the active noise cancellation is very good.
Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo
No one does ambient mode as good as these buds.
They sound incredibly airy and spacious and add just the right amount of the outside world to the mix.
There is also plenty of detail and richness, especially in the midrange.
Photo: Sherri Smith / Gizmodo
The only gripe I have with these buds is their design.
Each bud weighs 12.7g.
For some context, a single Bose Ultra Open bud weighs 6.3g.
Not only are these bulky but theyre inconveniently designed as well.
While that didnt cause issues when running, it was problematic when doing my pre-run stretches.
I am also very confused by the weird, elongated case in which the OWS 2 buds come housed.
Its unwieldy and way too big to fit in your pants pocket.
The 19-hour battery life on these is another major drawback.
Unlike the Oladance OWS 2, the case fits perfectly in your pocket.
The Eli Sport is incredibly inconspicuous compared to the Cleer Arc II, another hook-style earbud on this list.
Theyre much smaller and considerably lighter.
And the bulb that rests behind your ear is quite streamlined as well.
The package also offers a standard bang out-C charging cable and an adorable sticker sheet.
I have yet to come across another $60 buds offering the bells and whistles the Eli Sport does.
I moved around a lot with these; they didnt even slightly budge in my ears.
Baseus claims their battery lasts around seven hours, and the case gives you an additional 23 hours.
Youd go for these buds if you care about aesthetics more than price.
At $300, these are admittedly expensive, considering they dont offer ANC for when youre not running.
I barely felt the Ultra Open for the 40 hours I wore them; theyre just that light.
Theyre also available in Black, but theyre more subtle.
Its thankfully not awkwardly big or bulky and fits in your pocket just fine.
I even listened in on a bad date recap while riding the Subway.
Bose estimates that the Open can last 7.5 hours with Immersion Audio disabled and 4.5 with it on.
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