The Best Earbuds With Ear Hooks (So They Won’t Fall Out of Your Ears)
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The latest and greatest wireless earbuds often come with upgrades that can make anyone’s head spin. But even though these new buds are sleeker, smarter and sound better than before, for some people, it’s still unfortunately way too easy to lose them. Enter the best earbuds with ear hooks.
From the treadmill to the train, these wireless earbuds are designed with security and functionality at top of mind. We searched for the best, most secure earbuds you can buy right now, and selected top-rated pairs of hook earbuds that are a little easier to keep track of, wherever you wear them.
How Do Earbuds With Ear Hooks Work?
Not every pair of earbuds will offer the same set of features. Here’s what to look for when shopping for the best earbuds with ear hooks (a.k.a. “hook earbuds”) online.
Over-Ear vs. On-Ear Hooks: You’ll find a range of earbuds with hooks these days. Some models come with hooks that wrap around or over the top of your ears, while other picks feature on-ear tips, or sometimes called “wings,” that fasten to the inner part of your ear for a secure fit. We like both styles, but the design really comes down to your preference.
Comfort: Those who have trouble finding well-fitting earbuds might find earbuds with ear hooks more comfortable, as they prevent the buds from slipping out. Because they fit securely, earbuds with ear hooks are also popular for workouts. One factor to look out for with ear hooks is interference with eyewear or bicycle helmets, which can make earbuds with wings a better option.
Bluetooth Connectivity: While you can find earbuds that come with a cable, we chose ones that are completely wireless for this guide. No need to find where you put that headphone jack adapter — you can simply pair them with your phone or Bluetooth device.
Charging Time and Battery Life: Because the below picks are wireless, you’ll need to consider their battery life. The picks in this guide offer enough runtime for an entire day of use at the office, ranging from six to 24 hours of battery life. In some cases, we’ve even found earbuds that promise up to 40 hours of battery life with their charging cases. Note: They all have charging cases that can provide a power boost when they run out of juice.
Water Resistance: Most of the best earbuds with ear hooks are ideal for workouts. So if you’re a runner shopping for earbuds, look for an IPX rating that will tell you if they’re sweat- or water-resistant to a certain level before purchasing them.
What Are the Best Earbuds With Ear Hooks?
If you’re going to invest in great earbuds, why not go with the best pairs that are harder to lose? Here are our favorite hooked earbuds, made by brands like Bose, Beats, and Jaybird.
TOP PICK: Beats Fit Pro Earbuds
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
BEST SOUND: Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
SERIOUS DURABILITY: Jaybird Vista 2 Earbuds
LONG-LASTING: JLab JBuds Air Sport True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Beats Fit Pro Earbuds
When you’re out on a run or in the middle of a grueling workout, the last thing you want is for your earbuds to slip around on you. Not only are the Beats Fit Pro earbuds designed to stay secure in your ears thanks to the flexible built-in wingtips, they also sound incredible thanks to their active noise-cancelling tech. They’ll work with both Apple and Android devices, and you can play songs in spatial audio for a more immersive workout playlist — something that sets them apart from the competition. On top of their sturdy, comfortable fit, they also boast a 24-hour total battery runtime with the included charging case (or six hours per charge). The bottom line: The Beats Fit Pro are a no-brainer for everyday listening.
Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
These had us at “adjustable.” While these Powerbeats Pro earbuds come with over-ear hooks, you can actually tweak how tight you want them against the back of your ears. The sweat-resistant earbuds also include a few different pairs of ear tips, so that you can more easily find the most comfortable fit inside your ears. Comfort and fit aside, you’ll be able to listen to music for up to nine hours on a charge, as well as wear them for phone calls thanks to the built-in microphones.
Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
No, these buds don’t have hooks that go over your ears, but the Bose QuietComfort earbuds’ tiny little ear hooks have consistently frozen them in place in our ears during testing. That perk barely scratches the surface of why they’re worth buying though. We constantly wear them around the house and outdoors because of their noise-cancelling sound, plus their easy touch controls make it a cinch to adjust settings. They also come with a wide range of settings you can control via the Bose Music app on your Bluetooth device. Although Bose has released new versions of the QuietComfort earbuds, these are the only model that feature ear hooks. The main drawback is their size; the case is large and they protrude from ears significantly, but the benefit is that they are harder to lose.
Jaybird Vista 2 True Wireless Earbuds
Not only do these earbuds’ minimal hooks help keep them locked in place, they’re seriously rugged and durable. They’re so rugged that Jaybird calls the Vista 2s “earthproof,” meaning that they can get wet and dusty and still function like normal. The buds are also impact-resistant, and come with 6mm drivers, active noise-cancelling sound and a full day’s worth of battery life using the case. Pro tip: Buy them while they’re on sale right now.
JLab JBuds Wireless Earbuds
If you’re looking for some of the longest-lasting earbuds with wrap-around ear hooks, consider going with these top-rated JLab JBuds. They boast up to 40 hours of runtime when fully charged up, and can play your tunes for up to six hours per charge. They hold a IP66 sweat resistance rating, meaning your sweatiest workouts are no match for these buds’ performance in the gym or out on your summertime running routes. You can customize their sound in the JLab app on your phone and adjust the EQ settings to fit your preferences. Along with their hooked design, they also come with small, medium, and large ear tips so you can maximize their fit inside your ears.
Soundcore Sport X10
Anker’s Soundcore Sport X10 features a clever design, with adjustable ear hooks that rotate into place when in use but fold out of the way when not in use. That means they’ll more easily stash in the case more compactly, eliminating one of the biggest issues with hook earbuds. The sport-specific earbuds are IPX7 Waterproof to protect them from rain or even submersion, and they feature ANC to better handle noisy commutes.
JBL Endurance Peak 3
JBL’s Endurance earbuds are designed for workouts, with an IP68 dust and water rating to protect them from sweat and dirt. The earbuds provide up to 50 hours of battery life, with up to 40 in the case and 10 in the earbuds. The bass-heavy sound profile suits the workout-forward design. Plus, with four microphones, the earbuds can be used for clear phone calls. While it does not have ANC, the earbuds’ secure fit courtesy of the three included ear tip sizes help passively block out noise.
SHOKZ OpenFit
Shokz made a name for itself with its bone-conduction headphones, and while the OpenFit headphones use a different technology, they’re designed to offer the same benefits as open-ear headphones. By not covering the ear canals, these earbuds let you listen to your favorite music while maintaining awareness. That makes them a good option for outdoor runs or bike rides. The buds provide up to 7 hours of battery life, with up to 28 hours with the charging case. Plus, the quick charging feature offers an hour of listening time with five minutes of charging.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Though it’s known for its best-in-class active noise-canceling technology, Bose is pushing the envelope with its new open earbuds. They have a unique design that borders on futuristic; instead of traditional behind-the-ear hooks, the Ultra Open earbuds clip onto the side of the ear. The open design allows for maximum awareness without compromising audio quality. Like many Bose products, these earbuds are a hit to the wallet, but they provide immersive audio in a unique package that stands out from the pack.
JLab Go Air Sport
JLab’s Go Air Sport earbuds are an exceptionally affordable option, and they’re available in a range of eye-catching colors. The buds lack premium features like active noise cancelation, but they do feature convenient touch controls, a long battery life, and onboard EQ that lets you change the sound profile without needing the app. The IP55 rating means these buds are water and dust-resistant, though they shouldn’t be submerged in water.