[Update 2/28/2024 – Although I really like them, I decided today to return them. Why? Because they fell out multiple times on my walk today! It was windy, but not that windy. I didn’t even notice one had fallen out for a block or so and back traced to locate it. I guess I’ll stick with my bone conducting headset for now.]

I don’t like having things jammed into my ear. That’s why I have been using bone conducting headphones on walks. See https://lerner.net/my-new-wireless-bone-conducting-headphones/ about that. Nothing goes in your ear at all. Basically I still like them, but there are a few drawbacks. If you’re wearing a mask, or a cap, the wrap around your neck and hanging on your ear lobes can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable. Also, I found that the mic isn’t great if you want to talk to somebody via Facetime or a regular call. The people on the other end say my voice is very low.

I found a pretty good solution though: so-called “open” or “partial in-ear” or “half in-ear” earbuds. These don’t actually stick in your ear with silicon tips. Instead they have a flat mesh speaker, and just hang on your ears. You would think this would be unstable, but I was surprised to find I could even shake my head rapidly and they are fine.

I got the SoundPeats Air3 Deluxe HS, at a tiny tiny fraction of the price of what Apple wireless earbuds would cost. It’s a slightly older model, but the specs are great, and the price is very low.

Friends say they can hear me clearly now over the phone. And while I’m sure audiophiles would argue about the sound quality, I find them to actually be richer, and a step up from the bone conducting earbuds (which themselves also sound ok to me).

Open earbuds also have a safety benefit. Because they don’t seal off your ear canal, they let ambient sound in so you can hear what’s going on around you. That’s very important for me, because I use them mostly while walking around outside, and I do want to hear cars approaching. However, the downside to their openness is that if you’re in a noisy environment, the ambient sound will make it harder to hear what you’re listening to. Also, open earbuds have a harder time producing strong bass, which affects sound quality.

The case is quite small and light. You get about 5 hours play after a charge, and 20 hrs in all with the case fully charged.

Some other really cool, convenient things are:

• You don’t have to do anything to connect other than take them out of the case and place them on your ear. They automatically connect then, and automatically disconnect when you put them back in the case.
• There are no physical buttons! It all works with touch: touch the right one to increase volume; touch the left one to reduce volume, double tap either one to pause, or switch to a phone call, or hang up; touch the right one for 1.5 seconds to skip a song; triple tap either one to invoke Siri. All pretty cool!

Here’s an Amazon (U.S.) link if you are interested (disclaimer – I may receive a commission if these links are used to make a purchase: SoundPeats Air3 Deluxe HS – U.S. (it’s currently on sale). And here’s a link if you want to get them from Amazon Japan: SoundPeats Air3 Deluxe HS – Japan

I’m enjoying using them – without the huge Apple Air Pod investment.

[Update 2/28/2024 – Although I really like them, I decided today to return them. Why? Because they fell out multiple times on my walk today! It was windy, but not that windy. I didn’t even notice one had fallen out for a block or so and back traced to locate it. I guess I’ll stick with my bone conducting headset for now.]