GoKawiilComparison finds open-ear earbuds safer, in-ear models better for sound quality
A review comparing open-ear and in-ear earbuds concludes that open-ear designs, such as the Shokz OpenFits Pro, are generally more hygienic and pose little risk to hearing, but sacrifice sound quality and noise cancellation since they don't seal the ear canal. In-ear models deliver stronger audio performance and noise blocking but require more cleaning and can trap moisture or debris over time.