One of the most comfortable earbuds I've tested sold me on the open-ear style

I've never been a big fan of open-ear wireless earbuds. They don't prevent outside sound from leaking in, typically have poor bass output, and can be uncomfortable to wear. I've always preferred in-ear earbuds. But Soundcore's new AeroFit 2 buds have given me a newfound appreciation for this earbud style.

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The model has all the hallmarks of a standard pair of open-ear buds, like how noise from the outside world leaks through them. Hearing the surrounding environment is crucial for runners and bicyclists to stay safe on the road, although it can muddle audio output. You can't avoid that aspect when it comes to this type of earbuds; however, Soundcore made multiple tweaks that either lessened these problems or made them non-issues.

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Soundcore AeroFit 2

Soundcore's new AeroFit 2 earbuds are tough enough to handle rigorous exercise while also being comfortable for all-day wear.

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For example, the AeroFit 2's audio output is wonderfully lush. The sound quality was as good as a pair of in-ear buds. Singers, rappers, and instrumental tracks were all equally vibrant. What surprised me was the punchy bass. I honestly didn't expect much, so I was thoroughly impressed when I first experienced its power while listening to music. The bass is so strong it acts almost like a pseudo-ANC (active noise canceling) feature, blocking out some outside noise.

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That said, the bass can be a little too powerful. The AeroFit 2 performs great when playing music, but with YouTube videos, the bass can be so overwhelming that it nearly drowns out everything else. 

Not every YouTube video I listened to with AeroFit 2 had this problem. I believe the performance issue has more to do with the particular content's audio mixing than the earbuds themselves, but it's still worth keeping in mind. 

As for design, the AeroFit 2 offers a good degree of flexibility that other open-ear buds don't deliver. Each bud wraps around your ear via a silicone hook. At the base of each bud is a divet where the hook slides up and down.

You rotate the device on this path to find the most comfortable fit. Bundled with the AeroFit 2 earbuds is a handy guide teaching users how to wear the devices properly. According to Soundcore, the speakers are supposed to point directly into your ear canals. So, you move the hook along one of four settings until it fits correctly. It's a small touch, but I appreciate being able to adjust the pair to my liking.

I was also a fan of the absurdly long battery life. Soundcore states that the earbuds last 42 hours on a single charge with the case, and I believe that claim. I've been using the AeroFit 2 for two weeks so far, and I only charged them once when I first got them in the mail.

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It's important to point out that the charging case is large, measuring 3.14 x 2.62 x 0.9 inches, so you may have difficulty carrying it in your pockets or bag if there isn't enough room.

ZDNET's buying advice

Soundcore's AeroFit 2 are on sale on the company's website for $99.99. They're available in Black, White, and Minty Green. I recommend these to joggers and cyclists who want a pair of earbuds that allow them to pay attention to the road while delivering great performance. The design of open-ear buds can make them more comfortable than traditional in-ear buds. So if comfort is a major factor for you, pick up the AeroFit 2.