The Best Bone Conduction Headphones
As our lives become more hands-free, so should our music listening experiences. And while headphones have come a long way since the Walkmans of the 80s, there's more work to be done when it comes to integrating curated sound into our lives. That's why bone conduction headphones are all the rage right now. Originally used to help people with hearing deficiencies, these headphones send sound waves directly to the cochlea from the cheekbone, bypassing the ear canal. The result is a unique sound experience in which you still hear your music or podcast without losing awareness of your environment. Below, we've done the research to sound off on our favorite bone conduction headphones available today.
AfterShokz Titanium Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
In the Know, On the Go
If you’re a music buff, then you know the importance of finding the right fit for your favorite pair of headphones or earphones. Having one of them constantly fall out while you’re at the gym or engaging in other hands-free activities is an automatic buzzkill. And nothing is more frustrating than eventually losing one of our ear pads or earbud sleeves. Bone conduction headphones are a great alternative to this whole process, as they simply rest on your cheekbones, avoiding the ear canals altogether. And this particular titanium option by AfterShokz takes the cake when it comes to a lightweight, comfortable experience for continuous use. Use them all around the house with their far-reaching Bluetooth V4 range, or take them running and cycling with you without worrying about sweat, dust, or losing situational awareness.
Pros:
- Come in 7 different color options
- Reliable 6-hour battery life
- Premium Pitch technology to deliver wide audio range while reducing sound leakage
Cons:
- Headphones vibrate at higher volume playback
- May be slightly tight on larger head sizes
Tayogo Bone Conduction Headphones
Vibrate at a Value
One of the reasons you may not have heard of bone conduction headphones before is that they tend to be more expensive than your standard pair of earbuds or over-the-ear headphones. But now, thanks to Tayogo’s dedicated sound engineers, you don’t have to spend a fortune just to reduce damage to your ear canals. With their version of bone-conducting headphones, you get all the same comfort, versatility of use, and clear sound as other brands, but at roughly half the cost. Control the wireless headphones with built-in buttons right on the headset and use them continuously for up to six hours at a time. And while this set won’t be as high-fidelity as a super-expensive pair of in-ear monitors, we think all the other hands-free benefits more than make up for it at this price.
Pros:
- Flexible and sweatproof
- Comes with a built-in microphone
- Remains fully charged for 7 days on standby
Cons:
- The volume won’t be as high as with regular headphones
AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
The Best of Both Worlds
Because bone conduction headphones don’t seal the ear canal like closed alternatives, you’re going to get more sound leaking in, which is also precisely why some people love these headphones so much. But safe situational awareness doesn’t have to come at the cost of sound quality, and these wireless AfterShokz headphones are here to prove it. The Aeropex headset is engineered to deliver you the best sound with louder volume, 50% less sound leakage, and a dynamic stereo sound using Premium Pitch technology. While you’ll still get a bit of vibration at super-high volumes (they are bone-conducting, after all), the bass and treble won’t disappoint no matter where you’re listening.
Pros:
- Moisture-detection alert for safe charging
- Lightest model available (less than 1 oz)
- Easy-to-use controls
Cons:
- Microphone muffles your voice
AfterShokz OpenComm Wireless Stereo Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset
Can You Hear Me Now?
In the digital age, we’re more plugged in than ever before, which often means Zoom chats and Microsoft Team meetings throughout the day. If your job requires you to always be on call, then you need to make sure your headphones can keep up. We love this Bluetooth headset by AfterShokz because of its superb microphone capabilities. The OpenComm boom mic cancels out background noise, letting you make crystal clear calls even in loud office environments. Thanks to the powerful battery, you can talk for up to 16 hours and listen for up to 8 on a single charge. And because the headset uses a classic open-ear design, you’ll be able to sit in on calls even when doing other work without missing a beat in either situation.
Pros:
- Adjustable positioning of microphone
- Lightweight, water-resistant titanium fit
- Comes with a charger and carrying case
Cons:
- Higher cost
- Doesn’t identify incoming caller ID
Oaxis myFirst Headphone with Bone Conduction Technology
Start Safe Sounds Sooner
Believe it or not, damage to our ears actually starts happening at a young age, especially these days when our kids are constantly online. But while we can’t protect our children forever, we can think ahead with the gifts we get them. That’s why bone conduction headphones like this kid-friendly pair by Oaxis are a great place to start. With these, you can protect their fragile ears from being punctured by earbuds while making sure that they can always hear their surroundings. This particular pair also has a maximum volume of 86 dB to reduce long-term hearing damage. Choose between a white or pink base and let your kids decorate their headset how they want with either of the cute magnets included with your purchase.
Pros:
- Great cost value
- Easy to store away in a pocket
- Standard 3.5 mm audio jack fits most phones and computers
Cons:
- Headphones are hard to wear if lying down
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes bone conduction headphones safer than regular ones?
The technology was first invented to help people with temporary or permanent hearing damage still receive sound from the outside world. Rather than moving sound through the ear canal, the sound vibrates directly across the cheekbone to the cochlea. This actually reduces the impact of those vibrations on our sensitive ears, unlike normal headphones. And for those who don’t have obstructed ear canals, using bone conduction headphones actually allows you to hear external noises while still listening to your favorite tunes. That’s why they tend to be popular with joggers or other outside sports enthusiasts.
So are there any disadvantages to using them?
The three main disadvantages are reduced sound quality, cost, and the potential for some cochlear damage. The headphones rely on the movement of sound waves through the inner ear without sealing off the actual ear canal. For this reason, you may get auditory masking — the presence of other sounds when you’re listening for your specific one. Secondly, these headphones tend to be more expensive than your run-of-the-mill earphones. Lastly, while they do tend to be safer, if you listen to music at extremely high volumes, you can still damage the cochlea, so we recommend regulating your playback as carefully as you would with other headphones.