October 6, 2021 | Ian Standard

Shake to your playlist while paying attention to your surroundings. These are the best bone conduction headphones of 2021.

Although bone conduction sounds futuristic and a bit daunting, it is actually a realistic and comfortable alternative to earplugs or over-ear headphones. By moving the vibration of the sound to the cheekbones, the bone conduction earphones open your ears so that you can hear what is happening around you. Now you can add a soundtrack to your life without drowning it.

This article only focuses on bone conduction headphones. If you are looking for other styles, check out our best workout headphones and earplugs.

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AfterShokz dominates the bone conduction headset market and stands out with its latest model Aeropex ($160). The new PremiumPitch 2.0+ technology provides higher quality sound than other products. This is paired with a new angle on the transducer, creating the potential for greater volume with less vibration.

One of the biggest complaints about bone conduction headphones is vibration. In other models, a louder volume can cause an uncomfortable tingling sensation on your cheekbones. Therefore, we are very happy to see Aeropex solve this problem.

Aeropex weighs only 26 grams, has an impressive 8-hour battery life and a fully waterproof design. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge. These earphones are sweat and water resistant, but not suitable for swimming. If you are looking for the option to dive completely in the water, please read on.

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Air is a more affordable option for AfterShokz, and it still provides premium audio quality in a lightweight and safe headset. Air ($120) has many of the same advantages as Aeropex. It has a titanium frame to ensure the safety of the back of the head even during rigorous exercise, and a microphone for easy phone calls.

Air weighs only over 1 ounce (30 grams) and uses PremiumPitch+ technology to send clear audio through the cheekbones, keeping the ears open to ambient noise. Although this model is not completely waterproof, it is IP155 certified and is resistant to sweat, dust and moisture.

It takes 2 hours to fully charge. Air can last up to 6 hours in operation and up to 20 days in standby. Its LeakSlayer technology helps reduce natural sound leakage, and the noise-canceling microphone minimizes background noise during calls.

We read complaints that this model started to fail after 6 months, but we did not encounter any failures during the one-year test.

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These affordable bone conduction headphones ($40) from Tayogo are much cheaper than any other option on this list. Although not fully functional or waterproof, they are sturdy and reliable earphones at an affordable price.

Many users believe that these earphones can be firmly fixed in place when running or exercising. The sound quality and balance are generally good, but it may cause a slight itching sensation when used at high volume. When fully charged, these can last up to 6 hours, which is only a few hours less than the more expensive options.

Although some bone conduction earphones cannot provide comfortable compatibility with glasses, the design of these earphones takes into account the wearer of the glasses. The volume and power buttons are easy to access and easy to use.

Although these cannot be called high-end, Tayogo has created a reliable pair of affordable headphones that provide the benefits of bone conduction technology without a high price tag.

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AfterShokz Titanium ($80) has many of the same advantages and functions as Aeropex and Air, but at a slightly lower price. Titanium still uses LeakSlayer and PremiumPitch technology to optimize the sound and reduce the level of natural sound leakage.

They also have an IP55 protection rating, which is resistant to sweat and dust, making them ideal for exercise. Bluetooth V4.1 technology can ensure fast pairing, without the need to connect every time you wear it. It weighs 36 grams and the battery can run for 6 hours at a time.

Titanium is available in slim version and normal version, suitable for different head shapes and sizes. Titanium straps are safe, durable, and comfortable to wear, but it's best to try them on before buying. Different sizes can make them fit your head perfectly or make them uncomfortable to wear.

The main difference between this model and the more expensive AfterShokz is the reduction in sound quality and the increase in weight. If you don't mind the extra grams and slightly reduced audio quality, then Titanium is great value for money.

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These wireless bone conduction headphones make you completely comfortable while swimming. With AfterShokz Xtrainerz ($194), you can bring 4 GB of sound into the swimming pool. This MP3/wireless headset combo eliminates Bluetooth range limitations by directly storing your music.

Their battery life is 8 hours. With an IP68 waterproof rating, Xtrainerz will allow you to breathe air for a long time before immersing in 2 m water for 2 hours. The tight titanium band around the head ensures a close fit, so you don't need to dive into the bottom of the deep end to retrieve the pair.

We recommend pairing them with earplugs, which can eliminate the sound of water flowing through the ears, resulting in a clearer sound.

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Another pair of fully waterproof IPX6 bone conduction headphones is provided by Pyle at a reasonable price. If you don't like fragile items, then Pyle's bone conduction headphones ($70) may be for you.

This pair can play up to 3 hours of maximum volume and provides 240 hours of long standby time. 4.1 Bluetooth technology can reach a distance of up to 35 feet, ensuring easy pairing.

The sturdy construction helps hold them to your head-and if you drop them while riding a bike or accidentally smash them into your gym bag, they are less likely to break. These are the heaviest options listed here, and the sound quality is not up to AfterShokz. But they are durable and come with a one-year warranty.

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Just because we mainly list the AfterShokz model does not mean that the brand is the only choice. Vidonn is a Chinese company that has been in business since 2013, and its F1 Titanium (US$69) ended this list.

F1 headphones are as durable and comfortable as the AfterShokz Trekz Titanium, and are suitable for all active sports. The sound is slightly below the AfterShokz line and can be improved by a higher level of available bass.

Both CVC and noise reduction technology have reached the level offered by more expensive brands. F1 also has an IP55 anti-sweat rating.

Overall, for bone conduction headphones under $70, F1 Titanium has many of the same qualities as headphones over $100. What's missing is the accompanying suitcase and the crisp, clean, bass-filled sound. Vidonn provides a one-year warranty, while AfterShokz provides a 2-year warranty.

Bone conduction headphones are less common than standard headphones, so naturally, most people don't know much about them. However, the benefits of bone conduction are invaluable for various active uses.

Runners, skiers, mountain bikers, swimmers and many others appreciate that bone conduction headphones provide the ability to listen to music or podcasts without overwhelming the world around them. For this reason, bone conduction headphones provide excellent safety and general awareness.

Once you decide to buy a pair of bone conduction headphones, the next step is to decide which one to buy. Fortunately, the market is relatively small, and choosing the right currency pair doesn't have to feel like sorting in an overcrowded field.

Nevertheless, not all bone conduction headphones are the same. In this handy selection guide, we thoroughly explain all the features to consider when buying the next pair of headphones.

Generally, bone conduction headphones cannot provide the same sound quality as traditional headphones. Audiophiles, DJs, and audio engineers seeking top fidelity should choose traditional headphones instead of bone conduction models.

Since bone conduction headphones do not transmit directly to your ear canal, they cannot provide the highest level of bass or clean sound.

That being said, the headsets we selected in this list are specifically designed for active use. For this application, bone conduction headphones have unparalleled advantages.

In addition, most users report that a pair of high-quality bone conduction headphones can still produce relatively influential bass and clear audio. In the final analysis, bone conduction headphones are not completely suitable for our sound like traditional headphones.

Many new users of bone conduction headphones tend to adjust the volume to the extreme in order to try to reproduce the noise-cancelling experience of traditional headphones. Remember, because bone conduction headphones do not cover your ear canal, they will never completely eliminate sound noise.

Be careful when turning bone conduction headphones to a high volume, as this may cause injury or hearing loss.

All bone conduction headphones in this list are wireless and have a Bluetooth interface. For active users, wireless headphones are a common preference. When running, skiing, or biking, ropes can get in the way and cause trouble.

The disadvantage of wireless headphones is that they need to be charged regularly. Most of the headphones on this list are charged via standard Micro or Type C USB cables. The battery life of a fully charged bone conduction headset is 4 to 10 hours.

Most bone conduction headphones have some key design features in common. All the headphones on our recommendation list are made with a curved frame and are designed to be worn comfortably behind the neck. Because bone conduction headphones are not placed in the ear canal, they are positioned and supported by the neck strap.

Other important design features to consider include the layout and location of the buttons and weight.

Depending on your preference, you may find that bone conduction headphones are more comfortable than traditional headphones. The absence of earmuffs or earplugs in the ear canal can reduce the possibility of soreness and pain in the ear. This improvement in comfort is particularly obvious and appreciated during active use.

Bone conduction headphones suitable for active use should be quite durable. In this list, we have included various models that can handle the standard abuse of outdoor running, skiing, and cycling.

In terms of durability related to impacts and drops, Pyle Bone Conduction headphones are our first choice.

The durability of bone conduction headphones is directly related to water resistance. If you plan to use the headphones underwater or in a humid environment, be sure to purchase a pair of fully waterproof headphones. Aftershokz Xtrainers are very waterproof and very suitable for swimming.

The price of bone conduction headphones ranges from $30 to $200. Although the cheaper shoes we recommend in this list are of higher quality relative to their prices, it is important to realize that there is a reliable relationship between price and overall quality.

If you are looking for long-lasting headphones with well-designed features and able to withstand active use and elements, we recommend that you invest in the best headphones you can afford.

Bone conduction headphones take advantage of the fact that sound is just vibration and direct it into the bones of your head.

These headphones use a plate that rests on the cheekbones to transmit sound vibrations directly to the cochlea through the chin and skull. They keep the ear canal open so that external sounds can still enter.

Unlike traditional headphones, bone conduction headphones allow users to hear what is happening around them. This makes this style of headphones a great choice for outdoor activities, where hearing oncoming vehicles or bicycles can save lives. They are also a great choice for people who swim underwater or wear in-ear hearing aids.

Unfortunately, any type of earphones can cause hearing loss if used at irresponsible volume levels. Bone conduction earphones will still vibrate the cochlea and damage the cochlea like traditional earphones.

Bone conduction headphones cannot provide the same quality audio as in-ear headphones. To get the clearest and loudest audio quality, headphones or earplugs are better.

However, bone conduction headphones are good. They provide many options to listen to music without sacrificing your situational awareness. This is very valuable when hiking, biking, and even working from home.

Some bone conduction headphones are completely waterproof. In this list, models such as Aftershokz Xtrainers are designed to work in humid environments-you can definitely swim while wearing them.

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