Out of all the different audio gear form factors, bone-conduction headphones may be the most unique. You’ve seen plenty of earbuds and over-ear headphones, both wired and wireless, and they all have their purposes. So, why would you depart from the tried-and-true options that everyone loves? Because standard earbuds and headphones have a problem — they block your ears and prevent you from being aware of your surroundings.
That said, there’s a case to be made for the best bone-conduction headphones. These models don’t penetrate or cover the ear; interestingly, they transmit sound through vibrations on your cheekbones. While the sound quality isn’t always as good as the more traditional options, bone-conduction headphones leave your ears completely open and able to breathe. These headphones also weigh less while offering cool looks. And, as you’ll notice from some of the options here, they’re great for workouts, with a few even ideal for swimming.
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YouthWhisper SuperQ3
Best overallThe YouthWhisper SuperQ3 open-ear bone conduction headphones allow you to keep an ear out on your surroundings while still enjoying quality audio. These wireless headphones connect via Bluetooth 5.2 and are flexible yet durable. The transducers produce pretty good quality sound and don’t rattle your skull with unnecessarily loud bass. The headphones are IP67-grade waterproof, so you can wear them in rain or shine. As a surprise extra for this price range, these headphones have ANC too!
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Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones
Premium pickThe Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones are one of the best and healthiest headphones money can buy. These open-ear comfortable headphones transmit premium quality sound through your temporal bones, with rich details and thumping (but not damaging) bass. They connect via Bluetooth 5.1 to Android or Apple phones. The batteries last 10 hours on a full charge or 1.5 hours for a 5-minute charge. With IP55-grade water resistance, these wireless earphones can easily tackle sweat and light rain.
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Tayogo S2
Best valueThe Tayogo S2 bone conduction headphones are built for workouts and heavy exercises with their durable, stay-put design. And like all bone-conduction headphones, they feature an open-ear design that lets you stay alert and aware of your surroundings. As far as features go, the headphones offer great Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and the headphones provide plenty of battery life (8 hours) for extended workouts.
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H2O Audio Tri Pro Multi-Sport with Playlist+
Best underwater$160 $180 Save $20This updated version of H2O Audio’s triathlon-geared headphones are an ideal option for any extended workouts. You get five hours of use, an IP68 rating to handle long periods underwater, and a secure fit so that you can take on any number of physical activities while listening to music. While they come with a built-in 8GB MP3 player — they also have H2O Audio’s unique Playlist+.
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Shokz OpenComm2
$140 $160 Save $20Tired of headphones keeping your ears covered and hot? Need more spatial awareness? Opt for the Shokz OpenComm2 bone conduction headphones. The obstruction-free design keeps your ears open to the air and environment, and the adjustable boom mic (CVC) has built-in DSP to filter out background noise, so you’re clearly heard. The battery gives 16 hours of talk time and 8 hours of listening. And with a connection of up to 90 feet, these headphones unleash you from your devices.
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Haylou PurFree
The Haylou PurFree bone conduction headphones have quality transducers with a directional bass-heavy sound that should enthuse the sportsperson in you. Their light 28g weight means you will almost not notice them. They have Bluetooth 5.2, which means you can hook up to two devices at once with the same pair of wireless headphones. Additionally, they are IP67-grade waterproof and can withstand sweat and light rain, with 8 hours of playtime.
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CelsusSound S800C
Among the newer bone-conduction headphone models, these certainly shine. They are IPX7-rated, making them great for outdoor exercise and commuting in any weather. Connected via multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, they are built for a sporty lifestyle. The big 230 mAh battery can last 10 hours on a single charge, and they support magnetic fast charging. Regarding fit, these flexible headphones can bend and twist to accommodate any neck size, and a silicone pad on each transducer keeps them soft, comfy, and sweat-free.
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Phillips A6606
$82 $150 Save $68The Phillips A6606 bone conduction headphones are an admirable effort on that front, with stylish contemporary looks and a sturdy build. They also include safety lights firing backward, which you can control via their app, coming very handy during nighttime runs. And their IP67 waterproofing rating also protects you from sweat and light rain. The Phillips sound is always admirable, as here. The batteries are excellent with 9 hours of playtime; a 15-minute top-up gives you an hour.
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Fojep Openear AS18
If you need good swimming headphones with a durable and lightweight build (under 1 ounce), you can’t go wrong with the Fojep Openear AS18 bone-conduction headphones. Thanks to their IP68 waterproofing rating, you can comfortably swim with them. Plus, with their built-in storage capacity for over 5,000 songs, you can swim while listening to your favorite tunes. Lastly, they are tested to run smoothly for 7 to 10 hours on a single charge.
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Naenka Runner Diver 2
The Naenka Runner Diver 2 bone conduction headphones offer accessible listening and comfortable, secure wear. They feature 32GB of storage, plenty to store your favorite songs and podcasts, and a long, 10-hour battery life for all-day listening without interruptions. These headphones are also water-resistant, so they are an easy choice for swimmers.
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Philips Go A7607
$160 $200 Save $40The Philips Go A7607 open-ear bone conduction Bluetooth headphones are excellent devices for various sports and activities, helping you streamline your workday with multipoint connectivity. The headphones are fantastic for runners and swimmers due to their secure fit (and IP66 rating), and they are even capable of crisp and clear calls on the go. This pair can last up to 9 hours on a single charge, providing a long listening experience.
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Panadia Workout Headphones
The Panadia Workout Headphones come in multiple stylish colors that let you show off your unique self. But aside from aesthetics, the headphones are affordable, provide decent sound, and offer IPX7 water protection, so they’re excellent for gym-goers. The headphones also feature noise cancellation for calls and can last up to 6 hours on a single charge.
Why bone-conduction headphones?
Instead of subjecting yourself to potential hearing damage by using earbuds and wireless headphones that direct sound right into your eardrums, consider bone-conduction headphones instead. They don’t put any pressure on your ear canals or plug them up either (take a look at whatever you’ve been using — they’re probably kind of gross).
While traditional headphones send sound waves via tiny speakers, aka drivers, bone conduction headphones do exactly what their name suggests. They conduct audio via transducers through the bones that sit in front of your ears, essentially the back of your cheekbones. By sending audio directly into your head, your ears remain completely open to hear the surrounding environment, which is ideal when you’re going for a jog in a busy neighborhood.
Advantages of bone conduction headphones
There are several benefits of using a pair of bone-conduction headphones. First, since they bypass the eardrum, they won’t damage your ears, even at high volumes. Also, the transducers leave your ear canal open, so you can freely hear outside noises, but they do not mix with the audio. It works just like hearing your own voice, which is perfect for working out in public spaces, where you have to be aware of other people and traffic.
Finally, they are an absolute boon if you have ear damage. If you cannot use earphones or headphones, bone-conduction headphones might be the alternative you’re looking for. As a bonus, you don’t have to worry about bothering anyone around you if you’re blasting your tunes, no matter where you get your music.
Issues with bone conduction headphones
Bone conduction headphones have some downsides. For one, the transducer technology has not developed enough to compete with speakers, so the audio quality will always be lower than a standard pair of wired earphones. Also, if you don’t like outside noise and want to suppress it, you’ll have to look elsewhere, as these are explicitly designed to let outside noise in.
While they help protect from ear damage, they aren’t foolproof. For example, if you crank up the volume of your bone-conduction headphones, they can still cause damage. Also, if you use them for extended periods, you may get vertigo, or your skin may develop rashes from the vibration. Additionally, the tech that goes into these headphones is power-hungry and drains the batteries quickly. So, bone conduction headphones generally don’t play more than a few hours for each charge.
Choosing the best bone conduction headphones
If you’re after the best overall bone-conduction headphones, consider the YouthWhisper Super Q3. They offer excellent and modern connectivity features, IP67 ingress protection that makes them waterproof, and even ANC (Active Noise Cancelation), making it great for listening to music wherever you are.
If you have a bit more to spend, the Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones are a great choice. They are one of the best bone-conduction headphones sets that money can buy, and they support all smartphones. The headphones have great connectivity features, up to 10 hours of battery life, and even have an IP55 rating, making them usable in wet, dry, and dusty conditions. Whether you want to run out on a sandy beach or get caught in the rain, rest assured they will survive a beating and provide a fantastic listening experience.
However, suppose you just want something that works and gets the job done for not that much money. The Tayogo S2 might be the option you’ve been searching for. They’re one of the cheapest bone-conduction headphones on the market right now, offering Bluetooth 5.0 and a comfortable headband that fits all sizes. If all you need is cheap headphones that get the job done, it won’t get any more affordable than this.
