Best Bone Conduction Headphones in 2024
The best bone conduction headphones deliver high-quality sound for hours while remaining comfortable to wear. But how do you know which one to pick? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Below is not only our hand-picked list of all the best headphones in this unique category, but also a look at how these headphones are different from over ear headphones and why you might want to give them a try.
Best Overall: SHOKZ OpenRun Headphones
Price: $129.95
Features
- Sweat-resistant.
- Built-in microphone.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
- Up to eight hours of battery life.
- Quick charge-ups.
- Mini and standard sizes.
Summary
The OpenRun headphones with the Shokz headband are designed for comfortable, open-ear listening, thanks to their lightweight frame and wireless fit. They’re rated IP67 waterproof for sweat-inducing activities (this does not include swimming). The 8-hour battery is great, but if you don’t have time to charge them fully, you’ll love the quick charge feature that supplies 1.5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge. This is super convenient for last-minute use. With two size options and four color varieties, these Bluetooth bone conduction headphones are suitable for most people.
Available on Amazon.
Best for Swimming: Guudsoud Swimming Headphones
Price: $67.16
Features
- IP68 waterproof rating.
- Up to eight hours of battery life.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
- Includes a mic.
- Good audio quality.
Summary
These dust, sweatproof, and waterproof headphones with bone conduction technology are built to withstand water up to 2 meters deep, so they’re perfect for swimming and showering. The 32 GB of internal storage lets you store thousands of audio files on the headphones themselves, and simple on-device buttons are available for playback control. The mic lets you use these headphones to take calls and do other things like convert speech to text while you’re running or cycling. These headphones can be fully charged in 1.5 hours. It’s available in the color blue only.
Available on Amazon.
Best Value: PURERINA Headphones
Price: $59.99
Features
- IP55 waterproof rating.
- Up to six hours of battery life.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
- Built-in microphone.
- Stable for sports.
Summary
PURERINA’s headphones have decent sound quality for the price. These affordable bone conduction headphones are lightweight (30 grams) with comfortable silicone pads, making it perfect for all-day use. It’s also ideal for sports due to its titanium memory metal frame, which “has a bending recovery effect” to keep the headphones free from excessive movement while you’re on the go. With an IP55 rating, it has some protection from low-pressure water, dust, and wet weather. You can get these bone conduction headphones in black.
Available on Amazon.
Best Budget: GZCRDZ Headphones
Price: $28.99
Features
- Wired connectivity.
- Noise-reduction microphone.
- Light and ergonomic.
- Resistant to water and sweat.
Summary
These wired bone conduction headphones from GZCRDZ are incredibly lightweight (20 grams) and durable. Although they don’t work with game consoles or computers list most bone conduction headphones, you can plug these microphone-equipped headphones into your phone to enjoy music, podcasts, and calls. And despite the price, they can, surprisingly, help drown out background noise while you’re on calls. These wired, budget bone conduction headphones are available in black.
Available on Amazon.
How to choose the best bone conduction headphones
There are a few key factors to consider when picking out the perfect bone conduction headphones.
First, there’s the obvious: sound quality. Much like standard headphones, you want a pair that’s known for delivering top-notch audio. A quick glance at reviews from actual customers can help you find one that hits the mark. This is great because you don’t need to know anything about bone conduction technology to pick out a pair. When choosing top bone conduction headphones, you can let real-world experiences speak instead.
Comfort is also crucial, especially if you plan on wearing the headphones for extended periods. Look for headphones with a cushy headband and comfortable ear cups to help minimize discomfort.
Although it might not be your first thought, you also shouldn’t overlook battery life. These headphones typically go for hours on a single charge, so make sure you choose a pair that matches your particular needs, whether it’s for a short workout or an all-day adventure.
Other features are more up to you! For example, some headphones with bone conduction technology come with water resistance or built-in microphones. Pick out a pair with features that align with your priorities, and you’ll be well on your way to some awesome listening experiences!
What are bone conduction headphones?
Unlike traditional headphones, such as gaming headsets, that sit on your ears and send sound through the air into the eardrum, bone conduction headphones work by letting you keep your ears open because they rest near the ear and use sound vibrations to transmit sound into your inner ear. There are multiple benefits to this.
One benefit is that you can listen to music or take calls without blocking your ears (i.e., you can still hear everything around you). They’re a safe and comfortable choice for many activities.
These headphones are also especially beneficial for people with hearing impairments. Because the sounds travel through bone, they can help people with hearing loss hear more clearly. Bone conduction headphones are also a good option for people with sensitive ears because they don’t put pressure on the eardrums.
While bone conduction headphones may not deliver the same audio quality as traditional headphones, they offer a unique and practical solution for those seeking a different way to enjoy audio content.