Looking for a best bone conduction headphone?
Over the past few years, personal audio equipment has come a long way. Started from high-quality Bluetooth headphones to let you listen to the music without having to deal with the tangled wires, to noise cancellation technologies which totally separates you from the busy world around you. So this modern era has taken us to portable audio trend.
People do want to isolate from the world but not everyone every time, for example, you’re riding your bike then it’s important for you to listen to the traffic as it’s extremely important, but you also don’t want to miss listening music. Short of wiring up a Bluetooth speaker, so this is the scenario where you need a bone conduction headphone which allows you to hear both words.
How Bone Conduction Headphones Work
Bone conduction headphones are uniquely designed and it’s easy to understand how they work if you know how the ear works. When you hear the sound, you hear a vibration in reality. When a person speaks in the air, he is pushing the air from his mouth. Each particle of air then pushes the next one beside it. Eventually, air particles reach to you and hit your eardrum. Basic Headphones use large disc-shaped cones which are attached to a coil to push the air forward, simulating the original sound. Bone Conduction headphones vibrate your actual bones to transfer sound to your eardrum instead of vibrating the ear. These vibrations are so subtle that you barely hear anything and looks like audio coming from nowhere. As they are not obstructing the ear canal so allows you to hear the environment around you at the same time.
With that said, it can be a challenging job to find a good pair of bone conduction headphones. Compared to the standard audio drivers this new technology is getting popular. The market is saturated with a number of great brands and models in the market. So choosing the right one is a challenge. Keeping this thing in mind, we crafted the list of high-quality bone conductions headphone for you to help you pick your favourite pairs of bone conduction headphones according to your budget.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones 2024
See this comparison chart of top bone conduction headphones 2024 to have a detailed look.
| Headphones | Battery Life | Connectivity | Range | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aftershokz Trekz Titanium | 6 Hours | Wireless | $$$ | Check Price |
| Aftershokz Bluez 2S | 6 Hours | Wireless | $$ | Check Price |
| Aftershokz AS450 Sportz | 5 Hours | Wired | $$ | Check Price |
| KSCAT Open-ear | 6 Hours | Wireless | $$ | Check Price |
| Damson Audio DAHB01RE | 8 Hours | Wireless | $$ | Check Price |
| Besteker Open Ear | 7 Hours | Wireless | $$ | Check Price |
| Panasonic RP-HGS10-G | 6 Hours | Wired | $$ | Check Price |
1) Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Conduction Headphones
Aftershokz is a popular brand for making special bone conduction headphones; this company is one of the first we’d turn to when we’re looking for a top-tier audio experience. The driver technology they patented has proven to be the superior again and again from the inexpensive drivers are used in other models, and their top tier Trekz model is creme of the crop.
Don’t be scared with the vague look of Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Conduction Headphone and don’t take this aggressive look too easy. This athletic headphone has sharp angles and somewhat unexpected, but they are curved enough, so they don’t seem too over the top. Everything attached to it is high-quality, and it all feels intelligently designed. Definitely, the driver placement matters a lot how the headphones are shaped. But it’s the bit different from what you expect, that they almost come across as rebellious.
But from inside the slightly distended bands is a great combination of hardware which makes these headphones that you won’t miss to wear them.
Many headphones bring a cable with them as parts of headphones which seems to get in the way. So the recommended option while shopping for bone conduction headphones is to a completely wireless bone conduction headphone. Similarly, the Aftershokz Trekz is also wireless. It features a premium Bluetooth chipset which is compatible with the latest standard and delivers high-quality audio to your ears while connected to Smartphone without any compression loss. It can be used with any mobile device created three years back so there is no issue of compatibility and you can take advantage of high quality with its EDR (extended data rate) transmission.
The newer chipset gives you significant advantages. Like you are allowed to pair these headphones with multiple devices. For example, you are using them to listen to music from your computer. At the same time your phone can be paired, and in case a call comes the music will pause and gives you the opportunity to attend the call. This also makes sharing the headphones a breeze, so you might not have to worry about repairing them to use with another device.
They are equipped with a low power Bluetooth radio which leads to low battery usage and gives an impressive battery life. For bone conduction headphones bit extra power is required. The manufacturer of Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Conduction Headphones labelled it as 6 hours of battery life but it wasn’t 6 hours of music on the lowest volume or 2 hours of talk time with 4 hours of standby. We got six hours of playing music at high volume almost on the dot. Talk time is feasibly a bit longer, but for the rare cases, you will call longer for 6 hours.
As these aren’t your everyday headphones so you might be careful while purchasing them. In order for Aftershokz headphones to work, they need to make a decent contact with your head and should be fit on it. The main resting place of these headphones is closely above to your jaw, the bit lower to your temple. They do a fit a little tighter than others and there is a good reason for that. Many other bone-conducting headphones use less pressure, as well as they sacrifice on the sound quality.
So adjustment period of Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Conduction Headphones is very quick. The neckband wraps around your head but won’t put any kind of pressure. So after few minutes of using these headphones, you might not even feel they are on your head.
Sound Quality
You must be curious to know how do these headphones sound? After reading about a lot of bad reviews about bone conduction headphones we were just shocked to know that this one has beaten all others in giving a reliable sound quality which makes it a durable bone conduction headphone. They aren’t audiophile grade as they are way better than any other pair of headphones. They give a persistent bass, bordering on thunderous.
It delivers a quite clear and a level of clarity you demand. But listening music with these headphones won’t only allows you to hear bass and treble and midrange, but what you hear is a real music. Though it’s bit difficult for us to describe as there is a certain quality about high-quality headphones where they are almost invisible. But from our side it’s not just an instrument, they might not change the way your music sounds. Rather, they are basically a vessel which transports you to a known place.
Pros
Pros
- Best Bone Conduction headphones for the money
- Durable design
- Great Build
Cons
Cons
- Battery life should be improved
2) Aftershokz Bluez 2S Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
You can call Aftershokz Bluez 2S the brother of Trekz and it’s also equipped with great features and great qualities as well as few small tweaks which allow them to perform better in certain scenarios.
You might not see any major difference between Bluez 2S and it’s the previous model we discussed. But you might fee a great difference if you hold both of them at the same time. Bluez 2S owns an entirely different build. Trekz is made of flexible material but Bluez is made from titanium which is much more rigid. So there are no chances of getting damaged. On the other hand, this improved the durability which makes it suitable to be used in different conditions. Furthermore, it’s water resistant so you don’t even have to worry about wearing them while working out and sweating or getting caught in the rain won’t spell out the death of your prized headphones.
Features
The Bluez 2S is fully Bluetooth compatible. It uses PremiumPitch+ technology same like the Trekz so you need a Bluetooth 2.0 compatible device minimum. Equipped with the same battery like above model so you can expect the same impressive battery life. Six hours talk time and size hours of phone calls. You might not need to charge Bluez for every single workout, as well as it will last longer for a good duration of the hike. It lasts several days on standby, so for infrequent usage, you can chuck them in a drawer so for any time they will be ready to go.
This pair of headphones are designed to be the best fitness headphones, the fit is a little looser than many other models. They are good enough to stay on your head, even you are running on the track or jogging. This support mostly comes from the rigid band. They press nicely into your head side above the ear, and band rests easily on the back of your head. They are a bit more comfortable compared to the above model reviewed, making them the recommended choice for an athletic activity.
Although they suffer a bit on sound quality but on comparison with other headphones Bluez 2S is still impressive. Though the sound is not much clear for different types of music, you won’t even notice. They are bass heavy, which makes them perfect for electronic and rap music. The highs are little receded but this most modern pop won’t be noticed by you.
Pros
Pros
- Durability
- Water-resistant
- Affordable price
Cons
Cons
- Sount quality should be improved more
3) Aftershokz AS450 Sportz
Aftershokz AS450 is the best choice for budget users. It’s a real steal for you. This sound is directly transmitted to your internal ear with its bone conduction technology without passing through your eardrums. These headphones are equipped with a 3.5mm jack which allows you to use than with any device having a 3.5 mm jack and even receive calls with the help of noise-cancelling microphone included.
The headband of Aftershokz AS450 wraps itself around your neck, while the transducers will easily rest on the bones right in your ears front. It’s lightweight in design and comfortable, the Sportz M3 has the Open Fit design which allows you to be aware of the ambient sound.
Nanotechnology coating and rubber gaskets with watertight fit block the external moisture and sweat completely. Due to the inclusion of PremiumPitch Patented Dual Suspension Transducers you get a great bone conduction sound.
The company claims for the product to deliver 12 hours of battery life which will be enough for you to get going through several workouts before next charge. Noise-cancelling microphone and you can receive calls effortlessly with the in-line controls and the voice will be crystal clear.
Pros
Pros
- Bass is good
- Headband is not heavy
- Comfortable to wear
- Inexpensively priced
- Sweat-resistant design
- 2 years of warranty period
Cons
Cons
- Cord is thin which comes with it
4) KSCAT Open-ear bone conduction headphones
Though the KSCAT is not that popular brand among bone conduction headphones they still manufacture premium quality bone conduction headphones and it’s worth investing in them. They are designed to be used by hikers, cyclists, and runners. These headphones have an Open-ear design for the convenience of use and extreme safety.
You will get the sound directly into your cochlear after it passes through your cheekbones due to the bone conduction technology. The headband is crafted with Titanium frame which delivers enhanced durability to this bone conducting headphone.
The KSCAT NICE 5 is an updated version of its predecessor KSCAT NICE 2 model. This latest version features Bluetooth v4.1 connectivity and comes with an IPX6 waterproofing design. The noise-cancelling microphone allows the calling feature with crystal clear sound experience.
Pros
Pros
- Sound is clear and crispy
- Mute earplug is a nice inclusion
- Comfortable to wear for extended periods of time
- Good play time of up to 6 hours
- Calling is pretty clear and loud
- Best value for money
Cons
Cons
- Sound leakage
- Bass is not that deep
5) Damson Audio DAHB01RE
Damsan “Headbones” – this funky name suggests that they are Bluetooth bone conduction headphones which deliver sound frequencies through your cheekbones into your ear canal.
Damson is equipped with a 3.5 mm jack on the side, allows you to plug-in your traditional ear-buds whenever you want to isolate the ambient noise. Astonishing, isn’t it?
Damson Headbones comes with a rubber securing headband which is completely securely fit and has adjustable design and stays your neck snugly. Headbones are resistant to water, dust, sweat so all the athletes out there might fancy this design.
In-line controls allow you to receive calls or use the calling feature like Google voice, Siri and so on. Provides 8 hours of long battery life just from a single charge, optimum for any enduring workouts and long-running hours.
The only snag to Damson is the high price doesn’t provide the satisfactory sound quality. Treble is very good but the mids are not very clear and the bass lacks depth. When you plug-in the traditional ear-buds, you get the amazing sound quality.
Overall, the bone conduction technology lacks advancement and its not worth spending money on this model.
Pros
Pros
- 3.5mm jack is a nice inclusion
- Foldable arms
- IPX5-rated Sweat-proof design
- Comes in a Carrying pouch
- 1 year of warranty period
- Impressive battery life of 8 hours for headphones and for ear-buds its 20 hours
Cons
Cons
- Sound quality should be improved
- Headband is bit heavier and hangs low
6) Besteker Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones – Best Budget
The Besteker Open delivers great value for the money and provides a genuine experience of bone conduction if you are ready to spend the big buck on any other headset yet. The design is more sporty and not so formal, but the sound quality while listening to the music is as good as you are attending a conference call, driving down the freeway.
The Besteker Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones uses Adopt 4.1 wireless technology, alongside a top of the line bone conduction module, it allows this headphone to deliver high-quality sound without damaging or hurting your eardrum, even at high volumes.
The design is highly elastic which gives more durability. Moreover, a great feature for the evening joggers are the reflective warning stickers on the back, which ensures a safe workout at night.
Another unique advantage for the formally oriented people is that the Besteker Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphone offers a classic winding cord a clip which is quite useful even you are walking or driving, preventing sudden slips and discounts.
Pros
Pros
- Reliability
- Cheap price
Cons
Cons
- No cons
7) Panasonic RP-HGS10-G Open-Ear Bone Conduction Headphones
Don’t get fooled by the price tag of Panasonic RP-HGS10-G Open-Ear headset. Panasonic a well-known brand and giant located in Japan has brought a great, budget decision for your open-ear needs.
The Panasonic RP-HGS10-G offers a sporty design which is perfect for those jogs through the bike rides or park on a panoramic road. You can enjoy listening music anytime, while you are working or be playing in the rain or swimming the water-resistance allows you to use Panasonic RP-HGS10-G Open-Ear Bone Conduction Headphones anywhere anytime.
The colourful design is reflective and bright, so you can enjoy wearing these headphones an evening walk, run or talk out in the open while not messing a best of what is happening around you. If you want to test the real experience of bone conduction headphones, but you are not sure that you would like it or not, then you should try out these headphones.
Pros
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Durable design
Cons
Cons
- Price tag is bit expensive
Bone Conduction Headphones Buying Guide
1) Can you use bone conduction headphones along with hearing aids?
If you are using a behind-the-ear type of hearing aid then it might create a problem but other than that it’s completely suitable for several types of hearing aids.
2) Do bone conduction headphones really work for hearing loss?
Most of the time yes, bone conduction headphones will work if you have at least one functional inner ear (cochlea).People with one sided hearing issue or conductive hearing can take advantage of bone conduction headphones.
3) What is the difference between regular headphones and bone conduction headphones?
You might know that bone conduction headphones don’t work like standard headphones and don’t directly transmit sound to your ear as it decreases the quality. They are good for ambient sound. Because your ears are not covered with these headphones.
4) Are there any dangers of bone conduction audio?
As they do not do direct transmission of sound, but it’s too dangerous to listen to music at very high volumes using bone conduction headphones. Those people who have hearing impairment should avoid overusing bone conduction headphones.
5) Difference between Wireless and wired bone conduction headphones?
Both wired and wireless bone conduction headphones use the same technology for sound transmission, the only difference is connectivity to the streaming device. Wired headphones require a cable as the name suggests to make a connection with the streaming device, while the wireless bone conduction headphones make use of Bluetooth connectivity to do the transmission. Both styles are to be worn around cheekbones.
6) Are bone conduction headphones waterproof?
The features which tell about water-resistant is IP rating of the given product. The higher the number for any bone conduction headphone is the greater they are for the protection from water.
7) Can you use bone conduction headphones with Smartphones?
You bone conduction headphones not only can be used with Smartphone but they can be used with the computer at the same time. So allowing you to listen music from through the computer connection and attend call through phone connection and when a call comes music will pause automatically.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Better Than Traditional Headphones?
The answer to this question is no. Bone condition headphones bone condition headphones and traditional headphones differ in sound quality, bone conduction headphones are not good in sound quality while the traditional pair of headphones delivers decent sound quality.
In certain conditions, this is reverse, sometimes more better than the traditional headphones. As they don’t have an earpiece it makes it possible to listen to music and you can still be aware of the surrounding, most of the time many are waterproof or water-resistant, it makes them best suitable for outdoor sports like cycling, swimming and running.
Conclusion
While the bone conduction sound making has been around since 2008, we have just started to figure out this technology, it’s used for conventional purposes and different ways to improve it. Its helped as a source of hearing aid, also it plays a good role in everyday lives, as a tool, as an awareness source, a lot more other than your music playlists, and a gateway to a different world for exploring a feeling or sensation while you are listening everything around you.
Those who look forward to diving into the bone conduction experience, Bluez 2S and Marsboy are the great choices, while the technology has a lot to improve on. Furthermore, those who wanted to get away from the vacuum for using earbuds and desperate to listen to the surroundings too while working out, driving, swimming, jogging or even making a work call, these sets will be the best experience and worthwhile for the money spent.
Best of luck with finding a best bone conduction headphone, do share with your friends to help them make an informed decision about the bone conduction headphones.