Have you continuously come up empty during your search for the perfect bone conduction headphones?
Have you failed time after time as you initiated your quest because you either ran into too many options or not enough choices?
All of your problems have come to an end now that you’ve found the perfect resource.
I’ve reviewed eight of the best bone conduction headphones currently available on the market today.
As you can tell from the list below, AfterShokz has made their mark on the bone conduction technology industry since five of my eight reviews are for their products.
But they aren’t the only game in town.
Keep reading to learn about my favorite bone conduction headphones in greater detail below.
Quick List: Top 7 Bone Conduction Headphones
- AfterShokz Aeropex Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones – Best Overall
- AfterShokz Trekz Air Wireless Headphones – Best Wireless
- Pyle Bone Conduction Sport Headphones – Best for Running
- Tayogo Open Ear Conduction Bluetooth Headphones
- AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones
- AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Mini Headphones
- AfterShokz Xtrainerz Wireless Headphones
Researching Bone Conduction Headphones
It’s a lot harder to find the ideal pair of bone conduction headphones than you might originally think.
Believe it or not, there’s a lot of information available and many different features and things to consider when choosing which of these headphones to review.
One example is the bone conduction technology itself. Other things to consider are extra features like whether or not it has a microphone, whether or not it comes with a portable charging cradle, whether or not it was ergonomically designed, or if it’s suitable for swimming or not, and other important features.
I also had to focus my review on the level of waterproof rating that each of these headphones had or didn’t have. Some of them may be more suitable to handling a light drizzle, a heavy downpour, or completely waterproof headphones so you can do laps in the swimming pool or the ocean.
Still other bone conduction headphones will be wired or wireless, already have an MP3 player built into the headphones, have remote controls on the side of the headphones, and I even focused my reviews on battery life, the size of the memory, it’s weight, and so much more.
The Best Bone Conduction Headphones In 2024
1. AfterShokz Aeropex Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones – Best Overall
- Rebranding Update - Aftershokz Aeropex has been renamed as Shokz OpenRun. Welcome to SHOKZ!
The AfterShokz Aeropex Wireless Headphones are an excellent choice and our top pick for the best overall. They possess a lightweight design, a long battery life, they are sweat proof and waterproof and can handle harsh weather conditions, they are Bluetooth compatible, and the sound that they deliver is truly breathtaking.
✔️ What we like: Additional sport belt, 50% less sound leakage
❌ What we don’t like: Noisy areas lead to strong vibrations and distractions
Standout Features
- Lightweight weighing less than 1 ounce
- Snug and comfortable fit
- Continuous playback lasting eight hours
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Sweat and water resistant – IP67 rating
First off, I’m a big fan of this bone conduction headphone because of its astonishing battery life. You do not find too many headphones in this style that have a battery that can last for eight hours continuously during nonstop playback. This is an impressive feat to say the least and one that I was very happy to learn about. You should appreciate it too because eight hours of continuous playback means listening to your favorite songs and audiobooks for much longer than expected.
The waterproof rating is worth mentioning as well. Why? It’s an excellent rating at IP67. This means the headphones are perfect for those who build up a heavy sweat while working out. You can get caught in a rainstorm, sweat to your heart’s content, and even get tangled up in a dust storm and these headphones will still remain in excellent condition.
They will work even under these harsh conditions. But you cannot go swimming with them otherwise they will break.
As far as bone conduction headphones go, I consider these the best overall but they are also the most expensive, which many people look upon as a drawback. And they are open ear headphones, which others also find distressing.
This is especially true when they are listening to the headphones in a loud and noisy environment. It creates strong vibrations in an itchy feeling which can become a real distraction when trying to work out, listen to your favorite songs, or otherwise enjoy your life.
Overall, I really love the AfterShokz Aeropex Wireless Headphones for many reasons but most of all I appreciate their awesome Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, the eight hours of playback, the snug and comfortable fit, the 1 ounce lightweight design, and the fact that I could sweat puddles and these headphones would still work.
2. AfterShokz Trekz Air Wireless Headphones – Best Wireless
- Rebranding Update - Aftershokz has been renamed as Shokz. Welcome to SHOKZ!
The AfterShokz Trekz Air Wireless Headphones is our top pick for the best wireless headphones because they are extremely light, provide a premium audio experience, last for six hours of continuous playtime on a single charge, they’re fully charged within two hours, deliver high-quality Bluetooth V4.2 connectivity, and easily pair with all Android and iOS devices.
✔️ What we like: Open fit design, ears clearly open to all ambient sounds
❌ What we don’t like: Not loud enough and high price point
Standout Features
- Continuous playback for six hours
- Comfortable design
- IP55 rating – sweat proof and dustproof
- Pairs easily with multiple devices
- PremiumPitch Plus
As far as bone conduction technology goes, these headphones definitely fit the bill as the top wireless choice with an attractive open ear design. Some people like to be able to hear everything going on around them for their own reasons. Others prefer to get lost in their audio and don’t want to hear anything.
These open ear bone conduction headphones mean you’ll hear everything going on around you, like the kids playing in the backyard, your husband or wife typing on the keyboard in the other room, or anything else that demand your attention concurrently while listening to music, audiobooks, and more.
Flexibility and lightweight material are also very attractive features of these headphones. The material that the headphones are made of is flexible enough that you can bend them without actually breaking them very easily.
So you can wrap them securely around your neck and ears and put them in a comfortable position, yet the flexible and strong material will remain intact. Plus they are lightweight so you’ll barely feel them while you’re wearing them.
The biggest negatives for some people is that they are relatively expensive because they cost more than $100 and some people believe that these headphones aren’t loud enough.
The reason they aren’t loud enough is because they are open ear headphones, so you get to hear all of the background noise while wearing these headphones because they aren’t covering your ears at all. So if you want louder headphones, you’re better off with earbuds or ear cups that cover the entirety of your ear canal so no additional extra noise leaks in to your awareness.
At the end of the day, I appreciate the AfterShokz Trekz Air Wireless Headphones for their great wireless connectivity, their sweat and moisture resistance, the long six hours of battery life, and their great Bluetooth connectivity to all Android, iOS, PC and Mac devices.
3. Pyle Bone Conduction Sport Headphones – Best for Running
- Maximum operating distance : 35’ ft.
The Pyle Bone Conduction Sport Headphones are the number one pick for running because they are weather resistant, sweat resistant, and waterproof. They were also designed using lightweight material, they are comfortable, they have touch button controls on a side panel, and they have a built-in microphone.
✔️ What we like: Easy pairing with today’s modern technology, LED lighting
❌ What we don’t like: The headset doesn’t adjust for various head sizes
Standout Features
- IPX6 water resistant
- Ergonomic mini open ear headset
- Connects to Android, iPhone, laptop, and smartphone devices
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Side panel button controls
There’s a lot to love about these bone conduction sport headphones, and in particular I feel they are a great option for runners. For starters, they have side panel touch button controls that make it very easy to use while you’re out running through the streets of your neighborhood, the local running or hiking trails, or your favorite parks and recreational areas.
These controls make it possible to adjust the volume, control the microphone, and even improve the overall sound quality to your liking without interrupting your active training sessions whatsoever.
The Bluetooth features also make it possible to use the built-in microphone to have hands-free conversations while running. This is also convenient, simple to use, and hassle-free because you can use this modern technology to still get in a great exercise even if you have to make calls to your office, your loved ones, or anyone else for that matter.
On a negative note, this headset is great in a lot of ways but one area that it falters is the way that it adjusts to different head sizes. Or to say it better another way, this headset doesn’t really adjust to multiple head sizes to the best of its ability.
This headset isn’t going to easily conform to some head sizes because it doesn’t have the additional flexibility needed to meet the needs of everyone no matter the size of their head.
I can recommend the Pyle Bone Conduction Sport Headphones with complete confidence because it’s a great headset for sports enthusiasts and runners alike. It has a quick charging time and the battery life lasts for about four hours, it’s waterproof and weather resistant, it has a built-in microphone and excellent Bluetooth connectivity, and the side panel touch button controls make it easy to listen to your favorite audio programs at the push of a button.
4. Tayogo Open Ear Conduction Bluetooth Headphones
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The Tayogo Open Ear Conduction Bluetooth Headphones are a favorite of mine because they have simple to use control buttons, a multifunctional button to play or pause music and answer or hang up the phone, and it’s available in three colors including gray, red, and blue.
✔️ What we like: Retractable waterproof wireless headphones
❌ What we don’t like: Control buttons failed after two weeks
Standout Features
- Bone conduction sound
- Wireless headset
- Waterproof design
- Open ear headphones
- One-size-fits-all
I had a great experience with the Tayogo Open Ear Conduction Bluetooth Headphones for many reasons, but one particular feature that really stood out was the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. This allows for multipoint pairing, which means I can pair this device to my tablet, smart phone, and laptop computer all at the same time.
Next, it has great wireless connection distance, meaning I can hear great high-quality stereo sound coming through this headset, even if I am 35 feet away from the device, which is the overall maximum range. This means I can leave my phone in the bedroom and still hear my audiobook without interruption even if I happen to walk into the bathroom at the other end of the hallway. I love this feature and I think you will too.
On the downside, one previous customer said the buttons began failing after two weeks of use. I can see how this would be very frustrating because it’s impossible to adjust the audio, connect Bluetooth devices, and use all the other features if the buttons aren’t working. It doesn’t appear that this is a regular problem across the board, so this may have been an isolated incident.
In the end, I fully endorse these Tayogo open ear bone conduction headphones because they have great Bluetooth connectivity, Tayogo is offering a one-year warranty, it’s one-size-fits-all so it perfectly accommodates everyone, and the quality of the audio was more than satisfactory.
5. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones
- Open-Ear Design - Patented bone conduction technology delivers audio through the cheekbone, keeping you connected and aware of your surroundings.
The AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Headphones are a typical fan favorite because they have excellent sound quality and their patented PremiumPitch Plus, they are comfortable, deliver six hours of continuous battery life, pair with multiple devices at the same time, and they are resistant to moisture, sweat, and dust.
✔️ What we like: Compatible with PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices
❌ What we don’t like: Reviewers say the headphones slip off because they’re too heavy
Standout Features
- Bluetooth V 4.1
- Excellent sound quality
- Long battery life
- IP55 sweat rating
- Open ear design
These headphones come equipped with PremiumPitch Plus, which means the audio is more than adequate and the sound quality is very sufficient, so you’ll really like what you hear coming out of these bone conduction headphones. Sound quality is important while working out, running, or just kicking back and relaxing to your favorite songs or audio programs.
Comfort is also important and these headphones are very comfortable to wear. They fit snugly over your head and conform to the size and shape of your cranium very easily so you’ll experience maximum comfort whenever you have them on.
One negative is that reviewers are unhappy because they say these headphones are too heavy when compared to some of the other models designed by AfterShokz. And because the headphones are too heavy, the reviewers say that they have a tendency to slip off because they have too much weight to them and it literally pulls them to the ground by sliding right off the back of your head.
All in all, I gladly recommend AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Headphones because they are comfortable, they pair with multiple devices, they are compatible with nearly every Bluetooth device, they are moisture, sweat, and dust resistant, and they are also very affordable.
6. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Mini Headphones
The AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Mini Headphones are a popular choice because they deliver excellent sound quality, six hours of battery life, and they have a short headband which means they are perfect for people with smaller heads because they fit much better. They are also compatible with many of your favorite Bluetooth enabled devices.
✔️ What we like: Smaller and more compact design, shorter headband
❌ What we don’t like: Too small for people with a larger head
Standout Features
- Better fit for smaller heads
- Perfect for younger tweens and teens
- IP55 sweat and dust resistant
- Six hours of battery life
- Excellent sound quality
Even though this headband is smaller than the regular Titanium headphones, it is surprisingly the same exact weight, which for some people may or may not be a good thing. People who previously reviewed the other headphones didn’t like the fact that the extra weight made the headphones fall off easier. But for some reason with the smaller design nobody seems to have this complaint, so it likely doesn’t matter.
Comfort is always important when buying a new pair of headphones. The great thing about these in particular is that the young teenagers and tweens who tend to gravitate toward these always say they are incredibly comfortable. And even better, they like them better than some of their other headphones because they are moisture proof, dustproof, and sweat proof, which means they’ll last a lot longer than other inferior designs.
Some reviewers complained that these headsets are too small for larger heads. Honestly, they had no reason to complain because they are marketed for people with smaller heads. If they knew they had a larger head, they never should’ve bought them in the first place. So this may be a legit complaint but it’s an unfounded one and it should never have happened in the first place in my personal opinion.
Overall, I believe the AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Mini Headphones are the perfect choice for people with small heads because they were designed to fit them better. These headphones also have great compatibility with other Bluetooth devices, dust, sweat, and moisture resistance, and six hours of continuous playback which makes them an excellent choice.
7. AfterShokz Xtrainerz Wireless Headphones
The AfterShokz Xtrainerz Wireless Headphones are loved by many because they are not only great for running; they are also awesome first swimming. You can swim with these headphones and listen to music on their built-in MP3 player and powerful eight hours of battery life and 4 GB of memory.
✔️ What we like: Headphone/MP3 player combo, IP68 waterproof rating
❌ What we don’t like: Didn’t connect with one reviewer’s PC
Standout Features
- Eight hours of battery life
- Compatible with Apple and Android devices
- Easy to use player controls
- Fit securely and comfortably
- IPX68 waterproof rating
These headphones are like a gift from the gods if you ever wanted to listen to your favorite songs while swimming. You can do it now because these bone conduction headphones can actually go under the water and remain submerged and still work perfectly. This may seem like a gift too good to be true but the reality is that this works and you can bring them into a swimming pool and listen to songs or audiobooks while doing laps.
I also appreciate the long battery life which is also truly amazing. Not only is the battery powerful, but you can get it to last for as long as eight hours after it receives a full charge. And since this headset is a combination headphone/MP3 player, it plays all of your favorite songs or other audio files with 100% ease as long as they were uploaded to the large 4 GB built-in memory.
Nothing is ever perfect and one reviewer was upset because he couldn’t get these headphones to connect to his PC. He wanted to upload some of his favorite songs to the headphones from his computer and he couldn’t do it. He complained that the Bluetooth wasn’t working properly. Maybe he just purchased a defective device.
On the whole, I feel great recommending the AfterShokz Xtrainerz Wireless Headphones to runners, gym rats, and people who love to go swimming. They are comfortable to wear, easy to use, have simple controls on the front of the device and they even come with their own proprietary charging unit.
A Guide to Choosing Awesome Bone Conduction Headphones
I did my best to provide ample options to choose from today and I believe I discovered the top bone conduction headphones for you to try. But you may decide to venture out on your own and seek these headphones based on your own personal recommendation. That’s okay if you prefer to ignore my recommendations in lieu of your own search to find the perfect pair. I applaud your gumption and willingness to spend time in the trenches.
If you do choose to discover your own bone conduction headphones, please consider the following.
Open Ear Design
Most people love these headphones because they have an open ear design. Not only do they want to hear all of the ambient noises going on around them, they prefer it that way for one reason or another.
They may want to listen to songs at work but still need to hear what’s going on around them. Or they may have children and need to hear them calling in case they ever need their help. Just look for bone conduction headphones with an open ear design and you’ll be fine.
Battery Longevity
Battery longevity is another major consideration that people unfortunately take for granted. The ultimate bone conduction headphones seem to have a battery life from anywhere between 4 to 8 hours. Anything less is too little battery life and anything more is almost certainly overkill.
Stereo Quality Sound
Obviously you want headphones that deliver a great sound. So when you begin researching bone conduction headphones, make sure you find a pair or two that has excellent reviews because people loved the sound quality.
Otherwise you may end up severely disappointed and you’ll potentially have to return them if you wind up buying a dud that supplies poor quality sound. This study is worth a read if you want to know which is better when it comes to air vs bone conduction.
Discover The Perfect Bone Conduction Headphones For You
Well, we did it.
It was a long journey but I’m glad you stuck with me for the duration and I really hope you like one or more the recommendations that I provided you today.
Overall, I chose these headphones because they sounded great, fit great, had long battery life, and many other reviewers seemed to like them. You should consider these recommendations too because they are the best bone conduction headphones available today. Or if you prefer, use my brief but handy guide to discover the ideal headset waiting for you at your favorite online retailer today.
Featured Image Source: AfterShokz
Further Reading:
- Unveiling the Magic: How Do Noise Canceling Headphones Work?
- Taotronics SoundLiberty Pro P10 Earbuds Review
- Over The Ear vs On-Ear Headphones Compared – Which Is Best For You?
- Open Back vs Closed Back Headphones For Gaming (Which is Better?)
- Noise Isolating vs Noise Cancelling Headphones – What’s The Difference?
Trent is a music lover, musical instrument player and passionate audio afficionado.