Most of us rely on headphones daily to listen to music, podcasts, and phone calls. But for some, traditional headphones are not practical for sizing or safety reasons. In such cases, bone-conduction headphones (or open-ear headphones) are a great alternative. If you are in the market for a bone conduction headphones, this buying guide will be useful for you.
Table of Contents
Our Selection Criteria
Bone conduction headphones have long been associated with folks who engage in active lifestyle. They are known for being a safer alternative to traditional headphones. However, bone conduction headphones have other applications outside of athletic pursuits. When considering bone conduction headphones, we use these criteria to determine if a particular pair of headphones is the best option for you.
Comfort
Unfortunately, headphones that sit on top or over the ears and earbuds that fit inside of the ear canal are not universal. Everyone’s ears are different and so wearing headphones can cause discomfort, especially over long periods of time. These bone conduction headphones, including the earbud variants we included below, aim to eliminate this.
Battery Life
How long a charge lasts is an essential question for any wireless device. Different brands and models have different features, all of which will impact battery life. We suggest carefully considering your individual needs when selecting bone conduction headphones. If you hit the gym for an hour on the treadmill, then virtually every pair of bone conduction headphones will go the distance. That said, if you’re training for an ultra-marathon, you’ll want to prioritize bone conduction headphones that boast the longest battery life.
Compatibility
Whether you’re an Android or iOS user, all of the bone conduction headphones below are compatible with both operating systems. This means that if you decide to jump ship from one platform to the other, you can rest assured that your bone conduction headphones will be compatible.
Sound Quality
How good a pair of headphones sound is largely subjective. Due to the unique nature of how bone conduction headphones deliver sound, there is added difficulty in delivering excellent sound quality. We consulted both professional and user reviews to make our selections, however it is worth noting that many bone conduction headphones are lacking when it comes to bass response. We recommend trialing bone conduction headphones to ensure that you are happy with the sound quality. Opt for retailers that offer a robust returns policy.
Features
Features will vary between brands and models, but depending on your needs, you should keep your eyes peeled for the following:
- Build quality
- On-headphone control buttons
- Multipoint pairing (ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously)
- Companion app
- Adjustable EQ
Shokz OpenRun
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro
Zygo Z2
Sony LinkBuds Open
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Shokz OpenComm 2
Shokz OpenMove
1. Best Overall: Shokz OpenRun
Price: $129.95
Shokz is probably the leading brand in bone conduction headphones, and the Shokz OpenRuns are no exception. Their patented PremiumPitch 2.0+ sound technology helps maintain the bass in music and speech, an ongoing challenge for open-ear headphones.
For the average headphone user, the OpenRuns have excellent features that give them the edge. First, the headphones have an IP67 rating. You can submerge the headphones for 30 minutes at 1 meter (a little over 3 feet) without device failure. Furthermore, the OpenRun headphones weigh just 26 grams (less than an ounce). Finally, these bone-conduction headphones are equipped with dual noise-canceling mics for phone calls.
That said, the Shokz OpenRun headphones aren’t perfect. Users report sound leakage at higher volumes which can irritate others, and poor wind resistance, resulting in difficulty hearing in high wind environments. All things considered, with multipoint pairing, on-board volume, USB-C charging and multifunction buttons, the Shokz OpenRun headphones are a versatile pair of bone-conduction headphones and worth the price of admission.
2. Best For Active Lifestyles: Anker Soundcore Aero Fit Pro
Price: $169.99
The Soundcore Aero Fit Pro open-ear headphones from Anker are designed for folks who typically put their headphones through the ringer thanks to active lifestyles. The ear hooks of the Soundcore Aero Fit Pros are constructed from titanium, ensuring longevity and a comfortable, customizable fit. The Aero Fit Pros also boast an IPX5 rating. This means that the Aero Fit Pros are sweatproof and water resistant. This makes the headphones suitable for intense workouts, rain or shine.
In addition to the open-ear design, the Soundcore Aero Fit Pros also have a number of unique features. First is the detachable neckband. The neckband provides stability and a secure fit when engaging in physically demanding activities. However, it can be removed if users find it too cumbersome. Oddly, the neckband does not have a dedicated storage compartment in the charging case. This means that users will have to be extra vigilant and make sure they’ve packed it before heading off to the gym. Overall, the Anker Soundcore Aero Fit Pros are perfect for those subjecting their open-ear headphones to vigorous activity.
3. Best for Swimming: Zygo Z2
Price: $299
If you need a pair of open-ear headphones designed specifically for rigorous use in water, look no further than the Zygo Z2. Whether you are swimming laps at the gym or paddleboarding on the ocean, the Zygo Z2 can pipe your favorite tunes, podcasts and phone calls to you from over 50 meters (160+ feet) away. Most waterproof bone-conduction headphones require you to load MP3 files onto the headphones before you dive in. However, the Zygo Z2 are the only IP68 waterproof bone-conduction headphones that allow you to directly stream audio without using Bluetooth. Thanks to proprietary transmitter that acts as an intermediary between your phone and the headset, the Zygo Z2 receives audio via radio waves, as opposed to Bluetooth.
In addition to audio streaming, the Zygo Z2’s proprietary transmitter acts as a one-way walkie-talkie. This means that coaches or personal trainers can deliver instructions in real time. Furthermore, the Zygo Z2 open-ear headphones boast integrated sensors, which can keep track of how many laps you’ve done. Additionally, the Zygo Z2 has a dedicated app that offers guided workouts and other features; however, it requires a monthly subscription. Overall, the Zygo Z2 open-ear headphones are pricey. But if you are someone who spends a lot of time in and around water, they’ll be worth every penny.
Also helpful: if you’re concerned about your phone sitting too close to the pool, try one of these waterproof Bluetooth speakers instead of headphones.
4. Best Earbuds: Sony LinkBuds Open
Price: $199.99
We know what you’re thinking. Ear bud headphones are designed exactly like ear plugs, how could they be on a list of the best open ear headphones? The innovators at Sony looked at this problem and said, hold my beer. The Sony LinkBuds Open look like virtually every other ear bud out there. However, they differ in one important way. The LinkBuds Open utilize an open ring design. When a user puts the earbuds in, the portion that sits inside the ear canal features a ringed opening. This open design allows the user to hear outside environmental noise.
The Sony LinkBuds Open are a great option for those who want the unassuming look of earbuds as opposed to the more popular framed design. That said, users have reported that phone call quality is lacking. Furthermore, due to the open ring design, the fit can be uncomfortable for some. The premium price can also be a turnoff, but they do boast IPX4 water resistance and voice controlled smart assistant integration.
5. Best Premium TWS: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Bose may call these open-ear headphones “ear buds” but that’s not entirely accurate. This is due to the unique clip design that makes the Bose Ultra Open headphones look like something out of Star Trek. The headphones hook onto the user’s earlobe, and around the back of the ear. While these open-ear headphones might elicit a few odd glances from passers-by, they boast a completely open auditory canal. Like traditionally designed open-ear headphones, this enables the user to be completely aware of their surroundings.
In addition to the excellent audio fidelity normally associated with Bose, users can expect the price tag that Bose commands. The Ultra Open headphones are definitely a premium product that has a unique design. That said, this design can result in user error. Bose has warned against wearing the Ultra Open headphones improperly, going as far as to offer detailed video instructions on how to wear them. While the Bose Ultra Open headphones are very expensive and not exactly intuitive, they offer superior audio fidelity and a true open-ear experience while being completely wireless.
6. Best for the Office: Shokz OpenComm2
Price: $179.95
While on the more expensive end of the spectrum, the Shokz OpenComm2 provides an excellent catalog of features for those who spend a lot of time on calls and Zoom meetings. With an impressive 16 hours of talk time and eight hours of listening time, they will easily survive a long workday. Even if you forget to charge them, a quick 5-minute recharge will keep you going for an additional hour.
The OpenComm2 headphones have a soft silicone coating to ensure a comfortable fit for those who are on the phone for extended periods of time. Additionally, the microphone rotates back, so you can move it out of the way if you’re not on a call. The headset also comes with a USB wireless adapter for a more stable connection over traditional Bluetooth and can maintain both connections simultaneously. This redundancy ensures that you’ll never miss out during an important call or meeting. In addition, the noise-canceling boom mic with a mute button ensures parties on either end of the call experience crystal clear calls with minimal background noise.
Good to know: whether or not you use bone-conduction headphones, you can easily share your audio with others on Zoom.
7. Best Value: Shokz OpenMove
Price: $79.95
There are many cheap bone conduction headphones in the $30 to $50 range. However, spending just a little more will result in a noticeable difference in quality with the Shokz OpenMove. There are many features on the Shokz OpenMove headphones, including dual noise-canceling microphones for phone calls, multipoint Bluetooth pairing, and the on-board multifunction and volume control buttons.
The bass is a bit lacking, compared to more expensive models, as is the six-hour battery life. Furthermore, the OpenMoves have a polycarbonate construction, which is not as robust as the titanium build boasted by more expensive options. That said, for the casual headphone user looking for an open-ear headphones experience, the Shokz OpenMoves are a great option.
While they may not be for everyone, bone-conduction headphones are an excellent option for those who want to enjoy audio streaming while keeping their ears open to the outside world. If your goal is streaming with as little noise interference as possible, consider looking into the best noise-canceling earbuds. If the price tags in this list of the best bone-conduction headphones are a little too high, check out some more budget-friendly options.
Image credit: The lightweight and comfortable Bone Conduction by DepositPhotos
