For many people, the type of headphones out there pretty much starts and stops at those you put in your ear and those that cover your ear.
In truth, there are a surprising amount of different headphone options to consider. One of the more recently talked about types of headphones is bone conduction headphones.
These are completely different from traditional headphones as bone conduction headphones emit vibrations to your inner ear, through your bone rather than your eardrum and ear canal.
This allows you to enjoy your music while keeping your ears aware of your immediate surroundings.
Below, we’ll go over some of the best bone-conduction headphones out there as well as go over some questions many newcomers may have on if these bone-conduction headphones are even the right fit.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Our Overall Choice
The HAYLOU PurFree Bone Conduction Headphones deliver premium audio through the cheekbone. Unlike conventional headphones, Haylou Purfree conduction headphones allow for total awareness of surroundings and comfortable listening. The headphones have an eight-hour battery life as well as an impressive quick-charge time of 10 minutes for two hours of life.
Top Bone Conduction Headphones– Best, Premium & Value
Below, we’ll take the time to check out some of the best Bone Conduction Headphones currently on the market while also giving you some tips on why bone-conduction headphones are becoming a more popular choice.
1. HAYLOU PurFree Bone Conduction Headphones (Editors Pick)
Whether that be an ever-constant number of people in the gym wanting to talk with you, your family interrupting you while you’re doing chores, or constant phone calls and the doorbell rings when reading, it can be annoying to have to constantly pause and take out/off the headphones to handle that issue before putting them back in/on and pressing play, especially if you’re doing something with your hands (like cooking or gardening).
The HAYLOU PurFree Bone Conduction headphones have an open-ear setup that will allow you to enjoy your music or audio without having to stress about taking them off to hear anyone.
They have an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning you can get all the sweat and water on them as you want without worrying if they’ll have an issue.
Even trips in the washer aren’t the death sentence that they might be for many others on this list.
The headphones have an eight-hour battery life as well as a pretty impressive quick-charge time of 10 minutes for two hours of life.
They have a Bluetooth 5.2 connection which makes their high and low range not the worse in the world, while also having a pretty deep bass to play with. If you plan to call someone, the headphones do have noise-canceling for whomever you’re talking to, ensuring they hear you as clearly as possible.
What this headphone gets wrong is mainly its proprietary charger. Because it’s proprietary, if you don’t have it with you at all times, you’re basically screwed if you need to charge up.
Essentially, you need to be at full charge every time you leave your home, or else you run the risk of ending up with a dead set of headphones halfway through your workout.
What We Like:
- Premium Audio Quality
- Good Battery Life
- Quick Charge Time
- Super Resistant To Water
What We Do Not Like:
- You To Have A Fully Charged Headphone At All Times
Editors Pick
2. Shokz OpenRun Pro (Premium Pick)
Regarded by many to be one of the best bone conduction headphones in the conduction headphone space, the AfterShokz lineup of headphones is incredibly varied, making them a perfect option for just about anyone and any situation.
Here, of them all, the Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones are probably the best. These are truly incredible sets of conduction headphones.
Offered in four different colors and two different band sizes, the OpenRun Pro makes a point of fitting as gently and securely as possible around the head’s temples.
These can also act as Bluetooth headphones They have a Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity level and include a feature known as PreemiumPitch 2.0+ signal processing, which greatly reduces sound bleed, thus greatly minimizing any potential distortion while also helping create a more dynamic and noteworthy sound bass.
What’s more, it does all of this with virtually no vibrations.
In terms of bone conduction battery life, the OpenRun headphones can last upwards of eight hours and can provide a full charge after around two hours of charging.
It does have a dual noise-canceling microphone that will let you make phone calls that are clear for both you and the call receiver, while the included earplugs can assist in reducing any outside background noise you don’t want to be exposed to.
The OpenRun has an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning that rain, sweat, and dirt shouldn’t affect it, while the built-in moisture detection will let you know if things are getting a bit too wet internally.
While the OpenRun Pro is certainly an incredible set of headphones, it isn’t perfect.
For example, the multi-function buttons are a bit too close to one another, making most presses liable to hit one over the other.
Similarly, the charge isn’t quite as impressive as others on this list, taking two hours of charging just to refill 8 hours of use.
The audio and sound aren’t as good as traditional headphones, but I wasn’t expecting them to be.
Still, if you want sound that’s truly impressive, there are others on this list that excel in that area.
All in all, while certain aspects may be done better with other options here, if you’re serious about a quality bone conduction headphone set, these are the most ideal place to start.
What We Like:
- Microphone Offers Dual Noise-Cancelling
- Audio Quality Is Okay
- Sweat-Resistant
What We Do Not Like:
- Long Charge Time
- Charging Cables Difficult To Replace
- Sound Not As Good As Regular Headphones
Premium Pick
3. Tayogo Bone Conduction Headphones (Value Pick)
Last on our list, the Tayogo Bone conduction headphones are a great option for people that are completely new to the concept and want something that isn’t going to be too pricey or expensive right out of the gate.
If you’re interested in checking out bone conduction headphones but aren’t trying to get anything too high-end, the Tayogo Bone Conduction headphones offer a built-in mic, Bluetooth 5.0, an adjustable comfort band, and several multifunction buttons all for under $40.
The headphones have a battery lifespan that can last up to five hours on a single charge, with 15 minutes of charging able to provide well over an hour of playback and a water resistance rating of IP55.
The Tayogo Bone Conduction headphones come with a USB charging cable as well as a pair of earplugs to help cut out noise that may enter through your ear canal.
Despite this, where these bone conduction headphones do falter is in their flimsy and weak build.
Because it’s coming in at under $40, they are going to feel less pronounced and durable than many of the other options on this list.
The other area where they somewhat stumble is the audio quality.
Yes, while I expect the sound to not be as impressive as the more traditional headphone options out there, it is fair to say that these are just not all that good.
Still, if you want something that’s a fun and insightful first step into the bone conduction headphone world, there aren’t many bone conduction headphones that can match this price point with this many different value propositions.
What We Like:
- Very Affordable
- Has A Built-In Microphone
- IP55 Water Resistance
What We Do Not Like:
- Not Very Durable
- Battery Life Is Average
- Sound Quality Poor
Value Pick
Alternative Best Bone Conduction Headphones Picks
If the three options above aren’t well-suited to you, there are still a host of quality best bone conduction headphones to choose from. Our team also highlighted the following options for those in search of fantastic bone conduction options.
4. Shokz OpenComm
One of the many AfterShokz bone conduction headphones on this list, the Shokz OpenComm headphones focus on producing clear communication between you and whomever you’re calling.
They have an adjustable DSP boom microphone that works to reduce background noise as well as highlight your voice whenever speaking through the mouthpiece.
What is very impressive here is that, despite being open-ear, these headphones will allow you to hear everything your caller is saying while also being completely aware of what is happening around you.
This is something very few bone conduction headphones can get right, usually focusing on one side over the other.
The headphones also have an astounding 16 hours of battery life when making phone calls and an 8-hour battery life when listening to music.
In addition, the quick charge is very quick, giving you two hours of battery life in only a five-minute time frame.
Despite this, the headphones aren’t perfect. Their water-resistance IP rating, while not bad, could be better while you’re likely to get some sound quality bleed from your conversation, meaning others will probably hear what you’re talking about and even who you’re talking to.
Also, the shape is a bit awkward.
What We Like:
- Offers 16 Hours Of Battery Life
- Recharge Two Hours Of Life In Only Five Minutes
- Comfortable
What We Do Not Like:
- Shape Is A Bit Difficult To Travel With
- Water Rating Average
- Sound Bleed Is An Issue
5. Shokz OpenSwim
Last on the list of Shokz headphones, the Shokz OpenSwim headphone set is another impressive inclusion that’s seriously worth your time in its particular area of expertise.
Here, these headphones are specifically designed to offer you a high-quality music and audiobook experience even when completely submerged underwater.
Sitting with an impressive IP68 water resistance rating, the OpenSwim can be used completely while underwater, provided you have it under a swimming cap.
They can come into direct contact with water up to two meters for around two hours before needing to get pulled out.
They don’t have a Bluetooth option, however, they can store up to 1,200 songs with file types ranging between MP3, AAC, FLAC, or WAV.
In terms of control options, they have the same controls as the other Shokz options on this list, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy much of your music and audio standards even if you can’t directly stream them via Bluetooth.
What We Like:
- Almost Completely Waterproof
- 4GB Of Storable Data Available
What We Do Not Like:
- Very Single-Purpose, Only Working Well When Using It For Water-Based Activities
- No Bluetooth Connectivity
Bone Conduction Headphones: Buyers Guide
What Is Bone Conduction Technology?
Bone-conduction products and bone conduction headphones are a relatively new technological invention that allows users the ability to experience bone conduction audio without directly interacting with the inner ear, ear canal, or eardrum. It’s a newly-utilized technology that has roots and a history that span centuries into the past.
There are even rumors that bone conduction headphones as far back as Beethoven relied on bone conduction technology to construct his incredible symphonies.
It was said that he did this after his hearing had been lost and by attaching one end to the piano while biting down on the other to feel the sound waves.
How do Bone Conduction Headphones Work?
The best example of bone conduction is by listening to yourself talk normally and listening to a recording of yourself talking.
The way you hear your voice normally is through bone conduction whereas everyone else hears it the way you did with the recording.
This method is called air conduction and it involves the sound directly going through your ear canal and eardrum, offering a “purer ” sound and listening experience.
The reason for this is that, if you’re someone that has lost their hearing or damaged eardrums, “hearing” through bone conduction headphones is a great alternative.
Similarly, these bone-conduction earphones are great when you want to preserve your hearing or are in a loud or busy space.
Do You Need Bone Conduction Headphones?
The first question you should seriously consider is if bone conduction headphones are really even good for you or something worth your time.
Medically, some of the best bone conduction headphones are meant for those that have already begun to lose their hearing.
As standard headphones become louder and louder, the damage done to your eardrums will progressively become worse and worse.
Bone conduction headphones may not be the silver bullet that handles all hearing loss issues, but for those that have damaged eardrums, these can be a great alternative worth considering.
But what if your hearing hasn’t gone away yet?
Is getting a pair of the best bone conduction headphones worth your time if your hearing is still good (for the most part)?
Well, as it happens, even those with solid hearing can benefit from bone conduction headphones.
Here, because the sound is moving through the bone rather than your eardrum, you’re liable to have an improved sense of direction and situation awareness.
Things like biking, diving, and even outdoor running are made much better with bone conduction headphones.
It’s also important to note that, because you’re using bone conduction headphones rather than air-conduction, you’re going to feel a bit of pressure. For many, this pressure isn’t too much to worry about.
However, if you’re sensitive to this type of thing, you’ll want to take that into consideration as headaches and dizziness are two common symptoms that one may experience after long periods if they are sensitive to this pressure.
Bone Conduction Headphones: Sound Quality
For the audiophiles out there desperately looking for the next set of headphones that will rock their socks, you’re probably going to be disappointed in what most bone conduction headphones have to offer.
As it turns out, these headphones aren’t meant for loud sessions or the most optimal of “listening” experiences.
Instead, they work best for things like an intense workout session in the gym or when heading off to work or a morning jog.
It’s also important to understand that bone conduction headphones aren’t meant for loud sessions or cranking up to higher volume settings.
Higher volume settings are going to result in sound distortion and “crunchiness”.
It’s also completely useless and only hurts your hearing if done for too long. When using bone conduction headphones, your ear canal itself isn’t being covered and pumped sound into. It’s everything else.
You’re going to “feel” the music much more than you’re going to “hear” it if that makes sense. This is important since most people may feel that the sound isn’t as loud as it should be when it’s never going to give the same loud experience as a traditional set of headphones.
So, when it comes to sound quality, you need to consider that you aren’t getting this to “hear” the same way you would with headphones meant to feed sound into your ear directly.
Bluetooth Headphones Connectivity
For many, headphones aren’t just important for listening to music. Today, many of us use them as Bluetooth headphones as well as ways to call and contact others.
Bluetooth connectivity is important. The good news is that bone conduction headphones meet both of these wireless headphones requirements.
While not universal across all bone conduction headphones, most bone conduction headphones will use Bluetooth connectivity 4.2 and higher for wireless headphones connected to computers, phones, and audio interfaces.
The Bluetooth headphones setup process is pretty much the same as any other device, with many bone conduction headphones having button options that let you control your music like an MP3 player (such as playing, pausing, and skipping).
In addition, there are some Bluetooth headphones that operate more like streaming devices whereas others act as outright storage devices.
In addition, most bone conduction headphones can also take and answer calls thanks to their built-in microphone.
You’re probably not getting any noise cancellation or an enhanced listening experience, however, many models do offer a more crisp and clear sound quality.
Similarly, some of the mics will take up some of the noise canceling slack, minimizing sounds like traffic and other noises so that the other person isn’t hearing a ton on their end.
Keep in mind that bone conduction headphones are meant to be loud and expressive. Here, that means whatever you’re listening to is going to be a lot louder than you may have initially intended, potentially letting more people hear your private call than you may have wanted.
Hearing Damage
This a serious question that is important to answer and clear up regarding bone conduction headphones and hearing health.
Whilst there isn’t any current evidence that points to bone-conduction headphones causing hearing loss or producing any more ill effects when compared to any other type of headphones, it’s also important that you take precautions in hand.
Regardless of the source, long-term exposure to high-volume sounds can progressively damage the ear’s hearing ability.
As such, even if there’s no definitive proof, you’ll still want to make sure not to have the speakers blasting at their max sound levels all the time. This will affect sound quality.
Cost
Let’s talk about bone conduction. headphones cost! Bone conduction headphones, though they come across as if they’re super expensive headphone alternatives, are actually within a pretty reasonable price range for most people.
Generally, conduction headphones can sit anywhere between $80 and $150.
This is primarily due to them being relatively new entries on the scene. As conduction headphones become more widely used, expect even higher quality options to appear as well as alternative brands outside of AfterShokz to make themselves known.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: The Verdict
Whether you’ve been in the DJ game for a while now or are really only just getting started, you will need to use the best bone conduction headphones that are right for you.
Our overall best pick is the HAYLOU PurFree Bone Conduction Headphones.
Editors Pick
This means really focusing on what you’re looking for when you plan to use them, and where you’ll be using them the most often. Consider your priorities between things like mic-use, sound quality, or waterproof and water resistance.
All in all, bone conduction headphones are an awesome inclusion to any DJ’s gear set and are worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of the more traditional or regular headphones or over-ear headphones.
