Out of all the different audio gear form factors, bone-conduction headphones may be the most unique. You’ve seen plenty of earbuds and over-ear headphones, both wired and wireless, and they all have their purposes. So, why would you depart from the tried-and-true options that everyone loves? Because standard earbuds and headphones have a problem — they block your ears and prevent you from being aware of your surroundings.
That said, there’s a case to be made for the best bone-conduction headphones. These models don’t penetrate or cover the ear; interestingly, they transmit sound through vibrations on your cheekbones. While the sound quality isn’t always as good as the more traditional options, bone-conduction headphones leave your ears completely open and able to breathe. These headphones also weigh less while offering cool looks. And, as you’ll notice from some of the options here, they’re great for workouts, with a few even ideal for swimming.
Why bone-conduction headphones?
Instead of subjecting yourself to potential hearing damage by using earbuds and wireless headphones that direct sound right into your eardrums, consider bone-conduction headphones instead. They don’t put any pressure on your ear canals or plug them up either (take a look at whatever you’ve been using — they’re probably kind of gross).
While traditional headphones send sound waves via tiny speakers, aka drivers, bone conduction headphones do exactly what their name suggests. They conduct audio via transducers through the bones that sit in front of your ears, essentially the back of your cheekbones. By sending audio directly into your head, your ears remain completely open to hear the surrounding environment, which is ideal when you’re going for a jog in a busy neighborhood.
Advantages of bone conduction headphones
There are several benefits of using a pair of bone-conduction headphones. First, since they bypass the eardrum, they won’t damage your ears, even at high volumes. Also, the transducers leave your ear canal open, so you can freely hear outside noises, but they do not mix with the audio. It works just like hearing your own voice, which is perfect for working out in public spaces, where you have to be aware of other people and traffic.
Finally, they are an absolute boon if you have ear damage. If you cannot use earphones or headphones, bone-conduction headphones might be the alternative you’re looking for. As a bonus, you don’t have to worry about bothering anyone around you if you’re blasting your tunes, no matter where you get your music.
Issues with bone conduction headphones
Bone conduction headphones have some downsides. For one, the transducer technology has not developed enough to compete with speakers, so the audio quality will always be lower than a standard pair of wired earphones. Also, if you don’t like outside noise and want to suppress it, you’ll have to look elsewhere, as these are explicitly designed to let outside noise in.
While they help protect from ear damage, they aren’t foolproof. For example, if you crank up the volume of your bone-conduction headphones, they can still cause damage. Also, if you use them for extended periods, you may get vertigo, or your skin may develop rashes from the vibration. Additionally, the tech that goes into these headphones is power-hungry and drains the batteries quickly. So, bone conduction headphones generally don’t play more than a few hours for each charge.
Choosing the best bone conduction headphones
If you’re after the best overall bone-conduction headphones, consider the YouthWhisper Super Q3. They offer excellent and modern connectivity features, IP67 ingress protection that makes them waterproof, and even ANC (Active Noise Cancelation), making it great for listening to music wherever you are.
If you have a bit more to spend, the Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones are a great choice. They are one of the best bone-conduction headphones sets that money can buy, and they support all smartphones. The headphones have great connectivity features, up to 10 hours of battery life, and even have an IP55 rating, making them usable in wet, dry, and dusty conditions. Whether you want to run out on a sandy beach or get caught in the rain, rest assured they will survive a beating and provide a fantastic listening experience.
However, suppose you just want something that works and gets the job done for not that much money. The Tayogo S2 might be the option you’ve been searching for. They’re one of the cheapest bone-conduction headphones on the market right now, offering Bluetooth 5.0 and a comfortable headband that fits all sizes. If all you need is cheap headphones that get the job done, it won’t get any more affordable than this.
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