Bone conduction headphones, also known as bonephones, are commonly used by individuals who have hearing loss while performing sports such as cycling or running, during scuba diving, or as an essential form of communication in the military. The technology of bone conduction headphones have been used for more than a decade, and if you are looking for the top-rated and best bone conduction headphones in the market, you’ve come to the right place.
The best bone conduction headphones are highly recommended for consumers who are hearing impaired. How do the best bone conduction headphones work? Well, imagine that they are able to feel sound through a vibration in the bones of their cheeks and jaws. The sound waves then bypass the middle ear and the outer ear, but the stimulating effects of the sound waves go directly to the inner ear. The bones in the cheek and jaw are used as the conductive current, that is why it is coined as bone conduction headphones.
Before we delve into the top-rated and best bone conduction headphones, we need to discuss first the process of how bone conduction headphones works. Basically, a lot of consumers only know about regular, standard headphones. Compared to regular headphones, where a widespread marketing information drive is spread all over America and the world, little information is known about this great innovation known as best bone conduction headphones.
How Do Best Bone Conduction Headphones Work?
As mentioned earlier, typical consumers may have rough or unpolished information about the best bone conduction headphones. Admittedly, this is a niche in the hearing community that is rarely talked about, but for the hearing impaired community, best bone conduction headphones are considered one of the best audio technology to have been developed.
This article aims to give consumers an idea of the best bone conduction headphones – how it works, the pros and cons, etc. Basically, the first important thing we need to learn if we are to understand how the best bone conduction headphones work is to get an overview of how sound travels to the inner ear (cochlea), ear canal and eardrum.
Generally, audio can reach the ear through different channels, but the most common channel is air. The transmission of soundwaves through air passes initially to the outer ear, down to the middle ear until it reaches the inner ear or cochlea. Once the sound waves reach the cochlea, the sound is then processed into a signal to be sent to the brain. The best bone conduction headphones play a big, deviant role in the process of sound transmission to the brain for hearing impaired individuals.
Unlike the normal process of sound transmission, the best bone conduction headphones transmit sound through a different path, sending vibrations through the facial bones into the temporal bone. The temporal bone plays a big role because it is actually the bone that surrounds the cochlea.
Table of Contents
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Cochlear Implants Alternative
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Aeropex
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Trekz Air
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Genso’s Bone Conduction Headphone
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Vidonn F1 Titanium
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Pyle PSWBT550
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: SIUSUMFO Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Mini
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Beker Waterproof MP3 Player
- Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Xtrainerz
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Cochlear Implants Alternative
Bone conduction technology is considered to greatly benefit a consumer who is unable or unfit to get cochlear implants because of damage in the outer ear.
Best Bone Conduction FAQ
Who Can Benefit From The Best Bone Conduction Headphones?
Below are some of the individuals who can greatly benefit from using best bone conduction headphones:
- those who are using hearing aids
- athletes
- military
- individuals who want to listen to music while driving but live in states where wearing traditional headphones is illegal
Do people who wear the best bone conduction headphones need to wear them all the time?
No, people who wear the best bone conduction headphones do not need to wear headphones all the time. For individuals who are searching for a solution for them to hear 24/7, they can opt to get surgically implanted aids known as Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA). The design of BAHA is that a magnet is embedded in the skin while an external microphone will be responsible for receiving sound and transmitting it to the embedded magnet which will then send the vibrations to the inner ear.
Are Best Bone Conduction Headphones Safer Than Conventional Headphones?
In totality, the best bone conduction headphones are not safer than conventional headphones. However, it does not mean that they are more risky to use than conventional headphones. If you plan on investing in a pair of the best bone conduction headphones, you need to make an educated choice. There are lots of version available in the market and you need to be informed with the right product information to combat false advertising.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Bone Conduction Headphones?
Just like any item in the market, the best bone conduction headphones have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s talk about the pros first:
Increased situational awareness. There have been numerous incidents that prove that walking around wearing headphones might compromise a wearer’s safety. The best bone conduction headphones will not prevent a user from hearing horns, people calling their names or basically any other sounds in their environment. With the best bone conduction headphones, a user can enjoy music or podcasts without experiencing safety issues or hazards.
More Comfortable Fit. Anyone who has worn a pair of headphones in their life would know that finding the right fit for your ear might be a little tricky. The best bone conduction headphones eliminate this issue and a user may never have to worry about getting the wrong fit. The best bone conduction headphones are designed to stay in place no matter what activity you may have for the day – whether you are working out, running a marathon, hiking, travelling, etc.
Now, let’s talk about the cons:
Cost: Price is one of the most common issues related to the best bone conduction headphones. This device is very costly which means that not all consumers can afford to benefit from this wonderful technology. If you want to make sure that you are purchasing the right and best bone conduction headphones for you, make sure to check with your healthcare provider.
Sound Quality: Unlike regular headphones in the market, best bone conduction headphones may not deliver the same sound quality because this item relies on air conduction to pass and transmit the sound waves to the inner ear. Likewise, if an individual has inner ear issues, the sound quality may also be affected. Users have been giving reviews about altered sound quality but that is really one of the risks of best bone conduction headphones.
Cellular Damage
While this is yet to be established in the best bone conduction headphones industry, some scientists believe that bone conduction technology may have an impact on the cochlea, wherein the cells might be damaged and eventually result in hearing loss.
Quite frankly, using the best bone conduction headphones for the first time may be an unusual and extraordinary experience for consumers, hence it is highly recommended that they seek the aid of a professional audiologist for proper fitting and comparison.
Now that we’ve gotten the pros and cons of the best bone conduction headphones out of the way, it’s time to talk about things you need to consider before purchasing a pair for yourself. Remember, the best bone conduction headphones are really on the expensive price range so you need to make sure that the cash you spend on a pair will be absolutely worth it.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing The Best Bone Conduction Headphones
Design and Comfort
Most, if not all, of the best bone conduction headphones in the market today have a similar look – there’s a headband that goes around the neck and two earpieces that sit on the temporal bones, just in front of the ears. There are best bone conduction headphones that are made of plastic or silicone. If you are particular in comfort, it would be ideal for you to choose the best bone conduction headphones with a silicone design.
Durability
The construction quality is considered to be a great deal when choosing the best bone conduction headphones for you, especially if you are planning to use this device for sports. You may want to check out the best bone conduction headphones that have an IPX5 rating because it means that they are splash or sweat resistant. There are also water-resistant or waterproof best bone conduction headphones that are worth checking out.
Sound Leakage
A common misconception about best bone conduction headphones is that they do not leak sound since vibrations are produced and not actual sounds. But the truth of the matter is, the best bone conduction headphones can leak sound, although they do not leak as loud as open-back headphones.
When the volume gets too loud while you are using a pair of best bone conduction headphones, the person in your near vicinity may hear some sound leakages, though they may not really hear what you are listening to clearly.
Wired or Wireless
A lot of headphone users, especially those who are active or practicing sports, prefer wireless devices; the same also goes for the best bone conduction headphones users. If you are planning to get a wireless pair of best bone conduction headphones, you also need to consider the connectivity and battery life.
The wireless Bluetooth signal quality and the range of the connection also needs to be considered when purchasing the best bone conduction headphones. A minimum of four hours of battery life is the minimum, decent playback time offering of best bone conduction headphones.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, a pair of the best bone conduction headphones will never be at par with regular in-ear or over-ear headphones. Manufacturers of the best bone conduction headphones find it a struggle to replicate the full frequency range of human hearing (20 Hz to 20000 Hz). Manufacturers of the best bone conduction headphones have tried and are still trying to improve the range and sound quality of their devices but one company has done it successfully, Aftershokz.
That being said, don’t expect that the sound quality of Aftershokz headphones will be amazing. Remember, we are not talking about regular headphones, we are talking about best bone conduction headphones. If anything, the sound of Aftershokz best bone conduction headphones is good enough. Users can appreciate a podcast or music but discerning audiophiles can really tell the difference of the sound quality.
For short, the sound quality of best bone conduction headphones can not really rival the sound quality of high-end, premium, traditional headphones; don’t expect to hear bright treble, thumping bass and impressively clear and crisp tones. At best, users of best bone conduction headphones can enjoy straightforward mids.
Now, let’s move on to our curated list of the best bone conduction headphones. Keep in mind that most of the best bone conduction headphones featured in this article are wireless models.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Aeropex
What We Like
- best technical specs in the market
- lightest model
What We Don’t Like
- noise can be loud and distracting
- vibration can make ear itchy
Since we have already mentioned AfterShokz earlier in the article, it is only fitting that we feature the AfterShokz Aeropex as the first entry to our list of best bone conduction headphones. This model is considered to have the best technical specs among the best bone conduction headphones in the market.
It is also the lightest model among the best bone conduction headphones in the market, weighing only 26g. It is 4g lighter than the next lightest bone conduction headphones, the Trekz Air. AfterShokz Aeropex also offers an impressive battery life (8 hours), alongside AfterShokz XTrainerz and Beker Waterproof MP3 Player.
While the AfterShokz XTrainerz are the best bone conduction headphones for swimming, Aeropex has the highest rating when it comes to being dustproof and waterproof, with an IP code of IP67. This is the best bone conduction headphones for a workout, thanks to its comfortable fit, waterproof features and stable wireless connection.
Even though the AfterShokz Aeropex is considered to be the best among the best bone conduction headphones, it still struggles with the same issues of most open-ear headphones. When a user is in a loud area, the noise can be distracting and loud songs can produce vibrations that tend to make ears a bit itchy.
Price-wise, this pair of best bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz is the most expensive in the industry. However, this pair has been getting pretty decent reviews, and since it is considered to be the best bone conduction headphones available in the market, this device is worth investing money on.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Trekz Air
What We Like
- made from titanium
- PremiumPitch Plus technology
What We Don’t Like
- pricey
We have another model from AfterShokz called AfterShokz Trekz Air. This best bone conduction headphones features an open-ear design that allows users to hear what is going on around them without distracting them from the sound produced.. A leading brand in bone conduction technology, AfterShokz is the first company to work with the US Military to design and produce behind-the-ear headphones for uniformed men. The said headsets allowed soldiers to be aware of sounds in their surroundings while transmitting wirelessly.
This is also one of the AfterShokz best bone conduction headphones that are impressively light. This is made possible by using titanium as the major materials used for the headphones.
As mentioned earlier, consumers must set their expectations when planning to purchase the best bone conduction headphones. Sound quality is definitely far from closed-back or open-back headphones, but, if you are looking for top-rated, best bone conduction headphones in the market, AfterShokz is the brand to look for. With PremiumPitch Plus technology, AfterShokz creates the best possible pitch for sound and music, making it the best bone conduction headphones in the market. The sound range is also applicable to voices so users can hear and receive more concise and clearer sounds.
In terms of connectivity, while the Trekz Air is not equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5, it still offers a pretty decent Bluetooth connection quality that supports multi-point pairing. This means that this pair of best bone conduction headphones can be paired with multiple devices simultaneously. For example, you could be playing songs on your computer and then seamlessly switch to your smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc) without needing to pair or unpair devices. This feature is incredibly convenient for users who love listening to their favorite music across different devices. This pair of best bone conduction headphones is compatible with Android Bluetooth-ready smartphones, iOS devices, PC computer, laptops and Mac.
In terms of battery life, this pair of best bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz offers up to 6 hours of calls or music playback on a single charge. If left on standby, the Trekz Air can last for 20 days. This pair of best bone conduction headphones go from zero to full charge in just a span of two hours.
Just like its counterparts, the AfterShokz Trekz Air is also a durable pair of best bone conduction headphones. It is a headphone that is highly suitable for workouts because it can effectively protect itself from moisture and sweat with an IP code IP55. This pair of best bone conduction headphones is also dustproof.
If there would be any drawback about the AfterShokz Trekz Air, it would have to be its price. It’s not really priced for people who are on a budget, and this may be attributed to its best bone conduction headphones technology and the material (titanium) that was used to make the headphones.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Genso’s Bone Conduction Headphone
What We Like
- IP55 rating
- waterproof and sweatproof
What We Don’t Like
- mic sound quality not ideal for calls
If you are searching for the best bone conduction headphones in the market that features a durable and long lasting battery life, you might want to check out Genso brand. This pair of best bone conduction headphones from Genso has a built-in 200mAh lithium battery that can go from zero to full in just two hours. If not used and left on standby, the device can last for 10 days and can offer playback time up to 10 hours.
At first glance, the design of this pair of best bone conduction headphones from Genso gives an impression that it was made for indoor sports use or outdoor adventures ike running, hiking, etc. It boasts of an IP55 rating, making it sweat and waterproof and resistant to light rain. This pair of best bone conduction headphones have a lightweight, comfortable fit but is designed to be highly durable, flexible and resilient.
If you are looking for the best bone conduction headphones that are wireless and offer the latest Bluetooth 5 technology, look no further and check out Genso’s bone conduction headphones. Ditch the hassle and worry of dealing with wires as this pair of best bone conduction headphones offer stable connections, fast pairing, fast file transfer that can cover a 33-foot signal transmission. No wonder this is considered to be the best bone conduction headphones from Genso.
If there’s any drawback about this pair of best bone conduction headphones from Genso, it would have to be the sound quality the microphone produces during calls. There have been reviews from consumers saying that the sound quality of the microphone seems to be lacking, making phone calls a bit unclear and crackly at times. Hopefully, Genso can tweak this lackadaisical feature so users can enjoy richer, clearer, phone conversations.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Vidonn F1 Titanium
What We Like
- anti-drop, ergonomic design
- clear and crisp audio quality
What We Don’t Like
- issues on right fit and comfort
- bass not as robust as expected
Are you an athlete or a hardcore workout enthusiast who needs the best bone conduction headphones that stay in place when you do your sit-ups, squats, running, weightlifting, etc? The Vidonn F1 Titanium may just be the gem that you are looking for.
This pair of best bone conduction headphones from Vidonn comes in an anti-drop, ergonomic design, specially made for hardcore, sports enthusiasts and athletes. This device is also lightweight, perfect for tough and on the go usage but is designed to fit comfortably.
If the regular, traditional headphones have a noise cancelling technology and you are curious if the best bone conduction headphones also offer the same technology, the answer is yes. This pair of best bone conduction headphones from Vidonn has a noise canceling feature that lets users hear sounds on the headphones while still being able to be aware and hear their surroundings. Noise cancelling feature is considered to be very important for the best bone conduction headphones, even considered as a safety feature.
In terms of sound quality, this pair of best bone conduction headphones from Vidonn offers a clear and crisp audio quality that’s ideal for listening to any kind of music genre. Connectivity-wise, this pair of best bone conduction headphones offers a CSR Bluetooth audio scheme that effectively produces and restores HiFi sounds and connects to any smartphone. The connectivity offers superbly clear and high-quality sounds up to 10 meters in range.
This pair of best bone conduction headphones boasts of an exceptional battery life of up to 6 hours. It has a 180mAh lithium battery that can be charged for 2 hours. Overall, battery life is above average, giving users 6 hours of playback and calls for 2 hours of charging.
The drawback of Vidonn F1 Titanium would have to be its design that has been reported not to conform or fit comfortably on the heads of some individuals. Plus, there have also been reviews from consumers saying that the bass of this best bone conduction headphones is not as robust as they would have expected it to be.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Pyle PSWBT550
What We Like
- comfy fit that doesn’t slip or slide
- hands-free talking
What We Don’t Like
- fit cannot be adjusted
The best bone conduction headphones would have to fit comfortable, be flexible, durable and sleek-looking quality. The Pyle PSWBT550 seems to tick off everything in that checklist. This pair of best bone conduction headphones from Pyle has a premium, comfortable fit that doesn’t slide or slip on the side of the user’s head. It has a waterproof design that comfortably wraps around the head, making it an ideal choice for sports enthusiast or hardcore gym goers.
This wireless pair of best bone conduction headphones also features a side panel control button, perfect for users who want to be in control. The side panel is a very convenient feature that allows users to control the volume, sound quality and microphone.
Hands-free talking? This pair of wireless, best bone conduction headphones from Pyle has got your back. With this pair of best bone conduction headphones, you can enjoy hands-free features thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity. There’s also a built-in microphone that allows users to answer or decline calls while on the go. The Bluetooth connection works with practically any gadget that offers Bluetooth connection and the pairing is convenient and hassle-free. Plus, this pair of best bone conduction headphones gets a little extra with its LED lights that lets users know if the device has successfully paired with another.
This pair of best bone conduction headphones from Pyle has a built-in rechargeable battery that comes with an LED indicator light, letting users know if it’s already full-charge without actually needing to go near the device to check the charging status. In terms of charging hours, this pair of best bone conduction headphones takes up to four hours to reach full charge, a couple of hours more than some of its counterparts in the best bone conduction headphones industry.
If there’s any drawback for this pair of best bone conduction headphones from Pyle, it would have to be its inability to be adjusted for different head sizes. While it is marketed to offer an extremely comfortable fit, it is not really flexible so there would be instances that people who have unique head sizes might experience an uncomfortable fit .
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: SIUSUMFO Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones
What We Like
- sweatproof and waterproof
What We Don’t Like
- hard to get tech support
Another entry for the wireless, best bone conduction headphones is the sweat-proof and water-proof model from SIU SUMFO. This pair of best bone conduction headphones is an ideal choice for working out. Users can go ahead and hustle and grind to intense workout sessions without having to worry about their pair of best bone conduction headphones from getting damaged because of sweat, water or any other moisture
In terms of battery life, this pair of best bone conduction headphones from SIU SUMFO Bluetooth offers a 4 hours battery life, pretty average compared to its counterparts.
What SIU SUMFO Bluetooth bone conduction headphones lack in the battery life department, it makes up for in the wireless connectivity department. This pair of best bone conduction headphones from SIU SUMFO offers the latest and most in-demand Bluetooth 5 plus and EDR chip for exquisite, high quality sound.
This pair of best bone conduction headphones easily pair with Bluetooth compatible devices and smartphones. It also provides superbly fast file transfer and users can enjoy this pair of best bone conduction headphones listening to music, watching movies, listening to podcasts, piano music or simply making calls. This pair of best bone conduction headphones also has a built-in microphone that produces clean and crisp sound.
A tiny drawback to this pair of best bone conduction headphones from SIU SUMFO is that users found it hard to get some tech support, especially since the manual is also a bit of a struggle to decipher.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
What We Like
- slightly cheaper than Trekz Air
What We Don’t Like
- heavier than Trekz Air
- uncomfortable fit issues
Let’s say hello again to AfterShokz! This time, the featured model is AfterShokz Trekz Titanium, which can be considered as a really close cousin of the AfterShokz Trekz Air. To make it easier for you to differentiate the two, we have highlighted two of the most glaring differences of two of the best bone conduction headphones in the market:
Trekz Titanium is heavier by 20%.
Trekz Titanium Bluetooth is slightly lower (v.4.1) than Trekz Air (v4.2) – quite frankly, there seems to be an unnoticeable difference between the sound quality and connection of these two models, both are still strong contenders for the best bone conduction headphones.
If you are really impressed with the AfterShokz Trekz Air but are looking for a slightly affordable alternative for the best bone conduction, you might want to consider the AfterShokz Trekz Titanium, which is priced at a more affordable price than the Trekz Air; a $50 dollar difference for slight model differences can already be considered as a great bargain for price-conscious consumers.
Aside from the added weight, another drawback of this best bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz is that there have been reviews from consumers that the headphones do not really fit the heads snugly or tightly, hence, giving a somewhat uncomfortable feeling that the device might slip off.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Mini
What We Like
- smaller or discreet version
- ideal for tweens, teens or adults with small heads
What We Don’t Like
- not ideal for large heads
We have another one from AfterShokz, and this time it is a mini version of the Trekz Titanium. This pair of best bone conduction headphones might be called a mini, but its features are far from it.
Technically speaking, this pair of best bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz has all the features of its big brother, the Trekz Titanium. Obviously, one stark difference is that this comes in a mini version, perfect for consumers who want to have a smaller or more discrete version of the best bone conduction headphones.
If you are thinking that the Trekz Titanium Mini is lighter than its predecessor, you might need to think again because they actually weigh the same. So you might be wondering, why on earth is this pair of best bone conduction headphones called a mini? Well, the answer lies in the headband. Yes, you read that right – this mini version of best bone conduction headphones is coined a mini not because of its lighter weight but because of its headband. The headband is one inch shorter than the original Trekz Titanium.
If you still haven’t noticed yet, the headband of the best bone conduction headphones are not worn like the typical headphones that go on the top of the head. The headband of the best bone conduction headphones are worn behind the head. Consumers with a relatively small head may not experience a snug or comfortable fit with Trekz Titanium and we believe that the Trekz Titanium Mini is made for consumers with relatively small heads. See? There’s truly a pair of best bone conduction headphones for practically everyone. With a shorter headband, this pair of best bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz can benefit teens, tweens, or adults with small sized heads.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Beker Waterproof MP3 Player
What We Like
- IPX8
- impressive battery life
What We Don’t Like
- it’s not really a headphone
- not recommended for workouts or gym sessions
If you are looking for the best bone conduction headphones that you can use while swimming, look no further – the Beker Waterproof MP3 player is an ideal choice. Before anything else, we need to state that the Beker Waterproof MP3 player is technically not a headphone. However, since it projects sounds via bone conduction to the cochlea, it can still be considered to be part of the list.
This device is a worthwhile member of our list of best bone conduction headphones because it gives users a listening experience like no other. The Beker Waterproof MP3 player allows users to listen to their favorite songs (piano, hiphop, etc) while underwater. Plus, this device has the highest IP code among all the best bone conduction headphones in the list, with a whopping IPX8.
Now that we’ve got your attention you might be wondering how to wear the Beker Waterproof MP3 player. Basically, there are two ways to wear this as best bone conduction headphones. You either use the strap of your goggles to keep the MP3 player in place or wear it under your swimming cap.
This is by far the best bone conduction headphones that offer the longest battery life, up to 8 hours of playback time with a 300mAH lithium battery. This device is also ideal for consumers who love to listen to music. It comes with an 8GB internal story, which can store around 2,000 songs that have a WAV, WMA and MP3 format. The only drawback for this device is that it can only be maximized when swimming. If you intend to bring this to the gym for workout sessions, we would not recommend it.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones: AfterShokz Xtrainerz
What We Like
- best bone conduction headphones for swimming
- IP68 rating
What We Don’t Like
- no micro USB connectors
Now, if you’re looking for a legit pair of best bone conduction headphones that you can take swimming, the AfterShokz XTrainerz are here to save the day! Whether Beker MP3 was the root of this innovation or not, it’s safe to say that we finally have a pair of best bone conduction headphones that can be used while swimming.
This pair of best bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz matches the IPX rating of Beker, also boasting of an IP68 rating. It can also be used for diving up to meters for a span of 2 hours. Just like its counterparts, this pair of best bone conduction headphones also sport a titanium design that ensures a taut and comfortable fit on the head. Weighing only 30g, this small device is a beast that holds up to 8 hours of battery life.
One downside of this pair of best bone conduction earphones from AfterShokz is that it does not have micro-USB connectors. Instead, it has its own charging cable which also serves as a data link to transfer music files. This pair of best bone conduction headphones also has a unique voice command called AudreySays. It helps users switch seamlessly between functions. The device also has four control buttons that lets users access different modes offered by this pair of best bone conduction headphones. The modes can also be used to toggle between underwater or dry use.
So that concludes our lineup of the best bone conduction headphones. We hope this article has been an informative one to help guide you in making the right and informed decision.
