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Finding the best bone conduction headphones in 2023 is a difficult task. Our guide is here to help you to make the right decisions on which bone conduction headphones can do a good job for you, and suit your budget and needs.
Bone conduction technology is relatively new, at least in terms of being used in a mainstream way, but more and more models continue to be made and provide an array of options whether you want them for exercise, use in the rain or just for everyday listening at home or on public transport.
Here are the best bone conduction headphones:
1. AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
The best value bone conduction headphones in 2023
In general, for most people looking to do some exercise in normal weather conditions, these headphones will do a perfectly good job, and won’t cost you a fortune. AfterShokz have some incredibly good reviews and are a real market leader for bone conduction, even if you’ve never heard of them before.
Image credit: AfterShokz
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The AfterShokz brand is one of the real leaders in the world of bone conduction headphones and some of the pioneers of the technology. This model is not the absolute cheapest on the market, but it doesn’t break the bank. It can be purchased under $100 and provides all the features most people are looking for.
Naturally, they provide an open-ear design, meaning that you can stay alert, as the sound is transferred through your cheekbones. This is a sturdy model as it has titanium in the frame and should stay perfectly in place in the gym or during other exercise.
2. AfterShokz Aeropex
The best high-end option
There’s no denying the high-quality of this model. They are some of the best bone conduction headphones for running and exercise, especially in wet conditions. Plus, they sound great in other situations, too. If the price doesn’t put you off, they could be a fantastic choice.
Image credit: AfterShokz
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If you are looking for Bluetooth bone conduction headphones and you want high quality regardless of cost, AfterShokz is still the brand for you. Their Aeropex model continues with their patented bone conduction tech, but also has some more advanced features than the other AfterShokz models.
These are a little lighter and more comfortable around the cheeks, and have a better battery life, along with a more waterproof design than the Titanium model. Cleverly, they also have a moisture detect feature, which stops you from charging the headphones when it is dangerous.
Another really positive thing about these headphones is the fact that it has two noise-cancelling microphones. Using it for calls gives a huge amount of clarity.
3. Tayogo S2
The best Bluetooth bone conduction headphones under $50
There are bound to be good things and bad things about bone conduction headphones at this price, but if you are looking for value then the Tayogo S2 model is very hard to beat.
Image credit: Tayogo
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The Tayogo S2 bone conduction headphones are very popular. They sound great, and even if they just fall short of the elite level of some other styles of headphones, they represent such good value for money.
The Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is reliable and steady as long as you are within short range of your device, and the wraparound design is great for comfort. Some of the cheaper bone conduction headphones struggle with comfort.
A decent microphone is included, meaning you can make hands-free calls. The battery life is six hours, which is also pretty steady, if not earth-shatteringly good.
4. Sanag H10
The best bone conduction headphones with memory
In general, for those on the go, who are worried about having to put their device in a pocket or elsewhere on their person, these bone conduction headphones could be the ideal choice.
Image credit: Sanag
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The Sanag H10 headphones are some of the best bone conduction headphones for running or for cycling, in fact, they are a great choice for any activity where you might not take your device with you.
There is 8 GB of memory space included in the device, meaning you can upload songs from your device and happily listen for up to six hours without having to repeat a song or having to charge the battery. Even if you want to use your device to stream music, the Sanag H10 headphones allow you to do so with ease as they have a Bluetooth connection, too.
Like many of the bone conduction headphone reviews on this list, the waterproof functionality could let these headphones down a bit. Light rain and sweat is no problem for the Sanags, but heavier rain could cause issues. For cyclists and runners this isn’t always ideal.
The design is sturdy, with silicone and titanium alloy forming a large part of the structure of the headphones.
5. Alova Openear Duet
Cheapest headphones under $30 that are worth buying
Of course, you can’t expect the very best features and functions at this price point. People looking for the cheapest bone conduction headphones that can do a decent job should be considering the Openear Duet from Alova.
Image credit: Alova
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Of course, when we describe the Alova Openear Duet headphones as the cheapest bone conduction headphones we mean that they are the cheapest we are happy to recommend. There are some very affordable models on the market, but these are available at a low price point.
While it is important to be realistic about the quality when spending this amount, you can still expect a decent set of bone conduction headphones.
The positives of these affordable headphones include the fact that they can be easily controlled with one button, allowing you to answer calls, change the track and more. On top of that, they’re really lightweight and pretty comfortable, so you don’t feel like you are weighed down by these cans even after wearing them for hours. They have the look of two bone conduction earphones, held together by a silicone band.
The battery life could be a little better, and the sound is solid but nothing special, so there are some compromises.
6. Yornight Headband (KML201)
The best headband option
These headphones aren’t the number one pick for absolutely everyone, and they really come into their own for people who have long hair and need to do a lot of exercise. The sound could really be improved with a second speaker, but if your needs match the design then they could be the ideal purchase for you.
Image credit: Yornight
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Most headband bone conduction headphones are designed in a way that allows the sound waves to travel through the lower cheekbones, but Yornight has taken a different approach. The technology is the same, but sound vibrates through a slightly higher part of your head. They look like you aren’t wearing any sort of headphones at all.
This is a great option for people who have longer hair, as it can act as a headband and keep everything neat while you exercise. If you are wondering how you need to clean it, then don’t worry, this can simply be done by removing the speaker and washing it. The headphones pair with your device easily with Bluetooth technology (version 5.0) and even wicks away sweat, making it a great option for exercise.
7. Eken E1
The best battery life
Though this model doesn’t have the best microphone, it does have a lot to like at a very reasonable price, and the lightweight design and long-life battery are real bonuses for anyone looking at a bone conduction headphone that comes in well below $100. The Eken E1 model is not too far away from the quality of some of the AfterShokz.
Image credit: Eken
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If battery life and battery standby time are high on your list of priorities then it might be worth considering these headphones from Eken.
The 200 mAh battery gives up to 8 hours of life for music and calls, but also a standby time of up to 20 days. If you leave these laying around for a week, the chances are they won’t be out of juice when you go back to them.
Other features include the extreme lightweight design, as they come in under 1 oz in body weight. This means comfort even when listening for long spells.
The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is reliable, and you don’t have to worry about it dropping out. These also have hearing aid support, which is an added bonus for people hard of hearing.
8. myFirst BC Wireless
The best bone conduction headphones for kids
These aren’t just a novelty product for children. These bone conduction headphones do a very good job, but they are also a safety precaution, ensuring that children’s delicate ears do not get pummeled by loud audio, as this can risk damage. They are a little bit pricey for what they are, but still offer a very good option for parents to rest easy.
Image credit: myFirst
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Though these can be used by adults too, we’ve named the myFirst BCW headphones as the best model for kids. A lot of people are turning to bone conduction headphones to keep their audio listening volumes at a reasonable level and not put extra strain on the eardrums. For children, it is even more important that the audio doesn’t get too loud.
Obviously, if they’re being used by children, headphones need to be able to stand up to a level of wear and tear, and myFirst BC Wireless are pretty good at this. In spite of being lightweight, the design is pretty rugged.
In spite of being extremely lightweight, the manufacturer describes them as ‘unbreakable’. Though I’m sure many children will manage to break their pair, this isn’t too far from the truth, as the rigid design is hard to bend or snap.
Conclusion
As you can see from our bone conduction headphone reviews above, there are so many options when you consider that this is relatively new technology. Consider whether you will be using them in an active environment, for cycling or running, or you just want to give your eardrums a break from the constant sound. Whatever you need from your bone conduction headphones, there are options on our list to suit you.