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Top 10 Best Bone Conduction Headphones of 2024
Curated by
cdteliot
3 min read
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Bone conduction headphones have gained popularity among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a unique way to enjoy audio while maintaining awareness of one's surroundings. These devices transmit sound vibrations through the cheekbones directly to the inner ear, leaving the ear canal open to ambient noise.
Why Choose Bone Conduction Headphones? Key Advantages Explained
Bone conduction headphones offer several unique advantages over traditional headphones, making them particularly appealing for certain users and activities. The following table summarizes the key benefits of bone conduction technology:
These benefits make bone conduction headphones an attractive option for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and those with certain hearing conditions. The technology allows users to enjoy their audio content while maintaining awareness of their surroundings, which is crucial for safety during activities like running or cycling in urban environments.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased Situational Awareness | Allows users to hear ambient sounds, enhancing safety during outdoor activities 1 2 |
| Comfort | Sits on cheekbones, reducing ear fatigue and discomfort associated with in-ear designs 2 |
| Hearing Health | Bypasses the eardrum, potentially reducing the risk of hearing damage 1 3 |
| Versatility | Suitable for various activities, including swimming, running, and cycling 4 2 |
| Hygiene | Open-ear design prevents bacterial buildup and reduces the risk of ear infections 4 3 |
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Additionally, the unique design can be more comfortable for extended wear and may offer advantages in terms of ear health and hygiene compared to traditional in-ear headphones.4
3
4 sources
Top Factors to Consider When Choosing Bone Conduction Headphones
When choosing bone conduction headphones, several key factors should be considered to ensure you select the best option for your needs. These factors include intended use, sound quality, battery life, water resistance, and cost.
The intended use is crucial, as different models are designed for specific activities such as swimming or running
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Intended Use | Swimming, running, casual listening |
| Sound Quality | Varies by model, generally not as high as traditional headphones |
| Battery Life | Typically 6-10 hours |
| Water Resistance | IP55 for general use, IP68 for swimming |
| Cost | Range from budget to premium options |
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. Sound quality, while generally not matching traditional headphones, can vary significantly between models1
. Battery life is important for extended use, with most models offering 6-10 hours1
2
. Water resistance is essential for athletes, with ratings like IP55 for general use and IP68 for swimming1
2
. Finally, cost can range widely, with higher-priced models often offering better durability and features1
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.2 sources
2024’s Best Bone Conduction Headphones: Our Top Picks
1
OpenMove
4.4
$79.95
2
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
$299.00
$299.00
3
OpenSwim Pro
4.3
$179.95
4
MOJAWA Run Plus 32 GB Headphones w/Bluetooth and Voice Assistant, Blue(Open Box)
$166.59
$219.99
5
OpenRun Pro
4.5
$179.95
OpenMove
The Shokz OpenMove are bone conduction headphones that have been well-received by users over the long term. They offer good sound quality for their technology, excellent situational awareness, and a comfortable fit for most users. However, some find the design less comfortable than previous models for extended wear.
Buy this if you want headphones that allow you to stay aware of your surroundings during outdoor activities or workouts, and don't mind sacrificing some audio quality for safety and convenience
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Key Features, Reviewed By
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
$299.00
$299.00
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer impressive sound quality and innovative design, but come with a premium price tag. Reviewers praise the audio performance, comfort, and open-ear concept that allows environmental awareness. However, opinions are mixed on fit stability during exercise and call quality. The high cost is seen as a potential drawback for some users.
Buy this if you want high-quality open-ear audio with environmental awareness and don't mind paying a premium price for innovative design and sound technology
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Key Features, Reviewed By
OpenSwim Pro
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro are bone conduction headphones that combine Bluetooth and MP3 playback, making them versatile for both swimming and land-based activities. They offer impressive sound quality underwater and a comfortable, secure fit. However, the audio quality is less impressive out of water, and they may not be ideal for everyday use.
Buy this if you're a multisport athlete, especially a swimmer, who wants versatile headphones for both aquatic and land-based activities with clear underwater audio and the convenience of Bluetooth streaming on dry land
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Key Features, Reviewed By
44% off
MOJAWA Run Plus 32 GB Headphones w/Bluetooth and Voice Assistant, Blue(Open Box)
$121.11
$219.99
The Mojawa Run Plus bone conduction headphones are highly regarded for their waterproof design, sound quality, and versatility. Users praise their comfort, stability during workouts, and ability to switch between Bluetooth and MP3 modes. While most reviews are positive, there were some minor issues reported with fit when using a swim cap and occasional touch control sensitivity.
Buy this if you want versatile, waterproof bone conduction headphones for swimming, running, and everyday use with both Bluetooth and MP3 capabilities
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Key Features, Reviewed By
OpenRun Pro
The Shokz OpenRun Pro are premium bone conduction headphones that offer improved sound quality, longer battery life, and enhanced comfort compared to previous models. Users appreciate the open-ear design for situational awareness during workouts, but some find the proprietary charging connector and button layout frustrating. While sound quality is improved, it still doesn't match traditional headphones.
Buy this if you want comfortable, open-ear headphones for workouts that prioritize situational awareness and long battery life over audiophile-grade sound quality
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Key Features, Reviewed By
Best Bone Conduction Headphones of 2024 (Videos)
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Comparing The Best Bone Conduction Headphones
When choosing bone conduction headphones, it's helpful to compare different models across key features. The following table provides a quick reference for some popular bone conduction headphones, highlighting their price, battery life, water resistance, and recommended use cases.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro offers the best overall value with its 10-hour battery life and IP55 water resistance rating.
| Model | Price | Battery Life | Water Resistance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun Pro | $125 | 10 hours | IP55 | Overall use |
| Mojawa Run Plus | $130 | 8 hours | IP68 | High-intensity workouts |
| Philips Go A7607 | $95 | 9 hours | IP67 | Outdoor listening |
| Shokz OpenSwim | $150 | 8 hours | IP68 | Swimming |
| Bose Ultra Open | $200 | 8 hours | N/A | Premium sound quality |
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For high-intensity workouts, the Mojawa Run Plus provides superior water resistance with its IP68 rating.1
Budget-conscious users might prefer the Philips Go A7607, which offers a good balance of features at a lower price point.2
Swimmers should consider the Shokz OpenSwim with its IP68 rating, while audiophiles may opt for the Bose Ultra Open for premium sound quality, despite its lack of water resistance rating.1
2 sources
User and Expert Favorite Products of 2024
walmart.com
User reviews and expert opinions consistently highlight Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) as the leading brand in bone conduction headphones. The Shokz OpenRun Pro is frequently cited as the best overall option, praised for its lightweight titanium frame, secure fit, and superior sound quality compared to other bone conduction models
1
2
. Users appreciate its 10-hour battery life and decent voice-calling performance2
. However, some note that the bass lacks fullness, making it less suitable for critical music listening2
.
For budget-conscious consumers, the Shokz OpenMove is recommended as an affordable entry point into bone conduction technology2
. It offers a comfortable fit and reasonably good sound quality, though it uses a proprietary magnetic charging system instead of USB-C2
. Expert reviewers also mention the Mojawa Run Plus as a strong contender, particularly for high-intensity workouts due to its IP68 water resistance rating3
. Users generally agree that bone conduction headphones excel for podcasts and audiobooks, but may not match traditional headphones for music quality4
.4 sources
Top Bone Conduction Headphones of 2024 – Our Final Recommendations
walmart.com
After reviewing various bone conduction headsets, the Shokz OpenRun Pro emerges as the top recommendation for most users. This pair of bone conduction headphones excels in delivering clean sound while allowing awareness of external sounds, thanks to its innovative bone conduction design. The OpenRun Pro utilizes advanced bone conduction methods to transmit sound waves through head waves, providing a unique listening experience that doesn't compromise on quality of sound. While it may not match traditional earbuds in audio fidelity, it offers a balanced sound profile suitable for various activities
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The OpenRun Pro features convenient physical buttons for easy control, a robust charge time of up to 10 hours, and an IP55 water resistance rating, making it suitable for most outdoor activities1
. For those requiring waterproof headphones for swimming, the Shokz OpenSwim is a better choice with its IP68 rating3
. Both models cater to users with hearing loss by bypassing the ear canal, and their open-ear design eliminates the need for ear plugs. These wireless headphones demonstrate that bone conduction technology can provide a compelling alternative to traditional headphones, offering a blend of audio enjoyment and situational awareness4
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.5 sources
Related
What are the top features to look for in a pair of bone conduction headphones
How do bone conduction headphones handle background noise during calls
Are there any bone conduction headphones with customizable sound profiles
How do bone conduction headphones perform during high-intensity workouts
What are the best bone conduction headphones for everyday use
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