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Dec 24, 2023

The best bone conduction headphones of 2023: Expert tested and reviewed

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

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When you think of audio gadgets, bone conduction headphones are probably not the first visual to come to mind. Yet, compared to regular headphones and earbuds, they offer a safer and healthier hearing experience for your exercise routine, podcast-listening session, or Zoom call.

Unlike in-ear buds or over-ear headphones, bone conduction headphones work by emitting vibrations to your inner ear. This unique engineering might reduce the inner-ear trauma of jamming out with earbuds. Bone conduction headphones have an untraditional form factor, which may make them the best option for your hearing health and safety. Additionally, many runners attribute the open-air design to increased environmental awareness and safety from cars. But don't worry, you'll still feel each note and every beat.

Also: The best headphones for working out

ZDNET has done hands-on testing and research to round up the best bone conduction headphones on the market. Thanks to their fantastic audio quality, lightweight fit, and generous battery life, the Shokz OpenRun Pro take ZDNET's top honors for best bone conduction headphones overall. Read on to learn more about the top bone conduction headphones.

Shokz OpenRun Pro specs: Type: Open ear | Wired/wireless: Wireless | Waterproof rating: IP55 | Weight: 1.02 ounces | Battery life: 10 hours | Dimensions: 6.61 x 5.35 x 2.64 inches

Unlike earlier iterations of bone conduction headphones, the Shokz OpenRun Pro skip the in-ear buds design without jeopardizing audio quality and clarity. Thanks to Shokz TurboPitch engineering and Shokz ninth bone conduction technology, our testing concluded that with these headphones, safer running no longer has an ample sound tradeoff.

When our tech writer Matthew Miller tried out the OpenRun Pro headset, he lauded the "lightweight, comfortable, and durable" design of the headset and noted how little discomfort or pressure he felt while wearing and exercising with the headset.

Review: Shokz OpenRun Pro review: Outstanding bone conduction headset for safe training

"These headphones have become my go-to for jogging and outdoor activities, and I've found it to be quite a game changer," says runner Kyle Roof. "[They] offer an excellent balance of sound quality, situational awareness, comfort, and durability."

To help them stay in place during your workout, Shokz includes a headband with your bone conduction headphones, and the titanium frame simply wraps around your head for a lightweight fit that is easy to wear when you are most active.

Philips Go A7607 specs: Type: Open ear | Wired/wireless: Wireless | Waterproof rating: IP66 | Weight: 1.3 ounces | Battery life: 9 hours | Dimensions: 6.65 x 5.31 x 2.72 inches

Bring these bone conduction headphones to the office for your conference calls and then take them right to the gym for a weight lifting session or on an outdoor run afterwards -- they're that versatile. They have an IP66 rating, making them water-resistant and sweatproof, and their open-ear form factor makes them a great choice for someone who wants to be as aware of their surroundings as they are immersed in the content they're streaming.

ZDNET's Jada Jones made the switch from AirPods to the Phillips Go A7607 while going on outdoor walks. She reports that they not only give her more peace of mind as a young woman walking alone, but deliver groove-able audio that gets "plenty loud."

Review: Why these bone conduction headphones are my go-to for outdoor listening

Additionally the neckband integrates a bright red LED light that helps you stay visible to cars and people if you prefer to exercise at night.

Shokz OpenRun specs: Type: On-ear | Wired/wireless: Wireless | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Weight: 1.06 ounces | Battery life: 8 hours | Dimensions: 5 x 7.25 x 3 inches

There's no shame in sweating while you exercise, but it does get annoying when your earbuds begin to lose their grip in your ear or -- even worse -- get water logged during or after an intense workout. If you're looking for a more water-resistant, yet no-frills bone conduction pair of headphones, you may want to opt for the Shokz OpenRun, opposed to the Pro edition headset.

While it doesn't have the enhanced bass of the Pro model, user and outdoor runner Brandon Fowler says that this base model still provides excellent sound.

Along with easy one-button control, you can also employ voice assistant to listen to music for eight continuous hours off a single charge. Plus, the charger alerts you if it detects any moisture while charging.

Shokz OpenComm UC specs: Type: Open ear | Wired/wireless: Wireless | Waterproof rating: IP55 | Weight: 1.16 ounces | Battery life: 16 hours | Dimensions: 5.31 x 2.7 x 6.65 inches

For remote workers on calls all day, these bone conduction headphones from Shokz are a lightweight option that promises minimal pressure build-up and top-quality microphone to block out unwanted noise when you're speaking.

Sonia Madaan of Earth Eclipse, uses her pair throughout the work day and loves the lightweight feel, saying she often forgets she is wearing them. "It's like a whisper on your ear - you know it's there, but it doesn't intrude. You can imagine how ideal it is for someone like me, who can be on calls for several hours a day."

These headphones also use Bluetooth 5.1 technology, meaning you can stay connected up to about 328 feet away. The Shokz OpenComm UC can also quick charge if needed: A five-minute charge can last you up to two hours of talk time. In comparison, a full charge will take you a full hour.

Shokz OpenSwim specs: Type: Open ear | Wired/wireless: Wireless | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Weight: 1.06 ounces | Battery life: 8 hours | Dimensions: 6.65 x 5.31 x 2.72 inches

You can still listen to your favorite tunes -- even while underwater -- with these headphones. Shokz offers yet another wonderful bone conduction option with its waterproof OpenSwim headphones. These open-ear headphones incorporate excellent IP68 waterproofing, so these are ideal for swimming and other water activities.

Another standout feature of the OpenSwim headphones is its inclusion of internal MP3 storage with room for up to 1,200 songs, so you can have all your favorite tunes during your swim. And with accessible touch controls, it's easy to skip a song or hit the pause button straight from the headphones themselves.

Tayogo S2 specs: Type: Over-ear | Wired/wireless: Wireless | Waterproof rating: IPX5 | Weight: 5.6 ounces | Battery life: 8 hours | Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 1 inches

If you are on a budget, the Tayogo S2 headphones are the best bone conduction headphones you can buy. At under $50, these lightweight wireless headphones are made for runners, cyclers, and fitness junkies. Enjoy premium sound, complete with a built-in microphone and simple controls that allow you to easily switch from music to phone calls with zero hassle.

Integrated is Bluetooth 5.0 technology, plus there is easy compatibility with iOS and Android systems. With a 200 mAH battery, these headphones will give you up to eight hours of talk time or a whopping 360 hours of standby time.

"The [Taygo S2 bone conduction headphones] are a cost-effective way to get started in the world of bone-conduction headphones," says runner and user Graham McCormack.

The best bone-conduction headphones are the Shokz OpenRun, an IP67 waterproof set with built-in Bluetooth technology. With their traditional over-the-ear design and lightweight build, they earn our vote for the best bone conduction headphones.

To see how they stack up, here is an overview of the other top picks on this list.

Want to make sure you choose the pair of bone conduction headphones best fit for your needs and ears? This chart further breaks down our favorite features.

To find the best bone conduction headphones, I collected ZDNET's hands-on testing and research into these products and considered the following factors:

Type: There are many different types of bone conduction headphones, such as over-the-ear or in-ear bone conduction headphones. Everyone has a preference, so it all depends on the style of headphones you want and how you intend to use them.

Battery life: It is important to consider the battery life of bone conduction headphones, so you know how long to expect each set to last before requiring a charge.

Sweat and waterproof rating: If you are a swimmer, you may want to consider a pair of bone conduction headphones that are rated for water resistance or waterproofing, so you do not risk damaging them.

Cost: We chose bone conduction headphones that meet a variety of different budgets to help ensure that there is something for everyone.

Bone conduction headphones use vibrations to transmit sound waves directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum. This technology was first developed for military and medical use but has since been adapted for consumer use.

These headphones typically sit on the cheekbones and use a small transducer to send vibrations through the bones of the face to the inner ear. This allows users to hear the audio clearly, while still being able to hear their surroundings. This can be useful for people who work in noisy environments or for those who are hard of hearing. They also can be used for people who are unable to wear traditional headphones due to physical conditions.

Not all bone conduction headphones are waterproof, so it is important to check the waterproof or water-resistant rating on a set before making a purchase.

Bone conduction headphones can vary significantly in price, depending on the manufacturer and model that you choose. Our picks for the best bone conduction headphones range in cost from $40 to $200 each.

Bone conduction headphones, thanks to an open design, can help overall hearing health and increase awareness.

For example, Dr. Kelvin Fernandez, a physician and healthcare educator at Ace Med Boards, calls them a real game-changer in the medical realm and cites a time they helped his patient, an up-and-coming musician suffering from hearing loss. "They let him keep doing what he loved. It was a real emotional win and a perfect example of how tech can make life better," Fernandez said.

Aftershokz products are still around and thriving, but today, they are known as Shokz after a December 2021 rebranding. One of Aftershokz's top products and our best bone conduction headphones for beginners, the Aftershokz Aeropex, is now known as the Shokz OpenRun.

Outside of these five bone conduction headphones, there are also a handful of others that caught our attention. Brands like AfterShokz and Pyle Bone make great alternative choices.

Check out these best rugged bone conduction headphones.

Give your ears some breathing room with this open-ear design.

These fun pink or blue sets are the best bone conduction headphones for kids, thanks to a comfortable on-ear fit with a built-in microphone that is perfect for school or play.

These 100% waterproof bone conduction headphones are great for swimming some laps in the pool, and they come with a built in MP3 player that stores up to 8GB of memory.