The Best Bone Conduction Headphones to Buy in 2024 | Lifehacker
We could earn a fee from hyperlinks on this web page.
Credit: Product picture courtesy of Amazon, Best Buy, and shopzygo.com.
Bone conduction headphones are gaining recognition, however the idea behind them is outdated. The know-how has been traced way back to the Renaissance, in line with the National Library of Science. It was even used within the creation of the primary listening to aids.
More lately, it is turn out to be a preferred choice for athletes who need to take heed to music whereas understanding and nonetheless have the ability to hear their environment. Instead of sending sound waves instantly into your ears, bone conduction headphones use small transducers to ship audio vibrations via your bones. This lets you take heed to music with out overlaying your ears. (It will even come via underwater.)
A caveat: Because nothing is overlaying your ears, carrying them in a crowded or loud place like a fitness center will ship poor outcomes. For these environments, take a look at my suggestions for the finest exercise headphones and the finest noise canceling earbuds.
Here are one of the best bone conduction headphones you may get proper now.
Best total bone conduction headphones
If you are in search of one of the best total bone conduction headphone expertise, contemplate the Shokz OpenRun Pro. They supply one of the best audio high quality on this roundup, as much as 10 hours of battery life, and are very comfy. Bone conduction headphones aren’t properly know for crystal clear audio, however the OpenRun Pro set the usual for the remainder of the competitors. They additionally supply good name high quality. While they’re nice for operating, with an IP55 sweat-proof score, you ca’t use them for swimming. Two downsides price noting: The case does not cost your headphones and the match may be limiting to folks with giant heads.
Best bone conduction headphones for swimmers
Underwater headphones have been round for some time, however bone conduction know-how has made them extra standard. Since they ship vibrations via your bones, going underwater does not have an effect on their efficiency. If you are in search of one of the best bone conduction headphones to put on whereas swimming (or simply within the bathe), the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport are your finest wager. They have 8GB of inner reminiscence so you’ll be able to obtain music on to your headphones, and never be certain to your cellphone’s Bluetooth connection whereas swimming. They are rated IPX8, which is the very best waterproof score, and are a extra inexpensive choice than many.
Best premium bone conduction headphones
The Zygo Solo take a special method than standard bone conduction headphones. Instead of downloading music into an inner reminiscence, the Solos use FM radio transmitters to stream music—they’re, in truth, the one bone conduction headphones that may allow you to stream music whereas underwater.
Best finances bone conduction headphones
If you are in search of an inexpensive pair of bone conduction headphones that may additionally work nice for swimming, contemplate the Creative Outlier Free Pro. They even have an IPX8 score and an inner reminiscence to retailer music. While they’ve higher battery life, the sound does take successful in comparison with the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport. But if you wish to avoid wasting cash, they’re a stable finances choice.
Best bone conduction headphones for runners
If you are extra of a runner than a swimmer, the Shokz OpenRun are one of the best bone conduction headphones for the game. They are smaller and lighter than most comparable tech, and nonetheless ship nice sound. The IP67 water-resistance score makes them excellent for wet, sweaty, or dusty/sandy runs. And if you could take a name, the noise-canceling mics will have the ability to select your voice even in a loud location.