Doing good headphones for boating can be a real challenge. You want great sound that isn’t going to disturb anyone else on the boat. The last thing you want is to disturb the peace and quiet of other people on the water. Especially when you are the captain of your own boat.
Bone conduction headphones offer a solution to this problem.
Your bone conduction headphones are placed over the bones in your forehead and bypass the eardrum thanks to that. These have become increasingly popular in the last few years due to their practicality and their very affordable price.
It’s important to take a look at what’s currently on the market. Below I’ll share a list of what I think are the best bone conduction headphones that you can buy.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| AfterShokz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones | Best Overall |  |
| Open Ear Bone Conduction Headphones | Budget Pick |  |
| AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. AfterShokz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Superb sound quality
- Truly wireless
- Comfortable to wear
- Great for everyday use
- Excellent battery life
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Some users might find it strange to be all wired to your mobile phone
- Not suitable for running or jogging
Aftershokz makes some of the best bone conduction headphones in the market and the AfterShokz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones are one of their best selling products.
Other features include:
- Noise-isolating headset for a clear sound even in noisy environments
- Open ear design with transparent coverage that lets you hear your surroundings
- Lightweight materials and easy to wear
- Deep bass tones for a fuller audio experience
- Built-in mic for hands free calling
- Compatible with Android and iPhone devices
- Rechargeable battery offers 6 hours of playback in wireless mode.
- Lost/damaged and limited two-year warranty and lifetime product support
2. AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Pros:
- Automatic stability and safety
- Three-way remote controls
- Bluetooth 4.1 technology
- Compatible with both iPhone and Android phones
- Long battery life
- Lifetime warranty covers everything
- Easily adjustable to fit any head size
- Lightweight, affordable, and durable
- Comfortable and snug fit
- Fully functioning when not in use
Cons:
- Introductory issues
- Sound quality could be better
3. Bone Conduction Headphones Bluetooth 5.0 Vidonn F1 Titanium Open Ear Wireless Sports Headset Stereo Sweatproof
Pros:
- Good sound quality
- Water-resistant
- Adequate noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Easy to pair
- Lightweight and small in size
- Quick charging with long battery life
- Support with multiple languages
- Good microphone quality
- Useful in workouts and good for cycling
Cons:
- No volume control
- No pause button
- The collar part is a bit big
Most bone ruduction headphones have issues with sound quality – The Vidonns are notoriously poor at that. However, if you’re looking for a solution to your hearing problem this is for you – they have some of the best reviews around in that regard.
Bone conduction headphones allow you to hear the sound in your ears or headphones while still being able to hear some sound from your surroundings. They have an unobtrusive design, lightweight construction and a long battery life. Which is why they are quite popular among owners.
4. AfterShokz Titanium Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Pros:
- Compact enough to go anywhere
- Waterproof
- Good battery life
- Earphone pads are adjustable
- Great for running
- Can make or receive calls while running
Cons:
- The sporty look isn’t for everyone
- Taking calls isn’t the easiest
- No volume options for your music
- A bit difficult to get used to
The AfterShokz Titanium Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones are the ultimate sports companion. Using ultra-light bone conduction technology, they can even be worn while running or cycling, since they don’t touch the ear, there will be no ringing ears after your work out.
The AS600OB-BR have a simple, stylish design that will look great during almost any activity. The lightweight, open-design headphones are completely Bluetooth wireless, so you can listen to any music source wirelessly from an impressive 33-feet away.
The headphones have a built-in mic that allows you to make or receive phone calls directly to your headphones. The headphones are also compatible with Siri and Google Now commands, so you can get directions, send texts, and issue voice-activated commands from your smartphone during your workout.
5. Open Ear Bone Conduction Headphones
The Open Ear Bone Conduction Headphones from Pyle are a powerful wireless bone conduction headset with some advanced features not found in other options such as an inline microphone and available controls.
With its superior sound quality and bone conduction audio, it is sure to please even the most discerning audiophile.
You’ll also appreciate the comfortable design and ergonomic construction, which makes these earphones ideal for use in any situation.
6. AfterShokz Xtrainerz Open-Ear MP3 Bone Conduction Wireless Sport Headphones
Pros:
- The quality of sound on these headphones is very good, considering the technology
- Waterproof, lightweight, and versatile, these headphones are great for many different activities
- The battery is long-lasting
- Excellent sound quality for the price
Cons:
- It is important to get the correct size swim cap or earphones may fall off
- The sound will sometimes cut out unexpectedly
- You may wake up in the morning with your cheekbones quite sore
- The included swim cap is a bit too large
AfterShokz Xtrainerz Bone Conduction Headphones are lightweight headphones that are designed for use by anyone who is looking for bone conduction headphones for their active lifestyle.
It’s important to wear these headphones correctly, so you don’t end up with sore cheeks and jawbone. If you push the earphones into the bone underneath your ear you will be able to feel that you are in the correct place to wear these headphones.
7. AfterShokz Sportz Titanium
Pros:
- Earbuds sit on the cheekbones rather than inside the ear canal; So no more discomfort underneath the ear
- Delivers high-quality sound
- Very comfortable to wear
- Transmits sound vibration via cheekbones directly to the cochlea in the inner ear
- Full-range stereo sound
- 12-hour battery life
- No earbud wires that get tangled in the headset
- Sweat resistant
- Strong ear clips for a comfortable fit
- High durability; Has been designed to withstand the rigorous conditions of workouts and training
8. Bone Conduction Headphones Bluetooth 5.0 Open-Ear Wireless Sports Headsets
Pros:
- 1-minute quick charge gives an hour of play
- Long battery life
- Designed to be a sporty fashion or casual type of headphone
- 3 sizes of silicone ear tips for maximum comfort
- Small and discreet for easy storage and transportation
- Very sturdy silicone cable
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- There are some reports of distortion at high volume
- The plastic clips on the band are flimsy
- There are no volume controls on the cord
While cycling, jogging, skiing, or any other activities that require protection of the ears, these headphones that fit bone conduction technology will prove to be the perfect companion for you.
They are not only wireless but are also IPX-6 waterproof and sweatproof, and come with ear cushions that stay comfortable even after prolonged use. The headphones are track up to 1.2 hours per charge and are equipped with noise canceling technology for a clear sound quality. The Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is quite convenient and reliable. The headset is light in weight and easy to carry.
The headphones are compatible with all IPX-6-rated waterproof device for stress-free operations. They can be used for various kinds of activities such as cycling, jogging, and climbing.
9. Aiko Sound Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Open Ear Sport Headphones Model C
Pros:
- Odor and sweat resistant
- Rich bass impact
- Easy setup and operation
- Good sound quality
- Requires only four hours of charge to give you 10 hours of playtime
- Has a lightweight design
- Comfortable to wear
- Sweat proof
- Lightweight
- Allows for hands-free face time
The Aiko Sound Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Open Ear Sport Headphones are one of the most comfortable and high-quality sports earbuds out there. It has an appealing design, with large, padded earpieces.
The over-the-head cord is 100% silicone and resistant to moisture and sweat. This makes them super comfortable to wear for long hours. They stay put and don’t fall out; providing a decent amount of passive noise isolation.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a high-quality sound and comfort on par with the best bone conduction manufacturers in the industry, buy these headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are bone conduction headphones worth it?
Bone conduction headphones are proving to be a worthy competitor to traditional headphones. If you are someone that does a lot of running or has to spend a lot of time outside doing physical activity, these may be the perfect solution for you.
The first thing that most people are interested in about these headphones is if they are effective at blocking out the noise around them and the answer is yes. There can be some issues blocking out all background noise, but it is definitely better than nothing.
Because you are effectively putting your ears in the air, there can be some issues with wind causing issues with audio. But, overall, the audio quality is good and it should be great for the purposes that most people intend to use them for, such as hiking and even just walking around the city.
Which AfterShokz is best?
AfterShokz has an impressive list of highly desirable bone conduction headphones. They are well-known for their wireless AfterShokz Sport, which are exceptional in audio quality and design. Unfortunately, these are priced between 80 to 100 dollars.
The AfterShokz Trekz Titanium are another great option. These were deemed to be one of the best over-the-ear bone conduction headphones. In fact, these are the most accurate wireless bone conduction headphones for the money.
TaoTronics TT-BA08 are also another best-selling bone conduction headphones. These cute little headphones are inexpensive, as they only cost around 26 dollars. They have a maximum length of a couple of inches and weigh at around 2.5 ounces.
What are the best wireless bone conduction headphones?
The bone conduction headphones of today are fantastic for cross-training.
If you are a serious athlete, and you’re looking for a new way to take your workout to the next level, these headphones could be the answer!
Headphones that allow you to train without any distractions could be the key to taking your performance to a whole another level.
When you train to the beat, you’re actually helping to improve your focus.
Bone conduction headphones allow sound to pass through your cheekbones and into your ears.
This means that you can still hear nature around you, making them a safer and more effective option than traditional headphones.
They are also safer to use since they don’t allow sweat to build up inside your ear canal.
In addition, these headphones are also ideal for kids who go to school on the bus.
Can bone conduction headphones cause hearing loss?
Here, it is good to first know that there are two types of hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear or to the auditory nerve, while conductive hearing loss is caused by disruption to the transmission of sound by the outer or middle ear.
So, can bone conduction headphones cause hearing loss?The answer is sort of. Let’s take a closer look.
Bone conduction technology uses the human skull to transmit sound to the inner ear. This works by placing a small speaker, or the transducer, on the outside of the ear, which then transmits the sound through the fatty tissues of the jaw and face to the inner ear. The same way bone conduction works is how bone conduction headphones work.
Conclusion
We really wanted to test the headsets across a range of prices to give you a good idea of how performance changes when you adjust the cost. Although they all sound great if you want something affordable, we’ve found that the Bragi Dash is a good choice. It’s a reliable and user-friendly set of headphones that will keep you feeling good, even at the gym.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| AfterShokz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones | Best Overall | |
| Open Ear Bone Conduction Headphones | Budget Pick | |
| AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones | Upgrade Pick | |