We get excited about any new and exciting audio technology, and bone conduction headphones are one of the most fascinating arenas in headphones today. If you’ve never seen one of these headsets in the wild, the idea is relatively simple: A series of sound waves are generated by a set of conductors that rest along your jawbone. These waves create vibrations throughout the skull and jaw that our inner ears register as sound.
With traditional headphones and earbuds, sound waves need to pass by our eardrums first, before arriving at the inner ear. This is why bone conduction headphones are ideal for commuters, gym-goers, swimmers, and loud workplaces. The sounds of your immediate listening environment will still be audible (because your ears are technically headphone-free), but you’ll still be able to enjoy music and podcasts via the vibrations in your cranium. Similarly, open-ear earbuds and headphones are also a good choice for letting in outside sound, but they're not to be confused with bone conduction.
While most of the best bone conduction headphones are still made by Shokz (a company that gets three shoutouts in our roundup), there are several other brands that do an excellent job with this unique technology.
Best overall
Shockz OpenRun Pro 2
- Improved audio
- Improved battery life
- Easy-to-use controls
- USB-C charging
- Might struggle with glasses
- Not for audiophiles
| Specification: | |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Battery Life | 12 Hours |
| On-Board Storage | No |
Back when Shockz was Aeropex and their headphones were called Aftershokz, they were the best bone conduction option in town. Fortunately, nothing has changed since their rebrand. In fact, their bone conduction technology is better than ever, and these premium OpenRun Pro 2 headphones are the company's latest iteration of an excellent set of bone conduction headphones for runners.
With 12 hours of battery life, the 2nd Gen OpenRun Pro outlasts the previous generation by 20%, and they feature easy-to-use controls. Like any bone conduction headset, the OpenRun Pro 2 is a niche product. As our hands-on reviewer put it, "They’re still niche headphones, built with an intended use in mind — specifically, exercise and other active types."
While the audio has been improved over the previous model, bone conduction headphones in general are not for audiophiles. The fidelity achievable by in-ear or over-ear headphones or earbuds is leagues above what you'll find here, but their convenience for use during active sports is undeniable.
Best for swimming
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
- Perform great when swimming
- Bluetooth adds missing functionality
- Comfortable fit
- Stay secure while exercising
- Audio quality isn't great out of the water
- Niche, not everyday headphones
| Specification: | |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Battery Life | 9 Hours |
| On-Board Storage | 32GB |
Shokz delivers again with the OpenSwim Pro, its newest bone conduction headset for use while swimming. Keep in mind that headphones intended for use in the water are typically designed as all-in-one MP3 players, where you load your favorite tunes directly onto the device. This is largely because Bluetooth does not work underwater. This model does support Bluetooth, but that's really intended for use on dry land.
The OpenSwim Pro headset is IP68-rated, meaning that it not only performs well in shallow but submerged conditions but is also sealed against dust. This is hugely important if you're using these to swim in any open bodies of water where your headset will be exposed to the sand and silt of oceans, rivers, or lakes.
We went hands-on with these, and our reviewer felt that the OpenSwim Pro was "absolutely the sort of thing I’d buy if I were to spend hours doing laps in a pool." This is another niche product, perfect for swimmers, where the ability to function in the water takes precedence over overall sound quality. Our reviewer also found that the sound quality is enormously improved when your head and ears are fully submerged underwater.
The best for exercising
Mojawa Mojo 2
- Great bass
- Secure fit
- IP67 rated
- Includes fast-charging
- So-so battery life
| Specification: | |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Battery Life | 8 Hours |
| On-Board Storage | No |
Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast, a bodybuilder, or a master of fencing, sports devotees the world over can make great use of the excellent Mojo 2 bone conduction headset from Mojawa. Earning a solid IP67 rating, the Mojo 2 (aka the Run Air) headset is perfect for even the sweatiest of workouts. And because they fit snug and securely, you won’t have to worry about constantly adjusting them while you’re trying to get your reps in.
We’re glad that Mojawa decided to pay a little more attention to bass too, a part of the audio experience that typically takes a big hit with bone conduction headsets. This is thanks to the integrated Maglev bass actuator, which enhances the low end frequencies that travel throughout the bones in your head and neck. These aren’t going to give you the type of thump we’d expect from premium headphones or earbuds, but it’s definitely better than most bone conduction products.
As far as battery goes, the Mojo 2 headset delivers up to eight hours of power on a full charge, but this can drop down faster if you’re rocking out at higher volumes. To combat this though, Mojawa designed the headset with quick charging in mind. Just 10 minutes of charge time will get you an extra 90 minutes of music and podcasts. Additionally, if you want to save $20, the model are very similar.
Best for business
Shokz OpenComm 2
- Noise-canceling microphone with DSP is great for work
- Impressive battery life for longer shift
- IP55 rating for splash resistance
- Not as advanced as higher end Shokz models
| Specification: | |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Battery Life | 16 Hours Talk, 8 Hours Listen |
| On-Board Storage | No |
Updated for 2025, the OpenComm 2 from Shokz is made for more than just music. This bluetooth connected bone conduction headset features a noise-canceling boom microphone that uses DSP technology to highlight your voice and filters out ambient noise. This allows for easier communication in noisy environments while also keeping your ears clear for safety and quick conversations with nearby teammates.
That makes these headphones ideal for truckers and others in the transportation industry as well as those working on a factory floor or in other industrial capacities. Office workers may also enjoy them as an alternative to chatting with a traditional headset on. The battery also offers 16 hours of talk time and eight hours of audio playback on a single charge. Integrate buttons right on the headset make control easy.
Best for multi-sport use
H20 Audio Tri 2 Multi-Sport Series
- Better value than competitors
- Offers Bluetooth and on board memory for dry and wet use
- Great battery life
- IPX8 rating protects from water, but not dust.
| Specification: | |
| IP Rating | IPX8 |
| Battery Life | 9 Hours Bluetooth, 6 Hours memory mode |
| On-Board Storage | 8GB |
H20 Audio may not be a brand of headphones we’re running to the stores in droves for, but if you’re looking for a solid bone conduction headset with a built-in memory bank for a favorite playlist or two, then you might consider a pair of H20 TRI 2 Multi-Sport Series bone conduction headphones.
This model includes up to 8GB of internal storage and can function as an MP3 player. It also supports a Bluetooth connection for streaming audio when staying active on dry land. They feature an IPX8 rating, meaning it can handle being submerged in shallow water for short spurts, but are not rated for dust resistance at all. The headset sports up to 9 hours of Bluetooth playback and 6 hours in memory mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're going to be using your bone conduction headphones for work or dry workouts, then you're unlikely to need or benefit from onboard storage for your music or podcasts. Bone conduction headsets with storage and MP3 player functionality are more useful for swimmers, as Bluetooth does not work in the water.
Make sure you select the right level of water resistance for your chosen activity. Commonly seen IPXX ratings denote the level of water and dust resistance an electronic device can handle. For instance, for swimming, you want something rated IPX7 or higher. Any rating lower than that was not made to be submerged in water or exposed for long periods, though it may be sufficient for sweat or splash resistance. If you're swimming in open bodies of water or exercising in dusty terrain, you'll ideally want something rated for dust as well, like IP67 or IP68.
