For those who love to infuse their love for cycling with some cool technology, this here is for you. Here’s a look at the best bone conduction headphones for cycling.Â
When they first came out, I was immediately sold on the idea of bone conduction headphones. I found myself awed and blown away by the capacity they possessed and the possibilities they presented.
Not once or twice, I have been involved in minor altercations with motorists as I whizz across my city. These were the only instances of “excitement†through my rides to work but they always left me in a bad mood.
Since I tried my new headphones on, my rides are so much calmer and anxiety-free and I haven’t once had not one incident to report.
Seeing how much they changed my life, I put this summary together to help guide any cyclist who is in the same predicament.
Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling – A Comparison Table
 |
Weight |
Playback Time |
Price |
Aeropex Headphones
|
26 g |
8 hours |
|
Trekz Air Headphones
|
30 g |
6 hours |
|
Genso’s Headphones
|
36 g |
10 hours |
|
F1 Titanium Headphones |
36 g |
4 hours |
|
Pyle PSWBT550 Headphones |
38 g |
8 hours |
|
SIUSUMFO Headphones |
35 g |
4 hours |
|
Xtrainerz Headphones |
30 g |
8 hours |
|
Tayogo Headphones |
30 g |
6 hours |
Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling- Comparison Overview
Aeropex Headphones Â
[amazon box=”B07RRQ59JR” template=”horizontal” ]Among the lightest bone conduction headphones, you will find are the AfterShokzAeropex. At just 26g, it is at least 4g lighter than the standard headphones. With up to 8 hours of nonstop playback time, this is the ideal long-distance cycling companion.
With an IP67 waterproof rating, these babies are dust and sweatproof. Although you can’t go swimming in them, you may confidently jump into the shower or run in heavy rain with no damage coming to you or your headphones.
Features
- Weighs 26g
- 8hrs of playback
- Bluetooth V5.0
- IP67
The controls on these headphones are easy to use and they fit quite snugly around your earlobe. With the V5.0 Bluetooth capacity, your wireless connection should be glitch-free and dependable.
ProsÂ
- The lightest headphones
- Impressive battery life
- Dust and sweat proof
- Snug fit
ConsÂ
- Audio quality not as great as normal headphones
- Strong vibration makes your ears itch
Verdict
These AfterShokzAeropex bone conduction earphones are the ultimate traveling companion especially if you are always on your phone or if you plan on going for a long daytime ride. They have quite a strong vibration which is ideal for music or podcast playing.
Trekz Air HeadphonesÂ
[amazon box=”B075FMK7SD” template=”horizontal” ]Trekz Air headphones boast a 20 percent lightness compared to other versions such as the Titanium or Titanium Air. They are sweat, moisture, and dustproof and have a maximum of 6 hours of playback time having taken about 2 hours to fully charge.
This earpiece has bending capabilities that allow it to wrap securely over your earlobe giving you a comfortable feel. Owing to the nature of bone conduction earphones not being closed in, AfterShokz introduced the PremiumPitch Plus technology to boost the sound quality.
Features
- Weighs 30g
- AfterShokzPremiumPitch Plus
- 6 hours playback
- IP55
- Bluetooth V4.2
When it comes to compatibility and pairing, these headphones are fitted with Bluetooth V4.2 which certifies a stable connection and allows you to pair multiple devices and switch from one device to another with no need to unpair.
ProsÂ
- Compatible with multiple devices
- Sweat, dust, and moisture-proof
- Comfortable wear
- iOS and Android compatible
ConsÂ
- Expensive pair
Verdict
These headphones are perfect for the present-day millennials who are always multi-tasking on their several devices. Having a pair of headphones that frees them from the burden of pairing and unpairing with every new connection takes the load off.
Genso HeadphonesÂ
[amazon box=”B081Q9T6BP” template=”horizontal” ]The painful issue of music going off when your device runs out of charge is real but very well taken care of by these headphones. Offering you 10 hours of playback time, there is almost nowhere you can’t go with them.
With the IP55 waterproof rating, they may be able to resist light rain and keep off sweat. They are of good lightweight and they have a comfortable fit featuring a slip-proof design.
Features
- IP55
- Slip-proof design
- Bluetooth V5.0
- 10 Hours playback
These wireless headphones have the latest Bluetooth version which means your connections and pairing functions are quick and on point all the time. With this Bluetooth version, you have a 33-foot signal transmission for fast file transfer.
ProsÂ
- Quick pairing connectivity
- Comfortable slip-proof fit
- Sweat and dust resistant
- Extended battery life
- Light in weight
Cons
- Sound quality wanting during phone calls
Verdict
If you are the kind of person to want to get away for most of the day, these are your best choice of bone conduction headphones. The 10-hour long playback time they offer is perfect for a day out in the wild outback.
F1 Titanium HeadphonesÂ
[amazon box=”B07449HBNH” template=”horizontal” ]The best part about these headphones is their ergonomic anti-drop design that enables users to engage in high activity with no worries of losing or dislodging their earpiece. They do this effortlessly by the use of the Titanium wraparound build that fits perfectly and defies the test of time.
These headphones have also incorporated the Noise Cancellation technology to give their users a better phone call experience. A CSR Bluetooth audio scheme also boosts the sound quality by restoring HiFi which improves clarity and quality of sound up to 10 meters.
Features
- Wrap around firm fit
- Large battery
- Noise-canceling technology
These headphones are fitted with a strong 180mAh Lithium battery that affords you up to 6 hours of playback time which is pretty impressive considering it takes about 2 hours to get fully charged.
Pros
- Ergonomic anti-drop technology
- The better sound quality on phone calls
- Long hours of playback time
ConsÂ
- Bass sound not robust
Verdict
Any headphone that can provide extra benefits other than playing music makes a great buy. So for these headphones, they are a must-buy because of their noise cancellation properties, large battery, and the secure and comfortable fit.
Pyle PSWBT550 HeadphonesÂ
[amazon box=”B0777NCWLD” template=”horizontal” ]Keeping your earphones secure and locked in is hard to do when pedaling and concentrating on the road in front of you. That is why these headphones make for a great buy because they have a wrap-around design that keeps them from slipping off your head.
With IP-X6 qualities, this set of headphones can withstand water splashes from any direction at high pressure. They also have side controls that make it easy and convenient to switch from track to track while cycling.
Features
- IP-X6
- Side Panel controls
- Non-slip technology
- LED lighting
- Bluetooth connectivity
With the LED lighting, you will know once the Bluetooth pairing is done successfully and the built-in microphone works to help you answer calls on the go. It takes about 4 hours to charge this device
ProsÂ
- Waterproof design
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Notification lighting
- Smooth pairing
ConsÂ
- Not suitable for all head sizes.
Verdict
The Pyle PSWBT550 headphones are perfect for any cyclist who appreciates the small touches of added benefits such as the Bluetooth pairing notification LED light and the secure fit they provide.
SIUSUMFO Headphones
[amazon box=”B07H4H87QM” template=”horizontal” ]These headphones are both sweat and waterproof making them perfect for outdoor cycling activities. Low-pressure jet sprays are within their protection and should not harm your earphones. With 4 hours of playback time, you can cycle to and from your favorite places with a great playlist.
The Bluetooth 5.o connectivity is fast in pairing and file transfer. An EDR chip has been embedded to give off a high-quality sound. They are pairable with smartphones and other Bluetooth devices and they allow you to transfer data quickly.
Features
- 35g in weight
- Long battery life
- Hi-Fi stereo sound
- IPx56
- Bluetooth V5.0
Phone calls on these headphones are crisp and clear and the receiver will hear you perfectly with the in-built microphone.
ProsÂ
- Great sound
- Water and sweat-resistant
- Fast Bluetooth pairing and file transfer
- 4 hours of playback time
- Lightweight
ConsÂ
- Tough to decipher manually
Verdict
These sets of headphones give the rider a great wireless experience in playback time and phone call quality. You will not have to worry about running out of charge while you cycle through the town or village.
Xtrainerz HeadphonesÂ
[amazon box=”B07PPD1PZ8″ template=”horizontal” ]These headphones are a cut above the rest simply for their ability to operate underwater up to 2 meters deep for up to two hours. They feature the titanium wraparound design that fits snuggly over your ear.
The weight is friendly at 30g and the battery life is up to 8 hours on playback time. They are designed with their charging cradle which also serves as a data link that allows you to transfer music. Unfortunately, this is the only way possible to charge it.
Features
- IP68
- 4GB memory
- 8 hours of battery life
- MP3 player and headphone hybrid
- Weighs 30g
Audrey says is a voice-over function built into the headphones to guide the user when switching from one function to another. Four control buttons allow you to access several modes of equalization such as dry or underwater use.
ProsÂ
- Swimming is possible
- Large storage
- Long battery life
- Hybrid device
- Lightweight
ConsÂ
- Proprietary charging unit
Verdict
These are simply the best bone conduction headphones in the market yet. Giving you the capacity to swim and cycle all the same and providing a convenient and reliable control button to toggle between different audio equalization modes, makes it a worthy buy.
Tayogo HeadphonesÂ
[amazon box=”B07QQBYBMG” template=”horizontal” ]These headphones possess great bass capabilities that are quite rare for bone conduction headphones to do. Also fitted with a microphone and Bluetooth connectivity, you can freely and confidently take and make calls hands-free.
They are available in three color options and can be used for all purposes such as business, casual, or exercise. A comfortable fit that wraps around your ear ensures that they stay in place while you cycle around.
Features
- Bluetooth V5.0
- Hands-free calls
- Hi-Fi technology
- Multi-purpose headphones
Enjoy as much as 6 hours of uninterrupted playback time with these headphones that provide the best quality in Hi-Fi sound. You can successfully pair your headphones with Android or iOS devices to gain access to your favorite content.
ProsÂ
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Long battery life
- High quality-high Fidelity sound
- Wraparound form-fit design
ConsÂ
- Volume options need to be improved
Verdict
These are for the cyclists who love bass and actively seek it out in their devices. These headphones provide a comfortable, flexible, non-slip, and sweatproof experience that is well balanced to keep your ears attuned to the external world which is their main purpose.
ConclusionÂ
For me, I was truly impressed with the AfterShokz brand and ended up buying their Xtrainerz model for its hybrid capabilities such as the voice-over function, MP3 player, 4GB storage and ability to swim in them for two hours!
Bone Conduction Headphones are revolutionary and they have spiced up the rider experience immensely even for those with hearing problems. Any of the ones listed will give you a great experience but if you are preferential to some factors, you need to choose wisely.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Bone Conduction Headphones for CyclingÂ
While traditional headphones operate by directly transmitting sound into your ear canal, bone conduction headphones rely on sound vibration. They essentially sit on your temple and transmit sound through your bones into your inner ear without interfering with ear canal transmissions.
Comfort
Unlike in-ear headphones that go inside of your ear, bone conduction headphones sit on the outside and rest firmly on your head. To get the best set, ensure that the fit is comfortable enough for you and that is doesn’t fit too tight as this could lead to a terrible headache.
Aim for the bone conduction headphones featuring a flexible wraparound design that snuggly and securely hugs around your ear and stays in place even in high-intensity cycling. This way you won’t have to worry about them slipping off and you can enjoy your rides comfortably.
Sound Quality
You need to adjust your expectations when it comes to bone conduction earphone’s sound quality. Seeing as they rely on vibration to get the sound to your inner ear through your bones, the experience is far less superior to the in-ear headphones we are used to.
However, as a cyclist, you should be able to quickly adapt to using them because their main purpose is to provide you some entertainment while still allowing for you to be receptive to the environment around you.
Get the kind that offers some extra audio features or improvements if you are worried the sound is too low. However, most of the time, the sound is just right.
Durability
With the knowledge that these headphones are to be used outdoors amid tons of other activities, accidental damage is a real concern. Identify a strong and stable material build and design to ensure that they can take a beating and not break down easily.
The Titanium incorporated design in most of the AfterShokz bone conduction models makes them quite hardy and resilient to a lot of hazards.
Several brands offer water and sweat resistance with a minimum of IP-X5 standard. Aim for this if you love to ride even in wet weather conditions.
Wireless or Wired
Wired headphones are a nuisance when it comes to activities because they always get caught up or tangled with other things. This can be truly frustrating and unsustainable especially as a cyclist.
Wireless bone conduction is great and you will find plenty in this design. You need to pay attention to the connection range possible and the Bluetooth signal quality.
Apart from connectivity, consider the battery life and charging system. Aim to buy headphones with at least 4 hours of playback time. This should suffice you to and from a short ride.
Sound Leakage
You may believe that since they rely on vibration to transmit sound, that they do not leak sounds. However, that is far from the truth.
Just as with in-ear headphones, bone conduction earphones emit some sounds at high volume. Though not high enough for the other party to make out what your listening to it is high enough to catch their attention.
If you are like me and don’t appreciate that, make a point of testing your choice out before settling in to buy.
FAQs
Will one conduction earphones hurt my ear?
No. Since they rest outside of your ear, on your temples, and transmit vibrational sound to your inner ear through your bones, it is highly unlikely for them to cause any ear damage.
However, if you happen to buy a pair that fits too tightly, you may suffer from a few migraines and ear strain or pain from the tight grip. To prevent this, test the headphones out for all intents and purposes before you purchase.
Do bone conduction earphones work well for an impaired hearing?
Yes. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out that because of their mechanism of sound vibrations through your bones, this acts as the eardrum for the listener. So even with a damaged eardrum, you will benefit greatly from this technology.