These 7 Bone-Conduction Headphones Are a Safer, Less-Gross Alternative to Earbuds: Well & Good

On-ear, open-ear, noise-canceling, earbuds—with so many types of headphones out there, searching for the perfect pair can be a bit daunting. But there’s one type of headphones you may not have even heard of. (Sorry, that pun was just ready and waiting.) We’re talking about bone-conduction headphones, which deliver audio vibrations straight to your inner ear through the bones in your cheek and jaw. Pretty cool, right? To learn more, we spoke with licensed audiologist Ruth Reisman, AuD MBA CCC-A, about what they are and who they benefit. Plus, we rounded up seven of the best bone-conduction headphones to try for yourself.

The best bone conduction headphones, at a glance:

• Best overall: Shokz, OpenMove, $80
• Best sound quality: Shokz, OpenRun, $130
• Most affordable: Vidonn, F1, $50
• Best for swimming: Shokz, OpenSwim, $120
• Best for phone calls: Haylou, PurFree BC01, $120
• Best for workouts: H20 Audio Tri Pro Multi-Sport, $160
• Most unique: Bose, Frames Tempo Sports Sunglasses, $250

What are bone-conduction headphones, anyway?

Unlike traditional headphones, bone-conduction headphones bypass your ear canal and eardrum by sitting on top of your jaw and cheekbone and transmitting sound vibrations directly to your inner ear. They’re attached by a band that fits around your head. “Because all of the bones in the head are connected, when this area is vibrated the signal is transmitted directly to the inner ear,” Reisman says. “The inner ear structures vibrate in tandem with the vibrations of the skull emitted from the headphones.”

The benefits of bone conduction headphones

Folks are becoming increasingly aware of their hearing health, and the overuse of in-ear headphones is one of the main culprits for hearing issues. With that in mind, bone-conduction headphones have some serious perks. Reisman says there are four main benefits:

1. Open-ear design

If you have hearing loss that is caused by abnormalities of the outer or middle ear, but your inner ear still functions normally, bone conduction headphones may benefit you. “The sound will bypass any challenges that the outer or middle ear is experiencing,” explains Reisman. Not only can you moderate the headphone volume and hear music better, but Reisman says bone conduction headphones will also provide a cleaner, crisper, less distorted signal to the inner ear.

Since bone-conduction headphones don't go inside the ears, they can also eliminate the discomfort associated with in-ear or over-ear headphones. Bone-conduction headphones, by not covering or inserting into the ears, can reduce the likelihood of fatigue during extended use.

2. Fewer ear infections

If you have constant ear infections, Reisman cautions that using traditional in-ear headphones may affect your ear’s healing process. “Keeping the ear open and aerated with bone conduction headphones would avoid further damage to the outer and middle ears,” she says.

3. Increased safety during solo activities

These types of headphones allow for environmental noises to travel through the ear’s traditional pathway, while still allowing you to hear your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks. This means you'll be more aware of the cars or pedestrians around you while biking, running, or walking.

4. Reduced dirt, bacteria, and ear wax impaction

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of not cleaning your headphones enough. Luckily, that's not an issue with this type of headphones. “Since bone conduction headphones do not go into the ear and are only on the surface, they are easier to clean and reduce the risk of any bacteria or unwanted dirt into the ear,” Reisman says. She also recommends them for people who have significant issues with ear wax impaction, since “this can help avoid pushing the ear wax deeper into the ear.”