Best Bluetooth Central 2021 bone conduction headphonesThe best bone conduction headphones don't sound through your ears but rather through your skull and jaw. The vibrations through your skin are great for people who have difficulty hearing or want to hear traffic noises while riding their bikes. However, it may not be the right niche for you. The AfterShokz Aeropex is the best choice for you if you're in the market.Source: Russell Holly/Android CentralWhile comfort and fit are important in any pair of headphones they make, these factors are only magnified with bone conduction pairs. AfterShokz has been a big fan of this niche, and I finally found the right combination of flexibility and functionality with the Aeropex after several tries. The sound is spread across the entire pad, so more of your skull can absorb the audio output. This is what makes it so great. The company was able to improve the bass, which is the hardest part of bone conduction. Although it can't compare to over-ear or in-ear headphones, it is undoubtedly the best AfterShokz product. The battery lasts for up to eight hours, despite the improved audio quality and more flexible design. This is a great result for a device this small. It's simple enough to use the onboard buttons for play/pause and bring up Google Assistant. The squishy buttons with their combination functions and turning off the headphones can be a problem. It is not uncommon for mistakes to be made here and there is no way to fix it. Although the "Audrey", voice assistant for pairing works with non-Android phones, Android's Fast Pair would make it even easier. The Aeropex's limitations don't affect the listening experience and are therefore minor. Comfortable fitGood audio qualityVibration from the lower padUses Google AssistantSolid battery lifeWater resistance Cons: Squishy buttonsVoice pairing assistant is only OKThere are no customization optionsAfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduct Sport Headphones - Best Overall AfterShokz Aeropex Amazon: $160Best Buy - $160Best value: AfterShokz Trekz TitaniumSource: Russell Holly/Android CentralBecause they like ambient noise to be heard, bone conduction headphones are the best choice. They are great for running, biking, and working out. Although the Trekz Titanium will not have the same sound quality as the Aeropex it will be stable and make sure both background and music are heard. AfterShokz gave them an IP55 rating to make them waterproof enough for sweat. Earplugs are also included by AfterShokz, which significantly increase the volume and resonance when they're in your ears. All of this will not matter if your preferences are for sound. These headphones lack bass and can't match a decent pair of headphones. The battery life of these headphones is only four hours, which is not great. It would have been nice to be able to make a longer announcement than the five-minute one before they went dead. Because the band isn't particularly contoured, your head will determine how snug they fit. These are the best option if you're looking to save money and get into AfterShokz. Con: A comfortable fitIncluded earplugsBright color optionsGood price Cons: Bass's strength isn’t too strongBattery life is very shortWarning: Battery low warningBand isn’t as contouredThe best value AfterShokz Trekz Titanium-Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Headphones. They are quiet and reliable, yet they can be used in noisy environments. Amazon: $80Walmart: $130Best comfort: AfterShokz Trekz AirSource: Russell Holly/Android CentralAfterShokz created the Trekz Air as their answer to Titanium. It was important to create a smaller size that would not feel heavy or cumbersome for most users. This was possible, and it also improved a few other aspects that make these headphones one of the most popular. The flexible band allows you to wear them while active or sitting down. Although the Titanium has a better sound quality and longer battery life, it also costs more to integrate Google Assistant. They can still play audio for six hours. However, you will need to charge the battery via Micro USB, which is an outdated port in a world that is filled with USB-C. AfterShokz chose muted colors over the bright options for Titanium. The Air might not be as obvious because they are so light under a motorcycle or bike helmet. The Air have a better sound than Titanium.Battery life is longer than TitaniumComfortable fit and flexibilityCompatible with many helmetsCons: Google Assistant still doesn't support earplugsMicro-USB chargingChoose muted colorsAfterShokz Trekz Trekz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduct Headphones Best Comfort Amazon: $115Best Buy - $120Best for swimming: AfterShokz XtrainerzSource: AfterShokzAfterShokz Xtrainerz is a great option for those who are already in a niche market and want to make it even more specific. Although the company makes other models that are rugged, they aren’t designed to withstand repeated saltwater or clear exposure like the Xtrainerz. They have 4GB internal storage that can hold audio files. This is great for training and a key feature. They don't cover swimmers' ears so they can be used in competitive races to allow coaches to relay feedback and instructions during training or races. They can withstand saltwater up to 2 hours, which makes them even more useful. The phone also has Bluetooth so it is not completely disconnected. These phones have decent sound quality, but your mileage will depend on how much you swim. The battery lasts for up to eight hours on a single charge. Just make sure you have the magnetic charger. The Pros: Can be used in both saltwater and clear water.Internal storage of 4GBDecent audio qualitySolid battery life Cons - Skip them if your not swimmingKeep your proprietary charger safePrices highThese headphones are great for swimming afterShokzXtrainerz – Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduct Headphones. Wear them and dive. Amazon: $240Walmart: $150Best mini bone conduction headphones: Vidonn F3Source: VidonnVidonn reduced the length of the F1 by one inch, making the F3s a more compact option. The F3s is made of the same titanium alloy as the company's other models. Other than the way that the earpieces fit around the ears, there's not much difference in their construction. While the main feature is its size, there are several other notable features. They are sweat-resistant enough to be worn while active. They also feature Qualcomm's CVC noise cancellation, which can have a greater impact on phone calls. Vidonn however claims that it can be used to listen to music. The battery life rating is comparable to the other options on this page at eight hours. Although they are flexible and durable, there is no way to return them if they don’t fit. The F3's bass won't be obvious unless you use the included earplugs. However, it can play quite loud at the default volume. You don't have volume buttons, so it is best to keep your phone close by in case you need to dial back. It has a small play/pause button. However, it is not as easy to reach due to its small size. Pros: Made for smaller headsCVC noise cancelationAmazing color optionsBattery life is excellentAffordable price Cons: There are no volume buttonsIt may not be perfectPlay/Pause button for small amountsAmazon: $50 off mini bone conduction headphones VidonnF3 - Open Ear Wireless Bonnee Conduction Headphones Comfortable for smaller heads Vidonn makes the headphones more suited to smaller heads by creating a smaller size that is more tolerant to smaller craniums. Amazon: $50Vidonn F1 is the best budget optionSource: VidonnVidonn's F1 is the best option for people who enjoy bone conduction. It is a bargain when compared to the top-class model. The F1 is a standard model, and it uses the same materials as the F3. It also has a similar form factor. The F1 has more power, but the same problems are present when trying to hear bass. CVC noise-canceling is also available on board. This makes it easier to make phone calls and listen to audio content. It's also sweat resistant. Fit and comfort depend on how big your head is. With little adjustment, it's difficult to predict how it will stay in place during a run. The F3's battery life is good at 6 hours but you will get much more from it. The F3 doesn't have the dynamic colors Vidonn used, but you can get them if your preference is for something more subtle. Con: A comfortable fitResistance to sweatNice designSupport for CVCReasonable price Cons: There is not much bassBattery life could be longerSmaller heads may not be compatibleF3 is not as vibrant as F3.Vidonn F1 Open Ear Wireless Bone Conductor Headphones Bone conduction at an affordable price Vidonn has something for everyone who wants to enjoy tunes but not through their ears. Amazon: $50
