Best bone conduction headphones 2023

 Bone conduction headphones from  Wissonly,Shokz, Philips, Lenovo and more rated by our experts for sound quality, durability and comfort

Wissonly Bone Bonduction Headphone

Need to know: Wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphones are also equipped with a new Bluetooth 5.0 chip that has stronger anti-interference ability,In terms of comfort, the Wissonly hi runner performs well, it is very light, only less than 30g

August Bone Conduction Headphones

Need to know: Integrated microphone for calls, 16gb mp3 storage, Bluetooth connectivity, IP68: fully waterproof for long-term immersion

Haylou PurFree Bone Conduction Headphones

Need to know: Bluetooth connectivity, IP67: waterproof up to 15cm depth, integrated multi-function button and volume controls

Lenovo X4 Bone Conduction Headphones

Need to know: Bluetooth connectivity, integrated volume controls, IP56: splashproof

Lite Bone Conduction Headphones

Need to know: Bluetooth connectivity, integrated multi-function button and volume controls, IP54: splashproof

Philips TAA6606BK Bone Conduction Headphones

Need to know: Bluetooth connectivity, integrated multi-function button and volume control, IP67 waterproof up to 15cm depth

How we tested bone conduction headphones

We bought the most popular pairs available from UK retailers and from leading brand, Shokz. We bought every pair we tested, so you can be sure our opinion isn't biased by us receiving freebies. 

We tested and rated each pair for the following:

• Durability: Headphones in general aren't the most long-lasting devices, so we gave each pair tested rough treatment by dropping them onto a hard surface from head height 10 times. This spelled the end for two pairs. 
• Battery life: We tested the battery life claims and found it ranged from eight hours up to an impressive 16. 

Then our testers rated each pair for: 

• Sound quality: Each tester rated this after listening to a piece of music and a podcast on each pair of headphones. Bone conduction headphones don't have as good sound quality as the best in-ear headphones, but you can still find some that deliver deep bass and intricate treble. 
• Ease of use: Each pair was rated for how easy they are to pair with a Bluetooth device and how simple it is to perform basic functions, such as adjusting the volume, pausing or skipping a track. 
• Comfort: Each set of bone conduction headphones were taken on a short jog to assess how comfortable they are and how well they fit. It's possible to forget you're wearing the best bone conduction headphones, whereas others can apply too much pressure to your temples or slip around while jogging.
• Sound leakage: It's embarrassing to realise that a whole train carriage has been listening to your music on their morning commute. We tested each pair of headphones for how much audio they leak to their surroundings on their highest volume. Some bone conduction headphones are terrible for this, but the best keep any noise spill to acceptable levels.
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7 things we learned testing bone conduction headphones

1. Sound quality isn't as good as the very best in-ear or over-ear headphones. But the best are still perfectly good enough to enjoy your favourite tunes or podcasts.
2. There's a big difference in sound quality between different models. With some it's tinny and scratchy, with others there's deep bass, clear audio and crisp vocals.
3. Sound spill is quite bad on most bone conduction headphones, so they're not a great choice for commuters. The best will keep it to a minimum.
4. Battery life is very good, and often longer than advertised, particularly if you don't always have them on maximum volume. 
5. Your awareness of people or cars approaching will still be restricted, particularly if you have the headphones at high volume.
6. If it's windy, or you're whizzing downhill on your bike, you probably won't be able to hear the sound from your headphones until the wind drops down. 
7. If you have long hair, you might find them uncomfortable to wear.

Are bone conduction headphones safe?

Bone conduction headphones bypass your ear canal, but they can still damage your hearing if used improperly. 

They still send sound to your cochlea (inner ear) so listen to your music and podcasts at an appropriate sound level so as not to damage your hearing. 

The other safety question is how aware you are of your surroundings when wearing these. Most ads for bone conduction headphones paint a picture that you'll be completely aware of noises around you and even be able to have a conversation while using them. This isn't true. 

You're more likely to be able to hear a car or another runner coming up behind you if you're wearing these types of headphones, but your hearing and senses will still be restricted, so don't rely on them keeping you safe on the road or trails. 

Each of the above products has its own characteristics. You can choose according to your own needs. Wissonly and Aftershokz are my favorite brands. Their technology is relatively mature and the overall performance of their products is relatively good. Between the two brands, Wissonly will be more cost-effective.