Bone conduction headphones: cheap vs premium
How do bone conduction headphones differ from other types, and is it worth spending hundreds or will a cheap set do?
Bone conduction headphones differ from other types primarily by conducting sound vibrations through your cheekbones instead of directing the sound through your ear canals. This keeps your ears clear so you can still hear environmental noises. They’re often called ‘open-ear’ headphones.
They rate poorly in tests in which sound quality is given the most weight. But they serve a very different purpose from other types of headphones. It’s not possible to match others on sound when the intention is to let in environmental noises that ultimately compete with what you’re listening to.
We trialled the latest model by Shokz (previously AfterShokz), the OpenRun Pro, to see the advantages and disadvantages compared with other types of headphones. We also looked at how the significantly cheaper Lenovo X3 Pro stacked up in comparison.
Left: Shokz OpenRun Pro, right: Lenovo X3 Pro.
Pros & cons of bone conduction headphones
Want to read the full article?
- Thousands of expert product/service reviews
- Personal support through our Consumer Rights Advice Line
- Premium articles and in-depth buying advice
- Add a Consumer magazine for even more exclusive content
Expensive vs cheap bone conduction headphones
Want to read the full article?
- Thousands of expert product/service reviews
- Personal support through our Consumer Rights Advice Line
- Premium articles and in-depth buying advice
- Add a Consumer magazine for even more exclusive content
The verdict
We've tested 118 pairs of headphones.
Find the right ones for you.
Member comments
Get access to comment