The best bone conduction headphones 2025: Stay aware on the road, in the pool, and in the office

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Ears-free listening with the best bone conduction headphones

The top bone conduction headphones offer an ideal solution for staying connected to your audio—whether it’s music, a podcast, or a conference call—while remaining fully aware of your environment.

Bone conduction represents a unique audio technology, distinct from other open-ear headphone designs. Instead of generating soundwaves that vibrate the air, these specialized headsets deliver audio directly to your inner ear by sending vibrations through the bones of your skull via transducers.

These headphones prove particularly valuable during physical activity, significantly enhancing safety when you're running or cycling in bustling areas. For me, the ability to clearly hear traffic while cycling or to detect fellow runners during a race event has been a transformative experience. In fact, many organized races now exclusively permit the use of bone conduction or other open-ear earphones for participant safety.

Beyond outdoor adventures, bone conduction headphones are also beneficial in an office setting. They allow you to listen to your music or virtual meeting while still being aware of ambient conversations or office activity around you.

Below, I'll guide you through the advantages and disadvantages of the six leading headsets we’ve thoroughly tested in 2025, helping you pinpoint the perfect pair for your needs. If these options don't quite fit the bill, explore our dedicated guides to thebest swimming headphonesandbest open-ear headphonesfor more options focused on spatial awareness.

Matt, TechRadar's Senior Fitness and Wearables Editor, is an authority on workouts, sports headphones, and all aspects of fitness technology. With years of experience covering the health and fitness beat, Matt has personally evaluated many of the headphones featured here and has assembled a small team of expert writers to contribute to this comprehensive guide.

Quick round-up: The best bone conduction headphones at a glance

If you're pressed for time and can't delve into our complete breakdown, this summary offers a direct route to the best options tailored to your specific requirements and budget.

H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport

The feature-rich H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport combines Bluetooth, a playlist-saving function, and integrated storage, providing extensive options for enjoying your audio. It delivers rich sound but comes with a premium price tag.

Nank Runner Diver2 Pro

Boasting impressive features and a corresponding price, the Nank Runner Diver2 Pro stands out as my top premium choice, thanks to its exceptional performance both in and out of the water.

Shokz OpenRun

While the new Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 excels for running, your options for truly budget-friendly bone conduction headphones are limited. The Shokz OpenRun remains a reasonably priced and excellent choice in 2025.

Suunto Wing

The Suunto Wing offers a modest four-hour battery life on its own, but it includes a charging dock that provides an additional three hours of power with just 10 minutes of contact.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

The new Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is my top recommendation for runners in 2025, building upon the stellar foundation of its predecessors. You'll enjoy superb audio, a comfortable fit, and an impressive 12 hours of battery life.

Shokz OpenSwim Pro

The Shokz OpenSwim Pro features integrated storage for MP3 playback, accommodating up to 8,000 songs. These headphones are fully waterproof, suitable for both swimming and land-based exercise. Their sophisticated design and comfortable fit make them our premier premium pick.

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The best bone conduction headphones 2025: In-depth reviews

Below, you’ll find comprehensive write-ups for each of the best bone conduction headphones on our list. We’ve rigorously tested each model, so you can fully trust our recommendations.

1. H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport

The best bone conduction headphones overall

The H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport bone conduction headphones might be among the more expensive options we feature, but they are undoubtedly the most feature-rich. They are a triathlete’s dream, effortlessly transitioning between aquatic and terrestrial environments for rich audio enjoyment anywhere.

Superb for both swimming and land-based workouts, these headphones include an 8GB MP3 player and a Playlist+ function for saving playlists from streaming services, meaning you aren't reliant on Bluetooth connectivity when submerged. As a dedicated Spotify user, I find this incredibly convenient. When out of the water, however, you retain full Bluetooth connectivity for streaming any music or podcast you desire.

During our testing, they also proved excellent for general listening. Above water, both music and podcasts delivered solid sound quality, whether using Bluetooth or internal storage. Underwater, podcast audio quality was equally impressive.

While their price is significant, it doesn't diminish the fact that these are currently the best bone conduction headphones on the market. Sorry, Shokz.

Read our full H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport review

2. Nank Runner Diver2 Pro

The best premium bone conduction headphones

The Nank Runner Diver2 Pro stands out as an outstanding pair of bone conduction headphones for both runners and swimmers. They perform exceptionally well across all aspects and even come with premium earplugs designed to enhance sound quality.

With an impressive 32GB of onboard storage, your music needs are well covered, and an IP69 water rating guarantees their suitability for swimming, not just protection against rain.

I particularly appreciate their lightweight and comfortable fit, along with the thoughtfully designed charger, though the absence of USB-C is a curious omission. The noise-cancelling mode is effective, and multipoint connectivity ensures reliable transitions between devices.

During my testing, I enjoyed the clear, well-balanced sound, and the battery life consistently delivered the promised 10 hours. These are my ultimate choice for a no-expense-spared bone conduction experience, making them a perfect fit for our premium category.

Read our full Nank Runner Diver2 Pro review

3. Shokz OpenRun

The best budget bone conduction headphones

Even though the original Shokz OpenRun has remained largely unchanged for years, it still sets the benchmark for affordable bone conduction technology. More budget-friendly than the OpenSwim Pro and OpenRun Pro 2, the classic OpenRuns boast an eight-hour battery life and a higher waterproof rating than the newer OpenRun Pro 2, eliminating concerns about heavy rain during your runs.

These headphones were a constant companion on my runs for years before I upgraded to the Nanks, and for good reason: they are incredibly lightweight, sound great, and offer excellent value, especially when deals are available.

During testing, our reviewer highly praised Shokz' PremiumPitch 2.0 transducers, which still perform admirably today, though their sound quality can’t quite match our premium selections. These are also Bluetooth-only, meaning no onboard storage.

Read our full Shokz OpenRun review

4. Suunto Wing

The best bone conduction headphones for battery life

The Suunto Wing is unique on this list as the only set of bone conduction headphones that includes a portable charging dock, enabling on-the-go recharges. While the Wing headset itself offers just four hours of battery life, a mere ten minutes of contact with the dock extends usage by an additional three hours, providing a total of 30 hours of power before the dock itself needs recharging.

This is an ingenious system. If you primarily use the Wing for runs and rides, it's unlikely you'll be exercising for more than four hours at a stretch (and even if you are, the slim dock can easily fit into a running or cycling backpack alongside your energy gels and hydration pack). This feature makes the Wing headphones highly suitable for multi-day trail events where charging opportunities are scarce.

Constructed from a combination of titanium and silicone, the Wing is well-built, featuring a three-button control array and an IP67 waterproof rating. While not entirely swim-proof, they are theoretically capable of handling "short periods of submersion" and are more than robust enough for heavy rain. The only notable drawback is their relatively high price compared to some of the older Shokz models on this list.

Read our full Suunto Wing review

5. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

The best bone conduction headphones for running

My new top recommendation for runners in 2025 is the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. Building on the successful foundation of the OpenRun Pro, Shokz has upgraded the audio with its new 10th-generation bone conduction technology. They've also incorporated air conduction to complement the bone conduction vibrations. In our testing, our reviewer noted impressive high-end performance, rich mids, and a slightly reserved bass profile.

For bone conduction headphones, they deliver excellent sound. Beyond audio, a new USB-C connector facilitates faster charging, providing two and a half hours of listening from just a five-minute charge, with a full charge taking only one hour. That full charge, incidentally, provides a generous 12 hours of total listening time.

The headphones offer six audio modes and a five-band EQ for personalized sound. You can also store MP3 tracks onboard thanks to 8GB of storage and a special feature that allows playlist recording without needing your phone. While these are not suitable for swimming, their IP55 rating ensures robust water resistance. These are unequivocally the best bone conduction headphones for running in 2025.

Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review

6. Shokz OpenSwim Pro

The best bone conduction headphones for swimming

The Shokz OpenSwim Pro now offers Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming, in addition to its existing support for MP3 playback. Its 32GB of onboard storage is sufficient for approximately 8,000 songs, allowing you to swim without needing your phone nearby.

Featuring an IP68 waterproofing rating, they are certified to withstand submersion up to two meters for two hours, making them perfect for quick triathlons or extended pool sessions. Battery life is impressive, providing up to 9 hours of Bluetooth playback, or 6 hours when streaming music from the internal storage. A minor caveat is that you'll need to own the music you wish to play from the headphones, so if you primarily rely on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, these might not be your ideal choice.

The over-ear design ensures a comfortable and secure fit for a variety of ear shapes, and at a mere 27 grams, you'll barely notice them. Audio is delivered via Shokz' PremiumPitch 2.0+, offering clear sound and integrated noise-cancelling. Although they miss out on the more recent ninth-generation Shokz bone conduction technology, they remain an absolutely brilliant option in their category.

Read our full Shokz OpenSwim Pro review

Bone conduction headphones comparison table

FAQs about bone conduction headphones

Below, we've addressed some of the most frequently asked questions about bone conduction headphones, helping you select the perfect pair for your requirements.

Are bone conduction headphones waterproof?

If you're considering a pair of bone conduction headphones for swimming, it's crucial to examine their IP (Ingress Protection) rating. This rating indicates their resistance to sweat and water.

Generally, an IP68 rating or higher guarantees complete protection in water. From our list above, the H2O Tri 2 Pro, Nank RunnerDiver 2 Pro, and Shokz OpenSwim Pro meet this standard. The Shokz OpenRun, Suunto Wing, and OpenRun Pro 2 are not designed for pool use, though they do offer resistance to sweat and rain.

It's also worth noting that Bluetooth signals do not transmit effectively underwater, which is why headphones specifically designed for swimming often include built-in music storage. Ourbest swimming headphonesguide provides more detailed information on this topic.

Can you hear ambient sound with bone conduction headphones?

Generally, yes. Similar to the transparency modes found on some active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones, bone conduction headphones allow ambient sounds to reach your ears. However, the key distinction is that bone conduction headphones do not block or plug your ear canals at all, unlike in-ear earbuds that use microphones for transparency.

This inherent design is precisely why many organized race events prohibit traditional headphones, allowing only bone conduction or other open-ear headsets. Earbuds that keep your ears open are also becoming more common, and you can learn more in our dedicated guide to thebest open earbuds.

Do bone conduction headphones sound good?

All the bone conduction headphones featured in this guide offer respectable audio performance, but it's important to manage expectations. You will never achieve the same level of sound quality as you would from a pair ofin-ear headphonesorover-ear headphones.

If your priority is maintaining environmental awareness without compromising on audio fidelity, there are manytrue wireless earbudsavailable with transparency modes. These modes use built-in microphones to feed external sounds into your ears.

Are bone conduction headphones better for your ears?

There is a theory that bone conduction headphones might be healthier for your hearing compared to earbuds, over-ear, andon-ear headphones. This is because they do not direct air pressure directly to your eardrum, which could potentially lead to damage when listening at high volumes.

However,studies have indicatedthat there is no measurable difference in pressure on the ear canal between bone conduction headphones and in-ear headphones.

Which Shokz headphones sound the best?

While some Shokz models might offer superior comfort, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 deliver the best sound quality. As highlighted in our guide, these headphones incorporate an updated set of DualPitch bass transducers that produce significantly richer audio than any other bone conduction headsets we’ve evaluated.

You can further customize the sound profile to your preferences using the EQ settings available in the Shokz app.

How we test bone conduction headphones

Having tested dozens of bone conduction headphones over the years, we are uniquely positioned to curate our top selections for this guide.

Every pair listed above has undergone our comprehensive review process. We provide each product ample time for thorough evaluation, assessing its sound quality across various music genres, games, movies, and podcasts, using multiple sources, and comparing it against established category leaders. While sound quality is a priority, we acknowledge that bone conduction headphones offer a different listening experience than over-ear headphones or earbuds.

We also consider how comfortable these headphones are for extended wear and how secure their fit remains, especially during exercise.

Regarding additional features, we examine voice assistant integration, on-device touch controls, the comprehensiveness of the companion app, and any other unique functionalities each set of bone conduction headphones provides.

Furthermore, we rigorously verify battery life claims to ensure we offer an accurate assessment of their real-world duration during typical usage. Ultimately, our goal is for you to be absolutely delighted with your chosen product, and we strive to help you achieve that satisfaction.

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Mattis TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech.

A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.