An astonishing study related to bone-conduction headphones reveals that the growing market for headphones is projected to reach $3671.9 million in 2030. This rapid growth is unsurprising, as more consumers are choosing these headphones for their unique comfort and improved situational awareness contrary to traditional options.
These headphones have caught the attention of many athletes, cyclists, runners, and anyone who prefers exercising and outdoor activities, as they allow you to stay aware of your surroundings without compromising on sound quality. Not only does it enhance performance, but also provides safety. Bone conduction headphones also cater to people with hearing loss or defects, allowing sound to pass through bone vibration.
This headphone has a diverse customer base but is a front-runner when it comes to athletes, sports enthusiasts, and those with hearing problems. Learn about the benefits of bone-conduction headphones and what makes them the best choice for customers.
Why Bone Conduction Headphones Are the Best Choice
Situational Awareness & Safety
The open-ear design of bone-conduction headphones allows you to hear the surrounding sounds of cars honking, birds chirping, and anything you hear daily, providing top-notch situational awareness which reduces the risk of accidents. However, it is important to remember that regardless of allowing ambient sounds to enter, it does not compromise sound quality.
Hearing Protection
Since these headphones do not cover your ear canal, sounds do not directly enter your ears, making it much safer than traditional headphones. Damage to the eardrum is reduced, and chances of ear infection are also minimized thanks to its open design, which does not trap heat and moisture inside the ears.
Comfort for Extended Use
Bone conduction headphones make your experience more comfortable and enjoyable compared to traditional headphones. The design of these headphones makes them fit perfectly around your head, eliminating the pain of earbuds in the canal or headphones over the ears, particularly if you wear caps or glasses.
Furthermore, they do not fall off during exercises and are even waterproof, allowing you to sweat it out in the gym or swim in the pool without concern!
Versatility
Once you start using these headphones, you will experience the difference between them and traditional ones. During sports or exercises, your headphones or buds usually fall off, but with bone conduction, you will not have to worry about that. When you run around your block, you can hear the sound of traffic, which keeps you alert at all times.
Most workers in warehouses are prone to accidents like boxes falling on them or crane incidents. Therefore, opting for bone-conduction headphones over traditional ones is a lifesaver. These headphones are also compatible with different head accessories like a swim cap, protection cap, and so on.
These headphones are gaining more popularity for aiding deaf children and young people because most children and youngsters cannot hear through the ears; therefore, the bone conduction technology of these headphones makes them suitable hearing devices.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Bone Conduction Headphones
Fit and Comfort
We have all experienced discomfort when wearing earbuds or headphones for a longer time. However, with bone conduction headphones, you won't even feel like you have headphones on, thus making them essential for long usage. Other headphones trap heat and moisture when worn during workouts, but with bone-conduction headphones, that problem is resolved as your ears are open and breathable.
They also fit perfectly around your head and can be adjusted according to different head sizes because they come with high-quality adjustable headbands. The Ni-Ti alloy ear hooks provide an adaptive fit for different ear shapes. Now, you can jump, run, or perform any kind of exercise without worrying about dropping or damaging your headphones.
Battery Life
These headphones have a battery life of up to 8.5-10 hours which is outstanding. Its comfort level, combined with its optimal performing battery, makes it the ideal headphones for commuting and fitness purposes. Power banks are not compatible with these headphones, but their five-minute charging functionality handles that aspect for you.
Durability and Water Resistance
Bone-conduction headphones are exceptionally durable and water-resistant. With an IP68 rating waterproof design, it can resist entire immersion in water up to 2 meters deep. It is completely waterproof and submersible, allowing you to swim, run, bike, and exercise harder than ever before.
Sound Quality
Traditional headphones are known for their high sound quality, as they do not let external sounds enter, providing an overall clear and immersive experience. Most bone-conduction headphones fall short in that aspect as they also prioritize other aspects like situational awareness and comfort.
However, high-quality bone conduction headphones balance out ambient sounds with high-quality audio. You may wonder how the sound quality would be good if external sounds were allowed to enter. But thanks to the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, this is no longer the case. These headphones include a set of new bass transducers that provide significantly richer sound than any other bone-conduction headset we've tried, which is a significant advantage for sports like jogging, where a steady beat helps keep you going.
When it comes to choosing the right models, look for headphones that can provide a wide variety of clear, subtle sounds without interference. High-quality sound enhances your music experience, allowing you to focus more on your exercises while still enjoying a better auditory experience.
Top Recommendations for Bone Conduction Headphones
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones take into account all the aspects required for a top-performing headphone, along with safety and functionality. This headphone is the perfect example of an all-in-one. From good sound quality to safety and even durability, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 has it all.
Shokz's OpenRun Pro headphones use ninth-generation bone conduction technology and include two extra bass enhancers. These headphones give superior sound quality, with powerful bass and clean audio.
Your headphones should have a secure fit and stay in place throughout sports such as running, bicycling, or jogging. However, they should not be too tight to cause discomfort, inflammation, or leave markings on your skin. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are your optimal headphones that strike the perfect balance between a snug fit for stability and enough comfort to prevent discomfort during prolonged usage.
Lastly, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are sweat-resistant headphones that are perfect for high-intensity workouts. Its IP68 rating makes it the ideal headphone for swimmers, allowing you to go to a depth of 2 meters.
Other models
Shokz offers a premium range of different headphones, and if one does not fall within your budget, you can always check out different models with similar features and qualities. Below are some honorable mentions.
OpenRun Pro 2 mini for small head
This one offers almost the same features but is a much more snug option. Making it ideal for people who have small heads or younger children.
OpenSwim Pro for waterproofing
This is the ultimate waterproof headphone for swimmers. With an IP68 waterproof rating, you can swim to a depth of two meters worry-free. Even the microphone of this headphone is made to adapt to different water conditions without causing any issues.
OpenRun for a limited budget
If you want a low-priced alternative to the OpenRun Pro 2, this is your best bet. Its quick charge feature and lightweight make it the most versatile headphone out of the bunch at a fraction of the cost. However, it has an IP67 waterproof rating, which is not ideal for swimming.
Conclusion
If your profession or job requires headphones for longer durations, then bone-conduction headphones rule over traditional ones. However, keep in mind that sound quality can be slightly compromised but it makes up for that with other outstanding features like comfort, durability, and safety. Athletes, fitness trainers, and outdoor enthusiasts always prefer bone conduction over other types. If you are an outdoor enthusiast or someone tired of traditional headphones, Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is our flagship bone-conduction headphone that has top-of-the-line features. But you can also check out other models at Shokz.
