AfterShokz Xtrainerz and AfterShokz Aeropex are two of the most popular headphone models with runners, cyclists, fitness fans, and swimmers. Below, we break down the benefits of each one and help you work out which bone conduction headphones are best for you.
QUICK GUIDE FOR AFTERSHOKZ AEROPEX VS XTRAINERZ HEADPHONES
- If you want Bluetooth headphones for daily use when taking part in things like urban sports or commuting, pick the Aeropex.
- If you are a swimmer or sports enthusiast wanting waterproof headphones for swimming who prefers NOT to carry your smartphone while training, pick the Xtrainerz.
Can AfterShokz Aeropex be used for swimming?
The answer is NO!
As Bluetooth technology cannot pass a signal through water, Aeropex cannot be used underwater. But, If you are into running, cycling and being active outdoors and want open-ear wireless Bluetooth headphones, the Aeropex headphones are for you. And even whilst you can not swim with them they have water resistance to IP67 waterproof standards meaning you can not just sweat in them, you can shower in them too!
Unlike earbuds or over the ear headphones the open ear design means your ear canal is left open so you can hear the world around you as you pound the pavements or ride the trails. You listen to your music by the truly genius method of bone conduction whilst still being able to hear the world around you.
This way of hearing means sound vibrations are carried through your bones to your inner ear instead of via the eardrum.
With your ear canal unhindered by tight-fitting earbuds, you can hear ambient sounds around you as you exercise, including cars passing close by and other warning sounds that would be muffled by in-ear earphones.
This makes for a safer and more social way of exercising, as you can chat with your running partner while listening to your power playlist.
Aeropex are extremely lightweight thanks to the titanium frame. They hook over the ears and rest on your upper cheekbone for a fit that is comfortable but does not bounce annoyingly when you run.
When tested, the Aeropex headphones gained glowing reviews. T3 said: “The Aeropex’s sound quality is amazing, it weighs only 26g, is IP67 water-rated and has a battery life of up to eight hours. Perfect for runners, cyclists, and even for work when you can’t isolate yourself from your surroundings but still want to listen to some sweet tunes.” The latest version comes complete with PremiumPitch 2.0+, which allows for higher volume with less vibration on the cheekbones compare to the previous models, Air, and Titanium.
As runners and cyclists often like to colour coordinate, the Aeropex headphones are available in cosmic black, lunar grey, blue eclipse and solar red so your wireless headphones can match your favourite workout gear.
CAN AFTERSHOKZ XTRAINERZ BE USED FOR SWIMMING?
Short answer: Yes, Xtrainerz were designed for swimming!
For swimmers, Xtrainerz headphones can transform a tedious hour in the pool into an inspirational, music-filled training session. You might be wondering, can you swim with waterproof headphones and the answer is - yes! This is because they have the top waterproof standard of IP68. (The industry standard of IP68 means products should still be working after fully immersed up to two meters in water for 2 hours.)
This makes AfterShokz open-ear bone conduction waterproof headphones ideal for your pool training sessions, open-water lake swims or sea swims through the rolling waves. They are even a great option if you’re jumping on your surfboard or going windsurfing.
Rather than using Bluetooth, the Xtrainerz headphones are wireless waterproof MP3 headphones, so your phone is not required, making them ideal for swimming or any other sport when you don’t want to carry your phone with you. Simply download your favourite tracks onto the Xtrainerz (they come with 4GB of storage, meaning they can hold up to 1,200 songs) and you’re ready to dive in.
It holds 8 hours of battery life, which is enough for most long swims (unless you are Ross Edgley). More than just a waterproof mp3 player they are open-ear bone-conduction headphones, meaning your ear canal can hear the world around you. They are fully compatible with swim hats, goggles and earplugs, making for the perfect swim get-up.
For fitting tips, check out our blog on how to wear your Xtrainerz.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE AEROPEX AND XTRAINERZ
One of the big differences between the Aeropex and Xtrainerz is that Xtrainerz is rated IP68 instead of IP67. If you are looking for wireless headphones for swimming, Xtrainerz are perfect for wearing during pool lengths, or a morning in the lake. And as Bluetooth technology cannot pass a signal through water, playing audio content like podcasts and audiobooks from an MP3 source is the way to go while swimming.
Even if you don't want to swim the Xtrainerz are versatile headphones as your audio content is stored as MP3 files rather than using a Bluetooth connection to play audio from your device. For those who want to leave their phone, but not their music behind, Xtrainerz is the answer.
On the other hand, the IP67 rating means Aeropex is totally sweat, rain and showerproof. Even though it is not as waterproof as Xtrainerz, it is still packing the highest waterproof standard compared to most headphones, but we don’t recommend Aftershokz Aeropex for swimming.
Finally, the Aeropex charge via the provided magnetic charging cable for safety easy use. You can use your own charging base, but we do not recommend ‘fast chargers’ such as Android or tablet chargers, as those can exceed the 1 amp or 5 volts maximum.
Check out more of the range here and find the headphones that will change your listening experience!
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
Be sure to allow ample time to air-dry your Aeropex prior to charging if they’ve collected moisture from rain or sweat.
If you connect the headphones to the charger while moisture covers the headphones, the moisture detector will sound. If you ignore that and charge them anyway, there’s potential for the headphones to get damaged. In this case, the headphones will discharge to prevent damage. If you find the charger does not work, wait for a while and try again before contacting customer support.
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