Table of Contents:

1. Principle of Bone Conduction Headphones

2. Advantages of Bone Conduction Headphones

3. Disadvantages of Bone Conduction Headphones

4. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling

5. Tips for Choosing Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling

6. 6 Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling Recommended

7. Conclusion

In daily life, you must be familiar with Bluetooth headphones for cycling, but if you delve deeper, you must have heard about bone conduction headphones. The greatest advantage of bone conduction headphones is that they transmit sound through bone vibration, allowing us not only to hear the music from the headphones but also to hear the surrounding ambient sounds.

Bone conduction headphones are especially suitable for outdoor cycling enthusiasts as they provide a safer way to enjoy music without blocking out the sounds of car horns or other important noises. In this article, we will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of bone conduction headphones and provide you with detailed tips for choosing bone conduction headphones for cycling. Check out the popular models recommended for cycling!

Principle of Bone Conduction Headphones:

Bone conduction is a method of directly transmitting vibrations through bones to the inner ear, allowing sound to be conveyed to the brain. Bone conduction headphones use bone vibrations from the head and neck to directly transmit sound to the auditory nerves, bypassing the need to transmit sound through the ear canal and middle ear. As a result, they effectively avoid pressure and vibration on these areas, enabling wearers to hear the surrounding sounds without blocking their ears, making outdoor cycling safer.

In addition, the most common way to wear bone conduction headphone is to hang the headphone on the ear. Because it will not take up the space of the ear canal, the whole use of the process of permeability is better and more hygienic while using bone conduction headset, which is also one of the reasons why more and more cycling fans are using bone conduction headphones.

Advantages of Cycling Bone Conduction Headphones:

Apart from protecting hearing and ear hygiene, bone conduction headphones for cycling have many other advantages.

1. Comfortable to wear:

Traditional headphones can cause discomfort and pain in the ear canal due to increased pressure during prolonged use. They are also prone to falling out during cycling. In contrast, cycling bone conduction headphones only need to be hung on the ear lobes, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. Since they do not block the ear canal, they provide better comfort and breathability, making them a better choice for outdoor cycling.

2. Hygienic to wear:

Wearing regular headphones can lead to bacterial infections in the ears, but bone conduction headphones do not need to be inserted into the ear canal. Additionally, bone conduction headphones generally have good waterproofing, making them easy to clean thoroughly. Headphones with high waterproof ratings can even withstand extended exposure to water, addressing concerns about hygiene while enjoying music during long cycling sessions.

3. Increased outdoor cycling safety:

The outdoor environment is complex and ever-changing, and being able to hear the ambient sounds better allows for increased awareness of the surroundings. For cycling enthusiasts and those using them in public places, bone conduction headphones are a better choice as they reduce safety risks.

Disadvantages of Cycling Bone Conduction Headphones:

The main disadvantage of bone conduction headphones is that they tend to leak more sound compared to traditional headphones. Traditional headphones with earplugs seal the ear canal tightly to prevent sound leakage. However, bone conduction headphones for cycling do not seal sound, so you need to be aware that sound may leak to the surrounding environment.

They are not particularly suitable for quiet environments such as libraries or offices. When using bone conduction headphones in the presence of others, it’s essential to control the volume to avoid disturbing people nearby. However, there are increasingly more brands developing headphones that do not leak sound, such as Wissonly and Shokz, and the future of bone conduction headphones will continue to improve.

Another drawback is that the sound quality of bone conduction headphones is not as good as that of regular headphones. The performance varies significantly between different products. If you have high sound quality requirements, bone conduction headphones might not be the best choice. However, for cycling enthusiasts, open-ear bone conduction headphones might be more suitable.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling：

To assess the effectiveness of bone conduction headphones for cycling, consider the following aspects:

1. Usage scenario:

Bone conduction headphones can be very useful in specific scenarios. If you are a cycling enthusiast who needs to stay alert to the surroundings while enjoying music, bone conduction headphones could be a good choice. These headphones allow you to hear both the sounds from the headphones and the ambient sounds, enhancing safety.

2. Sound quality requirement:

The sound quality of bone conduction headphones may not match that of traditional headphones since the sound is conducted through bones to the inner ear. If you have high sound quality requirements, traditional headphones might be more suitable. However, if you love cycling and don’t have overly strict sound quality requirements but value the ability to perceive surrounding sounds, bone conduction headphones could be a reasonable choice for you.

3. Personal preference:

Most importantly, everyone has different preferences when it comes to headphones for cycling. Some may prefer the sound quality and isolation provided by traditional headphones, while others may prioritize the ability to stay aware of the surrounding sounds. Therefore, the choice of headphones should be based on individual cycling preferences and needs.

Tips for Choosing Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling：

1. Don’t buy headphones with poor stability in wearing!

The stability of wearing influences whether the headphones are likely to fall off during exercise, which may limit their usability. Wireless bone conduction headphones with good fit and stability are suitable for activities such as cycling and running, especially bone-conduction ear-hook headphones, which provide better stability compared to other types of bone conduction headphones.

2. Don’t buy headphones with poor comfort in wearing!

Unlike regular headphones, which can cause discomfort and pain in the ear canal during prolonged use, bone conduction headphones transmit sound through bone conduction, allowing for long-term wear without discomfort. The stability and comfort of wearing depend on the material of the headphones and individual preferences. As per personal experiences, bone-conduction behind-the-ear headphones provide a better experience for cycling and are less likely to fall off during prolonged wear.

3. Don’t buy headphones with poor connectivity!

The Bluetooth version of headphones used for cycling affects the stability of the connection. Higher Bluetooth versions result in faster connection speeds and greater stability, reducing susceptibility to interference from the surrounding environment. If you frequently use headphones in crowded places like subways, outdoors, or gyms where environmental interference is strong, you should pay extra attention to the connection stability. Generally, Bluetooth headphones with versions 5.0 and above can meet daily usage requirements.

4. Don’t buy headphones with poor waterproofing!

The waterproofing of headphones is typically indicated by the “IPXX” rating, where a higher value indicates better waterproofing performance. Considering daily sweat and other situations, headphones with an IPX4 rating are generally sufficient. However, for outdoor sports enthusiasts, especially those engaged in intensive sweating during outdoor cycling, an IPX7 or higher rating is recommended.

The above are some tips for choosing bone conduction headphones for cycling. If you want to listen to the radio or music as background music while cycling outdoors, bone conduction headphones are recommended.

6 Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling Recommended：

1. Wissonly Hi Runner Cycling Bone Conduction Headphones

Reasons for recommendation:

Wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphones support both Bluetooth and MP3 dual playback modes. If you are unable to carry your phone or have no signal while outdoors, you can still use them in MP3 mode to enjoy music. The Bluetooth mode provides stable connectivity, allowing for hands-free music listening, making it very suitable for daily use, including making calls.

These headphones for cycling have an adjustable aerospace-grade titanium steel frame, which is bendable and sturdy, ensuring stability during cycling and easily cooperating with helmets and sunglasses. They are very lightweight, weighing only 28g, providing comfortable wear. Also, the surface is made of soft and skin-friendly materials, ensuring high safety. The battery life is strong, providing continuous music playback for 8 to 10 hours, making them suitable for extended outdoor activities. They have a large 32GB memory, accommodating up to 5000 songs. 

Their open-ear design allows you to hear the surrounding sounds during cycling, making them safer and more hygienic. The only downside is that wind noise might be audible during cycling. However, many users evaluate that safety is the most important thing to cyclists. Additionally, these headphones have IPX8 waterproofing, making them suitable for use on rainy days or while sweating during outdoor cycling without any problems. If you are looking for a practical design, these headphones should be your top choice.

2. Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction Headphones

Reasons for recommendation:

The Shokz OpenRun Pro flagship cycling bone conduction headphones are based on the Shokz Aeropex and enhance the bass effect. They have strong battery life and can play music continuously for up to 10 hours, suitable for sports use. Plus, they are well-designed to distribute weight on the body, with a weight of 29g and a titanium alloy frame, providing better comfort during long cycling sessions.

The OpenRun Pro headphones have a smooth surface made of soft silicone, providing high comfort during wear, but there is a small problem that it is easier to get dusty and so difficult to clean. They have IP55-level waterproofing, allowing for use in rainy weather or during heavy sweating. However, it is not recommended to wear them while swimming, as it may cause headphone damage.

3. Philips TAA6606 Cycling Bone Conduction Headphones

Reasons for recommendation:

Philips TAA6606 bone conduction headphones have a relatively simple design, with a main body made of titanium alloy material. The surface is covered with skin-friendly silicone, providing comfortable and soft wear. Also, the weight of the headphones is about 35g, which is slightly heavier than some other brands, but they still offer good stability during cycling.

Regarding sound quality, these headphones are equipped with a 15mm bone conduction diaphragm vibrator with a dual reed structure, delivering good sound reproduction. They support Bluetooth mode and can play continuously for 9 hours, with a large memory of 8GB, which can store 2500 songs.

They have IP67-level dust and waterproof performance, making them ideal for use in rainy weather or sweating during cycling. However, they are not suitable for swimming, as it might cause headphone malfunction. Some users reported discomfort during wear, and cleaning might be challenging, so the experience may vary from person to person.

4. Haylou Purfree BC01 Cycling Bone Conduction Headphones

Reasons for recommendation:

The Haylou Purfree BC01 bone conduction headphones have a seahorse-pattern design with beautiful curved contours. The headphones have an 8GB internal memory, allowing storage of 1250 songs, allowing you to enjoy music without connecting to a smartphone. These headphones have strong low-frequency performance and balanced vocals, making them attractive. However, the sound might be a bit muffled, making it challenging to hear clearly in noisy environments.

The headphones have an IP68-level waterproof rating, making them suitable for use on rainy days or while sweating during cycling, and making them user-friendly for cycling enthusiasts. The battery life is also strong, providing continuous playback for up to 12 hours. The weight is about 35g, providing stable wearing during cycling. However, some users found them uncomfortable to wear and challenging to clean, leading to different experiences.

5. HACRAY SeaHorse HR22325 Cycling Bone Conduction Headphones

Reasons for recommendation:

HACRAY SeaHorse features a seahorse pattern design with a beautiful arc contour. These headphones have an 8GB internal memory, allowing storage of 1250 songs without the need to connect to the internet to listen to music. The headphones offer strong low-frequency performance and clear sound overall, making them attractive to users. However, the sound can be a bit low, making it difficult to hear clearly in noisy environments.

The headphones have an IP67-level waterproof performance, making them usable during rainy days or sweating, and making them a humanized headphones for cycling enthusiasts. The battery life is strong, providing continuous playback for up to 10 hours. Plus, the overall weight is 31.5g, made of lightweight silicone and titanium memory alloy material, conforming to ergonomic design and resisting bending for better comfort. The smooth surface is easy to clean, providing high comfort during wear. However, some users found the memory capacity insufficient for prolonged outdoor cycling usage.

6. Creative Outlier Free Pro Cycling Bone Conduction Headphones

Reasons for recommendation:

The Creative Outlier Free Pro bone conduction headphones weigh 31.5g and are made of lightweight silicone and titanium memory alloy materials, providing better comfort and resistance to bending. The smooth surface is easy to clean and comfortable to wear. And the headphones have an IPX8 waterproof rating, allowing for use during rainy days or sweating during cycling without restrictions, even prolonged immersion.

These headphones have strong battery life, providing continuous playback for up to 10 hours. They come with 8GB of memory and support both Bluetooth and MP3 dual playback modes, allowing you to listen to music without internet access. And the sound quality is solid and crisp, with clear overall sound. However, they might not have enough memory for users who love long outdoor cycling.

Conclusion：

Bone conduction headphones are designed for different needs and usage scenarios, and they might be very useful for specific user groups but not suitable for others. Before purchasing, cycling fans should carefully consider their needs and preferences to choose the most suitable type of headphones for cycling, ensuring the purchase of a genuinely practical product.