Whether you are a gym-goer, a swimmer, or a runner, you all never forget to take your music with you when you leave for everyday practice or a friendly match.
If you are a cyclist, first of all – cycling is an amazing activity that keeps you fit and entertained. But nothing compares to being on your bike and listening to your favorite beats. This explains why a lot of cyclists can’t even imagine going out without their music.
Apart from music on the go, it is great to receive calls when you are riding but it’s even better to be aware of your surroundings while listening to the music. And this is where the best bone conduction headphones for cycling come into play. Whether cycling is a profession or a hobby for you, it involves riding on a road where you are not alone. Tiny negligence and you may encounter an unfortunate scenario. While riding a bike on a busy road and listening to your favorite playlist you must have situational awareness and a pair of the best bone conduction headphones does the same.
Related Post: 8 Best Bone Conduction Headphones with built-in mp3
The question is what makes headphones suitable for cycling? First, they should fit comfortably without tangled wires. Second and most important, they should have the ability to let you enjoy your playlist without compromising safety. The bone conduction headphones for cycling allow the cyclist to enjoy the music and receive calls without blocking out the entire world around them.
The age of wires is gone, so you definitely do not want wired headphones. To help you find out what headphones will suit you the most in your cycling adventure; we have put together a list of 8 of the best bone conduction headphones for cycling that you can choose from.
Our Top Pick: AfterShokz AS600BK Titanium Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Cycling in 2022
- AfterShokz AS600BK Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones
- AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction Headphones with Sport Belt
- AfterShokz OpenMove Wireless Bone Conduction
- LETSCOM Bluetooth Headphones
- SENSO Bluetooth Headphones, Best Wireless Sports Earphones
- Bose SoundSport, In-Ear Sports Headphones
- Jaybird Vista True Wireless Bluetooth Sport Waterproof Earbuds
- Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Must Read: 12 Best Bone Conduction Headphones with Glasses
Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Cycling Reviews
If you are a cyclist, you probably don’t want to go out without headphones. But not every headphone is good for riding a bike. Some will not fit under the helmet and some will create a lot of windy noise to disrupt your music. So here we will review some of the best bone conduction headphones for cycling and we are optimistic that you’ll find one suitable to your preferences.
1. AfterShokz AS600BK Titanium Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
- Rebranding Update - Aftershokz has been renamed as Shokz. Welcome...
- BONE CONDUCTION TECHNOLOGY - Our bone conduction technology and...
- BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY - Modern wireless headphones with...
- DESIGNED FOR LONG WEAR - Trekz Titanium wraparound headbands are...
AfterShokz AS600BK is a slim, lightweight bone conduction headphone that offers improved sound quality and a very comfortable fit. It leaves your ears open to hear what’s going on around you. It works great as a headset to listen to music and make phone calls on the go.
The headset doesn’t block everything. If you play music louder you still be able to hear traffic approaching from behind. It feels natural to talk on the phone with AfterShokz AS600BK as compared to other headphones and earbuds where mostly you can hear your own voice normally.
The headphones are compatible with glasses and helmet straps. It will be super convenient if you put on your headphones after everything else. Also, it is plenty comfortable to wear for few hours with any fatigue, headache, or any other issue. The rubber coated band is fairly durable as advertised. In case it bends out of shape in your backpack, you can bring it back without breaking it.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: AfterShokz
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 1.27 Ounces
- Color: Black, Gray, Green, Pink, Red, Canyon Red, Ocean Blue
There is a moderate voice leakage but it is not high enough to annoy people around you and especially when you are riding a bike nobody is going to notice. As far as the battery life is concerned, the headphones offer 6 hours of continuous playtime. You get a 10 minutes advance warning before the battery dies. This is not a big issue as headphones are quick to charge thanks to a micro-USB cable that you can use anywhere. All in all, AsfterShokz AS600BK are great bone conduction headphones cycling with a very affordable price tag.
Must Read: 8 Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Swimming
2. AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction Headphones with Sport Belt
- Rebranding Update - Aftershokz Aeropex has been renamed as Shokz...
- Open-Ear Design - Patented bone conduction technology delivers...
- 8-Hour Battery Life - Enjoy 8 continuous hours of music and...
- IP67 Waterproof Rating - Completely sweat and waterproof....
The Aeropex is the latest well-designed bone conduction headphone by Aftershokz. They are extremely lightweight (26 grams approximately) and wrap around your head and place the transducers on your cheekbones. They are –in my opinion- more comfortable than TWS or wired earbuds which some may find irritating and prone to falling out.
The Aeropex are perfect for cycling because you would want to be aware of the traffic. You can enjoy your favorite playlist without compromising your road safety and keep a track of approaching vehicles. The headphones have a unique style similar to other AfterShokz models but very different than other bone conduction headphones available on the market.
Due to their lightweight and comfortable design, they are barely noticeable on your ears than conventional headphones. They apply a little pressure near your ears but overall they do not cause any pain or fatigue.
The Aeropex has better intuitive controls. Two small buttons are positioned behind the right transducer, used for volume increase/decrease power on/off, pairing to Bluetooth devices, and to check on the battery level when headphones are idle. The button on the left transducer is used to play/pause, skip track and access the voice assistant. The headphones are decently portable. They are not bulky or heavy, though they can’t be folded into a more compact form. But they are portable enough to be packed into a bag or if you have larger pockets on your pants that will do. You get a small soft pouch for traveling too.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: AfterShokz
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 26 grams
- Color: Cosmic Black, Lunar Gray
Overall, the Aeropex are a decent pair of headphones with a unique design, comfortable fit, stable, and durable built. They are one of the best cycling Bluetooth headphones on the market and their bone conduction design makes them different from other conventional sports headphones.
Related: 10 Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Deaf
3. AfterShokz OpenMove Wireless Bone Conduction
- Open-Ear Design - Patented bone conduction technology delivers...
- Versatile Headphones - Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity offers...
- Durable and Sweatproof - These IP55 certified headphones repel...
- Six-Hour Battery Life - 6 hours of continuous music, podcasts and...
Aftershokz is a well-known brand manufacturing bone conduction headphones for athletes and OpenMove is its new mid-range Bluetooth headphones. if you are not looking for a fully waterproof headphone, OpenMove is an excellent purchase for anybody interested in bone conduction headphones.
The OpenMove is designed on the standard layout: a thin band, small transducers, volume up/down on the right bulge, and a button for play/pause on the left pad. There is a USB C charging port behind a cover on the right side of the headphones. Also, there is an integrated decorative strip that runs down the side. The package includes five pairs of stickers that you can place on the strip if you want to add some glitz and glitter to your headphones.
The band feels stronger and sturdier than the previous models. You will appreciate the EQ settings available via the button commands although the audio quality is not the priority while buying bone conduction headphones. The headphones with IP55 are water resistant which means they are alright for sweat and rains but not for swimming.
Using the headphones is pretty easy. Once you pair it the first time, turn on the power and it will automatically connect with two devices. The quality is acceptable but not exceptional as compared to wired headphones or earbuds but again quality is not the prime concern here but the situational awareness and ease of use.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: AfterShokz
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 27 grams
- Color: Alpine White, Slate Gray
OpenMove is quite lightweight and comfy, much more than the old AfterShokz design. The fully flat transducers add to comfort as they sit flush with your cheekbones’ skin. You might forget you are wearing headphones in a while. Its silicon wrapped band feels like a quality pair of glasses. That said, you may find it tricky to use them while wearing glasses or a mask but it doable and you will be able to get it right the first time. All in all, the feature-packed premium quality headphones are worth the investment.
Related Question: Pros and Cons of Bone Conduction Headphones
4. LETSCOM Bluetooth Headphones
LETSCOM Bluetooth headphones are in-ear headphones for outdoor sports such as cycling, running, gym, etc. the hook design is to make sure the earbud stays inside your ear and LETSCOM has achieved the milestone without compromising on comfort. The headphones are designed with an IPX7 certification which is the higher waterproof protection rating that you will find on any pair of headphones.
The IPX7 means the headphones are protected from one meter of submersion in water. You can go swimming, cycling in rain, or even in the shower without worrying about their survival. U8I uses a flattened wire for a tangle-resistant design. The cable is short but long enough to loop around your neck to reach the ears.
The headphones got a beautiful design. Unlike most budget headphones make use of a monotone gray and black color scheme but U8I are available in several different colors so you got a breadth of options to choose from. It boasts of intuitive control. On top of the right bud, you will be able to control anything. The up/down volume buttons serve two features because they can be used to skip tracks as well.
U8I feature a built-in 100mAh 3.7V lithium-ion battery. It allows you to call and listen to your favorite music from 6 to 8 hours. Battery timing depends upon various factors in how you use your headphones. The battery takes about two hours to recharge, once the battery is charged up, it can offer a week time on standby mode.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: LETSCOM
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 4 Ounces
- Color: Black, BlackGray, BlueGray, GreenBlack, PinkGray, RedBlack, RedPurple
LETSCOM U8I make use of Bluetooth 4.1 for wireless connectivity that works perfectly at a distance of 33 feet. Overall, there is very little to complain about and the headphones are an ideal deal.
Must Read: 8 Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Phone Calls
5. SENSO Bluetooth Headphones, Best Wireless Sports Earphones
- True HD high Fidelity sound featuring latest Bluetooth 4.1 CSR...
- Comfortable and secure fit with IPX-7 waterproof rating -...
- Longest battery life - the new and improved Lithium polymer...
- Bluetooth V4.1 wireless technology with CVC 6.0 noise suppression...
How do you know poorly designed wireless Bluetooth from a pair with exceptional performance? Online reviews are undoubtedly helpful when it comes to differentiating between a substandard and a quality product. The SENSO Bluetooth S-250 has earned an impressive 5-star rating from 27K users on Amazon and we know why. For a very reasonable price tag, they offer a lot regarding build, sound, accessories, and aesthetics. Let’s find out if this is what you are looking for.
First Off All, IPX7 waterproof rating ensures that the earbuds are protected against water emersion for a max of 30 minutes at a depth of one meter. S-250 are one of the few wireless sports headphones on the market that you can take with you underwater. You can use them while you ride your bike in the rain without the fear of damage. They are an ideal replacement for any best bone conduction headphones for cycling.
The headphones are powered by an improved battery which lasts for 9 hours on a single charge and 240 hours on standby. It features quick charge functionality, which charges it 100% in under 1.5 hours. The integrated ergonomic ear hooks wrap around the ears and keep the headphones secure during the movement.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: SENSO
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 0.16 Ounces
- Color: Red/Black
Many headphone manufacturers try to attract users with crazy color schemes and alien-like nozzle shapes, but S-250 boasts a simple design and it works well. It features Bluetooth 4.1 which is the only downside yet, it provides excellent connectivity. The SENSO S-250 goes well with all the Bluetooth-enabled devices up to 30 feet and their noise cancellation technology keeps outside noise OUTSIDE! Upon testing with a range of tracks, the headphones proved themselves to be worthy of investment with their HD nature of sound. The microphone and media playback buttons work flawlessly. Upon purchase, you get SENSO S-250, a long USB charging cable, a short USB charging cable, dual-port car adapter, carrying case, wire tie, and 3 sets of replaceable ear tips just in case you lose one.
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6. Bose SoundSport, In-Ear Sports Headphones
- Tonally balanced audio with crisp highs and deep low notes
- Sweat- and weather-resistance using hydrophobic acoustic cloth...
- StayHear tips remain in place even during strenuous workouts
- Lightweight, durable carrying case stores and protects...
The Bose SoundSport are decent-sounding earbuds. They feature a comfortable and open fit that many prefer, the tip design lets you hear traffic noise while you ride a bike on a busy road and it doesn’t block any ambient noise. Perfect for sports use, they have a stable and open in-ear fit that allows cyclists and runners to monitor their surroundings.
The headphones have a bright and sporty black and red color scheme that looks good. The earbuds are a little bugger and are available in a range of colors to suit your taste. SoundSport are incredibly comfortable, extremely lightweight, and don’t apply any pressure to your ear. Once in-ear, you don’t even notice they are there.
The headphones have a great and intuitive control scheme. They feature call/music, track skipping, and volume controls. Sadly they are confined on a small inline control module but eventually one gets to know their headphone controls. The SoundSport in-ear headphones are the most portable headphones in our collection so far. They easily fit into your pocket or backpack. Although there is no specific way to fold them but the cable is not too long to take up space.
You also get a small soft pouch to protect the headphones from damage. The casing’s fabric is hard and it easily fits into your pocket. However being soft, it may not be as great as a hard case would be. Talking about build-quality, the headphones are lightweight and earbuds are made out of dense plastic that can endure a couple of accidental falls. The cable is tangle-resistant and made of durable material. However, it could be a little thicker to handle regular use.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: BOSE
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 0.64 Ounces
- Color: Charcoal, Energy Green, Power Red
About stability, the headphones are pretty stable. They come with special stability tips that prevent the headphones from falling out of your ear while riding a bike or running, jogging, and trekking. The hybrid in-ear tip is open and airy to allow the riders to monitor their surroundings. Overall, the Bose SoundSport headphones are ideal for cycling, jogging, and running, trekking, and high-intensity gym exercises.
Related: 12 Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Running
Related: The 8 Best Adjustable Bone Conduction Headphones
7. Jaybird Vista True Wireless Bluetooth Sport Waterproof Earbuds
- EARTHPROOF Fully waterproof crushproof dropproof and sweatproof...
- Product Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the...
- ALWAYS READY Vista gives you 6 hours of audio on a full charge...
- CONNECTED Vista’s cutting-edge JBS1 true wireless bluetooth...
The Jaybird Vista are very versatile headphones with a well-balanced sound profile. They are the ideal choice for sports like running and cycling thanks to their compact, portable, lightweight, and breathable design. They have stability fins to help you secure them while you are on the move. The IPX7 waterproof rating makes them water-resistant and sweat-proof. A feature-rich companion app allows you to control and change the settings as you please. Let’s get into the features of Jaybird.
The Jaybird have a conservative design and they don’t stick out of the ears much. They have a sleek design with a Jaybird logo printed on both buds. When you use stability sleeves with fins, the headphones look sportier. The headphones are comfortable fit, lightweight, and don’t enter your ear canal too deep to cause irritation. There are no added different-sized tips so you can remove the stability fins if you like. Pressing the control button may push the buds a little deep into the ear but overall they don’t cause any discomfort.
The headphones have decent controls; you can pause media, answer calls with the press on either bud and skip/forward tracks with a double-tap. Since both the buds have similar control so you can’t go back to the previous track that may be annoying for some. Press and hold the button on the right bud will increase the volume, while the left one will decrease. You can control and change settings via the app which is pretty much convenient.
Like most earbuds, the Jaybird do not trap heat inside your ear which makes them an ideal pick for sports use. You will not notice heat or sweat more than usual. Portability is no big deal when it comes to earbuds as they are small in size and super lightweight. They can easily fit into your pocket.
The Jaybird Vista come with a well thought out and beautifully designed hard-charging case which is small and portable. It has a solid build and holds about 10 hours of battery, however; it doesn’t have any indicator to let you know the status of the current battery. It would have been great if it had wireless charging capability.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: JayBird
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 0.21 Ounces
- Color: Black, Nimbus Gray, Planetary Green
Overall, Jaybird Vista are well built wireless headphones, ideal for cycling and other outdoor or intense sports. They are IPX7 rated for water resistance. The earbuds are very stable in the ear and the dense material can handle a few accidental falls without any harm. They are perfect for active people who are looking for a pair of wireless earbuds for cycling but they can also use them in day to day life.
8. Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
- SECURE ACTIVE FIT – We scanned thousands of ears to create the...
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION: With these noise cancelling earbuds,...
- CRYSTAL-CLEAR CALLS – 4 microphones, the latest digital signal...
- LONG BATTERY LIFE – With Jabra Elite Active 75t wireless...
Jabra Elite Active 75t are great sports-oriented true wireless earbuds with an exciting sound profile to keep you pumped up while training. They offer a great intuitive control that is easy to use. The compact design enables you to easily pack them into your gym bag and they are durable to handle some rough use as well.
The Jabra Elite have a sports-oriented, sleek, matte finish design which gives them a premium look overall. Considering the true wireless design, Jabra Elite have a good control scheme. The controls offer call/music control, increase/decrease volume, activate the talk-through mode, and even mute the mic while you’re calling. It may take a while for some to get used to of the control settings especially the double and triple tab for track forwarding and skipping.
The headphones are very portable and their super-compact design hardly takes up any space in your backpack. The earbuds are magnetized so they stick together which makes it easy to find them. They come with a good hard-charging case.
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: JABRA
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 9.5 Ounces
- Color: Mint, Copper Black, Navy, Sienna, Gold Beige, Titanium Black
The Jabra Elite Active 75t are very well designed earbuds. They feel super comfortable and are durable enough to withstand a few falls. Overall, with an out of the box sound profile, elegant design, and durable build, Jabra Elite Active 75t provide a solid listening experience.
Honorable mentions
AfterShokz Xtrainerz Bone Conduction MP3 Swimming Headphones
Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones
Open-Ear Bone Conduction Headphones
Tayogo 8GB Waterproof MP3 Player Bone Conduction Headphones
Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Cycling, Buyer’s Guide
When you are looking for the best headphones for sports you must know the main features to look for. Here are some of the key features that you should take into account while looking for the best bone conduction headphones for cycling.
Comfort
First and foremost, comfort is important if you intend to wear your headphones for long periods of time or regularly. If you have ever purchased headphones or earbuds which make your ear comfortable or cause fatigue you’d know how important it is to get headphones that are comfortable enough.
For maximum comfort, you may look for headphones that come with various sizes of tips so you can use the one that fits your ears comfortably. Many of the headphones we have reviewed come with this feature so you will end up having sore ears every time you listen to music. In case you opt for bone conduction headphones, the transducers sit out of your ears so it will not make your ears uncomfortable at all. In case you go for earbuds they perfectly nestle into your ears for optimal comfort. On the other hand, rubber ear tips are soft and more comfortable as compared to their plastic counterpart. Wireless headphones are already comfortable since you don’t have to deal with tangled wires and you can take them anywhere for your cycling adventures.
Audio Quality
Sure, you’d like to buy headphones with excellent sound quality and this is determined by various factors. Always check the frequency range of the headphones you intend to buy. The frequency range is measured in hertz (Hz), if you prefer a lot of bass, you should go for earbuds. In case you want to have more situational awareness, we’d recommend going for bone conduction headphones.
Ambient Sound
It means you can listen to your favorite playlist while being aware of what is going on in your surroundings. Most of us want to become immersed in our music but while riding a bike on a busy road, we need to keep track of the traffic on the road.
Some of the headphones we reviewed come with a noise-canceling feature but we’d recommend turning the feature off while you are on the road in order to know the approaching traffic. You may adjust the settings via your phone; most headphones do have an app to adjust the settings. You can adjust the amount of background noise that you’d like to hear. While riding on a road it is important you can hear the approaching vehicles without turning around.
Battery Life
The last thing you would want on a lengthy bike ride is the battery to die and be left with no music at all. The battery life of wireless headphones is not always generous. The headphones we selected have a range of 5 to 12 hours of battery life with an average of being 8 hours. Most cycling headphones feature fast charging so you can boost the battery life with a quick 15-minute charge during your bike ride.
Smooth Connectivity
Since wireless headphones use Bluetooth for connection, make sure the headphones you are buying have the latest Bluetooth version for smooth connectivity.
Water Resistant
If you are riding on a rainy day, you’d want headphones that are water-resistant if not 100% waterproof. Always check the waterproof rating of your preferred headphones.
Bone Conduction
If you’d like to have better situational awareness, you should opt for bone conduction headphones. Bone conduction headphones sit beside your ear rather than inside the ear like earbuds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best bone conduction headphones for cycling?
AfterShokz AS600BK Titanium Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones are the best headphones for cycling offering superb sound quality and better situational awareness.
What to look for while buying the best headphone for cycling?
Before purchasing headphones for cycling, one must look for wireless option, material quality, battery timing and portability.
Is it safe to cycle with headphones in?
Yes, while cycling if you are aware of your surroundings and traffic situation, it is safe to cycle with your favorite music playlist.
Conclusion
Cycling is a great sport and music only adds to the pleasure of riding a bike on lonely roads. It is also great to be able to stay in touch with loved ones and take calls during long rides. (Just be careful on the road doing that) if you are still unsure of what you should buy, we’d suggest you give AfterShokz AS600BK Titanium a try. The bone conduction headphones will surely let you have pleasure rides. For an immersive experience, we’d want you to check out Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, a little costly but worth the investment.
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