Pros and Cons of Bone Conduction Headphones – Are they Good ENOUGH?


We’re going to discuss Bone conduction headphones pros and cons. But first talk about what they actually are — Bone conduction headphones might not have a huge market as earbuds do, but some people are looking for this only. Whenever your headphones wouldn’t fit, or earbuds were too loose, you might have wished for a solution; a third option – An option that would just let you listen to music in peace. This is that option, and it is called a bone conduction headphone.

As we all know, sound is basically vibrations. Initially, headphones would send these vibrations to the eardrums, but now with conduction headphones, vibrations travel through your cheekbones.

These headphones are used by hearing aid users. They are also used by militaries to communicate, but there is one industry that has benefited a lot from them; Athletes. Most of the athletes couldn’t workout in the traditional headphones, so bone conduction headphones has become their go-to.

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Bone conduction headphones costs around $150 to $200, while some are less than $100 as well. You might be wondering about bone conduction headphones pros and cons.  Bone conduction headphones have their own pros and cons. If you are wondering if they are safe to use, or if they are anyhow better than the usual headphones. Bone conduction headphones pros and cons might be all over your mind right now. To help you with that, here we have the pros and cons of bone conduction headphones. 

Pros and Cons of Bone Conduction Headphones – Recommended or Not?

We’ll start with talking about the benefits of using bone conduction headphones, and then move towards the cons. Let’s finally begin with the bone conduction headphones pros and cons.

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Pros of Bone Conduction Headphones

Pros of Bone Conduction Headphones

Comfort – They stay intact

We have all been there. Trying really hard to find a pair of headphones that fits our ears and head size. It’s a struggle. Finding a pair of headphones that doesn’t slip, and earbuds that fit well is really a tough job. 

Especially if we talk about running, and workout sessions, headphones have a way of slipping away, and it ends up killing the mood. Even if you are able to find a comfortable pair of headphones/earbuds, not every headphone works well for long listening sessions. 

If we are talking about comfort, then conduction headphones wouldn’t bother you in anyway. Your ears will be free from any hassle, and you’ll hear music without feeling that something is stuck onto your head. Conduction headphones will stay intact regardless of what you are doing. 

You’d be Socially Aware – Your Safety is Prioritized

Headphones block your ears. Not every headphone can cancel background noise, but they do it to some extent. When you are using conduction headphones, you will be still aware of your environment. 

This further opens to a lot of benefits. If you are using conduction headphones at work, you’d easily hear your manager call you. You wouldn’t have to take your headphones out to listen to what people are saying to you. 

This benefit will help you when you are working out with a trainer. Again, you don’t have to take the headphones out to listen to what he’s telling you. It’ll keep you socially aware of your environment even when you are driving, running, and crossing the road etc.

If you are on a run, you would know if a car is honking at you. Being connected with the surrounding will save you from possible accidents that might occur. 

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Super Lightweight, and Portable

Unlike the usual headphones, these are very lightweight – You wouldn’t feel as if they are pushing onto your head and ears. If you plan on getting a sports headphone, it is better to get these instead. 

Focusing on the elephant in the room – Are they safe?

Bone conduction has helped people who have hearing problems — There’s no denying there. The technology has result in repairing hearing problems.

But if we talk about the usual headphones, they are called in-ear headphones, and bone conduction ones are called open-ear headphones. In-ear headphones sends vibration to your eardrums which can damage your eardrums, but with conduction headphones, your ears are safe and sound. 

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You wouldn’t get Stuck in Wires – A Major Pro

You know where your headphone wires just get tangled, it gets very difficult for you to focus on why you are using the headphones in the first place. Wired headphones are especially a nightmare when you use them for running. You’ll feel like you are running with a stethoscope on – A stethoscope that just can’t stop getting in the way. 

With conduction headphones, you don’t have a wire to care about. I mean, you have gone on a run to relax and get some ‘me-time.’ Do you really want tangled wire getting in the way?

Somewhat a Unique Listening Experience 

You know how you have your headphones on and singing to the fullest. Moments later when you take your headphones off, and you listen to yourself singing, you are nothing but embarrassed. That’s right. 

With conduction headphones, you can listen to whatever is going around you – Not in a distracting way but in a way that is helpful. If you have gone out for a walk, with conduction headphones you’d be able to listen to music and experience everything that the nature has to offer; Birds chirping, the animals, and the wind.

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Cons of Bone Conduction Headphones

Cons of Bone Conduction Headphones

Hearing your Surrounding can be a Con too

So, if you are someone who wants to completely block the background noise, then bone conduction headphones might not be the right choice for you? Let’s not jump to the conclusion – There’s a way out. 

To avoid this, you can pop in some ear plugs and you’ll be able to completely block the background noise. 

Hate recharging? 

Bone conduction headphones would have to be recharged. This might not be a major problem, because we have all been recharging our wireless headphones since ages. 

Simply find a bone conduction headphone with good battery life, and you’d be good to go. But, if you are someone who doesn’t like the recharging process, then skip, maybe?

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More Expensive 

Open-air headphones is fairly new technology, and it comes with a price. The price goes from $100 to $200. If you are an athlete, we would recommend it, because maybe the ordinary headphones might not work for you at all. 

Sound Quality, eh?

Unlike the in-ear headphones, bone conduction headphone’s quality is not up to the mark. The reason can be the issue with the inner ear. Even if that’s not the case, conduction headphones aren’t good for daily use. 

Not because they are harmful, but because you won’t be able to hear loud music. So, it might suit athletes who want to hear music while training, or a sportsman who is in the middle of a practice match, or for someone who wants to take a run but also hear what nature has to offer. 

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Takeaway

We hope that knowing more about the bone conduction headphones pros and cons, would have helped you make a better decision. Bone Conduction Headphones are a fairly newer technology in the world of audio gadgets. If you are an athlete, these might be the best that the market has to offer you. If you are someone who can’t find a good fitting headphone, then getting these would surely make your life easy.

Conduction headphones won’t block the surroundings for you, but if you are someone who is looking for headphones for some specific activities, then consider them because they’re surely good. 

It’s a newer technology, but we’ll see advancement in the coming years. Let’s see how the companies deal with the sound leakage. The question of the night is – Will we have a bone conduction headphone that can block the surrounding noise? Let’s see what the future holds. 

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Usman Mani
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Usman Mani

Md. Usman is a tech enthusiast with an experience of over 10 years in the field of affiliated marketing. He used both of his passions to come up with engaging content that's authentic, compelling and helps users buy the best products online.

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