Please don't listen to the people suggesting using a speaker, that is incredibly obnoxious to everyone you share the road with. I guess if you're just in traffic then maybe, but if you ever take any paths or bike lanes you will be pissing off everyone trying to enjoy themselves without listening to your tunes Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
Bose
bose.com › home › story listing › air conduction vs. bone conduction: the ultimate guide
Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction: Open-ear Audio Guide | Bose
April 22, 2024 - Air conduction is far superior to bone conduction for sound quality, especially if you want to enjoy a thumping bass with your music. With this audio transmission method of · spatial audio earbuds, you can experience the richness of a wide ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/cycling › headphones question: open ear better than bone conduction ?
r/cycling on Reddit: Headphones question: open ear better than bone conduction ?
January 29, 2024 -
Hi fellow cyclists,
I do have a tricky questionI have used Shokz Aeropex for 2 years until they failed and now replaced them with the new Shokz Open Run.
But while I totally like the awareness that you get from using bone conduction headphones I am struggling with the volume. The Aeropex where borderline loud enough, especially when going >25 kph and the new Open Run are even less loud.
So I am wondering if open ear headphones would be a better choice.What are your experiences?
Some things to consider:- the open ear headphones I have found are individual earpieces and I am afraid to loose them. I would prefer something that is connected with a strap or similar.- I definitely do not what in ear headphones- I use them mainly for podcasts and audio books.- My typical rides are 2-3 hours. My longest rides are 5-6 hours.
Edited: Adding links while I find Options on my own or from comments
Open Ear - none bone conduction options:
Upcoming Oladance OSW Sport might be an option:
https://www.oladanceshop.com/pages/ows-sports
Soundcore AeroFit Pro:
https://us.soundcore.com/products/aerofit-pro-a3871011
JBL Sondgear Sense:
https://de.jbl.com/bestsellers/SOUNDGEAR-SENSE.html?cgid=bestsellers
Ali Express option:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005349965303.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
Top answer 1 of 32
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Please don't listen to the people suggesting using a speaker, that is incredibly obnoxious to everyone you share the road with. I guess if you're just in traffic then maybe, but if you ever take any paths or bike lanes you will be pissing off everyone trying to enjoy themselves without listening to your tunes
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Riding alone, I just wear wireless earbuds. If some asshole is going to run over me from behind while texting and driving, let it be while I'm rocking out to some sick tracks
Videos
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Bone Conduction is DEAD ❌ Bone Conduction vs Open Earbuds - YouTube
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Runners, do you need open-ear OR bone-conduction headphones? (Shokz, ...
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Shokz: Which Should You Actually Buy?? - YouTube
Why is air conduction better than bone conduction?
Air conduction headphones generally deliver fuller sound quality with richer bass and wider frequency response. Because they transmit sound through the air into your ear canal, they can reproduce music and speech with more natural detail. However, bone conduction headphones are better suited for outdoor safety and comfort, as they leave your ears open to ambient sound.
shokz.com
shokz.com › blogs › news › air-conduction-vs-bone-conduction
Bone Conduction vs Air Conduction: What's the Difference
Can other people hear air conduction headphones?
Air conduction headphones may leak a small amount of sound at higher volumes, but the effect is minimal compared to traditional open-ear speakers. Modern air conduction models, like OpenFit 2+, use optimized acoustic ports and directional sound technology to reduce sound leakage and keep audio private.
shokz.com
shokz.com › blogs › news › air-conduction-vs-bone-conduction
Bone Conduction vs Air Conduction: What's the Difference
Why is conduction more effective in metals than air?
Conduction is more effective in metals because their atomic structure allows vibrations to transfer energy quickly between particles. Metals have higher density and stronger atomic bonds, which makes them better conductors of sound and heat compared to air, where particles are farther apart. This principle also explains why bone conduction can efficiently transmit vibrations through solid structures like the skull.
shokz.com
shokz.com › blogs › news › air-conduction-vs-bone-conduction
Bone Conduction vs Air Conduction: What's the Difference
Soundcore
soundcore.com › home › blog center › earbuds blog › how to choose between bone conduction and open-ear headphones? what's the difference?
How to Choose Between Bone Conduction and Open-Ear Headphones? What's the Difference?
September 29, 2025 - Because they bypass the eardrum, they’re also helpful for people with certain hearing challenges and stay secure during activities like running or cycling. However, their sound quality is not as rich, with weaker bass, and prolonged use can ...
QCY
qcy.com › home › tech › bone conduction vs. open-ear earbuds: which is right for you?
Bone Conduction vs. Open-Ear Earbuds: Which Is Right for You? – QCY Official
October 1, 2025 - It's vibes vs. air: Bone excels in raw safety/comfort for intense sports, while open-ear air conduction steals sound/price for versatile daily use. Both trump sealed buds for "safe earbuds" in 2025, blending awareness with audio.
Soundcore
soundcore.com › home › blog center › headphones blog › bone conduction headphones vs earbuds: which to choose?
Bone Conduction Headphones vs Earbuds: Which Is Better?
October 9, 2024 - One of the standout features of bone-conduction headphones is how they deliver sound. Instead of blasting tunes directly into your ears, they use bone conduction technology to transmit vibrations to the inner ear through your cheekbones. Thus, it leaves your ear canals free for an open-ear experience. Meanwhile, earbuds use the more traditional approach of directly delivering the sounds through the ear canal.
Shokz
shokz.com › blogs › news › air-conduction-vs-bone-conduction
Bone Conduction vs Air Conduction: What's the Difference
November 24, 2023 - If you’re looking for crisp sound and punchy basslines, or if you need to focus and get in the zone, go for air conduction headphones. Many newer products also have superior sound quality compared to their predecessors.
NYTimes
nytimes.com › electronics › audio › the best bone-conduction and open-ear headphones
The 5 Best Bone-Conduction and Open-Ear Headphones of 2026 | Reviews by Wirecutter
August 25, 2025 - ... For workouts, choose a set with an IPX4 (or higher) water-resistance rating. For swimming, opt for IPX7 or higher. Bone-conduction headphones send sound waves through your skull directly to your inner ear, skipping the eardrum entirely.
FreSound
fresound.com › blogs › news › open-earbuds-vs-bone-conduction
Open Earbuds vs Bone Conduction: Which Is Better for You? – FreSound
July 17, 2025 - Your ears remain completely open, allowing you to hear: ... If you're torn between the two and sound quality matters most, open earbuds deliver a more satisfying listening experience:
Run United
rununited.com › home › running sports blog › bone conduction headphones & open-ear earbuds: worth it?
Bone Conduction Headphones & Open-Ear Earbuds: Worth It? - Run United
August 21, 2025 - Open ear headphones aren't about delivering audiophile-quality sound. They're about keeping you connected to your music while staying aware of your surroundings. If you're the type of runner who needs to feel completely immersed in your playlist, ...
JLab
jlab.com › blogs › news › bone-conduction-vs-open-ear-headphones
Bone conduction vs open ear headphones – JLab
November 21, 2022 - Additionally, if you're sensitive to putting earbuds into your ear, this may be a great alternative. While bone conduction is a popular option in the market, here's some examples of why open ear is better: A popular complaint with bone conduction headphones is sound.
Soundcore
soundcore.com › home › blog center › headphones blog › air conduction vs. bone conduction: sound transmission explored
Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction: A Comprehensive Guide
August 27, 2024 - When it comes to sound quality, the narrative often leans towards air conduction greater than bone conduction. Open-ear air-conduction headphones tend to deliver a richer and more refined auditory experience.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Bone Conduction vs Open Ear: Which One Should You Choose? - YouTube
Bone conduction and open ear are two innovative types of headphones that let you listen to music without blocking your ear canals. Bone conduction headphones...
Published June 22, 2025
Dexerto
dexerto.com › home › home entertainment › open-ear vs bone conduction headphones: which is right for you?
Open-ear vs bone conduction headphones: Which is right for You? - Dexerto
March 8, 2024 - Compared to conventional headphones or earbuds, the biggest downside of open-ear earbuds is that you miss out on the depth or bass in sound, and features like ANC are missing. ... Bone conduction headphones are a type of open-ear headphones ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/running › open ear air vs bone conduction?
r/running on Reddit: Open Ear Air vs Bone conduction?
October 15, 2024 -
Hello to every runners!
I was wondering what is better to wear when running - air vs bone conduction. I am well aware of how both technology works, but in terms of running, what is a better option? I like to run outside and I have the Galaxy Buds Pro; however, I am starting to realize that it can be dangerous without awareness of the surrounding. So, it would be nice what is more comfortable to wear (especially with someone who wears glasses) and which one can provide better awareness to the surroundings and lastly can you recommend me a good budget friendly earphones?
Edit: thank you everyone for your suggestions! I read them all and has helped a ton!
Top answer 1 of 82
114
I just got the basic Shokz OpenRun and they work really well! I don't wear glasses, but I do wear sunglasses with them. No problem. And a hat too. I also get pretty sweaty and they stay on thus far I actually like them so much, I started wearing them around my house when cleaning too. Great battery life Not sure what your budget is, but I previously paid $200 for Powerbeats Pro and they didn't even last 1.5 years before one stopped holding battery. So I was skeptical to shell out $120, but I have friends who have has theirs for years with no issue ETA: I have also tried them with earplugs in at the gym. It does work, but I noticed if you have a complete seal on your ear, the sound is muffled more for some reason. I'm very happy using them both with and without earplugs though, just an fyi if you were considering that
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Very happy with my Shokz.
Shokz
shokz.com › home
Are Open Ear Headphones Better? Find Out Which Type Truly Fits Your Li
May 30, 2025 - They feature high waterproof ratings and internal storage for MP3 files, making them ideal for swimmers. Open-ear headphones such as Shokz OpenFit or OpenFit 2 offer superior comfort and sound quality for long workdays and frequent calls.
Runner's World
runnersworld.com › running gear › running gear › the 8 best open-ear headphones for running
The 8 Best Open-Ear Headphones for Running in 2025 - Bone-Conduction Headphones
October 28, 2025 - Our running headphones recommendations have always included a pair from Shokz, primarily because bone-conduction headphones have been the safest for runners. But there’s a lot of new competition from open-ear models that include small speakers to fire sound toward your ears, so Shokz had to up its game. Bone conduction is a neat way to transmit audio, but the quality just can’t compare to actual speakers.
Shokz
uk.shokz.com › blogs › guides › bone-conduction-openrunpro2-vs-traditional-headphones
Bone Conduction vs. Traditional Headphones: A Deep Dive into Shokz Ope
Our unique algorithm also produces a 3D soundscape that is immersive, dynamic, and well-balanced. Unlike traditional headphones and earbuds, bone-conduction headphones produce sounds that are more ear-friendly.
ZDNET
zdnet.com › home › tech › wearables › headphones
These open-ear headphones ditch the bone conduction tech for something shockingly better | ZDNET
July 6, 2023 - The earbuds are a significant departure for Shokz since they do not use the company's signature bone conduction technology to provide the audio experience. Rather, the headphones use an open-ear approach with technology Shokz calls "air conduction." Comfortable-to-wear earbuds that are IP54 water-resistant and produce rich sound.
Tozo
tozostore.com › blog › open ear vs. bone conduction headphones: exploring audio innovation and performance
Open Ear vs. Bone Conduction Headphones: Exploring Audio Innovation an - TOZO Official
March 7, 2025 - Bass may not be as strong as in regular headphones, but comfort and safety often come first. For Everyday Use: Both technologies are good for daily listening. Pick open-ear headphones if sound quality matters most and you want to stay aware.
Tozo
tozostore.com › blog › air conduction vs. bone conduction: a comprehensive comparison
Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction: A Comprehensive Comparison | TOZO Official
September 6, 2024 - Bone conduction headphones, on ... This can provide a unique listening experience, but it may result in a less rich sound quality, particularly for bass frequencies....