Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Mountain Biking

When you ask someone whether he or she uses headphones while mountain biking or cycling, the opinions differ from person to person. Some say it’s dangerous to wear headphones while cycling or biking because they need to stay aware of their surroundings, while others say it releases a lot of tension and stress to listen to your favorite podcasts, audiobooks, or soundtracks.

If you ask us, we are fond of wearing headphones while biking or cycling because now there are things like the best headphones for cycling wind noise that can defy the noise of the wind. Even if you are riding at a high speed; these will not cause any problems in your ride.

Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Mountain Biking

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS Feature

AfterShokz Aeropex
  • Weight: 26 grams
  • Bluetooth Technology: Bluetooth 5.0
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Bonein BN-702
  • Weight: 45 Grams
  • Bluetooth Technology: Bluetooth 4.0
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AfterShokz Air
  • Weight: 36 Grams
  • Sensor: Bluetooth 4.1
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  • Weight: 40 Grams
  • Sensor: Bluetooth 5.0
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AfterShokz Titanium
  • Weight: 29.7 Grams
  • Sensor: Bluetooth 5.0
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Barcley A9
  • Weight: 37 Grams
  • Sensor: Bluetooth 5.1
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Tayogo S2
  • Weight: 37.7 Grams
  • Sensor: Bluetooth 5.0
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AfterShokz Xtrainerz
  • Weight: 41 Garams
  • Sensor: Bluetooth 5.1
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Since we enjoy wearing headphones while riding, that’s why today we are going to pick out a few headphone options that are specialized for mountain biking.

We won’t discuss earbuds or earphones here because those gadgets do not classify as headphones. So, if you are looking for the best Bluetooth earphones for bikers or the best wireless earbuds for mountain biking, then this might not be the list for you because this list is specifically targeting bone-conduction headphones.

Bone-Conduction Headphones

In the technological world of music playback, one of the most exciting inventions in recent times is bone-conduction headphones. Instead of transferring sound through eardrums like traditional headphones, bone-conduction headphones work by transferring sounds with vibrations in the cheekbones.

These headphones have been in the market for quite some time and various manufacturers create bone-conduction headphones. So, as a beginner when you go out there in the search of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking, you may get confused with the availability of several options. That’s where we enter.

We have gathered a list of headphones and we have ranked them based on the features they offer to their users and since there is no budget limit. So, we have ranked these headphones according to the results of our testing.

But that doesn’t mean that you won’t find budget-range headphones here. There will be a few budget-range options and a few premium options on this list. So, without any further delay, let’s begin the list!

Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Mountain Biking

1. AfterShokz Aeropex

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 5.0
Behavior with Water:IP67 Sweat and Dust Proof
Battery Life:8 Hours of Continuous Playback
Weight:26 grams (only)
Forte:Snug and Comfortable Fit
Wireless Range:33ft. (10m.)
AfterShokz Aeropex bone conduction headphone

For the number one spot in our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking, we have picked AfterShokz Aeropex. This entry should not come as a surprise because it is the flagship bone-conduction headphones from AfterShokz and these headphones can prove useful under any scenario. So, let’s see the insights of these headphones.

Insights of these headphones:

Whether you are looking for the best bone conduction headphones for biking or mountain biking, these headphones will be the top pick. Even if you want bone conduction headphones cycling, you can still use these headphones.

For starters, the AfterShokz Aeropex comes with an IP67 waterproof rating and a battery life of up to 8 hours that can serve you during long sessions of mountain biking. You need to charge these headphones for 2 hours to enjoy 8 hours of uninterrupted entertainment.

The IP67 waterproof rating makes them safe from heavy rain showers and dust particles. Even during the shower, these will be safe to use.

Speaking of the build quality of AfterShokz Aeropex, these headphones can easily fit at the back of your head and you can use them for long hours because these are comfortable and lightweight to use.

One of the reasons why we have put these headphones at the top of our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking is their inability to block the background noise which is great in this scenario because you can easily hear traffic passing by you and people around you.

During our testing, even when we have worn a full-face helmet, we could hear everything such as the sound of the bike and music at the same time. So, even if you want headphones for bike helmet, you should not be hesitant while deciding to buy these headphones.

Pros
  • Long battery life
  • Sweat and dust-proof
  • Snuggly fit
  • Bluetooth 5.0 gives a stable connection
  • Extra lightweight
Cons
  • Strong vibration results in itchy ears courtesy of its loud volume
  • Being a flagship entry, these are one of the most expensive entries on our list

2. AfterShokz Air

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 4.2
Behavior with Water:IP55 Water-Resistant
Battery Life:6 Hours of Continuous Playback
Weight:30 grams
Forte:Comfortable and Lightweight
AfterShokz Air headphone

At number two, we have another AfterShokz entry named AfterShokz Air. While deciding to rank our top two entries for the list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking, we were a little confused between AfterShokz Aeropex and AfterShokz Air.

But since the Aeropex model serves in most scenarios, that’s why we have decided to put that in the first spot and this model in the second spot. So, let’s dig deep into the benefits a user can get through these headphones.

Insights of these headphones:

The AfterShokz Air is one of the open ear wireless headphones entries on our today’s list, but these come with deep bass and a wider range of crystal-clear calls or sound quality.

These headphones give a battery timing of 6 hours, which is reasonable considering its other specs, but as compared to other entries on our list, you will find headphones with better battery life.

With its battery life, you can continuously enjoy calls, music, audiobooks, or podcasts while mountain biking with the crystal-clear sound quality of these headphones.

Speaking of the sound quality, these are situational awareness headphones as they allow you to hear the traffic passing by you and the people around you which is kind of a safety option for bikers.

Moreover, you won’t have any issues during wearing these headphones for long biking sessions because these headphones have a stable and flexible build which makes them comfortable to wear. Not only that, the IP55 rating makes these headphones resistant to sweat.

The controls of these headphones are easily accessible and these headphones make use of a voice assistant named Audrey to confirm the pairing with a device.

Another reason to put these headphones in the list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking is they won’t fall off, unlike other bone-conduction headphones. That’s because their batteries and controls are in a finger-tip-sized packing, which plays an important role in keeping these headphones still.

Pros
  • Good sound quality
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable fit
  • Compatible with Android and iOS devices
Cons
  • Bluetooth 4.2 doesn’t seem to fit with its other specs
  • Sound leakage due to an open ear model

3. Tayogo S2

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 5.0
Battery Life:Up to 6 Hours of Playback Time
Weight:29.7 g
Compatibility:With both Android and iOS
Forte:Dynamic Range and Base
Wireless Range:Up to 30 ft.
tayogo s2 bone conductionheahphone

After two premium entries, at number three we have a budget entry from Tayogo and this is the most popular model of Tayogo named Tayogo S2. Anyone who is looking for a comfortable product that won’t break his or her bank as well, this should be his or her choice.

Insights of these headphones:

Tayogo S2 is the least expensive comfortable product in our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking because of its soft rubber pads.

This model features a Bluetooth 5.0 module which gives a long range of up to 30 feet and you won’t have to worry about any connectivity issue as we haven’t experienced any. Courtesy of the latest Bluetooth 5.0 module, these headphones can be paired with your device easily and quickly.

One of the things we have liked about these headphones is their protection against noise leakage because we haven’t experienced any noise leakage in our testing. So, even if you are listening to these headphones in any quieter place, no one will ever find out about what you are listening to.

If you buy these headphones from a trusted seller, you will get a 1-year warranty from the company which means even if you are using the bone-conduction headphones for the first time, you will always have the company’s back with these headphones.

As these are bone-conduction headphones, so they transmit the sound through vibrations and even the soft rubber pad will not get in the way of vibration transmission such as the productivity of these headphones.

Last but not the least, you will get a battery timing of 6 hours with a single charge and these headphones are flexible enough to fit the head size of 99% of the users, so even if you have a large head, you can easily wear Tayogo S2.

Pros
  • Great battery life considering its price tag
  • Snuggly fit
  • Compatible with wearables, smartphones, and laptops
  • Long transmission range because of Bluetooth 5.0 module
  • Affordable choice
Cons
  • People with glasses won’t be comfortable wearing these headphones
  • The peak sound of these headphones is not loud enough

4. AfterShokz Titanium Mini

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 4.1
Behavior with Water:IP55 Water-Resistant
Battery Life:6 Hours
Weight:29 g
Forte:7th Generation Bone Conduction Tech
AfterShokz Titanium headphone

The number four position on our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking is another AfterShokz entry named Titanium Mini. If you have a smaller head and you are looking for bone-conduction headphones that can fit smaller heads, then these headphones should be your pick.

Insights of these headphones:

As the name describes, the Titanium Mini is the bone-conduction headphones designed specifically for people with smaller heads. If you have previously used AfterShokz Titanium, then you will find the specs of these headphones are pretty much the same as the AfterShokz Titanium.

With a comfortable build, these headphones are easy-to-wear and feature a 1-inch smaller headband as compared to AfterShokz Titanium’s headband.

The availability of IP55 rating makes these headphones resistant to dust particles and small water drops, so whether you are sweating during your mountain bike rides or you are passing through a dusty area, these headphones won’t create any issue for you.

Even if you want to answer calls while mountain biking or want to listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts, these headphones will entertain you for 6 hours such as the powerful battery of these headphones.

One of the unique things about these headphones is, you can turn these headphones off after pressing the volume down button for 15-20 seconds.

The availability of the Bluetooth 4.1 module is a downfall of these headphones because we have often experienced audio dropouts and connectivity issues while pairing these headphones with our laptops or smartphones. Other than this downfall, these headphones are recommended for long road trips.

Pros
  • A short headband makes these headphones beneficial for people with shorter heads
  • Perfect fit for people on road-trips
  • Lightweight and flexible build
  • Compatible with Android and iOS devices
Cons
  • Bluetooth 4.1 will often result in connectivity issues and audio dropouts with newer devices

5. AfterShokz Air AS650MB

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 4.2
Behavior with Water:Sweatproof
Battery Life:6 Hours of Continuous Playback
Weight:30.05 g
Forte:Multipoint Pairing
AfterShokz Air AS650MB bone conduction headphone

A lot of people get confused between this (AfterShokz Air AS650MB) and AfterShokz Air, but these two are completely different bone-conduction headphones.

The AfterShokz Air AS650MB which is also known as AfterShokz Trekz Air comes in at number five on our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking and let’s see how these headphones are worth putting here.

Insights of these headphones:

The AfterShokz Air AS650MB is the safest and secure bone-conduction headphones on our today’s list. Apart from being safe, these headphones are comfortable to wear as well, so no matter how long you ride on your mountain bike, these sweatproof headphones won’t interrupt your mountain biking pleasure.

To make your mountain bike journey more pleasurable, these headphones come with a battery life of 6 hours and you can use these headphones continuously as these are built for long-term wear.

Speaking of the sound quality, the AfterShokz Air AS650MB also uses premium pitch technology for providing its users with rich bass and crystal-clear sound quality. Even during calls, you can clearly hear the other person, courtesy of the dual noise-canceling mics.

However, in our testing, we’ve observed that when you bring the paired device closer to you, the sound will get louder.

These headphones are another open fit (open ear) entry on our list that comes with situational awareness through its open ear design. Not only that, but the availability of reflective strips makes these headphones one of the best alternatives to traditional headphones for biking or mountain biking.

AfterShokz has embedded a Bluetooth 4.2 module in these headphones (AfterShokz Air AS650MB) which was a disappointment for us during its testing because often users have faced connectivity issues with headphones having Bluetooth 4.2 module.

However, you can still connect these headphones to your iPhone, Android, MacBook, or laptop.

Last but not the least, you can connect these headphones to multiple devices at the same time and the availability of leak-layer technology will not only reduce natural sound leakage, but also provide the premium bone-conduction headphones feel.

Pros
  • The best alternative for a regular traditional headphones’ user
  • Can easily hear your surrounding with these headphones
  • Most safe and secure bone-conduction headphones
  • Multipoint pairing
Cons
  • Bluetooth 4.2 doesn’t seem to fit with other specifications of these headphones

6. Vidonn F3

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 5.0
Behavior with Water:IP65 Sweatproof
Battery Life:7 Hours of Phone Calls and Music Time
Weight:25 g
Forte:40% Sound Leakage and CVC Noise Cancellation
Range:Up to 10 meters
Vidonn F3 bone conduction headphone

For people who are after something tiny in the bone-conduction headphones line-up, Vidonn F3 is a perfect choice. The Vidonn F3 has made the sixth spot on our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking and let’s see why it’s worth putting in this list.

Insights of these headphones:

Just like Titanium Mini from AfterShokz, the Vidonn F3 comes with a 1-inch shorter headband as compared to the Vidonn F1. However, the rest of the build quality of the Vidonn F3 is almost the same as compared to the Vidonn F1. Here you will find a titanium alloy structure and there isn’t any other noticeable change in the construction of these headphones.

These bone-conduction headphones are not only durable and flexible, but they are also resistant to sweat courtesy of the IP65 rating. So, even when you are sweating during your long mountain biking session, these headphones will prove a great companion for you.

The Clear Voice Capture feature of these headphones will make sure that no matter how noisy your surroundings are, the phone calls from these headphones will always stay clear. Moreover, the 7 hours battery life of these headphones is more than enough for every user.

The bass of Vidonn F3 is pretty mediocre without the use of earplugs and it’s almost unnoticeable, but the sound is reasonably loud.

When it comes to the controls of these headphones, you will not find any volume buttons, which is its drawback. The play or pause button is too small and most users won’t be able to press that button easily.

Pros
  • Best for smaller heads
  • Affordable pick
  • Good battery life
  • CVC noise cancellation
  • Great color options
Cons
  • Absence of volume buttons
  • Unnoticeable bass without the use of earplugs
  • Not a choice for larger heads

7. AfterShokz Titanium Open

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 4.0
Behavior with Water:IP55 Water-Resistant
Battery Life:6 Hours Talk Time and 10 Days Standby Time
Weight:36 g
Forte:Supports Fast Charging
Range:Up to 33 feet
AfterShokz Titanium open headphone

The number seven entry on our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking is AfterShokz Titanium, which is another AfterShokz entry and it’s the last entry from AfterShokz in our today’s list.

Insights of these headphones:

The AfterShokz Titanium comes with super easy controls as the user can pause the music without taking these off because one of the speakers has a pause button on the side, which is easily accessible.

One of the components on the headband features Volume Buttons. Next to it, you will find a Micro-USB slot which (obviously) you’ll use for charging these headphones.

The AfterShokz Titanium are multipurpose headphones and even if you have bought these headphones for mountain biking, you can use these for jogs or outdoor runs as well because you can hear everything that is happening around you such as the productivity of these headphones.

These headphones come with a good battery life of 10 days in standby mode and 6 hours of talk time in continuous usage, so no need to worry about these leaving you all alone in a long mountain biking session.

Speaking of the sound quality, it’s unmatchable as compared to traditional headphones. So, if you are a headphone user who buys headphones with sound quality as his top priority, then these headphones should be your choice.

Pros
  • Lighter in weight
  • Fast recharging
  • No sound leakage problem
Cons
  • Not a choice for narrow-headed people

8. ALOVA Open Ear

SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth Module:Bluetooth 5.0
Behavior with Water:IP56 Sweatproof
Battery Life:6 Hours
Weight:27 g
Range:Up to 15 meters
ALOVA Open Ear wireless headphone

The ALOVA Open Ear bone-conduction headphones come on the last number on our list of the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking and it’s another budget entry on our list. Let’s see what this product is offering being a budget range bone-conduction headphone.

Insights of these headphones:

These less expensive headphones come with an average bass quality, but these will provide a crisp vocal experience courtesy of the ecological diaphragm speakers.

ALOVA has mentioned that these headphones can give 6 hours of battery timing and these headphones give exactly 6 hours 😁 of entertainment sessions, which is pretty reasonable in this price range. It will take you one and a half hours to fully charge the 120mAh battery of these headphones.

If you are looking to use these headphones in the gym, then these headphones won’t fit your needs because you can hear everything happening in the background. That’s what makes these headphones useful for mountain biking and that’s the reason why we have put these headphones on our list.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can use these headphones only for mountain biking. Even if you are cycling or jogging, these headphones will be a perfect companion for you. No matter how long your riding or jogging session is going to last, these headphones won’t become intolerable, courtesy of their comfortable fit.

The availability of the Bluetooth 5.0 module was a plus point for us during our testing because, with Bluetooth 5.0, these headphones can easily be connected in a reliable connection that provides a wireless transmission range of 15 meters.

The microphone quality of these headphones is on-par, which is what you can expect at this price range but the sound quality is pretty great.

The IP56 makes these headphones resistant to pressure jet sprays from every angle which means these headphones aren’t recommended for swimming but they can easily resist sweat during a long mountain biking ride or any other sports activity.

Pros
  • Sweatproof
  • Recommended for every sports activity except swimming
Cons
  • The loud sound sometimes becomes irritatable

Conclusion

One of the main companies in the development of bone-conduction headphones is AfterShokz and their Aeropex model is one of the top-line products which can be useful in multiple scenarios. That’s why we recommend you using Aeropex if you want the best bone conduction headphones for mountain biking.

However, if you want a more budget-ranged pick, you can use the Tayogo S2.

But if you’ve been using traditional headphones for quite some time and now you want to move to bone-conduction headphones, then the perfect fit for switching from traditional headphones to bone-conduction headphones is AfterShokz Air AS650MB.

Guideline for Buying the Bone-Conduction Headphones for Mountain Biking

1. Fitness of the Headphone

Before buying any bone-conduction headphones, your top priority should be to check those headphones based on fitness. For example, if any headphones have headbands while biking or cycling; fitness matters the most because you don’t want to adjust your headphones back-to-back in a busy city center.

2. Compatible with Safety Gears

You should wear a helmet while biking, so consider buying bone-conduction headphones that will go best with helmets as well. One of the other things is to look for noise cancellation bone-conduction headphones because they will eliminate the background noise.

3. Always Pick Bone-Conduction Headphones with Better Situational Awareness

While picking bone-conduction headphones for using them in biking, cycling, or even jogging, it’s better to choose the headphones that offer the most situational awareness because then you can easily hear out the traffic passing by you.

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