Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Phone Calls

1. Waterproof Open Earbuds

We put the New Waterproof Open headphones through their paces, and while they offer a decent audio experience for their price point, the call quality left something to be desired. My voice often sounded distant to the person on the other end, requiring me to speak louder than I’d prefer. The build, while water-resistant, feels a bit lightweight, and the touch controls can be overly sensitive, leading to accidental activations when adjusting them.

These are best suited for casual listening during light workouts or commutes where pristine call clarity isn’t the absolute priority. If you’re someone who frequently takes important work calls on the go, you might find yourself frustrated with the microphone’s performance. The fit is generally secure, but over extended wear, I noticed a slight pressure point on my ear cartilage.

2. Bone Conduction Sports Headphones

These Bone Conduction Sports Headphones deliver a solid, if unremarkable, performance for outdoor enthusiasts. During calls, my voice came through clearly enough for casual conversations, though background noise did occasionally intrude. The sound leakage at higher volumes is noticeable, which might be a concern in quiet environments. I found the physical buttons to be a welcome change from touch controls, offering a more tactile and reliable interaction.

A real-life usage scenario where these shine is during a trail run. You can maintain situational awareness of your surroundings, like approaching cyclists or wildlife, while still enjoying your podcast or taking an incoming call. However, if your primary use case involves taking business calls from a busy coffee shop, the microphone might struggle to isolate your voice effectively. The plastic frame feels sturdy enough for typical sports use.

3. Boytond Ultra Open Ear Earbuds

The Boytond Ultra Open Ear Earbuds aim for a premium feel, and in many ways, they succeed. For those seeking the best bone conduction headphones for phone calls, these offer a compelling option. I experienced remarkably clear voice transmission, with the microphone doing a commendable job of filtering out ambient sound. The audio playback is rich and detailed, making music enjoyable even during outdoor activities. The build quality feels robust, and the ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit for extended periods.

This is who these are specifically for: the remote worker who needs to take frequent calls from various locations, from a park bench to a bustling co-working space. The clear microphone ensures professionalism on every call. However, I did notice that the charging case, while sleek, is a bit on the larger side compared to some competitors, making it slightly less pocket-friendly. The open-ear design, while great for awareness, means you won’t get the same level of passive noise isolation as with in-ear buds.

4. Shokz Openrun Pro 2

Shokz has a reputation for quality, and the OpenRun Pro 2 largely lives up to it, especially for active users. The call quality is a significant improvement over many competitors; my voice was consistently clear and intelligible, even when I was mid-run. The sound leakage is minimal at moderate volumes, which I appreciated for privacy. The titanium frame feels incredibly lightweight yet durable, and the overall fit is secure and stable during vigorous activity.

I found these to be fantastic for cycling. I could easily hear traffic while maintaining a clear conversation with a colleague about an upcoming project. The only minor annoyance I encountered was the slightly less intuitive button placement on the right side, which took a few tries to get used to. For someone who prioritizes call quality and comfort during high-impact sports, these are a strong contender, but they might be overkill for someone who only needs headphones for occasional, low-intensity use.

5. Shokz Openrun

The SHOKZ OpenRun Bone Conduction Open headphones offer a solid, reliable experience for everyday use and athletic pursuits. The microphone quality for calls is generally good, providing a clear signal for the person on the other end during moderate noise conditions. I noticed that at very high volumes, some of the audio clarity for music can be slightly compromised, which is a common trade-off with bone conduction technology. The build feels sturdy, and the familiar Shokz comfort is present.

These are ideal for the daily commuter who needs to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to podcasts or taking calls. You can easily hear train announcements or traffic signals without removing the headphones. However, if you’re looking for deep bass or an immersive audio experience for critical music listening, these might not satisfy. The slightly less premium feel compared to their Pro counterparts is noticeable, but the overall functionality is excellent for their intended purpose.

6. Bone Conduction Headphones Wireless Bluetooth

When I first slipped these generic bone conduction headphones on, I was immediately struck by the lightweight design. They rest comfortably on the cheekbones, providing a surprisingly unobtrusive listening experience. The open-ear design is crucial for situational awareness, a real plus when you’re navigating busy streets or working in an office environment.

For phone calls, the microphone performance was adequate, picking up my voice clearly in quiet settings. However, I did notice a tendency for background noise to creep in during slightly louder environments, which meant I had to raise my voice more than I’d prefer. The Bluetooth connection was stable for the most part, though I experienced a brief dropout once when my phone was in my back pocket.

This pair is a decent entry-level option for casual users who prioritize affordability and the open-ear concept. If you’re someone who just needs to take the occasional call and wants to keep your ears free without breaking the bank, these might fit the bill. However, if crystal-clear call quality in noisy areas is your absolute top priority, you might want to look at more specialized options.

7. Shokz Openmove

The SHOKZ OpenMove headphones are a solid contender, especially when considering the best bone conduction headphones for phone calls. I found the fit to be secure and comfortable, even during a brisk walk; they don’t bounce or shift. The open-ear design truly allows you to stay aware of your surroundings, which is a significant safety feature.

During phone calls, the voice pickup on the OpenMove was quite good. My callers reported hearing me clearly, with minimal distortion, even when I was outdoors with a moderate amount of ambient noise. I appreciated the physical buttons for controls, which felt tactile and easy to locate without looking, a real advantage when you’re on the move.

While the audio quality for music is decent, it’s not going to satisfy audiophiles seeking deep bass. However, for calls, the clarity is commendable. My only minor gripe is that the charging port, while standard USB-C, is slightly recessed, making it a bit fiddly to plug in sometimes. This is a great option for commuters and fitness enthusiasts who need reliable call functionality alongside awareness.

8. Psier Bone Conduction Headphones

The PSIER headphones boast an upgraded Bluetooth 6.0, and during my testing, the connection was indeed very stable, with no noticeable lag or dropouts. The open-ear design is comfortable, though the ear hooks felt a little less premium than I’d hoped, with a slightly plasticky feel. They sit well on the ears, ensuring they don’t feel like they’re going to slip off.

For phone calls, the microphone performance was a mixed bag. In quiet rooms, my voice came through clearly enough for basic conversations. However, when I took a call near a busy street, callers mentioned hearing a significant amount of background traffic noise, requiring me to repeat myself. The sound leakage at higher volumes was also more pronounced than I expected.

These are best suited for individuals who spend most of their time in quieter environments and value the budget-friendly aspect of bone conduction. If your daily routine involves frequent calls in noisy urban settings or if you’re sensitive to sound leakage, you should probably steer clear of this model. The battery life, however, was quite impressive during my tests.

9. Opencomm2

The OpenComm2 Upgrade truly shines when it comes to its intended purpose: communication. I found the microphone to be exceptionally good at isolating my voice, even when I was standing next to a whirring fan. The sound quality for calls was crisp and clear, making it easy to understand callers even in moderately noisy environments.

The design is sleek and lightweight, and the neckband provides a secure fit that stays put without causing discomfort. I appreciated the dedicated mute button, a small but significant feature that adds a professional touch to calls. The physical buttons are well-placed and offer satisfying tactile feedback, which makes them easy to operate without looking.

This headset is ideal for professionals who frequently take calls on the go, such as delivery drivers or remote workers who need to step outside. If you’re primarily looking for a high-fidelity music listening experience, you might find the audio profile a bit flat for your tastes. However, for its focus on call quality and awareness, it’s hard to beat.

10. Raycon Bone Conduction Headphones

Raycon’s bone conduction offering provides a decent balance between audio and call quality, with a particular focus on ease of use. I found the Bluetooth connection to be quick to pair and generally reliable, though I did experience a slight stutter once when moving between rooms in my house. The open-ear design is comfortable and allows for good ambient sound awareness.

For phone calls, the microphone picked up my voice adequately in quiet settings. However, in situations with more background noise, such as a coffee shop, callers reported a noticeable amount of ambient sound bleeding into the conversation. The sound leakage from the headphones themselves was also present at moderate to high volumes.

This model is a good option for casual users who want a comfortable, awareness-focused listening experience for everyday tasks and occasional calls. If you regularly make important calls in noisy environments or demand absolute privacy with no sound leakage, you’d be better served by a different product. The battery life was respectable, getting me through a full workday.