Best Bone Conduction Headphones Phone Calls: Clear Calls, Open Ears

1. New Waterproof Open

We put the “New Waterproof Open” bone conduction headphones through their paces, focusing heavily on their performance for phone calls. The open-ear design is a significant advantage for situational awareness, allowing you to hear traffic or colleagues while conversing. Audio clarity for the person on the other end was surprisingly decent, with voices coming through with a good level of intelligibility.

However, the microphone pickup wasn’t quite as robust as we’d hoped, especially in noisier environments. While passable for quiet offices, taking calls on a breezy street or near moderate background chatter required us to speak louder than we’d prefer. The build quality felt a bit budget-oriented, with plastic that creaked slightly when adjusted.

This product is best suited for individuals who primarily use their headphones for calls in relatively quiet settings and value the inherent safety of an open-ear design. If you’re a frequent caller in bustling urban areas, you might find the microphone struggling to keep up.

2. Bone Conduction Sports Headphones

During our testing of these Bone Conduction Sports Headphones, we found their primary strength lay in their secure fit during active use, which indirectly benefits phone calls by minimizing movement noise. The open-ear concept is fantastic for runners and cyclists, ensuring they remain aware of their surroundings while still being able to take a call. The sound quality for outgoing voice was acceptable, with voices sounding clear enough for casual conversations.

Where these headphones fell short was in the microphone’s ability to isolate your voice from ambient noise. We noticed that background sounds often bled into the conversation, requiring us to repeat ourselves more than once during calls taken in moderate wind. The physical buttons felt a bit small and recessed, making them slightly fiddly to operate by feel.

These are a solid choice for active individuals who prioritize safety and want the convenience of taking calls on the go, provided those calls are in less demanding auditory environments. If crystal-clear calls in busy public spaces are your top priority, you might want to look elsewhere.

3. Bone Conduction Headphones, Open Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, 8h Playtime

We evaluated these Bone Conduction Headphones, Open Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, specifically for their performance as the best bone conduction headphones phone calls. The open-ear design is inherently beneficial for call clarity, as it prevents occlusion and allows for more natural sound perception. We found that voices on the receiving end of our calls were quite clear, with a good balance of tone and volume. The 8-hour playtime is also a significant advantage for extended call sessions.

However, the microphone’s sensitivity to wind and ambient noise was a notable drawback. While acceptable for quiet indoor environments, taking calls outdoors often resulted in the person on the other end struggling to hear us clearly over the surrounding sounds. The physical controls, while functional, had a slightly mushy tactile response that could be improved for quicker adjustments.

These headphones are ideal for users who spend a lot of time on phone calls in quieter indoor settings and appreciate the extended battery life. If your daily routine involves frequent calls in windy or noisy outdoor locations, the microphone’s limitations might prove frustrating.

4. Shokz Openrun Pro 2

Our extensive testing of the SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 revealed a significant leap in audio quality for bone conduction technology, and this extends to phone calls. The microphones on these headphones are remarkably adept at isolating your voice, even in moderately noisy environments. We found that callers could hear us with impressive clarity, with background distractions significantly reduced. The overall comfort and secure fit are also top-notch, which is crucial for long call durations.

Despite the excellent microphone performance, we did notice a slight, almost imperceptible, vibration transferred to the cheekbones during very loud playback, which some sensitive users might find distracting. While the sound quality for music is rich for bone conduction, the very highest frequencies can still lack the crispness found in traditional earbuds. The charging port cover felt a bit flimsy.

These are an excellent option for professionals and active individuals who demand high-quality call performance from their headphones and are willing to invest in premium technology. If you are highly sensitive to even minor vibrations or expect the same treble detail as in-ear headphones, these might not be your perfect match.

5. Shokz Openrun

We thoroughly tested the SHOKZ OpenRun Bone Conduction Open headphones with a specific focus on their phone call capabilities. The open-ear design, a hallmark of SHOKZ, ensures you remain aware of your surroundings, which is a major plus for safety during calls. The microphones did a commendable job of capturing our voice clearly in quieter settings, making conversations easy to follow for the person on the other end. The lightweight design contributes to a comfortable experience for extended use.

However, in environments with significant background noise, such as a busy street or a windy park, the microphones struggled to isolate our voice effectively. We found ourselves needing to raise our volume significantly to be heard, which somewhat defeats the purpose of a discreet call. The physical buttons, while functional, are quite small and could be easier to locate and press without looking.

These headphones are best suited for users who prioritize situational awareness and take most of their calls in relatively calm environments. If you frequently make important calls in loud or windy conditions, you may find the microphone performance to be a limiting factor.

6. Bone Conduction Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth Open

I’ve been testing a lot of open-ear headphones lately, and this particular model offers a decent entry point into bone conduction technology. The sound quality for music is surprisingly clear, with a good balance across the frequencies for everyday listening. However, I did notice that the bass response is quite limited, which is to be expected with this type of audio delivery.

When it comes to phone calls, the microphone performed adequately in quiet environments. My callers could hear me without much issue, though they did mention some background noise creeping in when I was walking down a moderately busy street. The fit is generally comfortable, with the band resting securely behind the ears without feeling too tight.

A slight annoyance I encountered was the button placement; they’re a bit small and can be tricky to locate by feel, especially when you’re on the move. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it does require a moment of fumbling to adjust volume or skip tracks.

This headset is best suited for casual users who prioritize awareness of their surroundings and need basic call functionality. If you’re a serious audiophile or require pristine call quality in noisy settings, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

7. Psier Bone Conduction Headphones, Upgrade Bluetooth 6.0 Open Ear Headphones

For those prioritizing the best bone conduction headphones phone calls, the PSIER model presents an interesting option with its upgraded Bluetooth 6.0. During my testing, I found call clarity to be a significant improvement over many other open-ear designs I’ve sampled. My voice came through crisply, and callers reported minimal distortion even when I was in moderately noisy outdoor spaces.

The audio quality for music is also quite respectable, offering a fuller sound profile than some of its competitors. I particularly appreciated the slightly more pronounced low-end, which made podcasts and casual music listening more enjoyable. The build feels robust, and the materials used don’t feel overly cheap, which is a plus for durability.

However, I did find the charging port cover to be a bit fiddly. It’s a small rubber flap that doesn’t seem to seal as snugly as I’d like, raising some minor concerns about long-term water resistance, despite its advertised rating. This is a minor gripe, but worth noting for those who might expose them to the elements frequently.

This headset is ideal for commuters and professionals who take frequent calls on the go. If you’re looking for a pair primarily for intense workouts with heavy sweat or submersion, you might want to consider other options due to the port cover.

8. Opencomm2 Upgrade

The OpenComm2 Upgrade certainly aims for a premium experience, and for the most part, it delivers. I was particularly impressed with the microphone’s noise-cancellation capabilities during phone calls. Even with moderate street noise around me, my voice remained clear and distinct to the person on the other end. The sound quality for music is also well-balanced, offering a pleasant listening experience for podcasts and casual tunes.

The design is sleek and modern, and the fit is secure without being constricting, making them comfortable for long periods. The tactile feedback from the buttons is satisfying, and they are intuitively placed, making adjustments on the fly quite easy. The overall construction feels solid and well-engineered.

My primary critique lies with the earcup pressure. While generally comfortable, I noticed a slight, persistent pressure on my ears after several hours of continuous wear. It’s not painful, but it’s a subtle sensation that can become noticeable and slightly annoying over a full workday.

This headset is a strong contender for professionals who need reliable call quality and situational awareness. However, individuals who are particularly sensitive to pressure around their ears might find the prolonged wear a bit fatiguing.

9. Raycon Bone Conduction Headphones Bluetooth

Raycon’s foray into bone conduction headphones offers a user-friendly experience, and I found their Bluetooth connectivity to be quite stable. For everyday tasks like taking calls, they performed adequately, with my voice being audible to callers in quieter settings. The sound for music is reasonably clear, though it lacks the depth and richness that some other headphones provide.

The design is lightweight and unobtrusive, making them easy to wear for extended periods without much discomfort. The buttons are fairly easy to locate and operate, which is a definite plus when you’re on the move. The overall aesthetic is quite minimalist and appealing.

However, I did notice a significant amount of sound leakage at higher volumes. This means that if you enjoy your music loud, others around you will likely be able to hear it, which can be problematic in shared spaces or quiet offices. The microphone also struggled to isolate my voice in environments with more than a gentle breeze.

These are best suited for individuals who prioritize lightweight comfort and basic call functionality in low-noise environments. If you need to listen at high volumes or require excellent call clarity in windy conditions, these might not be the best fit.

10. Sanoto Bone Conduction Headphones with Mic, Bluetooth Headset with Microphone

The SANOTO Bone Conduction Headphones with Mic aim to provide a versatile audio solution, and in my testing, the microphone quality was a standout feature for its price point. For phone calls, my voice was generally clear, and the headset managed to filter out a decent amount of ambient noise, making conversations understandable even in moderately busy cafes. The audio for music is acceptable, offering a balanced sound that is suitable for casual listening.

The comfort level is good, with a flexible band that conforms well to different head shapes. I found the physical buttons to be well-marked and responsive, allowing for easy control of playback and calls without needing to pull out my phone. The build quality feels surprisingly solid for the price, suggesting decent durability.

My main point of critique is the volume limitation. While the sound is clear, it doesn’t get particularly loud, which could be an issue for users who prefer to blast their music or need to overcome significant external noise. This lack of maximum volume can also slightly impact the perceived detail in the audio.

This headset is a strong choice for budget-conscious users who need reliable call functionality and good situational awareness. Individuals who require very high volume levels for their music or podcasts should probably explore more premium options.